1101To Benjamin Franklin from Caroline Howe, [28 February 1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: Library of Congress A week passed after Howe’s discouraging note of February 20. When Franklin heard nothing from him and nothing of moment from Barclay or Fothergill, he inquired of Mrs. Howe whether he could be of any further use to her brother; if not, he would consider himself free “to take other Measures.” She forwarded this cryptic message and, in the following note, Howe’s...
1102To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Kelsick: Certificate as Burgess and Freeman of Norfolk, 10 April 1756 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society At THE Borough OF Norfolk the Tenth Day of April One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty six The which Day in Presence of the Worshipfull Richard Kelsick Esquire Mayor of the Borough of Norfolk, John Hutchings, Robert Tucker, Josiah Smith, John Phripp, John Tucker, Wilson Newton, Christopher Perkins, and George Abyoon, Aldermen thereof, Benjamin Franklin...
1103To Benjamin Franklin from John Perkins, 12 March 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Just as I was about inclosing my papers it came in my head to mention to you a notion I have sometimes had that Pit-Coal is a vegitable production as of Grass or other Herbage of which the rich and fat Soil of our fresh Marshes is form’d. We know that these are constantly filling up by the Annual Supplys of this kind so that perhaps many places that were...
1104To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 27 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is the Receit for the Books. They told me at the Coffeehouse yesterday, that the Captain takes his Bag away tomorrow. Please to remember your Engagement to dine with me tomorrow at 4. I am ever Dear Sir Your affectionate humble Servant Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street Aug. 27 also fell on a Thursday in 1767, but in that year BF would...
1105To Benjamin Franklin from Solomon Williams, 25 January 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Lyme Historical Society-Florence Griswold Association, Inc., Old Lyme, Conn. You Will Pardon this Trouble and My Freedom In using your Name When I inform you that Mr. Webster for Whom is the Enclosed Desired me thus to Make use of your Name to Carry a Letter to him with the Assurance that he had your Favorable permission for it. Since I have this Occasion to Speak to you Allow me sir in...
1106To Benjamin Franklin from a Committee of the Library Company of Philadelphia, [16 December 1774] (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Library Company of Philadelphia We are directed to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 7 April and 25 July with the Books sent for the Use of our Company, which fresh Instance, of your constant kind Concern for Us is very obliging; but we must just observe, that the prices of those last sent, are not mentioned. Inclosed, you have Barclay & Mitchell’s Draught at sixty...
1107To Benjamin Franklin from William Bowden, 29 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The great regard I have for my friend M Skey the bearer of this, engages me to take the liberty to introduce him to you. He wants some information with respect to the new Settlement intended at the Ohio, and as I am very sensible your opinion will be of great use, I presume to ask your favoring him with your sentiments on that head, for a guide to him...
1108To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 18 August 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I had the favour of yours of June 28th from New York last Friday. Next Morning I set out for Salisbury, where I had a little Business, and yesterday came from thence to this place, where my Wife has been these Six Weeks for her health, and I thank God not without Effect, for I found her greatly recruited. Here I propose to stay a few days, and leave her...
1109To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Life, 19 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your Cause stands Second in Lord Chancellors Paper For hearing to morrow. And as I must attend it in preference to all other Business I cannot wait on You and the other Gentlemen till the cause is heard or the Court rises; It is therefore very uncertain whether I can be with You at 12 o’Clock but I will go to Waghorns the Moment the Cause is over or...
1110To Benjamin Franklin from a Committee of the Town of Boston, 23 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society It is with the greatest Pleasure we obey the Orders of the Town of Boston in transmitting to you their Remarks upon the Letters from Governor Bernard, the Commissioners of his Majesty’s Customs, General Gage and Commodore Hood Copies of which the Town have been furnished with by Mr. Bollan. The Town of Boston are fully sensible of your extensive Influence...
1111To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 6 May 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mrs. Walker wrote me a Letter and expressed great uneasiness about the welfare of her Son, which I have endeavoured to remove by the inclosed Answer, and as I dont know of any other way to convey it to her hands, must beg you will be so kind as to forward it. With best Respects to Mrs. Stevenson Love to Sally Franklin and all Freinds I remain as ever Your...
1112To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 5 April 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Two Letterbook copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have already wrote by Captain Cuzzins inclosing Bills of Exchange. So that I now only inclose a First Bill which I have since purchased drawn by John Hunter on Messrs. Thomlinson Hanbury Colebrooke and Nesbit Merchants in London No. 1049 for £200. Sterling which I have ordered payable to your Self or Order which please to reserve for...
