1501To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Hare, 28 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg you to accept my warmest thanks for the fervor of the recommendations you favor’d me with. They are not only likely to promote my views of business but have introduc’d me into a very agreeable society and been principally instrumental in procuring the happiness I enjoy here. I have delay’d these acknowledgements under hopes that your arrival here...
1502To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 29 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have bin verey much distrest a boute you as I did not [ have ] aney letter nor one word from you nor did I hear one word from aney bodey that you wrote to so I muste submit and indever to submit to what I am to bair. I did write by Capt. Folkner to you but he is gon down and when I read it over I did not like it and so if this dont send it I shante like...
1503The Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital to Franklin, David Barclay, and John Fothergill, 29 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia Esteemed Friends John Fothergill Benjamin Franklin David Barclay We have lately received from our Friend David Barclay on Your behalf the State of the Accounts relating to the mony received by you for the Use of the Pennsa. Hospital, and of the Payment of the Bills drawn on you by the Managers, a Ballance remaining in favour of the Hospital,...
1504To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Rhoads, 29 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Inclos’d are the Votes of the present Assembly. What happen’d last year I doubt not the Speaker has Communicated; this year they sat but a short time, chose their Officers and adjourn’d. Some Domestick Affairs of the Speakers call’d him out of Town Imiediately after he left the Chair; the Committee of Correspondance I presume will not meet till he returns. I have...
1505To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 30 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We are all much disapointed at your not coming home this Fall. I was in great hopes of seeing and presenting you with two of the finest Boys in the World, do not let any thing my dear Sir prevent your coming to your Family in the Spring for indeed we want you here much. I give you many thanks for the very eligant Silk, I never knew what it was to be proud...
1506To Benjamin Franklin from Grey Elliott, 8 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Agreable to my promise I take the Liberty of inclosing a State of the Produce of the Province of Georgia: it was Compiled by a Gentleman in the Customs, and is I think done with accuracy as he was assisted in it by most of the Gentlemen in trade, and every Light in their Power given. In the Year 1758 the Exports seem triffling, compared with the former and...
1507To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Wilcox, 8 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your very Polite and Esteem’d Favor of the 5th Current, came in Course of Post yesterday, Inclosing Me one for Anto. Stewart Esqr. for which you have my Thanks. It will always give Me Pleasure to be Serviceable to you here. You will give Me leave to acquaint you that the Concord Capt. Volans for Philadelphia will sail from hence about the 12th Jany. Any...
1508To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 10 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): British Museum I received your valuable Favors of the 7th and 25th of July, and you will please to accept the Thanks of the Committee of our Congregation as well as my own for the Trouble you have very kindly given yourself in your clear and particular Account of the warming Machines for large Rooms, and your Advice respecting our new Building, together with the truly philosophical...
1509To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 25 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu le paquet que vous avez eu la bonté de m’envoyer par M. Stanley, qui ne m’a point laissé son adresse, et que je n’ai pu savoir d’ailleurs. Ce paquet contenoit les Transactions philosophiques de Philadelphie, la vie de M. Collinson, et les deux dernieres pieces que vous avez publiées dans les papiers publics, et j’ai lu le tout avec le plus grand...
1510To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, 29 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je me proposois tous ces Jours cy de vous écrire Monsieur et cher confrère pour vous rendre compte d’un mémoire que j’ai lu à notre rentrée publique sur la forme des conducteurs de la Foudre ou des Gardes-Tonnerre mais malgré moi cela ne m’a pas été possible. Cependant Je crois que M. Dubourg vous en aura écrit. Deux choses m’ont déterminé à cette Lecture...
1511To 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...
1512To Benjamin Franklin from Sir John Pringle, [December 1773?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Dr. Pringle’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin and if he is to be at home this evening and at leisure Dr. P. will wait upon him and play at chess. Mean while Dr. P. returns Dr. F. the French letter which he was to shew to C. Castries [?]. He sends him a small piece upon Electricity, sometime ago sent to Dr. P. from Germany, but which Dr. P. has not yet...
1513To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Condorcet, 2 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Voici, mon cher et illustre confrere, quelques questions que je prends la liberté de proposer à la Société philosophique de Philadelphie, et dont je vous supplie de vouloir bien me procurer la reponse. 1°. Si les pierres calcaires et les silex renfermant des productions marines, ou des empreintes de productions marines, ces productions soit coquilles soit...
