4151On Absentee Governors: I, 26 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted in The Pennsylvania Chronicle , November 28–December 5, 1768, from The Public Advertiser , August 26, 1768. It is wonderful what a Clamour an unreasonable Opposition will often make against Measures of Government in themselves the most reasonable, just and prudent. The Assembly of Virginia had granted an ample fix’d Salary for the Support of their Governor. The Event was, that the...
4152On Absentee Governors: II, 27 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted in The Pennsylvania Chronicle , January 2–9, 1769, from The Public Advertiser , August 27, 1768. There are some advocates for the Ministers so extremely forward, that they cannot wait till they obtain a true information of facts. Even Daylight unluckily is very much in the dark himself. The truth is, that NOT ONE of the officers he mentions, except Sir Jeffery Amherst, have been...
4153To 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...
4154To Benjamin Franklin from John Swinton, Jr., 29 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society May I beg the Favor that you will transmit the enclosed Letter to your Son. He desired me to pay to you four Guineas which he was so good as [to ad]vance for me, and accordingly you have herewith an order for that Sum. I am Sir with great Regard your most obedient and most humble Servant Endorsed: 127 J Swinton for W F. £4 4 s . 0 d . John Swinton, a...
4155From Benjamin Franklin to Dennys DeBerdt, 31 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society; printed in The Public Advertiser , August 31, 1768. In the Gazetteer of Friday, Aug. 26. you have been so obliging as to inform us, that the Report insinuating that the Earl of Hillsborough had neglected to deliver a Petition from the Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay to his Majesty, was groundless, his Lordship not having ever seen the Petition at the...
4156To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Timothy, 3 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer is the young Man you desired me to enquire about, and from [by] whom I have sent two Letters (under your Cover) for Mr. Traill. I shall just repeat what I wrote you before, concerning him “That I knew his Father perfectly well; that his Mother lived almost opposite to me, when the present James Stewart was born; that she had not the Means to do...
4157To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 10 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho’ I have not had the Pleasure of one Line from you for many Months past yet I will write a Word or two. Mrs. Franklin I hear expects you in the August Packet, but your Son, who is gone to Albany just now, told me he hardly expected you. I have not heard a Word from my unhappy Son, whether he be dead or alive, tho’ I heard the Vessel he went in arrived...
4158From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 20 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The last Letter I have received from you is dated May 11. I hope you continue well, tho’ ’tis so long since I have heard from you. As your good Friend Capt. Freeman has not been here this Summer, I am afraid his Sickness that you mention proved fatal to him, which I shall be sorry to hear, as I had conceiv’d a great Esteem for him. I suppose the Dissolution...
4159To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, [before 21 September 1768] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai oublié Monsieur, dans la lettre que j’ai donnée a M. L’abbe Taglieri, pour vous, de vous demander une grace; c’est de me faire le plaisir de m’envoyer par la première occasion, que vous pourrez trouver, une petite provision de feuilles d’apalachine , dont j’ai mis un echantillon dans ce petit pacquet. C’est pour une de mes parentes, qui, sachant que...
4160From 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...
4161From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, 21 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Bibliothèque Nationale I received your Favour by M. L’Abbé Taglieri, and am oblig’d to you for the Acquaintance of so agreable and intelligent a Man. I have introduc’d him, as you desir’d, to Sir John Pringle, who is much pleas’d with him, and desires me to present his best Respects whenever I write to you. I shall not fail to use my Endeavours to procure for your Friend some of the...
4162Answers to the Late Queries on the Colonies, 22–24 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , September 22–24, 1768 In your Paper of Sept. 15, you inserted the following Queries, dated from Langford. By reprinting them with the annexed Answers, I hope you will give some Satisfaction to the Querist; at least you will oblige, Your’s, &c. “ Queries relative to the Colonies and Islands belonging to Great Britain .” Observation. It would have been more...
