To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 6 April 1773
From Richard Bache
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society
[April 6, 17735]
[Beginning mutilated] I wrote you a few lines of the Mar[torn] that we were all well. We have continued so [torn] at this Time made happy by the Company of the Burlington Family who have been with us a few days, and intend making some Stay with us. Having disposed of almost all my dry Goods, and found them but a sorry Concern, I have determined to employ my Money in another Branch of Business, which few have failed in, in this Place, Vizt. the Wine and Grocery Business. I am now fitting up a Store for this Purpose, and have made a purchase of some old Wines, which I purpose selling by the Gallon or otherwise, and Sugar &c. by the small or great Quantity.6 To this Plan of Business, which I expect will yield me some Profit [torn] into his Place. I [torn: can not be any more?] particular as the post is just agoing. I remain with Sally and Ben’s joint Love and Duty Dear sir Your Affectionate Son
Richd. Bache
Remember me to Dr. Small and Friends in Craven Street.
5. In replying to Bache’s letters below, July 15, BF mentioned one of April 6. DF on that date spoke of having “all our children in town”; see the following document. The visit must have been from WF’s Burlington family, to which Bache refers here.
6. Bache advertised his wine store, on the south side of Market between Third and Fourth Sts., in the Pa. Gaz. of May 12, 1773. He had been restless for some time in his dry goods business. When he toyed with the idea of a governmental post, BF counseled against it, helped to finance his son-in-law, assured him that times would improve, and urged him to stick with his trade. Above, XIX, 42–3, 45, 46–7, 143–5, 267. Now Bache, it seems, felt no need to explain his change of trade. If so his self-confidence had made giant strides since the fall of 1771, when the young man had been on tenterhooks before his first meeting with BF. Above, XVIII, 258.