2331To Benjamin Franklin from John Walsh, 21 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society After some enquiry I procured the two Copies of Gennete’s Book and shall deliver them to Sir John Lambert to forward to you by some one of our returning Countrymen. Your friend M. Le Roy, who presents you his Compliments, has shewn us many Civilities; as has M. Trudaine, the Abbé Morillet’s friend for which I must beseech you to make my...
2332To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, [24 February 1774]: abstract (Franklin Papers)
Abstract: Ingenhousz letterbook, Gemeente-Archief, Breda I am in the utmost consternation about his allarming circonstances and begg to be informed of them. The date at the head of a page that contains five abstracts of letters written on the same day, in Dutch, French, and English, of which this is the fourth. BF ’s reply is below, March 18. The news of the scene at the Cockpit and of BF ’s...
2333To Benjamin Franklin from George Croghan, 27 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
LS : William L. Clements Library; extract: Public Record Office By the last packet from hence, I did myself the Honour of writing to you and of inclosing you, a Copy of my Report to his Excellency General Gage, in respect to the Trade, Situation &c. of the Illinois Country. Since which, I have strong Reasons to suspect, That he has imbibed unfavourable and very unjust Sentiments, relative to...
2334Board of Trade to the Privy Council Committee, 1 June 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Copies (two): Historical Society of Pennsylvania On Feb. 2, 1759, the Privy Council referred Franklin’s petition on behalf of Teedyuscung to its Committee on Plantation Affairs, which referred it in turn to the Board of Trade on April 12. The Board conducted a hearing, May 15, attended by Franklin and his solicitor, Joshua Sharpe, and by the Proprietors with Paris. The next day the Board...
2335To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, [27 November? 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Strahan’s best Respects to Dr. Franklin and begs, if the Letter is now ready, that he will send it by the Bearer. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street This note could of course have been written at any time during BF ’s years in England. But the queries that Strahan sent him on Nov. 22 had a hint of urgency in them, and BF was out of town and did...
2336To Benjamin Franklin from Andre Morellet, [30 June? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous remercie très humblement de votre attention pour moy je me servirai des lettres que vous aves eu la bonté de m’envoyer pour birmingham. J’espere encore que j’aurai le plaisir de vous y trouver. Je pars demain de Whycomb pour oxford ou je passerai 2 ou 4 jours c’est à dire jusques à samedi ou lundi prochain je compte etre à birmingham le dimanche ou...
2337To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 14[–15] June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society; ALS (draft): British Museum I wrote you on the 15th. March and 23d of April last, and mention’d in these Letters, which I hope you have receiv’d, the most important Political Occurrences among us, particularly the grand Discussion, in the last Session of Assembly between the Governor and both Houses, and the great Effect it had upon the Minds of...
2338To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed you will have as far a general State of the Accounts, as I could hitherto get done: by the Dates’ thereof, you will see part of them were done the latter End of February last, and some part just now: I have been at them this Spell but three Days, and my Business will not permit me to stay longer this Time: but as soon as ever it will permit, I will...
2339To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Walker, 20 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I this day Carried these Letters to the Post and was so happy as to receive a letter from good Mr. Williams that gave us So good a Charicter of Henry that it is great Satisfaction and Comfort to Us, he says that he is hapily Situated with a good Master and to a good Trade and that he is very ingenious and that his Master likes him Very well. From Your Most...
2340To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 18 March 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter from one of Franklin’s English scientific friends, which touches briefly on a variety of matters, is perhaps less important in the history of science than the enclosure which follows it. In the postscript Whitehurst mentions that he is sending “a short sketch of a General Theory of the Earth.” On June 27, 1763, Franklin acknowledged receiving...
2341To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 25 July 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania If I Could hear the News by this Days post, I might Possibly Send Some Intellegence from our Westren Expedition and Ticonderoga, but there is no probability of transmitting from hence, any thing Relateing to Cape Breton, which will not be Sooner known by A direct Conveyance from thence. The Politicians in Town are in full Expectation of...
2342To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Life, 11 November 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS :Historical Society of Pennsylvania My Lord Chancellor finished his Petitions this Evening, but did not hear any of the Exceptions, So that your Exception in the above Cause Stands 9th. in His Lordship’s Paper as before for hearing the next day of Petitions, which in all probability will be on Wednesday next. I am sir Your very humble Servant Whately’s suit was dragging on. This and the...
2343To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In Hopes you have received a Letter from me since your Leaving us, which I sent inclosed in one to Mr. Strahan, from New York, per a Merchant Ship, I now attempt a Second to you: I therein told you, I had taken Dunlap’s Deed to you according to your Instructions, and taken McCleave’s Bond for the Money he proposed on that Score. I was returned from...
2344To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay and John Fothergill: Two Notes, 3 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and AL and copies of both: Library of Congress These two notes set in train the final development of Franklin’s British mission, the complex and secret negotiations to find an alternative to war. Almost our only information about them comes from the journal that he wrote the following spring on his voyage home. By then he was no longer bound by secrecy, and seems to have told all he knew;...
2345To Benjamin Franklin from Humphrey Senhouse, 25 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your very extraordinary Discoveries and Improvements in Electricity have determined me, though an utter Stranger to you, to take the Liberty of asking whether you think any Benefit might arise to me from the Application of the Electrical Machine in my unfortunate Case. In the Year 1746, and in the fifteenth of my Age I had the Small-Pox, and from that Time...
2346To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 30 September 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library I have not wrote to you, as often as my Inclinations would have induced me, as I have been engaged in a great Variety of Business, Which has called me much from Home; But as I esteem it my Duty, to afford you every Piece of Intelligence, which respects his Majesty’s Interest, I give you the Trouble of this Letter. I took the Liberty, both last Year and the...
2347To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 27 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In the Midst of Hurry, I take up my Pen to write you a few Lines. Our Sup. Court and Assembly Sitting and our Election approaching leaves me scarcly a Moments Lieusure. As to our Election, we are all in Confusion; The White Oaks and Mechanicks or many of them have left the old Ticket and tis feared will go over to the Presbyterians, and yet I believe the...
2348To Benjamin Franklin from Theophylact Bache, 10 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your much esteemed favor of 19th Sepr. was handed me by Mr. Alexander Chysholm. I shall pay due attention to this stranger, and shall be happy in doing him service. He has been to Phila: and is much disappointed in his expectations of setling there. He intends waiting here until Spring, before he determines what to do: We hope to get him well fixed at...
2349To Benjamin Franklin from Sir John Pringle, [December 1773?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Dr. Pringle’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin and if he is to be at home this evening and at leisure Dr. P. will wait upon him and play at chess. Mean while Dr. P. returns Dr. F. the French letter which he was to shew to C. Castries [?]. He sends him a small piece upon Electricity, sometime ago sent to Dr. P. from Germany, but which Dr. P. has not yet...
2350To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 27 December 1760 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Strahan’s respectful Compliments to Dr. Franklin—called to know how he does, and to reproach him (gently) for not calling in New Street to see his Wife, who he told him last Monday Sevenight was to be in Town the following Thursday—Is afraid he will, at least, do himself no good by feasting every Day, as he is informed he hath done for some time past,...
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...