11William Watson: Notice of Franklin’s Experiments, 11 January 1750 (Franklin Papers)
MS : The Royal Society; also copy: American Academy of Arts and Sciences At the reading of this paper Mr. Watson took notice, that several of Mr. Franklin’s experiments were new and very curious; but, besides that Mr. Watson is not quite master of part of this gentleman’s reasoning, there are two things therein more particularly to be attended to: and these are, first, that when this gentleman...
12To Benjamin Franklin from John Pownall, 4 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Pownall presents his respectfull Compliments to Dr. Franklyn and shall be greatly obliged to him if he can give him any Information as to the person and [ illegible ] mentioned below. One -- Dimsdale died in the Province of Pensylvania in 1764 or 1765. possessed of a Plantation there, which he left by will in general Terms to his relations in the North...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 11 October 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I have learnt by different hands, that Dr. Mitchel continues in a bad State of Health, which I suppose obliges him to drop his Correspondencies. ’Tis a Loss to us all. Messrs. Bertram and Evans did not go their intended Journey to Lake Erie, but are both safe at home. Mr. Weiser is just return’d from Onondago, and gives a melancholly Account of the declining...
14[Diary entry: 14 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
14. Ditto Ditto Do. Do. but cloudy.
15[Diary entry: 10 April 1748] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 10th. We took our farewell of the Branch & travelld over Hills and Mountains to 1 Coddys on Great Cacapehon about 40 Miles. James Caudy (Coddy) owned some 98 acres of land in Frederick County. On 19 Mar. 1752 GW noted that “Pursuant to a Warrant from the Proprietors Office I have Surveyed for James Caudy of Great Cacapehon a certain tract of waste & ungranted Land on the So. Fork of...
16[Diary entry: 28 August 1773] (Washington Papers)
28. Warm again, with very little Wind and that Southerly.
17To Benjamin Franklin from W. Masters, [1769?] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Though I have not the honour of an intimate acquaintance with you, yet your character of humanity and benevolence, and the intimacy that subsisted between you and my Father, and especially the desire of contributing to the Peace and Happiness of an old Neighbour whom for several Years I have found an honest worthy industrious Man, imboldens me to give you...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Augustus Gottlieb Spangenberg, 29 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives of the Moravian Church, Bethlehem When I think of the Multitude of Things, which now surrounds you; I wish that God may be with you; and then surely all will go well and prosper in your Hands. As you like to keep Mr. Edmonds a little longer, he being a good Hand to you; and as he himself is very willing to assist you in what he can; it would be ungenerous of us to take him from...
19To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 18 January 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The natural tendency of philosophical minds to promote useful knowledge, seems to render an apology to you quite needless for the favour I’m going to request. I’m inform’d Sir, that the truely eminent Artist Mr. West is one of that Class of men who cultivates the Science he professes for the Sake of the Art only. A most laudable example indeed. A Young...
20[Diary entry: 25 December 1773] (Washington Papers)
25. Raining more or less all day with the Wind fresh from the Southward. Snow intirely dissolv’d.
21[Diary entry: 19 January 1772] (Washington Papers)
19. At home all day. In the Afternoon Majr. Wagener and Mr. John Barnes with Doctr. Craik came here. John Barnes, eldest son of Abraham Barnes (d. 1777) of St. Mary’s County, Md., had recently gone bankrupt as a tobacco merchant in Port Tobacco, Md. After settling his firm’s affairs, he moved to western Maryland, where he eventually developed a prosperous plantation called Montpelier (...
22[Diary entry: 8 August 1770] (Washington Papers)
8. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s. GW apparently clubbed at Weedon’s again this evening and played cards, winning 5s. ( General Ledger A General Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. , folio 320).
23From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 29 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
To answer your Honour’s Letter of the 25th by Mr Birney —I shall begin with assuring you, that nothing was farther from my intention than to recede, thô I then pressd and still desire that my Services may be voluntary rather than on the present Pay—I am much concernd that your Honour should seem to charge me with ingratitude for your generous, and my undeserved favours, for I assure you Honble...
24[Diary entry: 1 October 1768] (Washington Papers)
Octr. 1. Clear and pleasant. Still forenoon but brisk Southwestwardly Wind afterwds.
25Minutes of the Committee on the Purfleet Magazine, 12–21 August 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: the Royal Society; partial copy: American Philosophical Society <August 12: The Committee agreed to the following: lightning conductors were necessary; they should be placed at each end of each magazine, reaching ten feet above the ridgepole and connecting at the bottom with wells filled with water; the top of the chimney of the Proof House should be connected by lead with the conductor...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 5 August 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote the Above in much haste, and yet it got To Town too late, but my Brother informs me he forwarded it a few days after by Capt. Marshall in a Schooner bound to Corke, which may Possably reach London Sooner Than if it had been sent by Capt. Budden; There is an Account in Town That the Ship Indian Trader is Taken off our Capes, and a...
