2701To George Washington from William Henry Fairfax, 9 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
As you shewed your Desire for my Welfare by your kind Recommendation to Capt. Cunningham; I think it necessary to apologize for not acquainting you sooner with my Reception and Situation here. I was very kindly received by Lord Loudoun, but as I was in daily Expectations of joining some Regiment either as a Volunteer or commissioned Officer, I was willing to acquaint you with my being well...
2702To George Washington from William Smith, 10 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
You’ll perceive your name in the list of those who ’tis hoped will encourage the enclosed Magazine, & I hope you’ll forgive the Liberty we have taken as you are placed in good Company & in a good design. Tis a work which may be rendered of very general Service to all the Colonies. We shall be under particular Obligations for every Subscriber you can procure, to give the work a general Run. I...
2703Invoice from Richard Washington, 10 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
Invoice of Sundry Goods Shipd by Richd Washington on board the Peggy and Elizabeth, Jno. Whiting Master, bound to Virginia, on the proper Acct and risque of the Honble Geo. Washington. No. 1—A Cask £ . 2. 3 Six Inch brass casd Locks complt a 6/6 .19.6 3 Seven Inch ditto ditto a 7/6 1. 2.6 3 seven Inch brass coverplate ditto a 9/6 1. 8.6 3 eight Inch ditto ditto a 10/6 1.11.6 5 pr brass side...
2704To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 12 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: The Royal Society Here is a visible Aurora Borealis; at 7 a Clock it was about two hours high, to the northward pretty bright. Soon after Day light disappeared it was much more East, where it was redder with some faint streamers, whose Points reached near 45 Degrees Elevation, which soon disappeared, and the Light descended by Degrees under the Pole, and by 10 a Clock was near...
2705From George Washington to Charles Green, 13 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
Necessity (and that I hope will apologize for the trouble I must give you—) obliges me to ask the favour of a visit—that I may have an oppertunity of consulting you on a disorder which I have lingerd under for three Months past—It is painful to me to write—Mr Carlyle will say the rest—I shall only add, that I am with very great esteem Yr most Obedt Hble Servt ALS , CSmH . Charles Green...
2706To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 14 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yr Letter of the 5th I duly recd & I am much surpriz’d at what You write that the Indn Affairs have been impeeded by a Train of Mismanagemt when I consider Mr Atkin’s Report that he had established every Thing in regard to those People in a most regular Manner I have wrote the Necessary to Ct. Gist on that Head, & order’d up a Quantity of Goods from Petersburg for that Service which I hope...
2707To George Washington from William Peachey, 14 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
I received yr kind Letter of the 18th September about a Week ago, the Sight of which caused at almost the same Instant both a pleasing and disagreable Sensation; a pleasing, that I had so agreable a Frd and Correspondt; a disagreable, that I had once enjoy’d the Company of that Frd whom I had scarcely known to be such, but I lost the Sweets of a Friendship I had long and greatly desired, by...
2708From George Washington to Sarah Cary Fairfax, 15 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
I have lingerd under an Indisposition for more than three Months; and finding no relief above, on the contrary, that I daily grew worse, I have followd ⟨m⟩y Surgeons advice to leave the place, & try what effects ⟨f⟩resh Air and Water may have upon my disorder. On Sunday last I arrivd here, and on Yesterday Mr Green was so kind to favour me with a visit & prescribd to me. He forbids the use of...
2709Enclosure II: Robert Dinwiddie to Robert Stewart, 15 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your Letter by Jenkins last Night—The violent Complaint Colo: Washington labors under gives me great Concern, it was unknown to me or he shou’d have had Leave of Absence sooner, & I am very glad he did not delay following the Doctr’s Advice, to try a change of Air, I sincerely wish him a speedy Recovery. I observe what You write in regard to the Contractor, & Instructions given to Capt....
2710To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 20 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society My two last to you by Capt. Budden to London, and Capt. Stewart to Liverpoole, contained the first and second Copies of a Bill of Exchange for £100. Sterling, which I hope are come to hand and paid. Inclosed you have now the first Copy of another Bill of Exchange for One Hundred Pounds more, of which with the others before sent, please to advise...
