51To Benjamin Franklin from William Bollan, 7 December 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Bollan presents his compliments to Dr. Franklin, and desires to see him this afternoon about five, if convenient, upon a matter which chiefly relates to himself, and will not admit of much delay. Addressed: For / Dr. Franklin Dec. 7 was a Saturday in 1771, and not again during BF ’s mission. Bollan moved to Southampton St. in that year; see his letters...
52To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 August 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, August 14, 1769. Repeats the substance of his letter of August 12, and encloses the second of Hubbart’s £200 bill.]
53To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cumming, [1765–1774] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society T. Cumming presents his best respects to his worthy friend Doctor Franklin, and begs the favour of his company to eat a bit of venison (from Brislay park) at three o’Clock, with their Friend John Wright at C’s house. Addressed: To / Doctor Franklin / Craven Street. For Thomas Cumming, a London Quaker merchant, see above, X , 345–6. Since Cumming died on May...
54To Benjamin Franklin from Israel Pemberton, 17 October 1770: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Oct. 17, 1770. Is going on a long journey and wants Franklin to pay the balance due from five years’ ground rent of property in Pewter Platter Alley. The total rent was £101 5 s. , of which Franklin had paid £60 in 1769, leaving £41 5 s. due.] A wealthy Quaker merchant, for whom see above, V , 424 n. BF had bought the property in 1764 from James...
55To Benjamin Franklin from William Heberden, 22 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Heberden sends his compliments to Mr. Franklin, and desires the favor of his company at dinner on wednesday next (April 22d.) at half an hour past three. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street During BF ’s second mission to England April 22 fell on a Wednesday in 1767 and 1772. In accordance with editorial policy Dr. Heberden’s invitation is...
56To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 21 February 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society This serves to confirm the above, and to inclose the second Copy of the above mentioned Bill for Two Hundred Pounds Sterling, from Yours, &c. Hall’s letter of Feb. 9, 1761; see above, pp. 273–4. The General Wall , Capt. Walter Lutwidge, sailed from N.Y. on March 3. N.-Y. Mercury , March 9, 1761.
57To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl and Countess of Macclesfield, 28 May 1758 (Franklin Papers)
MS note: American Philosophical Society Lord and Lady Macclesfield Compliments to Mr. Franklin and Desiers the favour of his Company to Diner on Sattarday Next at 3 o’clocke. Addressed: Craven Street See above, IV , 448 n. So dated because 1758 was the only year of BF ’s adult life in the May of which he was in England prior to his honorary doctorate at St. Andrews Feb. 12, 1759. Any one as...
58To Benjamin Franklin from William Shirley, Junior, 10 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 175. May 10, 1755 A sentence from this unlocated letter is printed in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (below, p. 207). William Shirley, Jr....
59To Benjamin Franklin from [John] Foxcroft, [1769?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [1769? A note in the third person, dated only Friday, asking Franklin to visit him for a game of chess “on his New Invented Table.” A very bad cold has prevented Foxcroft from calling, and the visit would be an act of charity.] So identified by the handwriting. But his brother Thomas, the Philadelphia postmaster, wrote a closely similar hand, and visited...
60To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 29 June 1768: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [Dated June 29, 1768, this is virtually a duplicate of Parker’s letter of May 14.]
61To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Maty, 6 May 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <British Museum, May 6, 1771. Sends an enclosure that he has received for Franklin from a newly created society of sciences in Rotterdam. > Secretary of the Royal Society and a sublibrarian of the British Museum; see above, XIII , 451 n. The Bataafsch Genootschap der Proefondervindelijke Wijsbergeerte (Batavian Society of Experimental Science). BF was...
62To Benjamin Franklin from Harvard College, 22 October 1770 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William C. Lane, “Harvard College and Franklin,” Colonial Society of Massachusetts Publications , X (1907), 237. That the Thanks of this Board be given to Dr. Franklin for his repeated good Services to this College, and particularly in his Care of a valuable achromatic Telescope lately received thro’ his hands: and that Professor Winthrop Transmitt this Vote to Dr. Franklin. For...
63To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Charles, 17 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Charles presents his Compliments to Doctor Franklin and desires the favour of his Company at the Letter feast on friday next at the Kings Arms tavern Cornhill. For Charles, formerly the Pa. agent in England, now comptroller of the Inland Office of the Post Office, see above, VI , 230 n; IX , 332 n; X , 242 n. For this “feast,” see the document next...
64To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 30 October 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York October 30, 1769. Is recovering after six weeks from the worst fit of gout he has ever had. Pain is gone, but he is so weak he can scarcely stand; “so have only Patience and Flannel.” Has heard nothing from Franklin, and nothing has happened in the Post Office since he last wrote.]
65To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [10 November? 1769]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [Dated merely Friday afternoon; probably November 10, 1769. A note in the third person, to send Franklin the American newspapers received that day in the New York mail. Has heard nothing by the packet; expects a letter from “his Friend” by Capt. Jeffries, who was to sail from Philadelphia on Oct. 7.] A New York mail reached London on Nov. 10; London Chron. ,...
