1To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 6 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the Pleasure of writing you the other day by Sparks. I do not know that you will thank me for adding to the Number of your Correspondents, but the Sense I have of my Duty, prompts me to pay this Respect to you. I forgot to acquaint you in my last, that Mr. Bayard of Newyork, sent to me two Exemplifications of his Majesties Commission,...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 14 October 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pennsylvania Historical Society I did myself the pleasure of writing you a few Lines the other day per packet. Mr. Thomas Hopkinson has strongly sollicited to be the Bearer of a few Lines, and tho’ I am conscious that any Introduction of him from me to you, will have but little Weight, yet I cannot help complying with his Request. I must at the same time trouble you with the inclosed...
3To 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...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 6 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last I am favored with yours of the 4th [?] 14 and 16 July by the Captain’s Osborne All and Sparks, the first dated at Preston, where I find you have been making happy by your Presence a good Old Woman and her four Daughters. Captain All told us he never saw you look better than when he left London so [that] we were pleasing ourselves with the...
5To 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....
6To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 4 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the October Packet, I am favored by yours of 7. that Month, am obliged to you for the pleasing Intelligence, that my Mother and Sisters were well, for it is some time since I heard from them. I am glad to hear, that the Bill I sent you was duly honored. I had really forgot the five Guineas you lent me, on the Morning I left you, or should have included...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 6 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society [ Beginning mutilated ] I wrote you a few lines of the Mar[ torn ] that we were all well. We have continued so [ torn ] at this Time made happy by the Company of the Burlington Family who have been with us a few days, and intend making some Stay with us. Having disposed of almost all my dry Goods, and found them but a sorry Concern, I have...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 30 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you the inclosed that you may see the Disposition the good People of this City are in, respecting the Tea, that is hourly expected. The Paper however is designed more as a Scare Crow, than any thing else. I am with Respect Dear sir Your Affectionate son Addressed: To / Doctor Benjamin Franklin / Craven Street / London He doubtless enclosed the...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 1 January 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have to acknowledge receipt of your Favors of the 24th. Sept. and 5th. October, the former by the hands of Mrs. Alcock, who found her Husband settled on a small Farm on the other Side Schuylkill, not far from the Middle Ferry. [It] is not many days since she delivered to me your Letter, and I have not since had an Opportunity of going to see them, but...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 5 May 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I venture to drop you a few Lines notwithstanding your Expectation of leaving England in all this Month. I wrote you not by the Packet, as it is now become expensive to you, the Governor (who has been with us near a fortnight,) did, and he would tell you we were all well. Per Captain Falkner, I am favored with yours of 17th. February. Note what you say...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 24 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This and the following letter from William, which went on the same ship, brought Franklin the news of his wife’s death. Until her final stroke neither his son nor son-in-law had warned him that she was failing, at least in letters that survive; both had written frequently and at length but had scarcely mentioned her. Perhaps they saw no change in her...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 31 January 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am favored with yours of the 17th. Novr. by the hands of Messrs. Foulger and Rant, who with their Familys arrived here in good health the 27th. Current. Mrs. Westley and her youngest Daughter suffered much by Sea-Sickness, the rest I understand bore their Voyage very well, however, they all came asshore hearty, and I have got each family into decent,...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 7 May 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am favored by yours of the 18th. Ultimo from Lake George; this I hope will find you well at Montreal. Yesterday the Alarm Guns were fired, which put the Town into some Consternation for a short time, the Alarm was on Account of three Men of War which were at the Capes, coming up the Bay, we now suppose for Water; should they attempt to come up the River...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 14 May 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We have not had the Pleasure of a Line from you since I last wrote you. I wish I had time to give you a particular Account of the Action between our armed Boats and his Majesty’s Ships the Roebuck of 44 Guns, and Liverpoole of 28 Guns, off Wilmington. I fully intended it this Morning, but have been so much employed, I find it impossible. I must therefore...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 5 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We are now in daily expectation of hearing from you; If I am right in my calculations, you have been gone from us fourteen weeks and upwards, and since your departure, our common Cause has under gone a variety of interesting changes and events, which no doubt, you will become acquainted with thro’ the proper channel; our situation at one time was very...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 28 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself this Pleasure under date of the 5th. Instant. Yesterday, via New England we had the agreeable Tidings of your safe arrival at Nantz, by some Vessel arrived at Newbury from Bourdeaux; tho’ we have no Letters from you, the account comes so strait, and the news is so agreeable, that we are determined to believe it. We have had a variety of reports...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 10 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We yet remain without a Line from you; tho’ we have had the pleasure of hearing you were safe arrived; this is my third Letter to you, since you left us; I think I have never mentioned to you before, that Mr. Galloway, when the Enemy were at Trenton, passed over the Delaware and took protection, three of the Allens did the same, viz: John, Andrew, and...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 20 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your last was dated 4th March. I have since wrote to you once or twice. You then mentioned, that you would have an opportunity of writing in a few days more fully to your Friends here, by a swift sailing Vessel. She has not yet made her appearance, we are longing to hear from you; Our Port has been shut up by the Enemy’s Ships for some Month’s past, nothing...