2711From George Washington to Robert Stewart, 20 November 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Stewart, 20 Nov. 1757. On 24 Nov. 1757 Stewart wrote to GW : “. . . Jenkins handed me your very obliging & affectionate Epistle of the 20th Inst.”
2712From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 22 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (mutilated): American Philosophical Society; parts reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , 20–4. During my Illness which continued near Eight Weeks, I wrote you several little Letters, as I was able; the last was by the Pacquet which sailed from Falmouth [above a week since: in that I informed you that my intermitting fever which had continued to harrass me, by frequent relapses, was gone off,...
2713To George Washington from Robert Rutherford, 22 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
It is much against my desire, to give you trouble in your Circumstance; but as I am informed that it is your Misfortune not to be freed of Publick Business even now: I write you the Present Circumstance of the Company. I imagine by this time they are about 40 and as the Enemy is discovered Nigh Capn McKenzy’s, have Ordered Lieutt Swearingin with the men recruited by him, to scour the woods...
2714To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand John Paris, 23 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania On November 14 Franklin had sufficiently recovered from his serious autumn illness to confer with Thomas Penn, who for once paid heed and wrote immediately to Denny: “Mr. Franklin was with me this Morning and complains that the Companys intended for Rangers, have been kept in the Forts to the great injury of the Country, the Indians having...
2715To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 24 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania The above is a Copy of my last. I have Since received two letters of the 23d (a Copy, the Original not Come To Hand) and 30th August. We are all extreamly well pleas’d With your Safe arrival there and the Continuence of your Health. Your Conduct I never doubted, but if it is necessary To Say any thing upon it I think you have acted With great...
2716To George Washington from Robert Stewart, 24 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
When big with the hopes of your speedy Recovery indulging myself in the pleasing thought and impatiently expecting the agreeable accot Jenkins handed me your very obliging & affectionate Epistle of the 20th Inst. But how great was my Disappointment on Accot of the bad State your obstinate & deeply rooted Disorder has reduc’d you to? I easily conceive how disagreeable it must be to a person of...
2717Enclosure III: Robert Stewart to John Stanwix, 24 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
For near Four Months past Colo. Washington has Labour’d under a Bloudy Flux which till of late he did not conceive could be productive of those bad consequences it now too probably will terminate in, at least he would not be prevail’d upon in any Degree to abate the exertion of that steady Zeal for the Interest of the Service he in so emenent a manner has always been remarkable for, however...
2718To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Penn, 25 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania As I find by what you told me and by my Letters from Pennsylvania that Admiral Holborne had not Station’d a Ship in Delaware Bay in pursuance of the Resolution of the Lords of the Admiralty on our application communicated to me in January last, by Mr. Cleveland’s Letter, that I shewed you, I have applied again to that Board, and they...
2719To George Washington from James Craik, 25 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
The dissagreeable news I recd by Jenkins, of the Increase of your disorder, is real concern to me—I had been flatering my self with the Pleasant hope of seeing you here again soon—thinking that the change of Air, with the quiet Situation of Mount Vernon—would have been a Speedy means of your recovery—however as your disorder hath been of long Standing, and hath corrupted the whole mass of...
2720To Benjamin Franklin from William Hunter, [30 November 1757] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society If convenient, I should be oblig’d to you for three or four Hundred Pound Draughts on your Banker. My Sister wants one of Twenty Pound; for Marketting. Yours, Addressed: To / Mr. Franklin On Dec. 1, 1757, BF noted payments of £400 and £20 in accordance with Hunter’s request below. “Account of Expences,” p. 7; PMHB , LV (1931), 105. On another part of the...
