4651To Benjamin Franklin, John Fothergill, and David Barclay from a Committee of the Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital … (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia <Philadelphia, May 3, 1771. When the managers learned from Fothergill that the money allotted to the Hospital from the unclaimed shares of the Pennsylvania Land Company is payable as soon as attorneys are authorized to receive it, they convened a meeting of the contributors on April 30 last, which passed a resolution empowering them to issue...
4652To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Rhoads, 3 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d thy kind Favour of Feb: 10 and am much oblig’d by the several usefull papers Pamphlets and Samples contain’d therein. Thy Friend Wooller has taken much Pains in explaining the Method of making our Houses secure from Fire—which I hope will be of great Service—we are much oblig’d to him. I have given several little Bitts of the Lime Stone to some...
4653To Benjamin Franklin from William Smith, 3 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Agreeable to the Directions of our Philosophical Society, I have sent in a small Box by Faulkner, (directed to you) 11 Copies of the 1st. Vol. of the Transactions of the said Society; which they request you, as their President, to deliver as they are directed viz 1 Copy to the Royal Society; Do. Royal College of Physicians; Society of Arts &c. British...
4654To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwalader Evans, 4 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your letter by Capt. Sparks, who arrived at the Capes of Delaware, the same day Faulkner did, but by falling in with the land a little to the eastward, it was some days after, before he got into port. Your account of Mr. Walpole’s, valueation of the Sample of Silk I sent you, gave us spirits; and I am ordered to desire you to thank that...
4655To Benjamin Franklin from Anne Johnson Clarke, 5 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty to acquaint you we arriv’d here the 9 of Deceber. last and tho it was a long passage it was not a bad one. I was very kindly receiv’d by Capt. Clarke’s Mother and relations; Capt. Clarke not finding A [sea?] Man here, was oblig’d to go to Antigue in search of him in eight days after our arrival, upon which his Mother gave me a very...
4656To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Maty, 6 May 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <British Museum, May 6, 1771. Sends an enclosure that he has received for Franklin from a newly created society of sciences in Rotterdam. > Secretary of the Royal Society and a sublibrarian of the British Museum; see above, XIII , 451 n. The Bataafsch Genootschap der Proefondervindelijke Wijsbergeerte (Batavian Society of Experimental Science). BF was...
4657To Benjamin Franklin from John Pownall, 7 May 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Whitehall, May 7, 1771, a note in the third person. A warrant is signed appointing Mr. Coxe, on Governor Franklin’s recommendation, to the Council of New Jersey; wishes to know who will take charge of sending the warrant.> For Daniel Coxe see above, XIV , 300 n. WF had recommended him in January on the death of the incumbent; the recommendation was endorsed...
4658From Benjamin Franklin to John Pownall, 8 May 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): American Philosophical Society <Craven Street, May 8, 1771, a note in the third person. Believes that Mr. Sargent of Downing Street corresponds with Mr. Coxe, and will take charge of sending the warrant. If Sargent is out of town or declines, Franklin will do it himself.> It is not in BF ’s hand, and is written at the foot of the preceding document. For John Sargent, a former...
4659From Benjamin Franklin to John Canton, 12 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Dr. Ingenhauss and myself purpose to set out on Friday next to visit Birmingham and some other manufacturing Towns, intending to be absent about 10 Days; a young Kinsman of mine accompanies us. Will you make a fourth, and so reduce our Triangle to a Square? The Dr. has just been here, and requested me to write to you immediately, as he is equally desirous with me...
4660From Benjamin Franklin to the Massachusetts House of Representatives Committee of Correspondence, 15 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Works of Benjamin Franklin ... (10 vols., Boston, 1836–40), VII , 521–3. I have received your favor of the 27th of February, with the Journal of the House of Representatives, and copies of the late oppressive prosecutions in the Admiralty Court, which I shall, as you direct, communicate to Mr. Bolland, and consult with him on the most advantageous use to...
4661To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Percival, 16 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Though I have not the honour of being known to you, I take the liberty of requesting your acceptance of the inclosed Attempt to account for the different quantities of rain, which fall at different heights, and shall esteem myself happy if it meet with your approbation. I am conscious that my solution of this Phaenomenon is liable to many exceptions, and...
4662To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Smith, Jr., [before 17 May 1771] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I called at Mrs. Stevenson’s yesterday, but was so unfortunate as to find you absent. As I am told that you design for the country in a day or two, and I may perhaps lose an opportunity of seeing you, I have used, sir, the freedom of addressing you in this manner and would beg the favour of your kind advice with regard to my intended expedition to France...
4663From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, 17 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is long since I have had the Pleasure of hearing from you. I hope your Health continues, and that your valuable Life will be long preserved. This will be presented to you by Mr. Smith, a young American Gentleman, of liberal Education and excellent Character, who is desirous of seeing your fine Country, the first in Europe, before he returns to his own....
4664From Benjamin Franklin to Isaac Smith, 17 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being greatly hurried in preparing for my Journey, I have barely had time to write the enclos’d. I cannot find M. Allamand’s Paper: But you will meet with no Difficulty in Holland. A good general Rule in travelling foreign Countries, is, to avoid as much as possible all Disputes, and to be contented with such Provisions and Cookery as you meet with in the...
4665To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Franklin, 17 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Received your kind favour of the 5 febr. and am verry Glad to hear that you and Coz. Sally Were Well and it adds to our joy the encouragement you give us of Seeing you once more in Boston. My wife and Children have thro gods goodness (Enjoyd) with myself a good Share of health which is a great Blessing. I have one favour to ask of you Sir that is one more...
