101From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Benezet, 10 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received with Pleasure yours of Sept. 13. as it informed me of your Welfare. With this I send you one of Young’s Night Thoughts, the largest Print I could find. I thank you for the 4 Copies you sent me of your Translation of the French Book: I have given two of them to Friends here, whom I thought the Subject might suit. I have commenc’d an...
102From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Benezet, 14 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received your Favour of April 24. with the Pamphlets for which I thank you. I am glad to hear that such humane Sentiments prevail so much more generally than heretofore, that there is Reason to hope Our Colonies may in time get clear of a Practice that disgraces them, and without producing any equivalent Benefit, is dangerous to their very...
103Benjamin Franklin and Robert Grace to Elliott Benger: Bond, 25 April 1744 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Land Office, Department of Internal Affairs, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Know all Men by these Presents, That We Benjamin Franklin Deputy-Postmaster of the City of Philada. in the Province of Pennsilvania, and Robert Grace of the same Place Merchant are Held and firmly Bound unto the Honourable Elliott Benger, Esqr; Sole Deputy-Postmaster General of all his Majesty’s Dominions in...
104From Benjamin Franklin to Adolf Benzelius, [November 1769 or December 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Uppsala Library Dr. Franklin presents his best Respects to Mr. Benzel, and will be glad to see him and his Friend tomorrow morning at Eleven a Clock, if that time will suit them, and they think fit to do him the Honour of a Visit in Craven street. Addressed: To / Mr Benzel / at Mrs Philips’s / Jeweller. / St Martin’s Court Adolf Benzelius or Benzelstierna (1715–75) came of a...
105From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Bernard, 21 February 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I ought sooner to have answered yours of the 23d past, but the dangerous Riots and Tumults we have lately had here, took up all our Attention. I hope Mr. Bernard is well with you before this Time. As our Navigation was stopt by the Ice, and it was uncertain when our River would be open, and a good Vessel offer for Boston, I thought it might be best for...
106From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Bernard, 28 March 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Photostat of ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am favour’d with yours of the 17th. with the Letters return’d concerning Sturgeon. I lately sent you a good Receipt for Pickling, which I hope got to hand. I shall forward your Son’s Letter to Mr. Johnston. Enclos’d is one I received a few Days since from that Gentleman. I paid his Order, as you will see by the Receipt. Please to pay the...
107From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Bernard, 11 January 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The British Museum Having heard nothing from Virginia concerning your Son, I have at length thought the best and surest Way of bringing him safely here, will be to send from hence a sober trusty Person to conduct him up, who will attend him on the Road, &c. I have accordingly this Day agreed with Mr. Ennis, a very discreet Man, to make the Journey, who sets out to-morrow Morning. I shall...
108From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Bernard, 21 April 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Hyde Collection, Mrs. Donald F. Hyde, Somerville, N.J. (1955) Mr. Williams has acknowledg’d the Receipt of the £12 12 s. 0 d. Dr. Allison is out of Town, and not expected home these 10 Days. As soon as he returns I will speak to him, and write you his Answer. I communicated your Favour of the 1st. ult. to my Son, who desired me to return his grateful Acknowledgements for your kind...
109From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph-Étienne Bertier, 31 January 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society With cordial Thanks for your many Civilities to me when in Paris, I take this Opportunity of acquainting you, that your Certificate has been received by the Royal Society, and ordered to be hung up the usual Time which is Ten Meetings; but it was observed to be deficient in not mentioning your Christian Name, without which it is not reckon’d regular. I...
110From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Bessborough, [October 1761] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Calling at the Board this Morning, I was informed that Application had been made by Governour Fauquier for a Commission to his Secretary as my Colleague in the American Office. It is my Duty to acquiesce in your Lordship’s Pleasure if after reading this you should think proper to gratify the Governor by such an Appointment. But I conceive that the...
111From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Bessborough, 13 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library Mr. Franklin begs Leave to present his dutiful Respects, and his Congratulations to Lord Bessborough on his Return to the Post-Office. Would have waited on his Lordship, but that he is confined with a little Fit of the Gout. Mr. F. has just receiv’d from America the enclos’d very late Indian Treaty, by which a general Peace was establish’d with the Western Nations...
112From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Bessborough, 16 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library Dr. Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Lord Bessborough, with Thanks for the obliging Invitation, which he should embrace with Pleasure, but that he expects to be at Sea on that Day in his Way to America, being to embark on Sunday next. He wishes sincerely to Lord Bessborough every kind of Felicity, and shall always retain a grateful Sense of the many...
