1To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 21 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With great Satisfaction I received your most acceptable Letter of August 29. by the Hands of your amiable and intelligent Grand-son, who does much Honour to the Family he sprung from. I admire of all Things the Continuance of the Vigor of your Mind and Body, which enables you to write as clearly, distinctly, sensibly, and accurately as you did almost half a...
2To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 26 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivered into your Hands by my worthy Friend and Neighbour, Mr Berdmore the celebrated Dentist, who is just setting out for Paris on a little Jaunt of Pleasure for a few Days, and who being desirous of the Honour of being known to you, I have therefore troubled you with this Line to introduce him.— If you have leisure to have any Conversation...
3To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 1 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you in August last in answer to your very kind Note of July 29th. inclosing a Line to you from Mrs. Bache, which I then forgot to return to you, but which I now inclose. This Letter I sent by the common Post which I hope came safe to hand, tho’ I have not had the Pleasure of hearing from you since. I therein acknowleged, and beg leave to repeat...
4To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 27 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two copies: Yale University Library I was favoured with yours of the 4th. December, and immediately delivered the Letter enclosed to Mrs. Strange, which she has no doubt long since told you. I remember perfectly well receiving from you some Copies of Tully on Old Age printed in Philadelphia, but have totally forgot what became of them. Becket, into whose...
5To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 31 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The young Gentleman who will have the Honour to put this into your Hands, Mr. Richard Henderson, is a Son of a worthy Scotsman long since settled in Maryland. He has resided here above seven Years past, and comes to France, by the Advice of his Father, purely with a View to his farther Improvement in the Study of the Law. Presuming on our ancient...
6To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 31 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just now informed by a very intelligent Friend, on whose Judgement and Veracity I can securely depend, that Mr Adams is lately arrived in France from Boston, in his way hither, vested with full Powers from the Congress to propose Terms of Reconciliation with Great Britain; and that in this Negotiation you had no Concern. You must know, whether there is...
7To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 14 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you by Post of the 13th. of last March; to which tho’ you have not favoured me with an Answer, I cannot let our Friend Mr. Strange leave this Place to go where you are, without again paying my Respects to you; for to the Subject-matter of my last Letter, and not to any Abatement in your Friendship to me and mine I attribute your late Silence. I...
8To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 13 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I am very glad to be able to renew our long interrupted Correspondence, by sending you the inclosed Acts, which are just past here, by and in consequence of which you will find all Grounds of Complaints from the Colonies against Britain effectually removed. The Commissioners to be sent from hence, if I am rightly informed, are Lord Carlisle;...
9To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 27 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received with great Pleasure yours of the 4th. February, because it brought me the Assurances of your own good Health, of the Welfare of our Friends in Philadelphia, and of your affectionate Remembrance of my Family. This will be delivered to you by a young Gentleman a Countryman of mine, bred to Physick, who comes to Paris for Improvement in his...
10To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 23 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Opportunity of our worthy Friend Mr. Strange just to ask you how you do, and to acquaint you that all my Family are in perfect Health, and remember you with great Esteem and Affection, particularly your Wife, who expects, as you are now so near, that you will soon pay her a Visit. Sir John Pringle I see often. He is quite well (want of Sleep only...
11To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Strahan presents his best Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and begs he would send the Letter by the Bearer. This note might have been written at any time when BF was in London after he had received his honorary doctorate from the University of St. Andrews in February 1759. It is possible that the letter Strahan referred to was one of BF ’s communications to...
12To Benjamin Franklin from William and Margaret Strahan, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. and Mrs. Strahan present their Compliments to Dr. Franklin and the Ladies, and conceiving it may be more agreeable and convenient for them, will not dine till three o’Clock to day. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / or / Mrs. Stevenson Apparently “the Ladies” were Mrs. Stevenson and her daughter Mary (Polly), if the note was written before the latter’s...
13To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 4 October 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Papers of the Earl of Dartmouth deposited in the Staffordshire County Record Office Though I have nothing new to communicate yet as this is the last regular Packett that is to sail from hence for some time at least, I do not choose to let it go without dropping you a Line. I see with Concern that you have accepted of the Place of Postmaster from the Congress, a Step of itself which...
14To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 6 September 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; extract: Papers of the Earl of Dartmouth deposited in the Staffordshire County Record Office I have your Favour of July 7th. acknowleging the Receit of mine of April 8th. and May 5th. and am very sorry you seem to think Matters are now gone so far as to be past all Accommodation. But as you tell me that Words and Arguments are now of no Use , I shall not...
15To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 2 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Papers of the Earl of Dartmouth deposited in the Staffordshire County Record Office Having wrote You April 8. June 7. and July 5. this is the Fourth Letter I have sent you since you left Us. I have in Truth Nothing new to convey to you, and only write now in Consequence of my Promise of doing so every Packet till your Return, which I still hope will be towards the Fall. It was with the...
16To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 5 July 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Papers of the Earl of Dartmouth deposited in the Staffordshire County Record Office I wrote you the 7th of last Month by the Packet, to which I beg leave to refer. I have since by the Papers and by several of your Friends, heard that you were safely arrived at Philadelphia, and unanimously voted by the Assembly then sitting, one of their Delegates to the Congress, then about to meet. I...
17To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 7 June 1775: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Papers of the Earl of Dartmouth deposited in the Staffordshire County Record Office William Strahan was one of the few British political correspondents whom Franklin retained after leaving England. The Scot had bought himself a seat in Parliament in 1774, and consistently supported the government’s American policy. The outbreak of war, much as he regretted it, did not shake his faith...
