2351Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on the Easton Conference, 29 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 75–6. The serious charges of land fraud made at the Easton Indian Conference, November 1756, made certain that its minutes would receive careful attention. The Assembly asked for a copy, Nov. 24, 1756, and Governor Denny transmitted it a week later. On December 14, he appointed a Council...
2352From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 31 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library The preceding are Copies of my late Letters; to which I have little to add, except to request you would send the Magazines mention’d in the enclos’d List, which it seems are still wanting to compleat the Sets in the Library. It may be well enough to forbear sending the Universal Magazine for the future, it contains little of Value I inclose also an Almanack, and...
2353From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 31 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library The above is a Copy of my last I have now before me your Favour of Sept. 11 I shall not fail on every Occasion to recommend you to my Friends on the Book Account I wish I could give you any Hopes of soon receiving your Debt of J. Read Mr. Hall, no doubt, writes you more fully concerning him. It gives me great Pleasure to hear so good an Account of our Son Billy In...
2354From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Charles, 1 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your several Favours of August 14. Sept. 18 Sept. 22. and Oct. 16. By this Ship you will receive a Box containing sundry Copies of our last Years Votes, to which are added as you advised, the Accounts of the Expenditure of the £55,000 and the subsequent £30000 also the Papers relating to the Employing foreign Officers. There is also in the Box...
2355From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Partridge, 1 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society It is long since I had any of your Favours. I should now have wrote you a long Letter, but that the House have desired the Speaker and myself to go immediately home in order to get our Differences with the Proprietaries Settled some way or other, and tis probable that one of us will soon have the Pleasure of seeing and conferring with you fully on all our...
2356To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 2 February 1757 (Washington Papers)
I detain’d Jenkins here till my Express arrived from Ld Loudoun. His Lordship has desired all the So[uth]ern Governors to meet him at Philada the 17th of this Month, to consult what is proper to be done in these Parts; as this appears to me the Design of their Meeting I cannot conceive what Service You can be of in going there, as the Plan concerted will in course be communicated to You & the...
2357To George Washington from Fielding Lewis, 7 February 1757 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours by Mr Buchanan with the Cash to purchase Mrs Buckners Carpenter, but as I am apprehensive there is a Morgage, or some other incumberance as I well know that Estate is much indebt, it will be prudent to Act cautiously least there should be any dispute hereafter; I have already enquir’d about the Carpenter and have been inform’d that he will be sold some time hence but who has the...
2358Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 9 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 81–2. Under the quartering act of Dec. 8, 1756, public-house keepers were required to accommodate soldiers billeted on them for 4 d. per diem , a rate at which they lost money though they were subject to fines for refusing billets. They petitioned the Assembly for relief on Jan. 3, 1757, and...
2359Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on the Governor’s Message, [17 February 1757] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 86–90. The supply bill passed by the Assembly and sent to Governor Denny on Feb. 3, 1757, differed in important respects from the rejected bill about which the House had remonstrated on January 26. It was framed as a supplement to the £60,000 act of Nov. 27, 1755, and thus did exempt the...
2360To George Washington from Robert McKenzie, 18 February 1757 (Washington Papers)
I have been lately advised by my Friends to take a Step, which though it may tend to my Advantage, may equally prove detrimental, if too rashly undertaken. And as I would not enter into an Affair of the Kind, without previously acquainting you with it, & begging your Advice; I hope you will candidly impart it to me, by which I shall regulate my Conduct. The Regiment has been for some Time in a...
2361To George Washington from Thomas Bullitt, 19 February 1757 (Washington Papers)
It is not Agreeable to my Inclinations to be Thus Troublesom as to my Repeated Letters for Leave to be Removed from this Compy and as it is much against my Inclinations the Continuing Hope you will Indulge me in this my Last Request. I have Marchd the Detacht from Fort Dinwiddie to Vases, and Shall be as Afficious as in my power for three Weeks or a month in Carrying on the Work—In which Time...
2362To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Loudoun, 20 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Huntington Library As I have been informed by Mr. Colden, that You have been enquiring when the packet for England was to sail, in Order to Your Taking Your Passage in her, I have taken this Opportunity to acquaint You, that there will be another packet to sail as soon as I return from Philadelphia, which I suppose will be about the 25th. of March. And as I have several very material...
2363From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 21 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Pieces of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), p. 48. I am glad to hear your son is got well home. I like your conclusion not to take a house for him till summer, and if he stays till his new letters arrive, perhaps it would not be amiss; for a good deal depends on the first appearance a man...
