31To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 12–13 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Packet being detain’d two or three Days on the following Occasion, tho’ I had wrote four Days ago, all that was then necessary, I could not dispence with writing again; And notwithstanding you will doubtless hear it, if I had not wrote: It pleased God to take our Governor Sir Henry Moore, Bart. out of this World, Yesterday half after 3 o’Clock in the...
32To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 18 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Eight Days ago, I wrote you per Packet, inclosing the 2d Bill from Mr. Courtney of Baltimore, the first of which I sent per Capt. Haight, for £141 6 s . 11 d . Sterling. Last Night I received the inclosed Bill for £10 1 s . 3 d . Sterling from Mr. Vernon of Rhode-Island; he says, it is good, and he is trying to get more for further Remittance. This is all I...
33To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 April 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [Philadelphia, April 14, 1769. John Foxcroft has summoned him there. Encloses a second bill for £60 13 s. 9 d. , the first of which he had sent from New York on February 13. This Foxcroft had returned to him to send to Franklin. Is in poor health but hopes to recover.]
34To Benjamin Franklin from James Elphinston: Bill for William Temple Franklin’s Education, 4 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society Master William Temple July 4. 1769 One half year’s board and Education 15. .. .. One half year’s dancing 2. 2. Education, a poem, bound 3. 6 Copybooks, paper, pens and ink &c 6. 6 Mending of cloaths 5. 6
35To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Kames, 21 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Works of Benjamin Franklin … (10 vols., Boston, 1836–40), VII , 432 n. The letter you mention, about American affairs, never came to hand. I have an essay on the subject of your Queries, and you shall hear from me soon about our agreeing or differing. I have a great fund of political knowledge reduced into writing, far from being ripe, but fit for...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Seth Paddack, 29 November 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arivd here The 15th Inst: from Nantucket and Being an Intimate acquaintance of Capt. Timo: Folger, he Put on Board a Quintal of Salted Cod fish Cured: Directed To You But The Letter was omited: and if youll Send a Line to me with an order on Board The Yarmouth Laying off with Iron Gate or at Mrs. Fossick, The Fish is at your Service: I am Sir with Respect...
37To Benjamin Franklin from New Jersey Assembly Committee of Correspondence, 7 December 1769 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The House of Representatives of this Colony on the 8th of last mo. unanimously chose you their Agent in London and appointed us to correspond with you on the affairs of the Colony. The Resolve of the House by which you are appointed Agent, his Excellency will transmit to you properly attested. To a Gentleman whose inclination to serve these Colonies, we...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Coombe, 17 April 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your favour of the 5th January, I receiv’d per Cap. Falconer. The Book you was pleased to send me, I also received, and accept as a mark of the Authors Friendship, tho the Instances of the very extraordinary kindness shewn my Son and your Assurances of it’s continuance, together with the Pleasure you are pleased to express in my recommending him to you, are...
39To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 30 November 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [Woodbridge, N.J., November 30, 1769. Has taken the journey from New York in the hope that it would help his recovery from the gout. Just back from a trip by waggon to Burlington, where the Assembly is sitting, and finds on his return Franklin’s letter of September 9 with its remarks about Mr. Robinson and Parker’s office in the customs. Is resigning that...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Jeremiah Miller, 11 December 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is not a want of the higest regard and Esteem for you (an old Friend and Auquaintance of my Dear Fathers ) that is the Cause of my not troubling you with a line, but your Correspondence and Connections with the greatest men and Geniuses of the present age; and the Sense I have of your Superiour Merrit, which Induces me to think any literary Efforts of...
41To Benjamin Franklin from the Philadelphia Merchants, 18 April 1769 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society We are favoured with thy letter of the 19th January, and observe with pleasure the Steps thou hast taken to Serve the Cause of America, which we cannot forbear considering as the Cause of Liberty. The Committee of Merchants in London inform us of an Application they had made to the proper Department in Administration. But the Answer they received is so very...
