41441From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 2 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arrived here well on the 1st. ultimo and had the Pleasure to find all false that Dr. Smith had reported about the Diminution of my Friends. My House has been fill’d with a Succession of them from Morning to Night almost ever since I landed to congratulate me on my Return; and I never experienc’d greater Cordiality among them. The new Assembly had met and...
41442From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 2 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As good Dr. Hawkesworth calls you, to whom my best Respects. I got home well the 1st. of November, and had the Happiness to find my little Family perfectly well; and that Dr. Smith’s Reports of the Diminution of my Friends were all false. My House has been full of a Succession of them from Morning to Night ever since my Arrival, congratulating me on my...
41443From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 6 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS , duplicate LS , and (incomplete) draft: American Philosophical Society I have already wrote to you via New York, but hear my Letter did not reach the Pacquet; so this may come first to hand. I arrived the 1st. of November, after a long but pleasant Passage, having in general fair Winds and good Weather; but being in a Convoy could sail no faster than the slowest. I had the Happiness to...
41444From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 7 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I arrived here the first of last Month, and had the great Happiness, after so long Absence, to find my little Family well, and my Friends as cordial and more numerous than ever. Mr. Bartram I suppose writes to you concerning the great Bones at the Ohio. I have delivered to him and to the Library Company what you sent by me. There is great Complaint here of the...
41445From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 7 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I wrote you some time since to acquaint you with my Arrival, and the kind Reception I met with from my old and many new Friends, notwithstanding Dr. Smith’s false Reports in London of my Interest, as declining here. I could not wish for a more hearty Welcome, and I never experienc’d greater Cordiality. We had a long Passage, near ten Weeks from Portsmouth to this...
41446From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, 8 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society On Nov. 8, 1762, William Shippen (above, IX , 219 n), who had recently arrived in Philadelphia from London, informed the treasurer and managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital that Dr. John Fothergill had sent by the Carolina (the ship which had brought Franklin home) a present of seven cases of materials for the study of anatomy. Three contained drawings by...
41447From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Nairne, 8 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I forget whether I paid you for the Magnet. Let me know. If you can make a Thermometer agreable to the enclos’d Directions, please send it me. Mrs. Stevenson where I lodg’d will pay you. My Respects to Mr. Canton when you see him. I am &c. Edward Nairne (1726–1806), F.R.S., 1776, was an English electrician and instrument maker. In 1774 he published a paper...
41448From Benjamin Franklin to Caleb Whitefoord, 9 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum; draft: American Philosophical Society I thank you for your kind Congratulations on my Son’s Promotion and Marriage. If he makes a good Governor and a good Husband (as I hope he will, for I know he has good Principles and good Dispositions) those Events will both of them give me continual Pleasure. The Taking of the Havanah, on which I congratulate you, is a Conquest of...
41449From Benjamin Franklin to Elias Boudinot, Junior, [11 December 1762] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found: reprinted from extract in American Art Association Sale Catalogue, Dec. 2, 3, 1926, Item no. 428. I thank you for your kind congratulations on my return to my family and country. It gives me great pleasure to hear that you are married and well-settled and your brother and sister also. … I hope your good father’s indisposition will be of no long continuance. … Elias Boudinot, Jr....
41450From Benjamin Franklin to Jared Ingersoll, 11 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New Haven Colony Historical Society I thank you for your kind Congratulations. It gives me Pleasure to hear from an old Friend, it will give me much more to see him. I hope therefore nothing will prevent the Journey you propose for next Summer, and the Favour you intend me of a Visit. I believe I must make a Journey early in the Spring, to Virginia, but purpose being back again before...
41451From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 15 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Archives, Windsor Castle; transcript: Massachusetts Historical Society I have read with great Pleasure the College Poems you were so kind as to send me: I think, and I hope it is not merely my American Vanity that makes me think, some of them exceed in Beauty and Elegance those produced by the Mother Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, on the same Occasion. In return, please...
41452From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 16 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I thank you most cordially for your kind Congratulations on my Arrival, which I have the more Pleasure in, as among my other Friends, I find you and yours alive and well: I rejoice with you likewise in the safe Return of your two valuable Sons, to whom, on Account of their own Merit as well as the Obligations I am under to you, I wish it had been in my Power to...
41453From Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles, 19 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This Line is just to salute you, and acquaint you with my Return to America, Thanks to God, well and hearty. I hope you are so. With this you will receive a Thermometer which craves your Acceptance. With the greatest Esteem, I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant BF had promised to send Stiles a thermometer, May 23, 1757; above, VII , 217. On...