2364From Benjamin Franklin to William Coleman, 22 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Copy, MS minutes: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Recollecting Coll. Ludwell’s Donation of £20 Sterling to the Academy, I am desirous of settling it before I go (tho I have not yet heard that his Bill, which I sent home, is accepted.) Therefore, and to save you the Trouble of paying that Interest Money to my Order, I inclose £1 11 s . 3 d ., which added to the Interest Money £32 18...
2365From Benjamin Franklin to William Parsons, 22 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank you for the Intelligence from Fort Allen, relating to the Indians. The Commissioners have not yet settled your Account, but I will press them to do it immediately. I have not yet heard from Mr. Stephenson but will write to him once more. And now, my dear old Friend, I am to take Leave of you, being order’d home to England by the Assembly, to obtain...
2366Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on Grievances, 22 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 94–6. On Feb. 17, 1758, fourteen days after Franklin’s appointment as agent to England, the Assembly named a committee “to draw up the Heads of the several Grievances necessary to be represented Home to England for Redress.” Its report, submitted the 22d, was adopted and entered in the...
2367To George Washington from James Cuninghame, 27 February 1757 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your letter from Fort Loudoun with one Inclosed to Lord Loudoun who begs that you will excuse his not writing to you by this oppertunity, the hurry of business which he is in at present, having prevented him. his Lordship seems very much pleased with the Accounts you have given him of the situation of our affairs to the South’ard. The good Charecter given of you by...
2368From George Washington to William Smith, March–April 1757 (Washington Papers)
[ March-April 1757 ]. The text of this letter is printed as Document III of “The Capitulation of Fort Necessity.” There William Smith is tentatively identified as the addressee. On 3 Mar. 1757, while GW was in Philadelphia to attend Loudoun’s meeting with the southern governors, the printer James Chattin announced in the Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia) his intention to publish within two...
2369From George Washington to William Fairfax, 2 March 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Fairfax, 2 Mar. 1757. On 22 Mar. 1757 Fairfax wrote to GW : “I rec’d your Favor from Philadelphia dated the 2d inst.”
2370From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Loudoun, 3 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library I thank your Lordship for the Information you have been pleas’d to favour me with, relating to the Sailing of the Pacquets. It was intended that I should take Passage in the first; But I shall now wait your Lordship’s Arrival here, that if in any thing I can be of Service, I may be ready to obey your Lordship’s Commands; being, with the sincerest Respect and...
2371From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Ray, 3 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Pieces of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), p. 49. Being about to leave America for some time, I could not go without taking leave of my dear friend. I received your favor of the 8th of November, and am ashamed, that I have suffered it to remain so long unanswered, especially as now, through...
2372Authorization to William Frizzel to Carry Mail, 10 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Princeton University Library I do hereby permit William Frizzel, to carry and deliver Letters between Philadelphia and Lancaster, and to receive the usual Postage for his own Use, till a regular Post shall be established for that Stage. Endorsed: Benjn. Franklin’s Comission to of [ sic ] Wm Frizzle to ride Post 1757 William Frizel ( sic ) announced in Pa. Gaz ., Aug. 24, 1758, that after...
2373From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 10 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
We may I think with great Propriety and Justice represent. That—The Virginia Regiment was the first in arms of any Troops upon the Continent, in the prest War. That—The three Years which they have Servd has been one continued Scene of Action. That—whilst other Troops have an agreeable recess in Winter Quarters, the Nature of the Service in which we are engagd, and the smallness of Our Numbers...
2374A Testimonial, 11 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in John Gordon’s Mathematical Traverse Table, &c . Printed in the Year 1758, and Sold by Mr. W. Dunlap, in Philadelphia, Mr. G. Noel, in New-York, Mr. B. Mecom, in Boston, and by the Author. (Yale University Library) John Gordon (1700–1778), a former Philadelphian now living near Princeton, N.J., managed to combine the trade of a bricklayer with the teaching of surveying and other...
2375To George Washington from Joseph Chew, 14 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here from New London a few days agoe and hearing you was at Philadelphia trouble you with this, and Capt. Mercer with the inclosed. I hope and Flater my Self my Lord Loudoun will Concert such Plans as will Effectually Secure our Frontiers and distress the Enemy, and that he will do that for you which you have so justly merrited and let your Command be Equal to your deserts. I am sure...
2376To George Washington from Clement Read, 15 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
About 10 Daies agoe, there came to my House twenty Six Indians of the Cawtaba Nation, with two War Captains, Capt. French, or the French Warrior, and Capt. Bullen, who I sent under the Care of Robert Vaughan to Williamsburg where they desir’d to go before they March’d to you. About five daies agoe, there came to my House 93 of the same Nation with their King, Haglar, after they held a Council,...