66To Benjamin Franklin from the Associates of Dr. Bray, [before 7 April 1768]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XXIV (1900), 389. [Before April 7. A notice of the meeting of the Associates at ten o’clock on that day, at their office at the Angel and Bible in Ave-Mary Lane.] For the Associates and BF ’s connection with them see above, VII , 100 n., 377–9; IX , 12.
67To Benjamin Franklin from Sir John Pringle, 16 December 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <December 16, [1771], a note in the third person. Requests the company of Franklin and Mr. “Beech” at dinner next Wednesday at half past three. > Richard Bache had returned to London with BF from Preston.
68To Benjamin Franklin from [Henry] Potts, [1765–1767] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Potts presents his Compliments to Mr. Francklin, will be glad of the favor of his Company tomorrow to eat part of a Haunch of Vension. An Answer is desired. At four oClock. Addressed: To / Benjamin Francklin Esqr. / In Craven Street / Strand
69To Benjamin Franklin from William Heberden, before 10 June [1774?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions: University of Pennsylvania Library <Before June 10, [1774? ]: Presents his compliments and invites Franklin to dine on Friday, June 10, at four o’clock.> For the eminent physician, BF ’s acquaintance of long standing, see above, VIII , 281 n. During BF ’s second British mission June 10 fell on a Friday in 1768 and 1774, and during his first mission not at all....
70To Benjamin Franklin from William Neate, 11 March 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <St. Mary Hill, March 11, 1772, a note in the third person. Hopes Franklin will accept a dozen “New Town Pippins.” > An old merchant friend of BF , with connections in Philadelphia; see above, IV , 115 n. St. Mary-at-Hill is a street in the Billingsgate Ward of London. In a letter to Mrs. Stevenson in the Hist. Soc. of Pa., Feb. 23, [1772?], Neate had...
71To Benjamin Franklin from William Heberden, [before 20 March 1761] (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 friday the 20th of March at half an hour past three. On Dr. Heberden, see above, VIII , 281 n. March 20 fell on a Friday in both 1761 and 1767. According to editorial practice, this document is placed at the earlier of the two dates.
72To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, [1773?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <1773? A note in the third person: thanks Franklin “for the Paragraphs which seem to be perfectly right”; the New York packet will sail, wind permitting, when tonight’s mail reaches Falmouth.>
73To Benjamin Franklin from William Shirley, Junior, 20 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 175. May 20, 1755 A sentence from this unlocated letter is printed in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (see below, p. 208).
74To Benjamin Franklin from Miss Todd, 12 July 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Friday, July 12, 1771; a note in the third person. Will call on Franklin at noon tomorrow and accompany him to Walthamstow, and will bring him safe to town on Monday morning.> In all likelihood a sister of Anthony Todd. The hand is that of an adult and his only surviving daughter, Eleanor, was about nine at the time.
75To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Foxcroft, 10 November 1770: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1770. Encloses a bill of exchange from the Quebec post office for £50 and will send the duplicate by Capt. Osborne. ] John Foxcroft’s brother and the Philadelphia postmaster. Peter Osborne, Falconer’s successor as the master of the Pa. Packet ; his sailing was announced in Pa. Gaz. , Nov. 29, 1770.
76To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 23 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Altho’ I wrote you 21: Current yet I am to ask your Pardon for the Trouble of this which is to pray you to forward by the first Opportunity to my Son at Halifax my Letter now lying in your hands together with the inclosed which will oblige, Sir, Your ready Friend and Servant. See above, p. 110. The one referred to in Belcher’s letter, July 9...
77To Benjamin Franklin from Sir John Pringle, [1768?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [Wednesday evening (1768?): an invitation to dine next Friday at 3:30 to meet Dr. Hoare. ] Perhaps Joseph Hoare, the newly appointed principal of Jesus College, Oxford. Hoare had served as proxy for the King at the marriage in Germany of the future Queen Charlotte in 1761, and might well have come to know Pringle as the Queen’s physician. If so the earliest...
78To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 3 August 1768: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [August 3, 1768. An invitation to dine at 3:45 at the King’s Arms, on a buck provided by the Postmaster General (Lord Le Despencer or Lord Sandwich).] For Anthony Todd, a prominent official in the Post Office and later BF ’s associate in the Grand Ohio or Walpole Company, see above, X , 217 n.
79To 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...
80To 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.
81To 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.]
82To 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 .
83To 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...
84To 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.
85To 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...
86To 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...
87To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 25 January [1772–75?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Jermyn Street, January 25, [1772–75? ], in the third person and the Bishop’s hand. Invites Franklin to dinner tomorrow.> BF ’s acquaintance with the Bishop of St. Asaph and his family began, as far as we know, in the summer of 1771; we are therefore assigning this invitation to what seems to be the earliest likely date.
