2351To Benjamin Franklin from Hannah Walker, 22 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your kind Present for which I return you a thousand thanks for such great Benevolence and hope your Charitable Distributations will be Doubly restored from above and I have sent my sons Indentures as Mrs. Stevenson Informed you Desired I should. I am Extremly sorry to hear of Mr. Williams Death and that my Son is removed because he seemed so...
2352To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 5 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I this day received a letter from Mr. Wilmot dated 30 March last wherein he says “before you receive this letter you will have received his Majestys Confirmation of the act Confirming the Division line from Doctor Franklin the Provincial agent. A Confirmation of the act of New york has likewise been transmitted from Mr. Burke Agent for that Province. When I...
2353To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 29 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This Day yours of the 22d December and 4th January via Philadelphia, came to Hand. And tho’ I had determined not to trouble you with long Epistles, yet at this Time I think I shall tire your Patience: if so, lay the Letter by, till you have more Leisure. My Son arrived here the Beginning of January, when I had been laid up with the Gout five or 6 Days. He...
2354To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Hunter Morris, 21 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in Stan V. Henkels, Catalogue No. 1256 (April 21, 1920), p. 16. I forget to tell you that if possible I would have the waggons set off with the forage on Tuesday or Wednesday next, … See above, p. 50. But note that the advertisement for wagons (see below, p. 59) said they should set out on Thursday, May 29.
2355To Benjamin Franklin from John Hope, 23 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was honoured with yours of the 11th in Course of Post But defered acknowledging the Receipt of it till the box of plants arrived—which box came to hand yesterday and I hope I shall be able to save a few of them. By an odd accident the medal has not been got ready and it may be still some weeks before it is. But as soon as it is ready, it shall be...
2356To Benjamin Franklin from James Brown, 14 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania This is to acquaint you that in consequence of your directions Mr. Shervell has Sold £5000 of the 3 Per Cents. at 65¾ that is without the Dividend 64¼ —he is attending the Sale of the remainder and as any thing is done in it will keep you advis’d. I am for Father and Self most Respectfully Yours Addressed: To / Benj. Franklin Esqr. / In Craven Street /...
2357To Benjamin Franklin from Sir John Pringle, [before 30 September? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society For some nine years William Hewson and Dr. William Hunter were partners in a course in anatomy that they gave for medical students, until Hunter dissolved the partnership. Hewson then decided to give a course of his own, and accordingly spent the winter and spring of 1772 in making anatomical preparations to be used in his lectures, which began on Sept. 30,...
2358To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 23 February 1747 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Harvard College Library (Sparks) Yesterday was the first time that I ever heard one syllable of thy Electrical Experiments, when John Bartram surpriz’d me with the account of a Ball turning many hours about an Electrified Body, with some other particulars that were sufficiently amazing. I have now by me Fr: Hawkesbee’s Experiments printed in 1709 and saw his whole Apparatus in 1710...
2359To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 5 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the pleasure of receiving thy favour of 13th July for which I thank thee; the intent of this is Principally to inform thee, that We have been most Industrously employd for many Days past, in our Election Affairs which terminated but this Evening and We have the happiness to know that our Labour is not Lost, having got in every Man We Proposd and of...
2360To Benjamin Franklin from John Ewing, 14 June 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your very agreeable Letter, in which you acknowledge the Receipt of our Observations of the Transit of Venus. I herewith send you a few Copies of them as they are printed in our Transactions; and I suppose in a more perfect Form than that in which they were sent before, as that was done in an Hurry and I have not a Copy of what I sent. If what...
2361To 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.]
2362To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Turner, 7 September 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania At the Request of Col. Charles Carter I send you our Governors proroguing Speech. He and I came home last night late from the Assembly and having this Opportunity he was unwilling to lose it. By the Speech it must appear to those who are unacquainted with our unhappy Difference, that We have refused to do any Thing for our Country in this Time of...
2363To Benjamin Franklin from Massachusetts House of Representatives Committee, 25 June 1764 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress The House of Representatives of his Majesty’s Province of the Massachusetts Bay at the Session of the General Assembly in May last, being informed of the late Act of Parliament relating to the Sugar Trade with the foreign Colonies, and the Resolutions of the House of Commons relating to the Stamp Duties and other Taxes proposed to be laid on the British Colonies, were...
