1To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 3 July 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received thy Letter from the Trustees and Bill per £100 on Jno Gurnell & Company which is accepted. I was really unwilling to undertake a New affair haveing so little Time to spare and yett I was as Unwilling so Benevolent a Design should suffer for want of my Concurrence. I have therefore procured your Value of Books of Whiston who I would willingly...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 11 July 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library Company of Philadelphia If I catch the Bagg before its taken away its more than I expect. Can only Acknowledge the favour of thine June 1st with Bartram and Hopkinsons. As to thine the Letter I left in the Country, I sent per Next Ship and return’d thy Sons Journal. I shall be Concern’d it Miscarried. I am in hopes it may yett Come to hand but I have so many Affairs, I can’t Keep...
DS : Huntington Library By His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esqr: Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over His Majestys Province of New Jersey and Territories thereon depending in America Chancellor and Vice Admiral in the Same &c. No. III Pay to Benjamin Franklin or Order the Sum of Thirty one pounds ten Shillings proclamation Money for printing Sundry Acts and Laws before the 14 day...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 27 July 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Academy of Arts and Sciences Mr. Watson I believe wrote his Observations on my last Paper in Haste; without having first well considered the Experiments related in §17 *Of the third Letter. which still appear to me decisive in the Question; Whether the Accumulation of Electrical Fire be in the Electrified Glass, or in the Non-electric Matter connected with the Glass? and to...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 29 July 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Academy of Arts and Sciences As you first put us on Electrical Experiments by sending to our Library-Company a Tube with Directions how to use it; and as our honourable Proprietor enabled us to carry those Experiments to a greater Height, by his generous Present of a complete Electrical Apparatus; ’Tis fit that both should know from Time to Time what Progress we make. It was in...
6Opinions and Conjectures, [29 July 1750] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Academy of Arts and Sciences Opinions and Conjectures concerning the Properties and Effects of the Electrical Matter, arising from Experiments and Observations made in Philadelphia, 1749. §1. The Electrical Matter consists of Particles extreamly subtile, since it can permeate common Matter, even the densest Mettals, with such Ease and Freedom, as not to receive any perceptible...
7Paper on the Academy, [31 July 1750] (Franklin Papers)
MS Minutes of the Common Council: Free Library of Philadelphia Within a few weeks of their organization, Nov. 13, 1749, the Academy trustees had received subscriptions amounting to more than £700. Twenty-three trustees alone subscribed £383 annually for five years—William Allen’s pledge of £75 a year was the largest; and some forty or fifty other citizens promised a total of £322 8 s. the...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Johnson, 9 August 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library At my Return home I found your Favour of June the 28th. with the Bishop of Cloyne’s Letter enclos’d, which I will take care of, and beg Leave to keep a little longer. Mr. Francis, our Attorney General, who was with me at your House, from the Conversation then had with you, and reading some of your Pieces, has conceiv’d an Esteem for you equal to mine: The...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Johnson, 23 August 1750 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Port Folio , n.s., II (1809), 115–16. We received your favour of the 16th instant. Mr. Peters will hardly have time to write to you per this post, and I must be short. Mr. Francis spent the last evening with me, and we were all glad to hear that you seriously meditate a visit after the middle of next month, and that you will inform us by a line when to expect...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Kalm, 2 September 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Peter Kalm visited Niagara Falls in the summer of 1750. He sent a report to Franklin, asking him, if he wished to print it in the Gazette , to “turn it in better English,” as Kalm was, he confessed, “but a poor English man” and had “no Dictionary to run to for help.” Franklin accordingly published it in the issue of Sept. 20, 1750. His editorial treatment...
11Peter Kalm: Conversations with Franklin, 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Adolph B. Benson, ed., Peter Kalm’s Travels in North America. The English Version of 1770 (2 vols., N.Y., 1937), pages as indicated; and Esther Louise Larsen, trans., “Pehr Kalm’s Report on the Characteristics and Uses of the American Walnut Tree Which is Called Hickory,” Agricultural History, XIX (1945), 55–64. During his visit to America in 1748–51, Peter Kalm kept extensive...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Johnson, 13 September 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library I am sorry to hear of your Illness: If you have not been us’d to the Fever and Ague, let me give you one Caution. Don’t imagine yourself thoroughly cur’d, and so omit the Use of the Bark too soon. Remember to take the preventing Doses faithfully. If you were to continue taking a Dose or two every Day for two or three Weeks after the Fits have left you, ’twould...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 20 September 1750 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 19–20. I received yours the 11th instant, with one enclosed for cousin Benny; but he, I suppose, is in Boston with you before this time, as he left New York fifteen days since with a fair wind for Rhode Island. I do not know how long his master...
