31To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 30 September 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library I have not wrote to you, as often as my Inclinations would have induced me, as I have been engaged in a great Variety of Business, Which has called me much from Home; But as I esteem it my Duty, to afford you every Piece of Intelligence, which respects his Majesty’s Interest, I give you the Trouble of this Letter. I took the Liberty, both last Year and the...
32To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 17 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society My last was the 14th, since Which I have not been favored with a Line from your Side. Every Day more and more confirms your just Observation, That “implacable Malice and Hatred” would soon (in Case of Separation) take place of mutual affection, and Friendship. In the politest and best Families of this City, and among Even the most gentle, and humane of the...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Franklin and Samuel Wharton: Memorial to Congress, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
DS : National Archives This memorial from Franklin and his long-time partner in western land ventures Samuel Wharton recapitulates the history of their efforts to establish a legitimate title to lands they had purchased in the unsettled area south of the Ohio River. Their enterprise originated in 1768 as an attempt by a group of Pennsylvania merchants, the “suffering traders,” to obtain land...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 4 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library Since writing on the other Side, The apprehensions of Hostility’s shortly commencing, unless the Indians could be quieted by the Agents, Are too soon (And too fataly for my Partners and self) confirmed. An Express, yesterday brought us, the following alarming Advices. That Our Factor at Fort Pitt had sent from Thence, in July last, Two large Batteaus, With...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [23 July? 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have several Letters but no News from London. Sir Charles Hardy’s Fleet was at Anchor in Plymouth Road on the 17th Instant. I am with the sincerest Respect your Excellency’s affectionate & most obt. Servt Notation: S. Wharton Paris— An extract of a letter from Plymouth dated July 17 reporting the anchorage of the grand fleet was published in The Public...
36To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 13 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society As I am without any of your Favors, I shall proceed to give you a Relation of such Matters, as have occur’d, for some time before and since Our Election. The proprietary Party were greatly dispirited before there was an Expectation of a Change in the Ministry. But from the Moment They received that Intelligence, until We got an Account of it’s...
37To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 23 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The Bearer hereof Mr. Wrixon, a Gentleman of Character and good Connexions in Ireland, I beg leave to introduce to your Frindship, Civility and protection. Major Trent is well acquainted with Mr. Wrixon, and knows his useful Qualifications, and I dare say, will, with great Pleasure mention Them to You; and give Me leave to add, That Mr. Wrixon has not been...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 15 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As a News paper of the 8th of April was received by Captain Montgomery, after He left Philadelphia, in which is published a curious, confidential Letter, dated the 30th of January, from General Clinton to Lord George Germaine, and as it gives a very agreable State of Facts, and Arguments, I send your Excellency a Copy of it, taken in a hurry by Captain...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 25 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send your Excellency the within Letter, and parts of the Leidger, which may, perhaps, contain some News, That you have not received. The Letter is from a Gentleman of good Connexions & Information in London, and Therefore I would ask the Favor of its not being shewn. I am with great Regard your Exellency’s most affectionate & obt. Servant Addressed: A’...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 19 December 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When I wrote you last, I must confess, I did not expect, That the Protesters would attempt to answer the Remarks , or Indeed? That they would [injure?] their Cause, so much, as to let an anonymous Reply appear, in their Behalf. The History of this Matter, as I am informed, is thus, The Protestors, at the Instigation of the Chief Justice, determined an...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 15 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have sent a parcel of Papers about Vandalia, which it may be proper, That you should have a Copy of. I am with the sincerest Respect & Esteem Dear Sir Your’s most affectionately Notation: Wharton Paris 15 may 1779. BF and Wharton were still partners in the proposed colony to be founded on lands purchased from the Indians: XXII , 19–21. Wharton continued...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 17 April 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As Major Trent is the Bearer of this Letter, it is the less Necessary for Me now to be very particular in my Communications. I presented, as you desired, your Respects to Lord Camden, and his Lordship requested Me to tell You, that He should have been much pleased to have seen you, before you embarked; That the Chancellor’s Decission in your Case is...
43To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 21 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I take the earliest Opportunity of expressing my sincere Congratulations on your safe Arrival in France. An Event of the greatest Importance to all America, and particularly regarding your own personal Safety; As the Resentment of your and our Country’s Enemies is not in the least abated, and They would have exceedingly rejoiced, If one of their Cruizers had...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 20 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In some of the late Vessels, arrived from Maryland, and Pennsylvania came passengers the following Gentlemen.— Messrs. Cheston, and Captain Smith of the former; and Mr. West, and Dr. Wilson of the latter State, and They were preparing to go in a Dutch Vessel to Ostend, and from Thence to England, But Commodore Jones, upon the Advice of several American...
45To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 27 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Yesterday I had the Pleasure of receiving your kind Favor of the 13th April, which I just sit down, to acknowledge, As the Packet sails sooner than I expected. I have been much absent from Home, for two Months past, otherwise I should have regularly wrote you and Owned the Receipt of your several Favors of the 12th January and 15th February and...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 13 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Referring you to my private Letter, written to you by this Vessel, I beg leave to introduce the Bearer Mr. Cornelius Ray to your Notice, and protection. He is the son of a Gentleman of amiable Character, who formerly resided in the City of New York. Any Civilities which your Excellency may be pleased to show Mr Ray,— will be esteemed, as immediately...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [9 November? 1769]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [Dated merely Thursday night; probably November 9, 1769. A note in the third person to inform Franklin that Wharton has just received via Bristol a letter from the latter’s wife, dated Sept. 20, 1769, saying that the Franklin family was well.] The brigantine Concord cleared from Philadelphia for Bristol at the right time to have carried a letter written on...
48Franklin, Thomas Walpole, Samuel Wharton, and John Sargent: Power of Attorney to William Trent, 11 April 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The promoters of the Walpole grant in London were becoming more and more unsure of obtaining it. Franklin’s ostensible withdrawal from their group in January, 1774, had had no perceptible effect in forwarding their cause, and their chance of success diminished as war drew nearer. They waited for over a year. Then in the spring of 1775 they apparently...