From Benjamin Franklin to [Peter Franklin], 21 May 1757
To [Peter Franklin]1
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Woodbridge, N Jersey May 21. 1757
Dear Brother,
I have been now near 6 Weeks waiting for the Sailing of the Pacquet, and know not yet when she is like to sail.
I received yours of the 7th Inst.2 with the Invoice and Memorandum, which I shall endeavour to comply with. As to the Pay, I expect not to meddle with your Paper Currency; for I always lose by it.3 With the Goods I shall send Directions about the Time and Manner of Payment.
My Love to dear Sister4 and Thanks for your and her kind Wishes and Prayers, is all at present from Your affectionate Brother
B Franklin
My Wife is here, but Billy and Sally are at New York. If they were present they would join with her in Love to you, Duty, &c.
Endorsed: Brother & Sisters Letters & my Coppies
The Price Currant [Janury?] you of the Last Payment.5
1. This letter is almost certainly to Peter Franklin (C.9), merchant and shipmaster of Newport, BF’s only surviving brother. None of his living brothers-in-law, James Davenport, Edward Mecom, and John Read, followed an occupation which suggests his asking BF to send goods from England.
2. Not found.
3. Rhode Island currency was notoriously inflationary and unstable, although the parliamentary act of 1751 had halted some of the earlier excesses.
4. Peter Franklin’s wife was the former Mary Harmon.
5. This endorsement, written very lightly, is virtually undecipherable.