1514To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 2 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will inform you of my Savef arrivall of Dover after a passage of 30 Days. I took my Leave of mrs. Franklin the Last Day of November in the morning when She mrs. Beach and the two Boys where all well. I hope in a few Days to have the pleashure of takeing by the hand my best Compliments to mrs. Stevenson mrs. and mr. hewson and master Temple. I am Dear...
1515To Benjamin Franklin from Caffiéri l’ainé, 6 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jay l’honneur de vous donner avis que je vous Envoie par messieurs minet & fector de Douvres une Caisse Emballee Contenant Librairie marquee MF Libri que Jay recû de Paris d’Envoy de Mr. Pankouke. Vous voudrèz bien avoir la Complaisance de men accuser la reception, jay deboursè pour port de Paris à Calais passavants porteurs &c. 15 livres tournois, que jay...
1516To Benjamin Franklin from John Ellis, 8 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Ellis presents his kindest respects to Doctor Franklin, he has seen Doctor Fothergill very lately, who is very urgent to have his thoughts on Coffee go to the press. Mr. Ellis hopes that Doctor Franklin will be so good accordingly to promise to send him his thoughts on the [?] Subject, considering it in a Political light of the advantages it would be to...
1517To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 9 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho I gave my Daughter Georgiana full powers to return You our best thanks for the kind Visit You intend us, I cannot help assuring You myself that We shall be most extreamly happy to see You and hope You will come as soon and stay as long as your Affairs will permit. Your Countrymen in N. America have done me too much honour for the little merit of meaning...
1518To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, 10 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Library of Congress I have duly received your several Favors of Augt 24 and Sept 1st. with the papers Inclosed which I shall Communicate to the House as soon as they meet. Capts: Hall, Bruce and Coffin are arrived with a quantity of Tea shiped (in pursuance of a late Act of Parliament) by the East India Company to the address of Richard Clark & sons, Thos and Elisha Hutchinson,...
1519To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, 11 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Since the foregoing I have received another Letter from the Speaker of the House of Deputies of Rhode Island and wrote at their desire, requesting that I would use my Endeavors to procure them G: Rome’s original letter, I must therefore repeat my request to you Sir that you would be so Kind as procure and transmitt said Letter to Metcalf Bowler Esqr or Mr. Henry...
1520To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 11 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is a Letter from the Revd. Doctr Mather which he desired me to send to you. I am much obliged by your kindness in procuring the Organ as desired which came out in good order, except the omission of one Pipe the 11th from the lef side in the second (leaden) Stop, which I suppose the [maker?] forgot: I shall be obliged if you will please to send me...
1521To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 17 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): British Museum In this letter, written the day after the Tea Party, Cooper confined himself until his conclusion to narrating the developments that culminated in destruction of the tea. His narrative is difficult to follow because it is not in chronological order; to clarify it we list the actual sequence of events. In his concluding comments on these events Cooper echoed a number...
1522To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Franklin, 17 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Received your kind Letter by Mr. Danforth with the book of advice Inclos’d, for which I kindly thank you, and hope I Shall follow your good Directions. I find Still the times are hard and Dificult, but Desire to be thankfull. I Rubb along with my Neighbours. I hope Sir these Lines may find you in good health as they Leave me and my Family. My Wife and my...
1523To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, 21 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Since the Above the Teas are all destroyed but as the Vessell is just upon sailing must refer for particulars to Dr. Williamson the Bearer of this whom I recommend to your Notice and to whom I must also refer you for a particular Account of the transactions here and the other Colonies relative to this affair. I am with great respect your most humble servant The copy...
1524To Benjamin Franklin from the Massachusetts House of Representatives Committee of Correspondence, 21 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; LS : Harvard University Library; draft: Boston Public Library It has been the Expectation of many of the Colonists that the last Session of Parliament would have put a final end to those Grievances under which they had so long been oppressed, and against which they had so long, in vain, Remonstrated. They expected that the Revenue Acts would have been Repealed and...
