3551From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 6 January 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <London, January 6, 1773. Returns two protested bills, Zeph[aniah] Turner on Barnes & Ridgate for £72 7 s. 5 d. and William Taylor on Perkins, Buchanan & Brown for £15; the charges on each are 5 s. 9 d. Asks to have the bills acknowledged and to be credited with £87 18 s. 11 d. > See above, XIX , 398.
3552From Benjamin Franklin to a Committee of the Managers of the Philadelphia Silk Filature, 6 January 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <London, January 6, 1773. Has paid Mr. Wheeler twenty guineas, pursuant to the instructions of November 16, and encloses his receipt. > Richard Wheeler had been the agent for Evans and James in their land purchase the year before; see above, XIX , 97–9, 168–9, 413, 421.
3553From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 6 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Library of Congress I feel still some Regard for this Sixth of January, as my old nominal Birth-day, tho’ the Change of Stile has carried the real Day forward to the 17th, when I shall be, if I live till then, 67 Years of Age. It seems but t’other Day since you and I were rank’d among the Boys and Girls, so swiftly does Time fly! We have...
3554From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 6 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I have received your Favours of Oct. 18 and 30. I am oblig’d greatly to you and Mr. Rhoads for your friendly Interposition in the Affair of my Salary. As I made never any Bargain with the House, I accept thankfully whatever they please to give me; and shall continue to serve them as long as I can afford to stay here: Perhaps it may be thought, that...
3555From Benjamin Franklin to the Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence, 6 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I have received your respected Favour of Oct. 16. with the enclos’d Resolve of the House appointing you the Committee of Correspondence for the current Year. And you may rely on my faithful Observance of the Instructions transmitted to me by you, in opposing strenuously every thing that I apprehend may prejudice the Commerce or Rights of America, and...
3556To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Colden, 7 January 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <General Post Office, January 7, 1773: Has received Franklin’s letter of October 7 acknowledging receipt of several bills, and of Nov. 3 enclosing Mackie’s bill on Molleson for £294 5 s. 2 d. with the protest, which Colden will transmit to him. Encloses the second bill for £150 sterling by John Hancock on Haley & Hopkins in favor of Tuthill Hubbart; the...
3557To Benjamin Franklin from Jane (Jenny) Mecom, 9 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Heart has ever been susceptible of the warmest greatitude for your frequent Benefactions to the whole of our Family, but your last KIND , unexpected as well as undiserved, NOBLE presant in particular to me, calls for a particular acknoledgement from me. Except then dearest Sir, my most Sinceare and hearty thanks, with a promise, that your kindness Shall...
3558To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, [13 January 1773?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (badly mutilated): American Philosophical Society Je n’ai encore reçu ni votre paq[uet ni votre lettre?] du 8e. Je vous prie de me marquer [ torn ] ferez l’honneur de m’ecrire par la [ torn ] vous etiez servi pour les deux [ torn ] voyageans, je pourrois pour peu que [ torn ] decouvrir icy dans les hôtels garnis ou [ torn ] et si ce sont des françois domiciliés a Paris cela seroit encore...
3559To Benjamin Franklin from Noble Wimberly Jones, 13 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am realy ashamed at my remissness in neglect of Writing after your repeated favours, And this now can only serve as an Appology the Captn: being ready to go down. Your much esteemed of the 5th. May containing the curious Seed from India I received safe, also yours of the 3d. of August and a few days since that of the 7th. of October, which repeated marks...
3560The Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital to Franklin, David Barclay, and John Fothergill, 18 January 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia <January 18, 1773: A copy of their previous letter is enclosed. They have now drawn further on Franklin, Barclay, and Fothergill for £1,250 sterling in three bills of exchange, one in favor of Joseph Mitchell for £600 and two in favor of Joseph King for £300 and £350 respectively.> Presumably that of Jan. 4 above. For the little we know...
3561From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 22 January 1773: extract (Franklin Papers)
Translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 118. J’ai imaginé depuis quelques tems une nouvelle forme de chauffoir, ou espece de cheminée d’une construction différente, qui donne plus de chaleur, en consumant moins de bois; mais il lui manque quelques-uns des principaux avantages de ma premiere machine, et elle a quelques...
3562To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac L. Winn, 22 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
MS : the Royal Society Capt. Winn presents Respects to Dr. Franklin and sends Two Barrels of Apples from Mr. Theo. Bache and begs leave to add one to them. In August last Capt. Winn took the Liberty of sending Dr. Franklin some Observations on the Aurora Borealis, to which he would add that on Saturday Evening the 16 Instt., as Capt. Winn came to Town the Aurora was so bright that he found a...
