To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 1 August 1771
From John Whitehurst5
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Derby 1 Augt. 1771
Dear Sir
I received your favour, and have sent the Account of the Clocks underneath. The other Clock which you was so kind to order is in hand and will soon be compleated.
I found it necessary to depart from Mr. Fergusons Plans, for the sake of greater simplicity. The moons southing, and time of high water, ought to be as visible as the time pointed out by the Indixes. I believe you will agree with me in this alteration. I consulted Mr. Ferguson before I alterd his Designs.6 I wish you much pleasure in your Excursion,7 and am Sir, your most Obedient Servant
John Whitehurst
| To two small Clocks at 30s. | each | £3 | 0s. | 0d. |
| Box | 1s. | 6d. | ||
| £3 | 1s. | 6d. |
Addressed: To / Doctr Benj. Franklin / Craven Street the Strand / London
5. See his letter to BF above, July 25.
6. For James Ferguson (1710–76), portrait-painter, astronomer, teacher, and inventor of scientific instruments, see the DNB. Just as Whitehurst changed his design for the clocks, so Ferguson, years before, had changed BF’s design; see above, VIII, 216–19. The description of a clock similar to Whitehurst’s appeared in Ferguson’s Select Mechanical Exercises... (2nd ed., London, 1778), pp. 11–19.
7. To Ireland and Scotland. The trip began on Aug. 25.