2401To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 29 November 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday I had the pleasure of takeing Mrs. Franklin by the hand in her own house as allso thy daughter and grandson a fine boy. Likewise thy sister from Boston all whome I expect at my house according to promise. I have now before me thy dear affectionate letter of July the 9th 1769. My health and familys still continueth: (God allmight be praised and...
2402To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Letter of the 14th. April merits my best Acknowledgments, for the kind and affectionate Manner in which you express your Fears of my having appropriated Mr. Warrens Money to other purposes: In the manner this Matter may have appeared to you, those Fears were Just, and I think myself happy in having so good a Friend to forewarn me of even supposed...
2403To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, 16 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Inclosed you have a report of a Committee upon the Letters lately laid before our House of Representatives, they have not as yet pass’d upon them. The Time assigned for Considering this Report is at 3 o Clock this afternoon. It is probable the most if not all of them will Pass by a great Majority. Notation: Thos Cushing to Dr....
2404To Benjamin Franklin from John Rice, 4 May 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Agreable to your Orders I have bought for to morrow £5000. 3 per Cents Consolidated at 87½ per Cent, which I hope you’l Approve off, the 4 per Cents are at a 100½ but in my Opinion they will come down to your price, being oblige to attend Sir Thomas Robinson on particular Business to morrow hope you will accept of my friend Mr. Trigg, if not back in...
2405To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 5 April 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress By Order of the House of Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania, I herewith transmit a Petition to his Majesty respecting the Duties imposed by the late Revenue Act of Parliament, which remain unrepealed. This Petition it is their Desire that you shoud present to his Majesty in the most proper Manner. I am Sir, with great Esteem and Regard your most obedient...
2406To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 22 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society I have just heard that all the Paper we are to print News Papers, &c. on, is to come over from England stamped, of which Mr. Hughes is to have Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling Worth by the next Ship, and for which you are to be his Security. If so, I wish the Double Demy had not been sent, as it must be returned. That Paper is nothing like so good or...
2407To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 6 May 1741 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Harvard College Library (Sparks) I return thee all thy Books with my hearty thanks for thy trouble in favouring me with a sight of them, and am highly pleased there are any in the Province who are so fond of such studies, and at the same time so well furnish’d with Cash as to take them all together in their present Condition at those prices. But as I have some knowledge of the...
2408To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 10 May 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favors of Jany. 9, 29, Feby. 13, and Mar. 13. I think I before acknowledg’d the Receipt of the Remainder of the Postscript of Decr. 19. It is not in my Power to give such particular Answers to them as I could wish, being now busily engag’d with the Assembly, who are just on the Point of Rising. Besides I am in doubt whether this will find...
2409To Benjamin Franklin from Johann Friedrich Hartmann, 1 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Translation of Latin ALS : American Philosophical Society To the highly venerable Franklin, S.p.D. Johann Friedrich Hartmann The most enjoyable memory of that day when it was first possible to see you and converse with you has often come back to me. Believe me, I strongly regret that for reasons of time and place I could not offer for your inspection the electrical machines and experiments in...
2410To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 24 October 1752 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society I now send back to you Wilson on Electricity for the use of which I am much obliged. My youngest son the only one I have with me hopes to be able to make Electrical experiments tollerably well. Mr. Wilson I think is on the true scent of the cause of Electricity though it be plain he is not sufficiently informed of the nature of that elastic fluid which he...
2411To Benjamin Franklin from John Hawkesworth, [15 May? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Many, many Thanks, my dear Friend, for your obliging favour of the 8th. My Enquiry was on the behalf of a Friend who is very near and dear to me, to whom I have transcribed your Letter, and if she should be inclined to make the Experiment I will claim the kind offer which your humanity has made me. It will not bring you to Bromley, but I hope you will...
2412To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Roberdeau, 28 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am honoured with your favour of the 11th. June which lais me under great obligation; I should not have been so tardy in my reply but that I have for some considerable time past been greatly afflicted in my wife’s Illness the latter part of her pregnancy and since her delivery occasioned by repeated Accidents which very much endangered...
2413To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 17 October 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; also letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was pleased to hear of your safe arrival by a short agreeable Letter from Exeter, which I had the pleasure of receiving about a Month ago. The small but violent Party continues the same political Systems here expecting, I suppose, to be supported by Power and Influence at Home, where you will have...