42To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 5–9 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ever since my last of the 11th Sept. have I been laid up, by the most excruciating Fit of the Gout, that ever I had: and I have now but scarce Ability to write a Line or two. Nothing worthy of Note has happen’d since in Relation to the Post-Office, except that Mr. Babcock has left New-Haven, and I sent a Commission to Mr. Kilby in his Stead, who has given...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 13–14 December 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society this day mr. Foxcrofte tells me that this poste is to take the letters in the 2d packites which I did not get my letter that I ansers your qustons I can only say that I had not one line in the Ocktober packit nor have not heard only mr. Comes that he heard that you was well in ocktober for wich I was verey glad. I am to tell you that I am much better then I...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson and Thomas Mifflin, 3 May 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Minutes of the Library Company of Philadelphia Since we had the Pleasure of writing to you an Union has taken place between the principal Librarys in Town. In Consequence of which the Directors have ordered a Review of the Books. And as it is not yet fully known what we have or what we want, The Directors have ordered us to write and request the Favour of you, if you have not laid out...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 18 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Todd presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and begs the favour of his Company to Dinner on Friday next at four, to meet Mr. Foxcroft, Mr. Wharton and Major Trent. Mr. Todd will be very happy if this note should find the Dr. returned to Town. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / at Mrs. Stevenson’s / Craven Street / Strand. Sir Grey Cooper had offered to...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwalader Evans, 15 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the Ship Chalkley, Capt. Volans I sent to you Owen Biddle’s, and Joel Bailey’s, observations, of the Transit of Venus, at Cape Henlopen; but as there was some error in that hasty copy, I am desired to inclose a more correct one. I have not got the observations made at the Statehouse, or at David Rittenhouse’s, but woud if I had known time enough to...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Gordon, 5 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is a Tax on Superior Merrit and Benevolence, to be troubled with Importunities of every kind of People, who want Assistance. Your kindness formerly to my own Son, Encourages me now to Apply in behalf of my Son in Law Henry Benbridge, a very Deserving youth who has been Several Years in Italy for his improvement in Painting, and is now going to London for...
48To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 16 December 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, December 16, 1769. Crept back from Woodbridge two days ago, in order to send by packet anything of interest. Mr. Colden has applied for a bill for £200, which was promised him today; but he was disappointed because Mr. Watts, who signs the bills together with Mr. McEvers, was out of town. Will send the bill by Captain Davis, eight or ten days...
49To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 26 December 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [Woodbridge, N.J., December 26, 1769. Had intended this to go by Captain Davis, but he sailed before it reached New York. Has received since then the enclosed bill from Mr. Colden for £200, drawn by Watts and McEvers on Harley & Drummond, “cost 65 per Cent the Exchange at this Time.”] John Drummond (1723–74), of Drummond’s Bank, and the Hon. Thomas Harley...
50By Peter Hinrich Tesdorpf: Poem, [April? 1769] (Franklin Papers)
MS translation from German: American Philosophical Society Upon the unvaluable Contrivance, of Mr. Francklin, k: to carry of the Lightening. Hail! thou art blessed! said lately the Moon to the Earth, Thy Wish was for a Francklin, and Heaven granted him to be. He arose, that Godlike Man, and delivered thy Seat, like the Happiness of the Angels from the danger of Lightening. He surmounts the...
51To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 12 May 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Before this reaches you, I hope Mr. Foxcroft will be safe arrived with you, as he sail’d from Philadelphia the 20th of last Month. This covers the first of a Set of Bills for £100 Sterling which I purchased here with Money sent me by Mr. Vernon of Rhode-Island, who I have press’d hard for Payment. His Accounts, tho’ kept in Sterling when he sends Cash will...
52To Benjamin Franklin from Grey Cooper, 13 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Shall come to Town on Monday next, and will [with] great pleasure carry you back with me, if you happen to be disengaged. Yours ever very truly Addressed: To / Dr. Francklin Presumably Sir Grey’s country house, where BF had written his essay on smuggling. See above, XIV , 315.
53To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Clifford, 21 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The bearer hereof is Thomas Clifford junr. just going to embark for Great Britain; I have desired him to wait on thee with my kind respects; Thy Friendly Notice of him as an Inhabitant of Pennsylvania, and my Son will be very obliging to Thy Respectful Friend Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / York Buildings / London / per favour of / T. Clifford...
54To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 22 July 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, July 22, 1769. Repeats the substance of his letter of June 28. Encloses a bill of exchange for £50 from Luke & Prettyjohn, Barbados, drawn on Richard Gosling of London and endorsed by Mrs. Moore of New York; bills are rising and now stand at 72½, and he bought this one for 70. Has received Franklin’s letters by the packet and by Dr. Rush. Captain...
