To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Bessborough, 18 May 1760
From the Earl of Bessborough3
AL: American Philosophical Society
May the 18 [1760?]4
Lord Bessborough Complements to Mr. Franklin and desires the favour of his Company at Dinner next Sunday.
3. William Ponsonby, 2d Earl of Bessborough (c.1704–1793), succeeded to his father’s title, July 4, 1758. He was an Irish M.P., 1725–58, and privy councilor, 1741; a British M.P., 1742–54; lord of the Admiralty, 1746–56; and joint postmaster general, July 2, 1759, to November 1762, and July 12, 1765, to November 1766. A Rockingham Whig, he was in “steady opposition” after 1766. DNB; Namier and Brooke, House of Commons, III, 306–7.
4. This invitation could have been written as early as May 1759 or as late as 1774, but 1760 is probable because, writing to David Hall on June 27 of this year, BF mentioned having dined recently with the postmasters general. See below, p. 179.