4163Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence to Benjamin Franklin and Richard Jackson, 22 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives … 1767–1768 (Philadelphia, 1768), pp. 132–4. In our Letter of the twentieth of February last, we communicated the Directions of the House, that you would unite with the Agents of the other Colonies in such Measures as might be pursued with respect to the obtaining a Repeal of the Act of Parliament imposing Duties on Glass,...
4164To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 24 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Altho’ it be many Months since I have had the Pleasure of one Line from you, yet as I have some Room to think you are not on the Return home now, as all your Friends expected, I will once more scribble to a few Lines more to ask, How you do? At the same time, it may not be displeasing to receive Word, that your Son being gone to Albany, as you will see in...
4165To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 26 September 1768: phonetic spelling and transcription (Franklin Papers)
Transcribed from ALS (draft with all but the final sentence in phonetic spelling): American Philosophical Society Yi i have transkr yi ib’d iur Alfabet &c. huit sh yi i th ink m yi it bi a v s yi rvis tu dh
4166From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 28 September 1768: phonetic spelling and transcription (Franklin Papers)
Transcribed from the text in phonetic spelling in Benjamin Vaughan, ed., Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces … by Benj. Franklin, LL.D. and F.R.S. (London, 1779), pp. 473–8. Dh i a bd sh ek sh yi n iu meek to rektif yi ii ng a ur alfabet, “ dh at it uil bi atended ui
4167On Sinecures, 28 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , September 28, 1768 To the Printer of the Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser . Great complaints are every day made, that notwithstanding Great Britain has involved herself in a very heavy debt, for the defence of the American colonies in the late war, that now they refuse to pay any part of this debt. On this subject there has been a very...
4168Anthony Todd to Benjamin Franklin and John Foxcroft, 4 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
MS extract: Public Record Office Extract of a Letter from Anth Todd Esqr. to Messrs. Franklin and Foxcroft Dated General Post Office October 4th. 1768. You will see by the inclosed Abstract of a Clause relating to Ship Letters what steps have been lately taken to carry the same effectually into execution, and the Honourable Commissioners of the Customs have been pleased to direct their...
4169From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Cornell University Library It feels very strange to me to have Ships and Packets come in, and no Letters from you. But I do not complain of it, because I know the reason is, my having written to you that I was coming home. That you may not have the same disagreable Sensation, I write this Line, tho’ I have written largely by the late Ships, and therefore have little left to say. I have...
4170From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 5 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Two extracts: one printed in The Pennsylvania Chronicle , December 26-January 2, 1769, the other a MS copy, American Philosophical Society. The Harvest here is well got in, and is said to be a plentiful one; tho’ I never knew so wet a Summer. No great Matters have been in Agitation lately, this not being a Season of much Business. The sending a new Chief Governor to Virginia in the Place of...
4171Deborah Franklin: Power of Attorney, 14 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society Whereas my Husband Benjamin Franklin late of this City of Philadelphia but now of London Esqr. by his Letter of Attorney dated the Fourth Day of April, ADomi. 1757, did constitute and appoint me the Subscriber his Attorney to negotiate settle and transact all his private Affairs and Business in America with power to substitute an Attorney under me for that...
4172Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence to Benjamin Franklin and Richard Jackson, 15 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania, Met at Philadelphia, on the Fourteenth of October, A.D. 1768, and Continued by Adjournments (Philadelphia, 1769), p. 6. By Order of Assembly we inclose you the Resolves, by which you are appointed joint Agents to solicit and transact the Affairs of this Province in Great-Britain during the...
4173To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 17 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have for Some Time omitted to write to you from an Apprehension that my Letters might not meet you in England. But finding by your Favor of Augt. 13 now before me, that you have alterd your Intention of Seeing America this Fall I again Resume my Pen. The New Assembly of this Province, chiefly composed of the old Members adjournd on Saturday last to the...
4174To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 17 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho’ I am hardly able to hold a Pen, from a Fit of the Gout in my Right Hand, yet I will try a few Words, to acknowledge the Receipt of one from you of Aug 9: giving an Account of my Son’s base Behaviour in attempting to get Money of Mr. Cummings &c. It grieves me to find his Vices still predominate; but am pleased at your letting me know it: for I hope he...
