9241To Benjamin Franklin from William Clapham, 8 September 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission This Post which is in my Opinion of the utmost Consequence to the Province is already defensible against all the Power of Musquetry, but as it is from the Nature of its Situation expos’d to a more formidable Descent from the West Branch it ought I think to be render’d still stronger, for which Purpose a greater Number of Horses and Teams...
9242To Benjamin Franklin from William Clapham, 7 September 1756 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission The Bearer Michael McGuire inlisted as a private Soldier for the Term of three Months in the Service of the Province, he has not only during that time behav’d himself soberly and well as a Soldier but has also been particularly useful as an Overseer and Carpenter in the Building the Fort, the Term of his Inlistment expir’d a Month ago and as...
9243To Benjamin Franklin from William Shipley, 1 September 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; also copy: “Dr. Templeman’s Transactions,” Royal Society of Arts, London I am order’d to acquaint you, that the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce have unanimously elected you a Corresponding Member; and it gives the Society a singular Pleasure to place upon their List a Gentleman whose publick Spirit and uncommon Abilities...
9244To Benjamin Franklin from William Parsons, 25 August 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society The inclosed is the Copy of a Bill which I had given over for lost as Mr. Kilbey protested it the next Fall after it was drawn. But I have lately heard that Richd. Nugent the Drawer is still an Officer in one of the Regiments now in the Service either against Crown Point or at Oswego. And I have been informed that Mr. Stevens (or Stevenson) at Albany has...
9245To Benjamin Franklin from David Colden, 12 August 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society You oblidged me very much by communicating your Electrical Experiments made in pursuance of those by Mr. Canton: I shall think myself fully rewarded for my attempts in Electricity if I can thereby procure the notice of one whose Labours always aford agreable instruction to those who are desirous of discovering truth. Altho’ I have not intirely laid aside...
9246From 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.”
9247From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 23 July 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Benjamin Franklin, 23 July 1756. On 19 Aug. 1756 Franklin wrote to GW: “I have your Favours of July 23. and Aug. 3.”
9248To Benjamin Franklin from William Parsons, 19 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library; draft: American Philosophical Society Your Favour of the 10th. Instant came safe to Hand, but I was not at Home when it came here; being over the Mountains visiting some of the Forts and Companies there. And since my Return have been very busily employed in making out the Returns of the several Companies of the first Battalion of the Pennsylvania Regiment, by Order of...
9249To Benjamin Franklin from John Hunter, 17 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have the pleasure of Advising you of the Safe Arrivall of Genl. Abercrombie, with the Transports, Except Two, who they parted with in a very Dark Night, Not a Man Sick among those that are Arrivd. The Tents &c. being all on Board the ships not Arrivd it is Said the Troops are to be Landed this Day. The German Officers Came in the Last Pacquett, and are all...
9250To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [27 May? 1756] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Yale University Library I have the pleasure to tell thee how much thou art esteemed by many worthy men here: for on the Ballot for thy Election to be a Member of the Royal Society , there was not one negative Ball; an Instance of Unanimity that Lord Macclesfield told me he never before saw . So I wish thee long to enjoy that Honor deservedly and so unanimously conferred on thee. Thy...
9251To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Kelsick: Certificate as Burgess and Freeman of Norfolk, 10 April 1756 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society At THE Borough OF Norfolk the Tenth Day of April One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty six The which Day in Presence of the Worshipfull Richard Kelsick Esquire Mayor of the Borough of Norfolk, John Hutchings, Robert Tucker, Josiah Smith, John Phripp, John Tucker, Wilson Newton, Christopher Perkins, and George Abyoon, Aldermen thereof, Benjamin Franklin...
9252The College of William and Mary: Degree of Master of Arts, 2 April 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS : American Philosophical Society; two copies: Yale University Library Quum in Charta regia nobis concessum et confirmatum fuit, ut eos, qui se Literis et Studiis suis praecipue ornarunt, Gradibus academicis decoremus: Quum volumus in hujusmodi Honorem imprimis evehi Virum inclytissimum, quo nobis et Juventuti Virginiensi Exemplum valde egregium proponamus; Quumque Benjaminum Franklin...
9253To Benjamin Franklin from Augustus Gottlieb Spangenberg, 8 March 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives of the Moravian Church, Bethlehem What you have done hitherto for the Defence of our County hath not been in Vain, but hath stopp’d our cruel Enemy from going on like a Bush-Fire in his wicked Ways. Had you not secured the Frontiers with some Forts in building of which you have ventured your own Life and taken upon you so many and various Hardship’s; the Enemy would likely not...
9254To Benjamin Franklin from Augustus Gottlieb Spangenberg, 25 February 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives of the Moravian Church, Bethlehem Mr. Nathanael Seidel, the Bearer of this, can tell you, how it goes in our Parts, especially with the Refugees, residing as yet at Bethlehem, Nazareth etc. Some of them were removed again to their Plantations, and others were upon returning tither; but when the Account came of the new Mischief, done lately by the Enemy at Allmangel; the latter...
