1To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 5 August 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote the Above in much haste, and yet it got To Town too late, but my Brother informs me he forwarded it a few days after by Capt. Marshall in a Schooner bound to Corke, which may Possably reach London Sooner Than if it had been sent by Capt. Budden; There is an Account in Town That the Ship Indian Trader is Taken off our Capes, and a...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Preston Moore, 13 August 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library Company of Philadelphia Inclosed I send the Account of Charges in Solliciting your Act, amounting to £36 15 s. 0 d. The Act itself with the Royal Approbation engross’d on Parchment, I sent you per Mr. Wells, and hope it will get safe to hand. I am, with great Esteem, Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: To / Samuel Preston Moore Esqr / Philadelphia / Per favour...
3From Benjamin Franklin to [Peter Franklin], 7 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 379–80. ******It had, indeed, as you observe, been the opinion of some very great naturalists, that the sea is salt only from the dissolution of mineral or rock salt, which its waters happened to meet with. But this opinion takes it for granted that all water was originally fresh, of...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 30 December 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Yale University Library I once more attempt to reach you with a Letter, which the Fate of war has I suppose hitherto intirely prevented. We are extremly sorry to know that Mr. Pitt has resigned the Seals: and have scarcely yet learned enough about the Earl of Bute (except from Scotsmen) to form an Idea of him. The only obnoxious Thing in Mr. Pitts Character that any in this Country...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 3 March 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have wrote to you and [to] my Friends per Capt. Hammet. [My] Letters are in a little Box directed for you. There are also in the Box two Books to be delivered to Mr. Coleman. Hearing that another Vessel is [to] sail about the Same time, I write [this] by her, just to let you know [that we] are well, and have wrote fully as above. My Love to all. I am,...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 5 October 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote on the 26 and 27 of 7 br. last the First via Bristol and the other intended by our Friend C Kelby who is taking shipping at NY . in the 1st I sent our Agent Bill and the Governors proposed Amendments copied by the Clerk and in the other the Vindication of the Commissioner and Assessors of Cumberland County against the Representation...
7State of the Transaction at the Exchequer, 4 November 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania State of the Transaction at the Exchequer, relating to the Parliamentary Grant for the Year 1758 The Sum given to Pennsylvania and the Lower Counties jointly, for their 2727 Men, is £29,993 0 0 By General Abercrombie’s Report, there were of these effective Men in the Field, From Pennsylvania 2446 From Lower Counties 281 2727 Therefore the Proportion to...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Alexander Dick, 3 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library After we took leave of you, we spent some Weeks in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and at length arriv’d at our House here in good Health, having made a Tour of near 1500 Miles, in which we had enjoy’d a great deal of Pleasure, and receiv’d a great deal of useful Information. But no part of our Journey affords us, on Recollection, a more pleasing Remembrance, than...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 19 August 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your Wife has very kindly sent me Notice that if I write by this Post it will reach the Packet from N. York and that She will take care of the conveyance. I write therefore to acknowledge the receipt of yours 9th May and the 13th of June last which came to my Hands the 12th. Instant. I am well pleased...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Small, 12 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 381–3. Agreeable to your request, I send you my reasons for thinking that our North-East storms in North-America begin first, in point of time, in the South-West parts: That is to say, the air in Georgia, the farthest of our colonies to the South-West, begins to move South-Westerly...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 6 June 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society The Happiness I enjoy’d last friday has afforded me pleasing reflections for the week past. I attended with delight to your kind Instructions, and my highest Amusement ever since has been to recollect them. You obligingly condescended to satisfy my Curiosity about the Barometer, and by your explanation I clearly conceived the cause of the rise and fall of...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Ebenezer Kinnersley, 12 March 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society Having lately made the following Experiments, I very chearfully communicate them in Hopes of giving you some Degree of Pleasure, and exciting you to further explore your favourite, but not quite exhausted, Subject ELECTRICITY . Exp. 1. I placed myself on an Electric Stand, and, being well electrised, threw my Hat to an unelectrised Person, at a considerable Distance, on...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 30 March 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library As you have been so good as to forgive my long Delay of writing to you and answering your always agreable Letters, I shall not now trouble you with the Apology I had written on that head in one of my Pieces of Letters never finish’d. Supposing the Fact, that the Water of the Well at Bristol is warmer after some time pumping, I think your manner of accounting for...
