32151To George Washington from Robert Collings, 2 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to solicit your Excellency for an appointment onboard of one of the Cutters that are to be fitted out for the Protection of the Revenue. My Character is well known to the officers of the Customs of this Port, as well as to the Gentlemen who have honord me with their Recommendation. with the Highest respect I am Sir, your most humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . Robert Collings (Collins;...
32152To Thomas Jefferson from Nicholas Collin, 26 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed is, according to its direction, forwarded to Yourself, tho’ the trouble of receiving such letters belongs properly to the Secretary’s office. This mariner has also informed me that my certificate of his being a native American has been received, nor disputed. Consul Bond very Kindly had forwarded it; and he has on all occasions come to my Knowledge interested himself in getting...
32153To James Madison from Charles Collins and David A. Leonard, 27 November 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 November 1810, Bristol, Rhode Island. The vacancy on the Supreme Court “has put the spirit of intrigue into quick operation.” The leading Federalists of New England evidently plan to bring forward Asher Robbins of Newport, but his supporters are not “friends to the administration.” The writers suggest Gideon Granger as the best candidate, although “we are not without apprehensions that...
32154To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Collins, 29 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As you are the gentleman orethersed to hear and Redress the Complants of those americans who has Bin presners In England I make Bold to Rite to your honer as a Child wold to a father for I hop Sir you wold Be a father to me at this presant time. I wold Informe your honer that I was taken the 9 of September In the yer 1778 In a Contenantle Brig Resestance...
32155To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Collins et al., 8 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Wee understand by Capt obrey that you are the gentelman aurthorized to hear & Redress the Complant and Grievances of the amrican presoners wee thearfore make bold to petition to you Sir on this head that you will be So Good as to hear & answer this our petition poor naked & Distitute as we are hear having bin plundred of all our Clothes & money by The...
32156To James Madison from Charles Collins, 25 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
Well assured that matters of high consideration press upon thy attention I feel diffident in diverting thee a moment therefrom, but would just say in a brief manner that for sometime past I have felt it my duty to abstain from the consumption of the produce of Slaves and there being some in our society similarly situated I have been induced to commence the trading in such articles as do not...
32157To James Madison from Charles Collins, 30 November 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 November 1812 , “ Collector’s Office District of Bristol .” Has been informed by David Howell that he has “ceased to be the district attorney for the Rhode Island district.” Recommends Asher Robbins for that office. RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Robbins”). 1 p.; torn.
32158To James Madison from Charles Collins and David A. Leonard, 18 November 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 November 1812, Bristol. Recollect that when Cushing’s seat on the U.S. Supreme Court was vacant, Asher Robbins of Newport was “held up as a suitable Candidate by the lawyers & several others, whose motives, in our view, were not worthy an object so important.” Thought at that time that it was their duty to “express to the Executive our thoughts upon the subject.” Distrusted Robbins because...
32159To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Collins, 20 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
A good administration of a republican government is allways to be estimated by a free people, a blessing doubly valuable, as it secures to them their dearest rights & bestows upon them the practical enjoyment of all their liberties. Such, we believe, has been your administration, & such has been its result to the American people;—felt & acknowledged by every true Republican & although felt by...
32160Charles Collins (of New York) to Thomas Jefferson, 25 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I have for sometime past thought of writing to thee and now take the liberty to take up a little of thy attention to a subject that has interested me. The crouded situation of the Chinese and the plenty of room we have in this favoured land of America . Might not the Tea plant be cultivated to advantage in the Southern or Western States. I have understood that it now grows wild in the fields...
32161To James Madison from Charles Collins Jr., 23 September 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Charles Collins Jr. 23 September 1806, Bristol, Rhode Island. “Herewith are the proofs of the nativity and citizenship of William Cole a Seaman belonging to this District [not found], produced to me by his Father, with a request that I would transmit them to the Office of the Secretary of State. Said Cole sailed from New York for Europe about two years since, left his protection behind...
32162To John Adams from Isaac Collins, March 1782 (Adams Papers)
It is no less a duty which I owe to myself, than to those, my fellow Citizens and fellow Captives, with me here : that I am at present induced to address you, the subject cruel as it is, can by no means whatever be Justified, nor could either my fellow Captives, or self, have conceived the most distant Idea, that a person of such distinguished abilities, and honored as you are by the call of...
32163To George Washington from James Collins, 7 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The bill for laying certain duties on distilled Spirits being now in great forwardness in Congress, will it is expected shortly come before your Excellency and in Case you should be pleased to pass it into a Law, it is provided by the said bill that the States may be divided by you into General Districts and an Inspector appointed for collecting the Duties in each. From my long residence in...
