40951To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 7 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Clerk calls upon me to sign the Indian Trade Bill now sent down by the Governor who adheres to his Amendments and as the House after agreeing to some of the Amendments now adhere to the Bill there is an End of that salutary provision to induce the Indians to come heartily into our Interest by making it their Own. We think it a Strange...
40952William Franklin to Elizabeth Graeme, 7 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Morristown National Historical Park At this time William Franklin appears to have been deeply in love with Elizabeth Graeme of Philadelphia. Seven of his letters written to her between his leaving Philadelphia with his father and their sailing from New York survive, and one written after they reached England. Those which give information about his father’s movements and activities not...
40953From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 11 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received the Exemplifications of the Royal Grant, Charter and Commissions at Bristol, and by the Post Copies of the two £100,000 Bills under Seal, and a Copy of the Indian Trade Bill, with Amendments, all in good Order. I am sorry the Indian Trade Bill is lost; but it is some Advantage that the iniquitous Views of the Proprietor and his Creatures of the Council...
40954From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Hazard, 11 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Your Absence when the Business was to be done for Mr. Greeme, prevented your seeing Messrs. Stevenson’s Letter at that Time, or the Account that was afterwards carried to your House by my Son. I had however some Expectations that you would do what was desired of you by those Gentlemen, your Friends, and I readily did what seem’d immediately necessary to...
40955From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Bouquet, 14 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I thank you for the Letter you have favour’d me with to Professor Koenig. I shall take care to deliver the other to Monsr. Guinand, if I reach London. I regret much, that thro’ your Business and mine, I could enjoy so little of your Conversation at Philadelphia. How happy are the Folks in Heaven, who, ’tis said, have nothing to do, but to talk with one...
40956From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Garden, 14 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I am here waiting the Departure of the Pacquet in which I am about to embark for London, and by that means have Leisure to write a little to my Friends, which the distracted State of our Province, and the Hurry of Affairs I have been engag’d in, for some time prevented. I wish now that I had brought some of your ingenious Letters with me, that I might have...
40957From Benjamin Franklin to John Lining, 14 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library; also draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society It is a long Time since I had the Pleasure of a Line from you. And indeed the Troubles of our Country, with the Hurry of Business, I have been engag’d in on that Account, have made me so bad a Correspondent, that I ought not to expect Punctuality in others. But being just taking Passage for England, I could...
40958From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 19 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote a few Lines to you yesterday, but omitted to answer yours relating to Sister Douse: As having their own Way , is one of the greatest Comforts of Life, to old People, I think their Friends should endeavour to accommodate them in that, as well as in any thing else. When they have long liv’d in a House, it becomes natural to them, they are almost as...
40959Commission to James Parker as Comptroller of the Post Office, 22 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Sometime after their appointment as joint deputy postmasters general in 1753 Franklin and Hunter had made William Franklin comptroller of the North American postal service, in addition to being postmaster of Philadelphia. The exact duties which they assigned to him in this position are not known since his commission and instructions have not been found. It...
40960Post Office Instructions to James Parker, 22 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society Mr. James Parker [General Post O]ffice } April 22, 1757 Sir [in] North America As you have undertaken to execute the Office of Comptroller of the General Post Office during our Absence and that of the present Comptroller the following Instructions are necessary for your Observation viz. [1.][ Illegible ] Every Post Master on the Continent to send you a...
40961From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 25 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The List of Servants is come to hand. I suppose ’tis as compleat as it could at present be made, but it has many Blanks in it. I purpose to talk with my Lord upon it to day, as well as upon the Affair of the Indian Trade Bill, which I have always had much at heart; and shall let you know the Result. We are still waiting for my Lord’s Dispatches, and still...
40962Last Will and Testament, 28 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia I Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia, Printer, being in my usual Health of Body and Mind (blessed be God) do this twenty-eighth Day of April, in the Year 1757, make, publish, sign and seal, this my last Will and Testament, viz. I will that all my just Debts, if any there are at the Time of my Decease, be paid as soon as may be after that...
