ADS : American Philosophical Society Benjamin Franklen to Benja. Humphreys Dr. £ s d To Two steel spendels For the Harmonica 4: 0: 0 Humphreys was almost certainly a Philadelphia artisan, but nothing more is known about him. See Above, p. 426.
2To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Wilson, 8 April 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been considering Mr. Coldens experiment which we tried on Saturday last, and the appearances it affords seem not now so surprising, or indeed, curious, as I at first imagined. For the excited tube, you know, when opposed properly to the cork balls, attracts them a little: it must therefore electrify the balls plus, instead of minus: and not only the...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 14 October 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania The many Advantages which I derived from your Friendship Whilst in London have emboldened me to take the Liberty of recommending to your friendly Notice the Bearer of this Letter——my Brother who proposes to spend two Years in the Temple in Order to finish his studies in the Law. The Civilities you confer upon him will add greatly to the very many Obligations...
4To Benjamin Franklin from [Henry] Potts, [1765–1767] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Potts presents his Compliments to Doctor Francklin and desires the favor of his Company at Dinner Thursday next the 19th Instant. An Answer is desired. Addressed: Benjamin Francklin Esq. / Craven Street Analysis of handwriting has led the editors to conclude that this note and the one immediately following were written by Henry Potts, secretary of the...
5To Benjamin Franklin from John Apthorp, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Apthorp’s compliments to Mr. Franklyn and desires the favour of his Company to dine with him on Fry-day next ¼ past three. Addressed: Benjn Franklyn Esqr / Buckingham Street, Probably John Apthorp (d. 1772), son of the Charles Apthorp of Boston who was agent for Hanbury & Thomlinson in the northern colonies and involved in supplying specie for British...
6To Benjamin Franklin from James Johnson, 4 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [Brook Street, Feb. 4, (1768?). An invitation to dinner on Monday the 8th. ] The Bishop of Worcester, for whom see above, XII , 124 n. BF ’s acquaintance with the Bishop began in 1765. Feb. 8 was a Monday in 1768 and 1773, and in accordance with our practice we assign the note to the earlier possible year.
7To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Knight, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Knight’s compliments to Mr. Franklin and Mr. William Franklin and desires the favor of their company at dinner on tuesday next the 27th. Addressed: Craven-Street Possibly Gowin Knight (1713–1772), F.R.S., whose work on magnetism BF had known and admired before going to England (see above, VI , 103, 177–8). He was appointed principal librarian of the...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan and Anna Mordaunt Shipley, [before 9 February 1772]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Before February 9, in the third person and the Bishop’s hand. He and his wife invite Franklin to dinner next Sunday, February 9.> Feb. 9 fell on a Sunday during BF ’s second mission only in 1766 and 1772, and as far as we know he was not acquainted with the Shipleys until 1771.
9To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 3 October 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Boston, October 3, 1771. Wrote a few days ago to enclose the third set of bills for 1,754 guilders. > See Williams to BF above, Sept. 19.
10To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Dartmouth to Franklin, William Bollan, and Arthur Lee, 23 December 1774: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Public Record Office <St. James’s Square, Friday, December 23, 1774: A note in the third person asking them to meet him at his house at ten the following morning. > To learn how the King had received the petition from the Continental Congress; see the following document.
11To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Huck, 15 November 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [November 15, 1769. An invitation to dine with Sir John Pringle on Friday next.] The noted physician, for whom see above, XV , 172 n. The note is merely dated Wednesday, but the invitation is for Friday, Nov. 17; between the knighting of Pringle and BF ’s departure from England Friday fell on the 17th only in 1769.
12To Benjamin Franklin from Harvard College, 16 June 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William C. Lane, “Harvard College and Franklin,” The Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts , X (1907), 238. <June 16, 1772: The President and Fellows vote to extend their thanks to Franklin for the gift of Dr. Priestley’s History and Present State of the Discoveries Relating to Vision, Light, and Colours (London, 1772), and to request Dr. Winthrop to forward a...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Lords Bessborough and Grantham: Commission to Benjamin Franklin and John Foxcroft, 25 … (Franklin Papers)
Copy: General Post Office, London In the summer of 1765 the British postal service in North America was divided into two jurisdictions: a northern district, stretching from Virginia through Canada, and a southern district, including North Carolina, the continental colonies to the south, and the Bahama Islands. Under this new dispensation Franklin and Foxcroft, hitherto the deputy postmasters...
14To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 19 February 1748 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook abstract: Historical Society of Pennsylvania My Friend B.F. I wrote to him about the Title page of Euclid and the Lottery now fully drawn and desired his direction concluding his Affectionate friend. See above, p. 219.