41454From Benjamin Franklin to John Winthrop, 23 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from American Autograph Shop, American Clipper (Merion Station, Pa.), December 1935, p. 171. Mr. Short’s Remarks were only in a Letter of his to me. I now send you the Original. You will observe that the Perallax [Parallax] mentioned in this, differs from that I sent you; But this was in the Beginning of February, the other he gave me in August; and I suppose had been...
41455From Benjamin Franklin to Hughes and Co.: Directions for Making a Musical Instrument, [1762] (Franklin Papers)
AD : The Assay Office, Birmingham, England In an advertisement for the armonica in the London Chronicle , June 17–19, 1762, addressed “To the Nobility, Gentry, &c., ”Charles James of Purpool Lane, near Gray’s Inn, called himself “The Maker [who] has been employed by the Gentleman who is the real Inventor, in the First ever made in England, and continues to be honoured with his Approbation.” In...
41456Notes on Reading an Account of Travel in China, [1762?] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society These notes in Franklin’s hand appear to have been memoranda jotted down during the reading of some unidentified account of travel in the Far East. The listing of the eclipses suggests that the date was not earlier than 1762, though Franklin’s reading might well have taken place considerably later. Painted Candles, of what are they made? Vinegar of Liche,...
41457From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Franklin, [1762?–1764] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 441–3. You may acquaint the gentleman that desired you to enquire my opinion of the best method of securing a powder magazine from lightning, that I think they cannot do better than to erect a mast not far from it, which may reach 15 or 20 feet above the top of it, with a...
41458To Benjamin Franklin from [Grey] Cooper, [1762?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Cooper presents his Compliments to Mr. Franclin and begs he will give Mr. Cooper leave to bring Lady Abdy and Miss Baldwyn to hear the glasses on Monday or Thursday Evening next (which is most convenient to Mr. Franclin) about seven oClock. The Ladies have heard Mr. Franclin perform once before which has only given them a greater desire to hear him...
41459To Benjamin Franklin from [Keane] Fitz Gerald and [Charles] Morton, [1759–1775?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Fitzgerald and Dr. Morton’s Compliments to Dr. Franklyn, and if it be agreable, purpose to wait upon Him on Friday even next, about 6 o’clock, with 2 Ladies. Addressed: To / Benjamn. Franklyn / Esqr. Dr. of Laws. / Craven Street The first of these men may have been Keane Fitz Gerald, or Fitzgerald, of Poland St., London, F.R.S., 1756, who contributed...
41460To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Garrigues, [1762?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will please to Excuse my thus addressing as I am personally an intire Stranger to you and I can find nobody at present that knows me or my Family. You have been pleased once to do a great favour for my Mother with Respect to her finding her Father the late Mr. Ralph for which you have laid us all under a lasting Obligation to you. And as my Mother is...
41461To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Henmarsh: Deed, 1 January 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Department of Records, Recorder of Deeds, City of Philadelphia January 1, 1763 Abstract: In consideration of £100, Elizabeth Henmarsh of Philadelphia, widow, grants and sells to Benjamin Franklin a lot of land in Philadelphia, 16 ft. wide, north and south, and 73 ft. deep, bounded east by Sixth Street, south and west by lands of Isaac Zane, and north by land granted by Zane to James...
41462Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on the Laws, [19 January 1763] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1762–1763 (Philadelphia, 1763), p. 13. Throughout Franklin’s absence in England he had been re-elected to the Assembly from the city of Philadelphia every October. When the House met on Jan. 10, 1763, he appeared to take his place for the first time in about five and three-quarters years, and at once resumed an active part in...
41463From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Greene, 23 January 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received with great Pleasure my Dear Friend’s Favour of December 20. as it inform’d me that you and yours are all well. Mrs. Franklin admits of your Apology for dropping the Correspondence with her, and allows your Reasons to be good; but hopes when you have more Leisure it may be renew’d. She joins with me in congratulating you on your present happy...
41464Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on the Dock, [9 February 1763] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1762–1763 (Philadelphia, 1763), p. 23. “A Remonstrance and Petition from divers Inhabitants” of Philadelphia was presented to the Assembly, Jan. 24, 1763, complaining, among other things, that the public dock or creek in the southern part of the city was “in a great Measure useless, and in its present Condition a Recepticle for...