1113To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 18 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your Favour of the 18th of Febry last with a Pamphlet to vindicate the late Proceedings and the Power of Parliament to make general Colony Laws, for which I return you my Thanks. It is no new Scheme and the War in America has brought it to the Issue we now see and are like to feel both now and...
1114To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Henmarsh: Deed, 1 January 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Department of Records, Recorder of Deeds, City of Philadelphia January 1, 1763 Abstract: In consideration of £100, Elizabeth Henmarsh of Philadelphia, widow, grants and sells to Benjamin Franklin a lot of land in Philadelphia, 16 ft. wide, north and south, and 73 ft. deep, bounded east by Sixth Street, south and west by lands of Isaac Zane, and north by land granted by Zane to James...
1115To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 28 June 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you last Week; since which Nothing new has occurr’d, worth communicating save a [paper?] publish’d by Chattin, that has made a great Noise here; one of which I inclose for your Perusal. It has given great Pleasure to many, and only [angered?] those, as I can learn, whose Approbation of it would be a Condemnation of their own Conduct. There are many...
1116To 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...
1117To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 30 March 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Yale University Library Just before you sailed from New York, you was so kind as to inclose me a Copy of your philosophic Letter to Dr. Lining. I returned you Thanks and Reflexions upon it in a Letter July last too long to copy, by the Brig Prince of Orange Edward Jackson Captain taken on Passage from hence to London and carried into Bayonne. It is thot that Air is absolutely necessary...
1118To Benjamin Franklin from Mrs. William Deane, 1 March [1771–75] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mrs. Deane presents her Compliments to Dr. Franklin with many thanks to him, for the benefit she hopes, she has received, from the perusal of Richards Maxims , which are so Excellent they ought to be framed and hung up in every House. Mrs. Deane is much obliged to Dr. Franklin for his kind remembrance of her, and hopes he will Consider of the other...
1119To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Spotswood, 12 October 1739 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , December 11, 1740. The Part which your Predecessor, Mr. Andrew Bradford, has acted with respect to the Post-Office Accompts, is no longer to be born with . The Deputy Post-Masters in Great-Britain account every two Months with the General Post-Office there; and I am obliged every half Year to have the Accounts of the General Post-Office in...
1120To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Hopkinson, 28 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is odd enough for a Person to write a Letter which he heartily wishes may never get to Hand; But this is really my Case at present as I am encouraged by your last to expect the Pleasure of seeing you here early in the Summer. I am sensible however that many unforeseen Delays may occur to prevent your embarking so soon as you imagin’d, and therefore will...
1121To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 14 May 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society This is the third Letter I have lately wrote you. With the two last, one dated the 5th: the other the 16th: of April I sent you a Copy of two Conferences between Teedyuscung and this Government. Whether they are gone in the Man of War in which Lord Loudon went, or whether they are kept to go in the Packet I cant say. We are told here that his Lordship is much...
1122To Benjamin Franklin from [Springett Penn], 22 December 1764 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Having this Day read in the paper of your Safe Arrival in London My Mother and myself Congratulate you on your safe Arrival and hope you have left your Family and the rest of our Friends well. I the other day received a letter from Mr. Pennington who informed me you were coming over in order to Petition his Majesty to take the Government on himself and that...
1123To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 3 August 1769 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): British Museum I am now to acknowledg the repeated Favor of your Letters, with the Notes of Mr. P.’ Speech in Parliament, the arguments on the Dissenting Cause; and the Political Pamphlets, in which you have given me no small Entertainment. I could not forbear communicating what you wrote to some particular Friends, to whom I knew it would give great Pleasure, and to allow some...
1124To Benjamin Franklin from John Michell, 13 April 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Tom’s C. H. April 13, 1772: Returns a book together with Winthrop’s letter, which he has ordered sent to Franklin. Is leaving town today and will not see him again until next winter unless, as Michell hopes, Franklin visits Yorkshire during the summer. If instead he leaves for America, wishes him a pleasant and prosperous voyage and happiness in his native...
1125To Benjamin Franklin from Dorothea Blunt, 26 July 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Be assur’d that I feel very kindly to you for the favour I receiv’d this Morning. It was not more than I wanted, tho much more than I expected——not because more than you would have given sooner if the state of my Mind had been known to you, but because you gave me unask’d the strongest proof of a tender and disinterested friendship, which tho I had no...
