To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 9 December 1773
From Jonathan Shipley
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Twyford Dec: 9th. 1773
Dear Sir
Tho I gave my Daughter Georgiana full powers to return You our best thanks for the kind Visit You intend us, I cannot help assuring You myself that We shall be most extreamly happy to see You and hope You will come as soon and stay as long as your Affairs will permit.5
Your Countrymen in N. America have done me too much honour for the little merit of meaning well. I am glad they seem to approve of moderate and conciliating measures6 in which I fear We shall not have the wisdom to join with them. I am, Dear Sir, Your obligd and affectionate humble Servant
J. St. Asaph
5. If the Christmas visit to Twyford took place—and we have no other evidence that it did—BF’s affairs kept him from staying through the holidays. His public avowal of responsibility for the Hutchinson letters, dated Dec. 25, was at least ostensibly written from Craven St., and his note to Ellis the next day certainly was.
6. BF’s letter above of Aug. 21 had promised further news, which he had apparently sent, of American reactions to the Bishop’s sermon.