2451To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Jackson, 18 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nothing has given me or can [give] me more concern than the Disturbances, and Disputes in your Province, the Mischiefs and Dangers to Pennsylvania in particular and to all America in general are inconceivable to one who has not been, in England a good part of the past year; the Effects that the foresight of their Mischief and Dangers had upon me and the...
2452To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas and Richard Penn, 9 February 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania We acknowledge that your proposal, which we assented to, was not the first, or only one, you made; but those others, were such, as we thought very unreasonable for you to expect, or for us to come into, considering the Circumstances in which, the Affair stands, at present. We have not, on the present, or any former occasion, prohibited, or...
2453To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Cheston, 28 September 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am sorry to Acquaint you that with Assiduity Equal to the Want of the Gentleman In whose favour the order was Drawn I have not Been able to procure anything But Promises. I would Advise (if It meet with yours and the Gentlemans Approbation) a threatning Line or two to Mr. Edward Scott who has made Such an Assumption in favour of Mr. Osborn As may [torn]...
2454To Benjamin Franklin from Paul-Pierre le Mercier de la Rivière, 21 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society This odd letter seems to be Franklin’s only contact with a noted French philosophe. Le Mercier de la Rivière (1720–93) had been a councilor at the Parlement of Paris, intendant at Martinique, guest of Catherine the Great to advise her on a new legal code for Russia, and popularizer of Quesnay’s economic doctrines. The accession of Louis XVI in May, 1774, and...
2455To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Johnson, [November? 1764] (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Columbia University Library It was no small Mortification to me that you passed by last Fall without giving me the pleasure for a few moments of seeing you. However I doubt not but your reasons were such as I should have allowed sufficient had I known them. It was with great [ word omitted ] that I read the Resolves of your house, and Mr. Galloways Speech, with your excellent...
2456To Benjamin Franklin from Michael Collinson, [March? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Collinson’s very respectful Comp[limen]ts to Dr. Franklin and begs the favor of him to lay by Mr. Colden’s Essay which Mr. C. will do himself the pleasure of calling for some Morning there are also two little Volumes The Adventures of a Round headed Indian which if Dr. Franklin can without any trouble lay his hand upon Mr. C will take with him at the...
2457To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 24 August 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania It is some Time since I wrote last, which I perceive by Your last, was come to hand, being Dated on the 15th April past, Your Several Dates of 9th January, 19th, 21st 29th february and 11th March With Several Copies, got to me in Due Time, and a few Days Ago the 14th June by the Packet, it will be Needless to Say, That all the Letters by...
2458To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, 24 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I have just received your Favor of the 2d. December last with the several papers Inclosed for which I am much oblidged to you. I have communicated them to some of the Gentlemen you mentioned. They are of opinion, that though it might be inconvenient to publish them, yet it might be expedient to have Copys taken and left on this side the water as there may be a...
2459To Benjamin Franklin from Timothy Goolding, 7 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having been from home all day on Business prevented my waiting on you, been since inform’d that an Account of the Curtains were Immediately wanted, have therefore inclos’d it, I beg the favour of you Sir to Convey my respectful Compliments to the Governour and his Lady. With thanks for their kind Remembrance of Me, and please to mention that if the Curtains...
2460To Benjamin Franklin from John Mitchell, 12 September 1745 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I was surprised to see yours of Jun. 15th. come to my hands only by last Post. What I then received by it from Dr. Colden, I suppose I owe to you; for which I am sorry I can make no other acknowledgement but thanks. I perceive likewise, that you are desirous (if I am not mistaken), that the small Paper I left with you on the yellow fever should come forth. I...
2461To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Wilcox, 8 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your very Polite and Esteem’d Favor of the 5th Current, came in Course of Post yesterday, Inclosing Me one for Anto. Stewart Esqr. for which you have my Thanks. It will always give Me Pleasure to be Serviceable to you here. You will give Me leave to acquaint you that the Concord Capt. Volans for Philadelphia will sail from hence about the 12th Jany. Any...
2462To Benjamin Franklin from Penuel Bowen, 6 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The honor you have done me, by the present I lately receivd thro’ the hands of Mr. Saml. Franklin of this Town, emboldens me to give you this trouble. Please to accept Sir, my most sincere and hearty thanks for your high favor. I account myself and my house signally honor’d by the picture of a gentleman, whom I have always hear’d spoken of, and for whom I...
