1301To George Washington from Thomas Addenbrooke, 26 July 1773 (Washington Papers)
In December 1771 I took the liberty to write to you requesting the Favour of you to Enquire After An Estate in Virginia that I had a right to not being favour’d with your Answer makes Me imagine my letter Miscarried. by some papers in my Custody I find my Great Grandfather (by my mothers side) Walter Broadhurst left a Widdow who married Mr John Washington of Westmoreland County I suppose an...
1302To Benjamin Franklin from Lucrezia Agujari, 12 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania L’Agujari umilia i suoi ossequj al Signor Dottore Benjamin Franklin, e lo supplica di gradire L’omaggio, che Essa hà L’onore di presentarle con la Stampa della Cantata, che eseguirà questa sera al Pantheon. [The Agujari presents her humble respects to Dr. Franklin, and begs him to accept the tribute that she has the honor of offering him, along with the...
1303Albany Congress: Representation of the Present State of the Colonies, 9 July 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Public Record Office, London; also copies: Rhode Island Archives, John Carter Brown Library, New York State Library, Maryland Hall of Records, Massachusetts Historical Society (2 copies) Recent events had made clear to everyone attending the Albany Congress that a struggle with the French was impending for the mastery of the continent. The chief purpose of any plan of union which they...
1304Albany Congress Committee: Short Hints towards a Scheme for a General Union of the British Colonies on the Continent, 28 … (Franklin Papers)
Copy: New York Public Library The first four days of the Albany Congress were devoted to organization and to consideration of matters relating to the forthcoming conference with the Six Nations. On Monday, June 24, however, a motion was passed unanimously “that the Commissioners deliver their opinion whether a Union of all the Colonies is not at present absolutely necessary for their security...
1305To Benjamin Franklin from James Alexander, 29 January 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Copies of letter and enclosure: New-York Historical Society The rare transits of Venus across the sun’s surface were among the most important astronomical occurrences in the eighteenth century because they offered astronomers opportunities to calculate the solar parallax—the angle subtended at the sun by the earth’s radius—and thus not only provided a basis for computing the actual distance...
1306To Benjamin Franklin from James Alexander, 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 280–1. If I remember right, the Royal Society made one experiment to discover the velocity of the electric fire, by a wire of about four miles in length, supported by silk, and by turning it forwards and backwards in a field, so that the beginning and end of the wire were at only the distance of two...
1307James Alexander to Cadwallader Colden, 9 June 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: New-York Historical Society; also transcripts: Library of Congress and Harvard College Library (Sparks) I communicated yours of May 16th and 28th and my Answers to Mr. Pownal Mr. Peeters and Mr. Franklin. Before I communicated them to Mr. Pownal, he had thought of forewith building one Vessel of force and sundry small Vessels to attend her, to prevent the boarding of the larger by...
1308To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Alexander, 3 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my return to Scotland, I have been some days in the Country by which means I did not receive your Letter before yesterday. I return you a Thousand Thanks for the Trouble you have taken about the Harpsichord, the one you describe at 33 Guineas is precisely what is wanted and therefore you will please give orders to have it immediately packt up and Sent...
1309To Benjamin Franklin from R[obert] A[lexander], 8 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send my [ sic ] by the Bearer the Portfolio containing my Papers the Key to which you will find here inclosed, I shall send for them back betwixt twelve and one in order to convey them to our other Friend who is so kind as to keep himself disengaged thorough [ sic ] the day in order to give them a serious Perusal. There is a Letter I received from my...
1310To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 30 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is not perhaps unknown to you that soon after my Arrival in this Country from England I was induced to make several large purchases of Lands with a Veiw of soon disposeing of some of them again to Advantage; you well know the Sudden Change that took place in the Sale of Lands, Vast Quantitys of new Lands Comeing into the Market and a great Scarceity of...
1311To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 12 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library Genl. Shirley being informed by Mr. Scott one of [the] Waggon-Masters, that he has brot with him to this place all your Original Contracts for Waggons and Horses for the Late Genl. Braddock’s Army, with the receipts of the Money advanced in part payment of them, has directed them to be sent to you, to enable you to settle that account. I now send them to Mr. P V B...
1312To Benjamin Franklin from John Alleyne, 5 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I should not have broken in upon your Time in this Manner, if my Health wo’d have permitted Me, to have address’d You personally, but Confin’d, as I have been, and much weaken’d by the Gout I trust your Goodness will Excuse Me, if I ask the Favor of a Line from You, in Answer to the following Questions. A Reverend Friend of Mine had an Offer, some few...
