1051From George Washington to George William Fairfax, 7 June 1755 (Washington Papers)
I had not the pleasure of receiving your favour till after my return from Williamsburg, when it was not in my power to be so serviceable in the affair of your Horses as I coud have wish ’d ; for they were sent out with a Detachment of 500 Men a few days before. I made immediate enquiry, and application for them; and believe I shall be able, notwithstanding our gt want of Horses, to procure...
1052From George Washington to Mary Ball Washington, 7 June 1755 (Washington Papers)
I was favourd with your s Letter by Mr Dick, and am sorry it is not in my power to provide you with either a Dutch man Servant , or the Butter as agreeably to you desire, for w W
1053From George Washington to John Carlyle, 7 June 1755 (Washington Papers)
I take this oppertunity, as it is the last I can expect before we leave this place, of enquiring after your health, which I hope is greatly amended since I saw you in Williamsburg. I have not time, as we are now very much hurried, to communicate very particularly the little News that is stirring in the Camp; from whence, before I arrivd, was Detachd a body of 500 Men under the Command of Major...
1054From George Washington to Sarah Fairfax Carlyle, 7 June 1755 (Washington Papers)
As I have no higher expectation in view gratification than an intimate Corrispondance with my Friends, I hope in that I shall not be disappointed; especially by you and Mrs Fairfax, who was were pleasd (tho seldom) to honour me with your’s last time. favors last Campaign. I arrivd here in tolerable health tho something fatiegued with the journey; and found that Sir Jno. St Clair w h a s d
1055From George Washington to Sarah Cary Fairfax, 7 June 1755 (Washington Papers)
When I had the pleasure to see you last, you expressd an Inclination a wish to be informd of my safe arrival at Camp, with the charge that was entrusted to my care; but at the same time desird requested that it might be communicated in a Letter to some body friend of your s acquaintance : This I took as a Gentle rebuke and polite manner of forbidding my corrisponding with you; and conceive...
1056From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 7 June 1755 (Washington Papers)
As much as I am hurried as I am at present, I cant think of leaving this place without writing to you; tho I have no time to be particular. I was Escorted by 8 Men of the Militia from Winchester to this place Camp ; which 8 Men were 2 Days assembling; but I believe they woud not have been more than as many seconds dispersing if I had been attacked. Upon my arrival here, I found that Sir Jno....
1057To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Timothy, 8 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society ’Tis almost an Age since I have a Letter from you: I have however received 56 Reams of Demy Paper by Capt. McFunn, with a Promise of a State of my Account at your Return from Maryland, which must again beg you’ll let me have. Your Application to the Study of the Electrical Arcana, and public Affairs, I make no Doubt, very often prevents your Writing; but I...
1058To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 8 June 1755 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Augustine Washington, 8 June 1755. On 14 June GW wrote to his brother Jack: “I receivd Your’s of the 8th Instant.”
1059Oaths of Trustees and Officers of the College, [10 June 1755] (Franklin Papers)
DS : University of Pennsylvania Archives I A.B. do sincerely promise and swear, That I will be faithful and bear true Allegiance to his Majesty King George the second. So help me God. I A.B. do swear, That I do from my Heart abhor, detest and abjure, as impious and heretical, that damnable Doctrine and Position, That Princes excommunicated or deprived by the Pope, or any Authority of the See...
1060From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Norris, 12 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania June 12th 1755 pd £100. 0. 0 Cash 50. 0. 0 Notes £150. 0. 0. Please to send me One hundred and Fifty Pounds on Account of the Committee. It should be Paper Money, as it is to go up to Mr. James Wright: and Paper will be the best Carriage. Some of it may be in the new Bills. The Post goes in an Hour. Let Jemmy bring it, if you please, as my Niece can...
1061From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 14 June 1755 (Washington Papers)
I receivd Your’s of the 8th Instant from Fredericksburg, and am sorry to find that Allan is become importunate for a Debt of so short standing; but it is the way of the World, & therefore not to be wonderd at. I am pleasd to find that you have a prospect of settling th at e affair with Patrick Kendrick, and shoud be very glad to hear you entertaind hopes of dis re covering my young Mare, as I...
1062From George Washington to Samuel Washington, 14 June 1755 (Washington Papers)
I receivd Your ’s Letter of the 27th of May, and assure you that nothing is more agreeable to me than to ⟨ erasure ⟩ hav g e our Deep run Tract of land divided; nor nothg is more agreeable satisfactory than for my Brothr Jno. to act on my behalf, whose conduct in the affair I shall abide by;
1063Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 16 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 101. Calling on the neighboring colonies for supplies, General Braddock, who was about to begin his march westward from Fort Cumberland, asked Governor Morris on May 24, 1755, to forward “with all Diligence” Pennsylvania’s share of the artillery, ammunition, stores, and provisions he would need...