14From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, 27 September 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Vassar B. Carlton, Titusville, Florida (1955) I received yours of the 17th Inst. with the Plan of Halifax for which I thank you. Pray send me the Heads of Shirley and Pepperill with the Price. I received also yours per Mr. S. Cooper [?] who arived here last Night. We shall look over the Town Plan to morrow (Mr. Etter and I) and if I can think of any Thing that may be advantageous,...
15Additional Experiment, [27 September 1750] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Academy of Arts and Sciences Additional Experiment proving that the Leyden Bottle has no more Electrical Fire in it, when charg’d, than before; nor less when discharg’d. That in Discharging, the Fire does not issue from the Wire and Coating at the same Time, as some have thought; but that the Coating always receives what is discharg’d by the Wire, or an equal Quantity: the outer...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 11 October 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I have learnt by different hands, that Dr. Mitchel continues in a bad State of Health, which I suppose obliges him to drop his Correspondencies. ’Tis a Loss to us all. Messrs. Bertram and Evans did not go their intended Journey to Lake Erie, but are both safe at home. Mr. Weiser is just return’d from Onondago, and gives a melancholly Account of the declining...
17From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 25 October 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society Enclos’d with this I send you all my Electrical Papers fairly transcrib’d, and I have as you desir’d examin’d the Copy and find it correct. I shall be glad to have your Observations on them; and if in any Part I have not made my self well understood, I will on Notice endeavour to explain the obscure Passages by Letter. My Compliments to Mr. Cooper and the...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Jared Eliot, 25 October 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I ought to have inform’d you sooner that we got well home, and should have enquir’d after your Health as we left you in the Hands of a Fever; I beg you’d excuse the Delay, and desire you would remember in my favour the old Saying, They who have much Business must have much Pardon . Whenever Mr. Francis and I meet of an Evening, we drink your Health among our other...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Johnson, 25 October 1750 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Adrian H. Joline, Meditations of an Autograph Collector (London and N.Y., 1902), p. 129. Enclosed I return your Noetica as you desired, that you may add or alter what you think fit before it goes to the Press, in which I should be glad you would be as speedy as conveniently you can. Since your Way to us is at present block’d up by the Spreading of the Small Pox...
20Advertisement, 1 November 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , November 1, 1750. Whereas on Saturday night last, the house of Benjamin Franklin, of this city, printer, was broken open, and the following things feloniously taken away, viz. a double necklace of gold beads, a woman’s long scarlet cloak, almost new, with a double cape, a woman’s gown, of printed cotton, of the sort called brocade print, very remarkable,...
21Rules for Making Oneself a Disagreeable Companion, 15 November 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , November 15, 1750. Rules , by the Observation of which, a Man of Wit and Learning may nevertheless make himself a disagreeable Companion. Your Business is to shine; therefore you must by all means prevent the shining of others, for their Brightness may make yours the less distinguish’d. To this End, 1. If possible engross the whole Discourse; and when...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Johnson, [November 1750] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Smyth, Writings , III , 29–30. As I could not make a tour to Philadelphia this Fall I have lately taken a Car’g [carriage] ride to several parts of this Colony and being absent when your kind letter arrived, this must be my apology for not answering last [ illegible ]. Nobody would imagine that the draught you have made for an English education was done by a...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Johnson, 22 November 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library (Berg) You are very obliging in your Compliments on my Sketch of the English School; But I find ’tis deficient in the main Thing; like the Man’s excellent Race-Horse that had every good Quality, Courage excepted. I approve exceedingly of the Additions you propose, and guess you could if you would make an equal Amputation as much to its Advantage: But you are too...
24Franklin and Hall: Account with Benjamin Franklin, 1750–54 (Franklin Papers)
MS Account: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Two sheets have been found of Franklin and Hall’s record of Franklin’s personal purchases from the firm, probably opened soon after the partnership was formed in 1748 (see above, III , 263). The first page, numbered 4, covers the period from Nov. 27, 1750, to Jan. 11, 1752, and starts with an entry of £97 3 s. brought forward from the three...
25From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 6 December 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favour of Augt. 31. per Mesnard, and Copy per Shirley who is just arrived. Mr. Joseph Crellius is gone to Holland and I suppose may call at London before he returns, and settle his Daughter’s Affair. I am sorry there has been so long Delay in this Payment of my Son’s Money; I must contrive some Way to make you Satisfaction. My Son is now...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Johnson, [14 December 1750?] (Franklin Papers)
MS notes for a letter: New York Public Library (Berg) Perhaps as the [business?] of the 2d. Class is large some account of parts of Speech and Construction might be prescribed to the first Class. As the business of the third Class seems less than the others it may be well for them to learn a Rhetoric that year and be obliged to give some Account of the Tropes and Figures. The best I know is...