2721Return of the Virginia Regiment, 1 December 1757 (Washington Papers)
A Return of the 8 Compys of the Virga Regimt on the Frontiers of that Colony Decemr 1st 1757 Officers Present Commissiond Staff non Commd Effective Rank and File Wanting to Compleat Companies Colo. Major Captains Lieutenants Ens. Adjutants Qtr Mastr Surgeon Mate Serjts Drumrs Fit for Duty
2722To George Washington from Alexander Boyd, 6 December 1757 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is an Account of Monthly Disbursts from January 1st to June 1st made by me & settled with the old Committee which I humbly conceive with answer the End required in Ballancing my Accot on your Book: The Vouchers are left in Mr Palmer’s hands at Williamsbg. Agreeable to your Instructions to Capt. Stewart I have sent by him Your Subsistance to Janry 1st 1758. I have also paid off the...
2723To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 6 December 1757 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here the 25th of last month since which there has not been an Opportunity to America, And now the conveyance so uncertain that I hope you’l excuse this short Epistle, and permitt me good Sir to acquaint you that our applycations remains doubtfull, And that its difficult to have a hearing by reason the great ones are so much taken up with affairs of much greater consequence. The...
2724From Benjamin Franklin to William Coleman, 8 December 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; abstract: Minute-Book of the Academy Trustees, Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania At a Meeting of the Trustees at the Academy March 14th 1758 Present Richard Peters Thomas White William Coleman Alexander Stedman Mr. Franklin having by a Letter to Mr. Coleman dated from London Dec. 8th 1757 requested him to inform the Trustees that he had on their Account discharged a Bill...
2725From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 9 December 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have yours of June 23. July 4. and 31. Sept. 14. and 30. and Oct. 19. and have receiv’d of you since I left Philadelphia, four Bills of One hundred Pounds Sterling each. I thank you for your Care in sending them, and your full Accounts of News, &c. I have been long ill. But I thank God am now pretty well recover’d, and hope to be a better Correspondent...
2726William Franklin to Elizabeth Graeme, 9 December 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard College Library (Sparks) No Doubt you must be much surpriz’d at so many Vessels arriving at different Parts of America from England, without so much as a single Line from the Man who has so often, and so warmly professed himself your Friend and Admirer. The Thoughts, the Suspicions, that must naturally arise in your Breast on this Occasion, my Imagination pictures in such strong...
2727From Benjamin Franklin to ———, [13 December 1757] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Library of Congress; also copy: Yale University Library; and French translation: The Rosenbach Foundation Both the date and the addressee of this letter have been subjects of much difference of opinion. Each of the three surviving manuscript versions bears a different date line. That on the draft, in Franklin’s hand, has been heavily scratched out, probably long after the letter was...
2728William Strahan to Deborah Franklin, 13 December 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , 25–7. I will not write to you, for the future, as a stranger whom I never had the happiness of seeing, but as to one with whom I have been for some time acquainted, for having had the pleasure for several months past, to be personally known to what you will readily allow, to be your better half, you’ll permit me to fancy, I am by no means...
2729From Benjamin Franklin to John Pringle, 21 December 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society The following is what I can at present recollect, relating to the Effects of Electricity in Paralytic Cases, which have fallen under my Observation. Some Years since, when the News papers made Mention of great Cures perform’d in Italy or Germany by means of Electricity, a Number of Paralytics were brought to me from different Parts of Pensilvania and the neighbouring...
2730To Benjamin Franklin from Giambatista Beccaria, 24 December 1757 (Franklin Papers)
I . MS translation and MS Latin original: The Royal Society. II . MS “Note”: The Royal Society Father Beccaria, the strongest and most active supporter of Franklin’s electrical theories on the Continent, addressed this letter to him in Latin soon after learning of his arrival in England. Dr. James Parsons made an English translation which, after some delay, was read at the Royal Society, Feb....
2731From George Washington to Thomas Knox, 26 December 1757 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 28th September came to hand the 20th Instt. My Goods, that is such part as you have sent me I am told will be round from Rappahannock River shortly—I can’t help expressing great concern, and some Surprize at your not sending the following Articles, which were Included in an Invoice sent the 18th Jany last, the Receipt of which you acknowledge (viz.) These are Articles Sir, I...