2414To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 4 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library Since writing on the other Side, The apprehensions of Hostility’s shortly commencing, unless the Indians could be quieted by the Agents, Are too soon (And too fataly for my Partners and self) confirmed. An Express, yesterday brought us, the following alarming Advices. That Our Factor at Fort Pitt had sent from Thence, in July last, Two large Batteaus, With...
2415To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Taunton, 29 December 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Few documents could be more exasperating to editors trying conscientiously to do their duty by future readers. Nothing has been found to identify the writer beyond what he himself says here or in the three other letters printed below, pp. 267–9. This letter gives a month and day of writing but no year and the other three bear no dates at all. The sheet on...
2416To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 20 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society My two last to you by Capt. Budden to London, and Capt. Stewart to Liverpoole, contained the first and second Copies of a Bill of Exchange for £100. Sterling, which I hope are come to hand and paid. Inclosed you have now the first Copy of another Bill of Exchange for One Hundred Pounds more, of which with the others before sent, please to advise...
2417To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This being the last month in the Year, I have been ’till now busily employed in casting up and settling my affairs, and as I never form’d very great Expectations, I find myself very content with the result. It appears that I have good enough to pay all I owe, and £300 Sterling left being the clear profits of last years Business. In the last Account I gave...
2418To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price: Observations on the Expectations of Lives, 3 April 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Printed from the Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions , LIX (for 1769; London, 1770), 89–125. The document that follows is only in form a letter to Franklin. Price addressed it to him, presumably as a way of acknowledging the latter’s work on population; Franklin transmitted it to the Royal Society, where it was read on April 27 and May 4 and subsequently printed in the Transactions . How...
2419To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 19 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Votre derniere lettre m’ayant eté remise par Mr. Williams m’a fait un plaisir singulier. L’avantage qu’il a de vous appartenir de si près formoit un prejugé bien favorable pour lui, sa physiognomie ne previent pas moins en sa faveur, les qualités de son esprit et la douceur de ses moeurs y repondent parfaitement. Il se fait aimer generalement icy des hommes...
2420To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 25 January [1772–75?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Jermyn Street, January 25, [1772–75? ], in the third person and the Bishop’s hand. Invites Franklin to dinner tomorrow.> BF ’s acquaintance with the Bishop of St. Asaph and his family began, as far as we know, in the summer of 1771; we are therefore assigning this invitation to what seems to be the earliest likely date.
2421To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 14 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to address you with the Compliment of the Season; not merely as a Compliment, but with a fervent sincerity. May this Year give you a happy sight of your Native Country, and of those dear Relations you left in it; and if there is anything else wanting to compleat your Felicity, May that be added! May you enjoy a long succession of Years, fraught...
2422To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 6 March 1747 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Harvard College Library (Sparks) I utterly forgot to send thee the N York Paper by my Son who was here this Morning but I now do it with my hearty thanks. I ordered him further to see thee to day and to beg thy Excuse for my desiring thee to send me a List of your Addition of Books to your Library which I did not the least apprehend would be sufficient to fill so much as one...
2423To Benjamin Franklin from Michael Hillegas, 15 April 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of the 5th January was handed me by Capt. Falconer, am much Obliged to you for having given the Orders for the making the Glasses for my Armonica—hope they will meet a better fate than the others you were pleased to send. The Nova Scotia Adventurers will now soon be expecting your Letter in Answer to ours, and for which will be under Obligation. I am...
2424To Benjamin Franklin from John Canton, 21 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions , LII (1761–62), 457–61. Mr. Delaval, in his curious electrical experiments, found that Portland stone, common tobacco-pipe, &c. would readily conduct the electrical fluid, when very hot, or when quite cold; but were non-conductors in an intermediate state. As no one, that I know of, has yet attempted to account for...
2425To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Smith, 1 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I reciev’d thy Letter of the 6. Feby. but not till after the dissolution of the late Assembly which I believe was in consequence of a request they made at the close of their last Session after they had granted the money requested for the supply of the Troops and were on good terms with the Governor, the matter in dispute being amicably settled. The present...
2426To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, [8?–13 October 1765] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In this letter Deborah Franklin was slightly more generous with periods than in the document immediately above, but the same problem recurs here of determining where she intended some of her sentences to end. The editors have therefore again surrounded their inserted periods and their substituted initial capital letters with brackets in order not to deprive...
