251To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Knight, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Knight’s compliments to Mr. Franklin and Mr. William Franklin and desires the favor of their company at dinner on tuesday next the 27th. Addressed: Craven-Street Possibly Gowin Knight (1713–1772), F.R.S., whose work on magnetism BF had known and admired before going to England (see above, VI , 103, 177–8). He was appointed principal librarian of the...
252To Benjamin Franklin from Mrs. Lloyd, Mrs. Morris, and Mr. Lloyd, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mrs. Lloyd Mrs. Morris and Mr. Lloyd present their Compliments to Mrs. Stevenson and Mr. Franklyns, and desire the Favour of their Company this afternoon to meet Miss Gambier. None of these persons has been identified. They may have been friends of Margaret Stevenson, BF ’s landlady. Probable terminal date established by the use of “Mr.” instead of “Dr.” for...
253To Benjamin Franklin from Giambatista Beccaria, [1757] (Franklin Papers)
Translation of extract (?) in Franklin’s hand: Yale University Library; extract (?) in Italian: American Philosophical Society; also copies of extract and translation: Yale University Library Father Beccaria thanks Mr. Franklin for his kind Remembrance; should have had a most singular Pleasure in seeing him at Turin, which he had been made to hope by his Letter to Mr. Haldiman: If he had known...
254To Benjamin Franklin from John Waring, 24 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I trouble You with this [to inform you of?] the Death of a worthy Clergyman the [Reverend Henry?] Wheatley, Lecturer of St. Leonard Shoreditch, [who named?] me the Sole Executor of his last Will, by which [he leaves?] a Legacy to some of his Relations now (if alive) at Philadelphia in the following words: “I give and bequeath to Benjamin Franklin Esq. of...
255Pennsylvania Assembly: Appointment of Franklin as Agent to Go to England, and His acceptance, [28 January 1757–3 … (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 75, 76, 78. The sequence of events resulting in the appointment of Franklin as agent to represent the Assembly in England in its disputes over the instruction on the taxation of proprietary estates and related grievances is indicated by the following extracts from the Assembly Journals. The...
256To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Loudoun, 20 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Huntington Library As I have been informed by Mr. Colden, that You have been enquiring when the packet for England was to sail, in Order to Your Taking Your Passage in her, I have taken this Opportunity to acquaint You, that there will be another packet to sail as soon as I return from Philadelphia, which I suppose will be about the 25th. of March. And as I have several very material...
257To Benjamin Franklin from John Hughes with Franklin’s Receipt, [24 March 1757] (Franklin Papers)
I. MS not found; reprinted from Pennsylvania History , VI (1939), 15; II. ADS : Yale University Library The minutes of the Society of Arts (see above, VI , 186–9 n) for the meeting of Sept. 7, 1757, note that Franklin attended and read the extract of a letter from John Hughes printed as No. I below; that Franklin paid in the donation; and that the Society voted their thanks to Hughes for his...
258Pennsylvania Assembly: Instructions to Benjamin Franklin, 31 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS (fragment): American Philosophical Society On March 1, 1757, the Assembly named the same committee (plus William West) that had made the report on the Assembly grievances against the Proprietors “to bring in a Draught of the Instructions of the House to Benjamin Franklin, Esq; one of the Commissioners now about to embark for England.” Two days later they reported a draft and were ordered...
259To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 4 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania The interfering in those Weighty matters you are charged with, either by an Attempt to explain what you are fully Master of or to add any thing of my own not already contained in the Report of the committee or the Instructions of the House to yourself, would subject me justly to a censure I hope to avoid for if I had any thing material beyond...
260To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 7 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Clerk calls upon me to sign the Indian Trade Bill now sent down by the Governor who adheres to his Amendments and as the House after agreeing to some of the Amendments now adhere to the Bill there is an End of that salutary provision to induce the Indians to come heartily into our Interest by making it their Own. We think it a Strange...
261To Benjamin Franklin from Jacob Duché, Junior, 6 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As you kindly offered me your best Services before you left Philadelphia, which, as I had then no Commands to trouble you with; I declined the Honor of accepting, I now beg Leave to make Use of the Liberty you permitted me, to request you to take Charge of the inclosed Letters. I believe you are personally acquainted with the Gentlemen to whom they are...
262To Benjamin Franklin from ———, 10 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society The accurate determination of longitude by a ship at sea long remained an unsolved problem. Several theoretically possible methods were advanced during the two centuries and a half after Columbus, but when put to actual test none proved both practicable and sufficiently reliable to serve the needs of mariners, especially of those embarked on long...
