1351To Benjamin Franklin from the Georgia Assembly Committee of Correspondence, 28 May 1770 (Franklin Papers)
AD (letterbook copy): Georgia Historical Society We are now to take under Consideration the Instructions of the Assembly respecting a Claim of Lands made by the late Sir William Baker of London deceased, in this Province, which We are directed to instruct you to Represent to his Majesty. These Resolutions were drawn up tho’ the Substance of them was long before agreed to, in too great a hurry,...
1352To Benjamin Franklin from Humphry Marshall, 28 May 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Recieved thy favour of the 18th. of the 3d mo. Last In Which thou informs me that “The Nation Seems Besotted With the Fancy that We Cannot Possily Do Without them, and must of Course Comply at Last.” I am almost ready to Doubt that our merchants Will not hold out Long Enough tho’ there Seems Spirit and Resolution Enough in Some of them to Do it. But there...
1353To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, [May 1770] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I am much obliged to you for asking Sir John Pringles opinion about Franklin, it has made me easier, but if it please God to spare him to us, intend having him Inoculated again when he has done cutting Teeth. I take the earliest opportunity of telling my dear Papa I have altered my intention of going to Jamaica, it never was Mr. Baches design to setle there....
1354To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Gilpin, 1 June 1770 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from “Memoir of Thomas Gilpin,” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XLIX (1925), 312–13. This extract and three others that follow, from letters by Gilpin of June 8, July 19, and November 15, may or may not have been to Franklin. The extracts hitherto printed in this and the preceding volume are described in the memoir from which they come, written by Thomas...
1355To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 2 June 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I inclose a few copies of my Proposals , with the catalogues much inlarged. I therefore beg you would destroy the former, and dispose of these as you shall think most conducive to the design. I shall send a greater number soon to Mr. Johnson, from whom you may have whatever you want. In the mean time, I am obliged to take the liberty to inclose a small...
1356To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Gilpin, 8 June 1770: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from “Memoir of Thomas Gilpin,” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XLIX (1925), 313. As the late repeal of the acts in England more fully developes itself the singularity of its not taking effect till December next makes it appear the more as if the ministry had adopted a system of traps and decoys. But they have alarmed the game and it will require...
1357To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 13–15 June 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. James Manderson Castle, Wilmington, Del. (1955) this afternoon I heard Capt. Friend is to Saile to morrow and I Cold not let him go with oute a line or two to let you know that I am much as I have bin for sume time. I have not heard that Sister is a rived as yit but it gives me much trubel. My King bird is verey well att this time all thow he has bin verey ill with a Sever Cold...
1358To Benjamin Franklin from John Ewing, 14 June 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your very agreeable Letter, in which you acknowledge the Receipt of our Observations of the Transit of Venus. I herewith send you a few Copies of them as they are printed in our Transactions; and I suppose in a more perfect Form than that in which they were sent before, as that was done in an Hurry and I have not a Copy of what I sent. If what...
1359To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 21 June 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A number of new Engagements occasioned by the Death of Mr. Growdon, which detained me in the Country for the most part of several Months, prevented my acknowledging the Receipt of your Favors of Jany. 11. Mar. 21. and April 10th. I am much obliged to you for the State of American Affairs on your Side the Water, containd in yours of Mar. 21. The M[inistr]y...
1360To Benjamin Franklin from [Michael] Francklin, 22 June 1770 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Lieut. Governor Francklin presents his best Compliments to Doctor Franklin and has sent him a Book Mr. Frances the Minister of France sent to his Lodgings, which he apprehends was designed by Mr. Le Roy for the Doctor. Mr. Francklin hopes he shall be excused for not sending it sooner as he has been out of town and otherwise extremely employed lately....
1361To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Parker, 7 July 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society James Parker has occupied so many pages of these volumes that his departure from the scene deserves an obituary. His friendship with Franklin extended over almost three decades, during which their careers were in some respects strikingly parallel. Both were runaways in their youth; both helped to establish a number of newspapers on the eastern seaboard;...
1362To Benjamin Franklin from a Committee of the Town of Boston, 13 July 1770 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Massachusetts Historical Society The Bostonians had long suspected that they were being traduced in England by false reports of what was happening in the town. After the Massacre the suspicion grew. On March 16 a Captain Robson sailed for London with dispatches from Lieutenant Colonel William Dalrymple, commander of the troops, and with Captain Preston’s account of his part in the...
1363To Benjamin Franklin from John Pownall, 14 July 1770: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress [Whitehall, July 14, 1770. Requests Franklin’s attendance at the Board of Trade on Wednesday next, the 18th, in regard to several laws passed in Pennsylvania in 1769. ] Pownall was writing as secretary to the Board. For the meeting in question see Board of Trade Jour ., 1768–75, pp. 200–1.
1364To Benjamin Franklin from W. Masters, 17 July 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your kind reply to what I formerly wrote you in favour of Thos: Truck a Soldier in the trane, together with his and Father in law’s perpetual entreaties that I would once more befriend them by writing to you; emboldens me to remind you off your Promise of Endeavouring to procure his discharge; which would be a completion of Earthly Happiness to a poor yet...
1365To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Gilpin, 19 July 1770: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from “Memoir of Thomas Gilpin,” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XLIX (1925), 313. Since my last New York has relaxed from the non-importation agreement but this and the other provinces stand fixed although we have an account here from a vessel spoken in going to Boston that the Tea duty has been taken off. But perhaps not to BF ; see the headnote to Gilpin’s...
