2501To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 3 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just return’d from Philadelphia, where I have been for some Days with Betsy, in order to see her Brother Downes and his Wife and Daughter who arrived there last Sunday from Barbados. He is in a very bad State of Health, and we have brought him Home with us that he might be out of the Heat of Philada. On my Return I found your Letter of the 5th. of...
2502To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Buchan, 22 April 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Will you permit an Old acquaintance to reccomend to your Attention in the American Literary Line, a Gentleman of this Country who intends to cross the Attlantic next Spring, in Search of a Settlement in the department of a Teacher? His Abilities have been put to the Test for 9 or 10 years as a private and public teacher. He is an Honest Farmers Son and I...
2503To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 22 February 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library On the other Side is the Account of the Books I now send. I next must thank thee for thine of the 27: Sepr. with our Friend Kalms observations which are very acceptable to the Curious Here. I was in hopes to send thy Work which is all printed but the Engraveing is not so may Expect it soone. Thee art under great obligations to Docr. Fothergill who has annexed a...
2504To Benjamin Franklin from Tuthill Hubbart, 18 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This will be handed to you by Mr. Duncan Ingraham who is so kind as to take charge of three Packetts of News papers &ct. containing our Politicall Disputes, there has no Pamphletts lately been publish’d here on the Subject or should have sent them. You can better conceive than I can express the distress’t scituation, of your once happy Native Town; had it not been...
2505To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, [after 28 January 1774?] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Le porteur de la présente est mon ancien et bon ami, Mr. Marc Michel Rey Libraire à Amsterdam, qui va pour ses affaires à Londres; je profite de cette occasion pour me procurer des nouvelles de votre santé, Monsieur, à laquelle je m’intéresse constamment, ainsi qu’à la liberté et prospérité de vos braves Colonies du Continent Américain, et...
2506To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 4 November 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society I received yours, (Via New-York) relating to the order of Forty Pounds Sterling, in Favour of Mr. Palomba, which is paid, at the Rate of Seventy per Cent. Exchange, that being the Exchange the Trustees of the Loan-office drew for. Remember me kindly to your Son, and tell him, I received his by Palomba, but never heard any thing of the Letter he...
2507To Benjamin Franklin from [Alexander Small], 5 July 1763 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I do not know whether any of our Burnet Seed, has yet been sent to your great World; and therefore to make sure of it, I send you Six pounds. It is a Native of England, but has hitherto passed unnoticed. The attention now paid it is intirely owing to one Roque a Gardener near Chelsea, a most curious Mortal. I truely think the World will be...
2508To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 31 January 1774 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: General Post Office, London Two days after the scene at the Cockpit the blow fell: Franklin was curtly dismissed from the Post Office. His acquaintance of many years, Anthony Todd, was not responsible for the curtness. The ministry was; Franklin believed that it had forced the Postmasters General into a step they were reluctant to take. His dismissal “could but incense him and...
2509To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Shippen, 24 May 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society The inclosed came to hand just now, which I send to you, to let you see the Spirit of some of our back Setlers. If the Managers of the Lottery for the Battery should think Proper to encourage those People, they may be pleased to send fifty small Arms to Captain John Harris, who ought to engage himself to see them forthcoming. I am out of all...
2510To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, [8 December 1774] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: Library of Congress D. Barclay presents his Respects to Dr. Franklin and requests to receive the paper to day by Twelve o’Clock, if he can finish it with Conveniency , otherwise as soon after as best suits him. Addressed: Dr. Franklin / Cravenstreet The AL has been removed from BF ’s journal of negotiations below, March 22; the copy is in the copy of the journal. The “Hints”...
2511To Benjamin Franklin from John Peter Miller, 12 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being prevented by many Interruptions, the Discharge upon your worthy Letter was so long postponed. I send you hereby a Collection, which for the most part uncommon. I do not pretend, that they Word for Words hath been the Father’s Tenets; for he himself would never publish any, and protested against others, which, by doing also, hath increased the Division...
2512To Benjamin Franklin from Anne Farrow, 19 January 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Joy I had in receiving your Letter was beyond Measure. To think as you granted my Desire and return you thanks for Paying the Post and very glad to hear you and your Son is well hoping your Spouse and Daughter is the Same and I am very glad to hear of them not doubting But the[y] are Endowed with all the Qualifications to render your Lifes happy and...