113Pass for John Bickner and John Myfeld, 30 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society Persons volunteering to work on the military road in Cumberland County (see above, p. 60) received passes for their journey. Five signed by Franklin have been located. The earliest, that to Bickner and Myfeld, May 30, is printed here. The others were issued to the following: Frederick Mutzenstein, May 31. ADS : Harvard College Library Michael Christian and...
114From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Birch, 16 April 1762 (Franklin Papers)
AL : British Museum Mr. Franklin’s Compliments to Dr. Birch and returns Mr. Delaval’s and Mr. Canton’s Papers. Mr. F. thought he had prevail’d with each of those Gentlemen to omit or change some Expressions that might tend to occasion a Dispute, but on farther Discourse finds that neither of them cordially approve the Alterations propos’d, tho’ they might consent to them at the Instance of...
115From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Birch, 4 February 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions , LII (1761–62), p. 456. Mr. Canton did me the favour to shew me the ingenious experiments he has described in the inclosed letter. They succeeded perfectly as he has related them; and I imagine, the communication of them must be agreeable to the curious in this branch of natural knowledge. I am, Sir, with great...
116From Benjamin Franklin to James Birkett, 1 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I am but just returned from a long Journey, after near 6 Months Absence, and find your Favour of Sept. 29. by which I have the agreable Advice that you expect to be able to remit me something in Smith’s Affairs very soon. As to the Thickness of Wire necessary or sufficient to conduct a large Quantity of Lightning; concerning which you desire my Sentiments; you...
117From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson with a Postscript to Dorothea Blunt, 25 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I came to this Place on Saturday night right well and untir’d with a 70 miles Journey that day. I met with your and my Dolly’s joint Letter which would have refresh’d me with its Kindness if I had been ever so weary. The Account you give of a certain Lady’s having entertain’d a new Gallant in my Absence, did not surprize me: For I have been us’d to Rivals;...
118From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Bond, 5 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your Favour by Mr. D. Kuhn, but being then just setting out on a Tour thro’ Ireland and Scotland, I had not time to answer it, Mr. Kuhn I believe went directly to Sweden. I shall, if he returns hither while I am here, gladly render him any Service in my Power. I suppose your Son Richard will spend some Time in London, where, by what I have heard,...
119From Benjamin Franklin to Elias Boudinot, Junior, [11 December 1762] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found: reprinted from extract in American Art Association Sale Catalogue, Dec. 2, 3, 1926, Item no. 428. I thank you for your kind congratulations on my return to my family and country. It gives me great pleasure to hear that you are married and well-settled and your brother and sister also. … I hope your good father’s indisposition will be of no long continuance. … Elias Boudinot, Jr....
120From Benjamin Franklin to Matthew Boulton, 22 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Assay Office, Birmingham A few Days since I received from Monsr. Godefroy two Parcels of Glass as sent me by you, but without any Letter or Account of the Cost. I esteem it a favour that you took the trouble of procuring it for me, and ought not to put you to Expence without discharging it, which I shall be mindful of doing as soon as may be. Mr. Baskerville informs me, that you have...
121From Benjamin Franklin to Matthew Boulton, [15 June 1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Assay Office, Birmingham Dr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Bolton, and having heard last Night by the Marquis Grisella of Mr. B’s intended Call in Craven Street at Ten this Morning, is sorry he cannot be at home to receive him, being oblig’d to be early at Westminster Abby in order to get in. Wishes Mr. Bolton would favour him with his Company at Dinner this Day at 4, or...
122From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Bouquet, 14 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I thank you for the Letter you have favour’d me with to Professor Koenig. I shall take care to deliver the other to Monsr. Guinand, if I reach London. I regret much, that thro’ your Business and mine, I could enjoy so little of your Conversation at Philadelphia. How happy are the Folks in Heaven, who, ’tis said, have nothing to do, but to talk with one...
123From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Bouquet, 30 September 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: British Museum; draft: American Philosophical Society I have been so totally ocupied with the Sitting of the Assembly and other urgent Affairs, that I could not till now do my self the pleasure of writing to you, since the Receipt of your obliging Favours of Aug. 10. and 22. and a subsequent one relating to Broadstreet’s Peace, of which I think as you do. I thank you cordially for so...
124From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Bouquet with Memoranda, [26 December 1756] (Franklin Papers)
Letter: Draft: Library of Congress. Memoranda: I and II : Library of Congress; III : American Philosophical Society After the commissioners agreed at Franklin’s urging to meet all of Colonel Bouquet’s and Lord Loudoun’s demands for quarters, it remained only to decide the details: what quarters and “necessaries” would be provided, how soon, and for how many soldiers? Franklin and Bouquet drew...
