1To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 14 February 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragmentary copy): American Philosophical Society [A few lines at the end of a letter, which convey Priestley’s best wishes “for the success of your laudable endeavours in the cause of science, truth, justice, peace , and, which comprehends them all, and everything valuable in human life, LIBERTY .”]
2From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Priestley, 27 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete) and copy: Library of Congress I received your very kind Letter of Feby. last, sometime in September. Major Carleton, who was so kind as to forward it to me had not an Opportunity of doing it sooner. I rejoice to hear of your continual Progress in those useful Discoveries. I find that you have set all the Philosophers of Europe at Work upon Fix’d Air; and it is with great...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 27 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Though you are so much engaged in affairs of more consequence, I know it will give you some pleasure to be informed that I have been exceedingly successful in the prosecution of my experiments since the publication of my last volume. I have confirmed, explained, and extended my former observations on the purification of the atmosphere by means of...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, [before 8 February 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Having so good an opportunity of conveying a letter safely to you, I thought it might not be amiss to give you a general idea of my present situation, not with a view to any particular request or proposal, but only thinking it right, that a few of my best friends should know it in confidence , as it is possible that something or other may occur to them which...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 10 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I am far from meaning [to] trouble you with letters of recommendation for English Travellers. The bearer of this, Dr Stokes, is a promising young man, who will think himself happy in getting only a sight of you, and in this I hope you will have no objection to indulge him. I have given him letters to other persons, who, I hope, will shew him such...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 21 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was much affected with your very friendly letter, and the advice which accompanied it. This I should have followed if it had depended upon myself. But not long after Ld. Shelburne told Dr Price, that I was of no use to him, and that he wished to fix me in an academy which he talked of establishing in Ireland. This being communicated to me, I replied,...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 8 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The person who will deliver this letter is a priest of the Roman Catholic persuasion, and one of my antagonists in metaphysical matters, but a man of a very liberal disposition, and with whom I have spent many an agreeable hour. He is so obliging as to undertake to deliver to you my Treatise on Education , and my Correspondence with Dr Price . I shall very...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 20 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you will excuse the liberty I take of enclosing to you two copies of a paper I wanted to send to Dr. Kippis and Mr. Price, and beg the favour of your transmitting them the first convenient opportunity. Do not imagine, from the nature of this paper, that I am deserting philosophy. I am now chiefly employed in perusing the books you sent me in High...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 28 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society According to my promise, I send you the other paper, containing an account of experiments, which I desire you would lay before the Royal Society. I have material for another short paper of Miscellaneous experiments , but I think it better to wait till I have enlarged on it, and completed some of the courses particularly that concerning Magnetism. I made use...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 24 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sincerely ask your pardon for the trouble I gave you with my last. The dedication was written, and sent to you, before I had taken time to reflect upon it. I shall confine myself to the inscription I first proposed, and shall be obliged to you if you will throw the dedication into the fire without showing it to any person whatever. I am, Dear Sir your...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Priestley, 19 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft) and copy: Library of Congress In July, 1772, Lord Shelburne asked Priestley to be his librarian. The offer, although both financially and personally appealing, put the scientist into a quandary. On the one hand, the Earl was as attractive as the salary: “for ability and integrity together, the very first character in this kingdom,” a friend of dissenters and one who...
12From Benjamin Franklin to [Joseph Priestley], 16 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Benjamin Vaughan, ed., Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces . . . Written by Benj. Franklin . . . (London, 1779), pp. 550–1. You will have heard before this reaches you, of a march stolen by the regulars into the country by night, and of their expedition back again. They retreated 20 miles in [6] hours. The Governor had called the Assembly to propose Lord North’s...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 21 November 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I took the liberty to trouble you with a line the last post, and being but just able to finish my letter in time, I recollect a mistake in the catalogue of books wanted, which I beg you would rectify as follows, I also very much want De la Hire’s diffirens Accidents de la vue . But I should think it might be got without a public advertisement. I have...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley: Extract, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Translation of extract: American Philosophical Society Je n’ai eu que peu de Soleil; mais j’en ai profité pour faire plusieurs Observations nouvelles: Je ne vous rendrai Compte maintenant que de la derniere qui est assèz remarquable, et qui pourra vous donner quelque plaisir ainsi qu’à vos Amis. Je convertis en peu de temps l’ Eau pure en Air permanent , Poids pour Poids, en la combinant...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Priestley, 3 October 1775: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract printed in Benjamin Vaughan, ed., Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces . . . Written by Benj. Franklin . . . (London, 1779), pp. 365–6. I am to set out to-morrow for the camp, and having but just heard of this opportunity, can only write a line to say that I am well and hearty. Tell our dear good friend . . ., who sometimes has his doubts and despondencies about our...
