11To 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...
12To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 24 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I hope my Dear Sir you will acquit me of Impertinent Curiosity, in wishing very anxiously to know, what is likely to be the fate of an Island, in which my family yet think, they have a stake because a little knowledge of this, will Affect my measures, & may Save some Expence. If there be any thing improper in the request, be So kind as let your Son tell...
13To 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...
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 22 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I can hardly express my surprise on first hearing of your arrival, And Altho’ motives are here assigned for your Journey which I will not beleive unless you Confirm them yourself, That safety is your object, and I will only believe you, because I think you one of the few Politicians, to whom Lying will be unnecessary. Be that as it will, my hypothesis is...
17To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, [19 March 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Library, Library of Congress, Pendleton Satterthwaite, East Orange, N.J. (1955) I send you adjoined the Certificate you desire, and am perfectly convinc’d from Conversations I have since had with Mr. Pultney that no body was authorised to hold the Language which has been imputed to him on that Subject; and I have a high...
18To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 3 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Altho’ I expect to see you in a Day or two after this comes to hand, I cannot let slip the Opportunity of M. Moore formerly with Mr. Williams to inform you that the addresses in Consequences of the Question carried on Wednesday, was carried to the King by the whole Opposition on Friday, That the answer after the common place phrazes and the repetition of...
19To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 20 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I consider it as one of the great misfortunes of the times in which we live, that we are deprived of the pleasure of hearing from you. I need hardly say that you have the wishes of all Good Men for your welfare, and That you may be the happy Instrument of Restoring the public tranquility on a permanent basis for the General Good of Mankind, And for the...
20William Alexander to Franklin and William Temple Franklin, 8 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Betsey wrote you last week to ask a day when you & your son Can dine wt Madme de la Marke any time before the 20th— We have no Answer— You will oblige me by desiring your son to write— On recolection I address this to Him & beg He will drop me a line to st Germains— I am most faithfully Your & His Most obt hble s Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin...