To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 5 April 1765
From Nathaniel Falconer6
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Savannalemar In Jamaica, april the 5: 1765
Honourable Sir
I have made Bold to Send you a turtle in the Ship hannover packet Capt. Price7 as also two pair of Spanish Birds Called hear patriges8 which are much admired hear. I have Directed them to the Care of messrs mildred and Roberts9 of Lond[on]. I thought not proper to Let the Capt know they whear for you as I well no how matters stand with him. I hope they will Come Savef to hand and this will find you in good health. I Remain Sir your most obedient Humble Servant
Nathl Falconer
To Benjaman Franklin Esqr
Addressed: To / Benjaman Franklin / Esqr / in / London
Endorsed: Capt. Falconer
6. Nathaniel Falconer was a ship captain who is mentioned frequently in BF’s letters. He was active in naval affairs during the Revolutionary War and was warden of the port of Philadelphia, 1778–1790; later he is mentioned as being surveyor of the port. Earlier in the present year BF called Falconer one of his “good Friends” who had made his voyage to England comfortable. See above, p. 63. PMHB, XIX (1895), 402; LXXIV (1950), 357.
7. Pa. Gaz., Oct. 18, 1764, reported the entry of the Hanover Packet, Capt. Falconer, from London. Pa. Gaz., Nov. 1, 1764, reported the ship with Falconer commanding outward bound for Jamaica; on Nov. 29, 1764, she was reported to have cleared Philadelphia. In the West Indies Falconer turned command of the ship over to a Captain Price, who, he implies, was on bad terms with BF. The editors have been unable to discover the reason for the unfriendliness between the two men.
8. Perhaps the tinamou, a South American bird much resembling the partridge.
9. Mildred and Roberts were London merchants with extensive Philadelphia connections who have been mentioned occasionally in these volumes.