3563To Benjamin Franklin from François Rozier, 24 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Printed circular letter with handwritten postscript: American Philosophical Society The letter below is an interesting example of scientific communication in the period. The editor of a scientific journal in Paris was inviting each of many learned societies in Europe to send him a periodic report of its current activities, which he would then broadcast within three months via his journal....
3564To Benjamin Franklin from William Brownrigg, 27 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: the Royal Society By the enclosed from an old friend, a worthy clergyman at Carlisle, whose great learning and extensive knowledge in most sciences would have more distinguished him had he been placed in a more conspicuous point of view, You will find that he had heard of your experiment on Derwent Lake, and has thrown together what he could collect on that subject; to which I have...
3565To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, [January? 1773] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 226–7. Ayant fait voir ces jours-ci les premieres épreuves de vos feuilles sur la Musique à MM. G——, amateurs éclairés de tous les beaux arts, je crois devoir vous communiquer le résultat de ma conversation avec eux. On ne doute point que ces airs Ecossois, que vous exaltez tant, ne soient excellens...
3566From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 2 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I receiv’d yours of Dec. 2. enclosing a Bill Hancock on Haley & Hopkins for £150 for Account of the Gen. Post-Office. Inclos’d I return you the Bill, Dunn on Long, Drake and Long, for £100 Sterling, with the Protest which costs 5 s. 9 d. I hope you are careful to give me Credit for these Protested Bills. I sent you two per last Packet, and one by...
3567From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 2 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress Since my last I have got the Apples on shore, and they come out very good. Accept my best Thanks. Mr. Bache of NYork has also kindly sent me two Barrels, Capt. Winn one, and Capt. Falconer One. I told you before that Capt. All gave me one, so that I am now plentifully supply’d. I know you love to have a Line from me by every Packet; so I write tho’ I...
3568To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Parker Bedford, 2 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At my Mamas perticular request I take the liberty of writing to you, whom once I could address without ceremony, but the unhappy Difference between our families render that perhaps now more necessary, which would formerly have been looked upon as an Act of Duty. You my Dear Sir, I was ever taught to look upon as the Friend, the Benefactor of one of the best...
3569From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 3 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received yours of Nov. 3. with the Extracts from Mr. Hooper’s Letter, and Remarks of Mr. Morgan which will come under Consideration in due time. As yet the Grant has not pass’d the Seals, tho’ we are kept in continual Expectation. I am oblig’d to Mr. Baynton and you for the Communication. The Demolishing Fort Pitt was a strange Measure. It might...
3570From Benjamin Franklin to Theophylact Bache, 3 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I am much oblig’d by your Favour of Dec. 10. with the 2 Barrels of Apples which prove excellent, and are a great Refreshment to me. Please to accept my Thanks, and best Wishes for your Prosperity. I thank you for your Kind Attention to Mr. Chysholme. I hope he will at last be fix’d to his Mind. Enclos’d is a Letter from your good Mother, which will...
3571From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 3 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I send you herewith some Seeds, and shall send more for your Friends, by the Philad. Ships, by whom I shall write more fully. They are Peas of a valuable Sort, and the Turnip Cabbage which abides the Frost of Winter, and therefore of great Use as Feed in the Spring before any other appears. They were given me by our good Friend Mr. Todd. Yours of Oct....
3572From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 10 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I am glad to learn that the Turnip Seed and the Rhubarb grow with you and that the Turnip is approved. It may be depended on that the Rhubarb is the genuine Sort. But to have the Root in perfection, it ought not to be taken out of the Ground in less than 7 Years. Herewith I send you a few Seeds of what is called the Cabbage Turnip. They say that will...
3573From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Benezet, 10 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received with Pleasure yours of Sept. 13. as it informed me of your Welfare. With this I send you one of Young’s Night Thoughts, the largest Print I could find. I thank you for the 4 Copies you sent me of your Translation of the French Book: I have given two of them to Friends here, whom I thought the Subject might suit. I have commenc’d an...
3574From Benjamin Franklin to a Committee of the Managers of the Philadelphia Silk Filature, 10 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I duly receiv’d your Favour of [Nov. 17 ] and have after a long Delay got the S[ilk f]rom the Custom House. The Throwsters appointed to inspect it there, in order to ascertain the Bounty, valued it at 15 s. the small pound the whole taken together, and afterwards wanted to buy it of me at that Price. But suspecting their Offer to be too low, I have...