40963From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 29 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you yesterday per Post. This is only to acquaint you, that I am determined against going in the first Pacquet. Send me the Indian Sealskin Hussiff, with all the Things that were in it. It will be an acceptable Present to a Gimcrack great Man in London, that is my Friend. In the right hand little Drawer under my Desk, is some of the Indian Lady’s...
40964From Benjamin Franklin to William Parsons, 3 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just time to bid you Farewell; and to acquaint you, that Mr. Nugent is at present in the Service in Ireland, but ’tis thought the Regiment he belongs to, will be one of those ordered to America with the expected Fleet. He is a Relation of Col. Bradstreet’s; who is daily expected here, and tis said can give me the best Account of Nugent. If I learn...
40965To Benjamin Franklin from Jacob Duché, Junior, 6 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As you kindly offered me your best Services before you left Philadelphia, which, as I had then no Commands to trouble you with; I declined the Honor of accepting, I now beg Leave to make Use of the Liberty you permitted me, to request you to take Charge of the inclosed Letters. I believe you are personally acquainted with the Gentlemen to whom they are...
40966To Benjamin Franklin from ———, 10 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society The accurate determination of longitude by a ship at sea long remained an unsolved problem. Several theoretically possible methods were advanced during the two centuries and a half after Columbus, but when put to actual test none proved both practicable and sufficiently reliable to serve the needs of mariners, especially of those embarked on long...
40967William Franklin to Elizabeth Graeme, 12 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am this Moment return’d from an Excursion of four or five Days in the Jerseys. The Mail is made up and the Post just upon his Departure. I detain him just to acknowledge the Receipt of two Letters from you, which I have not Time to read thro’. This is all that I can possibly say at present; your Regard imagine the rest, for Your truely affectionate In a...
40968From Benjamin Franklin to [Peter Franklin], 21 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been now near 6 Weeks waiting for the Sailing of the Pacquet, and know not yet when she is like to sail. I received yours of the 7th Inst. with the Invoice and Memorandum, which I shall endeavour to comply with. As to the Pay, I expect not to meddle with your Paper Currency; for I always lose by it. With the Goods I shall send Directions about the...
40969From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Loudoun, 21 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library Having determined not to go in the first Pacquet, I retired hither about two Weeks ago, to have Leisure for Settling some private Affairs before the Sailing of the second; which is the Reason I have not for some time been to pay my Respects to your Lordship. In your present Multiplicity of important Business, I would not be too importunate. But if your Lordship should...
40970From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 21 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Pieces of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 52–3. I received your kind letter of the 9th instant, in which you acquainted me with some of your late troubles. These are troublesome times to us all; but perhaps you have had more than you should. I am glad to hear that Peter is at a place where...
40971From Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles, 23 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Horace Howard Furness Memorial Library, University of Pennsylvania I have been waiting here near Six Weeks for the sailing of the Pacquet, and know not yet when that will be. From London I will send you the Account you desire of the Verification of the Meridian of France; and one of the best Thermometers I can procure. If in any thing else I can do you pleasure, signify it by a Line...
40972From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Parker being doubtful this Morning, whether the Rain would permit his setting out to day, I had prepared no Letter to send per Sally when he took a sudden Resolution to go. Mr. Colden could not spare his Daughter, as she helps him in the Post Office, he having no Clerk. I inclose only the 4th. Bills, which you are to put up safe with my Writings; the...
40973From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 30 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , 18–20. I have before me yours of the 9th and 16th instant; I am glad you have resolved to visit sister Dowse oftener; it will be a great comfort to her, to find she is not neglected by you, and your example may, perhaps, be followed by some other of her relations. As Neddy is yet a young man, I hope he may get over the disorder he complains of,...
40974From Benjamin Franklin to Isaac Norris, 30 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society After waiting here above Seven Weeks for the Sailing of the Pacquet, the Time of her Departure is no more ascertain’d now than it was the Day of our Arrival. The Pacquets it is now said are all three to sail with the Fleet; the two first to be dismiss’d soon after the Fleet is at Sea; the third to go with the Fleet to the Place of Rendezvous, and not to be...
