301From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 11 January 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: The Royal Society I thank you for your Account of the Aurora. A very considerable one appear’d here the same Evening, being Saturday, Nov. 12. I did not see it, but have heard of it from several. If it was the same that you saw; it must have been very high, or very extensive, as the two Places are 1000 Leagues asunder. In BF ’s hand. Read before the Royal Society, Feb. 25, 1762, and...
302From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 22 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Central Library, Salford, England; draft: American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of May 10. I am glad the Rhubarb Seed got safe to hand. I make no doubt of its Thriving well in our Country, where the Climate is the same with that of the Chinese Wall, just without which it grows in plenty and of the best Quality. I shall be glad to know how you find the Turnips. I...
303From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 9 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Stanford University Libraries It is with great Pleasure I understand by your Favour of April 10. that you continue to enjoy so good a Share of Health. I hope it will long continue. And altho’ it may not now be suitable for you [to make?] such wide Excursions as heretofore, you may yet be very useful to your Country and to Mankind, if you [sit?] down quietly at home, digest the Knowledge...
304From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 14 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I received your kind Letter of Decemr 19. Our Friend Peter is not dead, as you apprehended; but, Thanks to Heaven, as well as ever I knew him, hearty, brisk, and active as a Youth. I show’d him your Letter, and he told me he had wrote to you, and that you must have been long before this time put out of your Pain on his Account. I have order’d the Box of...
305From Benjamin Franklin to John Baskerville, [1760?] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The General Evening Post . ( London ), Aug. 9–11, 1763; The London Chronicle: or, Universal Evening Post , Aug. 11–13, 1763; The St. James’s Chronicle; or, The British Evening-Post , Aug. 13, 1763. In the spring of 1758 Franklin had subscribed through Dr. Fothergill for six copies of Baskerville’s new edition of Vergil and had ordered all six bound in vellum and...
306From Benjamin Franklin to John Baskerville, 21 September 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I duly received your Favour of the 24th past, and some time after, the Parcel containing the Specimens and your valuable Present of Shaftsbury excellently printed for which I hold myself greatly obliged to you. The Specimens I shall distribute by the first Ships among the Printers in America, and I hope to your Advantage. I suppose no Orders will...
307From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 28 August 1762 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your Epistle wrote on a certain 25th of July when you ought to have been at Church, praying as becomes every good Christian Man who has as much to answer for as you have—strange it is that you will be so blind to truth that the enlightening sounds of the Gospel cannot reach your Ear, nor no Examples awaken you to a sense of Goodness—could you but behold with what religious...
308From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 9 September 1770 (Washington Papers)
If this Letter reaches you in time, it will serve to ask if you have any commands to Yaughyaughgany, as I purpose to set out for that part of the World about the 3d or 4th day of Octr Next for a Short stay —A Report prevails here that the Ministry have lately granted to a Company in England, a large Tract of Country on the Ohio (Including the Lands we have just given £2500 Sterg for) to be...
309From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 20 April 1773 (Washington Papers)
The interruption of the Post for several Weeks, prevented our receiving the melancholy account of your loss till within these few days. That we sympathize in the misfortune, and lament the decree which has deprivd you of so dutiful a Child, & the World of so promising a young Lady, stands in no need, I hope, of argument to proove; but the ways of Providence being inscrutable, and the justice...
310From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 2 August 1765 (Washington Papers)
By a craft sent round by Captn Boyes we had the pleasure to hear you were all well, but suffering with the drought as we are—We have never had the Ground wet in this Neighborhood since the heavy Rains which fell about the first of May; in June early we had a Shower that refreshed the Corn, & gave a little start to Hemp; but the dry weather which followed, and hath since continued, renders our...
311From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 9 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
As I wrote to you by the last Post, and nothing New has happend since, this Letter only serves to cover the Inclosed to Mrs Bassett. The Horse Abel left here, is got quite well of his Lameness, but not recoverd of an exceeding swelld, & sore back which he received in coming up—This, and the boy telling me you did not work, or put him to any particular kind of Service, is the Reason why I have...
312From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 16 January 1775 (Washington Papers)
Mount Vernon 16 January 1775 . The description of this letter in the dealer’s catalog reads: “Immediately upon my return from Col. Mercers sale . . . I wrote you a letter, by post, on the melancholy occasion of your sons death. . . . Mrs. Washington, Mr. & Miss Custis intend to accompany me down to the Assembly but it will be the 4th, possibly the 11th of the Month (Feby) before I shall see...
