21To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 17 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: General Post Office, London Mr. Todd presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and sends him an extract of a Letter to Messrs. Foxcroft and Finlay of the 9th. of Decr. last concerning the Balance remaining in his Hands to which he has not as yet received an Answer, but makes no doubt when it comes it will clear up every Difficulty in settling his Accounts finally with this...
22To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, [before 16 March 1775] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in the Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions …, LXV (1775), pp. 277–9. Presuming the mode of raising water by its momentum may be new and useful to many individuals, induces me to send you the inclosed plan and description of a work, executed in the year 1772, at Oulton, in Cheshire, the seat of Philip Egerton, Esq. for the service of a brewhouse and other offices, and is found to...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Bessborough, 16 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library Dr. Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Lord Bessborough, with Thanks for the obliging Invitation, which he should embrace with Pleasure, but that he expects to be at Sea on that Day in his Way to America, being to embark on Sunday next. He wishes sincerely to Lord Bessborough every kind of Felicity, and shall always retain a grateful Sense of the many...
24Proposed Memorial to Lord Dartmouth, 16 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ADS and copy: Library of Congress; draft and copy: American Philosophical Society Franklin’s patience was finite, and its limits had been reached. Failure of the negotiations he may have taken in stride, for British intractibility was too familiar to leave him much hope of compromise; but British arrogance was something else again. On March 16 he was in the gallery when the House of Lords...
25To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, 16 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress D: Barclay’s respects, and acquaints Dr. Franklin, that Dr. Fothergill desires the favor of his Company Tomorrow Evening at half past 7 Clock, when D B will meet him if that Time is agreable to Dr. Franklin. Addressed: Doctr. Franklin / Cravenstreet Endorsed: March 75 The purpose of this last meeting was a sad one, to send word by BF to their American friends that the...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Walpole, 16 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Library of Congress Franklin’s anger at the ministry did not rob him of all circumspection. Before he sent the above memorial to Dartmouth he showed it to Thomas Walpole, who “lookt at it and at me several Times alternately, as if he apprehended me a little out of my Senses.” The American asked him to get a second opinion from Lord Camden; Walpole did so, and returned the...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 14 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Scottish Record Office, Edinburgh Purposing to embark for America in a few Days, I cannot depart without taking Leave of my dear Lord Kaims, to whose Civilities and Friendship I have been so much oblig’d, and for whom I shall ever retain the sincerest Esteem and Affection. I congratulate you cordially on the Success of your last Work. It does you great Honour. I hear it every where well...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Humphry Marshall, 13 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library I duly receiv’d your Favour of Novr. the 26th, but having mislaid it, I postpon’d answering it till I should find it, not recollecting perfectly what were the Books you wrote for. I now send the Nautical Almanack for the current Year; that for 1776 is not yet publish’d. The Philosophical Transactions, if you mean a compleat Set, will cost near £30. Therefore not...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 13 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : National Archives, Washington I have some Thoughts of going with Osborne; but as I may be disappointed in that, I write a few Lines, to acquaint you, that the Petition of the Congress has lain upon the Table of both Houses ever since it was sent down to them among the Papers that accompany’d it from above, and has had no particular Notice taken of it; our Petition to be heard in support...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Frans van Lelyveld, 11 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The foregoing is a Copy of what I had the honour to write you under the 9 Decbr. And without your Answer I take now the Liberty to send you 6 Exempl. of my Piece Concerning the pouring of oil &c. where after a translation of your Letter to Mr. Brownrigg. I hope the one and the other will be of utility for the publicq, and give inducements to exact...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Caroline Howe, [4 March 1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: Library of Congress Although Lord Howe recognized that negotiations had broken down, he refused to abandon hope for the future. The following note brought on a meeting with Franklin on March 7, which was their last in England, as far as we know, but not their last. The Admiral asked whether, if he were sent as commissioner to the colonies, he might count on the other’s assistance,...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Paine, 4 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just now informed by Mr. Bache of a Vessel preparing to Sail for London tomorrow, and lest I should not have an other opportunity so soon as I might wish, I have taken this, to acquaint you as laconically as I can of the Service your good favours have been to me, and my Gratitude on that account. Even thanks may be rendered troublesome, by being...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Andrew Robeson, 4 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An Opportunity offering, and the Committee not to be met with I take the Liberty of transmitting you the Letter and of signing myself your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: For / Doctor Benjamin Franklin / Craven Street / London Endorsed: Lib. Company Mar. 4. 1775 A young Philadelphia lawyer of that name is mentioned in PMHB , LXXIV (1950), 383 n,...
34To 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...
35To 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...