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 1 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself this pleasure a few days ago, via Martinique, since which yours of the 5th. January came to hand, where it has staid so long I know not; We are exceedingly impatient to hear from you; I fancy the swift sailing vessel, which you mention in yours of the 5th. March, would sail in a few days, has been pickt up by the Enemy, or we should have heard...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 31 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I am almost ashamed to acknowledge to you, and yet it is the truth, that upwards of three Months have elapsed since I have done Myself this pleasure, but when you consider the unsetled situation we have been in, and know that it has been such as to deprive me of hearing of opportunities of writing to you, I trust you will forgive me. Four Months passed...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 1 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The bearer Doctor Rigger visits Europe with a view of improving himself in his profession, which is that of Physick, and to secure some money, which is due to him in Germany. I have not the pleasure of knowing him; but a worthy Friend of mine, who does, having solicited a few Lines in his behalf, I take leave to introduce him to your acquaintance and...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 14 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Some time ago I received from you a memorandum to inquire after a Richard Cooke, a native of Rotterdam, who had been settled some years in America. In consequence of an advertisement I put in the papers, I am applied to by the Son of the said Richard Cooke, (who has resided laterly and is now living in No. Carolina ) for a Letter to you, he intending...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 14 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Once more I have the happiness of addressing you from this dearly beloved City, after having been kept out of it more than nine months. I have had the pleasure of hearing frequently from you of late, the last is dated the 25th. April, wherein you tell me that you have had no Letter from me since June 1777. I hope, my dear Sir, you don’t suspect that Sally...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 22 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My last to you was dated in July, which I sent via Boston, and Copy via Maryland. I have not had the pleasure of a Line from you since, except the introductory Letter you honored me with, by the hands of Mr. Gerard, which he sent into the Country to me, where I remain’d with my family ’till about a Month ago, when we moved bag and baggage into Town, with...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 16 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I write and write and write again and again to you, but I cannot hear whether or not my Letters, any of them, ever reach you— It is now many months since we had the happiness of a Line from you— Not long since, I wrote you a very long letter Via Baltimore by the Brig Saratoga, but I find she is carried into Newyork, the Captain of her is come here & tells...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 16 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you a few Lines this day by Major West a particular Friend of mine— Count Mumford does me the honor to take charge of this— I beg leave to introduce him to your acquaintance & civilities— I have formed a commercial connection with Mr. John Shee of this place, under the firm of Bache & Shee, I shall esteem it as a particular favor, your recommending...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 7 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I remain without a single line from you since the arrival of Monsr. Gerard, and esteem myself very unfortunate in so doing, however I continue paying my attentions to you by every opportunity I hear of—this goes via St. Eustatia, and serves to hand to you a circular Letter from Mr. Shee and myself, having formed a Connection with that Gentleman to do...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 6 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society A few days ago I recd: two packets indorsed & forwarded by Mr. Williams of Nantes the 25th. February last, inclosing french Memoirs & papers of Inquiry after a number of french Gentlemen on this side the Atlantick, without a single line from you, Temple or Ben. Within two or three weeks last past, there has been several arrivals from france, into...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 9 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The preceding is Copy of what I had the pleasure to write you a few days ago per Brig retaliation. When I sent you your Bills, I sent Bills to Mr. Jonathan Williams for 210 Dollars, being Interest on some Money I put into the loan office for my Brother, and requested him to lay it out in Shirting Linen, Sheeting Linen, Stocking Gauze, Ribbons, & sundry...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 18 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have yours of 2d. June via Boston— I have also since received a few Lines from you of 10th. Jany., covering Letters for some French Gentlemen in our Army, which I have forwarded to them— I am glad to find you got mine of the 22d. October last, as I am now certain you have received the loan Office bills for Interest of your Money— You do not mention the...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 17 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Gerard having been detained thus long, affords me an opportunity of informing you that Sally has presented us with another fine Boy; she was safely Delivered on Thursday the 7th. Instant, and I have the pleasure to tell you, that she and the baby are as well as we could wish or expect— Miss Sally Duffield is now with us, she sends Compliments to you &...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 18 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Finding that Mr. Jay, who is appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Madrid, goes with Mr. Gerard by way of France, and probably will stop at Paris a short time, I commit this, with the inclosed, and a packet of Magazines to his care; He carries his Lady with him, the Daughter of Governor Livingston, she is a fine sensible Woman, and will do...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache: Two Letters, 2 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself this pleasure, under different dates by the Frigate Confederacy, that sailed about a Week ago having on board Monsr. Gerard & Mr. Jay as Passengers— I now inclose you second Bills for another years Interest of your money in the loan office, amounting to 486 Dollars— I hope the safe arrival of the first Bills will render these...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 8 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At the Request of my Friend Colonel John Mitchell, I take the liberty of introducing to your Civilities, the Bearer Mr: John Rainey, who goes to France upon a Commercial Plan, should he require your Advice, or Assistance in procuring passports to Holland or elsewhere, I beg leave to recommend him to you for them— The Family continue well and join me in Love...