263To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 4 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society My last to you was by the Rebecca, Captain Arthur (via Liverpool) covering the second Copy of the £100. Bill. Inclosed you have now the third Copy of the same Bills, in Case of Miscarriages; and you have likewise inclosed the first Copy of another Bill for the same Value, on the same Gentlemen, which I hope will come safe to Hand. The Exchange of...
264To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 12 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): Yale University Library Just before you sail’d from New York, you was so good as to inclose to me a Copy of your philosophic Letter to a Friend in Carolina, for which please accept my Thanks. The Philosophy of Light and Fire, Heat and Cold has hitherto been a Mystery to me. Even the luminous Emanations of a burning Candle I never could solve in my own Mind. I am half persuaded...
265To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 29 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I now take the Freedom of thy usual Benevolence and favour of thy wife to inclose this letter in hers hopeing this way we may keep the chain of friendship bright while thee art diverting thy self with the generous conversation of our worthy friends in Europe and adding dayly new acquisitions to thy former extensive stock of knoledge by thair...
266To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand John Paris, 12 August 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania In Consequence of my Letter to You, of the 10th. Instant, I am now to acquaint You, that it’s believed the Youngest of the Proprietarys is some where from Home, and has not received, at least he has not answered, his Brother’s Letter, touching the Appointment for to Morrow; Which, therefore, must go off; And they will take the first Opportunity to fix...
267To Benjamin Franklin from William Sturgeon, 22 August 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: American Philosophical Society Mrs. Franklin favoured me with the Sight of a Letter wrote to you by one Mr. Waring, in which your Thoughts are desired on the important Subject of instructing the Negroes in the Principles of Christianity. As I have the Honour of being employ’d by the Society, a[s] Catechist to the Negroes in this City I take the Freedom to make mention of the Affair to...
268To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 14 September 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society I make no Doubt but long before this comes to hand, you have received the first and Second Copies of the second Hundred Pound. I sent you one by Capt. Arthur, Via Liverpool, the other by Capt. Lyon. Inclosed I have now sent you the first Copy of another Bill, for One hundred Pounds, the Exchange the same as the others, Sixty Seven and a half,...
269To Benjamin Franklin from David Colden, 18 September 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society About the time you left America I was employed in endeavouring with my Fathers assistance to form an Explication of the Phenomena of Electricity, on his Principles of Action in Matter; some conceptions had occurred to me in pursuing the Experiments made by you and Mr. Canton which gave me reason to hope it might be effected, on very simple principles. If you...
270To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 17 October 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; also letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was pleased to hear of your safe arrival by a short agreeable Letter from Exeter, which I had the pleasure of receiving about a Month ago. The small but violent Party continues the same political Systems here expecting, I suppose, to be supported by Power and Influence at Home, where you will have...
271To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 19 October 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society My last to you by the Carolina Captain Duncan, contained the second Copy of a Bill of Exchange for £100. which I hope is come safe to hand. You have now inclosed the first Copy of one other Bill for £100. (which will make the fourth Hundred remitted you since you left Philadelphia) the Receipt of which you will please to own by the first Vessel...
272To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 12 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: The Royal Society Here is a visible Aurora Borealis; at 7 a Clock it was about two hours high, to the northward pretty bright. Soon after Day light disappeared it was much more East, where it was redder with some faint streamers, whose Points reached near 45 Degrees Elevation, which soon disappeared, and the Light descended by Degrees under the Pole, and by 10 a Clock was near...
273To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 20 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society My two last to you by Capt. Budden to London, and Capt. Stewart to Liverpoole, contained the first and second Copies of a Bill of Exchange for £100. Sterling, which I hope are come to hand and paid. Inclosed you have now the first Copy of another Bill of Exchange for One Hundred Pounds more, of which with the others before sent, please to advise...
274To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand John Paris, 23 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania On November 14 Franklin had sufficiently recovered from his serious autumn illness to confer with Thomas Penn, who for once paid heed and wrote immediately to Denny: “Mr. Franklin was with me this Morning and complains that the Companys intended for Rangers, have been kept in the Forts to the great injury of the Country, the Indians having...
275To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 24 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania The above is a Copy of my last. I have Since received two letters of the 23d (a Copy, the Original not Come To Hand) and 30th August. We are all extreamly well pleas’d With your Safe arrival there and the Continuence of your Health. Your Conduct I never doubted, but if it is necessary To Say any thing upon it I think you have acted With great...