32164To George Washington from John Collins, 3 February 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from John Collins, 3 Feb. 1781. On 16 Feb., Collins wrote GW : “I wrote to Your Excellency the 24th of January last, as also the 3d Instant.”
32165To George Washington from John Collins, 18 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
State of Rhode-Island & Providence Plantations Sir, January 18th 1790. I have the Honor of transmitting to you an Act of the General Assembly of this State for calling a Convention, to take into Consideration the Constitution proposed for the United States, passed on the 17th of September, A.D. 1787, by the General Convention held at Philadelphia. This Event gives me the most sincere pleasure,...
32166To George Washington from John Collins, 24 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
In all the Vicissitudes of time, and changes of Sentiments that have taken place in the united states, I have uniformly believed that the most essential happiness of our Country, ultimately depended, upon the establishment of an efficient executive power, under one federal head; being the only means, to obtain that tone to government necessary, to answer the ends of its institution; the...
32167To George Washington from John Collins, 16 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is with the greatest reluctance I trouble Your Excelly With repetitions, but my distress’d condition compells me to it. being destitute of A Relation in this Country to espouse my cause, nor Support Sufficient for an Existance, but lodged in A cold Goal, not possess’d of a Blanket, to cover me with & not a farthing to purchase one. When I wrote to Your Excellency the 24th of January last,...
32168To George Washington from John Collins, 15 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to a Vote of the Committee of Inspection for this Town, I inclose you a true Copy of an intercepted Letter from the late Govr Hutchinson to a Gentleman in this Colony, only omitting the Names of that Gentleman, and the Bearer of the Letter, both of whom are Friends to the Liberties of America. The Letter was laid before the Committee the last Evening; and although it is of an old...
32169To Alexander Hamilton from John Collins, Alexander Quarrier, and Thomas Warren, 15 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Richmond, December 15, 1790. Submit “an Estimate of the Expense of erecting a Light House on Cape Henry.” LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. This letter was enclosed in Beverley Randolph to H, December 16, 1790 . In his enclosing letter, Randolph described Collins, Quarrier, and Warren as “Mechanics of Character.”
32170To George Washington from John Collins, 24 January 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from John Collins, 24 Jan. 1781. On 16 Feb., Collins wrote GW : “I wrote to Your Excellency the 24th of January last.”
32171To Benjamin Franklin from Peter and Michael Collinson, 14 July 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania P Collinson and Son’s Respects to their Good Friend Benn: Franklin Request the favour to Enjoye His company at Mill-Hill any Day this Week that it Suites Him: to Make his Stay more Agreeable—I have by this Post requested the like favour, of Doct. Solander. I hope you Two Gentlemen will Concert Measures, to Come together, but if that can’t conveniently...
32172To Benjamin Franklin from Michael Collinson, 9 March 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I return the Soliloquy which is indeed in too many Places but too wickedly entertaining and Pointed at the expence of the good old Gentleman, and the Allusion to 1715 &ca with the help of the Key which in Confidence you furnished Me with is palpable enough. I am very happy, my dear Sir, that I have it just still in my Power to oblige myself by...
32173To Benjamin Franklin from Michael Collinson, [March? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Collinson’s very respectful Comp[limen]ts to Dr. Franklin and begs the favor of him to lay by Mr. Colden’s Essay which Mr. C. will do himself the pleasure of calling for some Morning there are also two little Volumes The Adventures of a Round headed Indian which if Dr. Franklin can without any trouble lay his hand upon Mr. C will take with him at the...
32174To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 5 February 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have so many Obligations to my kind Friend, that I dedicated a time to Visit all the Booksellers in London to search for foreign Electrical Books and could only find Two in French. One I take to be the same I sent for thy perusal but could not be certain which Elce [I] had not bought both for I sent it away just as I received it from France. I have many...
32175To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 21 March 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the Conveyance of our friend Mr. Watson whose Letter I inclose this will informe you the Abbe sent three books. I only send One by this Ship and another by the Next for fear of Accidents and if you give Mee Leave I will keep the third for my Self. You’l see the purport of Mr. Watsons Letter, the Booke is sent to Messr. Neat & Neave to Come in their...
