2301Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on a Conference about Quartering, 20 December 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 53–5. Joseph Fox, John Hughes, Franklin, William Masters, and William Allen were appointed a committee to confer with Governor Denny on the quartering impasse. Before they were admitted to the chamber, Denny told the Council “he chose not to enter into any Altercation, nor to refute the many...
2302From George Washington to George Mercer, 20 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Instructions. As I have received Orders from his Honor Governor Dinwiddie to repair to Fort Cumberland, and leave an Officer here with the command of this Garrison; I have appointed you to this command, and expect your particular diligence and care. You must observe all former Rules & Orders which have been given for the regulation of this Garrison; and let no Stores or other thing issue...
2303Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on the Governors’ Message, 24 December 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 58–9. When the Assembly met on December 21, the day after the acrimonious conference with Governor Denny, it considered the conference minutes and the written message Denny had presented at that time. After some debate, the Assembly expressed its displeasure with Denny’s conduct in a message...
2304Richard Peters to the Provincial Commissioners, 26 December 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission The Governor commands me to acquaint you that He has received a Letter by Express from Lord Loudun which obliges him to know if the Quarters and Necessaries in Quarters for the Officers and Men demanded by Colonel Bouquet on Friday last will be actually provided and the Hospital repaired and furnished on or before the first day of January....
2305Lewis Ourry to ———, 26 December 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By visiting the Quarters of the Men belonging to the first Battallion of the Royal American Regiment with the Mayor, Sheriff, and other Magistrates I found that — — 94 Men laid on Straw And that — — 73 had nothing to lay on and not Sufficient quantity of Covering, the Houses on which they are quarter’d not being capable of containing near the number...
2306From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Bouquet with Memoranda, [26 December 1756] (Franklin Papers)
Letter: Draft: Library of Congress. Memoranda: I and II : Library of Congress; III : American Philosophical Society After the commissioners agreed at Franklin’s urging to meet all of Colonel Bouquet’s and Lord Loudoun’s demands for quarters, it remained only to decide the details: what quarters and “necessaries” would be provided, how soon, and for how many soldiers? Franklin and Bouquet drew...
2307To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 27 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 19th by Jenkins I recd last Night—& do observe You have ordered the Garisons on the Branch to Percealls, to escort the Flour to Fort Cumberland. The Provisions lying in Bulk at the different Forts, if possible shou’d be Smoked, which wou’d be a great Saving to the Country & I hope You have order’d it so. As we have had great Rains lately I hope a sufficient quantity of Flour may...
2308William Denny to the Provincial Commissioners, 29 December 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Mr. Croghan, who has a Deputation from Sir William Johnson to manage Indian Affairs for this Part of the Northern District, has proposed, for the immediate Service of this and the other Colonies, to send one or two Messengers to the Sasquehannah Indians at Otsaningo, and to Teedyuscung at Diahogo, to come to meet him at Harris’s Ferry, where...
2309From Benjamin Franklin to Edward and Jane Mecom, 30 December 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will receive this by the Hand of your Son Benjamin, on whose safe Return from the West Indies I sincerely congratulate you. He has settled Accounts with me, and paid the Ballance honourably. He has also clear’d the old Printing House to himself, and sent it to Boston, where he purposes to set up his Business together with Bookselling, which, considering...
2310From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 31 December 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Free Library of Philadelphia This serves only to cover a Bill of Exchange drawn by B. Mecom on you, upon a Supposition that you have receiv’d Bills he sent you from Antigua for about £120 more than the Ballance of your Account. If those Bills are not come to hand or not paid, you need not be at the Trouble of Protesting this Bill; but let it lie in your Hands till you hear farther from...
2311To George Washington from John Robinson, 31 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
I am truly concerned at the uneasiness you are under in your present Situation, and the more so, as I am sensible you have too much reason for it, The Resolution of defending Fort Cumberland and evacuating the other Forts was taken before I knew or mistrusted any thing of the Matter, I must confess I was not a little surprised at it, and took the Liberty to expostulate with many of the Council...
2312Note on Franklin’s Sketch of How to Force a Wheel Round by Gunpowder, [before March 1775?] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society For some years we have been trying and failing to answer two questions about this sketch: why and when was it made? The device as described would obviously never produce continuous rotation, if that was the intent; and a wheel that turned in spasms would have limited use. As for the date, no clue to it has appeared in the edited correspondence; one may of...
2313From Benjamin Franklin to John Canton, [1757–1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : The Royal Society Mr. Franklin’s Compliments to Mr. Canton, and requests he would procure for him two more of the long Glass Tubes such as he formerly did him the favour to procure for him. On John Canton, electrical experimenter, see above, IV , 390 n. This note might have been written at virtually any time before Canton’s death, March 22, 1772, except, of course, during one of BF ’s...
2314To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, [before 4 June 1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Govr. Pownall presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin beggs the honor of his Company to Dinner on Tuesday the 4th of June. The Favor of an Answer is desired. Addressed: Craven Street [ In Franklin’s hand on address side: ] Steel Pen for Mr. Strahan. Tuesday June 4 fell in both 1765 and 1771; according to editorial policy this document is placed at the...
2315From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Franklin, [before 1765] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments ana Observations on Electricity , 1769 edition, pp. 473–8. In its surviving printed form this letter is headed “To Mr. P. F. Newport, New England,” and since it begins “Dear Brother,” the person addressed could only have been Franklin’s brother, for many years a merchant and shipmaster in that town. Comparatively little is known of...
2316From 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...
2317To Benjamin Franklin from Allen and Joseph England, [1757–1762] (Franklin Papers)
MS memorandum: American Philosophical Society Allen England and his Brother Joseph England are proprietors of certain Tracts of Land scituate upon Christiana Creek in the County of Newcastle, Quantity 1300 Acres their Title to which stands thus— In 1726 their Father John England advanced £500 to Sir William Keith by way of Mortgage upon the said Lands. In 1729 the said John England assigned...
2318To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Hubbart, [1757–1762] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your tow last Favours gave me a satisfaction better felt then expressed: Indeed I have often longed to Chatt to you in some of those Happy hours you have Blessed me with but feared it was grown Disagreeable or would Interupt Business of Importance pleasing Amusements or more entertaining Conversation, but I most Heartily Accept the Apology you Condesend...
2319To 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...
2320To Benjamin Franklin from William Deane, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Coll: Deanes Compliments to Mr. Franklin and Son, Shall be Extreemly glad of the favor of their Company to Dinner tommorow to meet Mr. and Mrs. Sargent at half an Hour after three o Clock. Addressed: To / Mr. Franklin / Craven Street Lieut. Col. William Deane (d. 1775) of the British Army, was appointed governor of Upnor Castle before 1758, and was promoted...
2321To 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...
2322To Benjamin Franklin from Mrs. Lloyd, Mrs. Morris, and Mr. Lloyd, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mrs. Lloyd Mrs. Morris and Mr. Lloyd present their Compliments to Mrs. Stevenson and Mr. Franklyns, and desire the Favour of their Company this afternoon to meet Miss Gambier. None of these persons has been identified. They may have been friends of Margaret Stevenson, BF ’s landlady. Probable terminal date established by the use of “Mr.” instead of “Dr.” for...
2323III-A-1. Combined County Inventory of Slaves and Personal Property in the Estate, 1757–58 (Washington Papers)
The Appraisements of the Estate of Danl Parke Custis According to the Returns made to the County ⟨Cour⟩t of New Kent by Sworn appraisers whose Names are herunto annex’d A Negro Man named Anthony £20; Ditto Shomberg 45.; Ditto Squire 50.; Ditto Morris 60.; Ditto Jack Palmer 50.; Ditto Jemmy 12.; Ditto Ned 50.; Ditto Brunswick 40.; Ditto Michael 60.; Ditto Joe 60.; Ditto Sampson 1[s.]; A Negroe...
2324[1757] (Adams Papers)
At the time when Fort William Henry was besieged, there came down almost every day dispatches from the General to the New England Collonies urging for Troops and Assistance. Col. Chandler the Younger had sent so many Expresses that he found it difficult to get Persons to undertake the Journeys. Complaining of this Embarrassment one Evening, in company, I told him, I had so long led a sedendary...
2325Poor Richard Improved, 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard improved: Being an Almanack and Ephemeris … for the Year of our Lord 1757: … By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin, and D. Hall. (Yale University Library) As no temporal Concern is of more Importance to us than Health , and that depends so much on the Air we every Moment breathe, the Choice of a good wholesome Situation to fix a Dwelling in, is...