313From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 18 June 1769 (Washington Papers)
As we have come to a Resolution to set of (if nothing unforeseen happens to prevent it) for the warmsprings about the 18th of next Month; I do, according to promise, give you notice thereof, & shoud be glad of your Company up with us, if you still entertain thought⟨s⟩ of trying the effects of those waters. You will have occasion to provide nothing, if I can be advisd of your Intention’s,...
314From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 12 July 1773 (Washington Papers)
Abel set of on Friday last to return, but his Horse fell lame and he came back before he reachd Colchester—I thought it better to keep him a day or two to see if the Horse could travel, than send him of upon one of mine; but finding the swelling in his Leg no better, I have fixd him of upon a small thing of mine which you will please to send over to Claiborne’s. In the mean while your Horse...
315From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 12 February 1774 (Washington Papers)
I find there will go some matters from this country, which will make my attendance at the Assembly necessary; this I cannot possibly do and go over the Mountains this Spring. I have therefore determined, much against my Inclination & Interest, to postpone my Trip to the Ohio till after Harvest (as I cannot well be absent from home at that Season.) As March therefore (at least the first of it)...
316From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 15 February 1773 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 5th came to my hands in course of Post, last Thursday, and fill’d us with no small concern at the Indisposition of yourself and Family —equally concernd am I to hear of the unhappy state of our Paper Currency, and that the Interposition of the Assembly is thought necessary—should this measure be resolvd on, be so good as to advise Me, whether it be intended that the Country...
317From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 15 December 1771 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Burwell Bassett, 15 Dec. 1771. On 21 Dec. Bassett wrote to GW : “Your favour of the 15 Inst. I receive in Wmsburg yesterday.”
318From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 5 July 1763 (Washington Papers)
So good an oppertunity as Turner Crump on a visit to his Father (affords) I coud not omit of asking how you do; for I have nothing to require, and as little to communicate in this Epistle, as it cannot be News to inform you, that the Peace of the Frontier Inhabitants seems to have met with almost as rude a shock from the late Indian Insults, as it did from any of their Barbarities in the...
319From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 20 June 1773 (Washington Papers)
It is an easier matter to conceive, than to describe, the distress of this Family; especially that of the unhappy Parent of our Dear Patcy Custis, when I inform you that yesterday removd the Sweet Innocent Girl into a more happy, & peaceful abode than any she has met with, in the afflicted Path she hitherto has trod. She rose from Dinner about four Oclock, in better health and spirits than she...
320From George Washington to Thomas Basset, 4 May 1758 (Washington Papers)
To Mr T. Basset—Engineer. Sir Fort L[oudou]n May 4th 1758. Your letter of the 27th ultimo came to my hands only last night. I have received no Orders yet for marching 2,00 men to Enoch’s; when I do, you shall be informed thereof. I am Sir, Your most obedient, humble Servant, LB , DLC:GW .
321From Benjamin Franklin to Lord and Lady Bathurst, [before 13 February 1768] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Dartmouth College Library Dr. Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Lord Bathurst, with some American Nuts; and to Lady Bathurst, with some American Apples; which he prays they would accept, as a Tribute from that Country, small indeed, but voluntary . An elderly and distinguished pair. Allen Bathurst, first Earl Bathurst (1684–1775), had been one of the twelve men raised to the...
322From George Washington to William Baylis, 21 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are to use your utmost endeavours with the men under your command, to gather in all the Harvest on the Plantations abandoned by the Inhabitants, and secure it in the best manner you can. You are also to assist the inhabitants about you all you can in collecting their harvest; and guard them while they are about it. Let Captain Hamilton, and the rest of the Officers of the Militia, know the...
323From George Washington to John Baylor, 10 June 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Baylor, 10 June 1757. On 20 June 1757 Baylor wrote to GW : “Yrs of the 10th I rec’d.”
324From George Washington to Alexander Beall, 20 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 19th instant came to hand about noon this day—As there now remain but a few Indians here, who cou’d by no means be prevailed on to return towards Fort Cumberland, altho’ so much wanted on that Quarter; imagining we wished to sacrifice them by attempting to expose them to (what they think) certain destruction, they positively refused marching until they saw such numbers as wou’d...
325From George Washington to George Beall, 2 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I have Governor Dinwiddie’s orders to remove the Cannon &c. from Rock-creek to Winchester: In consequence thereof, I have ordered down ten waggons for that purpose: and desire that you will deliver them and all the appurtenances thereunto belonging; together with about five hundred weight of Rice or Barley: as I understand, a large quantity of one or the other was lodged in the Stores under...
