2311To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 27 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 19th by Jenkins I recd last Night—& do observe You have ordered the Garisons on the Branch to Percealls, to escort the Flour to Fort Cumberland. The Provisions lying in Bulk at the different Forts, if possible shou’d be Smoked, which wou’d be a great Saving to the Country & I hope You have order’d it so. As we have had great Rains lately I hope a sufficient quantity of Flour may...
2312William Denny to the Provincial Commissioners, 29 December 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Mr. Croghan, who has a Deputation from Sir William Johnson to manage Indian Affairs for this Part of the Northern District, has proposed, for the immediate Service of this and the other Colonies, to send one or two Messengers to the Sasquehannah Indians at Otsaningo, and to Teedyuscung at Diahogo, to come to meet him at Harris’s Ferry, where...
2313From Benjamin Franklin to Edward and Jane Mecom, 30 December 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will receive this by the Hand of your Son Benjamin, on whose safe Return from the West Indies I sincerely congratulate you. He has settled Accounts with me, and paid the Ballance honourably. He has also clear’d the old Printing House to himself, and sent it to Boston, where he purposes to set up his Business together with Bookselling, which, considering...
2314From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 31 December 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Free Library of Philadelphia This serves only to cover a Bill of Exchange drawn by B. Mecom on you, upon a Supposition that you have receiv’d Bills he sent you from Antigua for about £120 more than the Ballance of your Account. If those Bills are not come to hand or not paid, you need not be at the Trouble of Protesting this Bill; but let it lie in your Hands till you hear farther from...
2315To George Washington from John Robinson, 31 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
I am truly concerned at the uneasiness you are under in your present Situation, and the more so, as I am sensible you have too much reason for it, The Resolution of defending Fort Cumberland and evacuating the other Forts was taken before I knew or mistrusted any thing of the Matter, I must confess I was not a little surprised at it, and took the Liberty to expostulate with many of the Council...
2316From Benjamin Franklin to ———, [1757–1775] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I have perus’d the Letters and Papers you put into my Hands, and shall, as you desire, say what occurs to me on the considering them. I do not know Mr. Murdoch personally, but have heard that he is a Person of Credit and some Note in that Country, and esteemed by the People there. I imagine that little is to be expected from a Suit of Law, to be carried on...
2317Specifications for a Dwelling House, [1757–1775] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Obviously written in England, this document cannot otherwise be certainly dated. Apparently Franklin contemplated having an English architect prepare plans for a “model home” in Philadelphia suitable for “Tradesmen and People of moderate Circumstances.” His description of the land on which it was to be built most nearly fits the lot on the north side of...
2318Visiting and Business Cards, [1757–1775] (Franklin Papers)
MS and printed cards: American Philosophical Society [1757–1775] Among Franklin’s surviving papers is a collection of personal visiting cards (or “visiting tickets” as they appear to have been called) and business cards of tradesmen and others. Some of the personal cards are handwritten, as is one of Franklin’s own after he received his doctorate; others are printed or engraved, and...
2319Note on Franklin’s Sketch of How to Force a Wheel Round by Gunpowder, [before March 1775?] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society For some years we have been trying and failing to answer two questions about this sketch: why and when was it made? The device as described would obviously never produce continuous rotation, if that was the intent; and a wheel that turned in spasms would have limited use. As for the date, no clue to it has appeared in the edited correspondence; one may of...
2320From Benjamin Franklin to John Canton, [1757–1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : The Royal Society Mr. Franklin’s Compliments to Mr. Canton, and requests he would procure for him two more of the long Glass Tubes such as he formerly did him the favour to procure for him. On John Canton, electrical experimenter, see above, IV , 390 n. This note might have been written at virtually any time before Canton’s death, March 22, 1772, except, of course, during one of BF ’s...
2321To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, [before 4 June 1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Govr. Pownall presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin beggs the honor of his Company to Dinner on Tuesday the 4th of June. The Favor of an Answer is desired. Addressed: Craven Street [ In Franklin’s hand on address side: ] Steel Pen for Mr. Strahan. Tuesday June 4 fell in both 1765 and 1771; according to editorial policy this document is placed at the...
2322From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Franklin, [before 1765] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments ana Observations on Electricity , 1769 edition, pp. 473–8. In its surviving printed form this letter is headed “To Mr. P. F. Newport, New England,” and since it begins “Dear Brother,” the person addressed could only have been Franklin’s brother, for many years a merchant and shipmaster in that town. Comparatively little is known of...
2323From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, [1757–1762] (Franklin Papers)
MS Autobiography: Huntington Library The filthy streets of Philadelphia and London were a persistent challenge to Franklin’s civic conscience. He explained in the autobiography that “by talking and writing on the Subject” he had at length done something about the streets of Philadelphia. At an unstated time, perhaps before he retired from business, he “wrote and printed a Paper” (not found) on...
2324To Benjamin Franklin from Allen and Joseph England, [1757–1762] (Franklin Papers)
MS memorandum: American Philosophical Society Allen England and his Brother Joseph England are proprietors of certain Tracts of Land scituate upon Christiana Creek in the County of Newcastle, Quantity 1300 Acres their Title to which stands thus— In 1726 their Father John England advanced £500 to Sir William Keith by way of Mortgage upon the said Lands. In 1729 the said John England assigned...
2325To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Hubbart, [1757–1762] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your tow last Favours gave me a satisfaction better felt then expressed: Indeed I have often longed to Chatt to you in some of those Happy hours you have Blessed me with but feared it was grown Disagreeable or would Interupt Business of Importance pleasing Amusements or more entertaining Conversation, but I most Heartily Accept the Apology you Condesend...
