61From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 6 September 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Your agreable Letter of the 4th August, is just come to hand, being sent back to me from London hither. I have been a Month on my Journey; but the first Thing I did after my Arrival here was to enquire at Mr. Kincaid’s whether you were yet in Scotland. He told me he believ’d you were out of Town, but not return’d to England, and might be heard of at Mrs. Scot’s....
62From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 14 June 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Atlantic Monthly , LXI (1888), 34. Mr. Franklin’s Compliments to Mr. Strahan, and out of pure Kindness to him offers him an Opportunity of exercising his Benevolence as a Man and his Charity as a Christian. One Spencer, formerly a Merchant of Figure and Credit in North America, being by various Misfortunes reduced to Poverty, is here in great Distress, and...
63From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 20 July 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from John Bigelow, ed., The Complete Works of Benjamin Franklin (New York and London, 1887–88), III , 207–8. I received your very kind letter and invitation to Bath where I am sure I could spend some days very happily with you and Mrs. Strahan, if my time would permit; but the man-of-war, that is to be our convoy, is under sailing orders for the 30th of this month so...
64From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 23 July 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from John Bigelow, ed., The Complete Works of Benjamin Franklin (New York and London, 1887–88), III , 208–9. As Dr. Hawkesworth calls you, I send you inclosed a line to my good friend Dr. Kelley; which you will do me the favour to deliver with the parcel directed to him. As it is vacation time I doubt whether any other acquaintance of mine may be in Oxford, or at least...
65From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 23 August 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I have been two Nights on board expecting to sail, but the Wind continuing contrary, am just now come on shore again, and have met with your kind Letter of the 20th. I thank you even for the Reproofs it contains, tho’ I have not altogether deserved them. I cannot, I assure you, quit even this disagreable Place without Regret, as it carries me still farther from...
66From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 2 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As good Dr. Hawkesworth calls you, to whom my best Respects. I got home well the 1st. of November, and had the Happiness to find my little Family perfectly well; and that Dr. Smith’s Reports of the Diminution of my Friends were all false. My House has been full of a Succession of them from Morning to Night ever since my Arrival, congratulating me on my...
67From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 7 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I wrote you some time since to acquaint you with my Arrival, and the kind Reception I met with from my old and many new Friends, notwithstanding Dr. Smith’s false Reports in London of my Interest, as declining here. I could not wish for a more hearty Welcome, and I never experienc’d greater Cordiality. We had a long Passage, near ten Weeks from Portsmouth to this...
68From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 23 February 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I have only time to write one Line by this Conveyance, just to congratulate you on the glorious Peace you have made, the most advantageous for the British Nation in my Opinion, of any your Annals have recorded. The Places you have left or restor’d to the French I look upon to be so much in our Power in Case of a future War, as to be so many Hostages or Pledges of...
69From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 28 March 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have received your Favours of Oct. 20 and Nov. 1 by my Son, who is safely arrived with my new Daughter. I thank you for your Friendly Congratulations on his Promotion. I am just return’d from a Journey I made with him thro’ his Government, and had the Pleasure of seeing him every where receiv’d with the utmost Respect and even Affection by all Ranks...
70From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 9 May 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery I have been from Philadelphia about 3 Weeks on a Journey hither upon the Business of the Post Office, but am now returning home, where I hope to find some Letters from you, as I hear that two Pacquets are arrived at New York since I came out. I have answer’d the Letters receiv’d from you by my Son, and have little to add. I congratulate you...