1126To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly, [26 November? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Received your very obliging favour, and take the first opportunity of returning you my most sincere thanks for the trouble I have given you. I have done very little in Electricity since I had the pleasure of seeing you, one appearance however I beg leave to trouble you with, as I have never met with one of the kind before. Having charged my 6 Gallon...
1127To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 22 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your very kind and acceptable Favour by Mr. Allison, with the MSS . accompanying it, for which you have my Thanks. When have perused shall return the MSS . With my Thanks I now return Dr. Knights most ingenious Treatise on Magnetism . I have this Commencement resigned my Imployment in the College: shall this Week set out for Newport, where expect to...
1128To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 8 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Not having the Pleasure of one Line from you for several Vessels; I have the less to write you. I am afraid we shall have bad Work with Mr. Chew, who now says, you promised to allow him for a Rider he hired to Hartford, in 1755 and 1756: but it is Strange when he was with me in Philadelphia in 1764, that he never mentioned it at that Time. Holt’s Account...
1129To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Benezet, 27 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The writer of this letter has hitherto appeared only incidentally. Anthony Benezet (1713–84), philanthropist and author, was born in France and educated in England, and became a Quaker as a boy; soon afterward he moved to Philadelphia, where he was first a merchant and then a teacher. From the 1750’s until his death he labored to impress upon the world in...
1130To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 20 September 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Since my Last 24 and 27 August which acknowledged your Several Letters to the 14 of June last I have received the 27th and PS. 29 June and Copy with addition of the 12th July. These acknowledgments of Dates may be satisfactory to know what Letters have fal’n [fallen] into right Hands for it is certain some of those wrote by Captain House got...
1131To Benjamin Franklin from John Bard, 18 August 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Altho the reluctance I have to ask favours of my Friends, Especially when there is too great a probability of its not being convenient, or in their power, to grant them; greatly discourages me in the request I am about to make. Yet while there is the most distant prospect of Success, I can not but hope your Friendship will Excuse me, as a Parent, in...
1132To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 11 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is a Letter from the Revd. Doctr Mather which he desired me to send to you. I am much obliged by your kindness in procuring the Organ as desired which came out in good order, except the omission of one Pipe the 11th from the lef side in the second (leaden) Stop, which I suppose the [maker?] forgot: I shall be obliged if you will please to send me...
1133To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, [12 May 1774] (Franklin Papers)
Abstract: Ingenhousz letterbook, Gemeente-Archief, Breda, Netherlands I begg him send me soon his apology. I tell him the very words by which the Empress Queen promised me never to change any thing in my situation, and declared me quite a free man. Thus that I could reasonably expect to get leave to do what I will. I Sent a relation of my experiments upon the Torpedo to Sir John a year ago. I...
1134To Benjamin Franklin from Moses Franks, 20 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I must entreat you to deliver to Mr. Dagge the Account and Papers relative to the Sufferers by Indian Depredations in 1754. There being particular occasion for them; being requested by the legal representatives of those Sufferers to solicit compensation. You were troubled formerly by Mr. Levy on the subject, and Mr. Dagge having just told me he is to meet...
1135To Benjamin Franklin from William Bollan, 7 December 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Bollan presents his compliments to Dr. Franklin, and desires to see him this afternoon about five, if convenient, upon a matter which chiefly relates to himself, and will not admit of much delay. Addressed: For / Dr. Franklin Dec. 7 was a Saturday in 1771, and not again during BF ’s mission. Bollan moved to Southampton St. in that year; see his letters...
1136To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 6 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did reseve yours by the laste packit dated Jan 6. I due in tend to write by Capt. All if it pies got [God] to preserve him Safe back a gen. I did in tend to say [sum]thing a boute Ben Franklin Beache but Billey told me he had mens[honed him?] to you in his letter yester day, I had thought I had bin two trubel sum [ torn ] as you had told me that he was...
1137To Benjamin Franklin from Harbanus Ashebriner: Contract for a Wagon and Horses, 2 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: Yale University Library I Harbanus Ashebriner of Parradice Township . in the County of York and Province of Pennsylvania, do hereby agree and promise that I will, on the Terms hereunder mentioned, provide one good Waggon with four able Horses and a Driver, to be at Wills’s Creek in Virginia, with as much Oats, Indian Corn, or other Forage as I...