2364To Benjamin Franklin from Mr. Walker, 20 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Walker presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklyn and will be glad of the favour of his Company to dinner on Monday the 6th of April. This may possibly be George Walker (1734–1807), a dissenting minister and mathematician and a friend of Joseph Priestly. BF supported his nomination to the Royal Society in 1771; above, VIII , 359; DNB .
2365To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Hubbart, 16 February 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I enclose you a Catalouge of all the large and part of the small Books in my dear Papa’s Library, there are many other small but valueable Books, that I had not Time to take an Account of. They are to be sold. My Mamah desiers I would let you know, they will not be offered to Sale, till we here wheather you incline to have any, or the whole of them. You...
2366To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Potts, 2 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With this I send you your Commission signed by his Majestys Post Master General the Fees you will pay at your leisure. I am with great Truth and regard Dear Sir Your faithful Friend and most humble Servant The Post Office commission that was issued to BF and Foxcroft, Sept. 25, 1765, was to be valid “for and during the Term of three Years, or ’till they...
2367To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Hunter Morris: Commission, 24 February 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks; American Philosophical Society After the bitter year-end controversy over commissioning the officers elected under the terms of the new militia law, the matter rested for a month while Governor Morris and the law’s chief proponent, Benjamin Franklin, were absent from Philadelphia. On February 12, a week after Franklin’s return to the city, he was...
2368To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 23 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd. yours Yesterday, and observe what you say relating to what is inserted in the York Papers. That relating to Lord Bute shall be published next Week, if we have Room; the other the North Briton, if you had not mentioned it, should not have been inserted. Yesterday very bad Accounts came to hand relating to the Indians; but as our Governor, his...
2369To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 9 April 1748 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I received yours of 2d Instant last night and am obliged for your care of my Letters as I shall for any others [that] may come to you. I desire you to Send me your weekly news Paper at the price others give you. Sir with my Compliments to Mrs. Franklin, Your Ready Friend and humble Servant. On Belcher, see above, I , 176 n. He was appointed...
2370To 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...
2371To Benjamin Franklin from Ephraim Brown, 15 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of the 13th lies before me. I am oblig’d to you for your offer of the loan of three Guineas, and have drawn on you payable to Wm. Jackson on order. I don’t know what to think of your excessive temperance in my case. I am of opinion if a hearty man get a bad cold, to drive it away by abstinance, is very right; but a person in my Condition requires many...
2372To Benjamin Franklin from William Clarke, 6 May 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received your Favours, by the two last Posts; for both of which I am very much obliged to you; the former I should have acknowledged, by the return of the Post; but was obliged to be out of Town. I now return you the Papers, with my hearty thanks for the trouble you have taken. I fully agree to your observation in your last, that although several of the...
2373To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Holme, 9 January 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania As I am inform’d that you are still in London, I therefore take the Liberty to acquaint you with the Death of Mr. Richard Fisher of this Town on the 12th. Ulto. He left his whole Estate Real and Personal to the Amount of about £5000 between his three Neices: except a clear Rent Charge of £45 per Annum to his Wife for Life, and £100 in Cash to be paid to...
2374To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 16 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A few Days since per Captain Sparks I did myself the Pleasure. I have not much to say at present, more than that we are all well. These are the best Tidings I can send you at this time, I find but slow Sale for my Goods, but what I do sell, is for Cash, so that I am making no bad Debts; I have not sold enough to enable me to reimburse you per this...
2375To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 5 April 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have made Bold to Send you a turtle in the Ship hannover packet Capt. Price as also two pair of Spanish Birds Called hear patriges which are much admired hear. I have Directed them to the Care of messrs mildred and Roberts of Lond[on]. I thought not proper to Let the Capt know they whear for you as I well no how matters stand with him. I hope they will...
2376To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, 22 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Inclosed you have a number of the Pamphlets Containing the Governors Speaches and the Answers of the two Houses with which you may Accomodate some few of your Freinds. I conclude with great Respect your most humble Servant Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esqr BF ’s own copy had been enclosed with Cushing’s letter of two days before.