3575From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwalader Evans, 10 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress The Account of your Illness gave me great Concern, and I was glad to learn by yours of Nov 16. that you were mending. I hope by this time you are perfectly recovered. I have given you Credit for the Silk Committee’s Bill of £152 2 s. 9 d. and have paid Wheeler the 20 Guineas you ordered. I was in the Country when the Truss was sent by Mr. Hewson, to...
3576From Benjamin Franklin to James Hunter, 10 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I duly received your Letter of Nov. 16. and in Answer acquaint you, that you may draw on me for Eighty-seven Pounds ten Shillings Sterling at 30 Days Sight, and the Bill shall be punctually paid. I am glad your Daughter is arrived at an Age when the Money may be of Use to her, and I wish her and you good Luck with it. When you draw send me a Letter...
3577From Benjamin Franklin to James Johnston, 10 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received your Letter, with the Sample of N. American Senna, which I put into the Hands of a Friend who is a great Botanist as well as a Physician, and has made some Trial of it. He tells me that to render it merchantable here, the Stalks should be pick’d out, and the Leaves pack’d up neatly, as that is which comes from the Levant. Perhaps among...
3578To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 12 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 246–57. J’ai trouvé votre Lettre à M. Néave beaucoup trop courte, parce que les choses excellentes qu’elle contient, m’ont appris à en desirer beaucoup d’autres dont je n’aurois peut-être jamais eu la moindre idée. On ne m’a point fait apprendre à nager dans ma jeunesse, et je n’y ai gueres songé...
3579From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress By Capt. All I send a Box directed to you containing a Number of Parcels for different People, which I request you to take care of that they may be carefully delivered. Among the rest there are 5 Doz Maps in a Roll with your Name on the Outside, of which you may take 6 for yourself, send Six to your Brother at Burlington, and give the rest to my...
3580From Benjamin Franklin to Josiah Davenport, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress Although Franklin’s nephew has often appeared in these volumes, he remains a shadowy figure; his only clear characteristic is that he drew financial troubles to him like his cousin, Benjamin Mecom. Davenport had been for a time a baker in Philadelphia, then a storekeeper and Indian agent in Pittsburgh. By 1766 he was back in Philadelphia, where he...
3581From Benjamin Franklin to Nathaniel Falconer, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I thank you heartily for your very kind Present of Nuts and Apples, they are both excellent, and very much refresh me. We were sorry to miss you at Christmas. If you will not come and keep it with us, we must e’en go and keep it with you. If the Land Affair is ever compleated, (which God only knows whether it will be or not) you may rely on my taking...
3582From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congres s I wrote to you a few Days since by the Packet. In a Box directed to Mr. Bache I send a striped Cotton and Silk Gown for you, of a Manufacture now much the Mode here. There is another for Sally. People line them with some old Silk Gown, and they look very handsome. There goes also a Bedstead for Sally, sent on Capt. All’s telling Mrs. Stevenson that...
3583From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress Your late Letters of Oct. 13, 29, Nov. 3, Dec. 1. and 4. lying all before me, I shall answer the Particulars in order; such I mean as I have not answered by other Opportunities. I have written to Mr. Bolton of Birmingham for a Plated Tea Urn, he being by far the best Maker, and his Work of the newest Fashion. If it does not come in time to go by this...
3584From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I wrote to you the 6th of last Month in answer to your Favours of Oct. 18 and 30. Since which I have no Line from you, the New York January Packet not being yet arrived. The Bill on Col. Johnston, which I mentioned as likely to be protested, is since paid. The Gentleman trifled about it a good deal; first refus’d to accept it, then came to me and...
3585From Benjamin Franklin to Rebecca Haydock [Garrigues], 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I send my young Friend’s Silk in a Box [to] Mr. Bache, who will deliver it to her. Enclos’d is the Maker’s Account and Sarah Forster’s Receipt, for Eight Pounds Six Shillings, which you will please to repay to Mrs. Franklin. I did not well understand the first Account and therefore to explain it Mrs. Forster got the Maker to draw another more...
3586From Benjamin Franklin to the Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received your Favours of Oct. 20. and Nov. 4. which I communicated to Mr. Barclay and Dr. Fothergill; and we have acted in Compliance with the Directions therein contained, by selling Part of the Stock and paying your Drafts. I suppose Mr. Barclay has informed you of the Particulars. I wish you Joy of so considerable an Acquisition to the Hospital,...
3587From Benjamin Franklin to Humphry Marshall, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; letterbook draft: Library of Congress A considerable Time after its Arrival I received the Box of Seeds you were so good as to send me the Beginning of last Year, with your Observations on the Spots of the Sun. The Seeds I distributed among some of my Friends who are curious; please to accept my thankful Acknowledgements for them: The Observations I communicated...
