1From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 30 August 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Extract printed from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (Paris, 1773), p. 314. Cette lettre vous sera remise par le Docteur Lettsom, jeune Médecin Amériquain de beaucoup de mérite, qui est de la paisible secte des Trembleurs, et que vous regarderiez conséquemment au moins comme une rareté à contempler, quand même vous auriez épousé toutes les préventions de la plupart de vos...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 22 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society With this you will receive some Sheets of the Piece now printing, and which I am promis’d shall be finish’d in a few Days. I am afraid it is not so correct as it should be; But as I have been advis’d not to publish it till next Month, most of our Gentry being yet out of Town, there will be time for you to send me the Errata which may be printed at...
3From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 9 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Darlington, ed., Memorials of John Bartram and Humphry Marshall (Philadelphia, 1849), pp. 402–3. I received your kind letter of November 5, and the box directed to the King is since come to hand. I have written a line to our late dear friend’s son, (who must be best acquainted with the usual manner of transacting your affairs here,) to know whether he will take charge of...
4From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 9 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Stanford University Libraries It is with great Pleasure I understand by your Favour of April 10. that you continue to enjoy so good a Share of Health. I hope it will long continue. And altho’ it may not now be suitable for you [to make?] such wide Excursions as heretofore, you may yet be very useful to your Country and to Mankind, if you [sit?] down quietly at home, digest the Knowledge...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Adolf Benzelius, [November 1769 or December 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Uppsala Library Dr. Franklin presents his best Respects to Mr. Benzel, and will be glad to see him and his Friend tomorrow morning at Eleven a Clock, if that time will suit them, and they think fit to do him the Honour of a Visit in Craven street. Addressed: To / Mr Benzel / at Mrs Philips’s / Jeweller. / St Martin’s Court Adolf Benzelius or Benzelstierna (1715–75) came of a...
6From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 13 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I am honoured with yours of May 10. and agree with you perfectly in your Sentiments of publick Affairs. Government here seems now to be growing more moderate with regard to America, and I am persuaded that by a steady prudent Conduct, we shall finally obtain all our important Points, and establish American Liberty on a clearer and firmer Foundation. The...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel Burton, 26 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Fulham Palace Library, London The note of recommendation printed below, like Franklin’s recommendation of George Spencer a year earlier, raises a question about his judgment in sponsoring candidates for the Anglican priesthood. Theodorus Swaine Drage grew up in England, where he is said to have been a schoolmate of Lord Hillsborough. He emigrated to Pennsylvania, if Franklin is correct...
8From Benjamin Franklin to John Canton, 25 August 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society When I was at Paris about 10 Days since, I was told that a Comet was then visible with a Tail of considerable Length. If it has not been yet observed or heard of here, perhaps this little Notice may be agreable to you. I return’d but last Night, I hope you and yours are well; being very sincerely Your affectionate Friend and Servant I think it was said to be in some...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 27 April 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum I received your Favour of Feb. 27. per Capt. Carver, and thank you for giving me an Opportunity of being acquainted with so great a Traveller. I shall be glad if I can render him any Service here. The Parliament remain fix’d in their Resolution not to repeal the Duty Acts this Session, and will rise next Tuesday. I hope my Country-folks will remain as fix’d in their...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 24 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum I received your Favour by Mr. Jefferies. I should have been glad if in any thing I could have serv’d him here. The Part I took in the Application for your Degree, was merely doing Justice to Merit, which is the Duty of an honest Man whenever he has the Opportunity. I did that Duty indeed with Pleasure and Satisfaction to myself, which was sufficient: But I own the Pleasure...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 30 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum Your Favour of Aug. 3 has given me great Pleasure. I have only time now to acknowledge the Receipt of it, but purpose to write fully by the next Opportunity. I am just returned from France, where I found our Dispute much attended to, several of our Pamphlets being translated and printed there, among the rest my Examination, and the Farmer’s Letters with two of my Pieces...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Grey Cooper, 11 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mr. Albert M. Greenfield (1955) An Application being about to be made for a Grant of Lands in the Territory on the Ohio lately purchased of the Indians, I cannot omit acquainting you with it, and giving you my Opinion, that they will very soon be settled by People from the neighbouring Provinces, and be of great Advantage in a few Years to the Undertakers. As you have those fine...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas-François Dalibard, 22 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society Having this Opportunity by M. Le Roy, I embrace it to thank you most heartily for the many Civilities and Marks of Friendship I received from you and Madame Dalibard while in Paris; and to express my sincere and cordial Wishes for your Health and Prosperity: in which I am join’d by my Friend Sir John Pringle. As I cannot soon again enjoy the...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwalader Evans, 7 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Samuel Hazard, ed., Hazard’s Register of Pennsylvania , XVI , no. 5 (August 1, 1835), 66–7; extract in American Philosophical Society Minutes. I have now before me your Favours of June 11, and July 15, I thank you for communicating to me the Observations of the Transit made by Messrs. Biddle & Bayley. I gave them Immediately to Mr. Maskelyn, the Astronomer Royal, who will...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwalader Evans, 8 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am writing to you and all my friends by the packet that sails to morrow. This is only to cover the French work on Silk worms, said to be the best extant; which being too bulky to go per packet I send you by this ship. Some extracts may be made from it and published of the most useful directions; for it is like other French writings rather too wordy,...