40975Epitaph of Josiah and Abiah Franklin, [May 1757] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The New-England Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure , 1 (1758), 58. Franklin composed an epitaph for the stone which he erected on the brick monument over his parents’ grave in the Granary Burying Ground in Boston. Though the exact dates of composition and placement of the stone are unknown, it is probable that he attended to the matter shortly before his departure for England, since...
40976From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 2 June 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just received yours of the 29th [past. I have made] fresh Enquiry about the Clothes and [Sugar but have yet to] hear a Syllable of them. The brass [Engine at length] came by itself, and was deliver’d to the [ ? ] House, with the three small Parts belonging [to it] by a tall Man whom she does not know; but no Clothes, Sugar, or anything else. There...
40977From Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles, 2 June 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Having waited here near Eight Weeks for a Passage to England, we are at length told we shall certainly sail tomorrow. For your Amusement I enclose you a Copy of a Letter I lately sent to a philosophical Friend in Carolina. I shall not forget your Thermometer, and shall be glad to hear from you when in England. I am, Dear Sir, with great Esteem, Your most obedient...
40978William Franklin to Elizabeth Graeme, 2 June 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library By one Accident or other we are still in N. York. But I know not how to complain of my Detention; for has it not afforded me the Pleasure of another Letter from my Betsy. A Letter for which I cannot be enough thankful. I must answer it in short; the Time of our Departure being now positively fix’d to this Afternoon. The Name of our Pacquet is, The General Wall ,...
40979David Hall’s Remittances to England, 1757–1765 (Franklin Papers)
MS account book: American Philosophical Society [June 2, 1757] The partnership agreement with David Hall, Jan. 1, 1748, provided that Hall was to pay one half the net income of the printing office to Franklin at every monthly clearing of accounts. Apparently such strict regularity did not prove feasible and Franklin did not insist upon it. During his prolonged trip to England, however, he did...
40980From Benjamin Franklin to [Peter and Mary Franklin], [4 June 1757] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extracts reprinted from Parke-Bernet Galleries Catalogue, Sale No. 134 (Oct. 25–6, 1939), p. 26, no. 133; and Charles D. F. Burns Catalogue, No. B937/1, p. 22, no. 672. I enclose you an Order of Cousin James’s on Mr. Collins for 35 Dollars. Please to receive them, and send them per first safe hand to my Wife. If you can get it in Gold, it may be enclosed in a little Packet and...
40981To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 4 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society My last to you was by the Rebecca, Captain Arthur (via Liverpool) covering the second Copy of the £100. Bill. Inclosed you have now the third Copy of the same Bills, in Case of Miscarriages; and you have likewise inclosed the first Copy of another Bill for the same Value, on the same Gentlemen, which I hope will come safe to Hand. The Exchange of...
40982To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 12 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): Yale University Library Just before you sail’d from New York, you was so good as to inclose to me a Copy of your philosophic Letter to a Friend in Carolina, for which please accept my Thanks. The Philosophy of Light and Fire, Heat and Cold has hitherto been a Mystery to me. Even the luminous Emanations of a burning Candle I never could solve in my own Mind. I am half persuaded...
40983From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 17 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from WTF, Memoirs , I , 133 n. The bell ringing for church, we went thither immediately, and with hearts full of gratitude, returned sincere thanks to God for the mercies we had received: were I a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should on this occasion vow to build a chapel to some saint; but as I am not, if I were to vow at all, it should be to build a lighthouse ....
40984William Franklin to Elizabeth Graeme, 17 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I have now the Pleasure to inform my dearest Betsy that her Franklin is safely arriv’d in England about two Hours ago, after a Passage of 27 Days. I am so much hurried in getting our Things ashore, and enquiring for Horses and Carriages for transporting us up to London, that I have not Leisure to give you any of the Particulars of our Voyage. I design to do it...
40985From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We arrived here well last Night, only a little fatigued with the last Day’s Journey, being 70 Miles. I write only this Line, not knowing of any Opportunity to send it; but Mr. Collinson will enquire for one, as he is going out. If he finds one, I shall write more largely. I have just seen Mr. Strahan, who is well with his Family. Billy is with me here at...