1366To Benjamin Franklin from Abel James, 19 July 1770 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty to repeat my Request to thee that Thou wilt lay before James West Esqr. the Inclos’d Paper, hoping that, that worthy Gentleman will give Orders to the Executor of Peter Razor deceased to let me dispose of the Trunk of Cloaths as he desir’d me to do by the within mention’d Paper, which I got proved before I left Philada. The other Trunk...
1367To Benjamin Franklin from James Gambier, [before 20 July? 1770] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Capt. Gambiers Compliments to Dr. Franklyn, and calld on him to have askd the favor of his Sentiments relative to a Man that Comm[issione?]r Robinson mentiond to Mr. Gambier as a proper person to recomend to take lease of a light House. For the naval career of James Gambier (1723–89) see DNB . The note is said to be c . 1784 and in French in I. Minis Hays,...
1368To Benjamin Franklin from Dorothea Blunt, 26 July 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Be assur’d that I feel very kindly to you for the favour I receiv’d this Morning. It was not more than I wanted, tho much more than I expected——not because more than you would have given sooner if the state of my Mind had been known to you, but because you gave me unask’d the strongest proof of a tender and disinterested friendship, which tho I had no...
1369To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Parker, 12 August 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with inexpressable Grief that I am Obliged to give you an Account of my Dear Mr. Parkers Death. He kept his house the Greatest part of the Winter with the gout and an inflamation in his Legg. The 4 June as soon as he could git Abroad, his Anxiety to doe his duty as Comptroller Carried him Down to New Town; On his return he fell ill at Bristol; was...
1370To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 16 August 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society yisterday I reseved yours of June the 10. I am verey Sorrey to thinke I shold not have it in my power to atend on you. When will it be in your power to Cume home? How I long to see you but I wold not say one word that wold give you one momentes trubel. I will then tell you that as to my helthe I am as well as I ever expeckte to be and I thinke better then I...
1371To Benjamin Franklin from John Bard, 18 August 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Altho the reluctance I have to ask favours of my Friends, Especially when there is too great a probability of its not being convenient, or in their power, to grant them; greatly discourages me in the request I am about to make. Yet while there is the most distant prospect of Success, I can not but hope your Friendship will Excuse me, as a Parent, in...
1372To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 27 August 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Son Josiah is determined to go to London and I Belive Will Sail in about a month. I wish he might be accomidated at Good Mrs. Stevensons if agreeable if this Cant be please to direct the unfortinate Stranger to Some Other Good place. I Shall Send his Brother to take Care off him, it may apper to you Very extrodnary for us to Consent to Such a Step but...
1373To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Alexander, 3 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my return to Scotland, I have been some days in the Country by which means I did not receive your Letter before yesterday. I return you a Thousand Thanks for the Trouble you have taken about the Harpsichord, the one you describe at 33 Guineas is precisely what is wanted and therefore you will please give orders to have it immediately packt up and Sent...
1374To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hopkinson, 6 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania My Son Thomas will have the Honor to deliver this to you; shall I beg you will condescend to advise and instruct a young Man; although honest and open hearted, yet intirely unacquainted with the world and the Dispositions of those whome it is his Interest to please. Any other Man in your place and Station I could not ask such a Favor of engaged, as you...
1375To Benjamin Franklin from John Borthwick, 8 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I used the Freedom to write you a few Lines at two times from Philadelphia. I have been here for sometime in the high part of the Town and continue to grow better. I had the pleasure of seeing the Governor his Lady, Mrs. Beache and the young Dr. at Burlington, as I passed, in good health, stayed a few days with Mr. Laurence the Mayor with whom I went and...
1376To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Fitzmaurice, 10 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I promised Dr. Hawkesworth that I w’d by this post acquaint you how eagerly we expect your arrival here, we were in hopes that possibly you might have arrived yesterday with Sir Chas. Knowles who means to make a stay of some days here. I flatter myself that you and he will meet yet; he purposes to make a very curious Experiment upon the force and direction...
1377To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Gilpin, [21] September 1770: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from “Memoir of Thomas Gilpin,” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XLIX (1925), 308–9. The silk business is in a fair way and I am convinced will be of consequence if attended to——there are also numbers of minor manufactures which would succeed if parliament would but lay on a few more duties, or as I may say bounties here, for such is the effect of their...
1378To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 23 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Thos. Hopkinson, Son of your old Friend, calling on me for a Letter of Introduction to you, it is with Pleasure that I comply with his Request as he has the Character of a very sober, ingenious and promising young Gentleman. He intends to take the Gown, tho’ I understand much against the Inclination of many of his Friends who have taken Pains to...
1379To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 25 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (torn): American Philosophical Society I have trobled my Ever Dear Brother [with] several Leters Since I have had the P[leasure of] won from Him but cannot omit Ading won more by my well Respected and much Esteemed Kinsmen whome wee all Part from with Regrett Notwithstanding we hope Ther Future Benifit and saif return will be occasion of Joy to all there Friends. Josiah says He fears...
1380To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 27 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In the Midst of Hurry, I take up my Pen to write you a few Lines. Our Sup. Court and Assembly Sitting and our Election approaching leaves me scarcly a Moments Lieusure. As to our Election, we are all in Confusion; The White Oaks and Mechanicks or many of them have left the old Ticket and tis feared will go over to the Presbyterians, and yet I believe the...