1261From George Washington to John Forbes, 23 April 1758 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to return you my sincere, and hearty thanks for the honour you were pleasd to do me in a Letter to Mr President Blair; and to assure you, that to merit a continuance of the good opinion you seem to entertain of me, shall be one of my Principal Studies; for I have now no ambition that is higher, and it is the greatest reward I expect for my Services in the Ensuing Campaigne. It gives...
1262From George Washington to John Forbes, 12 September 1758 (Washington Papers)
To His Excellency Genl Forbes. Sir Camp at Fort Cumberland 12th Septr 1758 In consequence of a Letter from Colo. Bouquet, I wrote to Mr Walker, or Person acting in his behalf for all the Waggons he coud readily procure, and desird that those Waggon’s might be loaded up with Flour or Corn, agreable to the Colos. request. The Inclosd is an answer to that Letter. Colo. Bouquet being advancd I was...
1263From George Washington to John Forbes, 8 October 1758 (Washington Papers)
To Genl Forbes—Commanding His Majesty’s Forces, Employd on the Ohio Expedition. Sir [8 October 1758] In consequence of your request of the Colonels, assembled at your Lodgings the 5th Instt I offer the Plans on the other side to yr Consideration. They express my thoughts on a Line of March through a Country covered with Wood, & how that Line of March may be formd, in an Instant, into an Order...
1264From George Washington to John Forbes, 15 November 1758 (Washington Papers)
Camp, on Chesnut-Ridge (11 o’clock at night) Sir, the 15th November, 1758. An Express from Colo. Armstrong, affords me an opportunity of informing you that we marched hither about 4 o’clock this afternoon —and that I found Mr Bassett and 30 men here late as it was—Immediately ordered working parties on the road, that no time might be lost in opening it; but apprehend I shall not proceed so...
1265From George Washington to John Forbes, 17 November 1758 (Washington Papers)
Colon. Bouquets letter came to my hands (just as the Bearer was passing by) from Colo. Armstrong. I shall punctually observe all the directions contained therein—altho’ I shall at the same time confess, I think it much safer and more elligible to have marched briskly on to our second Post, leaving the Road for Colo. Montgomery to open: We should by that means, have been as good as a...
1266From George Washington to John Forbes, 18 November 1758 (Washington Papers)
I came to this camp about 11 o’clock to-day, having opened the Road before me. I should immediately have proceed on, but as the Bullocks were to slaughter, and Provisions to be dressed, I thought it expedient to halt here till 3 in the morning, when I shall begin to march on with 1,000 men—leaving Colo. Armstrong and 5,00 more in this camp, u[n]til Colo. Montgomery joins. I took care that the...
1267From Daniel Roberdeau to Benjamin Franklin or John Fothergill, 27 February 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been for weeks past meditating a Voyage to London, which would be attended with very great inconvenience, to sell my Estate in St. Christophers, as a long lease thereon is now almost expired, when a presumptious thought occurred, that if you would condescend to look down from Affairs of the highest publick concern, to an Affair of the highest private...
1268Israel Pemberton to John Fothergill, [19 May 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: American Philosophical Society The Light in which Friends here are represented on your Side of the Water is cause of painful Consideration to many of us; Some of our Friends in your City, were so kind by Capt. Messnard to send us two or three of those Scandalous Pamphlets which are stiled a State of the Province. It has justly alarmed all ranks of People here to find we have some...
1269From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, 8 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society On Nov. 8, 1762, William Shippen (above, IX , 219 n), who had recently arrived in Philadelphia from London, informed the treasurer and managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital that Dr. John Fothergill had sent by the Carolina (the ship which had brought Franklin home) a present of seven cases of materials for the study of anatomy. Three contained drawings by...
1270From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, 6 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I am but just return’d from a long Journey, having been absent near [six months]. I find your Favour of Novr. [ I , which I shall?] answer particularly per Reeve [who sails for London?] in about 10 Days. This [will only serve to bring?] Dr. Douglas’ Piece (and another) on the [ one and a half lines missing ] Copy, [ one line missing ]. With [ complimentary...
1271From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, [1757–1762] (Franklin Papers)
MS Autobiography: Huntington Library The filthy streets of Philadelphia and London were a persistent challenge to Franklin’s civic conscience. He explained in the autobiography that “by talking and writing on the Subject” he had at length done something about the streets of Philadelphia. At an unstated time, perhaps before he retired from business, he “wrote and printed a Paper” (not found) on...
1272From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, 14 March 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your Favour of the 10th. of Decemr. It was a great deal for one to write, whose Time is so little his own. By the way, When do you intend to live? i.e. to enjoy Life. When will you retire to your Villa, give your self Repose, delight in Viewing the Operations of Nature in the vegetable Creation, assist her in her Works, get your ingenious Friends at...
1273Daniel Roberdeau to Benjamin Franklin, John Fothergill, and Charles Pearce, 2 October 1770 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania You’ll please to be refered to what I wrote you some Months past respecting the Sale of my Estate in St. Christophers, since which I have not been favoured with any answer but an obliging kind Letter from Doctor Franklin informing that you had appointed a meeting to converse on that subject, so that I am ignorant of the steps you have...
1274From Daniel Roberdeau to Benjamin Franklin, John Fothergill, and Charles Pearce, 27 February 1770 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania However reluctant a man may be within his sprere of action to give trouble to another, yet the circumstance of distance of place lays him under an indispensable necessity, and when that happens his first thought leads to the object of his confidence, and he is exercised therein in proportion to the trust he is to repose. I have motives...