2513To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 4 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The preceding letter from Deborah, written on August 31, suggests that she had recovered her mental powers after her previous illness. Her spelling, syntax, and punctuation (or rather lack of it) were as always sui generis , and she remarked on her “in Conneckted staet”; but the sequence of her ideas was no more confused than usual, and she talked of the...
2514To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 21 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Perceeiving you were not quite Sattisfied with the Account I gave you of the Clock I made for you, I have now made another with a round Dial. The hour hand of which performs one revolution in 24 hours. Concentric to that, is a hand to Shew the time of high and low water, the hours of flood and ebb. Under the foot of the hour 12, is wrote highwater, at 6 Low...
2515To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 30 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you by Capt. All who left Town the day before Yesterday, and this morning I received a few Lines from you dated Mar. 15. by a Passenger in Sutton. I was surprized to find that it contained nothing about the Ohio Grant, as the Whartons are quite elated with the glad Tidings they have received by that Opportunity from Mr. S. Wharton. The Old Man...
2516The University of St. Andrews: Degree of Doctor of Laws, 12 February 1759 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society; Latin copy and English translation: American Philosophical Society; two Latin copies: Yale University Library Little can be established with certainty about the circumstances under which Franklin received his first honorary degree in Great Britain and first doctorate. The minutes of the Senatus of the University of St. Andrews contain the following entry...
2517To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 1 May 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am much Obliged to you for Dr. Priestley’s Experiments. They have thrown a good deal of Light upon the subject of fixed Air, Altho’ I can by no means assent to some of his inferences from them. The Experiment made with a Sprig of mint extends our Ideas of the Oconomy of Vegetables. But is all the fixed Air which is discharged from its various sources...
2518To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 25 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of the 2d and 12th of December, per Packet, I received, and observe the Contents of it: I shall be obliged to enlarge in this to be as particular as I can about the New-Haven Affair, and the Hartford Rider. Before I was directed up to New-Haven as Evidence I did not dream that Holt would stand that Trial as he did: Upon my Qualification, I declared to...
2519To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 15 September 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As no Ship will Sail from Hence in a Month or 3 Weeks I take this oppertunity to Send by the Way of New York. I thank you for your Letter by Mr. Smith who has been Several times With Mee and by all that I can Judge and haveing your approbation I have recommended Him to Mr. Penn. What Effects it will have I cannot Saye but to Strengthen It. I hope the...
2520To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Gale, 10 December 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Favor per Mr. Bayard, dated 10th Aprill Last, Inclosing a Gold Medal granted me by the Society of Arts, for an Improvement on the Drill plow, I duely receivd, the 10th July, the receipt of which, (with my gratefull returns of Thanks for Your Care in transmitting the same) I should before this time have Acknowledged, but have been prevented by frequent...
2521To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas and Richard Penn, 2 February 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Our Letter to you of the 28th. of January was a direct and explicit answer to your own proposal made to us the Day before. Yesterday your Letter of the 31st: was left at Spring Garden, wherein you write that you had mentioned some other Matters to us; whatever might be said before the proposal last resolved upon was made, it is not in the...
2522To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Garrigues, 31 January[?] 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Received your Note of winsday Noon. But you may be assured I never Received your letter in Answer to mine of Sunday Morning or I should not have attemted to have given you Trouble the second time. I likewise wonder much I never received it. I thank you worthy Sir for all favours and have been very uneasy since receiveing the Note Yesterday—as you are...
2523To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Douse: Mortgage Deed, 27 September 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Suffolk County Registry of Deeds, Boston Franklin’s eldest sister Elizabeth (C. I ) inherited from her first husband Joseph Berry a house and lot on Unity Street, Boston, and continued to live there with her second husband Richard Douse. On August 22, 1748, Richard and Elizabeth Douse mortgaged the property to Benjamin Franklin as security for a debt of £60 Pennsylvania currency....
2524To Benjamin Franklin from the Massachusetts House of Representatives Committee of Correspondence, 17 December 1770 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Maine Historical Society The House of Representatives of this Province after appointing you their Agent at the Court of Great Britain, directed us to correspond with you in the Recess of the Court upon matters that concern the Interest of the Province. In general there is nothing that will more promote the true Interest of this Province as well as Great Britain herself than a happy...
2525To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Coombe, Jr., 24 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I take the earliest opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your kind letter by Captain Falconer, and of thanking you for the present of books which accompanied it. Mr. Lindsey’s production was a curiosity that I had for some time been wishing to see. I had heard of his fame, but knew nothing of his particularities, till I saw his book, which appears to me to...