4666To Benjamin Franklin from Giambatista Beccaria, 20 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
Translation of the Italian text printed in Giambatista Beccaria, Elettricismo artificiale ... (Turin, 1772), pp. vii–viii. Beccaria, after almost twenty years, revised and expanded his well known Dell’ Elettricismo artificiale, e naturale libri due ... (Turin, 1753). He prefaced the new edition with the open letter printed below, which was a reply to the letter describing the armonica that...
4667To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Jackson, 20 May 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library <General Post Office, May 20, 1771, a note in the third person. Sends a piece of elastic gum with a thousand good wishes.> Identified by the handwriting and place of origin. For Jackson see above, XIV , 301 n. In November BF sent Jonathan Williams, Sr., six “vessels” of elastic gum, costing £1 16 s. Jour., p. 37.
4668To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 27 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Monsieur, oserois-je encore ajouter, et cher Ami? Il y a bientôt huit mois que vous ne m’avez honoré de vos nouvelles, je cherche à me flatter que ce n’est que faute d’occasions; mais je crains de me faire illusion à cet egard, attendu le grand nombre d’Anglois qui viennent successivement en france. Auroisje eu le malheur de vous deplaire en...
4669Journal of Jonathan Williams, Jr., of His Tour with Franklin and Others through Northern England, [28 May 1771]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AD in two versions: Lilly Library, University of Indiana; and Yale University Library This journal contains the only evidence we have of Franklin’s journey through the north with John Canton, Dr. Ingenhousz, and young Williams. Proper names are never mentioned after the beginning, and it is not clear that all the travelers saw everything that Williams did, or shared his absorption with the...
4670To Benjamin Franklin, John Fothergill, and David Barclay from a Committee of the Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital … (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society <Pennsylvania Hospital, June 3, 1771. Last year’s committee sent them, a few weeks ago, a resolution of the contributors and a power of attorney to receive the funds due the Hospital from unclaimed shares of the Pennsylvania Land Company; copies of both are enclosed. Although the needs of the Hospital are acute, the Managers dare not draw any of the money...
4671From Benjamin Franklin to a Committee of the Library Company of Philadelphia, 5 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Maine Historical Society Inclos’d is an Invoice of the Books shipp’d for the Library Company by Mr. Strahan. I happen’d to be in the Country when they were pack’d up, so had not an Opportunity of seeing them. But if you find any Mistake he will rectify it. I wish them safe to hand. Upon Enquiry, I find that to purchase all the Transactions of the several Philosophical Societies in Europe...
4672From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have lately made a Journey of a Fortnight, to Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, and Manchester and return’d only in time to be at Court on the King’s Birthday, which was yesterday. The Joy was in a fair way of being doubled on the same Day, for the Queen was deliver’d early this Morning of another Prince, the eighth Child, there being now six Princes and two...
4673Extract of a Letter from London, 5 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , August 1, 1771 William Strahan had accused Franklin of inactivity, and Arthur Lee was accusing him of being Hillsborough’s agent. To balance the record, therefore, it is appropriate to publish a defense of him by an anonymous correspondent, which found its way into two Philadelphia newspapers. I saw Dr. Franklin To-day. He is just returned from a little...
4674From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, 10 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office During Franklin’s correspondence with leading Bostonians over the past year, the gap between his views and theirs had been gradually narrowing; but this letter shows that it had not yet closed. He deplored the exercise of the King’s prerogative through instructions to governors, he denied that Parliament might bind the colonies without their consent, he believed that...
4675Arthur Lee to Samuel Adams, 10 June 1771: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from Richard Henry Lee, Life of Arthur Lee ... (2 vols., Boston, 1829), I , 216–18. When Franklin was elected agent for the Massachusetts House of Representatives in the autumn of 1770, it was over the opposition of a faction led by James Otis and Samuel Adams. Their candidate was Arthur Lee, and they succeeded in having him named as alternate, to serve if Franklin were...
4676To 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...
4677From Benjamin Franklin to [Anthony Todd], 15 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just going out of Town for a Week, but shall endeavour to return in time for the great Pleasure you so kindly propose to me of meeting chez vous , that excellent good Man Baron Behr. In the mean while, pray advise your Neighbour Mr. Jackson, if he should be at any Loss about it, how to get soon ashore two Barrels of Flour (one of which is for your...
4678To Benjamin Franklin from Katherine French, 17 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mrs. French understands that Docr. Franklin dines with the Bishop of St. Asaph’s to morrow hopes he will do her the favor of dining with her on Wednesday or Thursday, both days will be giving her a double pleasure, she has provided chess players for each day. See her letter to BF above, Feb. 18. BF was not merely dining with the Bishop, but visiting him...
4679To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Crane, 22 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Before this comes to Hand, you have probably received Information of the late Debate between the Governor and Assembly of this Province, relative to the granting Supplies for his Majesty’s Troops stationed in it. This Dispute, gives great Concern to the House, and I could sincerely wish, the House could have found it consistant with their Duty not to have...
4680From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Shipley, 24 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This letter is the first that survives in a correspondence that continued for the rest of Franklin’s life. The acquaintance had in all likelihood originated through Shipley’s brother William, whom Franklin had known for more than fifteen years. By 1771 it embraced the Bishop’s whole family, and was thriving as the green bay tree. Jonathan Shipley (1714–88) was...