15To Benjamin Franklin from Osgood Hanbury & Company, 15 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Messrs. Hanbury’s respects to Doctor Franklin and inform him, that upon Captain Bannings coming up this Evening, they find the Ship will not be ready to sail before the 24th. Instant, by which time if the Chariott can be got ready the Captain shall take particular care of it. For Osgood Hanbury, a Quaker merchant with offices at 34 Great Tower Street and...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Life, 16 November 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania His Lordship has only heard 2 Exceptions this Evening Your Cause[?] therefore Stands now the Seventh. His Lordship sits again next Friday Evening when it may probably come on. I am Sir Your very humble Servant See the preceding document. BF ’s case advanced toward argument at the pace of a lazy snail, and a month later was second in line: Life to BF...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Sherwood, 11 September 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Joseph Sherwood Presents his Respects to B. Franklyn Esqr. and Informs him, that Sherwood Attended at his Lodgings the beginning of the Week, with the Papers &c. ready to send to Charles Read Esqr. Addressed: For / Benjn. Franklyn Esqr. / at Mrs. Stephensons / Craven Street / Strand See above, p. 217 n.
18To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 4 March 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [March 4, 1769. Repeats the substance of his letters of February 17 and March 1, printed above. Adds that he has received another bill of exchange from Postmaster Hubbart for £100, drawn by Nathaniel Rogers on a London merchant. The worst of the winter was in February, which is unusual. He hopes his gout will not lose him his place.] For Rogers see BF to...
19To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 11 June 1749 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook abstract: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Wrote to B. Franklin to come up and See my Books.
20To Benjamin Franklin from William and Mary Hewson, 22 March [1771–74]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library <March 22, [1771–74 ]: a note in the third person, in Polly Hewson’s hand. Reminds Franklin that he has promised to dine with them next Thursday.> The Hewsons were married in July, 1770, and he died suddenly in May, 1774. The invitation could have been in any March between those dates, and according to our practice we are assigning it to the earliest...
21To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 25 April 1768: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, April 25, 1768. Franklin will probably have left before this reaches London. Wrote him a week ago, enclosing some papers (for which see his letter above, April 18); has heard nothing from him since December, but the February packet has not yet arrived. Wishes him a safe and speedy return home.]
22To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Dunbar, 21 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 175. May 21, 1755 Two sentences from this unlocated letter are printed in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (see below, pp. 208–9).
23To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Jackson, 20 May 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library <General Post Office, May 20, 1771, a note in the third person. Sends a piece of elastic gum with a thousand good wishes.> Identified by the handwriting and place of origin. For Jackson see above, XIV , 301 n. In November BF sent Jonathan Williams, Sr., six “vessels” of elastic gum, costing £1 16 s. Jour., p. 37.
24To Benjamin Franklin from William Canton, 18 March 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Wednesday evening, March 18, [1772 ], a note in the third person. His father, who is considerably worse than the previous Saturday, but because of laudanum in not quite so much pain, thanks Franklin for his kind inquiry.> The son and subsequently the biographer of BF ’s old friend; see the DNB under John Canton. Four days before John Canton’s death. BF...
25To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, [December 1774?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress D. Barclay’s respects, and desires to see Dr. Franklin this Evening on particular Business. Addressed: Doctor Franklin Endorsed: recd at 7. The only clue to the date is the “particular Business,” which might have been connected with either the peace negotiations or the projected meeting of merchants to petition Parliament (see Barclay to BF above, Dec. 22). The first...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 4 April 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <General Post Office, Thursday, April 4, 1771. An invitation, in the third person, to dinner at four the next day with Mr. Wharton and Major Trent. A bizarre postscript, in Todd’s hand, reads “Salt Fish and Brandy.”> Samuel Wharton and William Trent, two of the prime movers in the Walpole Company. The dinner was presumably to discuss its affairs.
27To Benjamin Franklin from Sargent, Chambers and Co., 25 January 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Mincing Lane, January 25, 1772, in the third person. The firm has received instructions by Mr. Bache to withdraw Franklin’s account, which with interest amounts to £149 16 s. 1 d. ; what does he wish to have done with the money? > For the mercantile firm, formerly Sargent Aufrere, see above, IX , 359 n; XIII , 295 n. The withdrawal was part of a present of...
28To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 April 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [Philadelphia, April 14, 1769. John Foxcroft has summoned him there. Encloses a second bill for £60 13 s. 9 d. , the first of which he had sent from New York on February 13. This Foxcroft had returned to him to send to Franklin. Is in poor health but hopes to recover.]
29To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 9 May 1748 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy (incomplete): Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have wrote a few lines to thee and D.H. as Authors of the Gazette of what you have inserted in your last in relation to me which thou may put into what Language thou pleases provided it answers my End. I impute it to D.H. and not to thy Self. But this comes to inquire particularly into the [ incomplete ]. BF ’s reply, May 10,...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 April 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Boston, April 22, 1773: Sends a letter from Henry that came too late to be enclosed with his. > Jonathan’s letter was that of two days before. For Henry Walker’s letter to his mother see hers to BF below, June 20.