88To Benjamin Franklin from John Pownall, 21 April 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Mr. Pownall presents his compliments to Dr. Franklin, and begs to be informed, whether he has any authority, and what to act as Agent for the province of Pennsylvania. Addressed: To Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Secretary of the Board of Trade, which on that day was considering the Pennsylvania laws passed in February, 1773 (above, XX , 340 n), and Richard Jackson’s report on...
89To Benjamin Franklin from Mr. Chambers, [c. April 1761] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Chambers’s Compliments to Mr. Franklin and being disapointed of the pleasure of meeting him at the Philadelphia Coffee House to day desires the favour of him to send to send [ sic ] his Letters by the Bearer; as being to set out for Portsmouth early tomorrow morning he fears it will be out of his power to wait upon before that time. Addressed: To / Dr....
90To Benjamin Franklin from William Trent, with List of Traders’ Losses and Benjamin Franklin’s Certificate, 1 October … (Franklin Papers)
ALS (Trent) and ADS (Franklin): Yale University Library In March 1766, Colonel Croghan took the liberty of inclosing you a Letter from himself to Messrs. Mildred & Roberts of London And therein desired, That they would deliver to you, All the Accounts belonging to the Indian Traders who had lost by the Depredations of the French and Indians and also the Vouchers attending them. Colonel Croghan...
91To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 1 May 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am much Obliged to you for Dr. Priestley’s Experiments. They have thrown a good deal of Light upon the subject of fixed Air, Altho’ I can by no means assent to some of his inferences from them. The Experiment made with a Sprig of mint extends our Ideas of the Oconomy of Vegetables. But is all the fixed Air which is discharged from its various sources...
92To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Gale, 10 December 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Favor per Mr. Bayard, dated 10th Aprill Last, Inclosing a Gold Medal granted me by the Society of Arts, for an Improvement on the Drill plow, I duely receivd, the 10th July, the receipt of which, (with my gratefull returns of Thanks for Your Care in transmitting the same) I should before this time have Acknowledged, but have been prevented by frequent...
93From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 3 August 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Benjamin Franklin, 3 Aug. 1756. On 19 Aug. 1756 Franklin wrote to GW: “I have your Favours of July 23. and Aug. 3.”
94To Benjamin Franklin from [Alexander] Jacob, 29 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Jacob presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklyn and begs the favour of his Company to meet honest friend Cumming at the Chaplain’s Room at St. James’s to morrow to take a bit of the King’s Mutton at three oClock. The Rev. Alexander Jacob (d. 1785) was vicar of St. Dunstan’s in the West and one of the King’s chaplains in ordinary. He is best known as the...
95To Benjamin Franklin from [Levi Andrew] Levy, 12 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Levys compliments to Mr. Frankling will be obliged to him if he can Answer the inclosed requisitions or any part of them. Addressed: To / Doctor Frankling The mention in this brief note of “requisitions” suggests strongly a reference to BF ’s activities (with the other provincial commissioners) in providing supplies for the frontier. The only November...
96To Benjamin Franklin from James Boswell, [14 May 1768] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Boswell presents his compliments to Dr. Franklin and begs leave to put him in mind of his engagement to dine with him to day. Addressed: Dr. Franklin / at Mrs. Stephensons / Craven Street The date is established by Boswell’s description of the dinner, for which see Frank Brady and Frederick A. Pottle, eds., Boswell in Search of a Wife, 1766–1769 (New...
97To Benjamin Franklin from John Foxcroft, 7 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
Extract in Franklin’s hand: American Philosophical Society By this Packet are transmitted the Quarterly Accounts from April 1772 as Vouchers in support of the Accounts with the General Post-Office, which I hope will enable you to make a final Settlement. See the note on the first extract above, Nov. 2.
98To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, [after 15 September 1773] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I acknowledge myself much indebted to you for the Instruction contained in your last Letter. I have met with many Facts which confirm your Opinion of the Origin of Catarhs from Cloaths, Beds, Books &c. Baron Van Swieten in his last Volume of Commentaries on Dr. Boerhave’s Aphorisms in treating upon Epidemic Diseases mentions with Astonishment a...
99To Benjamin Franklin from Katherine French, 17 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mrs. French understands that Docr. Franklin dines with the Bishop of St. Asaph’s to morrow hopes he will do her the favor of dining with her on Wednesday or Thursday, both days will be giving her a double pleasure, she has provided chess players for each day. See her letter to BF above, Feb. 18. BF was not merely dining with the Bishop, but visiting him...
100To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 6–7 October 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, October 6–7, 1769. Sent the Post Office account book with his letter of October 5. Confined to his room and can barely sit up. Has not touched Benjamin Mecom’s books, but will as soon as he is able to stir——if he ever is. Postscript of Sept. ( i.e. , Oct.) 7: encloses originals of Hubbart’s two bills, of which seconds went by his letter of...