From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 9 May 1753
To William Strahan
ALS: Boston Public Library; also duplicate: New York Public Library
Philad. May 9. 1753
Dear Sir
I have your Favour of Jany. 306 and thank you for the Civility shown on my Recommendation to Mr. Harris.7 What you mention concerning the Books, was not at all amiss.
Neither the 2d Vol. of Bower’s History of the Popes, nor Delaresse’s Art of Painting, nor Crito, are to be found in Mr. Hall’s Trunks.8
I have settled a Nephew of mine in Antigua, in the Place of Mr. Smith, deceas’d.9 I take him to be a very honest industrious Lad, and hope he will do well there, and in time be of some Use to you as a Correspondent. Please to send him a little Cargo of Books and Stationary, agreable to the Invoice over Leaf. I will send you a Bill on this Account perhaps by next Ship.1
Please to tender my Compliments to Mrs. Strahan and Master Billy. I am, Dear Sir, Your obliged and most humble Servant
B Franklin
What is become of A. Drummond’s Travels?2 Will they be printed?
3 Ream best Propatria Paper, cut
2 Ditto Pot
1 Ditto fine Post 500 best Quills
3 Doz Inkpowder, British
2 lb Wafers, some large
1 Doz common Bibles
1 Doz Testaments
1 Doz Psalters
2 Doz Primmers.
And a few of your newest and most saleable Books, amounting in the whole to about £25 Sterling.
Addressed: To Mr Wm Strahan Printer in New Street near Fleetstreet London Per Capt. Reeves
6. Not found.
7. See above, pp. 338, 339.
8. On Bower’s History of the Popes, see above, p. 213 n. The other works are Joseph Spence, Crito, or a Dialogue on Beauty (London, 1752) and Gerard de Lairesse, The Art of Painting (London, 1738), translated from Lairesse’s Groot Schilderboek (Amsterdam, 1712).
9. On Benjamin Mecom’s settlement in Antigua, see above, p. 355 n.
1. At the end of this paragraph Strahan wrote an uncertain reminder of the lad’s name: “John/ames Micom.”
2. Alexander Drummond’s Travels through different Cities of Germany, Italy, Greece, and several parts of Asia, printed by Strahan, 1754. This postscript does not appear in the duplicate.