41465From Benjamin Franklin to Isaac Norris; Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Accounts: Report, 9, 15, and 19 February 1763 (Franklin Papers)
I. Draft: American Philosophical Society. II. ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania. III. Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1762–1763 (Philadelphia, 1763), pp. 28–9. On Feb. 9, 1763, Franklin drafted a letter to serve as preface to a statement of his expenses as agent of the Assembly in England (Document I). After considering the draft, however, he must have...
41466From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 21 February 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have now the Pleasure of acquainting you that my Son and Daughter are safely arriv’d at my House, and both very well. They present their Duty to Brother Mecom and you. He sets out for his Government on Wednesday. I am greatly to blame for not sending the enclos’d sooner. It was wrote by your Sister several Weeks since, and given to me to be forwarded. I...
41467From Benjamin Franklin to [Philip Ludwell], 22 February 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I received your kind Congratulations on my Son’s Promotion with great Pleasure, and thank you cordially for your good Wishes concerning him. I have great Hopes of his doing well, as I know he has good Principles and good Dispositions. I congratulate you on the glorious Peace we have made, the most advantageous to Great Britain, in my Opinion, of any our...
41468From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 23 February 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I have only time to write one Line by this Conveyance, just to congratulate you on the glorious Peace you have made, the most advantageous for the British Nation in my Opinion, of any your Annals have recorded. The Places you have left or restor’d to the French I look upon to be so much in our Power in Case of a future War, as to be so many Hostages or Pledges of...
41469From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 24 February 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We din’d at Bristol, and got here last Night in good time; the River was hard and firm, and we got well over. Sir John Sinclair came to us and very obligingly offer’d his Chariot and four for the rest of the Journey. This Morning we set out for Brunswic. The Thing I wanted to mention to you, but forgot, was; that in the Hurry of our Arrival from Chester I...
41470From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 26 February 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society; draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Your Favour of the 14th. Instant, I met on the Road in my Journey to this Place with my Son, who joins with me in Thanks for your good Wishes relating to his Administration here. I thank you also for your kind Endeavours in obtaining the Discharge of William Forrester, who is accordingly discharged. I condole...
41471To Benjamin Franklin from John Mills, 2 March 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Our worthy Friend, Mr. Small, is so kind as to undertake to convey to you and to Dr. Eliot, the first Volume of my Husbandry, which is at length finished at the Press, where the second Volume is now half done. But I have, unfortunately, a most dilatory, as well slovenly Printer to deal with, as you will perceive too plainly by his egregious and repeated...
41472Province of Pennsylvania: Account with Franklin; Isaac Norris: Certificate for Payment, 4 March 1763 (Franklin Papers)
I. DS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania. II. Printed form with MS . insertions in blanks: Historical Society of Pennsylvania On March 4, 1763, the Pennsylvania Assembly’s Committee of Accounts, which had approved Franklin’s expenses on his English mission on February 19 (see above, p. 195), laid “before the House a State of the Account of Benjamin Franklin; Esq; with the Province,” and they...
41473From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 8 March 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The enclos’d is a Copy of my last. The Preliminaries of Peace, on which I congratulate you, are since come to hand, and are universally approved of in these Parts. While we retain our Superiority at Sea, and are suffer’d to grow numerous and strong in North America, I cannot but look on the Places left or restor’d to our Enemies on this Side the Ocean, as...
41474To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 11 March 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (mutilated): American Philosophical Society It was with great pleasure I h[eard of] your safe and happy arrival at Philadelphia; and [hearti]ly congratulate you and the dear Partakers of y[our Socie]ty, but you must all forgive me if I repine [that] you are oblig’d to enjoy it at so great a d[istance] from me. My Mother receiv’d yours of [ ? ] November and another a few days ago, of a...
41475Anthony Todd to Benjamin Franklin and John Foxcroft, 12 March 1763 (I) (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library His Majesty’s Post Master General having been pleased, at the same time, They have thought fit to lay down the Correspondence with His Majesty’s Islands in the West Indies, to Establish Four Packet Boats of 130 Tons each, with 18 Hands, in order to continue a Monthly Correspondence between Great Britain, and the Continent of America, in time of Peace; and until...
41476Anthony Todd to Benjamin Franklin and John Foxcroft, 12 March 1763 (II) (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library The Accomptant General of this Office, having now finished his observations (for which I prepared you in my other Letter of this date) upon the state of your Accounts, and His Majesty’s PostMaster General having adopted the same; I am Commanded to observe to you, that your last Account for about Four Years ending with August 1761, being sworn to in London in April...