32176To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 3 July 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Received June the 30. 1753. On Board the London for Philadelphia One long Case Mark’d L 4 M C No. 1 which I promise to Deliver (Dangers of the sea Excepted) . paid Freight and primage 6 s. besides one Brown paper bundle of Books of which I cannot give the particulars for I am Just come to Town and To Morrow the Letters are taken away and I go out of Town by...
32177To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 15 August 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College Library I had the pleasure of my Dear friend Letter of June 19th: It gives Mee concern for find my Letters Miscarried, for I writ both by Neat Ship and by Mesnard and I keep no Coppys. Indeed what I write generally in a Hurry does not deserve It but there was some things my Friends may be glad to know. In particular there was J. Bartrams Orders and Letters of advice of...
32178To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 21 October 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I impatienly expect the good News of my Dear Franklin’s Safe Arrival. Wee regret Your Abscence, but there is a Time the Dearest Friends must Part but Wee Cherish our Minds with the Hopes of Long enjoyeing your Correspondence and Shareing in the Discoveries, the Effects of your Fruitfull Genius, which can happyly Imploye it Self, to your own Benefit or that...
32179To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 25 April 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wish I have before this advised my Worthy Friend that his pacquet per Cap. Clark came at last to my Hands, with the Electrical Papers, which are now on the Press under the Inspection and Correction of our Learned and Ingenious Friend Doctor Fothergill for Wee thought it a great Pitty that the Publick should be deprived the benefit of so many Curious...
32180To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 20 July 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is a great pleasure to Mee to receive so many repeated Instances of my Dear friends regard for Mee, In his Sundry favours of Aprill 17: May 9 June 1. I omitted in a Hurry in mine by Shirley to tell you that your £60 Bill on Lane is accepted and shall be applyed as you have Directed. I know not who Mr. Blair Is or where he Dwells Elce should Inquire after...
32181To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 12 April 1748 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library Company of Philadelphia I was very fortunate to receive both thy Curious Experiments on Electricity. I have Imparted them to the Royal Society to whome they are very acceptable and they are now in the hands of our Ingenious Friend Mr. Watson Who has promissed as soone as his accounts are printed to send them to Thee with a Letter and hopes for thy further Favours. My Letters and...
32182To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 12 August 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have much to say but am on the Eve of marrying My Daughter and many Orders in hast from Abroad that I can only add a few Lines to Informe you that your bill of 60 pound is Accepted, and I Intend to pay Osbourn £50. The remainder is for your Disposal when I can find time to Lett you know the Ballance. Your Impartial Account of the state of the Germans came...
32183To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 28 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received my Dear Friends Obligeing Letter with another Inclosed to our Friend Hamilton which I forwarded to Him. Doubt not but will proof Satisfactory. This Serves to convey Advice of a Box of Books for Thy Self, Lib: Com. and J. Bartram perticulars as under. From His Affectionate Friend The Box is Directed for Thee and comes by the Carolina Capt. Friend....
32184To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 3 July 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received thy Letter from the Trustees and Bill per £100 on Jno Gurnell & Company which is accepted. I was really unwilling to undertake a New affair haveing so little Time to spare and yett I was as Unwilling so Benevolent a Design should suffer for want of my Concurrence. I have therefore procured your Value of Books of Whiston who I would willingly...
32185To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 14 January 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am so disheartend at the Loss of Capt. Davis, that I cannot tell how to sett Penn to paper. I had so amply Employed my Budget in 2 or 3 pacquetts with a Large pack and Books per M. Dalibard at Paris a Box with 6 of Bird thermometers books Magazins all gone and Poor John Bartram has lost his Two Guinea Microscope and prints for Billey Seeds and Two or...
32186To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 3 June 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have wrote you before possibly you may receive Two Letters by one Ship—for here is Two Just going together and I cannot say whitch had my First. This serves to thank you for your favour of March 20th with the sundry Curious Articles besides. Greewood has been with Mee. I have recommended him to your Proprietor who Desires much to see Him, and does not...
32187To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 6 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I can only now express the great satisfaction I have and that of Our Family to Hear by your Kind Letter of the 7 Decemr of your Safe Arrival. I have One more Wish and that Is, to Hear of your Son and Daughter. All your Friends are Well in particular Yours Sincerely Addressed: To / Benn Franklin Esqr / in / [Philadelphia] Boston See above, pp. 165–6. For...
32188To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 26 January 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I emptied my Budget Largely by unfortunate Capt. Davis and as our Friend Smith comes in Capt. Shirley it will save Mee a very Long detail of what has passed between Mee and your proprietor as He has been privy to most of It, in General I can tell you He is Ardent in promoting Enlish Schools for teaching the Germans, as you will see by the Scheme When Mr....