9255To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Hunter Morris: Commission, 24 February 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks; American Philosophical Society After the bitter year-end controversy over commissioning the officers elected under the terms of the new militia law, the matter rested for a month while Governor Morris and the law’s chief proponent, Benjamin Franklin, were absent from Philadelphia. On February 12, a week after Franklin’s return to the city, he was...
9256To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Hubbart, 16 February 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I enclose you a Catalouge of all the large and part of the small Books in my dear Papa’s Library, there are many other small but valueable Books, that I had not Time to take an Account of. They are to be sold. My Mamah desiers I would let you know, they will not be offered to Sale, till we here wheather you incline to have any, or the whole of them. You...
9257To Benjamin Franklin from William Shirley, 4 February 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), p. 66. On Sept. 29, 1755, the Assembly had authorized a committee to receive up to £10,000 by voluntary subscription “toward Furnishing of Provisions, and Blankets, or other warm Cloathing, to the Troops now at or near Crown Point.” The subscribers, the Assembly added, “ought to be...
9258To Benjamin Franklin from ——: The Dispute over Commissions for the Militia, [January 1756] (Franklin Papers)
Draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society The author of this document, which survives among Franklin’s papers, might have been any one of several well-informed members of the anti-proprietary party who was in Philadelphia at the end of December 1755. The handwriting has not been identified. The manuscript consists of three pages, the first two of which are numbered 5 and 6, and the...
9259To Benjamin Franklin from Augustus Gottlieb Spangenberg, 29 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives of the Moravian Church, Bethlehem When I think of the Multitude of Things, which now surrounds you; I wish that God may be with you; and then surely all will go well and prosper in your Hands. As you like to keep Mr. Edmonds a little longer, he being a good Hand to you; and as he himself is very willing to assist you in what he can; it would be ungenerous of us to take him from...
9260To Benjamin Franklin from William Parsons, 26 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania This Morning Mr. Horsfield sent 2 Waggons here for Bread and I have delivered 24 Barrels to them being as much as they could load. There is yet remaining here 8 Barrels of Bread; the Rimains of one Barrel of Pork and part of a Cask of Fish and about 25 or 30 Gallons of Rum in the Hogshead. Mr. Horsfield tells me that their Cooper has no House to work in...
9261To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Powell, 25 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The Barer Harts[el]l Greear, is the Man whos Wife is so afflicted by a Sore on hir Arm, of which I spoke to Mr. Franklin in Bethlehem the riting also from our Surgant is hear inclos’d. Have nothing furder to say in behalf of thees People. I belive and hear from thare Neighbours that thay are verry poor having 3 or 4 Children—our Surgant having at pressant two much...
9262To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Hunter Morris: Commission, 5 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society When Franklin and the other commissioners met Governor Morris in Reading on January 1, they all intended to take part in an Indian treaty at Carlisle before returning to Philadelphia, but news of a fresh disaster changed their plans. Indians had surprised and routed a military company at Gnadenhütten (see immediately above), again leaving the entire...
9263William Parsons to James Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin, 15 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission I make bold to trouble you once more, and it is not unlikely that it may be the last time. The Settlers on this side of the Mountain all along the River side are actually removed and we are now the Frontier of this part of the Country. Our poor people of this Town have quite expended their little substance and are quite wearied out with...
9264To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Hubbart, 1 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I imagine you now Consulting the safty, of the Poor unhappy People on your Fronteres; with all the Wisdom and Greavity, of the most Noble Romane. I almost envey you the Power of doing so much good, and what is worse, I quite dispare of being admited to the Heaven prepared for you, if as we are taught (and I think it is one of the most reasonable Doctrines...
9265To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 12 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library Genl. Shirley being informed by Mr. Scott one of [the] Waggon-Masters, that he has brot with him to this place all your Original Contracts for Waggons and Horses for the Late Genl. Braddock’s Army, with the receipts of the Money advanced in part payment of them, has directed them to be sent to you, to enable you to settle that account. I now send them to Mr. P V B...
9266To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Peters, 5 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Three of the Inhabitants of Laycock Township brought me your Letter of this morning and in answer The Governor orders me to tell you that whenever Arms and Ammunition are put into his hands he will dispose of them in the best manner he can for the publick Service. I am Sir Your humble Peters first wrote “subjected to,” but struck out the...
9267To Benjamin Franklin from John Harris, 31 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library Company of Philadelphia I inclose you the Deposition of a Person the Contents you please to observe. I have not yet moved my Family, not caring to discourage others. We Expect the Enemy every hour. I have cut holes thro’ my house and kept some Men to defend the same as I had information at Shawmokin that about 40 Indians were out many days from Fort Du Quesne to destroy my House...
9268To Benjamin Franklin from John Read: Power of Attorney, 8 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form, with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society Know all Men by these Presents, That I John Read of the County of York in Pensilvania, one of the Waggon Masters in the late Expedition under General Braddock Have constituted, made and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute, make and appoint, my trusty and loving Friend Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia...
9269To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [5 October 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Transcript of fragment: Rosenbach Foundation Speaker Isaac Norris entered a long note on an interleaved sheet in a copy of Poor Richard improved , 1755, following the calendar for December. He first copied an advertisement from the Antigua Gazette or Public Advertiser , Aug. 12, 1755, in which George Thomas, former governor of Pennsylvania and now governor of the Leeward Islands, defended...