2377From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Loudoun: Answers to Criticisms of the Supply Bill, [21 March 1757] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Huntington Library When news that Lord Loudoun intended to hold a council of war in Philadelphia reached there in mid-January 1757, it was apparent that he and his plans would have a powerful effect on local affairs. It was reported, for example, that Governor Denny “proposes to lay Mr. F’s Conduct before Lord Loudoun … [who] can and I hope will bring him to an Ecclaircissment on which it...
2378To George Washington from William Fairfax, 22 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d your Favor from Philadelphia dated the 2d inst. since which finding the Governor likely to stay there longer than at first expected and many Matters of Government requisite which could not be done without Me I set off from Belvoir and arrivd here the 17th The next Day I was duly qualified in Council as President & Comander in Chief, which has given Me an Opportunity of seeing and...
2379Provincial Commissioners: Order to Pay James Young, 23 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Yale University Library Till the New Money to be struck by the One hundred Thousand Pound Act (this Day to be passed by the Governor and Assembly) comes into your Hands, the Governor and Commissioners request you to advance Three or Four Thousand Pounds, to be replaced by the first of the new Money; as that Sum is immediately wanted for the Publick Service. What you shall so advance to be...
2380Memorial to John Campbell, Earl of Loudoun, 23 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
To His Excellency, The Right Honorable John Earl of Loudoun, General, and Commander in Chief, of all His Majesty’s Forces in North America, and Governor of His Majesty’s most Ancient Colony, and Dominion of Virginia. The Memorial, of The Officers of The Virginia Regiment, Humbly Sheweth— That, The Virginia Regiment was the first in Arms, of any Troops on the Continent, in the present War: That...
2381From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Ward, 24 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Nantucket Atheneum I inclose you some of the Grain called Whisk Corn, or Broom Corn. It must be planted in Hills like Indian Corn, 3 or 4 Grains in a Hill. It looks like Indian Corn when growing, till the Top comes out, of which they make the Whisk Brushes for Velvet, and excellent Brooms. The Grain is good for Bread, and for Fowls, Horses, &c. being a kind of Millet, and of great...
2382To Benjamin Franklin from John Hughes with Franklin’s Receipt, [24 March 1757] (Franklin Papers)
I. MS not found; reprinted from Pennsylvania History , VI (1939), 15; II. ADS : Yale University Library The minutes of the Society of Arts (see above, VI , 186–9 n) for the meeting of Sept. 7, 1757, note that Franklin attended and read the extract of a letter from John Hughes printed as No. I below; that Franklin paid in the donation; and that the Society voted their thanks to Hughes for his...
2383To George Washington from Thomas Bullitt, 24 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
I Recd yours Janry 1st wherein you was pleased to Signifie that I had not proceeded in a Regular Manner in not Laying in a formal Complaint if I was not well used by my Capt. I am not uncensible Sir—of the Difficulty an Enferiour Officer Encounters, when he Lay’s in a Compt of that Nature against one of his Superiours in Clearly proving Alligations, Especially when such Superiour as by our...
2384To George Washington from Thomas Bullitt, 24 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
as I have not bin Troublesom to you with Cilicitations on Acct of my Brothers prefermt make free this Opertunity with Something of that sort. It may appear uncommendable for a Brother offering any thing of the Like In behalf of Another still as he was Very afficious in Recruiting for your Regt (winter was a Year) and Raised fifteen men (the promise of which, was Terms many your Officers...
2385William Denny, Franklin, and the Provincial Commissioners: Order to Pay Lewis Ourry, 29 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Per Week Col. 20 s . Pay to Lieut. Lewis Ourry, or Order, the Sum of Two Hundred and Forty-six Pounds Nine Shillings, being for the Discharge of the Quarters of 1 Col. 1 Lieut. Col. 1 Major, 7 Captains, 28 Subalterns, and 1 Surgeon, for 15 Weeks; 1 Capt. and 3 Lieuts. 17 Weeks; 2 Captains and 2 Lieuts. 3 Weeks, at the Rates in the Margin; it being...
2386Philadelphia Post Office Record Book, 1757–1764 (Franklin Papers)
MS record book: American Philosophical Society [March 30, 1757] When Franklin was preparing to leave for England his son William, who was going with him, resigned the Philadelphia postmastership, which he had held since June 1753 (see above, IV , 513). In his place Franklin appointed his wife’s nephew-in-law William Dunlap (see above, V , 199 n, and below, p. 168), who had been a printer in...
2387Philadelphia Post Office Accounts, 1757–1764 (Franklin Papers)
MS account papers: American Philosophical Society In addition to the Philadelphia Post Office Record Book described immediately above, there survives among Franklin’s papers a series of loose sheets, mostly but not all in his hand, relating to William Dunlap’s financial accounts, March 30, 1757, to July 11, 1764, and the operations of the Philadelphia Post Office during his tenure. The most...