2463To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Hunt, 12 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As the Letter I wrote to you by the Packet might not get safe to Hand, I take the Liberty, by this opportunity, to acquaint you, that the Attorney General of Bermudas is dead; and to sollicit your good offices to procure me, if possible, that Law-Department. The great Number of our Profession at present in Philadelphia, and the Scarcity of Business, arising...
2464To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin (II), [16 May 1767] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society on thusday I reseved yours with one inclosed to Salley with the Ring. Yours is dated March 17. You cante thing what pleshuer thees dear littel letters give to me as I know you thinke of me ofen. The Bairer of this is mr. Franses the Eldest son of your old friend mr. Franses. He has bin in quite distres senes yisterday was week on a Counte of the faileor of...
2465To 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...
2466To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 25 November 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I am obliged to you for yours of the 21: present and for your good Care of my Packets sent to London and that the Electrical Apparatus shall be sent forward as I have requested. I thank you Sir, for Mr. Peters’ ingenious Sermon upon the Education of Youth which I have re’d with much pleasure, the Christian, the Divine and the Polite Gentleman...
2467To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, [29 November? 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Strahan presents his kindest Respects to Dr. Franklin, expected to have had the Pleasure of his Company to day to Dinner, and to have seen His Paper he knows of. If it is now done, he will please send it by the Bearer; if not, will be obliged to him to let him know when he may expect it. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / at Mrs Stevenson’s / Craven Street...
2468To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 6 July 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I had the pleasure of receiving your Letter I am bound to answer it. My Mother I must tell you went off last friday week, took our little Boy with her and left Mr. Hewson the care of her House. The first thing he did was pulling down a part of it in order to turn it to his own purpose, and advantage we hope. This Demolition cannot affect you, who ar...
2469To Benjamin Franklin from Mr. Chambers, [c. April 1761] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Chambers’s Compliments to Mr. Franklin and being disapointed of the pleasure of meeting him at the Philadelphia Coffee House to day desires the favour of him to send to send [ sic ] his Letters by the Bearer; as being to set out for Portsmouth early tomorrow morning he fears it will be out of his power to wait upon before that time. Addressed: To / Dr....
2470To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 14 September 1749 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was unwilling to loose the Opertunity per Cap. Rice—So in 5 or 6 Days time I ordred all the Books to your Order that Could be gott together. I was so much engaged I could not go to see them before they was packed—but Hope the Bookseller has been carefull to send such as will Meet with your aprobation. What can be gott to the remainder of your Order...
2471To Benjamin Franklin from Nevil Maskelyne, 11 December 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [Greenwich, December 11, 1769. The Astronomer Royal asks Franklin, when he next writes to Philadelphia, to inquire of Owen Biddle about the exact distances between the observation points for the transit of Venus. Maskelyne cannot make Biddle’s two accounts agree with each other, or with the distances given by Mason and Dixon in their survey. He is also...
2472To Benjamin Franklin from John Robertson, 14 July 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <The Royal Society, July 14, 1772, a note in the third person. The committee appointed by the Society, at the request of the Board of Ordnance, to suggest how to apply lightning rods to the powder magazine at Erith is requested to meet at the Society’s quarters in Crane Court on Saturday, July 18, at seven P.M.; Franklin’s presence is desired.> A...
2473To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Wilmot, 8 May 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am informed by Mr. Penn, that the £100,000 Act passed by Mr. Hamilton, has been transmitted to you under Seal. This I presume is with an Intention to be presented to the Councill. If You have any thoughts of presenting it, I should be very glad, if before you do it, you wou’d allow me a Quarter of an hours Conversation with you on this head, and I will...
2474To Benjamin Franklin from “A Merchant in Philadelphia” [Charles Thomson], 19 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The London Chronicle , August 17–20, 1765; AL (fragment): American Philosophical Society That this letter was addressed to Franklin and that he was responsible for its printing in London seem virtually certain: the surviving leaf of the manuscript is found among his papers, and two editorial emendations, now almost indecipherable, appear to be in his hand. Identification of the...