1064To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Jackson, [17 June 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 329–41; also copy (incomplete): American Philosophical Society. It is now near three years since I received your excellent Observations on the Increase of Mankind, &c . in which you have with so much sagacity and accuracy shewn in what manner, and by what causes, that principal means of political...
1065Preamble for a Bill, [18 June 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania On April 2 the Assembly had voted £15,000 from funds of the General Loan Office to repay money borrowed for victualling Braddock’s troops and provisioning the proposed expedition against Crown Point. By the middle of June these funds were practically exhausted and additional sums appeared to be necessary for these and other military expenditures....
1066To George Washington from Roger Morris, 23 June 1755 (Washington Papers)
I am desird by the General, to let you know that he marches, to morrow, & next day, but that he shall halt, at the Meadows two or three days, It is the Desire of every particular in the Family, & the Generals positive Commands to you, not to stirr, but by the Advice of the Person under whose Care you are, till you are better, which we all hope will be very soon—This I can personally assure...
1067From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 26 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library Mr. Bartram brings a Box to my House, which has a little Vacancy in it; so I put in my Philosophical Pacquet, which I long since intended to send you, but one thing or other has prevented. I would not have any Part of it printed, (unless you should think that printing the Papers relating to Whirlwinds and Water Spouts, together with a Collection of all the...
1068From Benjamin Franklin to James Wright, 26 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: John L.W. Mifflin, Middlebush, N.J. (1955) I am glad to learn that the Flour is mostly if not all got up to Conegocheeg, and that you have so good a Prospect of getting Waggons to forward it to Wills’s Creek. The Governor has sent down the Bill and proposes to pass it with about 30 Amendments, of which one is that the Commissioners named in the Act to dispose of the £5000 for...
1069Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 27 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 110. The Power of calling the Assembly together whenever the Publick Service requires it, in the intermediate Times of their Adjournments, we presume is, and ought to be, lodged in the Governor of this Province; and we do not recollect any Instance in which it has been either disputed or...
1070To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Brooke, 27 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I embrace this first Opportunity that hath presented itself to return You my thanks for the very polite and Hospitable Entertaintment I met with from You when I was at Philadelphia last Year, and have deferrd it till now, that the only Subject of my Letter might not be an acknowledgment of Your Civilities, which, I believe You had rather perform than be...
1071From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 28 June–2 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
Immediately upon our leavg the C. at Geors. Ck the 14th Inst. (from whe I wrote to yo.) I was siezd wt violt Fevers & Pns in my hd wch con[tinue]d wtout the lt Intermisn till the 23 follg when I was reliev’d by the Genls absolty ordering the Phyns to give me Doctr Jas Powder; wch is s (one of the most excelt mede in the W.) for it gave me immee ease, and removed my Fevrs & othr Compts in 4...
1072To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Ray, 28 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Excues my writeing when I tell you it is the great regard I have for you will not let me be Silent, for Absence rather increasis than lesens my affections then, my not receiveing one line from you in answer to 3 of my last letters March the 3d and 31st and April the 28th gives me a Vast deal of uneasiness and occation’d many tears, for Suerly I have wrote...
1073To George Washington from William Fairfax, 28 June 1755 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d your Favor of the 7th inst. which I Show’d to our particular Friends. We rejoyce at your safe Return with the necessary Cash wanted to begin your Progress and are concernd at the G—s unreasonable Impatien⟨ce and⟩ the unmerited Censure of our Want of public Zeal to answer all his Demands. We allow He may know his Wants, and We are the Judges to know our Ability in the Supply. If We are...
1074From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas-François Dalibard, 29 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy (extract): The Royal Society; printed (in full) in Benjamin Franklin, Expériences et Observations sur l’Electricité faites à Philadelphie en Amérique , Thomas-François Dalibard, trans. (2d edit., 2 vols., Paris, 1756), II , 307–19. Peter Collinson presented the scientific portions of this letter to the Royal Society on Dec. 18, 1755; it was printed in the Philosophical Transactions, and...
1075From George Washington to Robert Orme, 30 June 1755 (Washington Papers)
I came to this Camp on thursday last, with the Rear of Colo. Dunbar’s Detacht and shoud have continued on with his Front, to day, but was prevented by Rain. My Fevers are very moderate, and I hope are near a Crisis; terminating when I shall have nothing to encounter but excessive weakness , which is excessive; and the difficulty of getting to you arising therefrom—but this miss ; which I would...
