11To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 8 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In the spring of 1779, Franklin had taught Jonathan Williams, Jr., the principles of “moral algebra” to help him resolve one of his most troublesome dilemmas—whether or not to return to America. “By the Way,” Franklin added, “if you do not learn it, I apprehend you will never be married.” Williams protested that where marriage was concerned, his negative...
12To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 26 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed Paper Contains a short sketch of Dr. Blacks Doctrine of Latent heat. It is there applied only to a few phenomena but the Dr. has experiments to shew that it is also the Cause of vapour, and He Explains How Evaporation Generates Cold, and the whole Theory of fluidity. After you have red this short paper, When you meet with my B[rothe]r He will...
13To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 4 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin . . . (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 244. Upon a night’s reflection it is thought right that you be possessed of the inclosed, to be afterwards returned without taking copy in case no business be done. Will you let me know by the bearer if we are to see you in town to day, and when, that I...
14To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 28 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you two letters last Summer in which I mentioned the feu Gregois and the Comte de Rostaing. I wish I had known by a single line That They came Safe to Hand. This goes by that Gentleman who is a Genl. officer of Artilery, and a Man of great Worth. If You will venture to take a friend of my recommending I recommend Him to you. He was sent out as...
15To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 19 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I know it will give you pleasure to learn that by a letter received yesterday from Grenada My Brother has got two verdicts from Juries which I think reduced his and my adversaries to reason. I Expect Him here in a Couple of Months which will induce me to Continue, whereas I thought of giving the Girls a few Months of Italy for the Sake of the Language...
16To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 24 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your letter of the 8th Instt. came duely to hand. I do not wonder that M. Du bourg thought my terms too high, and I doubt not but he will get many Cheaper Undertakers. May They prove good and Cheap for his Sake. His affairs have afforded me some hours amusement which I do not regret. I see you have a bad opinion of our ministerial news, but by letters I...
17To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot refuse to the earnest application of a very respectable friend here, to trouble you with this Line of Introduction of Monsr. Le Comte de Fontette Sommery Chevalier d’Honneur of the Parliament Here. His office implies a Gentleman of Distinction, and His Personal Character Corresponds to it. The nature of His business I can Say nothing about, and...
18To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 7 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your letter of the 4th came to hand this morning and I immediatly Called at the post office, where I found Monr. Dubourgs letter which woud have remaind there untill Doomsday as I am neither known, as Marchand, nor Americquain. The post goes only Tuesday So I expect to save a day by sending you this by my Friend Monr. de Montarché formerly intendant de St....
19To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 29 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I leave no letter from you unanswerd, but wait your orders about what is to be done with the tobacco Contract which Lyes still here. There is a story current here that the British Ministry have applied to have a Mr. Dean deliverd up on a pretext that He was Concernd in Burning Portsmouth, which Calls to a mind a story that happend a good many years since. A...
20To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 7 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank you for returning me the letter that came to hand after my leaving Paris, and still more for letting me hear from you. That no news are Good News is an old proverb, very applicable to the present times. Your letter Coverd also a Blank Cover under which was an original of the Contract between Mons. Dubourg and the Farmers. I know not with what...