276To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Penn, 25 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania As I find by what you told me and by my Letters from Pennsylvania that Admiral Holborne had not Station’d a Ship in Delaware Bay in pursuance of the Resolution of the Lords of the Admiralty on our application communicated to me in January last, by Mr. Cleveland’s Letter, that I shewed you, I have applied again to that Board, and they...
277To Benjamin Franklin from William Hunter, [30 November 1757] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society If convenient, I should be oblig’d to you for three or four Hundred Pound Draughts on your Banker. My Sister wants one of Twenty Pound; for Marketting. Yours, Addressed: To / Mr. Franklin On Dec. 1, 1757, BF noted payments of £400 and £20 in accordance with Hunter’s request below. “Account of Expences,” p. 7; PMHB , LV (1931), 105. On another part of the...
278To Benjamin Franklin from Giambatista Beccaria, 24 December 1757 (Franklin Papers)
I . MS translation and MS Latin original: The Royal Society. II . MS “Note”: The Royal Society Father Beccaria, the strongest and most active supporter of Franklin’s electrical theories on the Continent, addressed this letter to him in Latin soon after learning of his arrival in England. Dr. James Parsons made an English translation which, after some delay, was read at the Royal Society, Feb....
279To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 6 January 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society My last to you was by the Mercury, Capt. Robinson, in which I promised to remit you by the next Vessel; and accordingly, you have inclosed the first Copy of a Bill of Exchange for One Hundred pounds Sterling, (the second Copy of which I have sent by Capt. Troy Via Dublin) the Exchange as you will see by the Bill 64, The Receipt of which you will...
280To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Charles: Receipt, 26 January 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Received from Benjamin Franklin Esqr. Twenty Six Guineas, on Account of the Province of Pensylvania for which Sum I hereby promise to be accountable. Endorsed: No. 56 Jany. 26—1758 Robt. Charles £27 6. 0 BF recorded this payment in his accounts, but Charles did not mention it in the accounting for his agency submitted on Aug. 10, 1762; he was paid for...
281To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas and Richard Penn, 28 January 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have considered the proposal you yesterday made to us, that as Supplys will very soon be wanted for the defence of the Province, and other Publick Services, for the Current year, and as the points in difference between us, and the Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania, now under the consideration of His Majesty’s Attorney, and...
282To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas and Richard Penn, 2 February 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Our Letter to you of the 28th. of January was a direct and explicit answer to your own proposal made to us the Day before. Yesterday your Letter of the 31st: was left at Spring Garden, wherein you write that you had mentioned some other Matters to us; whatever might be said before the proposal last resolved upon was made, it is not in the...
283To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 6 February 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society My two last to you by the Speedwell Captain Robinson to London and Capt. Troy to Dublin; contained the first and second Copies of a Bill of Exchange for £100. Sterling, which I hope are come safe to hand, and paid long before this Reaches; but in Case of both Copies miscarrying have sent you the third. Inclosed you have also the first Copy of...
284To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas and Richard Penn, 9 February 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania We acknowledge that your proposal, which we assented to, was not the first, or only one, you made; but those others, were such, as we thought very unreasonable for you to expect, or for us to come into, considering the Circumstances in which, the Affair stands, at present. We have not, on the present, or any former occasion, prohibited, or...
285To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 20 February 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society My Letter to you of the Sixth Instant, by the Packet Capt. Morris via New York contained the third Copy of a Bill of Exchange for £100. Sterling and the first Copy of another Bill for £100. Sterling more; that per Capt. Nicholl via Belfast the second Copy of the last mention’d Bill; and now you have the third Copy of the same Bill, in Case of...
286To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 21 February 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Our old Inviterate Scribler has at length wrote himself into a Jail. How far this was good Policy to do him that Honour, I will not undertake to say; I know the Comittee have wrote largely upon this head, and it has cost the House a Great deal of Time in going Thro’ a formal Trial for Libelling, which is, for any thing I know, the first...
287To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Gordon, 15 March 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Leaving London the 5th. Instant I was taken ill of a Fever on the Road, which has gather’d strength and Confined me to my Bed ever since, so that I am Brought quite low and am at this time scarce able to sit up to write. How dismall Alass is my Situation; in a Strange place, without Money, without Freinds, and in a Sick and very Weak Condition. I know...