2326To Benjamin Franklin from Giambatista Beccaria, [1757] (Franklin Papers)
Translation of extract (?) in Franklin’s hand: Yale University Library; extract (?) in Italian: American Philosophical Society; also copies of extract and translation: Yale University Library Father Beccaria thanks Mr. Franklin for his kind Remembrance; should have had a most singular Pleasure in seeing him at Turin, which he had been made to hope by his Letter to Mr. Haldiman: If he had known...
2327III., 1757 (Washington Papers)
I am really sorry, that I have it not in my power to answer your request in a more satisfactory manner. If you had favored me with the journal a few days sooner, I would have examined it carefully, and endeavoured to point out such errors as might conduce to your use, my advantage, and the public satisfaction; but now it is out of my power. I had no time to make any remarks upon that piece,...
2328From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 1 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Original ALS not found; duplicate: Pierpont Morgan Library I wrote you yesterday a Line or two enclosing the second of a Set of Bills for £120 Sterling, drawn on Mr. William Anderson, Merchant, London, by Robert Lloyd, of Maryland I now send the first of the same Set. On the 27th past I drew on you for £50 Sterling in favour of Benjamin Mecom, which I doubt not will meet with due Honour I wish...
2329From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 1 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Rosenbach Foundation; duplicate: Huntington Library I wrote you a Line or two yesterday, enclosing B. Mecom’s 2d Bill for £100 Sterling drawn on you upon Presumption that you had received some Bills he had sent you, amounting to about £120 more than the Ballance of his Account. He has settled honourably with me, and bought the old Printing House he had at Antigua, which he has sent to...
2330Return of the Virginia Regiment, 1 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
A Return of the Strength and Disposition of the Virginia Regiment Commanded by Geo. Washington Esqr. January 1st 1757 Officers Companies Where Posted Commissioned Staff Non Commission Effective Rank and File [Field Officers] Captains Lieutenants Ensigns Sergeants Drummers Fit for Duty Sick On Command On Furlow Total Colo. Geo. Washington
2331To George Washington from Peter Hog, 1 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Peter Hog, 1 Jan. 1757. On 26 Jan. 1757 GW wrote : “Yours from Staunton of the 1st instant I have received.”
2332From George Washington to Thomas Bullitt, 1 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Bullitt, 1 Jan. 1757. On 24 Mar. 1757 Bullitt wrote to GW : “I Recd yours Janry 1st.”
2333From George Washington to John Campbell, Earl of Loudoun, 10 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
To the Right Honourable The Earl of Loudoun, General, and Commander in Chief of all His Majesty’s Forces in North America. and Governor, and Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s most Ancient Colony and Dominion of Virginia. My Lord Fort Cumberland [Md.] January 10th 1757 The following Sheets contain a Concise, Candid, and Submissive Account of Affairs on this Quarter: particularly of the...
2334From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 12 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th ultimo came to hand the 9th instant—I wrote to your Honor by Capt. Spotswood (who was charged with the care of the Cuttawba Indians as far as Williamsburgh) that I had sent Colo. Stephen with a Detachment, to bring the mutineers on the Branch to this place in irons. They were secured before he got there; and he has brought all but six, who deserted from Capt. Joshua...
2335From Benjamin Franklin to Elizabeth Hubbart, 13 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Story is well told and entertaining Only let me admonish you of a small tho’ common Fault of Story-tellers. You should not have introduc’d it by telling me how comical it was, especially a Post before you sent the Story it self: For when the Expectation is rais’d too high, ’tis a Disadvantage to the Thing expected. But let us not be merely entertain’d...
2336From George Washington to William Fairfax, 13 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Fairfax, 13 Jan. 1757. On 22 Jan. 1757 Fairfax wrote to GW : “This Evening I had the Pleasure to receive your Favor of the 13th inst.”
2337From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 14 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Dinwiddie, 14 Jan. 1757. On 26 Jan. 1757 Dinwiddie wrote to GW : “Yr Letter of the 14th I shall answer by Jenkins.”
2338To George Washington from Alexander Lunan, 14 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
By order of Colo. John Carlyle of Alexandria I send You by the bearer John Spore —Two Matted Bales qr. 22½ Rheam’s of Cartridge sorted. one long Box. contg four X Cutt saws. and 4 Whip saws. with the Handles, Files, Setts, and every thing ready fitted, the Saws are also Sharpd. & as they are extreamly well pack’d up, I hope they’l come safe to hand; they are the very best of the kinds I could...