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 29 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of the 29h. Octr. last came to hand only a few days ago, and is the only one I have had from you for some Month’s past— I embrace this opportunity of Mr. Gerards Nephew who goes Via Virginia to hand to you 3d. Bills of the Setts sent you by Mr. Gerard who I hope has got safe home at last— My Love to Temple, tell him, I thank him for his care in...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 12 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office, London This will be handed you by Captain McPherson, who intends visiting Paris Via Amsterdam as you are already well acquainted with him, an Introduction of him to you is the less necessary— He is upon a plan of business I am totally ignorant of, but should he require your good Offices, you will not I dare say withhold them— Sally & the Children are well, the...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 29 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At the request of my Friend Mr. John Wilcocks, I take the Liberty of introducing to your Notice & Civilities Mr. Fox, Son of the late Mr. Joseph Fox, with whom you was well acquainted; I have not the pleasure of knowing this young Gentleman, but from the Character I have of him, I trust you will find him deserving of your Countenance & protection— I am ever...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 2 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your last Letters to us were dated October, but we have had the pleasure since of hearing you were well in January— I have wrote you repeatedly of late; By this Ship a Son of Mr. Jos: Fox, & another of Judah Foulke go Passengers, their Friends have applied to me for Letters of introduction to you. I have given them Letters, tho’ I hesitated a while about...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 22 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The last time we had the pleasure of hearing from you was on the arrival of the Marquis de la Fayette. Having just recd: an account of the arrival of the French Fleet at Rhode Island, we please ourselves with the expectation of hearing of you, if not from you. Sally with her two youngest Children are in the Country, at our Friend Mr. Duffield’s, returning a...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 10 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I fully expected to have had the pleasure of a Line from you by some of the late arrivals from France, but am totally disapointed— I wrote you not long since by the Captains Read & Truxton, & sent you the papers, — this, with the Papers up to the date, I shall commit to Captain All’s care, who has in charge a Vessel of my Friend Morris, & intends for...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 30 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I still remain without any Letters from you; Our Kinsman Mr. Williams wrote me some time ago, that your Letters were put on board the Kensington Capt. Smith, who sailed with the Alliance, but having sprung her Masts, was obliged to put back— She is not yet arrived— I have a few Lines from Temple dated in March, desiring me to send you some Nuts & Apples. I...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 20 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the pleasure of writing you a day or two ago by the Shelala Capt. Holmes, on board of whom I have put 2 Barrels of Pippins & one large Barrel of Nuts, I also sent you the 2d. Sets of your Interest Bills; I now inclose you the third. We are just informed that Capt. Smith in the Kensington is arrived at Boston, having been chased in there, by a Frigate,...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 26 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had last Week the pleasure of writing you per Ships Shelala & Franklin from this port for L’Orient by the former I sent you the Nuts & Apples, which Temple had wrote for, putting them under the care of a Mr. Erskine who went Passenger in the Ship; I hope they may arrive safe & in good order as we took particular pains to have them properly dried and...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 16 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Musée de Blérancourt About a Week ago Captain Read brought us, what made us all very happy, a Letter from you, of the 4th. October; we had been so long without hearing from you, that we esteemed it quite as a New years Gift. It was delivered us the day after your birth day, When, by your account to Doctor Bond, some time ago, you must have got back to the Age of Sixty three— We have...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 28 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am this moment informed that a Vessel loaded & bound to the West indies is, by a sudden determination of her Owners, ordered for L’Orient. She is now down the River & ready for Sea, I therefore snatch this moment to tell you, we are all well & to send you the Dutch & English News papers— I have sent them regularly to you for some time past, also two...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 20 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I again acknowledge receipt of your Favors, per Captain Paul Jones, of the 16th. March, 3d & 27th June, 4h Octr. & 9h. Decr., & copies of Letters to & from Ben, all of which have given us the greatest satisfaction & pleasure, his profile too, which you sent us, has added not a little to our gratification; we have had it framed, and it hangs now in our...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 22 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the pleasure a few days ago of writing you a long Letter, which I committed to the care of Capt. All— also wrote to Temple & Ben—sent you the Indian Spelling Book, & the Dutch & English papers; these last I committed to the care of a Mr. Ray, a young Man that I have recommended to your notice, as he purposes visiting Paris soon after his...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache: Two Letters, 17 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I had the pleasure of writing to you very fully under date of the 19h. & 22d: Ulto. by the Captains Josiah & Proule— when I sent you two more of the Indian spelling Books, & Newspapers, both Dutch & English, up to the latter date; I now commit to the care of Mr. Saml. Griffiths, the son of your old Friend Mr. Wm. Griffiths another bundle of...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache: Two Letters, 4 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I hope this will be handed you by my very particular & worthy Friend Mr. Thomas Barclay, who being appointed Consul General to the United States, goes with his Family to reside in France— I wish to recommend him, not only to your Acquaintance and Civilities, but to your Friendship & Esteem, being well assured, you will find him deserving of...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 24 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am happy in having so good an opportunity as the present to let you know that we are all well; Sally would have wrote, but the Marquis La Fayette’s & General Du Portail’s sudden departure, together with her necessary engagements in the Nursery, will not admit of it an opportunity will present itself in a few days from this port, which she means to...