2311To George Washington from John Robinson, 31 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
I am truly concerned at the uneasiness you are under in your present Situation, and the more so, as I am sensible you have too much reason for it, The Resolution of defending Fort Cumberland and evacuating the other Forts was taken before I knew or mistrusted any thing of the Matter, I must confess I was not a little surprised at it, and took the Liberty to expostulate with many of the Council...
2312Note on Franklin’s Sketch of How to Force a Wheel Round by Gunpowder, [before March 1775?] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society For some years we have been trying and failing to answer two questions about this sketch: why and when was it made? The device as described would obviously never produce continuous rotation, if that was the intent; and a wheel that turned in spasms would have limited use. As for the date, no clue to it has appeared in the edited correspondence; one may of...
2313From Benjamin Franklin to John Canton, [1757–1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : The Royal Society Mr. Franklin’s Compliments to Mr. Canton, and requests he would procure for him two more of the long Glass Tubes such as he formerly did him the favour to procure for him. On John Canton, electrical experimenter, see above, IV , 390 n. This note might have been written at virtually any time before Canton’s death, March 22, 1772, except, of course, during one of BF ’s...
2314To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, [before 4 June 1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Govr. Pownall presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin beggs the honor of his Company to Dinner on Tuesday the 4th of June. The Favor of an Answer is desired. Addressed: Craven Street [ In Franklin’s hand on address side: ] Steel Pen for Mr. Strahan. Tuesday June 4 fell in both 1765 and 1771; according to editorial policy this document is placed at the...
2315From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Franklin, [before 1765] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments ana Observations on Electricity , 1769 edition, pp. 473–8. In its surviving printed form this letter is headed “To Mr. P. F. Newport, New England,” and since it begins “Dear Brother,” the person addressed could only have been Franklin’s brother, for many years a merchant and shipmaster in that town. Comparatively little is known of...
2316From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, [1757–1762] (Franklin Papers)
MS Autobiography: Huntington Library The filthy streets of Philadelphia and London were a persistent challenge to Franklin’s civic conscience. He explained in the autobiography that “by talking and writing on the Subject” he had at length done something about the streets of Philadelphia. At an unstated time, perhaps before he retired from business, he “wrote and printed a Paper” (not found) on...
2317To Benjamin Franklin from Allen and Joseph England, [1757–1762] (Franklin Papers)
MS memorandum: American Philosophical Society Allen England and his Brother Joseph England are proprietors of certain Tracts of Land scituate upon Christiana Creek in the County of Newcastle, Quantity 1300 Acres their Title to which stands thus— In 1726 their Father John England advanced £500 to Sir William Keith by way of Mortgage upon the said Lands. In 1729 the said John England assigned...
2318To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Hubbart, [1757–1762] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your tow last Favours gave me a satisfaction better felt then expressed: Indeed I have often longed to Chatt to you in some of those Happy hours you have Blessed me with but feared it was grown Disagreeable or would Interupt Business of Importance pleasing Amusements or more entertaining Conversation, but I most Heartily Accept the Apology you Condesend...
2319To Benjamin Franklin from John Apthorp, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Apthorp’s compliments to Mr. Franklyn and desires the favour of his Company to dine with him on Fry-day next ¼ past three. Addressed: Benjn Franklyn Esqr / Buckingham Street, Probably John Apthorp (d. 1772), son of the Charles Apthorp of Boston who was agent for Hanbury & Thomlinson in the northern colonies and involved in supplying specie for British...
2320To Benjamin Franklin from William Deane, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Coll: Deanes Compliments to Mr. Franklin and Son, Shall be Extreemly glad of the favor of their Company to Dinner tommorow to meet Mr. and Mrs. Sargent at half an Hour after three o Clock. Addressed: To / Mr. Franklin / Craven Street Lieut. Col. William Deane (d. 1775) of the British Army, was appointed governor of Upnor Castle before 1758, and was promoted...