1138To Benjamin Franklin from Grace Williams, 13 December 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Pleasuer of your favor with my son Blesed be God we Reeved him in good Helth and I hope Uncurrupted in his Morrals. In this my Prayers is answerd. I am obligd to his Frinds that advisd his Return tho he mant never Git a East India fortune he may do verry well and In my oppnion Great Richees never made the Poeseser a greater Wiser nor Haper man he...
1139To Benjamin Franklin from Jane (Jenny) Mecom, 9 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Heart has ever been susceptible of the warmest greatitude for your frequent Benefactions to the whole of our Family, but your last KIND , unexpected as well as undiserved, NOBLE presant in particular to me, calls for a particular acknoledgement from me. Except then dearest Sir, my most Sinceare and hearty thanks, with a promise, that your kindness Shall...
1140To Benjamin Franklin from John Balfour, 2 September 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am favourd with yours of the 9th Current giving me an Account of Mr. Mecoms affairs, which is indeed very bad, however the young Gentleman is much to be pitied, as it woud appear that his Circumstances in a good measure have gone wrong thro an Act of Providence. I am not uneasy with respect to myself, but am a little so with respect to Mr. Hamilton, who...
1141To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 7 September 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office Having just heard that there is a Vessel to sail for Bristol Tomorrow Morning from Philadelphia, I embrace the Opportunity to send you a Copy of a Letter I this Week receiv’d from Mr. Coxe, with my Answer, and a Letter from our Speaker to the Speaker of Massachusets Bay. Mr. Coxe never consulted me on his Resignation, but on the contrary told me about 10 Days ago...
1142To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Gilpin, 1 June 1770 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from “Memoir of Thomas Gilpin,” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XLIX (1925), 312–13. This extract and three others that follow, from letters by Gilpin of June 8, July 19, and November 15, may or may not have been to Franklin. The extracts hitherto printed in this and the preceding volume are described in the memoir from which they come, written by Thomas...
1143To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 24 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Altho’ it be many Months since I have had the Pleasure of one Line from you, yet as I have some Room to think you are not on the Return home now, as all your Friends expected, I will once more scribble to a few Lines more to ask, How you do? At the same time, it may not be displeasing to receive Word, that your Son being gone to Albany, as you will see in...
1144To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Stanhope, 21 January 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Lord Chatham, after six months of quiescence, was returning to do battle with the ministry. Franklin had furnished him with ammunition, in the form of the petition from the Continental Congress, and on December 26 had an interview with him at which Chatham mentioned the possibility of a move as soon as Parliament reconvened. On the day it met, January 19, he sent the...
1145To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [10 January? 1770] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was informed late last Night, That a Number of your and my Letters were lying at the New York Coffee House and Therefore I went into the City early this morning and have taken up all I could find. I send by my Boy, yours. I [am] always very respectfully your Very affectionate Friend. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin The dating is purely conjectural. Capt....
1146To Benjamin Franklin from the Massachusetts House of Representatives Committee of Correspondence, 31 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: New York Public Library The leaders in Massachusetts, as this document testifies, were stimulated rather than satiated by destruction of the tea. They seem to have taken their text from the Psalmist, “they will go from strength to strength”; and the test of strength that they chose was the old issue of officials’ salaries. It had been coming to a...
1147To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 24 May 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Your Indulgence to me gives you a Claim to as much as you can desire from me, therefore don’t think I am so unreasonable to expect an answer to every Letter I write, I am sufficiently paid by the assurance that you receive mine with Pleasure, and when you have leisure to write me one I hope you are sensible I receive the favour with Gratitude. I was with...
1148To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, [December 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society NB Dr Franklin to whom these verses Verses which accompanied her Christmas gift to BF .
1149To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Viny, 13 January 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the first extant letter from a man with whom Franklin continued to correspond intermittently for years to come. Viny was a carriage-maker in Tenterden, Kent; he and his wife were friends of the Stevensons, and their acquaintance with Franklin went back at least to the autumn of 1768. The subject of this letter, obscured by the fact that a crucial...
1150To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cumming, 30 December 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thos. Cumming presents his best Respects to his worthy Friend Doctor Franklin, and begs Leave to introduce to his Notice the Bearer, who is canvassing for the Place of Library-Keeper to the Royal Society. The Doctor will be presented with a Book of that Gentleman’s, which if it has been already read by the Doctor, Cumming may save himself the Trouble of...