4175Arguments Pro and Con: I, 18–20 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , October 18–20, 1768 As I have often experienced the great difference there is, in point of clearness of argument, between the most attentive consideration of a subject only in thought, and committing the arguments pro and con to paper, so that they be coolly reviewed, I bestowed an idle hour to draw up the arguments for and against the American claims, with as...
4176From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 20 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Last Night your good Mother receiv’d the enclos’d Letters from Mr. T. Henckell, and answer’d him that we should all be happy to have his Company, and appointed him to be at our House in Craven street at ½ after 7 on Saturday morning that we might set out by 8. Our Reason for going so early is, that having the Day before us, we may do our Business and dine...
4177Reply to Thomas Crowley, 21 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
AD : British Museum; printed in The Public Advertiser , October 24, 1768. Thomas Crowley, an English Quaker and merchant engaged in the iron trade with America, had traveled there enough to realize the strength of colonial resistance to taxation by Parliament. He had been campaigning in consequence for a federation of the empire, with a single imperial parliament, as the means of reconciling...
4178To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 24 October 1768: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, October 24. Repeats the information in his letter of October 17, adding only that his son had tried to swindle Franklin as well as Thomas Cumming, that William Franklin has arrived at Sir William Johnson’s, and that Parker’s lawsuit with Holt drags on.]
4179Arguments Pro and Con: II, 27–29 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , October 27–29, 1768 Having, in your Chronicle of Oct. 20, mentioned some losses which this nation may sustain by inforcing the payment of taxes in America, it is but just we should now inquire into the benefits that may arise to us from the success of this measure. I believe no one will be so sanguine as to expect that the Americans will not so far resent our...
4180From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 28 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library I did not receive your Letter of the 26th till I came home late last Night, too late to answer it by the Return of that Post. I see very clearly the Unhappiness of your Situation, and that it does not arise from any Fault in you. I pity you most sincerely: I should not, however, have thought of giving you Advice on this Occasion if you had not requested it,...
4181From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Todd, 29 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Copy of ALS : Clements Library Franklin’s long-lasting interest in the Gulf Stream, which is first mentioned in this letter, was aroused largely by accident. The newly installed customs commissioners in Boston complained to the Treasury that packets from Falmouth to New York were taking a fortnight longer on the voyage than merchant ships from London to Rhode Island, and proposed that in...
4182To 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....
4183From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, [October? 1768] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I return my dear Polly her Letters with Thanks for the Sight of them. Dr. Hawkesworth’s Account of Mr. Stanley’s Loss of Hair, is full and Satisfactory. Young Mr. Henckell has left our well-spelt Letters with me for you: but those I take the Liberty to keep. We are all well and all love you. Adieu. Yours affectionately For John Hawkesworth, LL.D., essayist,...
4184To 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...
4185The State of the Trade with the Northern Colonies, 1–3 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , November 1–3, 1768. At a time when our disputes with America make the topic of much conversation, it may be agreeable to your Readers to have a clear view of the present state of our trade to and from the Northern Colonies . Such I now send you, being an extract from the Custom House books, (by which that trade from England only, exclusive of Scotland, appears...
4186To 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...
4187To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 5 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have often intended to have wrote to thee this several years but has often been tould that thee was soon to return to thy family and friends so I omitted it, but lately hearing that thee was likely to stay longer I now not onely write a letter of friendship but allso request a favour which the death of our warthy dear friend Peter Collinson hath obliged...
4188To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson and Thomas Mifflin, 5 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Enclosed are two bills of exchange, which we have the pleasure of sending you by order and for account of the Directors of the Philadelphia library company. The one is for £50 Sterling drawn by James and Drinker on Neate and Pigou. The other is Willing & Morris’ draught on John Mayne for £100 Sterling; both at 30 days sight and both payable to yourself. Out...