2732From George Washington to Richard Washington, 26 December 1757 (Washington Papers)
I have been under concern for sometime past at your long Silence; and have been put to many Shifts, and some Expence for want of my Goods: I have wrote you several times and addressd Copies, to which be referd. I have now to inform you that finding no Ships for London and despairing of oppertunities of consigning to yourself; I have put on board the Nugent Only, Captn Copythorne for Bristol,...
2733To George Washington from Sampson Darrell, 28 December 1757 (Washington Papers)
I send you inclod Joseph West Deed to Darrell, also the Cources of Matthew Thomsons Patten. The Land has never been yet layed off, So that the line to give the three hundred acres must be run. as for Spencers line no Boddey Knowes it so well as Robert Stevens, who was our pilet on the Survay[.] I will git Mr Mason to come and lay Down that line. I am Sir Your Hble Servt ALS , CSmH . Below the...
2734From George Washington to Thomas Knox, 30 December 1757 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the forgoing Letter I find myself in want of the following Articles, besides those containd therein please to send the whole to me therefore by the first Vessel to Potomack or Rappahannock. LB , DLC:GW . The letter-book copy is in GW’s later hand. See GW to Knox, 26 Dec. 1757 . See ibid., n.5. See also GW to Knox, 18 Mar. 1758 . GW wrote “pr.” Furniture is used here in the sense...
2735Memorandum, 1758–1759 (Washington Papers)
A List of Lands given unto the Clerk of Fairfax County—in the year 1758 to be Taxed. Acres In Frederick County. viz.—one Tract of 760 one Ditto of 552 one Ditto of 550 one Ditto of 453 2315 In Fairfax County. viz.—Mount Vernon Tract 1900 bought of S. Darrell 500 2400 4715 N.B. I gave in the same List for the year 1759 & paid Taxes for both years to Colo. John West
2736[1758] (Adams Papers)
In 1758 my Period with Mr. Putnam expired. Doolittle and Baldwin visited me in the office, and invited me to settle in Worcester. They said as there were two Sides to a question and two Lawyers were always wanted where there was one, I might depend upon Business in my profession, they were pleased to add that my Character was fair and well esteemed by all Sorts of People in the Town and...
2737Adams’ Student Notes: Ca. 1758 (Adams Papers)
Nunquam prospere succedunt Res humanae, ubi negliguntur divinae. Sex horas somno, totidem des Legibus aequis; Quatuor orabis, des Epulisque duas. Quod superest ultro sacris largire Camenis. Co. Lit. sec. 85. The student must know how to work into, with Delight these rough Mines of hidden Treasure. En la Ley. There be diverse Laws within the Realm of England. 1. Lex Coronae. 2. Lex et...
2738Poor Richard Improved, 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard improved: Being an Almanack and Ephemeris … for the Year of our Lord 1758: … By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin, and D. Hall. (Yale University Library) This is the twenty-sixth and last almanac in this series which Franklin prepared himself; thereafter David Hall assumed the responsibility. Appropriately, the contents of this almanac make it...
2739James Ferguson: Account of Franklin’s Three-Wheel Clock, [1758?] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in James Ferguson, Select Mechanical Exercises: Shewing how to construct different Clocks, Orreries, and Sun-Dials, on Plain and Easy Principles , … (Second edition, London, 1778), pp. 1–4. Apparently Franklin never wrote a description of the three-wheel clock he devised, nor does he seem to have known that his friend James Ferguson published an account of it. He told Jan Ingenhousz in...
2740From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [January 1758] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragments): American Philosophical Society good Order. I receiv’d also his Letter relating to the Aurora Borealis, it was seen here at the same time, and I shall endeavour to procure him a particular Account of it. It was an unlucky Mistake, that of putting your Letter under Cover to Mr. Colden, as it occasion’d a Week’s Delay in your receiving it. I do not find you have receiv’d a Letter...
