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...