55To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 17 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This covers one of a Set of Bills of Exchange, which I just received from Mr. Hubbart of Boston, for £60 13 s . 9 d . Sterling on John Blackburn, Esq. London: The first of this Set I sent down to Mr. Foxcroft, who is gone to Virginia, and I apprehend he will send it to you, but very probably this will come to your Hand first, and of this I have advised him,...
56To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Stockton, 22 December 1769 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society You will give me leave to congratulate you or at least the province of New Jersey, upon your late appointment to be our Agent also. Such an event cannot fail of promoting the best interests of the Colony, while it may suit you to remain on the other side of the water; and even after you retire to your native country (if that should ever happen) the...
57To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 27 December 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Yale University Library This acknowledges the Receipt of your Collection of philosophical Letters, and Dissertations in a quarto Volume which with your Letter came safe to hand last Summer. For which please to accept my Thanks. They have given me great Pleasure and Instruction. I have desired Capt. Peck, by whom you receive this, to procure me in London Relands Collection from the...
58To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 12 August 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. James Adair, the Bearer of this Letter, intending to Publish Essays on the Origin, Language, Religion, Customs, Policy &c, of the American Indians, particularly of those residing to the Southward, has obtaind Subscriptions and Encouragment from many Gentlemen of this and the other Provinces in America. He thinks he can better execute his Design in...
59To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [19 May 1769]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [Dated merely Friday; probably May 19, 1769. A note in the third person: is sorry to inform Franklin that the New York mail, according to Mr. Todd, was made up and dispatched on Wednesday night, when the letters for the governors were received from the various officers. The Captain sails for New York on Monday. ] We are assuming that Wharton referred to...
60To Benjamin Franklin from a Committee of the Town of Boston, 23 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society It is with the greatest Pleasure we obey the Orders of the Town of Boston in transmitting to you their Remarks upon the Letters from Governor Bernard, the Commissioners of his Majesty’s Customs, General Gage and Commodore Hood Copies of which the Town have been furnished with by Mr. Bollan. The Town of Boston are fully sensible of your extensive Influence...
61To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 3 August 1769 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): British Museum I am now to acknowledg the repeated Favor of your Letters, with the Notes of Mr. P.’ Speech in Parliament, the arguments on the Dissenting Cause; and the Political Pamphlets, in which you have given me no small Entertainment. I could not forbear communicating what you wrote to some particular Friends, to whom I knew it would give great Pleasure, and to allow some...
62To Benjamin Franklin from Moses Franks, 20 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I must entreat you to deliver to Mr. Dagge the Account and Papers relative to the Sufferers by Indian Depredations in 1754. There being particular occasion for them; being requested by the legal representatives of those Sufferers to solicit compensation. You were troubled formerly by Mr. Levy on the subject, and Mr. Dagge having just told me he is to meet...
63To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, [December 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society NB Dr Franklin to whom these verses Verses which accompanied her Christmas gift to BF .
64To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 August 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, August 14, 1769. Repeats the substance of his letter of August 12, and encloses the second of Hubbart’s £200 bill.]
65To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Evans, 23 May 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your two very obliging favors by Mr. Stuart (who arrived a few weeks ago) I have received, and most sincerely thank you for the enquiries you was so obliging to make concerning him. Mr. Traill and his Lady have charged me with their compliments and warmest acknowledgements for the favor you have done them by it. You my dear Sir, who so much delight in acts...
66To Benjamin Franklin from John Pownall, 2 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (copy): Public Record Office I am directed by the Earl of Hillsborough to desire the Favor that he may see you at His House together with the Agents of some of the other North American Colonies on Wednesday next at Eleven O’Clock in the forenoon, on the subject of some representations that have been made to his Lordship of irregularities committed by Masters of Bermuda Vessels raking Salt...
67To Benjamin Franklin from John Hawkesworth, 8 November 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College Library These few Lines comes hopping that you may not forget your promise of putting me in the way of getting a pensylvanian Stove time enough to enjoy the benefit of it this Winter: have you spoken to the Man to whose Eyes you addressed a proof that could not reach his Understanding? Will you fix a time for him to come hither, and will you fix such a time as will be...