1313To Benjamin Franklin from John Alleyne, M[arch?] 17, 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am oblig’d to enquire in what Manner the People of Georgia usually transfer their Property in Lands, whether by the old mode of Conveyancing by Feoffment or by the modern Refinements of Lease and Release, Bargain and Sale &c. As I cannot obtain this Peace of Information from any of my young Friends at the Temple, I trouble You with this Epistle, and...
1314To Benjamin Franklin from John Alleyne, 13 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thanks I would Return, if any Thanks were equal to that Obliging Favor which came last Night to my Hand, with what impatience did I read, with what Raptures did I see that you so entirely approv’d my Marriage, with what Gratitude did my Heart Glow when I Read those words of Advice with which Your Letter Clos’d, Words will not express my Ideas, I will not...
1315To Benjamin Franklin from John Alleyne, 11 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Having often experiencd the Effects of your Benevolence and Friendship, I am emboldened to request the Favour of the Loan of £50 ’till Monday next. The Occasion of my troubling You is a desire to pay a Sum of Money which I cannot make up without some Assistance before Monday. If you will be so good as to send Me a Draught enclos’d in a Letter by the...
1316To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac All, 30 April 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your favour of the 3d. March I answer’d the 12th. which I hope Came to your hand when I wrote I expected to have had the pleasure of Seeing in a Short time but a Misfortune happening has keept me here Contrary to my expectation on the 8th. Instant in a Very hard gale of wind my Ship was drove on Shore when She was near loaded and At high Water Circumstances...
1317To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac All, 12 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I with great pleasure Acknowlege the Receipt of your favour of the 3d. and am very glad to hear You have such late news from your family and friends at Philada. I hope their health will be continued and yourself soon restored never more to be seperated from them. I am much better then when I wrote you but have been Oblig’d since that time to undergo a Very...
1318To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac All, 5 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday I had the pleasure to hear of your Arrival in London by a Gentleman lately from thence, on which I most Sincerely Congratulate you as the season of the Year must render your passage disagreeable and dangerous; as I my self found in my Voyage from the Bay of Honduras to this place, where I arrived the 30th. Nov., and soon after saw in the papers An...
1319To Benjamin Franklin from John Almon, 6 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society There having been only a small number printed, because upon so beaten a subject, one is doubtful of success, till the Public opinion can be taken; but this pamphlet being much approved, it is probable that it will be reprinted. Should be glad therefore of notice of any errors (per penny post, or otherwise). I am sorry you have had the trouble to send twice,...
When our common Liberties are invaded, our dearest Rights in Danger, and a whole Continent loudly called upon to defend and secure themselves against high handed Oppression: the Confidence reposed in us as Delegates of your respectable County is a distinguished Honour, which excites our most affectionate Esteem and demands our most grateful Acknowledgments. While we lament that our Talents are...
The polite and respectful terms in which you are pleased to communicate your approbation of our conduct, in an important office, demand our most sincere and grateful acknowledgments. Honoured by the united suffrages of our fellow-citizens, and animated by a sense of duty, and the most cordial affection for our oppressed country, however unequal to the delicate and arduous task, we undertook it...
1322Donation for the Boston Poor from Two Virginia Counties, 16 December 1774 (Adams Papers)
Virginia, 16 December 1774. LbC ( MHi :Donations to Sufferers by the Boston Port Bill, p. 66); addressed: “To Sam & Jno. Adams Esqrs at Boston”; signed: “John Tabb, of Amelia Ro Bolling, Jno. Bannister Dinwiddie.” This letter was addressed to the two Adamses because the writers knew of no particular committee to which the donation could be sent. The donation was described as “a small...
1323To George Washington from Edward Anderson, 13 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
Col: Thomas Colvill having bequeathed “unto the Youngest Daughter of Mr William Anderson Merchant in London the Sum of Eighty Pounds Sterling”—I beg leave to inform you that Harriot Rebecca Anderson is the youngest Daughter of Mr William Anderson, & that her Guardian Mrs Rebecca Anderson has sent me a Power of Attorney to receive that Legacy. As it would be inconvenient for me to wait upon you...
1324Bill from Alexander Annand, [December 1743] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Mr Benjamin Franklin to Alexr Annand Dr To James and William Franklins Schooling from Decr 12th 1738 [to] Decr 1739 £6 00 0 To Wms Do from Decr 12th 1739 to Decr 1743 12 00 0 To firing £1 2 s. 01 02 0 To Ovids Epistles 3 s. 00
1325Anonymous: Musings near a Cool Spring, 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library Company of Philadelphia Unsigned and undated, these verses have been copied into a Scrap Volume compiled by Pierre Eugène du Simitière. The latest event specifically mentioned is the building of Fort Allen in January 1756 (above, VI, 362–7), and the absence of any direct mention of Franklin’s English mission implies a date earlier than the summer of 1757 and presumably even...