14To Benjamin Franklin from William Thomson, 18 November 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take this Opportunity to return you my sincere thanks not only for the pleasure your Company afforded me during your short stay in Worcester, but also for the Entertainment I am confident I owe to you after your Departure— The Interest of Great Britain with Respect to her Colonies gave me a more distinct view than I ever had before of our Connexions with...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 4 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Bearer Charles Monk calling here in his way to N York from whence he is going to England. I send by him this short Letter for which I detain him on his Journey to inform you we have nothing very new or important in America since the reduction of Quebeck. Our Forces are quiet and General Stanwix continues at Pitsburg (as I hear laid up...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Ronayne with Notes for a Reply, 26 August 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg Leave to Communicate to you a few Experiments and observations on Electricity, both common and atmostpherical, and to have your opinion of them. It seems to me that Electricks per Se or Non Conductors do not contain more of the Elctrick Fluid than Non Electricks. For An Insulated Wire being heated at one end, and having Light threads hanging from any...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 30 September 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Duplicate: American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania A few Days before the last Assembly rose I received your Letter of the 10th of July by the Packet, It came to Hand very seasonably and was read in the House on the 23d of September. The Members were all well Satisfied with the Succinct Account therein given of the Situation of the Publick Mony under...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 17 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Feehan Memorial Library, St. Mary of the Lake Seminary; transcript (part MS , part printed): Library of Congress. I send my dear good Girl the Books I mention’d to her last Night. I beg her to accept them as a small Mark of my Esteem and Friendship. They are written in the familiar easy Manner for which the French are so remarkable, and afford a good deal of philosophic and practical...
19William Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 16 June 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I wrote you a few Lines on Saturday last to go per the Pacquet, in which I mention’d a Pamphlet wrote by my Father in Answer to the Remarks on the Letter to Two Great Men. I could not send you one by that Opportunity, but as Capt. Monk has inform’d my Father that he is just upon the Point of sailing to America, and will take Charge of any Thing we may have to...
20To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 24 March 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society I received a few Lines from you by Captain Bolitho, owning the Receipt of mine, with the Renewal of the £300 and Damages; and am glad to hear you think of being able to be here soon. Inclosed I have sent you the third Copy of a Bill of Exchange for Two Hundred Pounds Sterling on Messieurs Trecothick, Apthorp, and Thomlinson, Merchants in London;...
21From Benjamin Franklin to Josiah Quincy, 8 April 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your very obliging Letter of Dec. 25. by the hand of your valuable Son, who had before favour’d me now and then with a kind Visit. I congratulate you on his Account as I am sure you must have a great deal of Satisfaction in him. His ingenuous, manly and generous Behaviour, in a Transaction here with the Society of Arts, gave me great Pleasure as...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Isaac Norris, 22 November 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: American Philosophical Society; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Share allotted by the Lords of the Treasury to Pensylvania and the Lower Counties, of the Parliamentary Grant for 1758, was £29,993. The Rule their Lordships follow’d in the Division of the £200,000 was, to proportion the Sums for each Colony according to the Number of effective Men each had in the Field....
23From Benjamin Franklin to Isaac Norris, [16] December 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Agreeable to what I wrote in mine of the 13th. I [have] ventur’d to agree by my Broker for the following [ torn ] Stocks, on Account of the Province, to be deliver’d [ torn ] Week from this Day, viz. £1000 of the 4 per Cent. Annuities 1760, at 92 per Cent. £[920: 0: 0] £1500 Do. at 91⅞ 137[8: 2:
24From Benjamin Franklin to John Hughes, 7 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society On my Return from our Northern Journey, I found several of your obliging Favours; and have now before me those of June 20. July 4. 25, Aug. 9. 22, 23, Sept. 25. and two of Oct. 3. for which please to accept my hearty Thanks. I congratulate you on the glorious Successes of the [year p]ast. There has been for some time a Talk of [Peace], and...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 10 September 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I don’t know whether to say I fear or I hope this won’t reach you before you leave Holland, for I don’t care how soon we have you in our Island again, and I wish you had no Attachment ever to draw you from it again, that is I wish your Attachments were all here. My Mother wanted me to write another Letter to you while I was with her, but my Time was so...