2388Bill to the Proprietors, 30 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Friends Library of the Society of Friends, London; also copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania March 30, 1757 An example of the extent to which Franklin had conducted his printing, stationery, and bookselling business on credit is the bill he rendered to the Proprietors, March 30, 1757, before leaving for England. It includes 97 items running from 1734 to 1745; except for three undated...
2389Pennsylvania Assembly: Instructions to Benjamin Franklin, 31 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS (fragment): American Philosophical Society On March 1, 1757, the Assembly named the same committee (plus William West) that had made the report on the Assembly grievances against the Proprietors “to bring in a Draught of the Instructions of the House to Benjamin Franklin, Esq; one of the Commissioners now about to embark for England.” Two days later they reported a draft and were ordered...
2390To George Washington from William Fairfax, 31 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday by the Return of Capt. Ouchterlony I had the Pleasure to enquire of Him concerning your State and Welfare, but He said the Uncertainty of his coming hither prevented his acquainting You with it: however left You well. Lieut. Baker setting off with about Sixty of the Nottoway & Tuskarora Indians equipt with Arms &c. to joyn the Tribes of Cherokees & Catawbas before Sent under the Care...
2391Account of Expenses, 1757–1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS account book: American Philosophical Society “Account of Expences of my Voyage to England Disbursements &c.1757” [April 1, 1757] At the beginning of December 1757 Franklin set down in an account book his expenditures between April 1 and the time he sailed from New York and all the expenses he could remember since reaching England. Against the latter he entered his cash in hand and what he...
2392To George Washington from John Hall, April–May 1757 (Washington Papers)
I make bold to address you & require your Permission to leave the Virginia Regiment, as likewise if you think I deserve it yr Lr recommendatory to his Honr the Govr or any other you may be pleas’d to offer that might be serviceable to me in carrying Arms to the Northward in some of the British Regiments—From the small Acquaintance I can boast you have hon[ore]d me with I have discoverd that a...
2393To George Washington from George Mercer et al., April 1757 (Washington Papers)
In Case Mr Hamilton should, according to his Desire, be remov’d to any other Station than that he is now in, we would recommend to your Notice Mr Kennedy who by his Diligence, Modesty and Complacency has gained the Esteem of all the Officers that have been acquainted with him since he has done the Duty of Commissary & whom we all think worthy to be prefered to the Post Mr Hamilton bears and...
2394To George Washington from Adam Stephen, April 1757 (Washington Papers)
I have had an opportunity of knowing Mr Kenndy perfectly well, and always found him diligent and carefull—by which means I am of opinion there was not one Single ounce of provisions lost through his neglect whilst he resided at Fort Cumberland. ALS , DLC:GW . GW has docketed this: “Recommendation of Sergt Davd Kennedy.” For the dating of this, see George Mercer et al. to GW, c.April 1757 ....
2395From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Norris, 2 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The enclos’d Account was settled by the late Commissioners, on which there is due to me £26 17 s . 10 d . It will oblige me, if without Inconvenience you can advance me the Money. The new Commissioners will at any time sign an Order for it; I am Yours affectionately [ In the margin: ] 26. 17. 10 B Franklin 90. 12. 0 Wm. Franklin.
2396From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 2 April 1757 (Washington Papers)
A letter which I received from Capt. Mercer, upon my return to Alexandria, informs me, that 95 Cutawba’s, beside 25 that are gone to Williamsburgh, are now in Winchester, waiting orders how to conduct themselves —That, according to custom they are in want of matchcoats, shirts, leggings, and all other necessaries. I shou’d be glad to receive your Honors particular directions with respect to...
2397Receipt for Bills of Exchange, 3 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania List of Bills of Exchange Sterling Scot & McMichael £340. 0 s . 0 d . Richard Wilson 310. 0 s . 0 d .
2398From Benjamin Franklin to William Dunlap, 4 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I now appoint you Postmaster of Philadelphia, during our Absence, as it will be some present Employment for you till our Return; when I hope to put you in a better Way, if I find you diligent, careful and faithful. I would not have the Office remov’d on any Account from my House during my Absence, without my Leave first obtained. And as Mrs. Franklin has...
2399Power of Attorney to Deborah Franklin, 4 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society Know all Men by these Presents, That I Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia Printer Have constituted, made and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute, make and appoint, my trusty and loving Friend and Wife Deborah Franklin, to be my true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my Name and Stead, and to my...
2400To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 4 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania The interfering in those Weighty matters you are charged with, either by an Attempt to explain what you are fully Master of or to add any thing of my own not already contained in the Report of the committee or the Instructions of the House to yourself, would subject me justly to a censure I hope to avoid for if I had any thing material beyond...