18To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, [October 1767–1774] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Strahan presents his best Compliments to Dr. Franklin—hears by his Daughter that he is going into the Country tomorrow, and therefore would be glad to see him tonight if he is disengaged. If the Dr. is not going abroad; will call on him about 8. If he is, will be glad that he would call in New Street. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street There is...
19To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, [May 1773?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Dont forget your Appointment tomorrow at 3, or soon after. I send you herewith the 10th. Vol. of the Statutes; but the American Tea Act is not yet printed, but will be done in a Day or two. I am Dear Sir Most affectionately Yours Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street [ In another hand ] At Mr Nelson’s / In Bush Lane / Scotch Yard / Cannon Street. So...
20To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 27 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is the Receit for the Books. They told me at the Coffeehouse yesterday, that the Captain takes his Bag away tomorrow. Please to remember your Engagement to dine with me tomorrow at 4. I am ever Dear Sir Your affectionate humble Servant Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street Aug. 27 also fell on a Thursday in 1767, but in that year BF would...
21To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 21 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As you will probably write to Philadelphia by some of the Vessels now about to sail thither, may I request the favour of you to remind Mr. Galloway of the Money due to me for Types and Newspapers sent to Mr. Goddard by his Order above four Years ago, and which, as stated in my Letter to him of the 6th. Decr. 1770. amounted then to £172 15 s. 2 d. ? I wrote...
22To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, [4 February? 1770] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I inclose this unfinished that I may have your Opinion whether it is, or is not, the thing . I can add or alter what you shall point out. Please to let me have it early in the Morning. I will call in the Afternoon and bring it with me finished, with what I can recollect of Politics, and of that Days Debate. Pray send also the other Paper for the Chronicle...
23To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, [29 November? 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Strahan presents his kindest Respects to Dr. Franklin, expected to have had the Pleasure of his Company to day to Dinner, and to have seen His Paper he knows of. If it is now done, he will please send it by the Bearer; if not, will be obliged to him to let him know when he may expect it. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / at Mrs Stevenson’s / Craven Street...
24To 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...
25To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, [21–]22 November 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (copy): British Museum Although early in 1769 Parliament had favored strong measures against the colonies, by the time the session ended in May Lord Hillsborough made a guarded promise that some of the Townshend duties would be repealed when the new session opened the following January. William Strahan, Franklin’s old friend, took much credit for the American Secretary’s change of...
26To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 22 November 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I shewed the inclosed last night, after I saw you, to Mr. B. who highly approves of the Way in which I have stated the Matter, which he says is precisely as it ought to be. I hope you will therefore let me have your Answer as soon as you conveniently can. I am Ever Your most obedient Addressed: To / Dr. Benjamin Franklin / at Mrs Stevenson’s / Craven Street...
27To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, [19 November? 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Strahan presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and begs to know if he is to be at home and at Leisure this Afternoon, as he wants much to have a Conference with him; If the Dr. is not engaged (which Mr. S. is afraid he is by this time) would be very glad of the favour of his Company to eat a Bit of Beef with him at ½ after two. P.S. Intended to have...
28To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 21 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The Company that were to have dined with me on Monday are so desirous that you should make one with them, that they have agreed to defer their Meeting, till Tuesday, on which Day at Four I shall expect the Pleasure of seeing you. I herewith send you some more of the Copy of the History of North America. Be so good to put it to what you had before, and when you...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Mr. and Mrs. William Strahan, 28 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. and Mrs. Strahan present their Compliments to Dr. Franklin and Mrs. Stevenson and desire the favour of their Company this Afternoon to drink Tea and spend the evening. Addressed: To / Dr / Franklin / at Mrs Stevensons / Craven Street
30To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 4 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Pierpont Morgan Library Mr. Strahan presents his affectionate Respects to Dr. Franklin, and begs leave, (as is now the Custom in Affairs of Importance,) to remonstrate with him upon his forgetting his Appointment to drink Tea and spend the Evening with him in New Street last Night. In full Dependance upon the Drs. Promise, Mr. S. engaged Dr. Hawkesworth to give him the Meeting, which was...
31To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 18 August 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I had the favour of yours of June 28th from New York last Friday. Next Morning I set out for Salisbury, where I had a little Business, and yesterday came from thence to this place, where my Wife has been these Six Weeks for her health, and I thank God not without Effect, for I found her greatly recruited. Here I propose to stay a few days, and leave her...
32To 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,...
33William Strahan: Bill and Receipt, 31 December 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania £ s. d. 1759. Enquiry concerning the Indians, 11¾ Sheets March No. 1000 at £1 3 s. 13 16 For 23½ Reams of Paper for Do. at 13 s. 15 5 6 Working Description of the Map 7 6
34To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 26 August 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was favoured with yours of June 20, inclosing a Bill for £50 for the Library Company of Philadelphia, which is paid, and an Order for some Books from them, which I have sent as on the preceding Leaf, amounting to £48 9 s. 0 d. So that I remain indebted to them .£1 11 s. 0 d. I have sent every thing that could be procured, except Catesby’s Carolina...
35To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan: Power of Attorney, 2 September 1748 (Franklin Papers)
MS form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society James Read (see above, p. 39 n), Franklin’s neighbor and rival bookseller, in May received from the London printer William Strahan, whom he knew, a consignment of books valued at £131 16 s. 4 d. When three years passed without payment, Strahan gave Franklin power of attorney to collect the debt. “I have hitherto waited with...