From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 4 November 1754
To William Strahan
ALS: Yale University Library
Boston, Nov. 4. 1754
Dear Sir
I am favoured with yours of July 31. and Augt. 5. which came to hand since my Arrival here.4 I hear from Mr. Parker, that the Goods for Connecticut were safe arrived at New York, and that he had sent them to Newhaven: I thank you for your Care in that Matter.5 Inclosed you have a second Bill for £20 Sterling drawn by Mrs. Stevens on Alexr. Grant Esqr: the first I sent before I left home.6 On my Return shall remit farther, and am with great Respect and Affection, Dear Sir Your most humble Servant
B Franklin
P.S. I am glad to hear your Son Billy likes the Printing Business.7 If, with the Trade, you give him a good deal of Reading and Knowledge of Books, and teach him to express himself well on all Occasions in Writing, it may be of very great Advantage to him as a Printer. You have some Instances among you. My Daughter is now 11 Years old, grows finely, an honest good Girl, as dutiful and sweet-temper’d as one could wish. I promise my self much Comfort in her when I grow old, if we should live. But these things will be as God pleases.
Addressed: To Mr William Strahan Printer in New Street Fetter Lane London
4. Neither has been found.
5. See above, pp. 82, 422. Parker sent the goods to New Haven with John Holt and, at BF’s suggestion, went there himself between Christmas and New Year’s. See below, p. 440.
6. See above, p. 422.
7. William Strahan, Jr. (1740–1781), learned the printer’s trade in his father’s shop and joined him in the management of the business, 1767; in 1769 his father helped him set up for himself. DNB. From their first acquaintance the elder Strahan and BF had entertained hopes of a marriage between BF’s daughter and Strahan’s son (see, for example, above, III, 479); and in 1760 Strahan formally made such a proposal. BF accepted on condition that his wife Deborah would cross the ocean and live permanently in England. BF to Deborah Franklin, March 5, 1760.