26From Benjamin Franklin to John Hunter, 9 October 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I am extreamly concern’d at the News of the Death of my dear Friend Mr. Hunter, with whom I had so long liv’d and transacted Business with the most perfect Harmony. It was the more surprizing to me, as his last Letters mention’d an entire Freedom from his old Complaints, and a perfect Establishment of his Health. His Death is not only a Loss to his Friends; I think it...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 23 June 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You who are no Stranger to the Feelings of Humanity will readily conceive the anxiety of my Mind while I thought my Friend in Danger: It is only such a Situation as I was then in that can make me neglect your Favours. Upon examining the Barometer after I receiv’d your Letter, I found a small Crevice where the piece of hollow wood which covers the Mercury is...
28From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 9 April 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library I receiv’d yours of Feb. 9. with the Bill for £200 for which I thank you. I shall take care to send the Lower Case Brevier r’s, that you write for and acquaint Mr. Strahan with what you mention. The Loss of Faulkner and Lutwydge has baulkt Correspondence between Philadelphia and London a great deal. I lately receivd the enclos’d from Edinburgh, and sent the Answer...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, [November 1760?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress It is, as you observed in our late Conversation, a very general Opinion, that all Rivers run into the Sea , or deposite their Waters there. ’Tis a kind of Audacity to call such general Opinions in question, and may subject one to Censure: But we must hazard something in what we think the Cause of Truth: And if we propose our Objections modestly, we shall, tho’...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital, 29 December 1760 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; abstract reprinted from Thomas G. Morton and Frank Woodbury, The History of the Pennsylvania Hospital 1751–1895 (Philadelphia, 1895), p. 43. “On December 29, 1760, a letter was written to Franklin for some necessary drugs and medicines, and he was also asked ‘to join with some others of our fellow citizens, now in London, in soliciting contributions on behalf of the Hospital from...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 9 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received a Letter or two from you, in which I perceive you have misunderstood and taken unkindly something I said to you in a former jocular one of mine concerning Charity . I forget what it was exactly, but I am sure I neither express nor meant any personal Censure on you or any body. If anything, it was a general Reflection on our Sect; we zealous...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Eyre: Bill and Receipt, 16 February 1760 (Franklin Papers)
DS (two copies): Historical Society of Pennsylvania On February 16 Franklin’s legal adviser Francis Eyre called upon him to receive “Instructions to sollicit the Confirmation of nineteen Pennsylvania Acts of Assembly” passed during 1758 and 1759. The Proprietors opposed eleven of the measures, including the two most important, the £100,000 Supply Act of 1759 and an act authorizing Franklin, as...
33From Benjamin Franklin to William Coleman, 12 October 1761 (Franklin Papers)
LAS: Yale University Library I have received your obliging Favours of July 16. and Augt. 15. for which I thank you. The Transit I think would not have appear’d at Philadelphia, if any body had been ready there to observe. It is so far West, that Venus was off the Sun’s Disk before he rose there. I send you Ferguson’s Book on the Subject to which I was a Subscriber, and also a large Scheme of...
34From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 June 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Duplicate: American Philosophical Society I wrote a Line to you by the Pacquet, to let you know we were well, and I promis’d to write you fully per Capt. Budden, and answer all your Letters, which I accordingly now set down to do. I am concern’d that so much Trouble should be given you by idle Reports concerning me. Be satisfied, my dear, that while I have my Senses, and God vouchsafes me his...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 23 August 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Letters by Mr. Keene, and some others, which I shall answer fully by Capt. Faulkner, who sails in a few Days. By him I send the Eider Down Cover lid, and Bag for the Feet, which cost 12 Guineas; also the Camlet a second time for Sister Peter, to supply what was lost in Capt. House: with some other little things that I shall mention...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 27 April 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Had I never known you I could not have read those Writings you were so obliging to put into my Hands without entertaining the highest Esteem for you, but as I have had the Happiness of experiencing your Condescension and Candour Gratitude and Affection are join’d to my Esteem, and together fill my Heart with Sentiments I am not able to express. You assert...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Potts, 6 May 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Letter which you left with me last Week I read to my Lord Bessborough who Orderd me to Acquaint you he desired Mackrath might be removed Directly and that you would appoint the Person Post Master at Charles Town that was recommended by Governor Littleton some time ago, I shall Acquaint the Governor on Friday next with this Nomination. I am Sir Your most...