27From George Washington to Henry Peyton, 4 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I was pleased to hear of your alertness in marching to Pattersons Creek upon the last alarm; and doubt not but you will continue to be vigilant and active in the service of your Country; as that is the most certain road to merit applause. I am informed that Mr Parker continues on his place, and has a quantity of Grain: If this be true, I would advise that a party of about twenty or twenty-five...
28[Diary entry: 3 February 1773] (Washington Papers)
3. Ground very hard froze which thawd but little being Cloudy & like for falling weather all day—with the wind what little there was of it Southerly.
29From George Washington to Robert Stewart, 17 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Ensign Crawford has referred a dispute to me concerning his rank in the Army. I must determine in his favour: and allow their officers to rank by the dates and dignity of their Commissions. For these reasons—vizt That Companies, tho’ esteemed and called Scouts, are raised and supported upon the same funds as those of the Regiment; have the same pay—entitled to the same priviledges and...
30[Diary entry: 28 February 1770] (Washington Papers)
28. Clear and pleasant with but little Wind & that Southwardly.
311772. Novr. 21. (Adams Papers)
Next Tuesday I shall remove my Family to Boston, after residing in Braintree about 19 Months. I have recovered a Degree of Health by this Excursion into the Country, tho I am an infirm Man yet. I hope I have profited by Retirement and Reflection!—and learned in what manner to live in Boston! How long I shall be able to stay in the City, I know not; if my Health should again decline, I must...
32[Diary entry: 25 May 1770] (Washington Papers)
25. Dined at the Palace & attended a Committee of the Association at Hayes. Spent the Eveng. there. A general meeting of the Virginia nonimportation association had been held in Williamsburg 22 May, and a committee of 20 gentlemen, including GW, had been appointed to revise the agreement that the associators had signed the previous year ( Va. Gaz. , R, 3 May 1770; carter [3] Jack P. Greene,...
33[Diary entry: 4 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
4. High Westerly Wind—clear & cool.
34Cash Accounts, August 1759 (Washington Papers)
Cash Augt 9— To Cash of Sampson Darrel for the Rent of Mrs Gists Pl[antatio]n £6. 1.8 10— To Ditto of Mr F. Lewis for 2 Hhds Tobo at Dixon’s WareHo. 38. 3.6 To ditto of Captn Posey Maryland Curry 1. 1.6 27— To ditto of Mrs Manley —Carpenter’s Work 8. 7.6 To ditto for Wool 0. 6.0 *To ditto of Colo. Carlyle for the use of my Horse 0.10.0 To ditto Smithwork of R. Scott pd by Mr Clifton 0. 2.6 To...
35Acct. of the Weather in Decr. [1774] (Washington Papers)
Decr. 1st. Clear and pleasant, with but little Wind and that Southerly. 2. Cool & frosty in the Morning but very pleasant afterwards with but little Wind & that South. 3. Clear & calm in the forenoon but lowering afterwards. Wind blowing fresh from So. Wt. 4. Lowering Morning but Warm. Clear afterwards. Wind still Southerly. 5. Wind in the same place & Warm. Abt. Noon Cloudy with a few drops...
36From George Washington to James Gildart, 3 April 1761 (Washington Papers)
Several of your favours now lye before me, but the last of Novr 9th I shall particularly take notice of —with astonishment then did I receive the Account of Sales of that Hhd Tobo pr the Everton where only £8.4.1¼ is renderd for it at the sametime that Mr Cary was selling the like Tobo at £17 & 18£ a Hhd. As to the exceptions which for two or three years past you have made to the quality of...
37To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 26 October 1756 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your Letter from Augusta & observe its Contents —the Behaviour of the Militia is very unaccountable, & am convinc’d they are under no Command; I order’d Part of the Militia to the Frontiers & there to remain till reliev’d by others, which I propos’d shou’d be done in a monthly manner, & so to be continued by a proper Rotation, instead thereof they go & come at their own Pleasure, & many...
38[Diary entry: 18 September 1773] (Washington Papers)
18. Went to a Barbicue of my own giving at Accotinck. Mr. Robt. Alexander & his Bror. George came home with me.
39To George Washington from William Fairfax, 20 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d yr Favor of the 17th inst. this Day by your Messenger. The Narrative of the Deposition recited, seems to agree with what is containd in the Northern Papers as to the Reinforcement of Men, Provisions &c. brought up the Missisippi, which together with what’s imported to Louisburg and Quebeck the French have found Time eno[ug]h to strengthen every Fortress and Place We have been long...
40The Busy-Body, No. 8, 27 March 1729 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The American Weekly Mercury , March 27, 1729. ——Quid non mortalia Pectora cogis Auri sacra Fames! Virgil. One of the greatest Pleasures an Author can have is certainly the Hearing his Works applauded. The hiding from the World our Names while we publish our Thoughts, is so absolutely necessary to this Self-Gratification, that I hope my Well-wishers will congratulate me on my Escape...