182641To Benjamin Franklin from Harbanus Ashebriner: Contract for a Wagon and Horses, 2 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: Yale University Library I Harbanus Ashebriner of Parradice Township . in the County of York and Province of Pennsylvania, do hereby agree and promise that I will, on the Terms hereunder mentioned, provide one good Waggon with four able Horses and a Driver, to be at Wills’s Creek in Virginia, with as much Oats, Indian Corn, or other Forage as I...
182642From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Ray, [March 1755–April 1755] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society [I told him that as] I did not know her, I must refer him for Advice to his good Friends in Boston, who could better adapt it to Situations, Tempers and Circumstances. Only this I hinted in general, that I thought he would do well not to be too forward in Professions of Love, till by his Assiduities and little Services he had made some Progress in...
182643Deborah Franklin to Peter Collinson, 30 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Huntington Library Mr. Franklin is from home, and can not have by this Conveyance an Opportunity of answering your Favours by the last Ships. I have forwarded your Letters to Mr. Elliot, Mr. Bartram, Mr. Barton and Mr. Franklin. My Husband is now in the Back Counties, contracting for some Waggons and Horses for the Army, which tho’ so much out of his Way, he was obliged to undertake, for...
182644From George Washington to Sarah Cary Fairfax, 30 April 1755 (Washington Papers)
In order to engage your corrispondance, I think it expedient, just is incumbent on me to deserve it; which I shall endeavour to do, by embracing the earliest, and every oppertunity, of writing to you. It will be needless to expatiate dwell on the pleasures that a communication corrispondence of this kind will would afford me, as it shall
182645From Benjamin Franklin to Susanna Wright, [28 April 1755] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Collection of the late Frank J. Mather., Jr., Princeton, N.J. (1955); also transcript: John L. W. Mifflin, Middlebush, N.J. (1955) I thought from the first, that your Proposal of calling the several Townships together, was very judicious. I was only at a Loss how to get them call’d by some Appearance of Authority. On the Road from your House hither, I considered that at the Court of Oyer...
182646Advertisement for Wagons, 26 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Broadside: American Philosophical Society; also Boston Public Library Whereas 150 Waggons, with 4 Horses to each Waggon, and 1500 Saddle or Pack-Horses are wanted for the Service of his Majesty’s Forces now about to rendezvous at Wills’s Creek; and his Excellency General Braddock hath been pleased to impower me to contract for the Hire of the same; I hereby give Notice, that I shall attend for...
182647Memorandum of Wagon Accounts, 23 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Much of Franklin’s thought and energy in the spring and summer of 1755 went into military affairs. His part in Braddock’s expedition is a familiar story, for he related its principal features in his memoirs. Setting out from Alexandria, Va., Braddock reached Frederick, Md., on April 21, on his way to the army’s rendezvous at Fort Cumberland on Wills Creek....
182648From George Washington to William Fairfax, 23 April 1755 (Washington Papers)
I cannot think of quitting Fairfax without embracing this last oppertunity of bidding you farewell. I shall this day set out for Wills Creek, where I expect to meet the Genl, and to stay—I fear too long, as our March must be regulated by the slow movements of the Train, which I am sorry to say, I think, will be tedious in advancing —very tedeous indeed—a nswerable to the expectation s I have...
182649From George Washington to William Byrd, 20 April 1755 (Washington Papers)
I was am sorry it was not in my power to wait upon you at Westover last Christmas—I had enjoy’d much real satisfaction even in the thought of doing it when an unexpected accident put it intirely out of my power to comply either with my promise, or Inclination; both of which equally urg’d prompted me to make th e
182650From George Washington to Carter Burwell, 20 April 1755 (Washington Papers)
From the goodness kindness of your offer last Assembly, I flatter myself you will be kind enough so obliging as to acquaint the Gentlemen of the Committee (at th is eir next meeting) with the loss I sustaind during my Appointment as Paymaster to the Virginia Forces (either by Robery, or neglect of charging) and so far favour my Pretensions as to sollicit them in my behalf, which I am convinced...
182651From George Washington to John Robinson, 20 April 1755 (Washington Papers)
I little expected when I wrote you last that I shoud so soon engage in another Campaigne; but in this I hope doing it I may be allowd to claim some small share of some merit; if it is consider’d that the sole motive wch envites me to the Field, is, the laudable desire of servg my Country; and & not for the gratification of any ambitious or
182652From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We got well over here last Night about 8 aClock. I believe I shall not return the same Road with the Company, but go round by Winchester, and so to Carlisle, in order to settle the Posts, which the Assembly agreed to Support for a Year between the Camp and Philadelphia. My Love to all. I have receiv’d sundry Pacquets of Newspapers here from England, which I...
182653To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Browne, 12 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Medical Observations and Inquiries (London), I (1757), 75–80. I will give you as exact a description of my sister’s case as I can. First she complained of a slow fever, and then of sudden stitches in her side; which she would compare to the prick of a pin; and would slap her side with her hand, which never failed giving her relief for some time. She then began to...
182654Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 9 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 87. Scaroyady, the Oneida chief who represented the Six Nations in their dealings with the Ohio Indians, after reporting to Governor Morris at Philadelphia on March 31, complained bitterly that the English were niggardly in making presents, compared with the French, who gave the Indians fine...
182655From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, 6 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I am but just return’d from a long Journey, having been absent near [six months]. I find your Favour of Novr. [ I , which I shall?] answer particularly per Reeve [who sails for London?] in about 10 Days. This [will only serve to bring?] Dr. Douglas’ Piece (and another) on the [ one and a half lines missing ] Copy, [ one line missing ]. With [ complimentary...
