1From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Hopkinson, 16 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D F.R.S. &c . …, (2nd ed.; 2 vols., London, 1817), I , 58–9. I thank you for your political Squibs , they are well made. I am glad to find you have such plenty of good powder. You propose that Kill-pig , the butcher, should operate upon himself. You will find some thoughts on that subject in a...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 13 January 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you the 11th. of November. Since that I have received no proposition on the subject of the quill of the harpsichord. The artisans here will not readily beleive that any thing good can be invented but in London or Paris: and to shew them the invention would be to give it up. However I shall still endeavor to find some one who will do justice to it. War and peace hang in doubtful...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 3 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Not being learned in the laws of Pennsylvania I am incertain what will be the event if a prosecution of Scandalum magnatum should be instituted against Claypole for publishing in his gazette of Apr. 27. as an act of Congress a paper which certainly was no act of theirs, and which contained a principle or two not quite within the level of their politics. I mean a pretended act for dividing the...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Hopkinson, 4 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of the 22d Octr. last, which gave me great Pleasure as it inform’d me of your Welfare, and of your Appointment to the honourable Office of Treasurer of Loans. I think the Congress judg’d rightly in their Choice. An Exactness in Accounts, and scrupulous Fidelity in Matters of Trust, are Qualities for...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 14 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a good while ago on the subject of the quilling of the harpsichord and you were so kind as to answer me with an account and model of your cork tongue, instead of quill. My object was a pettifogging one: but I pursue it. I have at home a well toned Spinette; the jacks of which have strayed away, in a good degree, since it was in use. It is the only instrument there at present, and...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, with Enclosure, 1 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A journey into the Southern parts of France and Northern of Italy must apologize to you for the length of time elapsed since my last, and for the delay of acknowleging the receipt of your favors of Nov. 8. and Dec. 9. 1786. and Apr. 14. 1787. Your two phials of essence de Lorient arrived during that interval and got separated from the letters which accompanied them, so that I could not be sure...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 9 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The only letter of yours the receipt whereof I have not yet acknoleged is the 31st. of Dec. Mine are of Sep. 25. Jan. 3. and Jan. 27 [i.e., 26]. With that of Jan. 27. I had sent the crayons &c. formerly desired. With the present I will send 2. doz. camelshair pencils, and a doz. black lead pencils which are desired in yours of Dec. 31. I at the same time sent the 14th. 15th. and 16th....
8From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 25 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 6th. of July. Since that I have received yours of July 23. I do not altogether despair of making something of your method of quilling, tho’ as yet the prospect is not favourable. I applaud much your perseverance in improving this instrument and benefiting mankind almost in spite of their teeth. I mentioned to Piccini the improvement with which I am entrusted. He plays...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 14 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favours of Mar. 8. 28. and May 1. have come to hand since the date of my last which was of May 9. That of Mar. 8. begins with these words. ‘I cannot at present lay my hands upon your last but recollect it was of an old date.’This seems to imply a charge of my being behind-hand in the epistolary account. Turning to my epistolary ledger I find our account since my arrival in Europe to stand...
10[From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 23 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 23 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “F. Hopkinson—letter to Bremner—clavichord—spinette—Buffon’s theory—Rittenh’s orrery for k. of Fr.” Not found, but see Hopkinson to Bremner, 28 Nov. 1783. The reference to Rittenhouse’s orrery pertains to a suggestion made by TJ the preceding January at a meeting of the American Philosophical Society. On 3 Jan. 1783 TJ attended his first meeting...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 6 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
A printer here has begun to print the most remarkeable of the English authors, as that can be done here much cheaper than in England or even Ireland. He supposes America could take off a considerable number of copies, and has therefore applied to me to find a sure correspondent for him. Being unacquainted with the printers of Philadelphia and the booksellers, yet satisfied that that would be...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 18 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour should not have been so long unacknowledged but that I have been in a state of health which permitted me neither to read, write or think. I take advantage now of a small remission in a fever to write you a line of thanks by Monsr. Marbois. You write in a gout (I beleive it was) and I answer in a fever. In truth amidst this eternal surfeit of politics wherein one subject succeeds...
13From George Washington to Francis Hopkinson, 13 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your good humour of the 3rd, which made me laugh heartily, has fairly driven me out of the field, not, indeed, into the Potowmac, but into a resolution not to strain my wits in making one word of reply, except in sober earnest. This preliminary being settled—I will tell you all I have to say, in three words: though one might perhaps suffice, for you know they say “a word to the wise is...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 13 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
An indisposition, which is not yet entirely removed has prevented my sooner acknoleging the receipt of your kind letter of May 10. With respect to the Museums and Magazines I wait the arrival of my books and papers from Paris when I shall know what is wanting to complete my set. I inclose according to your desire my side of your account, against which you will be able to set off what you have...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 21 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you were of May 8. and July 6. That of the latter date was only to inclose a bookseller’s proposals for sending some books to America. The one of May 8. acknoleged the receipt of yours of Dec. 14. since which those of Apr. 6. and July 17. are come to hand. I informed you also in the letter of May 8. that the Vinegar was at length lodged for you in the hands of M. Limozin at Havre to...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Hopkinson, 24 January 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Associates of the Late Rev. Dr. Bray I acquainted you in a late Letter that the Associates of Dr. Bray requested that you and Mr. E. Duffield, with my self, would purchase some Estate for them, the Profits of which might hereafter be apply’d to the Support of the Negro School; and I desir’d you would as soon as possible make such Purchase to the Amt. of £200 Sterling Value, so much being...
17[From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 11 November 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 11 Nov. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Hopkinson. Send him report Animal magnetism. Roberts—pianoforte organised—have tried his quilling with amateurs—will advertize it—project to remove packets to Havre—send me battle of kegs—address.” Not found. Hopkinson’s The Battle of the Kegs , first printed in 1779, had probably been reissued lately in broadside form; see Hastings, Hopkinson , p....