32189To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 27 March 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am now so prodigiously Engagd as well in my publick business as on Account of our very great National loss the Death of the Prince of Wales that I can only acknowledge the Receipt of thy kind Letters with the Tracts Inclosed. I have sent per Capt. Richey in the Beulah the Magazins for Febuary. I am thy sincere friend Prince of a short Illness an...
32190To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 17 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was glad to hear my Dear Friend was Safe Arrived In the happy land of Liberty—and more So, that Wee shall Have the pleasure of his Company at Mill Hill. If He will do Us that Favour Next Fryday or Saturday it will be perfectly Suiteable and Agreeable to Us. I have wrote by this post to Docr. Solander that He may come to you and Settle the Time to be...
32191To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [1765–1768] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Peter Collinson is much obliged for his Dear Frinds Calling Yesterday—Shall be glad to See Him to Dine with Mee next Thursday Two Clock and then go afterwards to Crane Court. I am Engaged to Dine att Your End of the Town to Day Being called Sunday in Hast. Addressed: To / Benm. Franklin Esqr / these This note can not have been written later than Aug. 11,...
32192To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 7 March 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your favours of the 16 and 7th and 29 came not to My Hands untill the First of March and the Philosophical pacquet you Mention intended for my Winters amusement is not yett Come to hand. But indeed a Large pacquet came by Capn. Mitchell and that unworthy Man (tho in particular Directed to the Contrary) putt it into the Post Office and I was Charged Thirty...
32193To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [27 May? 1756] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Yale University Library I have the pleasure to tell thee how much thou art esteemed by many worthy men here: for on the Ballot for thy Election to be a Member of the Royal Society , there was not one negative Ball; an Instance of Unanimity that Lord Macclesfield told me he never before saw . So I wish thee long to enjoy that Honor deservedly and so unanimously conferred on thee. Thy...
32194To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 9 September 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I reced both Yours from Boston —it is a Pleasure to hear from the Man I Love. I Submit the Inclosed to your perusal. Your Free remarks on them will be acceptable. I that Live so remote am not so good a Judge of the Reasonabl[n]ess and practibility of Them. They were drawn up at the breaking out of the Cherokee Warr and presented to those at the Helm. Its...
32195To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [1764–1765] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I think you[r] Vindication is admirably well drawn up You make Mee Smile now and then with a keen back Stroke and then with a Home Thrust. It must Mortifie Allen for it cuts Him to the Quick. He has poisoned the Barclay Family. I wish you had one to spare to send my penny post Directed to Mr. David Barclay Junior in Cheapside. If you have them not to...
32196To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [5 October 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Transcript of fragment: Rosenbach Foundation Speaker Isaac Norris entered a long note on an interleaved sheet in a copy of Poor Richard improved , 1755, following the calendar for December. He first copied an advertisement from the Antigua Gazette or Public Advertiser , Aug. 12, 1755, in which George Thomas, former governor of Pennsylvania and now governor of the Leeward Islands, defended...
32197To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 8 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Going away of Ships are So uncertain, and I am So Frequent out of Town—I write this Letter to my Dear Friend premature because I do not Inclose a receipt for the Box which I expect to do in my Next if I am not out of Town when the Ship Sails. The Box comes by Capt. Friend in the Carolina. In it is Books and Catologues for Lib: Company, Some for J:...
32198To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 27 September 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In thine of June 19 mention is made of not receiveing a Letter which is a disappoinment to mee who keeps no Coppys. I always am carefull to Carry Letters my Self so how it should happen can’t say and I took particular care to write by Mesnard because of the books and Johns Watches and I saw it putt in the bagg. That Two should miscarry I cannot comprehend...
32199To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [1759?–1762] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Lett not my Dear Friend Forgett that I expect Him and his Son to Morrow being Wednesday to drink Tea and afterwards to spend the Evening which will oblige his sincere friend Certainly written during BF ’s first mission to England because of the mention of WF . If the “Doctor Frankland” is contemporary, the note was written after BF ’s honorary degree...
32200To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [June 1750] (Franklin Papers)
AL (fragment): Library Company of Philadelphia [ First part missing ] Pray give my respects to Lewis Evans. I have not Time to write to Him but I putt his Mapps to Bowles one of the most noted Print and Mapp sellers near the Exchange —and He Tells Mee he has disposed of few of them the Price is so High. Thou will see by Byrd’s Letter the reason no Thermometers was done. So farewell. The Books...