182656From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, 3 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Marietta Myers, Elkhart, Indiana (1957) Your Commissioner or Agent Mr. Quincey has done Wonders here. He has executed his Commission extreamly well, and obtained yesterday a Vote for £10,000 in Provisions for your New England Forces, which will be rendered effectual without the Necessity of the Governor’s Assent to a Law for the purpose. Govr. Shirley is not yet come, but daily...
182657To George Washington from Robert Orme, 3 April 1755 (Washington Papers)
An Answer to the foregoing Dear Sir [ 3 April 1755 ] I communicated your desires to the General who expresses the greatest satisfaction in having you of our Party and Orders me to give his Compliments and to assure you his Wishes are to make it agreeable to yourself and consistant with your Affairs and therefore desires you will so settle your business at home as to join him at Wills Creek if...
182658Pennsylvania Assembly: Orders Concerning Provisions, 2 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 81–2. Resolved , That the Sum of Fifteen Thousand Pounds be now given to the King’s Use; Five Thousand Pounds thereof to repay the Money borrowed for victualling the King’s Troops in Virginia; and that Isaac Norris, Evan Morgan, Joseph Fox, and Benjamin Franklin, Members of this House, and...
182659From George Washington to Robert Orme, 2 April 1755 (Washington Papers)
The arrival of a good deal of Company (among whom is my Mother, alarmd with at the report of my intententions to attend ing your Fortunes)—prevents me the pleasure of waiting upon you to day as I had intended; I therefore, I beg that you’ll be kind enough to make my compliments & excuse, to the Generl; who I hope to hear is greatly recoverd from his indisposition; and recruited sufficiently to...
182660Josiah Quincy: Memorial to the Pennsylvania Assembly, 1 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 80–1. Governor Shirley appointed Thomas Pownall, Andrew Oliver, and Josiah Quincy to solicit aid from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for Massachusetts’ projected expedition against the French at Crown Point. Only Quincy came to Philadelphia. There on March 21, at the suggestion of...
182661From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 23 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This only serves to cover a Bill of Exchange for Twenty Pounds Sterling, drawn on Alexander Grant Esqr. by Mary Steevens. I send it via Ireland, and shall write you fuller per Reeve and Hargrave, who will sail for London in a few Weeks. Mine, and my Wife’s Compliments to Mrs. Strahan. I am, with great Esteem and Affection, Dear Sir Your most humble Servant...
182662Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 20 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 73. On the morning of March 18 Governor Morris sent the Assembly a message announcing the arrival of General Braddock in Virginia and urging them to display “Vigour, Unanimity and Dispatch” in taking measures to supply men, provisions, and money for the army’s use. He listed the following...
182663Franklin and Hall to Robert Hunter Morris, 20 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; also copy: Public Record Office, London When he had received Governor Morris’ letter of March 19, Franklin begged Secretary Peters to have it withdrawn because, he explained, if he had to show it to the Assembly, they would order him nonetheless to publish the Votes including Sir Thomas Robinson’s letters, “and so the Differences would encrease between...
182664Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 19 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 71–2. On December 3, 1754, when the Pennsylvania House had reassembled, Governor Robert Hunter Morris informed them of French advances in the Ohio region and again urged them to take defensive measures. He supported his appeal with several documents, one a letter of July 5, 1754, from Sir...
182665Robert Hunter Morris to Franklin and Hall, 19 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 73. Governor Morris’ immediate response to the foregoing message was to demand that the printers eliminate Robinson’s letters from the printed House journals. He told the Council the next day why he had done it, pointing to the dangerous consequences of publishing in full letters from the...
182666From Benjamin Franklin to John Lining, 18 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 319–28. I send you enclosed a paper containing some new experiments I have made, in pursuance of those by Mr. Canton that are printed with my last letters. I hope these, with my explanation of them, will afford you some entertainment. In answer to your several enquiries. The tubes...
182667From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, 16 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mr. and Mrs. Philip Sang, Chicago, Illinois (1959) I am pleas’d to hear you are looking out for Proofs to prosecute that Carrier. Don’t let it be neglected. Your Ambassadors are not yet arrived. Having nothing else to make a Letter of, let me complain a little of your Smith that shod our Horses. We order’d them to be sharp shod, and the Shoes steel’d. Accordingly he charg’d £8 for 16...
182668From George Washington to Robert Orme, 15 March 1755 (Washington Papers)
I was not favourd with your agreeable polite Letter (of the Ins⟨t⟩ un 2d) till Yesterday; acquainting me with the notice his Excellency Genl is pleased Braddoc⟨k⟩ to honour me with, by kindly desireing my Company in inviting me to become one of his Family. the ensuing campayn It s is
182669Electrical Experiments, 14 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: The Royal Society Electrical Experiments , made in pursuance of those per Mr. Canton, dated Decr. 3[6]. 1753. With Explanations by B.F. I. Electric Atmospheres that flow round non electric Bodies, being brought near each other, do not readily mix and unite into one Atmosphere, but remain separate and repel each other. This is plainly seen in suspended Cork Balls, and other Bodies...
182670To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 12 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Yale University Library This accompanies your Letters and Manuscript, which I have perused with very great Pleasure and Admiration. Please to accept my grateful Acknowledgments for them. Must ask your Pardon for not Returning them sooner — but as sundry Gentlemen here were desirous to read them, I hoped your Benevolence and Love of Communicating ingenious Discoveries to Mankind, would...