1275From Daniel Roberdeau to Benjamin Franklin, John Fothergill, and Charles Pearce, 27 February 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society If by this time you have not succeeded in [the sale of my Plantation,] according to what I wrote you the 27th. Feby. and 20th. March, as [I am anxious to] transfer my Property from the West-Indies to the more eligible Situa[tion of my] own residence, and as a last effort, although I have little doubt that by [the time] this gets to your hands, that you will...
1276From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, [October 1757] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I took the 30 grs. of Comp[oun]d Powder of Contrayerva you prescribed, and had a good Night. I had no Headach in the Morning, as when I took the Hartshorn Drops; and therefore did not cup. But I have had all Day yesterday, a Giddiness and Swimming in my Head, which, every time I rise up, or turn suddenly, makes me stagger a little. I hear a humming Noise...
1277To Benjamin Franklin from the Managers of the Philadelphia Silk Filature to Franklin and John Fothergill, 8 November … (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The Subscribers Managers of the Contributions for promoting the Culture of silk in Pennsylvania, having purchased in the course of the last Season and procured to be reeled at the Filature erected here such a quantity of Cocoons as have produced about 155 lbs. of raw Silk proper for Exportation, are encouraged from your known Partiality to the productions of...
1278Israel Pemberton to John Fothergill, 4 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania As I am sensible thou art well acquainted with Benja. Franklin’s Character a recommendation of him seems unnecessary, yet as I would not be deficient in respect to him and am Sincerely desirous he may succeed in the important Service he is engag’d in, I cannot but desire he may have some Share of thy Friendship and so far as his views and measures tend...
1279From Daniel Roberdeau to Benjamin Franklin, John Fothergill, and Charles Pearce, 27 February 1770 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook copy): Historical Society of Pennsylvania Please to be refered to what I wrote you the 27th. Ulto, on considering the possibility of your not obtaining £6,500 Sterl. for my Estate the Sum by which you were then limited, and as I would not have my purpose mared by failing of the above sum, and in Case you cannot obtain an intermediate Sum I even consent to take Six Thousand...
1280From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 14 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received yours of June 7. and am glad to find by it that you are safely return’d from your Virginia Journey, having settled your Affairs there to Satisfaction, and that you found your Family well at New York. I feel for you in the Fall you had out of your Chair. I have had three of those Squelches in different Journeys, and never desire a fourth. I...
1281From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 2 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I am sorry to acquaint you that the Account Mr. Colden sent over from New York by the Octr Packet is look’d upon at the Office as no Account at all, the Receipts being lump’d in one Article of £5649 2 s. 3½ d. without any State of the Accounts of the several Offices to support that Article. It is therefore rejected, and I can make no Settlement till...
1282From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 19 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received yours and Mr. Colden’s with the Accounts, and Bills, per Packet, concerning which shall be more particular in my next. This Line is only to inform you, that in my Opinion you are likely to obtain from the Board the Addition you desire to enable you to live at New York; that probably Mr. Finlay will be appointed Riding Surveyor; and that...
1283From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 4 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft) and autograph extract: American Philosophical Society I have written two or three small Letters to you since my Return from Ireland and Scotland. I now have before me your Favours of Oct. 1. Nov. 5. and Nov. 13. Mr. Todd has not yet shewn me that which you wrote to him about the New Colony, tho’ he mention’d it, and will let me see it, I suppose, when I call on him. I...
1284From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 7 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I had no Line from you by this last Packet, but find with Pleasure by yours [to] Mr. Todd that you and yours were well. The Affair of the Patent is in good Train, and we hope, if new Difficulties unexpected do not arise, we may get thro’ it as soon as the Board meet. We are glad you made no Bargain [about] your Share, and hope none of our Partners...
1285From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 3 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I am favoured with yours of Jan. 5. and am glad to hear that you and yours are well. The Flour and Bisket came to hand in good Order. I am much oblig’d to you and your Brother for your Care in sending them. I believe I wrote you before that the Demand made upon us on Account of the Packet Letters was withdrawn as being without Foundation. As to the...
1286From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, [on or before 5 May 1772]: fragment (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft; fragment): American Philosophical Society My Love to dear Mrs. Foxcroft, and to little Sally my grandaughter. My best Wishes attend you all, being as ever, Your affectionate Friend and humble Servant The fragment appears in the letterbook immediately before BF to WF below, May 5, and is clearly the end of BF ’s reply to Foxcroft’s letter above, March 2, which mentioned...
1287From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 7 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society Mr. Todd call’d to see me yesterday. I perceive there is a good deal of Uneasiness at the Office concerning the Delay of the Accounts. He sent me, in the Evening, to read and return to him a Letter he has written to you for this Mail. Friendship requires me to urge earnestly your Attention to the Contents, if you value the Continuance of...
1288From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 18 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society It is long since I have heard from you. I hope nothing I have written has occasion’d any Coolness. We are no longer Colleagues, but let us part as we have liv’d so long, in Friendship. I am displac’d unwillingly by our Masters, who were oblig’d to comply with the Orders of the Ministry. It seems I am too much of an American. Take care of...
1289Anthony Todd to Benjamin Franklin and John Foxcroft, 4 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
MS extract: Public Record Office Extract of a Letter from Anth Todd Esqr. to Messrs. Franklin and Foxcroft Dated General Post Office October 4th. 1768. You will see by the inclosed Abstract of a Clause relating to Ship Letters what steps have been lately taken to carry the same effectually into execution, and the Honourable Commissioners of the Customs have been pleased to direct their...
1290Anthony Todd to Benjamin Franklin and John Foxcroft, 12 March 1763 (I) (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library His Majesty’s Post Master General having been pleased, at the same time, They have thought fit to lay down the Correspondence with His Majesty’s Islands in the West Indies, to Establish Four Packet Boats of 130 Tons each, with 18 Hands, in order to continue a Monthly Correspondence between Great Britain, and the Continent of America, in time of Peace; and until...