2377To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 18 November 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote thee per Capt. Story, who sails in Company with Capt. Falkner, to which please to refer, the Chief Intent of this, is to Inclose thee, a Letter from Our friend Thomas Livezey, and to inform thee, that I have deliverd to Capt. Falkner 12 bottles of Wine, the Manufacture of Our Friend; having seald each Bottle and put a Mark on Each as below; hoping,...
2378To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Gilpin, 15 November 1770: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from “Memoir of Thomas Gilpin,” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XLIX (1925), 314–15. Politics are now rather at a low ebb: nor do I expect they will revive; it will take some time to restore the public agitation and eradicate the remembrance of what has passed: the cause of injury is yet fresh and like a man that has been prompted to delirium time must be...
2379To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 19 January 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind favour of the 7 and 9 Novr by Which We are [ torn ] happy to find our Sons and Brother Safe arival and of the kind Reception thay have from you and Good Mrs. Stevensons kind offer of Service to Whom our Respects. By the next post I Shall Send to Mr. Pease for the Bond you mention and Shall Recover the money as Soon as Possible then...
2380To Benjamin Franklin from [Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg], 25 November 1770 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu dabord deux, puis cinq exemplaires de la traduction que vous avez daigné faire faire de mon petit Code, et je ne puis assez vous en remercier. Il est si bien rendu en Anglois qu’on auroit pu facilement en faire passer la version pour un original, et il est imprimé tout au mieux. [La seule] faute bien remarquable mais sans consequence, c’est à la...
2381To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Fitzmaurice, 26 January 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Pall Mall, Saturday evening, Jan. 26, 1771, a note in the third person. If Franklin is disengaged tomorrow, should be glad of his company in Pall Mall for dinner and the evening, where he will meet a friend or two. Had hoped to deliver the invitation in person this morning, but was prevented.> For the younger brother of Lord Shelburne see above, X , 348...
2382To Benjamin Franklin from Martin Howard, 16 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I learnt a few Days ago by the Pennsylvania Gazette that you was speedily to go for England, and being Uncertain Whether a Letter would reach you before you embarked I determined to embrace the Oppertunity to write you by a Vessel bound from hence to London, and hope it may meet you safely arrived there, and making an auspicious beginning in the Matter of...
2383To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Rich, [June–August 1767] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Miss Rich is very unwilling to trouble Mr. Franklin again about the Glass Instrument, well knowing that every moment of his time is employ’d in things of much greater Consequence; but not having been well lately, She is apprehensive She May be sent suddenly to the Bath, and cannot help wishing to recieve from Him some Little Idea of the practice of it...
2384To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 23 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When you embarked at Chester, I purposed to return that Night, but I could not: However, I got to Philadelphia next Day before Noon: I immediately applied to Dunlap’s Affair, as McCleave had arrived before me: I found all the Security Dunlap had was McCleave’s Bond, and McCleave could give no other Security. So I at last took his McCleave’s Bond for £44 15 s...
2385To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 3 July 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Sir John the bairer of this will tell you shold you be in London that I am as well as yousal. Salley who is att Burlinton ever senes wensday was verey well when shee set ought and I hearde ones from her mabey shee writes from thair to you. Billey and Mrs. Franklin was verey well I heard on thusday. This is Satterday the 4 of July our friend forster Came to...
2386To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 28 March 1752 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have your kind Letter of 24: Instant and thank your care in sending forward the snake root to Boston. I am glad your Apparatus got so safe to hand as it did. I am sorry and ask pardon for the misfortune that happend to the Globe the repairing of which I wou’d thankfully pay. I am but lately recoverd of a pretty smart attack of a Fever. When I...
2387To Benjamin Franklin from Noble Wimberly Jones, 18 March 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Emboldened by the universal good Character of the bearer of this, Mr. William Stephens an Attorney at Law, a Native of the province (Grandson of a gentleman of the same name a former President of the Council here in the Trustees time) I make free to trouble you with this and to Introduce him to your kindness, which I trust your goodness and regard for every...
2388To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, [3 November 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have to acknowledge Receipt [of your letter of?] 22 August per Falconer. Captain Falconer has left his Ship, as she is going to Carolina for a Frieght of Rice, he purposes staying at Home this Winter. At the Request of Mr. Baynton, I send you an Extract of a Letter from Mr. Hooper a surveyor, to him, respecting the Western Boundary of this Province &c....