2526To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, 1 December 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having called on our Friend in Craven Street who informed me that my former Letter was not yet gone I give you this second trouble to acquaint you that the sturgeon you recommended to Dr. Templeman was examined a few days ago, and did not give Satisfaction. The Baltick Sturgeon has no Spices added to it. Capt. Blake was of Opinion that the fish was boiled...
2527To Benjamin Franklin from James Kinsey, 26 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the favor of Mr. Wister I transmitt the Votes and Laws of the last Session of Assembly, Which I hope will be delivered safely to you together with this inclosing a Duplicate of the petition to the King. In my last I Stated Mr. Wilmotts Affair fully, hope he will see by it that the Colony has not been to blame and that he will speedily receive his Money....
2528To Benjamin Franklin from George Baker, 13 July 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Dr. Baker waited on Dr. Franklyn, in order to shew him the inclosed paper, which is extracted from a paper which Dr. B. is to read this afternoon at the College of Physicians. If Dr. Franklyn has any thing to object, or to add, Dr. B. will take it as a particular favour, if he will send his alterations to him in Jermyn-Street . George Baker (1722–1809),...
2529To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Ronayne, [27 March? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Ronayne, at the request of Mr. Henly, informs Doctor Franklin that Mr. Henly wishes to see the Paper he wrote, on the effects of Lightning on the Tabernacle, in order to render it more correct for publication. Addressed: Doctr. Franklin Henly wrote a paper, dated March 24, which was read before the Royal Society on April 9; at some time between those...
2530To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 28 July 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania It is some time since I wrote—my last being of the 15th April since which I have recd yours 9th January 19. 21. 29 Feb and 11 March with several Copies. The Proprietors endeavouring to repeal our late Laws is what we might expect from their Conduct towards us for some Years past. But the Confusion the dissallowance of our Mony Act, and...
2531To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 11 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have here before me thy kind letter of august 22 1772. I sowed the Rhubarb seed in two places the one in the sun the other in A shady cool place. That which was in the cool place growed the leaves was as big as the palm of my hand but not palmated perhaps it may be next year. The Tarnup seed came up well growed large and tasted well and is by some...
2532From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 3 August 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Benjamin Franklin, 3 Aug. 1756. On 19 Aug. 1756 Franklin wrote to GW: “I have your Favours of July 23. and Aug. 3.”
2533To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Gilpin, 29 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from “Memoir of Thomas Gilpin,” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XLIX (1925), 302–3. This letter is the first surviving one in a correspondence that continued, insofar as it is extant, until November, 1770. Thomas Gilpin belonged to a wealthy Quaker family; although he had estates in Maryland and Delaware, his principal residence was Philadelphia. His fortune...
2534To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Gilpin, 6 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Extracts: reprinted from “Memoir of Thomas Gilpin,” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XLIX (1925), 303. Our last advices of ministerial and parliamentary measures has revived the motion of a non-importation of manufactures from Great Britain; for myself I should have rather preferred to confine it to particular articles suited to the convenience of each colony which would have...
2535To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 4 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the October Packet, I am favored by yours of 7. that Month, am obliged to you for the pleasing Intelligence, that my Mother and Sisters were well, for it is some time since I heard from them. I am glad to hear, that the Bill I sent you was duly honored. I had really forgot the five Guineas you lent me, on the Morning I left you, or should have included...
2536To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Tissington, 17 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When I wrote last to you I do not remember; as I’ve been hurried about, so as Scarce to sit down since I saw you last: but remembering that you talked of leaving England this Summer; along with Mr. Paxton, who has not [ illegible ], I want to learn your Motions; that if you shou’d once more make me happy here, I may know how to govern my own, and not be...
2537To Benjamin Franklin from Jeremiah Miller, 13 August 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Freedom and Benevolence with which you have Cultivated that Friendship (which you for many years reciprocally Enjoyd with my Deceased Father ) and which you have on all Occasions Shewn me is a foundation for the Liberty I now take in asking the Favour, if it should happen without any Inconvenience or trouble to you, Just to mention me or my Family, so...
2538To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Hogarth, 22 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mrs. Hogarth presents her Compliments to Dr. Franklin and should be much obliged to him if he would influence some of his Friend’s of the House of Common’s, to be present on Monday Next at the reading of the Artist’s Bill, to Support a Clause that is inserted in it, In her Favor. Jane Thornhill Hogarth (d. 1789) was the widow of the artist William...