1076A Parable against Persecution, [July 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Miss Ailsa Joan Mary Dick-Cunyngham, Prestonfield House, Edinburgh (1955) Written in the style of the King James Version of the Bible, the Parable against Persecution was one of Franklin’s pleasantest hoaxes, affording him and his friends much amusement. He wrote it at least as early as the summer of 1755 and took copies of it and other ephemeral pieces to England when he went over two...
1077A Parable on Brotherly Love, [July 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society; also copy: Liverpool Record Office In a letter to Benjamin Vaughan, Nov. 2, 1789, Franklin discussed his “Chapter of Abraham and the Stranger” (see immediately above) and then went on to say: “When I wrote that in the form you now have it, I wrote also another, the hint of which was also taken from an ancient Jewish tradition; but, not having the same...
1078From George Washington to James Innes, 2 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
I shoud take it infinitely kind, if you wd be good enough to dispatch, by the first safe oppertunitys after they come to hand any Letters’s that you may receive either to, or from me; for I have been greatly surprisd and disappointed at not r[e]ceiveing any Letter’s from my Friends since I came out; and must impute it to miscarriage, somewhere, for I am certain it cannot be owing altogether to...
1079From Benjamin Franklin to James Wright, 3 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Before this reaches you, you will have heard that the House is adjourn’d. A Bill to strike £10,000 Exchange Money is pass’d, and nothing else done. I spoke several Times to the Speaker and Committee, about sending you some Money by the Return of the Members; but Mr. M’Conaughy slipt away without Leave, and so without their Knowledge; and afterwards the Business...
1080Memorandum, 8–9 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
N.B. The 8th of July I rejoined (in a covered Waggon) the advanced division of the Army under the immediate Comd of the General. On the 9th I attended him on horse back tho. very weak and low —on this day he was attacked and defeated by a party of French & Inds. adjudged not to exceed 300 —When all hope of rallying the dismayed troops & recovering the ground, our provisions & Stores were given...
1081To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 9 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy (incomplete): Massachusetts Historical Society [ Missing ] therefore take the Freedom of desiring you to deliver him the Inclosed and to shew him your wonted Civility with the Curiosities of your City. My Compliments wait on Madam Franklin and I am, Sir Your assured Friend and Servant. The “Inclosed” was undoubtedly a letter to Jonathan Belcher, Jr. (1710–1776), who was...
1082To George Washington from Anthony Strother, 9 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
The extraordinary favour you have conferd on me and my Son, in procureing him a Commission on the establishment calls for our most gratefull Acknowledgments, which give me leave to assure you I shall ever retain a sense of. When I was at Alexandria I could not be informd for certain whether you were to go out, and indeed must own my Attention was so taken up with so unusuall a sight that I...
1083From Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles, 10 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This is only to acknowledge the Receipt of three very agreable Letters from you, and to promise an Answer as soon as I have a little got thro’ a Hurry of Business, that beats every philosophical Thought out of my Head. As you are on the Study of Magnetism, I send you herewith a Work of the greatest Master of Practical Magnetics that has appear’d in any Age. With...
1084Rules and Statutes of the College, Academy, and Charity School; Laws and Statutes of the Trustees, 11 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS Minutes: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania The trustees of the College of Philadelphia on June 10 (see above, p. 29) appointed Franklin and five others to examine and report on a draft of rules and statutes, probably prepared by Franklin himself, which had been submitted to the board for adoption. On July 11 Franklin reported as president that the committee had considered the draft...
1085To Benjamin Franklin from William Ferguson, [15 July? 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Historical Society of Pennsylvania General Edward Braddock and advance units of his army reached a point about nine miles from Fort Duquesne, July 9, when they ran into a force of French and Indians commanded by Capt. Daniel Liénard de Beaujeau. In the three-hour engagement that followed the British were utterly defeated. Braddock was mortally wounded (he died on the 13th) and more...
1086Franklin and Hall: Notice to Subscribers, 17 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , July. 17, 1755. Whereas an advertisement was published sometime ago by the subscribers hereof, desiring those who were indebted to them for more than one year’s Gazette to discharge the same, of which little or no notice has been taken, but many continue a great number of years in arrear; this may therefore serve to let such know, that if they do not...
1087From George Washington to James Innes, 17 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
Captn Orme being confind to his Litter & not well able to write, has desir’d me to acknowledge the receipt of your’s; He begs the favour of you to have the room that the Genl lodgd in prepard for Colo. Burton, himself, and Captn Morris; who are all wounded; also, that some small place may be had convenient for Cooking; and that, if any fresh Provn and other suitable necessarys for persons in...
