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 .”]
2To 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...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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,...
6To 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...
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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...