36From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 26 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : D. A. F. H. H. Hartley Russell (1955), on deposit in the Berkshire Record Office This note is the first extant communication between Franklin and a man who, as correspondent and eventually as peace negotiator, was destined to play a considerable part in his life. David Hartley ( c. 1730–1813), the son of a physician-philosopher well known in his day, was a close friend of Sir George...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 26 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you continue well, as I do, Thanks to God. Be of good Courage. Bad Weather does not last always in any Country. Supposing it may be agreable to you, I send you a Head they make here and sell at the China Shops. My Love to your Children, and to Cousin Williams and Family. I am ever Your affectionate Brother BF , in writing Bowdoin the day before, had...
38From Benjamin Franklin to Josiah Quincy, Sr., 26 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Josiah Quincy, Memoir of the Life of Josiah Quincy Jun. of Massachusetts (Boston, 1825), pp. 478–9. The young man who is the subject of this letter had arrived in London the previous November. On December 6, the day when Franklin was discussing his “Hints” with Barclay and Fothergill, young Quincy was visited by Corbyn Morris, whom he described as “a choice friend of the...
39From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 25 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I received your kind Letter of Sept. 6 by Mr. Quincy. I thought it might be of use to publish a Part of it, which was done accordingly. But the Measures it so justly censures are still persisted in, and will I trust continue to produce Effects directly contrary to those intended; will unite instead of dividing us, strengthen and make us more resolute...
40From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 25 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society In my last per Falconer, I mention’d to you my showing your Plan of Union to Lords Chatham and Camden. I now hear that you had sent it to Lord Dartmouth. Lord Gower I believe alluded to it, when in the House he censur’d the Congress severely as first resolving to receive a Plan for Uniting the Colonies to the Mother Country, and afterwards rejecting...
41To Benjamin Franklin from John Kent, 22 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When compliments on your superior merit, as a Philosopher, are so strictly just as not to exceed the limits of honest praise, I am confident that my friend the Chevalier de Chatellux, who has joined the multitude in applauding you, would be pleased that you should read his sentiments of you, in their English dress. There is a glorious feeling of the mind...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Howe, 20 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress By February 20 Howe’s negotiations were breaking down. Perhaps for that reason he abandoned communication through his sister, and for the first time wrote Franklin directly. Lord Hyde, he reported with delicate circumlocution, saw no point in meeting with one whose views were irreconcilable with those of the government. Franklin...
43From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Howe, 20 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Having nothing to offer on the American Business in Addition to what Lord Hyde is already acquainted with from the Papers that have passed, it seems most respectful not to give his Lordship the Trouble of a Visit, since a mere Discussion of the Sentiments contained in those Papers is not in his Opinion likely to produce any...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, 20 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your Favor of the 12 November last; We have received the King’s Speech and the answer of Both Houses. They have made no alteration in the Sentiments of the People here they remain as firm and United as ever. The association of the Continental Congress is sacredly adhered to thro[ughout] all the Colonies. The Assembly...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 20 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will inform you of my being detaind hear by Contrarey winds. I have been two Days out but obliged to put back. The Sloop manawar that has been under sailing orders Some time for Boston is Still hear wind bound as my Self and Capt. Lawrence. If you or mr. williams Should have aney occation to write by me please to Direct to me at the Fountain...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Tuthill Hubbart, 18 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This will be handed to you by Mr. Duncan Ingraham who is so kind as to take charge of three Packetts of News papers &ct. containing our Politicall Disputes, there has no Pamphletts lately been publish’d here on the Subject or should have sent them. You can better conceive than I can express the distress’t scituation, of your once happy Native Town; had it not been...
47Franklin’s Contributions to the Conference on February 17: Four Drafts, 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AD (I, III, and IV) and AL (II) and copies: Library of Congress As Franklin reviewed the situation during the day of the 17th before meeting again with Barclay and Fothergill that evening, according to his journal, he decided that he would take the responsibility of agreeing conditionally to pay for the tea. He also became more impressed than he had originally been with Barclay’s idea of a...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Caroline Howe, 17 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: Library of Congress Mrs. Howe’s compliments to Dr. Franklin she has just received the enclosed note from Ld. Howe, and hopes it will be convenient to him to come to her either tomorrow or Sunday any hour most convenient to him, which she begs he will be so good to name. Addressed: To / Docter Franklin As with the preceding document.
49From Benjamin Franklin to [the Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence], 15 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Résumé printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania, Met at Philadelphia, on the Fourteenth of October, Anno Domini 1774, and Continued by Adjournments (Philadelphia, 1775), pp. 643–4. <February 15, 1775: He reports that on the previous day six provincial acts, passed in September, 1773, and July and September, 1774, were presented to the...
50From Benjamin Franklin to the New Jersey Assembly Committees of Correspondence, 14 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society In my last I informed you of my Attendance on the Board of Trade upon your Acts passed in March last, the Objections made to some of them, particularly the Paper Money Act with the Answers I gave to those Objections; and that all were likely to pass, except those for lowering the Interest of Money, and for the Relief of an insolvent Debtor. Petitions...