1326To Benjamin Franklin from William Ansell, 5 January 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have taken the Liberty of sending a Turkey by the Norwich Coach who Inns at the Bull Bishopgate street which I hope youll Do me the favor to Exsept. May I beg to know what time you think of Leaving England as I wish to trouble you with one hour of my Company before you sail for America. I find my Neibour Foulger Left England in fine spirits with Gods...
1327To 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...
1328To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Armbruster: Chattel Mortgage and Inventory, 29 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society Know all Men by these Present Whereas I Anthony Armbruster of the City of Philadelphia Printer by a certain Obligation bearing Date the thirty first day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and sixty four became bound to Benjamin Franklin of the same City Esquire in the Sum of One hundred and seventy six pounds and Ten Shillings...
1329To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Armbruster, 13 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
MS letter: American Philosophical Society It is the greatest necessity that urges me to give You this trouble; as I have not been favoured with an answer of the first, sent by Mrs. Franklin, made me think it is unwarranted, but flatter myself You’l excuse both. As you are on a Journey and not expected to be back for some Weeks, and as the circumstance will not allow to wait till then, and am...
1330To George Washington from John Armstrong, 17 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
Such is the uncertainty of human affairs, that I have again the unexpected occasion of giving you a letter on Some business, which if it is to be done at all, it seems must be transacted in your Government. Sundry Gentlemen who had formerly held Military Commissions in the Pay of Pennsylvania & Serv’d in conjunction with the Establish’d Troops, have lately fallen upon a method of asking their...
1331To George Washington from John Armstrong, 24 December 1773 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 28th Sepr from Annapolis, and that of the 10th Octobr from your Own House, I now most gratefully acknowledge, and shou’d have done it Sooner, had any promising conveyance occur’d. I have communicated your Sentiments and representation of the matter in question to sundry Gentlemen in Pennsylvania belonging to our reduc’d Tribe, who are all thankfully Sensible of that obvious...
1332To George Washington from John Armstrong, 24 January 1770 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Armstrong, 24 Jan. 1770. On 20 Mar. GW wrote to Armstrong: “Your obliging favour of the 24th of Jany came to my hands.”
1333To George Washington from John Armstrong, 3 November–20 December 1767 (Washington Papers)
With particular pleasure I acknowlege the receit of your favour of the 21st Septr but know not when it may meet with a Safe conveyance, I shall detain the letter a little, and if none appear, shall risque it by the way of Winchester or Philada. Your Information that part of the Lands on the Yaughyaughghany & Monongahela formerly conceiv’d to lie within the bounds of yr Governmt is now likely...
1334To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Ashburner, [10 December 1771] (Hamilton Papers)
[ St. Eustatius, December 10, 1771 . On January 21, 1772, Hamilton wrote to Ashburner: “I received yours Dated Decemr. 10th.” Letter not found .]
1335To Benjamin Franklin from Harbanus Ashebriner: Contract for a Wagon and Horses, 2 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: Yale University Library I Harbanus Ashebriner of Parradice Township . in the County of York and Province of Pennsylvania, do hereby agree and promise that I will, on the Terms hereunder mentioned, provide one good Waggon with four able Horses and a Driver, to be at Wills’s Creek in Virginia, with as much Oats, Indian Corn, or other Forage as I...
1336Indenture with John Askew, 1 September 1759 (Washington Papers)
Articles of Agreement made Indented the First day of September One Thousand Seven hundred and fifty nine Between John Askew of the County of Fairfax Joiner of the one part and George Washington of the said County Gentleman of the other part Sheweth that the said John Askew for the Consideration’s herein after mentioned doth oblige himself to work true and faithfully at his trade as a joiner...
1337Agreement with John Askew, 22 October 1761 (Washington Papers)
This Indenture made this Twenty 2d Day of October in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty one Between John Askew, Joiner of the County of Fairfax of the one part and George Washington of the County of Fairfax Gentleman of the other part Witnesseth That the said John Askew for and in consideration of the Sum of Thirty eight pounds Seventeen shillgs & Eleven pence to him in...
1338To Benjamin Franklin from the Associates of Dr. Bray, [before 7 April 1768]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XXIV (1900), 389. [Before April 7. A notice of the meeting of the Associates at ten o’clock on that day, at their office at the Angel and Bible in Ave-Mary Lane.] For the Associates and BF ’s connection with them see above, VII , 100 n., 377–9; IX , 12.
1339To George Washington from Samuel Athawes, 8 April 1774 (Washington Papers)
Our Mutual Friend the Honble George Wm Fairfax, Esqr. having communicated to me that since his return to England a Person has offered to purchase the Blomary which he has in conjunction with Mr Carlisle Dalton &c. tho. not the whole of the Land belonging to it & he being desirous of not only parting with it but of putting an End to that Matter intirely has executed a Power of attorney to this...