2389To Benjamin Franklin from Margaret Stevenson, [1763?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the earliest surviving letter to Franklin from his London land-lady. The handwriting and spelling explain why she said in a later letter that “writing to me is an oddieus taske,” and why relatively few letters from her exist. Comparing her letters and Deborah Franklin’s on the one hand with those of their daughters on the other suggests that a...
2390To Benjamin Franklin from William Heberden, [4–9 December 1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Dr. Heberden sends his compliments to Dr. Franklin, and desires the favor of his company at dinner on wednesday next (Decr. 11th.) at half an hour past three. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / craven Street On William Heberden, physician and author of a treatise on inoculation for which BF wrote the preface, see above, VIII , 281 n. During the years in...
2391To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 5 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I thank you for the Copy of the Instructions from the Committee of Plantations to Mr. Randolph inclosed in the last Letter [dated Feby. 5. 1771] with which you honoured me. His Answer to the Enquiries he was directed to make (if to be had) and compared with the present State of this Province, would probably shew in the Articles enumerated the...
2392To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Lunan, 31 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I just beg Leave to accquaint You that Gilbert Elliot Esqr. is my Friend, and by a Letter I have received lately, from my Cousin, Lord Pitfour, one of the Senators of the College of Justice at Edinburgh dated the 1st. May. He has promised his Interest, to any Gentleman, who will be kind enough to point out to Him; any thing Wherein he Can Serve me. I Would...
2393To Benjamin Franklin from John Franklin, 4 November 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have spoke with Turner about your seal. He thinks he cant git the Designe Compleated before the post going but will have it Ready against the next. Rogers & Foule to whoom I Red the parigraph of your Letter Relateing to your Ballence and Foul Tole me he [would] Take Care that it be paid when Billey Comes who is not yet arriv’d but suppose he will be...
2394To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 23–24 April 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of Feb 10. by the Harriot Packet, I just received. She and the Lord Hide Packet came both in at Once. My last to you was the 8th March, by Capt. Munds, who had lain here a long While: Since that having received some Money from Boston and Bills being low here, only 65, I laid it out in a Bill for £150 Sterling drawn by Wats and McEvers, on Harley and...
2395To Benjamin Franklin from Josiah Tucker, [21] February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: Library of Congress. The Letter, which You did Me the Honour to send to Glocester I have just received in London, where I have resided many Weeks, and am now returning to Glocester. On Inquiry I find, that I was mistaken in some Circumstances relating to your Conduct about the Stamp-Act, tho right as to the Substance . These Errors...
2396To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Tissington, 20 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My last told you of an hare; Yesterday she was returnd me hither as no Carriage could pass, and I send this to prevent you the trouble of inquiring; We have yet no passage in the Country; no post from North or South since last Wednesday, but hope for one today as roads are cutting thro’ the snow. The Winter is now calm, the sky clear; the frost severe; and...
2397To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 18 November 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I duly received your favour of the 14: Instant. In mine of 4: Current I inclosed you a packet to go by Capt. Child and in mine of the 11: to Mrs. Franklin another to go by Capt. Shirley and I hope they were forwarded according to their several directions. If this comes to hand time enough I shou’d be glad the Electrical Apparatus might be...
2398To Benjamin Franklin from John Sargent, 8 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have not had the Pleasure of a Line from you since that of the 8th Augt. from Boston, which I had answerd, soon after it came, by the last Packet, if I had not been prevented by my Family’s being in some Confusion by my Son’s being brought home ill from Eton. Thank God all that now is happily over, and We are all well again. And on coming to Town to day I...
2399To Benjamin Franklin from John Michell, 27 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Michell presents his Compliments to Mr. Franklin and desires the honor of his Company at dinner next Sunday. Dine at four. For John Michell, the astronomer and geologist, who late in this year became rector at Thornhill, Yorkshire, see above, VII , 357 n. This note could have been written at almost any time during BF ’s first or second missions. It is...
2400To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, 3 January 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je n’ai reçu Monsieur et cher confrère votre lettre et le Pacquet que vous avez bien voulu m’envoyer qu’il y a quelque temps et alors J’etois un peu malade de m’être trop echauffé à travailler cet automne. Je me porte beaucoup mieux actuellement et je profite de l’Occasion de M. Wildman pour vous écrire un petit mot. Je ne doute pas que le Parlement mieux...