40986To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 29 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I now take the Freedom of thy usual Benevolence and favour of thy wife to inclose this letter in hers hopeing this way we may keep the chain of friendship bright while thee art diverting thy self with the generous conversation of our worthy friends in Europe and adding dayly new acquisitions to thy former extensive stock of knoledge by thair...
40987To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand John Paris, 12 August 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania In Consequence of my Letter to You, of the 10th. Instant, I am now to acquaint You, that it’s believed the Youngest of the Proprietarys is some where from Home, and has not received, at least he has not answered, his Brother’s Letter, touching the Appointment for to Morrow; Which, therefore, must go off; And they will take the first Opportunity to fix...
40988From Benjamin Franklin to the Proprietors: Heads of Complaint, 20 August 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania “I believe I shall be able to deal very well with Mr. Franklin,” wrote Thomas Penn when first informed of the Assembly’s plan to send him as agent to England. To undercut his mission, Penn sought assurance from the Duke of Cumberland that Postmaster General Sir Everard Fawkener would “by no means support Franklin” in opposing the Proprietors, and...
40989To Benjamin Franklin from William Sturgeon, 22 August 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: American Philosophical Society Mrs. Franklin favoured me with the Sight of a Letter wrote to you by one Mr. Waring, in which your Thoughts are desired on the important Subject of instructing the Negroes in the Principles of Christianity. As I have the Honour of being employ’d by the Society, a[s] Catechist to the Negroes in this City I take the Freedom to make mention of the Affair to...
40990Post Office Account with William Hunter, 29 August 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS memorandum: American Philosophical Society Pasted on page 26 of Franklin’s Ledger, 1764–1775, is a small slip of paper on which he wrote a memorandum which appears to have nothing to do with the accounts to which it has been attached. Although the memorandum as a whole is dated 1772, it is printed here at the date of the earliest item on it. Hunter 1757 Aug 29. 31. 10. 0 Do 42. Oct. 27 20....
40991To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 14 September 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society I make no Doubt but long before this comes to hand, you have received the first and Second Copies of the second Hundred Pound. I sent you one by Capt. Arthur, Via Liverpool, the other by Capt. Lyon. Inclosed I have now sent you the first Copy of another Bill, for One hundred Pounds, the Exchange the same as the others, Sixty Seven and a half,...
40992William Franklin to the Printer of The Citizen, 16 September 1757 (Franklin Papers)
I. Printed in The Gentleman’s Magazine , XXVII (September 1757), 417–18. II. Printed in The London Chronicle: or, Universal Evening Post , No. 113, Sept. 17–20, 1757, pp. 275–6. Soon after beginning his negotiations with the Proprietors, Franklin became convinced that they “were repeatedly publishing scandalous and malicious Falshoods against the Assembly and People of Pennsylvania” in the...
40993To Benjamin Franklin from David Colden, 18 September 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society About the time you left America I was employed in endeavouring with my Fathers assistance to form an Explication of the Phenomena of Electricity, on his Principles of Action in Matter; some conceptions had occurred to me in pursuing the Experiments made by you and Mr. Canton which gave me reason to hope it might be effected, on very simple principles. If you...
40994To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 17 October 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; also letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was pleased to hear of your safe arrival by a short agreeable Letter from Exeter, which I had the pleasure of receiving about a Month ago. The small but violent Party continues the same political Systems here expecting, I suppose, to be supported by Power and Influence at Home, where you will have...
40995To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 19 October 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society My last to you by the Carolina Captain Duncan, contained the second Copy of a Bill of Exchange for £100. which I hope is come safe to hand. You have now inclosed the first Copy of one other Bill for £100. (which will make the fourth Hundred remitted you since you left Philadelphia) the Receipt of which you will please to own by the first Vessel...
40996From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, [October 1757] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I took the 30 grs. of Comp[oun]d Powder of Contrayerva you prescribed, and had a good Night. I had no Headach in the Morning, as when I took the Hartshorn Drops; and therefore did not cup. But I have had all Day yesterday, a Giddiness and Swimming in my Head, which, every time I rise up, or turn suddenly, makes me stagger a little. I hear a humming Noise...
40997To 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...
40998To 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...
40999From 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,...
41000To 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...