68To Benjamin Franklin from John Foxcroft, 21 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Immediately on my receiving your favour by the Genl. Gage Captain Kemble (enclosing me Mr. Todds Letter Signifying to me that their Lordships had been pleased to grant me leave of absence for a few Months) I set out for this Colony, in order to put the Riders on such a footing that no stopages might happen during my absence, which I think I have Effectually...
69To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 24 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sincerely ask your pardon for the trouble I gave you with my last. The dedication was written, and sent to you, before I had taken time to reflect upon it. I shall confine myself to the inscription I first proposed, and shall be obliged to you if you will throw the dedication into the fire without showing it to any person whatever. I am, Dear Sir your...
70To Benjamin Franklin from [John] Foxcroft, [1769?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [1769? A note in the third person, dated only Friday, asking Franklin to visit him for a game of chess “on his New Invented Table.” A very bad cold has prevented Foxcroft from calling, and the visit would be an act of charity.] So identified by the handwriting. But his brother Thomas, the Philadelphia postmaster, wrote a closely similar hand, and visited...
71To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 30 May 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You were so good a while ago, to Mention that if I chose to resign the Custom House Business you would not be displeased. While I had the Ability to do what I was taught was my Duty, I patiently Submitted to any Unpopularity or Odium that might unjustly be thrown upon me. But the Commissioners at Boston seem continually to be forming new Orders and...
72To Benjamin Franklin from John Shippen, 3 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society If after the Perusal of the inclosed Letters from my Father you will Venture to Assist Me, by accepting a Bill on the Man so Near and dear to Me, Or in any other way you shall think more proper to Enable Me to Return to America with every requisite necessary to Accomplish my Scheme of reading Lectures on Natural History —with your hearty recommendation and...
73To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 30 October 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York October 30, 1769. Is recovering after six weeks from the worst fit of gout he has ever had. Pain is gone, but he is so weak he can scarcely stand; “so have only Patience and Flannel.” Has heard nothing from Franklin, and nothing has happened in the Post Office since he last wrote.]
74To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [10 November? 1769]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [Dated merely Friday afternoon; probably November 10, 1769. A note in the third person, to send Franklin the American newspapers received that day in the New York mail. Has heard nothing by the packet; expects a letter from “his Friend” by Capt. Jeffries, who was to sail from Philadelphia on Oct. 7.] A New York mail reached London on Nov. 10; London Chron. ,...
75To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 31 August 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have but time to tell you that yister day our Dear littel Boy was Caireyed to Christe Church and was baptised by the Name of Benj Franklin. His Unkill and Ante stood for him Mr. Banton as procksey for you and I was well aneuef to stand for my selef. I have the pleshuer to tell you that Salley is thank to god as well as we have resen to expeckte her to be...
76To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, [c. 2 January 1769] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Many of your Friends, as well as myself, would be glad to have such a Bust of you. Pray what would be the Expence? That of Lord Halifax, I am told, was not cut in Marble first, but made of Clay, and from that the Casts in Plaister of Paris was made. I am often ask’d for your Prints by your old Friends and Acquaintance, and I have given among...
77To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel] Wharton, [16 November? 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Wharton presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and will be much obliged to Him, If He will be so good as to take an early Opportunity of explaining to Governor Pownall, Abraham Mitchel’s base Conduct; As Mr. Wharton finds the Governor and his Brother have read the Affidavit in the Gazeeteer and He is afraid, it may make an injurious Impression on Them,...
78To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 2 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Mail which [left?] England in December is arriv’d, but I have not [heard?] from you, nor had I one by the November Mail. I apprehend that it must be owing either to the Letters being detain’d at the Post Office in London, or else to their being intercepted by some impertinently curious Person between New-York and here. At first I was apprehensive that...
79To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 20 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed in this comes a Bill of Exchange for Fifty-five pounds Sterl. on Messrs. Sargent, Chambers & Co. which from a presumption of your Goodness, I have troubled you with on the following Occasion: Having collected up all that I could of Mr. Balfour of Edinburg’s Books, I got them sold at Auction, which produced as much Money as purchased £25 Sterl. but...
80To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 1 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Adinell S. Hewson, Bryn Mawr, Pa. (1957) Welcome to England my dear, my honour’d Friend! Just as I began a Letter to my Mother I receiv’d the News of your Arrival. I have the same Confidence in my Parent that the Iskimaux Woman had in hers, for if my Mother did not know “I always speak Truth” I could not venture to say what she might be apt to doubt. I confess she has some Reason to...