1088From George Washington to Mary Ball Washington, 18 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
As I doubt not but you have heard of our defeat, and perhaps have had it represented in a worse light (if possible) than it deserves; I have taken this earliest oppertunity to give you some acct of the Engagement, as it happen’d within 7 miles of the French Fort on Wednesday the 9th Inst. We Marchd onto that place witht any considerable loss, havg only now and then a stragler pickd up by the...
1089From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 18 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
As I am favourd with an oppertunity, I shoud think myself inexcusable, was I to omit givg you some acct of our late Engagemt with the French on the Monongahela the 9th Inst. We continued our March from Fort Cumberland to Frazer’s (which is within 7 Miles of Duquisne) witht meetg with any extraordinary event, havg only a stragler or two picked Up by the French Indians. When we came to this...
1090From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 18 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
As I have heard since my arrivl at this place, a circumstantial acct of my death and dying Speech, I take this early oppertunity of contradicting both the first , and of assuring you that I ⟨ illegible ⟩ of the livg by the miraculous care of I have not, as yet, composed the latter. But by the all powerful dispensatns of Providence, that I have been protected me beyond all human expectation
1091To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 21 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have your obliging Favour of the 14: Instant: and thank you for your intended Civility to my Son if he shoud pass in his way from Halifax thro’ your City—but by a Letter I received from him yesterday of the 1: of this Month, the Motions and Commotions at Halifax are so great that he seems uncertain when and whither he shall make his Rout. The...
1092To Benjamin Franklin from William Daniell, [21?] July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I shall be oblidg’d to you for letting me know what the Paper I have had from you Comes to also to make up the Quantity 100 Reams. Pray let me know as Soon as possible about your Supplying me constantly as I am obligated to wait your answer persuant to your Desire. I am, Sir Your Most humble Servant Inclos’d I send you Some News Papers. Addressed: To /...
1093To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 23 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Altho’ I wrote you 21: Current yet I am to ask your Pardon for the Trouble of this which is to pray you to forward by the first Opportunity to my Son at Halifax my Letter now lying in your hands together with the inclosed which will oblige, Sir, Your ready Friend and Servant. See above, p. 110. The one referred to in Belcher’s letter, July 9...
1094To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 26 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
The dismal Defeat of our Forces by such a handful of Men gives me very great Concern, as also for the Death of the Genl & so many brave Officers entirely owing to the dastardly Spirit of the private Men their Panick I suppose made them deaf to all Commands & in course was the Bane of all our Misfortunes[.] The train of Artillery being in the Enemy’s Possessn is a monstrous Misfortune; however...
1095To George Washington from William Fairfax, 26 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
Your safe Return gives an uncommon Joy to Us and will no Doubt be sympathiz’d by all true Lovers of Heroick Virtue. From our first inexpressible affecting Intelligence by Colo. Innes of the total Defeat of our Forces, Genl Braddock and many Officers killd, the whole Artillery taken, We have been in torturing Suspence, Each One for their best belovd. Now You are by a kind Providence preserv’d...
1096To George Washington from Sarah Cary Fairfax, Ann Spearing, and Elizabeth Dent, 26 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
After thanking Heaven for your safe return I must accuse you of great unkindness in refusing us the pleasure of seeing you this night I do assure you nothing but our being satisfied that our company would be dissagreable should prevent us from trying if our Legs would not carry us to Mount Virnon this Night, but if you will not come to us to morrow Morning very early we shall be at Mont...
1097Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 28 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 117. Col. Thomas Dunbar, commander of Braddock’s army after the defeat on the Monongahela, decided to withdraw his demoralized troops instead of making a new attack from Fort Cumberland, and on July 16 informed Governor Morris that he planned to bring two regiments into winter quarters at...
1098From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel Fisher, 28 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XVII (1893), 275–6. Till our new building is finished, which I hope will be in two or three weeks, I have no room to accommodate a clerk. But it is my intention to have one, though my business is so small that I cannot afford to give more than I have always given, Viz.: Diet at my own Table, with Lodging and...
1099Alexander Colden to James Parker, 28 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Archives By the Phi: Post received the Inclosed from Mr. Franklin which he desired me to forward to you and to desire you to forward it imediately by this post to Mr. Chew requesting him to forward it to Mr. Franklin at Boston. He writes “the Substance of the letter may be printed but not entire as we have not the Governors leave to whom it was directed. At least the...
1100From George Washington to Robert Orme, 28 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at Home the day before yesterday, without meeting with an Egachee, or any other remarkable event. I calld at Belhaven on purpose ly to acquaint Majr Carlyle with your desire, who will use all possible means to procure a Vessel though I fear it will be somewhat difficult to do it at present, as the Shipping have are most of them employ’d, in transporting the Tobo from the difft...