1To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 15 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (mutilated): American Philosophical Society I was in some expectation of seeing you last night in Crane-Court; but not having had this Pleasure I take the liberty to write this to you to put you in [mind] of doing me a favour which I think you gave me Some [reason?] to hope for the last time I Saw you, I mean dining [ torn ] on Holy-thursday, or next thursday Sennight. [Dr. Hawk]esworth,...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 1 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Facsimile of ALS : Catalogue of Charles Hamilton Sale, Dec. 13, 1966, p. 95, no. 284. Last Night I received a Letter from Dr. Robertson, acquainting me that the University of Edinburgh have on my Recommendation conferr’d the Degree of Dr. in Divinity upon the Revd. Mr. Cooper of Boston: an Event, that when I last had the Pleasure of seeing you, you may remember I was desirous of waiting for,...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 22 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Supposing that the foreign literary Journals do not fall in your Way, I send you the following Account of your late Work, as given in the Bibliotheque des Sciences et des beaux Arts , for January February and March. 1767. After reciting the Title, the Authors say, “On devoit déjà a Mr. Price un excellent Traité sur les principales Questions de la Morale....
4To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price: Observations on the Expectations of Lives, 3 April 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Printed from the Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions , LIX (for 1769; London, 1770), 89–125. The document that follows is only in form a letter to Franklin. Price addressed it to him, presumably as a way of acknowledging the latter’s work on population; Franklin transmitted it to the Royal Society, where it was read on April 27 and May 4 and subsequently printed in the Transactions . How...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price: On the Effect of the Aberration of Light on the Time of a Transit of Venus … (Franklin Papers)
Printed in the Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions , LX (for 1770; London, 1771), 536–9. I Cannot doubt but that the observation made by your ingenious friend in the paper you sent me is right. The aberration of Venus must, I think, affect the phases of a transit, by retarding them, and not by accelerating them. This retardation is 55½″; for that is the time nearly which Venus, during a...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 11 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and draft: American Philosophical Society Permit me to thank you, not only on my own Account for the Book itself you have so kindly sent me, but in Behalf of the Publick for Writing it. It being in my Opinion, (considering the profound Study, and steady Application of Mind that the Work required, the sound Judgment with which it is executed, and its great and important Utility to the...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 28 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclos’d I send you Dr. Priestly’s last Letter, of which a Part is for you, he says, but the whole seems as proper for you as for me. I did not advise him pro or con , but only explain’d to him my Method of Judging for my self in doubtful Cases, by what I called Prudential Algebra . If he had come to town, and preach’d here some times, I fancy Sir John P....
8To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 30 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Sent you enclosed Dr. Priestley’s letter to you, together with another which I received from him last night. Indeed I don’t know whether to be glad or Sorry on account of his rejection of Lord Shelburne’s proposal. I love him and am heartily concerned for him and wish he was better provided for. I think myself extremely obliged to you for mentioning...
9To Benjamin Franklin from [Richard Price], 15 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The writer of this presents his best respects and wishes to Dr. Franklin, whom he always thinks of with particular regard. He begs the favour of him to convey the inclosed letters to the persons to whom they are directed. He Supposes Dr. Franklin has frequent opportunities for sending to New: England; and, therefore has taken the liberty to trouble him with...
10To Benjamin Franklin from [Richard Price], 8 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The writer of this presents his best respects to Dr. Franklin. Mr. Brown, the Bearer, is he believes an honest man. Identified by the handwriting.
11To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 10 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. P. is very Sorry the bearer of this has any reason for giving Dr. Franklin any farther trouble; but he doubts not but Dr. F—— will receive him with his accustomed goodness. Is there any truth in the Stories propagated here that the Congress is divided; that Genl: Washington is grown unpopular; that his army deserts in great numbers; and that the...
12The American Commissioners to Richard Price, 7 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library By one of the latest Ships from America, We had the Pleasure of receiving from Congress, an attested Copy of their Resolution of the sixth of October in these Words That the Honourable Benjamin Franklin Arthur Lee, and John Adams Esqrs or any one of them, be directed forthwith to apply to Dr Price, and inform him, that it is the Desire of Congress to consider him...