41477Anthony Todd to Benjamin Franklin and John Foxcroft, 12 March 1763 (III) (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library Inclosed I send you, by Command of His Majesty’s PostMaster General, the Copy of a Letter just received from General Murray Governor of Quebec; as likewise the Copy of a Memorial inclosed therein from the British Merchants residing in That Government; by which they plainly appear to labour under many difficulties for the want of a safe and Speedy Conveyance of...
41478To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Finley, 17 March 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received Your Favour of the 7th Instant, with the Plan of Education in the College of Glasgow, inclosed, for which I most heartily Thank you. I have taken a Coppy of it, and return it inclosed according to your desire. I also delivered your Compliments, which were very acceptable. I last night received a Letter, from a Gentleman, desiring me to form a...
41479To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 18 March 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter from one of Franklin’s English scientific friends, which touches briefly on a variety of matters, is perhaps less important in the history of science than the enclosure which follows it. In the postscript Whitehurst mentions that he is sending “a short sketch of a General Theory of the Earth.” On June 27, 1763, Franklin acknowledged receiving...
41480To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Finley, 21 March 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer, Mr: James Lyon, who is well known in Philadelphia, desired me to introduce him to you by a Line. He waits on you for your Opinion of a Scheme for a Settlement on Mississipi, which he will Show you; and for your Directions, and, if you Shall see Cause to approve any thing to that Purpose, your assistance. He is a young Gentleman of a very good...
41481From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 25 March 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Your pleasing Favour of Nov. 11 is now before me. It found me as you suppos’d it would, happy with my American Friends and Family about me; and it made me more happy in showing me that I am not yet forgotten by the dear Friends I left in England. And indeed why should I fear they will ever forget me, when I feel so strongly that I shall ever remember them! I...
41482From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 28 March 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have received your Favours of Oct. 20 and Nov. 1 by my Son, who is safely arrived with my new Daughter. I thank you for your Friendly Congratulations on his Promotion. I am just return’d from a Journey I made with him thro’ his Government, and had the Pleasure of seeing him every where receiv’d with the utmost Respect and even Affection by all Ranks...
41483Pennsylvania Assembly: Thanks to Franklin, and His Reply, [31 March 1763] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1762–1763 (Philadelphia, 1763), p. 40. Pursuant to a Resolve of the Nineteenth of last Month, that the Thanks of this House be given to Benjamin Franklin, Esq; for his many Services not only to the Province of Pennsylvania, but to America in general, during his late Agency at the Court of Great-Britain, the same were this Day...
41484Account with the Estate of James Franklin, Junior, 4 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society Dr Mr James Franklin Decd. Dr to B Franklin, Sterling Mo. 1758. Feb. 23. For a Parcel of Printing Letters, for which he gave his Bond } 94. 0. 5 Int. on Do. to Aug. 12. 1762 being 4.Y. 5.M. 20.D. } 25. 4. 1¾ 119: 4: 6¾ Recd. Augt. 12. 1762 100 Dollars at 4 s
41485To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Jackson, 4 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your favour by the Packet, as well as those by the Carolina, I had before the Pleasure to hear of your safe Arrival from Mr. Strahan, which was the more acceptable, because the time that had elapsed since your sailing was rather too long and gave your friends room for Apprehensions. I have before wished you Joy on Mr. Franklin’s Promotion, I...
41486To 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...
41487To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Greenwood, 6 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard College Library As I knowing of you to be a gentle-man that can doe a great deal to help a poor man to his Wrights and as I am much reduced and have a large family have made bold to Beg the Assistance of soe good a Gentleman to see me rightified who has it not in my own power without applying for your Assistance in geting of me Justice don against Collo. John Armstrong who has...
41488From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 11 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am now to acquaint you that the Assembly of this Province have unanimously made Choice of you as their sole Agent, and have united the two Salaries of £100, which they formerly paid to Mr. Partridge and Mr. Charles, by voting £200 Sterling as your Salary. I hope this Appointment will not be disagreable to you, as I think I had your Permission to name you...
41489From Benjamin Franklin to John Ellicott, 13 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The London Hospital I yesterday receiv’d your Favour of Jany. 8. and as it would be a particular Pleasure to me to be any way serviceable to your Hospital, I shall cause the Enquiry you desire to be carefully made at New York; and to that end I write to a Friend there by this Post: But as the Father of Capt. Holland is said in the Will to have been of James River, which is in Virginia,...
41490From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 13 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.], A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 80–1. You may remember, that about ten years since, when I was at Boston, you and my brother sent directions here to attach on Grant’s right to some land here, by virtue of a mortgage given him by one Pitt. Nothing effectual could be done in...