27Adam Thomson to David Hall, with Franklin’s Certificate, 17 December 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , December 18, 1750. Dr. Adam Thomson, a Scots physician in Maryland, achieved some reputation for his new method of inoculating for smallpox, preparing the patient with debilitating drugs and a mild milk and vegetable diet. In 1750, now settled in Philadelphia, he asked and received through Franklin permission of the trustees of the Academy to read, at a...
28From Benjamin Franklin to [John Franklin?], 25 December 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Academy of Arts and Sciences I have lately made an Experiment in Electricity that I desire never to repeat. Two nights ago being about to kill a Turkey by the Shock from two large Glass Jarrs containing as much electrical fire as forty common Phials, I inadvertently took the whole thro’ my own Arms and Body, by receiving the fire from the united Top Wires with one hand, while...
29Poor Richard Improved, 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard improved: Being an Almanack and Ephemeris … for the Year of our Lord 1751 . … By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin, and D. Hall. (Yale University Library) Astrology is one of the most ancient Sciences, had in high Esteem of old, by the Wise and Great. Formerly, no Prince would make War or Peace, nor any General fight a Battle, in short, no...
30Idea of the English School, [7 January 1751] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in A Sermon on Education. Wherein Some Account is given of the Academy, Established in the City of Philadelphia. Preach’d at the Opening thereof, on the Seventh Day of January, 1750–1. By the Reverend Mr. Richard Peters. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin, and D. Hall, at the Post-Office. 1751. (Yale University Library) As the principal advocate of an English school which,...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Johnson, 9 January 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I receiv’d your Favour of the 14th past, with the Noetica, which I shall immediately put to press, for I think it scarce necessary to ask Subscriptions for so small a Work; and believe we can not find a more suitable Piece of the kind to use in our Academy. Please to accept the enclos’d (with my Compliments) for the New Year. The Assembly sitting hurries me so...
32Petition for the Pennsylvania Hospital, 23 January 1751 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Pennsylvania Hospital January 23, 1751 The founding of the Pennsylvania Hospital is one of the best-known episodes in Franklin’s public career, for he related the history of it in his autobiography at length, if not accurately in all details, and he printed the relevant documents in Some Account of the Pennsylvania Hospital , 1754. Franklin’s friend Dr. Thomas Bond was one of the first to...
33From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 4 February 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society I receiv’d yours of Oct. 4. via New England, with the Account of what you have laid out on Books and Mathematical Instruments for the Academy, by which I perceive there is but about £20 in your Hands, much too little, I fear, for the Philosophical Apparatus! and the Misfortune is, that our other Expences in purchasing, Building, &c. are like to pinch us so in the...
34From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 4 February 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I wrote you per Capt. Budden, who sail’d the Beginning of December, and sent you a Bill of Exchange on Jonathan Gurnel & Co. for Fifty Pounds, and desired you to send me Viner’s, Bacon’s and Danvers’s Abridgments of the Law, with Wood’s and Coke’s Institutes. I have no Copy of the Letter, and forget whether I added the Compleat Attorney in 6 or 8 Vols. 8vo. the...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 22 February 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library On the other Side is the Account of the Books I now send. I next must thank thee for thine of the 27: Sepr. with our Friend Kalms observations which are very acceptable to the Curious Here. I was in hopes to send thy Work which is all printed but the Engraveing is not so may Expect it soone. Thee art under great obligations to Docr. Fothergill who has annexed a...
36Subscription for Christ Church Steeple, 18 March 1751 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Dorr, A Historical Account of Christ Church, Philadelphia (New York and Philadelphia, 1841), pp. 98–9. The vestry of Christ Church, Philadelphia, unanimously voted, March 11, 1751, to erect a steeple and hang a chime of bells. The next week the subscription book was opened, Governor James Hamilton’s name leading the list of about three hundred signers with...
37From Benjamin Franklin to James Parker, 20 March 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in [Archibald Kennedy], The Importance of Gaining and Preserving the Friendship of the Indians to the British Interest, Considered (New York, 1751), pp. 27–31. (Yale University Library) Edward Eggleston first attributed this letter to Franklin in a note to John Bigelow, who accepted it ( Works , II , 217 n). There is also, however, contemporary evidence of Franklin’s authorship: the...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 27 March 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am now so prodigiously Engagd as well in my publick business as on Account of our very great National loss the Death of the Prince of Wales that I can only acknowledge the Receipt of thy kind Letters with the Tracts Inclosed. I have sent per Capt. Richey in the Beulah the Magazins for Febuary. I am thy sincere friend Prince of a short Illness an...