1340To George Washington from Samuel Athawes, 12 February 1774 (Washington Papers)
As my Friend the Honble George Wm Fairfax Esqr. has long since acquainted you with his arrival & of his Situation at York my Congratulations on the occasion will come very late however they are very Sincere & the Proverb says better late than never. By a Letter which I have lately received from him I find both himself & his Lady have had a kind of seasoning, indeed we have had a very...
1341To George Washington from Samuel Athawes, 3 March 1775 (Washington Papers)
The very short Crop & Capt. Pundersons Conduct not proving altogether Satisfactory to myself nor many of my Friends has induced me to take 200 Hogsheads in the Liberty Capt. outram I would have agreed for 50 or even 100 more but he could not accommodate me with them however if there should be a surpluss there is another Ship going out which he is to have the Loading of & in which they are to...
1342To George Washington from Samuel Athawes, 15 July 1774 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your very polite Favor of the 1st June accompanying two Letters Vizt one from yourself & the other from a Mr Peyton Craven for our mutual Friend the Honble George Wm Fairfax Esqr. which I have accordingly forwarded to him. There is a Rumour here as if a Meeting was to be formd in Virginia on the 1st of the approaching Month & that the Consequence of the...
1343To George Washington from Edmond Atkin, 19 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
When the Swallows People came to Town this afternoon, with the Young French Officer their Prisoner, they came strait to my Lodgings, to pay their Compliment; and soon after carried him away to their own, to eat some Victuals, Hunger being uppermost in their Thoughts. In the Evening, before I would put you to the Trouble to attend (as I had determined to examine him then in the presence of...
1344To George Washington from Edmond Atkin, 20 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
When the 10 Indians were taken into Custody yesterday was Se’nnight, you may remember I expressed my Desire, that they might be treated in point of Necessaries rather better than before, because it was pretended that two of them were Cherokees—On Saturday Morning being informed, that the Prisoners made great Complaint for want of fresh Meat, and that Some of them had contracted Fluxes by a...
1345Robert Auchmuty to Thomas Hutchinson, 14 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
The great esteem I have for you in every point of light, perhaps renders my fears and doubts for the safety of your person greater than they ought to be; however if that is an error it certainly results from true friendship, naturally jealous. Last night I was informed by a gentleman of my acquaintance, who had his information from one intimate with and knowing to the infernal purposes of the...
1346Auchmuty’s Opinion and Decree: Court of Vice Admiralty, Boston, 2 April 1768 (Adams Papers)
Timothy Folger vs. Sloop Cornelia and Eighteen Casks Tea. On this information the Advocate general in behalf of the King intervened. In determining this cause, I shall consider the matters on each side of the question principally relied on by the Gentlemen in their arguments and much in the same order as proposed. The Advocate general in behalf of the King urged, that none but the Officers of...
1347Writ, Declaration and Return: Suffolk Inferior Court, Boston, October 1766 (Adams Papers)
To the Sheriff of our county of Suffolk his Undersheriff or Deputy Greeting. We command you to Attach the Goods or estate of James Apthorp of Boston within our county of Suffolk merchant to the value of ten thousand pounds lawful money of Great Brittain and for want therof to take the Body of the said James if he may be found in your precinct and him safely keep so that you have him before our...
1348Auchmuty’s Opinion and Decree: Court of Vice Admiralty, Boston, 2 March 1773 (Adams Papers)
This Libel is bottomed on the Act of the 7. & 8. Will. 3 Cap. 22. Those parts therefore of the Act, which relates to the present case must be thoroughly considered. The facts either proved, or granted, by the Advocates on both sides are, that said sloop was built at Marshfield in this province by inhabitants of the same, and by them owned. In the Year 1759 was duly registered, afterwards by...
1349Special Demurrer and Joinder: Suffolk Inferior Court, Boston, July 1767 (Adams Papers)
And the said William says that the plea aforsaid pleaded by the said James in manner and form afore pleaded and the matter in the same contained are insufficient in Law and that he the said William to that plea in manner and form aforsaid pleaded hath no necessity nor is bound by the Law of the Land in any way to answer and this he is ready to verify wherefore for want of a sufficient plea in...
1350To Benjamin Franklin from George Aufrere, 9 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have seen Mr. Barclay this Morning who concurs with our House in the Resolution we had taken to pay such of the Province Bills as the Cash in your Hands falls short of discharging. The Method of doing this, will be for you to suffer them to be noted for Non-acceptance, and to direct the Holders of them to us when the 30 Days are run out from the...