326From George Washington to Joshua Beall, 1 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 25th ultimo was delivered me to-day —If you had been more explicit in relating the circumstances of the abuse you were pleased to complain of, I shou’d have been better enabled to judge of the fact. But, after confessing, as you have done, that you made no enquiry at all into the affair, I am not more surprized at your making the complaint, than I am at a loss how to redress...
327From Benjamin Franklin to Giambatista Beccaria, 13 July 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity , 1769 edition, pp. 427–33. That glass or porcelain vessels, or even some earthenware bowls, would give off musical tones when gently struck had been known in various parts of the world for centuries before Franklin’s time, and men in both Asia and Europe had learned to entertain themselves and each...
328From Benjamin Franklin to Giambatista Beccaria, 20 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society; additions after the signature retranslated from the Italian in Giuseppe A. F. G. Eandi, Memorie istoriche intorno gli studi del padre Giambatista Beccaria … ([Turin,] 1783), p. 151. I have receiv’d several of your Favours lately relating to the Edition of your Book in English, which I have put into the Hands of the Translator, who will...
329From Benjamin Franklin to Giambatista Beccaria, 11 August 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Retranslated from the Italian in Giuseppe A. G. S. Eandi, Memorie istoriche intorno gli studi del padre Giambatista Beccaria … ([Turin,] 1783), pp. 149–50. I embrace this opportunity to greet you through Signor Fromond, your most ingenious fellow countryman, and to let you know that, because my ongoing commitment to various affairs precludes my doing further research in our favorite science, I...
330From Benjamin Franklin to Giambatista Beccaria, 21 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Translated from the Italian in Giuseppe A. F. G. Eandi, Memorie istoriche intorno gli studi del padre Giambatista Beccaria … (Turin, 1783), pp. 148–9. The bearer of this letter, my good friend Monsieur l’Epinasse, is a brilliant student of electricity and one of the best there are. He plans to visit Turin, and, since he has a great wish to make your acquaintance, I could not refuse to grant...
331From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Becket, 17 December 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library I have received yours of Sept. 12. with the Pamphlets, as mentioned. I have before acknowledged yours of June 24, which came duly to hand with the Books &c. I approve of your continuing Les Arts et Metieres. The Directors of the Library Company thought the Books you sent them rather higher charg’d than usual; they had therefore, before I came home, fallen on...
332From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Parker Bedford, 9 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (photocopy): American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Library of Congress For so I must still call you, tho’ you seem a little angry with me. I received your Letter of Feb. 2. and shall examine the Accounts that are sent me from your Books, and write to you fully upon them very soon. In the mean time, you and Mrs. Parker may be assured that nothing will be expected or desired on...
333From George Washington to David Bell, 28 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
I have Ordered Ensign Fleming to Repair to Captain Hoggs Company with eight good men; which I expect you will see immediately complied with. He is to account with you for his recruiting money before he leaves you. You are hereby ordered, peremptorily, to be at this place with what men you have, or can enlist by the 1st of December. Your late disobedience of Orders has greatly displeased me—It...
334From George Washington to David Bell, 8 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
To Captain David Bell. of the Virginia Regiment. You are Hereby Ordered to proceed immediately to Conogochege; and are there to take upon you the Command of the Troops now stationed there, for defence of the Stores, &c.—You are to endeavour with all possible expedition, to procure a sufficient number of Batteaus and Canoes (assisted by those which are already gone up with Captain Gist) to...
335From George Washington to David Bell, 22 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Waggons will be sent down to Conogochiege to bring some provisions to this place. Let the chief part of their loads be Flour; and put some Beef and Fish into each waggon—Take care to reserve a sufficient quantity for your own and Captain Gist’s Company, for a month. Captain Gist and you must remain at Conogochieg until further Orders: you must not neglect to procure as many Canoes as possible....
336Orders, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for the Commanding Officer at Winchester. 1st So soon as you arrive in Town, you are hereby Ordered to take upon yourself the Command of the Recruits Raised and brought in by the several Officers appointed to that Rendezvous; and to keep it until another Officer arrive, who shall be Senior to yourself in Rank: then and in that case, you are immediately to give up the command, and...
337From George Washington to David Bell, 6 September 1756 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 15th August; which I had answered before I received yours of the 25th —I am sorry the Rangers seem to dislike the Service so much, but am still in hopes, the encouragement given by the committee will have some weight with them. They have allowed our Soldiers 8d. per day, with [no] deductions for clothes or Surgeon: A General Hospital is established for their reception...
338From George Washington to David Bell, 10 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the Inhabitants of the place seem much alarmed, and under continued apprehensions of being attacked—It is my Orders, that you keep out constant Scouting Parties of the Light Horse, &c. in order that you may receive timely notice of the approach of the Enemy; which you are immediately to communicate to the Inhabitants. If you think you can strengthen the place where you are, by throwing up...