18From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 23 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you was dated Aug. 14. Yours of May 27 . and June 28. were not then received, but have been since. I take the liberty of putting under your cover another letter to Mrs. Champés as also an enquiry after a Dr. Griffiths. A letter to M. le Vieillard from the person he had consulted about the essence d’Orient will convey to you the result of my researches into that article. Your...
19From George Washington to Francis Hopkinson, 5 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
We are told of the amazing powers of musick in ancient times; but the stories of its effects are so surprising that we are not obliged to believe them, unless they had been founded upon better authority than Poetic assertion—for the Poets of old (whatever they may do in these days) were strangely addicted to the marvellous; and if I before doubted the truth of their relations with respect to...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 8 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the receipt of your favor of Dec. 14. and to apologize for a delay that has happened in the sending the vinegar you desired. I gave a memorandum to one of my servants to enquire of the Chevalr. de la Luzerne’s maitre d’Hôtel what kind of vinegar it was. He was out of town, the thing was forgotten for some time, at length recollected and the enquiry made. It was what they...
21From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Hopkinson, 24 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I received your very kind Letter of Oct. 18. I am glad you have at length got the Battery from Mr Coombe. He had had it long enough in his Possession to believe it his own, it being lent to him in 1756.— He had also of me a nine Inch Glass Globe, well mounted; and a Vol. of the Philosophic Transactions. If they still exist I wish you could recover them also. I...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 26 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 3d. inst. and acknoledged the receipt of yours of Oct. 25. covering your new invented harpsichord tongue. The present is to acknolege the receipt of your favor of Sept. 28. with newspapers but in which there was not a model of the tongue as you mentioned. The bearer of this letter is a careful man of Connecticut, who has been hitherto servant to the M. de la fayette....
23From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Hopkinson, 13 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I have received your kind Letter of July 17. with its Duplicate, enclosing those for Messrs Brandlight and Sons, which I have forwarded. I am sorry for the Loss of the Squibs. Every thing of yours gives me Pleasure. As to the Friends and Enemies you just mention, I have hitherto, Thanks to God, had Plenty of the former kind; they have been my Treasure. And it...
24[From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 7 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 7 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “F. Hopkinson. Subterraneous city in Siberia.” Not found, but see Madison to TJ, 25 Apr. 1784 .]
25[From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 1 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 1 Apr. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “F. Hopkinson. 2 papers with great seal.” Letter not found, but see Hopkinson to TJ, 31 Mch. 1784 .]
26From George Washington to Francis Hopkinson, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 22d Instant by Captain Alexander, to whom I have given an order to take several pieces of Cannon with a proper supply of Ammunition, that he, in conjunction with the other Gentleman of the Navy, may endeavour to interrupt the Enemy’s Shipping in their Passage up and down the river. Having never found an opportunity of conveying the Letter, which you some time ago...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 3 January 178[6] (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 25th. of Sep. since that I have received yours of Oct. 25. inclosing a duplicate of the last invented tongue for the harpsichord. The letter inclosing another of them and accompanied by newspapers, which you mention in that of Oct. 25. has never come to hand. I will embrace the first opportunity of sending you the crayons. Perhaps they may come with this, which I think...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 18 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Burgoin, is recommended to me as a worthy and ingenious artist, skilled in drawing and engraving. Being desirous of establishing himself in America, and preferably in Philadelphia, I know I cannot do better for him than by recommending him to your patronage and counsels. One who loves the arts, must be well disposed to those who practice them. I am with great and sincere...
29From George Washington to Francis Hopkinson, 16 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
In for a penny, in for a pound, is an old adage. I am so hackneyed to the touches of the Painters pencil, that I am now altogether at their beck, and sit like patience on a Monument whilst they are delineating the lines of my face. It is a proof among many others, of what habit & custom can effect. At first I was as impatient at the request, and as restive under the operation, as a Colt is of...
30From George Washington to Francis Hopkinson, 21 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 14th inclosing a letter for the Revd Mr Duché. I will endeavour to forward it to him, but I imagine it will never be permitted to reach his Hands. I confess to you, that I was not more surprized than concerned, at receiving so extraordinary a letter from Mr Duché, of whom, I had entertained the most favorable opinion, and I am still willing to suppose, that it was...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Hopkinson, 16 December 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Associates of the Late Rev. Dr. Bray I received yours of Nov. 6. with the Account of your safe Arrival, which gave me and your Friends here great Pleasure. I have sent your Letter to Mr. Morgann, and by some Discourse I have had with him I am inclin’d to think you will find it no great Difficulty to agree for the Office when you see him on the Spot; and he is now preparing for the...
32From George Washington to Francis Hopkinson, 28 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 16th and 24th instants the first inclosing sundry papers relating to the Case of Capts. Robinson and Galt who have been detained after going into Philada under the sanction of a Flag. I have made a demand of Capt. Robinson as he was previously named and a passport regularly obtained for him. I have also endeavoured to procure the release of Capt. Galt who I...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 6 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 13. of January. About ten days after that date I received yours of Nov. 18. and about three weeks ago that of Mar. 28 . came to hand. Soon after the receipt of the first I published your proposition for improving the quilling of the harpsichord. I inclose you a copy of the advertisement. One application only was made, and that was unsuccessful. I do not despair yet of...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 13 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last, which was of Dec. 21. yours of Dec. 9. and 21. are received. Accept my thanks for the papers and pamphlets which accompanied them, and mine and my daughter’s for the book of songs. I will not tell you how much they have pleased us nor how well the last of them merits praise for it’s pathos, but relate a fact only, which is that while my elder daughter was playing it on the...