13Richard Price to the Commissioners, 18 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
Dr. Price returns his best thanks to the Honourable Benjamin Franklin, Arthur Lee, and John Adams Esquires, for conveying to him the resolution of Congress of the 6th. of October last, by which he is invited to become a member of the united States, and to give his assistance in regulating their Finances. It is not possible for him to express the Sense he has of the honour which this resolution...
14Richard Price to the American Commissioners, 18 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: National Archives (two), South Carolina Historical Society <London, January 18, 1779: Dr. Price returns thanks for the invitation from Congress to become a member of the United States and assist them in regulating their finances. Honored as he is at their favorable opinion of him, he knows himself not qualified, and is at such an advanced age...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price: Two Letters, 18 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (II) AL : American Philosophical Society The Bearer has been recommended to me; and, I believe, he has no improper views. He has urgent reasons for going abroad; and if Dr F——n will be So good as to enable him to get access to the persons he wants to See, he will oblige one who is, with great affection and respect, his very Humble Servt: and Friend I...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 14 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Will you be so good as to get the inclosed letter convey’d to Mr A——r Lee, if he is near you and it can be done easily? If not, be so good as to burn it. Being obliged for particular reasons to avoid politics, it is a short acknowledgmt: of the favour he did me by a letter I received from him at the beginning of last Summer, and contains nothing of much...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 6 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress I received but very lately your kind Favour of Oct. 14 Dr Ingenhausz who brought it having staid long in Holland, I sent the enclos’d directly to Mr L. It gave me great Pleasure to understand that you continue well. Take care of yourself. Your Life is a valuable one. Your Writings, after all the Abuse you & they have met with, begin to make...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress Besides the Pleasure of their Company, I had the great Satisfaction of hearing by your two valuable Friends, & learning from your Letter, that you enjoy a good State of Health. May God continue it as well for the Good of Mankind as for your Comfort. I thank you much for the second Edition of your excellent Pamphlet. I forwarded that you sent to...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 27 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I thank you much for the Pamphlets, you have sent me from time to time. They contain much important Information, and are written in that true Publick Spirit and sincere zeal for the Welfare of Mankind, by which your Character has ever been distinguished.— I rejoice to hear that your Health is better, I hope it will enable you long to continue your Usefulness. I have...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 22 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society I have received with particular pleasure your letter by Dr H—— and I cannot help returning by him a few lines to thank you for remembering me and to express the satisfaction with which I have heard, that you are recover’d from a fit of the gout which you think has been of service to you— May your life be preserved to do good to the world, & to see the end of...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 7 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this is the Son of a widow (Mrs Curtauld) who belongs to my congregation at Hackney. He is going over to Am—ca not intending to return; and any notice that you may be so good as to take of him will be well bestowed and gratefully received. I rejoyce heartily in the Security which an object which has been long a favourite one with me, Seems...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 20 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library May I take the liberty to introduce to you the two Gentlemen who will attend upon you with this note? Any notice, however slight, that you will take of them, they will reckon an honour. One of them, Mr Milford, is a young gentleman of good character, the son of a considerable merchant at Exeter , whose views are to amuse himself by an excursion on the...
23From Benjamin Franklin to [Richard Price], 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I received a few Days since your kind Letter of the 27th past, by Messrs. Milford & Brown. It gave me great Pleasure to hear of your Welfare. All that come with a Line from you are welcome. I congratulate you on the late Revolution in your Public Affairs. Much Good may arise from it, tho’ possibly not all that good Men, and even...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 18 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have for Some time been intending and wishing to write to you; and I now embrace with great pleasure the opportunity of doing this which offers itself by Mr Laurens, now in deep affliction occasioned by the loss of his Son, but happily restored in some measure to health after his long and hard and cruel confinemt: in the Tower. He is, I understand, going...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 10 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This letter will be deliver’d to you by Mr Redford , a Gentleman for whom I have a great regard and who has my best wishes. He is going to Settle for life in one of the thirteen united States; and he has already Sent thither a part of his fortune. May I take the liberty to request your notice of him? Any assistance or information which you may be pleased to give...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 19 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter will be deliver’d to you by Mr Slaney, a young Gentleman of fortune who has been for some time on his travels and is ambitious of the honour of being introduced to you. I am not personally acquainted with him; but the account given me of him by a friend of his and mine assures me, that he is a Gentleman of the best principles and character. Any...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 12 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr Price presents his best respects to Dr Franklin and desires his acceptance of one of these Pamphlets. The other he desires Dr Franklin would be so good as to present to Mr Laurens if at Paris. If not, he wishes it may be presented to Mr Adams. Addressed: To / Dr Franklin Price may have been sending more copies of The State of the Public Debts and Finances...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 16 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : Library of Congress Having this Opportunity by Mr Bingham, who has the Honour of being known to you, I seize it to thank you for your excellent Book and other Favours, and to let you know that I continue well, except a little Gout, which perhaps is not more a Disease than a Remedy. Mr Petrie inform’d me of your being also well with Mrs Price lately at Brighthelmstone, which...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 6 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been long intending to write to you, and I feel ashamed that I have not done it Sooner. Your letter wch: was brot: me by Mr Bingham gave me great pleasure. It inclosed a case for an air Balloon and a print wch:, in conformity to your desire, I deliver’d to the President of the Royal Society. Soon after Mr Bingham’s arrival, Mr Daggs brot: me your...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 12 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I request your acceptance of the pamphlet which accompanies this letter. It is intended entirely for America, and you are one of the first persons to whom it has been communicated. Most of the few copies which I have printed will be convey’d to America; and I hope the united States will forgive my presumption in Supposing myself qualified to advise them....
31To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 21 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The bearer of this, Mr Lewis, is an honest tradesman, and an attendant at the Meeting-House in Newington-Green. I cannot resist his desire that I would give him a line to introduce him to you. He has always been a warm favourer of the American cause, thinks of you with veneration, and wishes just to See you. Any notice, therefore, that you may think fit to...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 2 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. J. W. Williams, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland (1955) I received your Favour of the 12th past with the Pamphlet of Advice to the Americans, for which I thank you much; it is excellent in itself, and will do us a great deal of Good. I communicated immediately to Mr Dupont the Letter of Mr Turgot, thinking him the properest Person to consult on the Subject, as he has the Care of the...
33From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 16 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Robert H. Taylor (1957); press copy of ALS and two transcripts: Library of Congress I some time since answered your kind Letter of July 12. returning the Proof of Mr Turgot’s Letter, with the Permission of his Friends to print it. I hope it came safe to hand.— I had before receiv’d yours of April 6. which gave me great Pleasure, as it acquainted me with your Welfare, and that of Dr...
34From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 7 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; transcript: Library of Congress The Bearer, Count Mirabeau, who much respects your Character, has desired a Line of Introduction to you. He is Son to the Marquis de Mirabeau, Author of L’Ami des Hommes; is himself an excellent Writer, and has prepared for the Press a small Piece, much admired by the best Judges here, on the Subject of hereditary Nobility,...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 13 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Glasgow You have a kind of Right to receive from me every thing that appears here on the Subject of Finance. I therefore send you herewith the late Edict for establishing a new Sinking Fund, which seems to give great Satisfaction to the Public Creditors here.— No one is better if so well qualified as your self to make a sound Judgment of it, and at some leisure Moment I...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 21 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received a few days ago your letter by Mr Hartley, and think myself much obliged to you for it, and for conveying to me the King of France’s Edict for establishing a new Sinking Fund. I received soon afterwards another Copy of the Same Edict from Ld Shelburne. My curiosity has been much gratify’d by it; but at the Same time I have been mortify’d to find...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 1 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received duly your kind Letter of Oct. 21. and another before with some of your excellent Pamphlets of Advice to the United States. My last Letters from America inform me that every thing goes on well there; that the new elected Congress is met, and consists of very respectable Characters with excellent Dispositions; and the People in general very happy under...