2475To Benjamin Franklin from Marie Catherine Biheron, 26 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay remit à notre Amis le depots de papie dont vous m’aviez fait l’honneur de me charger concernant la Traduction de vos excelents ouvrages de phisique. Jespert en proffiter des premiere. Cette étude me sera d’autant plus agreable que je la tiendray de vous et de notre amis Dubourg. Lui et sa chere Epouse Mademoiselle Bassenporte, Mr. Dalibart et tous ceux...
2476Pennsylvania Assembly: Thanks to Franklin, and His Reply, [31 March 1763] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1762–1763 (Philadelphia, 1763), p. 40. Pursuant to a Resolve of the Nineteenth of last Month, that the Thanks of this House be given to Benjamin Franklin, Esq; for his many Services not only to the Province of Pennsylvania, but to America in general, during his late Agency at the Court of Great-Britain, the same were this Day...
2477To 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...
2478To Benjamin Franklin from William Neate, 27 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Wm. Neate presents his Compliments to Mr. Benjn Franklin and Mrs. Stevenson, and will do himself the pleasure of sending his Carriage to convey them to Richmond on Saturday next. NB . The Carriage will be in Craven Street at any Hour they shall appoint. Addressed: To / Benjn Franklin Esqr / Craven Street William Neate (d. 1775) was a London merchant,...
2479To Benjamin Franklin from William Coats: Deed, 31 July 1741 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Department of Records, Recorder of Deeds, City of Philadelphia ABSTRACT : William Coats (spelled here “Coates”) of the Northern Liberties of Philadelphia, brickmaker, grants to Benjamin Franklin an irregularly shaped lot in the Northern Liberties (now in Franklin’s possession by virtue of a bargain and sale to him, dated the day before), which lot was formerly in the possession of...
2480To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 3 September 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I miss’d writing on Friday and Yesterday no Post went from hence, otherwise I should before have acknowledgd the Receipt of your Favour of the 30th. Ulto. Mr. Jackson is prevented from setting off from here so soon as he intended by reason of the matrimonial Affair he mentioned to us not being quite settled. He says he has Letters from the Parties almost...
2481To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 5–15 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Harvard University Library Since I wrote last, which was by Captain Calahan, I received yours of Sepr. 28. Your affectionate concern for my satisfaction excites my sincerest gratitude and warmest affections. I am pleased beyond expression to find you are not discouraged under all you and our dear Country suffer. I myself am not much discouraged but I feared I was only foolhardy,...
2482To 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...
2483To Benjamin Franklin from William Trent, with List of Traders’ Losses and Benjamin Franklin’s Certificate, 1 October … (Franklin Papers)
ALS (Trent) and ADS (Franklin): Yale University Library In March 1766, Colonel Croghan took the liberty of inclosing you a Letter from himself to Messrs. Mildred & Roberts of London And therein desired, That they would deliver to you, All the Accounts belonging to the Indian Traders who had lost by the Depredations of the French and Indians and also the Vouchers attending them. Colonel Croghan...
2484To Benjamin Franklin from William Mercer, 11 November 1752 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 234–5. I am favoured with your letter of the 2d instant, and shall, with pleasure, comply with your request, in describing (as well as my memory serves me) the water-spout I saw at Antigua; and shall think this, or any other service I can do, well repaid, if it contributes to your satisfaction in so...
2485To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 8 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I got home extremely well last night, and met with nothing to make me uneasy but my own reflections. Before I came to pall mall I repented my acceptance of your obliging offer, for I consider’d myself as the cause of what the poor coachman suffer’d from the cold, which I might have avoided. This reflection destroy’d the tranquility which the fineness of the...
2486To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand John Paris, 23 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania On November 14 Franklin had sufficiently recovered from his serious autumn illness to confer with Thomas Penn, who for once paid heed and wrote immediately to Denny: “Mr. Franklin was with me this Morning and complains that the Companys intended for Rangers, have been kept in the Forts to the great injury of the Country, the Indians having...
2487To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg: Dedicatory Epistle, [late 1772] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in [Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg,] Petit code de la raison humaine; ou Exposition succincte de ce que la raison dicte à tous les hommes, pour éclairer leur conduite, et assurer leur bonheur ( London, 1773 ) , pp. [ v– ] vi . Vous reconnutes dans la premiere esquisse de ce Petit Code, l’effusion simple et naïve de votre propre coeur; j’ai achevé de le developer autant que je l’ai pu, et...