288To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 30 March 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Yale University Library Just before you sailed from New York, you was so kind as to inclose me a Copy of your philosophic Letter to Dr. Lining. I returned you Thanks and Reflexions upon it in a Letter July last too long to copy, by the Brig Prince of Orange Edward Jackson Captain taken on Passage from hence to London and carried into Bayonne. It is thot that Air is absolutely necessary...
289To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas and Richard Penn, 6 April 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania We did, as we before told you, without any delay on our parts, cause Cases to be drawn up, stating the several Matters in Dispute, and laid before the Attorney and Sollicitor General, intending to be governed by their opinions, in the answer we should give, to your heads of Complaint; We have since that several times applyed for them, and in...
290To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Partridge: Receipt, 20 April 1758 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Receiv’d of Benjamin Franklin, Esqr; the Sum of Forty Pounds, to be accounted for to the Province of Pennsylvania. [ Endorsed ] April 20, 1758 N. 82 Mr Partridge’s Receipt, £40 for the Province 1758. BF recorded in his accounts that the £40 was “to be employ’d in Feeing Council and other Expences on Smith’s Petition.” “Account of Expences,” p. 14; PMHB ,...
291To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 24 April 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society Yours of December the 9th. I receiv’d per the Packet, by which was glad to hear of your Recovery. I am sorry you can get no good Hand to send over, and bad ones are not worth having. I have sent Mr. Strahan by this opportunity a Bill of Exchange, out of which he will pay you One Hundred Pounds, which makes the Eighth Hundred sent you since you...
292To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Jackson: Private Sentiments and Advice on Pennsylvania Affairs, [24 April 1758] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library Copy, of private Sentiments and Advice on Pensilvania Affairs from R. J. Esqr. to B F. I have considered the Royal Grant of Charles the 2d. to William Penn, the Charter of Privileges granted by him to the Province of Pennsylvania, and the present Constitution of that Province as it actually subsists, as well as the particular Disputes between the Proprietary and...
293To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 29 April 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Assembly being fully Convinced by the Experence of the last year; that our forces, were, at a Great Expence Suffered to lye Ide [Idle] on the frontiers, and managed in such manner as to be of very little Service had Resolved to reduce Their Numbers to Seven Hundred Men; Till Lord Loudoun made his Requisition from This Province and the...
294To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 14 May 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society This is the third Letter I have lately wrote you. With the two last, one dated the 5th: the other the 16th: of April I sent you a Copy of two Conferences between Teedyuscung and this Government. Whether they are gone in the Man of War in which Lord Loudon went, or whether they are kept to go in the Packet I cant say. We are told here that his Lordship is much...
295To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 26 May 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Comming into town I hear by Accident that a Vessel is to sail for Liverpoole either this Evning or to Morrow, as this is the first Notice I have had of it I can only acknowledge the Receipt of your Letters by Budden and the rest of the Books the Day after by Captain—I forget his Name. Baskerville’s Virgil is certainly a curious performance of...
296To 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...
297To Benjamin Franklin from Hugh Roberts, 1 June 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania If I was to attempt an Excuse for my delay of writing, ’twould be, that no person can reasonably expect me to undertake a new employ at these advanced years, for I have not held an Epistolary Correspondence with any, nor has it fell in my way to write three Letters of this kind in my Life where Friendship was the only motive; but as I am convinced that...
298To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 15 June 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Repeatd Exemptions of the Proprietary Estate, from Bearing a part in our Present Heavy Taxes, Apears so unreasonable That I Think They Cannot long Support That Cause to the Nation, Who Bear the Burthen of An American War, (where our Proprietarys have so large an Interest to Defend) as well as for the more Immediate Defence of their own...
299To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 16 June 1758 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I received your favour of the 17th. of February. I am Sorry the Affair of Obtaining Permission to export Grain &c. from the Colonies to the European Neutral Ports meets with Difficulties. It certainly can only arise from the Ministrys being so much engaged as not to be able to give that Attention to it as to see clearly the great Benefit that...
300To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 22 July 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society Inclosed you have the third Copy (in Case of Miscarriages) of a Bill for £149.12 s. 5 d. , and the first Copy of another Bill for £100. which makes in all sent you £1049. 12 s. 5 d. One Hundred pound of which protested, for which you have Credit. The Exchange for the £100. to be paid you by Mr. Strahan was 60 as was that of £149. 12 s. 5 d. and...