2427To Benjamin Franklin from Nicholas Waln, 11 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society You may remember that when I waited on you last at your Lodgings you were kind enough to make Offers of your Service, otherwise I can not presume on any Merits of my own with you to sollicit your kind Offices in Case an Oppertunity should offer. From your and Mr. Jackson’s Letters I have no Doubt that you will be able to bring about a Change of...
2428To Benjamin Franklin from John Huske, [before 1 November 1768?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society John Huske, an American-born merchant and M.P. for Maldon, Essex, was a strong partisan of the colonial cause. In 1767 he had used his long connection with Charles Townshend to try to secure modification of the Townshend Acts; in December, 1768, he introduced the Pennsylvania petition to the House of Commons. Three undated letters from him are among...
2429To Benjamin Franklin from William Daniell, 16 November 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Receiv’d 10 Rm. of Paper for which I am Greatly Oblig’d to you for as it Came very Opportunitely. I Beg you will be Kind Enough to Send per first Oppertunity 50 Rm. More of the Like kind as Also (in persuance to my former Letters) a Sheet of Each Sort You Make, I beg Leave to Remind You once More of Sending Me the Rest of my Order as I am Realy much in...
2430To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 18 June 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society Being just going to set off on a Journey to the Sea Side with my Wife, for the Benefit of her Health, have only Time now to enclose you the first Copy of a Bill of Exchange for Two Hundred Pounds Sterling; for which you will give me Credit, as usual, and Advise, when paid. This Letter I directed to the Care of Mr. Strahan, in case of your being...
2431To Benjamin Franklin from John Pownall, 21 April 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Mr. Pownall presents his compliments to Dr. Franklin, and begs to be informed, whether he has any authority, and what to act as Agent for the province of Pennsylvania. Addressed: To Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Secretary of the Board of Trade, which on that day was considering the Pennsylvania laws passed in February, 1773 (above, XX , 340 n), and Richard Jackson’s report on...
2432To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 2 July 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Your last favor informed me that you had sent my Letter to Mr. Canton inclosed in one of your own per the Packet: for which I am much obliged. When I last saw Mr. Winthrop, I inquired of him after Æpinus: he told me he sent it to Mr. Stiles of Newport, who would convey it to you. I thank you for your Pamphlet relative to the Massacre of the...
2433To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, Junior, 27 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania D: Barclay Jun. presents his Respects to Dr. Franklin, with the inclosed Copy of his Remarks on Paper Currency: The Committee have several Times mett thereon, but have not yet fixed on their Answer to the Report of the Board of Trade, and as it has been intimated to them, that protracting the Affair a Week or two will be advantageous to the Cause, they...
2434To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Smith, 6 February 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I inclose thee printed Copies of the Acts pass’d last Session of Assembly among which is the Act for striking £100,000 in Bills of Credit. I wish the Kings Assent may be obtaind to it before the breaking up of Parliament. I suppose a Copy of this Bill has long since been sent to the Board of Trade by our Governor. This is sent for thy own information. The...
2435To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [June 1750] (Franklin Papers)
AL (fragment): Library Company of Philadelphia [ First part missing ] Pray give my respects to Lewis Evans. I have not Time to write to Him but I putt his Mapps to Bowles one of the most noted Print and Mapp sellers near the Exchange —and He Tells Mee he has disposed of few of them the Price is so High. Thou will see by Byrd’s Letter the reason no Thermometers was done. So farewell. The Books...
2436To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Penington, 5 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received thy favour of Decr. 13th. which Inclosed a Copy of Springett Penns Will. I am very much Obliged for the same as well as the Intelligence that I was soon to receive a power of Attorney to sell the lands. The power has since come to hand and Inclosed is a letter to Ann Penn in answer to what she wrote me on the occasion which after perusing please...
2437To Benjamin Franklin from Augustus Gottlieb Spangenberg, 29 November 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives of the Moravian Church, Bethlehem To wait on you at Bethlehem, on your Return from Easton to Philadelphia, would have been a great Satisfaction to many of us, who have the Honour of your Acquaintance. I flatter myself with the Opinion, that you would not have pass’d by, had your Affairs permitted any longer stay in the Country. And now I take this Opportunity of letting you Know...
2438To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 19 October 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I find my Last of the 30th of September mist the Packet by which it was intended so that having since that Date received yours of 7th August and and Letter from the Executors of R. Partridge by which they Order and direct the Settlement of their Accounts here I retract my former Order to pay them the Ballance of R P. Account as it will suit...