2326To Benjamin Franklin from John Apthorp, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Apthorp’s compliments to Mr. Franklyn and desires the favour of his Company to dine with him on Fry-day next ¼ past three. Addressed: Benjn Franklyn Esqr / Buckingham Street, Probably John Apthorp (d. 1772), son of the Charles Apthorp of Boston who was agent for Hanbury & Thomlinson in the northern colonies and involved in supplying specie for British...
2327To Benjamin Franklin from William Deane, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Coll: Deanes Compliments to Mr. Franklin and Son, Shall be Extreemly glad of the favor of their Company to Dinner tommorow to meet Mr. and Mrs. Sargent at half an Hour after three o Clock. Addressed: To / Mr. Franklin / Craven Street Lieut. Col. William Deane (d. 1775) of the British Army, was appointed governor of Upnor Castle before 1758, and was promoted...
2328To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Knight, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Knight’s compliments to Mr. Franklin and Mr. William Franklin and desires the favor of their company at dinner on tuesday next the 27th. Addressed: Craven-Street Possibly Gowin Knight (1713–1772), F.R.S., whose work on magnetism BF had known and admired before going to England (see above, VI , 103, 177–8). He was appointed principal librarian of the...
2329To Benjamin Franklin from Mrs. Lloyd, Mrs. Morris, and Mr. Lloyd, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mrs. Lloyd Mrs. Morris and Mr. Lloyd present their Compliments to Mrs. Stevenson and Mr. Franklyns, and desire the Favour of their Company this afternoon to meet Miss Gambier. None of these persons has been identified. They may have been friends of Margaret Stevenson, BF ’s landlady. Probable terminal date established by the use of “Mr.” instead of “Dr.” for...
2330III-A-1. Combined County Inventory of Slaves and Personal Property in the Estate, 1757–58 (Washington Papers)
The Appraisements of the Estate of Danl Parke Custis According to the Returns made to the County ⟨Cour⟩t of New Kent by Sworn appraisers whose Names are herunto annex’d A Negro Man named Anthony £20; Ditto Shomberg 45.; Ditto Squire 50.; Ditto Morris 60.; Ditto Jack Palmer 50.; Ditto Jemmy 12.; Ditto Ned 50.; Ditto Brunswick 40.; Ditto Michael 60.; Ditto Joe 60.; Ditto Sampson 1[s.]; A Negroe...
2331[1757] (Adams Papers)
At the time when Fort William Henry was besieged, there came down almost every day dispatches from the General to the New England Collonies urging for Troops and Assistance. Col. Chandler the Younger had sent so many Expresses that he found it difficult to get Persons to undertake the Journeys. Complaining of this Embarrassment one Evening, in company, I told him, I had so long led a sedendary...
2332Poor Richard Improved, 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard improved: Being an Almanack and Ephemeris … for the Year of our Lord 1757: … By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin, and D. Hall. (Yale University Library) As no temporal Concern is of more Importance to us than Health , and that depends so much on the Air we every Moment breathe, the Choice of a good wholesome Situation to fix a Dwelling in, is...
2333To Benjamin Franklin from Giambatista Beccaria, [1757] (Franklin Papers)
Translation of extract (?) in Franklin’s hand: Yale University Library; extract (?) in Italian: American Philosophical Society; also copies of extract and translation: Yale University Library Father Beccaria thanks Mr. Franklin for his kind Remembrance; should have had a most singular Pleasure in seeing him at Turin, which he had been made to hope by his Letter to Mr. Haldiman: If he had known...
2334III., 1757 (Washington Papers)
I am really sorry, that I have it not in my power to answer your request in a more satisfactory manner. If you had favored me with the journal a few days sooner, I would have examined it carefully, and endeavoured to point out such errors as might conduce to your use, my advantage, and the public satisfaction; but now it is out of my power. I had no time to make any remarks upon that piece,...
2335From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 1 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Original ALS not found; duplicate: Pierpont Morgan Library I wrote you yesterday a Line or two enclosing the second of a Set of Bills for £120 Sterling, drawn on Mr. William Anderson, Merchant, London, by Robert Lloyd, of Maryland I now send the first of the same Set. On the 27th past I drew on you for £50 Sterling in favour of Benjamin Mecom, which I doubt not will meet with due Honour I wish...
2336From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 1 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Rosenbach Foundation; duplicate: Huntington Library I wrote you a Line or two yesterday, enclosing B. Mecom’s 2d Bill for £100 Sterling drawn on you upon Presumption that you had received some Bills he had sent you, amounting to about £120 more than the Ballance of his Account. He has settled honourably with me, and bought the old Printing House he had at Antigua, which he has sent to...
2337Return of the Virginia Regiment, 1 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
A Return of the Strength and Disposition of the Virginia Regiment Commanded by Geo. Washington Esqr. January 1st 1757 Officers Companies Where Posted Commissioned Staff Non Commission Effective Rank and File [Field Officers] Captains Lieutenants Ensigns Sergeants Drummers Fit for Duty Sick On Command On Furlow Total Colo. Geo. Washington
2338To George Washington from Peter Hog, 1 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Peter Hog, 1 Jan. 1757. On 26 Jan. 1757 GW wrote : “Yours from Staunton of the 1st instant I have received.”
2339From George Washington to Thomas Bullitt, 1 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Bullitt, 1 Jan. 1757. On 24 Mar. 1757 Bullitt wrote to GW : “I Recd yours Janry 1st.”
2340From George Washington to John Campbell, Earl of Loudoun, 10 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
To the Right Honourable The Earl of Loudoun, General, and Commander in Chief of all His Majesty’s Forces in North America. and Governor, and Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s most Ancient Colony and Dominion of Virginia. My Lord Fort Cumberland [Md.] January 10th 1757 The following Sheets contain a Concise, Candid, and Submissive Account of Affairs on this Quarter: particularly of the...