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Timothy Folger, 29 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): Yale University Library; extract printed in The Boston Evening Post , December 4, 1769. Since my Return from abroad, where I spent part of the Summer, I have received your Favours of June 10 and July 26. The Treasury Board is still under Adjournment, the Lords and Secretaries chiefly in the Country; but as soon as they meet again, you may depend on my making the Application...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 21 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society By Capt. Sparks Mrs. Stevenson sent you a large square Case, containing the Things mentioned in the inclos’d Invoice; it was marked Stores for Mrs. Franklin Philadelphia , and carried on board by our Porter, who says he deliver’d it to the Mate, but he brought back no Receipt. The Mate told him he liv’d not far from you, and knew us both. I hope there has...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 1 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours of Jan. 3. per Packet, and one from Sally. I wrote to you very fully by the late Ships. This is only to let you know I am well, and particularly that my Arms, which you enquire after, have perfectly recover’d their Strength. Your Account of Mr. Coleman’s fresh Disorder, grieves me exceedingly. I have had a Visit from Mr. Bache’s Sister, who...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (facsimile) in John Jay Smith, American Historical and Literary Curiosities; Consisting of Fac-Similes of Some Plates, &c. Relating to Columbus, and Original Documents of the Revolution … Second Series (New York, 1860), pl. XLVI . By Capt. Falconer, I shall write to you fully; this only serves to acquaint you that I am as well as I can be without my usual Journey, but I begin to feel the...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 3 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Jefferies has so long talk’d of sailing, that People began to think he would never sail; and now I am just told that he goes this Evening, so can only say that I am well, and that having receiv’d Sally’s Letter by Capt. Falkner, I rejoice to hear you so soon got over your late Indisposition, but am impatient for the next Packet which I hope will bring...
21From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, [7 October 1769] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from a quotation by William Franklin in a letter of January 1, 1770, Stan V. Henkels, Catalogue , No. 860 (April 9, 1901), p. 9. It is very uncertain as yet what Turn American Affairs will take here on the Meeting of Parliament. The Friends of both Countries wish a reconciliation; the Enemies of either endeavour to widen the Breach, God knows how it will end.
22From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 29 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Clements Library The within was written to go by Budden, then expected to sail every Day. But as he still continues here, I now send it per Falconer. The Parliament has since come together after their Recess. The Lords Resolutions were to have been taken into Consideration last Monday by the Commons. They had before determin’d to let none be present that were not Members. I got a Member...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 7 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I wrote to you pretty fully per Falconer, since which nothing material has pass’d relative to American Affairs. The Grand Committee was to have reported on them last Friday; but Wilkes had taken up so much of their Time, the House sitting four Nights successively till three in the Morning, that they were oblig’d to postpone it for another Week. He is expell’d, but...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 9 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Clements Library I wrote a few Lines to you per Packet, in which I mention’d that at a late Meeting of the Agents they had agreed to join in a Petition for the Repeal of the Duty Act. I was desir’d to make a Draft, which I did. The Proposition came from Mr. Garth, who is a Member of Parliament and Agent for S. Carolina. The Opinion was that the Ministry might probably wish to get rid of...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 21 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Clements Library Inclos’d is a Bill of Lading for the Telescope; I hope it will get safe to hand, and give Satisfaction. I have not yet got the Maker’s Account. It was with great Difficulty got done to go by this Ship. We have been greatly alarmed last Week by a Project of Lord Barrington’s (Secretary at War) to bring in a Clause to be added to the American Mutiny Bill, impowering...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 9–28 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Clements Library I have now before me your several Favours of Oct. 15, 17, and 20, and of Nov. 6. I am much oblig’d to the Assembly for the Honour they have done me in a new Appointment. Be pleased to present my respectful Thanks to the House, and assure them of my best Service. I have bespoke the Telescope they have ordered, and hope it will be done in time. The Workmen have promised...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Gilpin, 10 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your Favour per Capt. Osborne, with the Model of your Machine for raising Water. The Manner in which you have apply’d a single Crank for the Working of three Pumps, wherein the whole Force is apply’d to each, and yet in such quick Succession that there is no Loss of Time, appears to me so extreamly ingenious, that I have scarce ever seen a new...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 2 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Just come home from a Venison Feast, where I have drank more than a Philosopher ought, I find my dear Polly’s chearful chatty Letter that exhilarates me more than all the Wine. Your good Mother says there is no Occasion for any Intercession of mine in your behalf. She is sensible that she is more in fault than her Daughter. She received an affectionate tender...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 27 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Agreable to your Orders delivered to me very punctually per Temple, I return you enclos’d Voltaire’s Verses. The Translation I think full as good as the Original. Remember that I am to have them again. I take this Opportunity to send you also a late Paper containing a melancholy Account of the Distresses of some Seamen. You will observe in it the Advantages they...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Michael Hillegas, 5 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Historical Magazine , III (1859), 212. I received yours of Nov. 3, and was very sorry to find you had been disappointed of your Glasses by their being broken in going over. I have given Orders to have the Loss repair’d, agreeable to the Directions in your Letter, and hope it will not be long before they are executed. Make no Apology as if you gave me Trouble, for I assure...