2741From George Washington to Thomas Knox, January 1758 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you on the 26th and 30th Ultimo and Addressd Copies since which I have receivd my Bills of Lading for 14 Hogheads Tobo—one of which is Inclosd —I have also receivd my Goods from the Recovery, and cant help again complaining of the little care taken in the purchase: Besides leaving out one half, and the most material half too! of the Articles I sent for, I find the Sein is without...
2742From Benjamin Franklin to John Waring, 3 January 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you herewith the Extract of Mr. Sturgeon’s Letter, which I mentioned to you. He is, among us, esteemed a good Man, one that makes a Conscience of the Duties of his Office, in which he is very diligent; and has behaved with so much Discretion, as to gain the general Respect and Good-will of the People. If the Associates of Dr. Bray should think fit to...
2743To George Washington from George Mason, 4 January 1758 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer (my Cousin French Mason) waits on You with an Acct I recd from Capt. Trent, amounting to £165.12.2¾ as I have an imediate Call for a pretty large Sum, you will particularly oblige Me in sending the Cash ⅌ this Bearer; who will give a Rect for what he receives—if you happen not to have the Cash at Home, I must beg the favour of You to order it for Me by the first safe Hand from...
2744From George Washington to George Johnston, 5 January 1758 (Washington Papers)
I have not leizure at this time, to enquire into the Right Mr Darrell pretends to have of altering the form of the Land I bought of him—I shoud be glad therefore to know, if I receive Deeds according to the present Courses & bounds, whether it will invalidate in any degree, my claim at a future prosecution of it. I am Yr most Obedt Servt ALS , PHi : Dreer Collection. George Johnston (d. 1766),...
2745To George Washington from George Johnston, 5 January 1758 (Washington Papers)
I am very Clearly of Opinion that by whatsoever Deeds you purchase by you will be Intituled to the same Quantity of Land and to have it Laid off in the same manner that Darrill ought to have had it Laid off: however to make you Easie in that particular & to Avoid any the Least Dispute you may have your Deeds So Drawn as totally to remove all Difficulties. I wish you all the pleasures the...
2746To George Washington from Robert Carter Nicholas, 5 January 1758 (Washington Papers)
Capt. McKenzie handed me yr Letter, which inclosed sundry Papers relating to yr Dispute with Mr Strother. Mr Power, poor Man, is gone from Home to try for the Recovery of his Health, which I fear will never be restored to him; Mr Wythe is also out of Town, so that I can’t with any Exactness say when we shall have an Opportunity of giving an Award; however I’ll get it done as soon as I can. I...
2747From Benjamin Franklin to John Pringle, 6 January 1758 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), p. 362. I return Mr. Mitchell’s paper on the strata of the earth with thanks. The reading of it, and perusal of the draft that accompanies it, have reconciled me to those convulsions which all naturalists agree this globe has suffered. Had the different strata of clay, gravel, marble,...
2748To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 6 January 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society My last to you was by the Mercury, Capt. Robinson, in which I promised to remit you by the next Vessel; and accordingly, you have inclosed the first Copy of a Bill of Exchange for One Hundred pounds Sterling, (the second Copy of which I have sent by Capt. Troy Via Dublin) the Exchange as you will see by the Bill 64, The Receipt of which you will...
2749From George Washington to Richard Washington, 8 January 1758 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you a Letter of the 26th Ultimo; since which I have had an oppertunity of seeing the great damage China is apt to come to in its transportation to this Country (unless much care is used in the Package) which has determind me to desire you if this gets to hand time enough for that purpose, to send me instead of what was directed in a former Invoice 2 dozn Dishes (properly sorted) 2 dozn...
2750From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 11 January 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: The Royal Society I thank you for your Account of the Aurora. A very considerable one appear’d here the same Evening, being Saturday, Nov. 12. I did not see it, but have heard of it from several. If it was the same that you saw; it must have been very high, or very extensive, as the two Places are 1000 Leagues asunder. In BF ’s hand. Read before the Royal Society, Feb. 25, 1762, and...