2539To Benjamin Franklin from the Georgia Commons House of Assembly, 10 May 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ADS (copy): American Philosophical Society Mr. Graeme from the Committee appointed to draw up such Instructions as may be thought proper to be transmitted to the Agent reported that the Committee had come to several Resolutions which they had directed him to report to the House and he read the Report in his place and afterwards delivered the same in at the Table where the Resolutions were...
2540To Benjamin Franklin from [Alexander] Jacob, 29 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Jacob presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklyn and begs the favour of his Company to meet honest friend Cumming at the Chaplain’s Room at St. James’s to morrow to take a bit of the King’s Mutton at three oClock. The Rev. Alexander Jacob (d. 1785) was vicar of St. Dunstan’s in the West and one of the King’s chaplains in ordinary. He is best known as the...
2541To Benjamin Franklin from [Levi Andrew] Levy, 12 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Levys compliments to Mr. Frankling will be obliged to him if he can Answer the inclosed requisitions or any part of them. Addressed: To / Doctor Frankling The mention in this brief note of “requisitions” suggests strongly a reference to BF ’s activities (with the other provincial commissioners) in providing supplies for the frontier. The only November...
2542To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Bernard, 9 April 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Harvard College Library I am favoured with yours of the 28th of March and have ordered £12 12 s. philadelphia currency to be paid to Mr. Williams for which I am obliged to you. The present state of the College here makes it more expedient to send my Son to philadelphia: but I am desirous he may be boarded where he may be under a proper restraint. I have heard that Dr. Ellison...
2543To Benjamin Franklin from John Walsh, 12 July 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with particular Satisfaction I make to You my first Communication that the Effect of the Torpedo appears to be absolutely electrical, by forming it’s Circuit thro’ the same Conductors with Electricity, for instance Metals, Animals, and moist Substances; and by being intercepted by the same non-conductors, for instance Glass and Sealing Wax. I will not...
2544To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 6 October 1749 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I absolutely forgot to mention what I principally intended yesterday. Thy telling me what were the most likely paper Mills to Supply me with 6 or 7 sheets or more of Pastboard of about 19 or 20 inches in length and 15 in breadth and what rolling presses were [in] town to smooth them, an exact account of which to be prepared to day and Sent in...
2545To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Hasenclever, 9 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Hasenclever presents his Respects to Dr. Francklin, sends him his Carriage and hopes to have the Honnour to see him to day at Dinner, or as Soon as possible. Addressed: To/Dr. Benjamin Francklin Esq/Cravenstreet/Westminster Peter Hasenclever (1716–1793), Prussian-born son of an iron manufacturer, came to New York in 1764 at the head of a British company...
2546To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 11 July 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library Company of Philadelphia If I catch the Bagg before its taken away its more than I expect. Can only Acknowledge the favour of thine June 1st with Bartram and Hopkinsons. As to thine the Letter I left in the Country, I sent per Next Ship and return’d thy Sons Journal. I shall be Concern’d it Miscarried. I am in hopes it may yett Come to hand but I have so many Affairs, I can’t Keep...
2547To Benjamin Franklin from [Joseph Chew], 12 December 1769 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Having wrote you so many Letters without being Favoured with an Answer, I should not now have presumed to trouble you, was their not some Dispute or Reather Misunderstanding between Mr. Parker and me about the settlement of my Post office Accounts. In the years 1755 and 1756 agreable to your directions their was a Cross Post from New London to...
2548To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 1 December 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrot to you Some time ago and Informed you of the Death of my Child and of the Helth of the Rest of my Famely. I have now a Twofold Benifit to Acknolidg and thank you for The Recipt of what you mention in yr [your] Last to me by Mr. Barrett. Mr. Winthrop come and Paid me five Giuenys and yr [your] Advancing so much for me when Capt. Freeman come I am not...
2549To Benjamin Franklin from Erasmus Darwin, 18 July 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was unfortunate in not being able to go to Birmingham, till a Day after you left it. The apparatus you constructed with the Bladder and Funnel I took into my Pond the next Day, whilst I was bathing, and fill’d the Bladder well with unmix’d Air, that rose from the muddy Bottom, and tying it up, brought it Home, and then pricking the Bladder with a Pin, I...
2550To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Jackson, 4 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your favour by the Packet, as well as those by the Carolina, I had before the Pleasure to hear of your safe Arrival from Mr. Strahan, which was the more acceptable, because the time that had elapsed since your sailing was rather too long and gave your friends room for Apprehensions. I have before wished you Joy on Mr. Franklin’s Promotion, I...