31To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 4 April 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <General Post Office, Thursday, April 4, 1771. An invitation, in the third person, to dinner at four the next day with Mr. Wharton and Major Trent. A bizarre postscript, in Todd’s hand, reads “Salt Fish and Brandy.”> Samuel Wharton and William Trent, two of the prime movers in the Walpole Company. The dinner was presumably to discuss its affairs.
32To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 5 April 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress By Order of the House of Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania, I herewith transmit a Petition to his Majesty respecting the Duties imposed by the late Revenue Act of Parliament, which remain unrepealed. This Petition it is their Desire that you shoud present to his Majesty in the most proper Manner. I am Sir, with great Esteem and Regard your most obedient...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Wilson, 14 April 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By last post we had a Letter from Mr. Kettleby in Dublin, informing us that he had had a Letter from you inquiring if he could furnish some Fonts of Printing Types for a Printing Office in America, and that in return he had mentioned us and recommended our Types. I now use the freedom in letting you know that we have just now ready finished Several Fonts of...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 19 April 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College Library I am glad that you have received your Comm Bonon . safe. I thank you for the use of them, and think myself [fortunate] in having an opportunity of doing you the smallest favour. I told you I either had or expect very soon to be possessed of the memoirs of all the philosophical societies, of note , in Europe, and the following account of the price of them will, I...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Willson Peale, [21 April 1771] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society In Compliance with that promise that I had the honor to make you when I was about leaving London, I now assume the Liberty of a Correspondent, in addressing this letter to you. I ever retain a grateful sense of the respect you shewed, and the notice you took of me when in England, marks of respect, of this nature make the strongest...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Empson, 23 April 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours by the last post—and return you a thousand thanks for the money you are so kind as to Alow me which I have Drawn on you for. I am affraid by the Manner and Shortness of your letter that you [are?] displeased with the freedom I have taken [in my writing?] to you. But alass Sir if you [were in my situation?] without friends or money you...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 23 April 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be deliverd to you by Mr. Nicholas Biddle, to whom I wish to render acceptable Service, not so much from a personal Acquaintance with him, as from the general Good Character and Esteem he has deservedly acquired among all those who have had any Knowledge or Experience of him. He is warmly recommended to me, as an Active, sensible, prudent,...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Life, 26 April 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Basinghall St., April 26, 1771, a note in the third person. Sorry that he has been too rushed with important business, which had to be finished that week, to call on Franklin about the Georgia affair; will do so next Monday morning, if convenient, at eleven.> In all likelihood the preparation of a memorial to the Board of Trade, requesting that the...
39To Benjamin Franklin from J. G. Kettilby, 27 April 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter reveals virtually all that seems to be known about the writer. Yet that is enough to establish him as an innovator in printing: he had developed a type font composed not only of single characters but also of complete words. The invention would seem sure to have intrigued Franklin, for some years later a closely similar one, of the so-called...
40To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 29 April 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have very little to write beside a repetition of real frendship haveing received never a line from thee since I sent thee a box of seeds and a letter last fall, wherein I desired to be acquainted whether the King Continued his bounty still to me or droped it. I Cant yet hear the least tittle concerning it except that William Young stiles him self thair...
41To Benjamin Franklin, John Fothergill, and David Barclay from a Committee of the Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital … (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia <Philadelphia, May 3, 1771. When the managers learned from Fothergill that the money allotted to the Hospital from the unclaimed shares of the Pennsylvania Land Company is payable as soon as attorneys are authorized to receive it, they convened a meeting of the contributors on April 30 last, which passed a resolution empowering them to issue...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Rhoads, 3 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d thy kind Favour of Feb: 10 and am much oblig’d by the several usefull papers Pamphlets and Samples contain’d therein. Thy Friend Wooller has taken much Pains in explaining the Method of making our Houses secure from Fire—which I hope will be of great Service—we are much oblig’d to him. I have given several little Bitts of the Lime Stone to some...
43To Benjamin Franklin from William Smith, 3 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Agreeable to the Directions of our Philosophical Society, I have sent in a small Box by Faulkner, (directed to you) 11 Copies of the 1st. Vol. of the Transactions of the said Society; which they request you, as their President, to deliver as they are directed viz 1 Copy to the Royal Society; Do. Royal College of Physicians; Society of Arts &c. British...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwalader Evans, 4 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your letter by Capt. Sparks, who arrived at the Capes of Delaware, the same day Faulkner did, but by falling in with the land a little to the eastward, it was some days after, before he got into port. Your account of Mr. Walpole’s, valueation of the Sample of Silk I sent you, gave us spirits; and I am ordered to desire you to thank that...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Anne Johnson Clarke, 5 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty to acquaint you we arriv’d here the 9 of Deceber. last and tho it was a long passage it was not a bad one. I was very kindly receiv’d by Capt. Clarke’s Mother and relations; Capt. Clarke not finding A [sea?] Man here, was oblig’d to go to Antigue in search of him in eight days after our arrival, upon which his Mother gave me a very...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Maty, 6 May 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <British Museum, May 6, 1771. Sends an enclosure that he has received for Franklin from a newly created society of sciences in Rotterdam. > Secretary of the Royal Society and a sublibrarian of the British Museum; see above, XIII , 451 n. The Bataafsch Genootschap der Proefondervindelijke Wijsbergeerte (Batavian Society of Experimental Science). BF was...