1525To Benjamin Franklin from Seth Paddock, 21 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Was Very Well Received Here By our Kinsman and Family and a Number of Gentlemen Farmers Who Intend to Settle in Ameria I have Given Them my Best Advice of the Country Which is to land att New Yourk Which is in the Center of America and a Fine Country all Round them. I Am Prevaild upon to Stay Here and Keep Christmass. I Have addressd: Mr: Benjn: Stead for...
1526To Benjamin Franklin from John Ellis, 25 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Ellis presents his respectful compliments to Dr. Franklin and begs he would return him the French Book upon Moco Coffee, as he intends to make some extracts from it. Dr. Fothergill being very desirous that the remarks upon Coffee should be speedily publishd. Hopes he will think of his kind promise of assisting therein, as it must speedily go to the...
1527To Benjamin Franklin from a Committee of the Library Company of Philadelphia, 28 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Library Company of Philadelphia In Behalf of the Directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia, we acknowledge the receipt of your sundry favours, particularly of the 22d August 1772 with the Books by Falconer; for observations upon which you will please to be referr’d to the last Page of the Inclosed. Mr. Bache has likewise delivered Hawkesworth’s Voyages, McPherson’s...
1528To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 29 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Dans le moment que je traçois cette première demie ligne on m’a annoncé une persone envoyée par M. Le Prince de Conti pour me demander si j’avois reçu la description et la figure que vous m’avez promise de votre cheminée, et me prier de lui en faire part aussitôt que je l’aurai. J’ai repondu que vous sauriez incessamment l’interêt que S.A.S. y prenoit et...
1529To Benjamin Franklin from John Winthrop, 31 December 1773: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Library of Congress I concur perfectly with you in the Sentiments expressed in your last. No considerate Person, I should think, can approve of desperate Remedies, except in desperate Cases. The People of America are extreamly agitated by the repeated Efforts of Administration to subject them to absolute Power. They have been amused with Accounts of the pacific Disposition of the...
1530To 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...
1531To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 2 January 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had sett this day apart to write you a long letter, but my little Will has been so much indisposed as to take up all my time and attention, he is now in a sweet Sleep, but its so late that I can only tell you how much pleasure your desire of hearing from me gave me and to asure you I will write fully and have my Letter ready for the next Opportunity. I...
1532To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Nicholls Colden, 5 January 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Inclosed is John Stute’s[?] Bill of Exchange, on Bogle, Somerville & Company, Glasgow, for £31 4 s. 2½ d. Sterling and John Mitchell’s Bill on Anthony Todd Esqr, for £50 4 s. 2 d. Sterling; which please to acknowledge the Rect. of. My Father is getting better, and bids me present his best Compliments to you. I have the honour to be Dear Sir Your most...
1533To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 5 January 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Yesterday sent down to Philadelphia two Half Barrels of choice Pork, and a Keg of dryed Apples, to be sent to you in a Vessel which I see has just entered out for London, vizt. the Brig John, J. Ashmead Master. One of the Barrels I should be glad you would order to be sent to Mr. Sargent with my Compliments, and Thanks for his Present of Wine, which came...
1534To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Henckell, 5 January [1774?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot refrain from taking up my pen to thank you warmly for your kind compliance with my requests and still kinder manner of conferring the favors. Mr. King also desires I would return his thanks. That this year may bring peace and freedom to the Americans built upon lasting and solid foundations and that you may long live to enjoy the fruits of your...
1535To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Cottrell, 10 January 1774 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Privy Council Register, Public Record Office Mr. Israel Mauduit having presented a petition to the Lords of the Committee of Council, praying on behalf of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the province of the Massachusets Bay that he may be heard by Counsel in relation to the address of the House of Representatives of said province praying the Removal of the said...
1536To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 January–30 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I received your much esteemed favour of November 1st 1773, and immediately delivered the Letters that were inclosed to the Gentlemen to whom they were directed. I thank you for your readiness in procuring the organ I recieved per Hall, which was much admired. I shall ever think myself happy when in my power to render you any services on this side; as far as...
1537To Benjamin Franklin from Erasmus Darwin, 24 January 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have inclosed a medico-philosophical Paper which I should take it as a Favour if you will communicate to the royal Society, if you think it worthy a Place in their Volum, otherwise must desire you to return it to the Writer. I have another very curious Paper containing Experiments on the Colours seen in the closed Eye after having gazed some Time on...
