To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Cavendish, 4 August 1772
From Henry Cavendish4
ALS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Tuesday Aug. 4 [1772]
Sir
We have agreed to go to Purfleet on friday morning: we propose setting out a ½ an hour past 9; so that I suppose we shall be there about one at latest. I am sorry I could not send you notice sooner; but Dr. Watson was not able to fix on a day sooner. As I imagine friday is about the time you thought of coming to town, you perhaps might like to come back from Purfleet with us.5 If you should and would write me word, I will take care that there shall be room for you. Your Obedient humble servant
H. Cavendish
Addressed: To / Dr Franklin / At Mr Sargents6 / at May Place / near Dartford / Kent
4. The eminent chemist and electrician, for whom see above, X, 41 n, and the DNB. He had recently published a paper refining BF’s electrical theories: Phil. Trans., LXI (1771), 584–677.
5. BF had left town by July 31; see Watson’s letter to him of that date. We assume that he had gone visiting in Kent, where this letter reached him, and that he remained there until he went to Purfleet (almost next door) for the committee meeting on Friday the 7th.
6. John Sargent was an old friend; see above, VII, 322 n, and subsequent vols.