1From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Small, 12 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 381–3. Agreeable to your request, I send you my reasons for thinking that our North-East storms in North-America begin first, in point of time, in the South-West parts: That is to say, the air in Georgia, the farthest of our colonies to the South-West, begins to move South-Westerly...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Small, 22 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D., F.R.S., &c … (2nd ed.; 2 vols., London, 1817), I , 65–6. You see, my Dear Sir, that I was not afraid my masters would take it amiss if I ran to see an old friend though in the service of their enemy. They are reasonable enough to allow that differing politics should not prevent the...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Small, 7 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I wrote to you a few Days since, enclosing a Copy of the Translations of your Paper on the Gout. It was Mr. Turgot, who admiring got it translated and Printed, & give away Numbers of them to his Friends and others where I thinks it may do Good. He is a Brother Sufferer in that Distemper. I wish to see a Copy in which you have made Corrections. Send me at least the...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, 15 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The most upright Intentions cannot command Success. The Shallow Ken of Man cannot penetrate into futurity; and cannot therefore ascertain what is, or is not most beneficial to Societies. What we have here to do, is to act the most consistently with our Judgment of Circumstances. I know you have done this. Britain is most certainly hurting herself by an...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, [after 22 July 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When I had the pleasure of seeing You I did not know that we were to quit our present Habitation before five O’Clock. I therefore trouble with this, to desire that you will by him send Your Commands for England, and the paper I left with you. Let your Evening and Morning Contemplation be the Inscription on the Peace of Munster. As much depends on You , in...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, [c. 1764] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity , 1769 edition, pp. 440–1. I have just recollected that in one of our great storms of lightning, I saw an appearance, which I never observed before, nor ever heard described. I am persuaded that I saw the flash which struck St. Bride’s steeple. Sitting at my window, and looking to the north, I saw what...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, [before 22 July 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being thus far in my way to England, and being informed that you live out of Town, I take this Opportunity of enquiring of your Welfare, and beg to know whether Capt Nairn, Brother to Mr Nairn in Cornhill, gave you a paper on Ventilation, and the History of it. I hope to receive a favourable Answer to these particulars, and ever remain Dear Sir Your...
8To Benjamin Franklin from [Alexander Small], 5 July 1763 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I do not know whether any of our Burnet Seed, has yet been sent to your great World; and therefore to make sure of it, I send you Six pounds. It is a Native of England, but has hitherto passed unnoticed. The attention now paid it is intirely owing to one Roque a Gardener near Chelsea, a most curious Mortal. I truely think the World will be...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, 1 December 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having called on our Friend in Craven Street who informed me that my former Letter was not yet gone I give you this second trouble to acquaint you that the sturgeon you recommended to Dr. Templeman was examined a few days ago, and did not give Satisfaction. The Baltick Sturgeon has no Spices added to it. Capt. Blake was of Opinion that the fish was boiled...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, 22 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho’ we can no longer call ourselves Fellow Subjects of the Same Sovereign, yet I hope we shall never forget that we are Fellow Labourers in the Service of Humanity. This gives a right to claim reciprocaly Good-offices. Now that you have in some degree settled the various Interests of great Empires, I hope you will find time to exert Yourself in the Service...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, 13 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Having soon dispatched all I could do in Jamaica, and having no Opportunity of returning soon to Britain from thence, I was tempted by a very ingenious Gentleman Mr. Shariff to accompany him hither. As he purposes being in England some time this Summer, I shall give him a Letter of introduction to you. As I gave you from Jamaica an Account of...