16From Benjamin Franklin to [Joseph Priestley?], May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Unfinished draft: Library of Congress During his voyage to Philadelphia Franklin made the observations on the sea that appear above under April 10. On May 16 he promised in a letter to Priestley to communicate to him “a valuable philosophical discovery” that he had made on the voyage; years later William Temple Franklin conjectured, in a note on that letter, that the discovery was related to...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 1 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the opportunity of giving you [my letter by?] Mr. Lee of Lincoln’s inn, a very worthy [and s]ensible man, a friend of mine, who wishes to be introduced to you. If you will please to deliver to him the plates belonging to your last work, he will have many opportunities of transmitting them to me. I can hardly say that I have begun to make any...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, [August? 1775]: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract reprinted from Horace Wemyss Smith, Life and Correspondence of the Rev. William Smith . . . (2 vols., Philadelphia, 1880), I , 519. I thank you for Dr. Smith’s excellent Sermon. If it be not impertinent, give him my most respectful compliments and thanks. I think to get it printed. The sermon that is the subject of the extract was published, as noted below, in early July. If BF...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 2 June 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I inclose a few copies of my Proposals , with the catalogues much inlarged. I therefore beg you would destroy the former, and dispose of these as you shall think most conducive to the design. I shall send a greater number soon to Mr. Johnson, from whom you may have whatever you want. In the mean time, I am obliged to take the liberty to inclose a small...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 13 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Though our correspondence be interrupted by the most unhappy of all events, and your mind must be wholly occupied with things of infinitely greater moment than any thing that I can write to you about, you are never long out my thoughts; and I still flatter myself with the idea of seeing you once more. The late news from America has contributed very much to...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 11 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The bearer of this letter is Mr Hamilton a young gentleman of Ireland, travelling for his improvement. I have had a good deal of his company both in Wiltshire and in London, and think him to be a person who will not disgrace any little countenance that it may be convenient to you to give him. He is a friend of liberty, and a lover of science. I often wish...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 14 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society If I had had a frank for Mr. Johnson, I should not have given you this trouble; but Ld. Shelburne is not at home, and my covers for him are expended. I hope you received my letter, in which I gave you some account of my discovery of an alkaline air , tho’ I have not had the plea[sure of] hearing from you since. I am still busy in examining its properties...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Priestley, 4 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I think with you that there cannot be the least Occasion for my explaining your Method of impregnating Water with fix’d Air to Messrs. Banks and Solander, as they were present and I suppose are as well acquainted with it as my self; however I shall readily do it if they think it necessary. I am glad you intend to improve and publish the Process. You...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Priestley, 10 April 1774 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Joseph Priestley, Experiments and Observations on Different Kinds of Air … (3 vols., London, 1774–77), I , 321–3. In compliance with your request, I have endeavoured to recollect the circumstances of the American experiments I formerly mentioned to you, of raising a flame on the surface of some waters there. When I passed through New Jersey in 1764, I heard it several times...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Priestley, 7 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of the 7th of April, also one of the 3d of May. I have always great Pleasure in hearing from you, in learning that you are well, and that you continue your Experiments. I should rejoice much if I could once more recover the Leisure to search with you into the Works of Nature, I mean the inanimate, not the animate or moral...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 1 July 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I presume that by this time you are arrived in London, and I am willing to take the first opportunity of informing you, that I have niver been so busy, or so successful in making experiments, as since I had the pleasure of seeing you at Leeds. I have fully satisfied myself that air rendered in the highest degree noxious by breathing is restored by sprigs of...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 19 April 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College Library I am glad that you have received your Comm Bonon . safe. I thank you for the use of them, and think myself [fortunate] in having an opportunity of doing you the smallest favour. I told you I either had or expect very soon to be possessed of the memoirs of all the philosophical societies, of note , in Europe, and the following account of the price of them will, I...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 26 September 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With this I return you Mr. Winthrop’s letter , according to your desire, thanking you for your endeavours to serve me in America, though I find, as I was apprehensive, that the scheme would not answer. Please to return my thanks to the professor for his candid and judicious remarks on my History of Opticks , which will be much improved by them, if it should...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 13 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You make me very happy by the near prospect of seeing you and Sir John Pringle at Leeds. I shall be intirely at liberty to receive you, and I hope you will contrive to stay as long as possible in this town and neighbourhood. I thank you for the Native of New England . I had casually seen the same paper, and was particularly struck with it, without having...
30From Benjamin Franklin to [Joseph Priestley], 7 July 1775: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract printed in Benjamin Vaughan, ed., Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces . . . Written by Benj. Franklin . . . (London, 1779), pp. 552–4. The Congress met at a time when all minds were so exasperated by the perfidy of General Gage, and his attack on the country people, that propositions of attempting an accommodation were not much relished; and it has been with difficulty...