2439To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 January–30 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I received your much esteemed favour of November 1st 1773, and immediately delivered the Letters that were inclosed to the Gentlemen to whom they were directed. I thank you for your readiness in procuring the organ I recieved per Hall, which was much admired. I shall ever think myself happy when in my power to render you any services on this side; as far as...
2440To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 16 April 1748 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was well pleased with thine of the 13th Inst. on both Accounts, that of the Guns and that also of the Militia with which Conr. Weiser was So well Satisfied that he declared at his Return hither, that he would not for Some pounds out of his own Pocket, but that Shekallemy one of the 6 Nations and his Son had Seen it, and these Indians...
2441To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 29 July-4 August 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was desired to send Mrs. Stevenson 6 Boxes of Sperma Ceti Candles, but as they will not admit a less quantity than 22 lbs. [?] to be shipt, was obliged to send her 9: which I have shipped on board the Lydia Capt. Hood directed to you as per the inclosed Bill of Lading. Mrs. S will appropriate the amount to the Payment of an Organ I desired you to procure...
2442To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 18 January 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society Yours by Duncan I received with the Account of what Bills you have received for me since you left Philadelphia, wherein you told me you was afraid that some Bill had miscarried, as the whole Sum received by you was £100 less than that mentioned by me in mine of 22d July 1758. Upon which I looked over my Book and found the Amount of the Bills sent...
2443To Benjamin Franklin from John Harris, 31 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library Company of Philadelphia I inclose you the Deposition of a Person the Contents you please to observe. I have not yet moved my Family, not caring to discourage others. We Expect the Enemy every hour. I have cut holes thro’ my house and kept some Men to defend the same as I had information at Shawmokin that about 40 Indians were out many days from Fort Du Quesne to destroy my House...
2444To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Foxcroft, 16 May 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Philadelphia, May 16, 1772: Encloses the bill of lading and other papers for two barrels of “the best Burr Superfine flour.” Expects his brother back from Virginia within a few days. Has seen Mrs. Franklin yesterday; she and the family are well. His “Sister” joins in regards. Broke his arm six days ago, but hopes it will mend in three weeks.> Promised by...
2445To Benjamin Franklin from Ephraim Brown, 12 April 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With the greatest Respect I take the Freedom by this Packet to congratulate you on your safe arrival in England. I wrote a Line by the last Packet, which I hope you have receiv’d. His Excellency Governor Franklin and Lady, and Mr. Foxcroft, happen’d to be at Mrs. Franklin’s when your agreeable Letters came to hand. We go on well with the Post-Office, and...
2446To Benjamin Franklin from a Committee of the Library Company of Philadelphia, 25 January 1771 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society We are appointed by the Directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia, to inform you that your Favour of the 7th July 1769 was received and laid before them by Mr. Charles Thomson, but the Confusion, which necessarily arose from the Union of the several Libraries, gave them so much Employ as to put it out of their Power to answer your Letter, so soon as...
2447To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 19 [April or July] 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society P Collinson Incloses to his Dear Friend the Receipt for the Box of Seeds to Doctor Hope. That and my Letter I Desire He will Inclose in a Frank to the Doctor. Doctor Pringle no doubt will procure a Frank. I hope you received a Letter Inclosed to Mee per S: Wharton of Philadelpa: paid postage £2: 6 Charges of the box Seeds to Edinburgh 2: 4: 6 During 1765...
2448To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 24 November 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society No Packet having arrived here lately, that of August from England being the last, and this Opportunity being near I must scribble a few Lines to you. I sent you, per Capt. Miller, a Power to get any Wages that may be due to me. My last to you was per the Duke Packet, immediately after my Return from New-Haven: since which Mr. Ingersol has wrote Mr. Foxcroft...
2449To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas and Richard Penn, 28 January 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have considered the proposal you yesterday made to us, that as Supplys will very soon be wanted for the defence of the Province, and other Publick Services, for the Current year, and as the points in difference between us, and the Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania, now under the consideration of His Majesty’s Attorney, and...
2450To Benjamin Franklin from William Knox, 29 January 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed I send you the Plan of the Lands in Georgia claimed by Sir Wm. Bakers Representatives which you desired in your Letter which was delivered to me yesterday. I also inclose the several Papers which came with it to my hands as I imagine they may contain some information which you may think useful. I have kept no Copies of them, neither would I give...