3588From Benjamin Franklin to William Marshall, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I duly received your respected Letter of Oct. 30. and am very sensible of the Propriety and Equity of the Act passed to indulge your Friends in their Scruples relating to the Mode of Taking an Oath which you plead for so ably by numerous Reasons. That Act with others has now been some time laid before his Majesty in Council. I have not yet heard of...
3589From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; letterbook draft: Library of Congress In a Box to Mr. Bache I send you a Bundle of the Ephemerides; they came but lately to hand with Duplicates for me; tho’ it appears by my Letter that they were sent from Paris last May was twelvemonth. Where they have been all this time I have not learnt. I send you also one of Dr. Priestly’s Pamphlets, containing a...
3590From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Smith, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I am much obliged by the Trouble you have taken in receiving the Salary for me. You will shortly hear from me as to the Application of it. In the meantime please to accept my thankful Acknowledgements; and if I can here render you any Service, you will do me a Pleasure in commanding freely, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant For the former...
3591To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Potts, 15 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am very sorry as you have had the trouble of writing your Letters to acquaint you that we have no North American Boat on this side, consequently your Letters could not be forwarded as no mail was made up last Saturday night for New York. This Office does not supply the Post Boys with Horns, they are purchased by themselves, but I beleive the best place to...
3592To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 15 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you Decr. 27 by Capt: Jenkins, and Inform’d you of a proposal made by Hall or rather Halls Friends, Who have advanced the Hundred pounds Sterling, and I have Received it, on this Condition, to Wait for the Remander Six and twelvemonths, to be paid in two equal payments from the above Date. I Wish I had your Orders in regard to the Disposition of the...
3593To Benjamin Franklin from Horace-Benedict de Saussure, 23 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu avec un extrême plaisir les deux lettres que vous m’avés fait l’honneur de m’écrire, l’une du 8e. Octobre, l’autre du 1er. Xbre de l’année dernière. Mais comme elles m’étoient l’une et l’autre adressées à Genève, et que j’en suis parti dès le commencement d’Octobre pour venir passer l’hyver en Italie, elles me sont parvenues extrêmement tard, et...
3594To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 24 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’impression avança bien la semaine derniere, j’eus châque jour une feuille nouvelle (a corriger les epreuves). Le carnaval est cause que cette semaine cy ne m’a encore rien produit, mais j’espere que cela va reprendre le même train sans interruption. Je vous envoyai, il y a aujourd’huy 8 jours sous une simple envelope deux feuilles sortantes de la presse....
3595Preface to the Declaration of the Boston Town Meeting, February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Votes and Proceedings of the Freeholders and Other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston … (London, 1773), pp. i–vi. In July, 1772, the Massachusetts House of Representatives petitioned the crown to stop paying Governor Hutchinson’s salary. At the end of September rumor spread that the judges were to be similarly paid, and a month later the Bostonians began a series of town meetings...
3596From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 3 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received yours of Jan. 4. per Packet but none from Mrs. Franklin, whom you mention as writing at the same time. I lament the Death of my old good Friend Mr. Hall, but am glad to understand he has left a Son fit to carry on the Business, which wish he may do with as good a Character and as good Success as his Father. The Gentleman who reported that...
3597From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 3 March 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <London, March 3, 1773: Has received Colden’s letter of Jan. 7 enclosing Ritchie on Hyndman, Lancaster & Co. for £100, and hopes it will be paid, for “we have had too many bad ones of late.”>
3598From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 3 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I am favoured with yours of Jan. 5. and am glad to hear that you and yours are well. The Flour and Bisket came to hand in good Order. I am much oblig’d to you and your Brother for your Care in sending them. I believe I wrote you before that the Demand made upon us on Account of the Packet Letters was withdrawn as being without Foundation. As to the...
3599From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 3 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I had no Line from you per last Packet. But I had the Satisfaction of hearing you were well by Mr. Beache’s Letter. I wrote to you per Capt. All, and sent you some little Things. I continue well, and am ever, Your affectionate Husband Bache’s letter was that of Jan. 4 above, and BF ’s by Capt. All was, we assume, that of Feb. 14.
3600From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 3 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I wrote to you largely by Capt. All, and sent you several Books, some Seeds, &c mentioned in my Letter, and one thing more, viz. a plated Tea Boiler, of Bolton’s make, which I hope will prove good and please. I have not yet got the Bill. I have since receiv’d yours of Jan. 5. which I shall answer largely by next Opportunity, which I suppose will be...