1To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac All, 30 April 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your favour of the 3d. March I answer’d the 12th. which I hope Came to your hand when I wrote I expected to have had the pleasure of Seeing in a Short time but a Misfortune happening has keept me here Contrary to my expectation on the 8th. Instant in a Very hard gale of wind my Ship was drove on Shore when She was near loaded and At high Water Circumstances...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac All, 12 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I with great pleasure Acknowlege the Receipt of your favour of the 3d. and am very glad to hear You have such late news from your family and friends at Philada. I hope their health will be continued and yourself soon restored never more to be seperated from them. I am much better then when I wrote you but have been Oblig’d since that time to undergo a Very...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac All, 5 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday I had the pleasure to hear of your Arrival in London by a Gentleman lately from thence, on which I most Sincerely Congratulate you as the season of the Year must render your passage disagreeable and dangerous; as I my self found in my Voyage from the Bay of Honduras to this place, where I arrived the 30th. Nov., and soon after saw in the papers An...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Armbruster: Chattel Mortgage and Inventory, 29 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society Know all Men by these Present Whereas I Anthony Armbruster of the City of Philadelphia Printer by a certain Obligation bearing Date the thirty first day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and sixty four became bound to Benjamin Franklin of the same City Esquire in the Sum of One hundred and seventy six pounds and Ten Shillings...
5To Benjamin Franklin from John Balfour, 21 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I believe I forgot to mention in my last, that at your desire, I had not sent over any power of Attorney to make effectual the Debt due to us by Mr. James Parker of New York, I have had several Letters from him promissing a Remmittance, and also from one Mr. John Holt who it seems had enterd into Copartnership with him. The Debt has been long due; and was...
6To Benjamin Franklin from John Balfour, 2 September 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am favourd with yours of the 9th Current giving me an Account of Mr. Mecoms affairs, which is indeed very bad, however the young Gentleman is much to be pitied, as it woud appear that his Circumstances in a good measure have gone wrong thro an Act of Providence. I am not uneasy with respect to myself, but am a little so with respect to Mr. Hamilton, who...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Baynton, Wharton & Morgan, 6 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We did Our selves the Pleasure of Writing to You, on the [ blank ] Ultimo via Liverpoole, To which be pleas’d to be referr’d. We must again take the liberty of troubling You on a matter, Wherein, We daresay, You will cheerfully serve Us, As it will eventually be rendering an essential kindness to many Merchants, besides Our Selves, in the different Citys of...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Baynton, Wharton & Morgan, 30 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It was not, until last Night, We recived your kind Favor of the 9th of March, otherwise, you may [be] assured, We should have remitted you, by this Packet (which [sails] On Saturday), The thousand pounds Sterling, That [you] in the most friendly Manner, sold Us. We are very sensibly pained, That we have subjected you, to the least Inconvenience, But as We...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Lords Bessborough and Grantham: Commission to Benjamin Franklin and John Foxcroft, 25 … (Franklin Papers)
Copy: General Post Office, London In the summer of 1765 the British postal service in North America was divided into two jurisdictions: a northern district, stretching from Virginia through Canada, and a southern district, including North Carolina, the continental colonies to the south, and the Bahama Islands. Under this new dispensation Franklin and Foxcroft, hitherto the deputy postmasters...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society None of the following notes can be dated with precision; it is possible that some may have been written during BF ’s first mission, while others may have been composed as late as 1775. They are placed here because they seem to the editors to belong to the second mission, and in accordance with editorial practice because this is the earliest year in which...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Ephraim Brown, 12 April 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With the greatest Respect I take the Freedom by this Packet to congratulate you on your safe arrival in England. I wrote a Line by the last Packet, which I hope you have receiv’d. His Excellency Governor Franklin and Lady, and Mr. Foxcroft, happen’d to be at Mrs. Franklin’s when your agreeable Letters came to hand. We go on well with the Post-Office, and...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Mather Byles, [1765–1766] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New England Historical Genealogical Society It was with great Surprize and Pleasure, that I received your Picture, from Philadelphia. And it is with no little Pride, that when the Picture introduces talk of the Original, a Theme always pleasing to the Lovers of Learning, that I can pronounce, “ This was sent me by Dr. Franklin himself .” But my Ambition has been strangly augmentd by a...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Conte Giovanni Baptista Carburi, 27 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Comte Carburi fait mille compliments à Mr. le Doc[teu]r Franklin, et lui fait savoir que le Duc de Marlborough seroit charmé de l’avoir chez lui à Marlborough house vendredi prochain, environ à midi, et de le voir faire les experiences Electriques. Ainsi le Dr. Franklin est prié de dire s’il pourra y être, et s’il à besoin de voir auparavant la machine...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Charles, 17 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Charles presents his Compliments to Doctor Franklin and desires the favour of his Company at the Letter feast on friday next at the Kings Arms tavern Cornhill. For Charles, formerly the Pa. agent in England, now comptroller of the Inland Office of the Post Office, see above, VI , 230 n; IX , 332 n; X , 242 n. For this “feast,” see the document next...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 1 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: New-York Historical Society My regard to you makes me give you the trouble of the inclosd Printed Paper, No. 1 of the Constitutional Courant Date Sepr 21st. 1765 one or more bundles of which, I am well informd, were deliver’d to the Post Rider at Woodbridge by James Parker, were distributed by the Post Riders in several parts of this Colony, and I beleive likewise in the...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [1765–1768] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Peter Collinson is much obliged for his Dear Frinds Calling Yesterday—Shall be glad to See Him to Dine with Mee next Thursday Two Clock and then go afterwards to Crane Court. I am Engaged to Dine att Your End of the Town to Day Being called Sunday in Hast. Addressed: To / Benm. Franklin Esqr / these This note can not have been written later than Aug. 11,...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 19 [April or July] 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society P Collinson Incloses to his Dear Friend the Receipt for the Box of Seeds to Doctor Hope. That and my Letter I Desire He will Inclose in a Frank to the Doctor. Doctor Pringle no doubt will procure a Frank. I hope you received a Letter Inclosed to Mee per S: Wharton of Philadelpa: paid postage £2: 6 Charges of the box Seeds to Edinburgh 2: 4: 6 During 1765...
