From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Greene, 5 September 1763
To Catharine Greene
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Boston, Sept. 5. 1763
Dear Friend,
On my returning hither from Portsmouth,3 I find your obliging Favour of the 18th past,4 for which I thank you.
I am almost asham’d to tell you that I have had another Fall, and put my Shoulder out.5 It is well reduc’d again, but is still affected with constant tho’ not very acute Pain. I am not yet able to travel rough Roads, and must lie by a While, as I can neither hold Reins, nor Whip with my right hand till it grows stronger.
Do you think after this, that even your kindest Invitations and Mr. Green’s, can prevail with me to venture my self again on such Roads? and yet it would be a great Pleasure to me to see you and yours once more.6
Sally and my Sister Mecom thank you for your Remembrance of them, and present their affectionate Regards.
My best Respects to good Mr. Greene, Mrs. Ray,7 and Love to your little ones. I am glad to hear they are well, and that your Celia8 goes alone. I am, Dear Friend, Yours affectionately
B Franklin
3. See above, p. 278.
4. Not found.
5. This was BF’s second fall during his New England journey. The first, suffered in R.I., delayed his departure from the Greenes’ house only briefly; the second, which occurred on the Portsmouth trip, was more serious and held him in Boston until October 12. Though the handwriting of this letter and the one immediately above shows that he had recovered enough to use a pen quite normally, however painfully, the effects of these accidents were long lasting. Almost a year and a half later he wrote that dressing and undressing still hurt him a little and that he usually had help, though he could do it alone. To DF, Feb. 9, 1765, APS.
6. BF visited the Greenes in October on his way to Philadelphia; see below, pp. 362, 368.
7. Caty’s mother, who died in December 1763.
8. Caty’s younger daughter, who had apparently just begun to walk; see above, p. 191 n.