To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 5 May 1774
From Richard Bache
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Philadelphia 5th May 1774
Dear and Honoured Sir
I venture to drop you a few Lines notwithstanding your Expectation of leaving England in all1 this Month. I wrote you not by the Packet, as it is now become expensive to you, the Governor (who has been with us near a fortnight,) did, and he would tell you we were all well.2 Per Captain Falkner, I am favored with yours of 17th. February. Note what you say relative to the post Office. My Bill on Roper came to hand, taken up by you for my Honor; I could wish you had sent a protest along with it, as perhaps the Gentleman in Jamaica, on whose Account it was drawn, may scruple payment for want of it, but I hope he has more honor. Your Recommendations of Brown and Adams, you may be assured I pay proper Respect to. Mr. Adams has got Employment, but he wishes to take a Farm, he is quite needy, therefore I cannot see how he can do it. I could wish to get him upon some Farm as an Overseer. I received 16 Boxes of Types by Captain Falkner.3 I suppose the number to be right, but you do not mention the number, nor had I any Bill of Lading. I shall take Care of them. I am obliged to you for forwarding my Letter to my Mother. Inclosed you have the Epitaphs of Governor H——n and your Friend Mr. S—ll—r W——ne, you will see by the papers, what Favorites they are with us. The former must feel on this Occasion, the later being so remote and Case hardened withall, will hardly feel more than his Effigy did.4 My Mother, Sally and the Children are all well they join me in Love and Affectionate Regard. I am Dear Sir Your most Affectionate Son
Richd: Bache
Addressed: To / Doctor Benjamin Franklin / Craven-Street / London / Favored by Capt. All
1. In his letter of Feb. 17 BF had not mentioned traveling with Capt. All; RB must have assumed he would.
2. WF’s letter by packet is above, May 3, and the amount to be collected—now that BF had lost his franking privilege—is written above the address.
3. All these matters are covered in the letter RB is answering. For the mysterious business of the type see BF’s reply below, July 22.
4. For the effigies see WF to BF above, May 3. One of the labels read: “Governor Hutchinson, whom we now consign to the Gallows and Flames, as the only proper Reward for Double-dealing and Treachery to his native Country.” Wedderburn’s label indicted him for insulting BF, who was entitled to universal esteem and affection, and for being ready to see faithful Americans slaughtered in order to gain promotion at court. “Such horrid Monsters are a Disgrace to human Nature, and justly merit our utmost Detestation and the Gallows, to which they are assigned, and then burnt by Electric Fire.” Pa. Gaz., May 4.