18The Colonial Agents: Card to Christopher D’Oyley, 2 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , May 2, 1765. During April 1765 the pending bill for quartering British troops in America engaged the active attention of the colonial agents and their British merchant allies. They vigorously opposed any provisions that would impose on the colonists requirements to which the inhabitants of England were not also subject under existing law. Of...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Grey Cooper, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Cooper presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and returns him many thanks for the honor of his obliging Enquiries. Addressed: Dr. Frankln’s For Grey Cooper, M.P., 1765–84; secretary to the Treasury, 1765–82; see above, X , 182 n.
20To Benjamin Franklin from George Croghan, 12 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office As I am return’d to this City, after my long Tour thro’ the Indian Country, I do myself the honor of sending you a brief Journal of my Transactions, as I am persuaded, you are deeply interested in whatever respects the welfare of America. Ever since the Cession of Canada and its appendages to the British Crown, it has been found, that the French Settlements, in the...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cumming, [1765–1774] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society T. Cumming presents his best respects to his worthy friend Doctor Franklin, and begs the favour of his company to eat a bit of venison (from Brislay park) at three o’Clock, with their Friend John Wright at C’s house. Addressed: To / Doctor Franklin / Craven Street. For Thomas Cumming, a London Quaker merchant, see above, X , 345–6. Since Cumming died on May...
22To Benjamin Franklin from William Denny, [1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Col. Denny presents his compliments to Dr. Franklin, and should be glad to have the pleasure of dining with him at a tavern; for being in lodgings he cannot ask the favour of his company at home. If it is agreeable, will bespeak a dinner at the Star and Garter, Pall Mall, at a crown a head to be ready at four o’clock. Please to name sunday, monday, or...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Alexander Dick, 5 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It was not till the other day I had the pleasure of receiving your Letter of June the 2d by our freind Mr. Alexander, who had traversd England in his way here. So soon as he arrivd, I communicated the contents to my freind Mr. Swinton, who as well as I have reason to own ourselves extremly oblidgd to you, for the Information you are pleasd to give. He bids...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Alexander Dick, 19 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Sir Alexander Dicks most affectionate, and freindly Compliments to Doctor Franklin. and heartily wishes him Joy, upon his safe arrival again in Britain. He seizes this hasty oppertunity, (which does not allow him time [to] write a Letter) of Mr. Alexanders going unexpectedly to London, to kiss the Doctor’s hands, by this note, and to acquaint him that if...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwalader Evans, 15 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A Vessel from Ireland to New York brought us the most agreeable news of your safe arrival in London the 13th. of Decemr., which occassion’d as great and general a Joy in Pensylvania, among those, whose esteem an honest man woud value most, and as much to the confusion of the rest, as ever I saw; The Bells rang, on that Account till near midnight, Libations...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 14 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have put on shore at Dover Six Packets for you there is Some Still on board which I am Desierd to Deliver with my own hand. I Shall wait on you with them as Soon as Ever the Ship Gits up to London from Sir your most obident Humble Servant Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esqr / Craven Street / London Endorsed: Capt. Falconer For Falconer, a ship captain...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 5 April 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have made Bold to Send you a turtle in the Ship hannover packet Capt. Price as also two pair of Spanish Birds Called hear patriges which are much admired hear. I have Directed them to the Care of messrs mildred and Roberts of Lond[on]. I thought not proper to Let the Capt know they whear for you as I well no how matters stand with him. I hope they will...
28From Benjamin Franklin to William Robertson, 4 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library I rejoice to hear by my friend Mr. Strahan that you continue in Health and are now at the Head of the Edinburgh University. Before I leave Britain again I Promise myself the Happiness of once more seeing you and my other Friends in Scotland, having always retained a pleasing Remembrance of the time I spent in that Country, the ingenious and instructive...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 9 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours and Sally’s kind Letters of Sept. 22. and Brother Read’s. Also one from our good Neighbour Thomson, and one from Brother Peter; one from Mr. Hall and one from Mr. Parker: All which I pray you to acknowledge for me, with Thanks, as I find I can not have time to write to them by this Packet. I honour much the Spirit and Courage you show’d,...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Smith, Wright and Gray, 13 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library Inclos’d I send you three Bills of Exchange, White on Bacon, for Five Hundred Pounds Sterling. They are different Bills, tho’ on the same Paper. Please to present them for Acceptance—and enter them in my Book. Send me per Mrs. Stevenson the Bearer Thirty Guineas, of which two in Silver. I am, Your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: To / Messrs Wright Smith &...