9270To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 22 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your very kind and acceptable Favour by Mr. Allison, with the MSS . accompanying it, for which you have my Thanks. When have perused shall return the MSS . With my Thanks I now return Dr. Knights most ingenious Treatise on Magnetism . I have this Commencement resigned my Imployment in the College: shall this Week set out for Newport, where expect to...
9271To Benjamin Franklin from William Shirley, 17 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society; also copy: Library Company of Philadelphia I have just receiv’d your two favours of the 1st. and 4th. of September; in Answer to the former I inclose you a Copy of a Paragraph in my Letter to Colonel Dunbar upon that Subject. As to the Affair of the Waggons and Horses which you engag’d for the Use of the late General Braddock’s Army, I think it of the...
9272To Benjamin Franklin from William Shipley, 13 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I believe that you will be supprised to hear from one who am an entire Stranger and living at so great a distance; but as I have often heard so great a Character of your Ingenuity and extensive Publick-Spirited Benevolence I shall mention no more by way of Apology for troubling you on this occasion, than that your Plan for promoting of Useful knowledge...
9273To 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...
9274To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 21 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have your obliging Favour of the 14: Instant: and thank you for your intended Civility to my Son if he shoud pass in his way from Halifax thro’ your City—but by a Letter I received from him yesterday of the 1: of this Month, the Motions and Commotions at Halifax are so great that he seems uncertain when and whither he shall make his Rout. The...
9275To Benjamin Franklin from William Daniell, [21?] July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I shall be oblidg’d to you for letting me know what the Paper I have had from you Comes to also to make up the Quantity 100 Reams. Pray let me know as Soon as possible about your Supplying me constantly as I am obligated to wait your answer persuant to your Desire. I am, Sir Your Most humble Servant Inclos’d I send you Some News Papers. Addressed: To /...
9276To Benjamin Franklin from William Ferguson, [15 July? 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Historical Society of Pennsylvania General Edward Braddock and advance units of his army reached a point about nine miles from Fort Duquesne, July 9, when they ran into a force of French and Indians commanded by Capt. Daniel Liénard de Beaujeau. In the three-hour engagement that followed the British were utterly defeated. Braddock was mortally wounded (he died on the 13th) and more...
9277To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 9 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy (incomplete): Massachusetts Historical Society [ Missing ] therefore take the Freedom of desiring you to deliver him the Inclosed and to shew him your wonted Civility with the Curiosities of your City. My Compliments wait on Madam Franklin and I am, Sir Your assured Friend and Servant. The “Inclosed” was undoubtedly a letter to Jonathan Belcher, Jr. (1710–1776), who was...
9278To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Ray, 28 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Excues my writeing when I tell you it is the great regard I have for you will not let me be Silent, for Absence rather increasis than lesens my affections then, my not receiveing one line from you in answer to 3 of my last letters March the 3d and 31st and April the 28th gives me a Vast deal of uneasiness and occation’d many tears, for Suerly I have wrote...
9279To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Brooke, 27 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I embrace this first Opportunity that hath presented itself to return You my thanks for the very polite and Hospitable Entertaintment I met with from You when I was at Philadelphia last Year, and have deferrd it till now, that the only Subject of my Letter might not be an acknowledgment of Your Civilities, which, I believe You had rather perform than be...
9280To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Jackson, [17 June 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 329–41; also copy (incomplete): American Philosophical Society. It is now near three years since I received your excellent Observations on the Increase of Mankind, &c . in which you have with so much sagacity and accuracy shewn in what manner, and by what causes, that principal means of political...
9281To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Timothy, 8 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society ’Tis almost an Age since I have a Letter from you: I have however received 56 Reams of Demy Paper by Capt. McFunn, with a Promise of a State of my Account at your Return from Maryland, which must again beg you’ll let me have. Your Application to the Study of the Electrical Arcana, and public Affairs, I make no Doubt, very often prevents your Writing; but I...
9282To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Braddock, 29 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 29, 1755 A sentence from this unlocated letter was quoted 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). Doubtless this was...
9283To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Peter Halkett, 23 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 175–6. May 23, 1755 Two sentences from this unlocated letter are quoted 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. 209). Sir Peter...
9284To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Dunbar, 21 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 175. May 21, 1755 Two sentences from this unlocated letter are 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, pp. 208–9).
9285To 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.
9286To 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).
9287Robert Hunter Morris to the Assembly Committee, 19 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I herewith send you a letter I received on fryday last from Genl. Braddock desiring my assistance to Mr. Leslie who he has sent into this Province to Purchase a quantity of oats for the use of the army under his command, part of which Mr. Leslie tells me he has given directions to contract for in the back countys. I cannot but think it will be for the...
9288To Benjamin Franklin from William Shirley, Junior, 14 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 14, 1755 Two sentences from this unlocated letter are 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. 207). On the same day...
9289To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Dunbar, 13 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 13, 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. 208). Thomas Dunbar (d. 1767),...
9290To 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....