2339Memorandum on Allowances for Officers’ Quarters, 20 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Library of Congress The Commissioners voted to allow the Officers of the King’s Forces, instead of Quarters Quarters were demanded of the City of Philadelphia for a Number of Officers of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Americans and one Independent Company. Billets were accordingly delivered out by the Mayor, on the Inns and other Publick Houses of the City, for the Number of Officers...
2340From George Washington to John Carlyle, 20 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Carlyle, 20 Jan. 1757. On 22 Jan. 1757 Carlyle wrote to GW : “... In Answer to Yours of the 20th Inst.”
2341Timothy Horsfield to the Provincial Commissioners, 21 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society The last week Jo Peeby and Lewis Montour Came here and produced His Honour the Governour’s Pass to go to the Indian Countrey, requireing all Persons to Assist them with Such Necessary’s they Stood in need of to prosecute their Journey In Obedience to His Honour I Accordingly help’t them to Every thing they requird of Me, as per the Brethrens...
2342To George Washington from John Carlyle, 22 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
After I had wrote to Capt. Mercer I find the Wagons will not Leave The Town before I finish This In Answer to Yours of the 20th Inst. When I Wrote you & Capt. Mercer I Cou’d give no Guess at the Packages. Nor cou’d I tell What Quantity of Wagons Will doe for the things Under Contract. I beleive Twelve or fourteen Wagons will doe the Other Goods Order’d by Yr Letter of June The 20th Such as...
2343To George Washington from William Fairfax, 22 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
This Evening I had the Pleasure to receive your Favor of the 13th inst. I desird only a Sketch and You have kindly sent Me an expressive One of what I desird to know. Bryan Fx has partook of several merry Meetings and Dancings in Westmorland and Essex and it’s said addresses Miss T——ville. If He succeeds, his Friends may excuse his quitting the Military. A Life that do’s Honour to the Worthy...
2344To Benjamin Franklin from John Waring, 24 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I trouble You with this [to inform you of?] the Death of a worthy Clergyman the [Reverend Henry?] Wheatley, Lecturer of St. Leonard Shoreditch, [who named?] me the Sole Executor of his last Will, by which [he leaves?] a Legacy to some of his Relations now (if alive) at Philadelphia in the following words: “I give and bequeath to Benjamin Franklin Esq. of...
2345Provincial Commissioners to William Denny, 25 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from I Pennsylvania Archives , III , 93–5. The ammunition and other Things applied for by Captain Calender, and allowed by the Commissioners, are sent up some time since, except three Drums which were not then to be had, but will be sent per the first Opportunity. With this your Honour will receive an Account of the quantity of Ammunition sent, and thereby can judge...
2346Pennsylvania Assembly: Remonstrance to William Denny, [26 January 1757] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 73–4. On Nov. 24, 1756, at the Assembly’s request, Governor Denny had submitted an estimate of military expenses in the province for the coming year totaling over £127,000, and on December 15 the House resolved that £100,000 “be granted to His Majesty for the Service of the current Year.”...
2347From George Washington to Peter Hog, 26 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yours from Staunton of the 1st instant I have received. I am sorry you did not make a final settlement of your accompts, as it was for that purpose I appointed the meeting. As I do not meddle with any accompts or vouchers relative to provision, you must still settle that matter with the Commissary in the best manner you can, as it was prevented before, and draw upon him for money. At present I...
2348To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 26 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yrs of the 12th I recd—I am very sorry for the Mutiny You mention on the So. Branch, & I greatly approve the Steps You took to stop it; I hope the six Deserters have been apprehended & punish’d; the Persons under Sentence of Death, I hear some of them are Serjeants & Corporals, it’s a most aragant Affair in them to promote & countenance Mutiny for which they deserve the Sentence pass’d on...
2349Pennsylvania Assembly: Appointment of Franklin as Agent to Go to England, and His acceptance, [28 January 1757–3 … (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 75, 76, 78. The sequence of events resulting in the appointment of Franklin as agent to represent the Assembly in England in its disputes over the instruction on the taxation of proprietary estates and related grievances is indicated by the following extracts from the Assembly Journals. The...
2350From George Washington to James Cuninghame, 28 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
When the inclos’d for His Excellency the Earl of Loudoun was wrote; I (as well as most others) was in hourly Expectation of His Lordships arrival in Virginia. Since then it is reported, and with an Air of great probability, That, Important affairs to the Northward will deprive this Colony of that much desird Honour and Happiness this Season which you may imagine Sir, is cause also for great...