125From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Bouquet, 16 August 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum Returning just now from the Board of Commissioners, I found your agreable Favour of the 10th Instant. We had a Meeting on Tuesday, when your Letter to the Governor was laid before us, his Honour not present, and the Board thin. I think none but myself spoke then for the measure recommended; so, to prevent its being too hastily refus’d, I moved to refer it to this Day, when...
126From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 11 October 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society We found we could not get quite ready to set out to-day, so have adjourn’d our Departure till to-morrow. As Company, (I know not how many) talk of going part of the Way with us, I think it will be inconvenient to breakfast with you as proposed. We shall therefore only stop at your Door to take Leave. Herewith you have the Receipt you desired. When you...
127From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 13 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I am honoured with yours of May 10. and agree with you perfectly in your Sentiments of publick Affairs. Government here seems now to be growing more moderate with regard to America, and I am persuaded that by a steady prudent Conduct, we shall finally obtain all our important Points, and establish American Liberty on a clearer and firmer Foundation. The...
128From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; draft: American Philosophical Society In this letter, as in others later in the month, Franklin touched on a subject of crucial importance in the developing Anglo-American quarrel, the validity of the crown’s instructions to colonial governors. The issue had underlain the wrangling the year before between Governor Hutchinson and the House of...
129From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 24 January 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I am glad to learn by your Favour of the 21st past, that Mr. Kinnersley’s Lectures have been acceptable to the Gentlemen of Boston, and are like to prove serviceable to himself. I thank you for the Countenance and Encouragement you have so kindly afforded my Fellow-Citizen. I send you enclos’d an Extract of a Letter containing the Substance of what I...
130From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 25 October 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society Enclos’d with this I send you all my Electrical Papers fairly transcrib’d, and I have as you desir’d examin’d the Copy and find it correct. I shall be glad to have your Observations on them; and if in any Part I have not made my self well understood, I will on Notice endeavour to explain the obscure Passages by Letter. My Compliments to Mr. Cooper and the...
131From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 5 September 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society As you are curious in Electricity, I take the Freedom of introducing to you, my Friend Mr. Kinnersley, who visits Boston with a compleat Apparatus for experimental Lectures on that Subject. He has given great Satisfaction to all that have heard him here, and I believe you will be pleased with his Performance. He is quite a Stranger in Boston, and as you...
132From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 2 December 1758 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 369–74. The problem of “augmenting the Benefit of Fire” and cutting expenditures for fuel compelled Franklin’s attention throughout his life. The Pennsylvania fireplace represents his earliest and most famous attempt to solve it. A less familiar contrivance, conceived for the same...
133From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 12 April 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I have shipt 18 Glass Jarrs in Casks well pack’d, on board Capt. Branscombe for Boston. 6 of them are for you, the rest I understand are for the College. Leaf Tin, such as they use in silvering Looking Glasses, is best to coat them with; they should be coated to within about 4 or 5 Inches of the Brim. Cut the Tin into Pieces of the Form in the Margin, and...
134From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 13 December 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I receiv’d your Favour of the 12th ult. with the Law of your Province for Regulating the Indian Trade, for which I thank you, and for the Remarks that accompany it, which clearly evince the Usefulness of the Law, and I hope will be sufficient to induce our Assembly to follow your Example. I have yet received no Particulars of the unhappy Gentleman’s Death...
135From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 15 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Archives, Windsor Castle; transcript: Massachusetts Historical Society I have read with great Pleasure the College Poems you were so kind as to send me: I think, and I hope it is not merely my American Vanity that makes me think, some of them exceed in Beauty and Elegance those produced by the Mother Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, on the same Occasion. In return, please...
136From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 14 May 1752 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; transcript: Massachusetts Historical Society I deferred answering yours of March 16th in hopes of finding one of the first Edition of Dr. Coldens Pieces, which you seem’d desirous to see. I have not been able to get a compleat one, but enclose you some Sheets which the Dr. sent me when it was in the Press. I endeavoured to understand it, and to that End made a few Remarks...
137From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 30 December 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Rochester Library; also transcript: Massachusetts Historical Society The enclos’d I intended to send to London but have not yet sent any Part of it. Some of the Letters being yours, I ought first to have your Permission. When you have perus’d the whole, please to send it after me per Post to Rhodeisland, where I expect to be at least 10 Days. My Compliments to Mrs. Bowdoin,...