339From George Washington to David Bell, 12 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
If you find it impossible to procure a sufficient number of canoes to transport the Stores at Conogchieg to Fort Cumberland at one Trip[,] you are to endeavour to engage as many as you can, to be in readiness against Captain Gists return: and then proceed with them, and those that come with Captain Gist, to Fort Cumberland. Captain Gist is to remain at Conogochieg with his Party, until further...
340From George Washington to David Bell, 14–15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It is my Orders that you send out Scouting Parties of the Light Horse as often as it can possibly be done, without too much fatiguing them. And you must order them to scour the Woods round for six or seven miles: as I am informed they never proceeded more than three or four miles upon any of their Scouts, heretofore. LB , DLC:GW .
341From George Washington to David Bell, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
If it happens that I am not in Winchester when you arrive there with your Recruits; You are hereby ordered to put yourself &c. under the Command of the oldest officer then present; observing particularly, all such Directions as you shall from time to time receive from him. But, if it should so fall out, that you are the first that arrive there, or if you should be the oldest Officer there; you...
342From George Washington to David Bell, 3 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
As His Majesty’s Service requires that the Garrison at Fort Cumberland should be Strengthened; You are hereby Ordered, to march your Recruits to that place immediately, and to put yourself under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen, or in his absence, the Officer commanding the Fort. Given under my hand, this 3d of October 1755. LB , DLC:GW .
343From George Washington to David Bell, 25 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the roads at present are so much infested, I do not think it safe to send the things you wrote for until another opportunity. I must desire that you will be very diligent, and guard against a Surprize from the Enemy, as they will certainly attact you, if they find it possible to surprize you. You are to detach Ensign Crawford with twenty men, to reconnoitre the Country towards Hites, on...
344From George Washington to David Bell, 10 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed to Fort Dinwiddie, to settle your Recruiting Accompt with Ensign Fleming. You are then to proceed to the borders of Carolina, or other places where you may hear of Deserters; and use your utmost endeavours to apprehend them. You must make application to all the civil Officers; who will assist you in apprehending and conveying them to the Regiment. You are to employ your time...
345From George Washington to John Bell, 25 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I have sent the enclosed to Colonel Lee, open to you, that you may peruse it, and afterwards transmit it immediately to him. As I have many Expresses to dispatch, I am puzzled to procure Horses for that service. I send you enclosed, letters for the County Lieutenants of Stafford and Spotsylvania, which I must desire you will forward with the utmost expedition; as it may be the means of...
346From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Benezet, 22 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft) and copy: American Philosophical Society; copy: Haverford College Library I made a little Extract from yours of April 27. of the Number of Slaves imported and perishing, with some close Remarks on the Hypocrisy of this Country which encourages such a detestable Commerce by Laws, for promoting the Guinea Trade, while it piqu’d itself on its Virtue Love of Liberty, and the...
347From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Benezet, 10 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received with Pleasure yours of Sept. 13. as it informed me of your Welfare. With this I send you one of Young’s Night Thoughts, the largest Print I could find. I thank you for the 4 Copies you sent me of your Translation of the French Book: I have given two of them to Friends here, whom I thought the Subject might suit. I have commenc’d an...
348From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Benezet, 14 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received your Favour of April 24. with the Pamphlets for which I thank you. I am glad to hear that such humane Sentiments prevail so much more generally than heretofore, that there is Reason to hope Our Colonies may in time get clear of a Practice that disgraces them, and without producing any equivalent Benefit, is dangerous to their very...
349Benjamin Franklin and Robert Grace to Elliott Benger: Bond, 25 April 1744 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Land Office, Department of Internal Affairs, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Know all Men by these Presents, That We Benjamin Franklin Deputy-Postmaster of the City of Philada. in the Province of Pennsilvania, and Robert Grace of the same Place Merchant are Held and firmly Bound unto the Honourable Elliott Benger, Esqr; Sole Deputy-Postmaster General of all his Majesty’s Dominions in...
350From Benjamin Franklin to Adolf Benzelius, [November 1769 or December 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Uppsala Library Dr. Franklin presents his best Respects to Mr. Benzel, and will be glad to see him and his Friend tomorrow morning at Eleven a Clock, if that time will suit them, and they think fit to do him the Honour of a Visit in Craven street. Addressed: To / Mr Benzel / at Mrs Philips’s / Jeweller. / St Martin’s Court Adolf Benzelius or Benzelstierna (1715–75) came of a...