38From Benjamin Franklin to John Baskerville, [1760?] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The General Evening Post . ( London ), Aug. 9–11, 1763; The London Chronicle: or, Universal Evening Post , Aug. 11–13, 1763; The St. James’s Chronicle; or, The British Evening-Post , Aug. 13, 1763. In the spring of 1758 Franklin had subscribed through Dr. Fothergill for six copies of Baskerville’s new edition of Vergil and had ordered all six bound in vellum and...
39Minute of the Associates of the Late Dr. Bray, 17 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
MS : University of Virginia Library At a meeting of the Associates of the late Dr. Bray called for Jan. 17, 1760, to enable the Society to avail itself of Franklin’s advice (see above, pp. 12–13), he recommended New York, Williamsburg, and Newport as the best places to establish the three Negro schools which the Society intended to found in America in addition to the one already started in...
40From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 26 February 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The above is a Copy of mine per Capt. House Since which I have receiv’d your Favour of Jan. 8. but one you mention to have wrote of Dec. 2. is not come to hand. Nothing material has pass’d in our Affairs since my last, the Proprietor not having yet presented the Laws. They are at present under Consideration of our Council on both sides. You desire some Information...
41To Benjamin Franklin from the Trustees of the General Loan Office: Bill of Exchange, 20 October 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with blanks filled in: The Franklin Inn, Philadelphia At Thirty Days Sight of this our Fourth per Exchange (our First, Second and Third, of the same Tenor and Date, unpaid) pay unto John Reynell or Order, Three hundred Pounds Sterling, for Value received, and charge it to the Province of Pennsylvania; but if it is not paid at said Thirty Days Sight, then pay Interest on...
42From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Bessborough, [October 1761] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Calling at the Board this Morning, I was informed that Application had been made by Governour Fauquier for a Commission to his Secretary as my Colleague in the American Office. It is my Duty to acquiesce in your Lordship’s Pleasure if after reading this you should think proper to gratify the Governor by such an Appointment. But I conceive that the...
43To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 2 July 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society Yours, of the 28th of March, I received, owning the Receipt of a Bill for £200 Sterling, drawn by William Plumsted. The Brevier came safe to hand by Gibbon, looks very well, but sticks, when distributed, most intolerably. Believe it will turn out pretty perfect. By the Captains Falconer and Killner to London, I sent you the first and second...
44To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 26 August 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society I received yours, of the 14th of June, with two Protests inclosed for £300 Bills of Exchange, which I immediately presented to the Gentlemen they were drawn by, who seemed a good Deal surprised that they should have come back protested, and shewed me a Letter from the Portis’s telling them they had paid all their Draughts that had been presented...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 1 May 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have been so very Unwell all this last Winter, and the Early part of this Spring that my Attendance on the Assembly has been Very Inconvenient and Troublesome to me, and if my ill state of Health Continues and I have no Reason to Expect much Alteration I must be oblig’d to quit all close Attention or attendance on publick Affairs. This I...
46From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Penington, 9 May 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I inclose you a Letter from your Kinsman Mr. Springet Penn, with whom I had no Acquaintance till lately, but have the Pleasure to find him a very sensible discreet young Man, with excellent Dispositions, which makes me the more regret that the Government as well as Property of our Province should pass out of that Line. There has, by his Account, been...
47From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, [1760–1762] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Among the surviving letters between Franklin and Mary Stevenson are two from him and two from her bearing incomplete dates or none at all, which cannot be even approximately placed by other evidence, although they seem to belong to the general period from May 1, 1760, when Franklin and Polly agreed to correspond on subjects of moral and natural philosophy,...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, [1760–1762] (Franklin Papers)
Draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Your last Letter gave me great pleasure though the thoughts of having laid you under a necessity of writing it fill me with Confusion, for it was so unreasonable to draw you in to write a third Letter after you had condescendingly written two, that you ought to have punish’d me for it; but you have us’d the most effectual method to make me...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 27 February 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am just come from the House to my Brother’s where I met a Gentleman setting out for NY who complements me with staying for this Letter which will probably reach the Albany Sloop of War to be dispatched by General Amherst, as he writes our Governor in ten Days from the 21st Instant. This Vessel brot Secretary Pitts Letter with the Plan of...
50From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 21 October 1761 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Scottish Record Office It is long since I have afforded myself the Pleasure of writing to you. As I grow in Years I find I grow more indolent, and more apt to procrastinate. I am indeed a bad Correspondent; but what avails Confession without Amendment! When I come so late with my Thanks for your truly valuable Introduction to the Art of Thinking, can I have any Right to enquire after your...