1To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, [28 March 1762] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: The Royal Society Franklin, like other members of the Royal Society, sometimes served as a means of communication whereby nonmembers with news of curious phenomena or interesting discoveries might hope to have their reports transmitted to the Society to be read and printed. In this instance John Whitehurst passed on to Franklin a letter he had received from Rev. Samuel Evatt of...
2To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 18 March 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter from one of Franklin’s English scientific friends, which touches briefly on a variety of matters, is perhaps less important in the history of science than the enclosure which follows it. In the postscript Whitehurst mentions that he is sending “a short sketch of a General Theory of the Earth.” On June 27, 1763, Franklin acknowledged receiving...
3To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 23 April 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It gave me great pleasure to hear of Your safe Arrival in England. As I flatter’d my self with hopes of the very great pleasure of seeing You once more, and of hearing your family, and the governers are well. I am extremely obliged to You Sir, for the civilities, You were pleas’d to shew Mr. Tunicliff, and can only reward You by requesting a second favour...
4To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 20 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I forwarded yesterday by the derby Stage, to the Swan with two necks, Lad-lane, a Hare, from Mr. Tunnicliff, which he desires the favor of You to accept as a gratful acknowledgment of the favors confer’d upon him. Since Mr. Ludlams report of Mr. Harrisons Time-keeper, has been made public, I have been considering what further improvements are wanting to...
5To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 15 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society We experienced a much greater degree of Cold at derby, in the late Frost, than perhaps was ever observed in England, and the quick transitions, were no less remarkable. On Sunday the 18 of last month, at 7 o Clock in the evening. My thermometer stood at 20. At half an hour after Nine, nearly one degree below 0. At seven the next Morning 30. External Air. I hope to hear...
6To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 18 January 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The natural tendency of philosophical minds to promote useful knowledge, seems to render an apology to you quite needless for the favour I’m going to request. I’m inform’d Sir, that the truely eminent Artist Mr. West is one of that Class of men who cultivates the Science he professes for the Sake of the Art only. A most laudable example indeed. A Young...
7To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 25 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent the two Clocks on Tuesday last by Clark; to the Bell in Wood Street, Directed for you in Craven Street, the Strand. I hope they will please and Come Safe to hand. I have been So much out, I could not Engrave the Plates, and therefore Chose to Send them in the State they are In rather than keep them longer. Mr. Tompson Engraver in red lyon Street...
8To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 1 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your favour, and have sent the Account of the Clocks underneath. The other Clock which you was so kind to order is in hand and will soon be compleated. I found it necessary to depart from Mr. Fergusons Plans, for the sake of greater simplicity. The moons southing, and time of high water, ought to be as visible as the time pointed out by the...
9To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, [before 16 March 1775] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in the Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions …, LXV (1775), pp. 277–9. Presuming the mode of raising water by its momentum may be new and useful to many individuals, induces me to send you the inclosed plan and description of a work, executed in the year 1772, at Oulton, in Cheshire, the seat of Philip Egerton, Esq. for the service of a brewhouse and other offices, and is found to...
10To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 21 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Perceeiving you were not quite Sattisfied with the Account I gave you of the Clock I made for you, I have now made another with a round Dial. The hour hand of which performs one revolution in 24 hours. Concentric to that, is a hand to Shew the time of high and low water, the hours of flood and ebb. Under the foot of the hour 12, is wrote highwater, at 6 Low...