47To Benjamin Franklin from John Pownall, 7 May 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Whitehall, May 7, 1771, a note in the third person. A warrant is signed appointing Mr. Coxe, on Governor Franklin’s recommendation, to the Council of New Jersey; wishes to know who will take charge of sending the warrant.> For Daniel Coxe see above, XIV , 300 n. WF had recommended him in January on the death of the incumbent; the recommendation was endorsed...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Percival, 16 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Though I have not the honour of being known to you, I take the liberty of requesting your acceptance of the inclosed Attempt to account for the different quantities of rain, which fall at different heights, and shall esteem myself happy if it meet with your approbation. I am conscious that my solution of this Phaenomenon is liable to many exceptions, and...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Franklin, 17 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Received your kind favour of the 5 febr. and am verry Glad to hear that you and Coz. Sally Were Well and it adds to our joy the encouragement you give us of Seeing you once more in Boston. My wife and Children have thro gods goodness (Enjoyd) with myself a good Share of health which is a great Blessing. I have one favour to ask of you Sir that is one more...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Giambatista Beccaria, 20 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
Translation of the Italian text printed in Giambatista Beccaria, Elettricismo artificiale ... (Turin, 1772), pp. vii–viii. Beccaria, after almost twenty years, revised and expanded his well known Dell’ Elettricismo artificiale, e naturale libri due ... (Turin, 1753). He prefaced the new edition with the open letter printed below, which was a reply to the letter describing the armonica that...
51To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Jackson, 20 May 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library <General Post Office, May 20, 1771, a note in the third person. Sends a piece of elastic gum with a thousand good wishes.> Identified by the handwriting and place of origin. For Jackson see above, XIV , 301 n. In November BF sent Jonathan Williams, Sr., six “vessels” of elastic gum, costing £1 16 s. Jour., p. 37.
52To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 27 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Monsieur, oserois-je encore ajouter, et cher Ami? Il y a bientôt huit mois que vous ne m’avez honoré de vos nouvelles, je cherche à me flatter que ce n’est que faute d’occasions; mais je crains de me faire illusion à cet egard, attendu le grand nombre d’Anglois qui viennent successivement en france. Auroisje eu le malheur de vous deplaire en...
53To Benjamin Franklin, John Fothergill, and David Barclay from a Committee of the Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital … (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society <Pennsylvania Hospital, June 3, 1771. Last year’s committee sent them, a few weeks ago, a resolution of the contributors and a power of attorney to receive the funds due the Hospital from unclaimed shares of the Pennsylvania Land Company; copies of both are enclosed. Although the needs of the Hospital are acute, the Managers dare not draw any of the money...
54To Benjamin Franklin from John Peter Miller, 12 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being prevented by many Interruptions, the Discharge upon your worthy Letter was so long postponed. I send you hereby a Collection, which for the most part uncommon. I do not pretend, that they Word for Words hath been the Father’s Tenets; for he himself would never publish any, and protested against others, which, by doing also, hath increased the Division...
55To Benjamin Franklin from Katherine French, 17 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mrs. French understands that Docr. Franklin dines with the Bishop of St. Asaph’s to morrow hopes he will do her the favor of dining with her on Wednesday or Thursday, both days will be giving her a double pleasure, she has provided chess players for each day. See her letter to BF above, Feb. 18. BF was not merely dining with the Bishop, but visiting him...
56To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Crane, 22 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Before this comes to Hand, you have probably received Information of the late Debate between the Governor and Assembly of this Province, relative to the granting Supplies for his Majesty’s Troops stationed in it. This Dispute, gives great Concern to the House, and I could sincerely wish, the House could have found it consistant with their Duty not to have...
57To Benjamin Franklin from Harvard College: Vote of Thanks, 24 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William C. Lane, “Harvard College and Franklin,” Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts , X (1907), 237. At a Meeting of the President and Fellows June 24th 1771. That the Thanks of this Board be given to Dr. Franklin for his kind remembrance of Harvard College expressed in his many friendly Offices and valuable Donations to this Society, particularly in his late...
58To Benjamin Franklin from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 25 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Virginia Library and Harvard University Library At the present Session of the General Court, Application has been made to the Court by some of the Grantees of Townships to the eastward of Penobscot River, praying that further Time may be allowed them to procure the King’s Approbation of the Grants that have been made to them. The General Court have divers Times already...
59To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 25 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft ): Yale University Library This waits on you by Henry Marchant Esqr. Attorney General of this Colony, and its joynt Agent with Jos. Sherwood Esqr. at the Court of Great Britain. I doubt not you will afford him your friendly Advice and Assistance in the Agency. I need not remind you that he is One of the First Fruits of the College in Philada. which rose up greatly thro’ your...
60To Benjamin Franklin from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 29 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Virginia Library Your Letter of the 5th. of Febry last has been laid before the House, the Contents are important, and claim our fixed Attention. We cannot think the Doctrine of the Right of Parliament to tax us is given up while an Act remains in Force for that Purpose, and is daily put in Execution, and the longer it remains the more Danger there is of the People’s...