138From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 5 February 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I am very sensible of the Honour done me by your House of Representatives, in appointing me their Agent here. It will make me extreamly happy if I can render them any valuable Service. I have had several Conferences with Mr. Bollan on their Affairs: There is a good Understanding between us, which I shall endeavour to cultivate. At present the Cloud that...
139From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 18 October 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : J. William Middendorf, Jr., Ruxton, Md. (1955) I recollect that I promis’d to send you Dr. Brownrigg’s Treatise on Common Salt. You will receive it herewith. I hope it may be of use in the Affair of your Fishery. Please to communicate it to Capt. Erwin, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Boutineau, or any other of your Friends who may be desirous of seeing it. Since my Return from Boston, I have been to our...
140From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 25 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I received your kind Letter of Sept. 6 by Mr. Quincy. I thought it might be of use to publish a Part of it, which was done accordingly. But the Measures it so justly censures are still persisted in, and will I trust continue to produce Effects directly contrary to those intended; will unite instead of dividing us, strengthen and make us more resolute...
141From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 28 February 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society The enclos’d is a Copy of a Letter and some Papers I received lately from a Friend, of which I have struck off Fifty Copies by the Press, to distribute among my ingenious Acquaintance in No. America, hoping some of them will make the Observations proposed. The Improvement of Geography and Astronomy is the common Concern of all polite Nations, and I trust...
142From Benjamin Franklin to Sir William Browne, [1772] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): American Philosophical Society This blast shows Franklin at his most abusive and least witty. His anger had been aroused by the vagaries of Sir William Browne, an old and wealthy physician and former President of the Royal College of Physicians, and an F.R.S. since 1739. Sir William had strongly opposed the election of Sir John Pringle, as noted above, to the presidency of the...
143From Benjamin Franklin to William Brownrigg, 7 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
LS : the Royal Society Franklin’s curiosity about the interaction of oil and water had first been aroused, as he mentions in this famous letter, by an experience on shipboard in 1757, and reawakened by another in 1762. He seems to have pondered the significance of what he had observed on those occasions, but to have done nothing further until—at some time that cannot be exactly determined—he...
144From Benjamin Franklin to Peter P. Burdett, 3 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I was much pleased with the Specimens you so kindly sent me, of your new Art of Engraving. That on the China is admirable. No one would suppose it any thing but Painting. I hope you meet with all the Encouragement you merit, and that the Invention will be, (what Inventions seldom are) profitable to the Inventor. I know not who (now we speak of Inventions)...
145From Benjamin Franklin to Peter P. Burdett, 21 August 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; mutilated draft: American Philosophical Society Burdett is one of the shadowy figures who often appear on the periphery of Franklin’s circle. He lived in Derby for a time, where he was a good friend of Joseph Wright, the painter, and of John Whitehurst, the clock-maker and Franklin’s acquaintance for many years. Burdett first made a name for himself as a...
146From Benjamin Franklin to [Peter P. Burdett], 17 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Being about to embark for America this Line is just to take leave wishing you every kind of Felicity, and to request that if you have not yet purchased for me the Theatrum Machinarum , you would now omit doing it, as I have the Offer of a Set here. But if you have purchased it, your Draft on me will be duly paid in my Absence by Mrs. Stevenson, in...
147From Benjamin Franklin to Edmund Burke, 19 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Central Library, Sheffield The Congress had told the seven active colonial agents to deliver its petition into the King’s hands. This instruction raised a delicate question of protocol, for the method of direct presentation, although not entirely unprecedented, was contrary to the normal one of delivering a petition to the American Secretary to be forwarded. The meeting that was the...
148From Benjamin Franklin to James Burrow, 10 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from George Everett Hastings, The Life and Works of Francis Hopkinson (Chicago, [1926]), pp. 119–20. In the papers you returned to me yesterday, I find a Memorandum that you had “told the Bishop of Worcester of his Relatives in the West Indies, of whom he seemed desirous to be further informed.” I therefore send you the following short Account of those who live in...
149From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel Burton, 26 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Fulham Palace Library, London The note of recommendation printed below, like Franklin’s recommendation of George Spencer a year earlier, raises a question about his judgment in sponsoring candidates for the Anglican priesthood. Theodorus Swaine Drage grew up in England, where he is said to have been a schoolmate of Lord Hillsborough. He emigrated to Pennsylvania, if Franklin is correct...
150From Benjamin Franklin to John Canton, 14 March 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society When I left London, I promis’d myself the pleasure of a regular Correspondence with you and some others of the ingenious Gentlemen that compos’d our Club. But after so long an Absence from my Family and Affairs, I found, as you will easily conceive, so much Occupation, that philosophical Matters could not be attended to; and my last Summer was almost wholly taken up in...