1538To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, [after 28 January 1774?] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Le porteur de la présente est mon ancien et bon ami, Mr. Marc Michel Rey Libraire à Amsterdam, qui va pour ses affaires à Londres; je profite de cette occasion pour me procurer des nouvelles de votre santé, Monsieur, à laquelle je m’intéresse constamment, ainsi qu’à la liberté et prospérité de vos braves Colonies du Continent Américain, et...
1539To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 30 January 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot sufficiently express my obligations to you for this recent Instance of your great Civility. The family, also, to whom the favour is principally granted will ever remember it with Gratitude. Miss Moresby the young Lady whom Mr. West is so obliging to take under his Tuition is rendered extremely happy thro’ your kind intercession. She Seems to take a...
1540To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 31 January 1774 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: General Post Office, London Two days after the scene at the Cockpit the blow fell: Franklin was curtly dismissed from the Post Office. His acquaintance of many years, Anthony Todd, was not responsible for the curtness. The ministry was; Franklin believed that it had forced the Postmasters General into a step they were reluctant to take. His dismissal “could but incense him and...
1541To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Babcock, 15 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In your last Favour, alas too long since, of 3rd Augt. 1772, You are pleas’d to say “if they will not beleive poor Richard neither will They tho’ One should rise from the Dead” can’t help suspecting that Infallibility may sometimes mistake, or that One who scarce ever made a political Error may miss in political Casuistry: or will it be justifiable when...
1542To Benjamin Franklin from Katherine French, 17 February 1774: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Thursday, February 17, [1774 ], a note in the third person. Invites him to dinner tomorrow.> An old acquaintance; see above, XVIII , 35. The only year, between the apparent beginning of their acquaintance in 1765 and BF ’s departure for America, when Feb. 17 fell on a Thursday.
1543To Benjamin Franklin from Josiah Tucker, [21] February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: Library of Congress. The Letter, which You did Me the Honour to send to Glocester I have just received in London, where I have resided many Weeks, and am now returning to Glocester. On Inquiry I find, that I was mistaken in some Circumstances relating to your Conduct about the Stamp-Act, tho right as to the Substance . These Errors...
1544To 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...
1545To Benjamin Franklin from Josiah Tucker, 24 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: Library of Congress The Request made in your last Letter is so very just and reasonable, that I shall comply with it very readily. It has long appeared to Me, that You much exceeded the Bounds of Morality in the Method you pursued for the Advancement of the supposed Interests of America. If it can be proved, that I have unjustly...
1546To Benjamin Franklin from David Finney, 27 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being under the necessity of prosecuting an Appeal to the King and Council, respecting some Lands in Kent County on Delaware, am induced to direct the Appeal from our Supreme Court and Law proceedings, to your care and management; in confidence, that from the Friendship which I have understood subsisted between you and my deceased Uncle David French, (of...
1547To Benjamin Franklin from the Georgia Commons House of Assembly, 13 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have the Honor to communicate to you the high Opinion the Representatives of the People entertain of your Conduct as their Agent. In consequence whereof they have directed me to transmit you their Thanks. I do therefore in the Name and by Order of the Commons House of Assembly of Georgia give you their Thanks for the just discharge of the important Trust...
1548To Benjamin Franklin from the Georgia Commons House Committee of Correspondence, 14 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress This letter, and the brief note from the Speaker written the day before, were as far as we know Franklin’s first official word from the Georgia Assembly in almost four years. His constituents’ silence was due not to taciturnity but to political feuding, first between the Commons House and the Governor on the old issue of the speaker, then between the lower and upper...
1549To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Viny, 29 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Urged by Paternal feelings, encouraged by Your goodness of heart, I address with fillial Confidence. Your 17th Letter on Philosophical Subjects, together, with the resignation of Your Agency for the Colonies; have led me to inferr, that the more immediate subjects of the British Govt. are in the most tremendous state, unless, some unexpected revolution...
1550To Benjamin Franklin from Tuthill Hubbart, 31 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It’s a long time since I have had the pleasure of line from You, when I wrote You last I forward’d You the Appeal on Husks affair with the Post Office which suppose You received though You have not notticed it. When the Ships sail for London I wait till the last in order to send You the latest Papers that I have not wrote you at such times, and indeed I did...