2488To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 10 April 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received with great pleasure my dear friends letter of January the 9th 1769 and am much obliged to him for his kindness in takeing care of the Box for the King. I should have wrote to Michael Colinson Last fall but I did not know then his name alltho I asked several that had frequented his fathers house but towards the spring I received a very kindly...
2489To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, [1760–1762] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society You find I endeavoured to maintain an opinion which I imperfectly understood but I hope I shall be pardon’d when it is consider’d that the desire of obtaining intelligence and conviction was my motive. I believe I told you before that nothing had fallen under my observation to justify the opinion that men are carried to excellence in the exertion of their...
2490To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 30 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Sent you enclosed Dr. Priestley’s letter to you, together with another which I received from him last night. Indeed I don’t know whether to be glad or Sorry on account of his rejection of Lord Shelburne’s proposal. I love him and am heartily concerned for him and wish he was better provided for. I think myself extremely obliged to you for mentioning...
2491To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Braddock, 29 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 175. May 29, 1755 A sentence from this unlocated letter was quoted in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (see below, p. 208). Doubtless this was...
2492To Benjamin Franklin from John Foxcroft, 2 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have the happiness to acquaint you that your Daughter was safely brought to Bed the 20th. Ulto. and presented me with a sweet little Girl, they are both in good spirits and are likely to do very well. I was seized with a Giddyness in my head the Day before yesterday which alarms me a good Deal as I had 20 oz. of Blood taken from me and took Physick...
2493To Benjamin Franklin from John Morgan, 10 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am under so many Obligations to You that I fear I shall never have it in my power to make you any due acknowledgement. If a Mind filled with esteem and regard for You could be a proper Apology for the want of a better return, I should have no difficulty to make one. Very many Instances of your readiness to oblige those of whom you have ever been pleased...
2494To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Wilcox, 13 September 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You was so kind as to assure Me in Your Letter to Me of the 3d Febry last that if I had Occasion to trouble You, You would Serve Me. The Case now Sir is this I am apply’d to by the Heirs of one Colonel William Cole who had an Estate in Maryland and Philadelphia to recover the same for them. You will Extreamly Oblige Me Sir to let Me know if You knew any...
2495To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 31 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As Lord Le Despencer cannot get at his Oats, being under a Stack of Wheat, in time for your sending them to America for the next Season, I herewith send you my last Years produce as His Lordship will supply me with some. I have also added a little more of the Swiss Barley and am very truly Dear Sir Your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: To / Dr....
2496To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Jackson, [27 July? 1771] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Does it suit you to go to Ireland with me in a week, a fortnight, or three weeks? I am sorry you leave London so soon, fearing as I do I may chance to miss seeing you. I wish much to hear from you a few of the Particulars you have heard of the Voyage of the Endeavour and of the Observations of the Passengers. I will try to see you before you leave London,...
2497To Benjamin Franklin from Sir John Cust, 11 February 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Messrs. Thos. Leech, Charles Norris, Mahlon Kirkbride, Francis Yarnall and James Wright, Trustees of the General Loan Office of Pensylvania Gentlemen We think it incumbent upon us to acquaint you that we have pursuant to the Powers given us by the Governor and Assembly of your Province jointly with Messrs. David Barclay Junior and Jno. Barclay...
2498To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 13 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society As I am without any of your Favors, I shall proceed to give you a Relation of such Matters, as have occur’d, for some time before and since Our Election. The proprietary Party were greatly dispirited before there was an Expectation of a Change in the Ministry. But from the Moment They received that Intelligence, until We got an Account of it’s...
2499To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Bernard, 14 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Harvard College Library A fortnight ago I took the Liberty to trouble you with a request that you would procure for My Son at Alexandria credit to return to Philadelphia, and a passage from thence to Boston. I have just now received a Letter from him at Alexandria at Mr. Sebastian, A Tavern Keeper there. Altho’ I hope, before this Comes to your hand, that my Son will be...
2500To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 1 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the opportunity of giving you [my letter by?] Mr. Lee of Lincoln’s inn, a very worthy [and s]ensible man, a friend of mine, who wishes to be introduced to you. If you will please to deliver to him the plates belonging to your last work, he will have many opportunities of transmitting them to me. I can hardly say that I have begun to make any...