1To 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...
2To 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...
3To 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...
4To 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,...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 13 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I lament this unhappy war, as on more serious accounts, so not a little that it renders my correspondence with you so precarious. I have had three letters from you, and have written as often; but the last, by Mr. Temple, I have been informed he could not take. What is become of it I cannot tell. This accompanies a copy of my second volume of Observations on...