4189To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 6 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the Pleasure of writing you the other day by Sparks. I do not know that you will thank me for adding to the Number of your Correspondents, but the Sense I have of my Duty, prompts me to pay this Respect to you. I forgot to acquaint you in my last, that Mr. Bayard of Newyork, sent to me two Exemplifications of his Majesties Commission,...
4190To Benjamin Franklin from [Charles Thomson], 6 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The rebirth of the American Philosophical Society, more than two decades after its death in infancy, was a complicated process. Charles Thomson’s letter may have been Franklin’s first notification that the process was under way, and is certainly the first that is extant. Although Thompson deals with a quite different organization, it was one of the two that a...
4191To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 7 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot neglect writing to you by my Neibour Capt. Freeman tho it be no more to yr satisfaction than to Inform you that I am well and that my Famely are as useal. The whol Conversation of this Place turns upon Politices and Riligous Contryverses Boath managed with two much Biterness as you will See by the News Papers, If you give yr self the Troble to Read...
4192To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 7 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania I had the pleasure of writing thee a long Letter by Cap. Sparks, which hope thou’l receive. By Letter which I two days past received from Governor Franklin and Brother Saml dated at Fort Stanwix Oct. 25 I am Advised that on the day before the Grand treaty Opened at which there is Upward of 3000 Indians, that they had Agreed to the retribution and...
4193From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 8 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New Haven Colony Historical Society I write this Line in great Haste, just to let you know I am well, and to request your Care in delivering the enclosed. I am, with Love to our Children, Your affectionate Husband
4194To Benjamin Franklin from the Philadelphia Merchants, 10 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society We having been appointed by the Merchants of this City to forward a Letter or Memorial from them, to the Merchants and Manufacturers of Great Britain, thought it highly proper that a Copy of the same should be transmitted to thee. At the Time of Captain Falconer’s departure, we were closely engaged in performing this Service, and thereby prevented inclosing...
4195From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 20 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By this Ship, (Capt. Scot, ) Mrs. Stevenson sends you half a Piece of Muslin, Apron width, which cost Four Guineas. She hopes it will please, and presents her Compliments and best Wishes. I am in very good Health, Thanks to God: but just now very busy. So can only add, that I am, as ever, Your affectionate Brother Addressed: To / Mrs Mecom / Hanover street...
4196To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 22 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You never gave me the Satisfaction to know, whether you ever received any Arrears for me, at the Custom-House, or what. The News-papers in general, shew you the Condition of the Commissioners at Boston. Last Week came here from Boston, on[e] Esqr. Williams, who is called Inspector General of the Custom’s. He comes to set all the Officers in their right in...
4197To Benjamin Franklin from Martha Johnson, 24 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Take this opertunety to write to you hoping This will find you in good helth as I am Blessed be god for it. I was in hops to have had the plesure of seeing you before this but my partener was so much aganst it that I found it better to Refer it till the spring and that will be more Convenant as I shall by that time have tought nancy how to manage in my...
4198From Benjamin Franklin to ———, 28 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in part in The Gentleman’s Magazine , XLIX (supplement, 1779), pp. 647–8; printed in full in William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D., F.R.S., &c. (quarto edition, 3 vols., London, 1817–18), II , 169–70. I received your obliging favour of the 12th instant. Your sentiments of the importance of the present dispute between Great-Britain...
4199To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 28 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society According to my promise, I send you the other paper, containing an account of experiments, which I desire you would lay before the Royal Society. I have material for another short paper of Miscellaneous experiments , but I think it better to wait till I have enlarged on it, and completed some of the courses particularly that concerning Magnetism. I made use...
4200From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, [November? 1768] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Inclos’d is a Letter from Mr. Coleman; it came under Cover of one to me, and the Seal of mine sticking to that of yours makes an Appearance as if yours had been broke open. Your Mother and I long’d indeed to know what it contain’d, but we were, as you express it, too formal , and would not poison your Crib , tho’ we think we have a Right to see it. My...