39Experiments and Observations, [April 1751] (Franklin Papers)
Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Made at Philadelphia in America, by Mr. Benjamin Franklin, and Communicated in several Letters to Mr. P. Collinson, of London, F.R.S. London: Printed and sold by E. Cave, at St. John’s Gate. 1751. (Yale University Library) Franklin’s reports on electricity had an immediate and favorable reception in England. The first account of his experiments,...
40Felons and Rattlesnakes, 9 May 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette May 9, 1751. In the eulogy which he delivered before the French Academy of Sciences on Nov. 13, 1790, the Marquis de Condorcet noted that Franklin sometimes made a point in conversation with a fable, tale, or anecdote. “Chargé de demander l’abolition de l’usage insultant d’envoyer les malfaiteurs dans les Colonies, le Ministre lui allégait la nécessité d’en...
41An Act to Encourage the Establishing of an Hospital, 11 May 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in [Acts of the Pennsylvania Assembly] Anno Regni Georgii II … Vigesimo Quarto … [October 14, 1750, to May 6, 1751] (Philadelphia, 1751), pp. 155–8. May 11, 1751 This document, the original draft of which was by Franklin, is omitted here for the reason given above, p. 111; but is printed, with editorial annotation, in Some Account of the Pennsylvania Hospital , May 1754, in the next...
42From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 21 May 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library Budden is arrived, and every thing you sent per him come safe to hand. Both the Library-Company and the Academy are exceedingly oblig’d to you, and would be glad of any Opportunity of serving you or any of your Friends. The Academy goes on as one could wish: We have excellent Masters, and the Boys improve surprizingly: The Number now 70 and daily encreasing. I...
43William Watson: An Account of Franklin’s Treatise, [6 June 1751] (Franklin Papers)
MS : The Royal Society; also printed in Phil. Trans. , XLVII (1751–52), 202–11. An account of Mr. Benjamin Francklin’s treatise lately published intitled, Experiments and observations on Electricity made at Philadelphia in America, by Wm. Watson, F. R. S. Mr. Franklin’s treatise, lately presented to the royal Society, consists of four letters to his correspondent in England, and of another...
44From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 28 June 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I receiv’d yours of March 26. with the Books per Smith in good Order: And your Account, which agrees with mine except in a Trifle, the Share of the Charges on Ainsworth carried to J. Read’s Account. I am concern’d at your laying so long out of your Money, and must think of some Way of making you Amends. I have wrote to Smith at Antigua to quicken him in...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 29 June 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: The Royal Society In Capt. Waddels Account *Ph. Tr. No. 492. p. III . of the Effects of Lightning on his Ship, I could not but take Notice of the large Comazants (as he Calls them,) that settled on the Spintles at the Topmast-Heads, and burnt like very large Torches before the Stroke. According to my Opinion, the Electrical Fire was then drawing off, as by Points , from the Cloud, the...
46Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital: Memorial to the Proprietors, 6 July 1751 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; also draft and copy in Minutes, Pennsylvania Hospital July 6, 1751 This document, drafted by Franklin and Israel Pemberton, is omitted here for the reason stated above, p. 111; but is printed, with editorial annotation, in Some Account of the Pennsylvania Hospital , May 1754, in the next volume.
47From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Johnson, 11 July 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (mutilated): Yale University Library I receiv’d your Favours of June [ and] July 4. I am sorry for the Faults in the I[ntroduction] and shall endeavour to be more careful. The Contents and Introduction are to be prefix’d, tho’ printed last; they shall be plac’d in the same Order as in the M.S. Perhaps a few of the Oeconomy’s might sell in your Parts by your Recommendation: If you think so...
48From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 19 July 1751 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Bigelow, Works (Federal Edition, 1904), XII , 253. This serves to cover the enclosed and recommend the affair to your care. I have assured the gentlemen concerned that you will serve them as well and cheap as any bookseller in London. They are men of ability, and will be constant customers. We are all well, and join in the most cordial salutations to you, Mrs....
49Appeal for the Hospital, 8 and 15 August 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , August 8 and 15, 1751. Among all the innumerable Species of Animals which inhabit the Air, Earth and Water, so exceedingly different in their Production, their Properties, and the Manner of their Existence, and so varied in Form, that even of the same Kind, it can scarce be said there are two Individuals in all Respects alike; it is remarkable, there are...
50Record of Service in the Assembly, 1751–64 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Library of Congress Near the end of his life, probably after his return from France, to judge by handwriting, Franklin began to prepare a record of his service in the Pennsylvania Assembly. He compiled it simply by turning the pages of the printed Votes and Proceedings and noting his various assignments. In the process he overlooked a few; these have been inserted between brackets. In...