41441Humourous Reasons for Restoring Canada, 27 December 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle: or, Universal Evening Post , December 25–27, 1759. News of the British victory on the Plains of Abraham, Sept. 13, 1759, and of the capitulation of Quebec five days later reached London October 16. Together with British victories in other theaters of operation in recent months, this conquest seemed to many observers to promise an end to the war in the near...
41442William Strahan: Bill and Receipt, 31 December 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania £ s. d. 1759. Enquiry concerning the Indians, 11¾ Sheets March No. 1000 at £1 3 s. 13 16 For 23½ Reams of Paper for Do. at 13 s. 15 5 6 Working Description of the Map 7 6
41443List of Franklin Birthdays, [1759] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Birthdays of the Children of Josiah and Ann Franklin Eliz. Franklin, Mar. 2. 1677/8. Died Aug. 25. 1759. Samuel May 16. 1681 Mar. 30. 1720 Hannah May 25. 1683 April 3. 1723 Josiah Aug. 23. 1685 Went to Sea, never heard of Ann Jan. 5. 1686/7 June 16. 1729 Joseph Feb. 6. 1687/8
41444From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, [1759?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress At length I have found an Hour, in which I think I may chat with my dear good Girl; free from Interruption. The Attention you have always shown to every thing you think agreable to me, demands my most grateful Acknowledgements. I have receiv’d the Garters you have so kindly knit for me; they are of the only Sort that I can wear, having worn none of any kind for 20...
41445To 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...
41446To Benjamin Franklin from ———, [1759–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL (fragment): Historical Society of Pennsylvania [ First part missing ] Franklyn for the Favor of his Invitation, sho’d have answer’d his Card sooner but has been kept at Westminster the whole Day, begs Leave now to say, that He will wait on the Doctor, and in the mean Time begs his Acceptance of his most respectful Compliments. The writer has not been identified, though the handwriting bears...
41447From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Alexander Dick, 3 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library After we took leave of you, we spent some Weeks in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and at length arriv’d at our House here in good Health, having made a Tour of near 1500 Miles, in which we had enjoy’d a great deal of Pleasure, and receiv’d a great deal of useful Information. But no part of our Journey affords us, on Recollection, a more pleasing Remembrance, than...
41448From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 3 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Scottish Record Office I ought long before this time to have acknowledg’d the Receipt of your Favour of Nov. 2. Your Lordship was pleas’d kindly to desire to have all my Publications. I had daily Expectations of procuring some of them from a Friend to whom I formerly sent them when I was in America, and postpon’d Writing till I should obtain them; but at length he tells me he cannot find...
41449To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 4 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Bearer Charles Monk calling here in his way to N York from whence he is going to England. I send by him this short Letter for which I detain him on his Journey to inform you we have nothing very new or important in America since the reduction of Quebeck. Our Forces are quiet and General Stanwix continues at Pitsburg (as I hear laid up...
41450To Benjamin Franklin from John Waring, 4 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is to inform You that the associates of the Late Dr. Bray unanimously chose You a Member of their Society. The Prospect of Your kind Assistance induced them to accept of the proposal mentioned in their Advertisment, and to resolve upon opening three Schools for Negroes with all convenient Speed: They adjourned to Thursday 17th. Instant with a View to...
41451From Benjamin Franklin to John Hughes, 7 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society On my Return from our Northern Journey, I found several of your obliging Favours; and have now before me those of June 20. July 4. 25, Aug. 9. 22, 23, Sept. 25. and two of Oct. 3. for which please to accept my hearty Thanks. I congratulate you on the glorious Successes of the [year p]ast. There has been for some time a Talk of [Peace], and...
41452From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 9 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Duplicate: Yale University Library The enclos’d are Copies of my last to you per the Pacquet: Capt. House, who talk’d of sailing two Months ago is still here, but probably will now go in a Day or two, and by him I purpose to send this Letter. Since Govr. Denny and the Assembly have at length come to so good an Agreement, I cannot but join with you in Wishes that he had been continued. But...
41453From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 9 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received a Letter or two from you, in which I perceive you have misunderstood and taken unkindly something I said to you in a former jocular one of mine concerning Charity . I forget what it was exactly, but I am sure I neither express nor meant any personal Censure on you or any body. If anything, it was a general Reflection on our Sect; we zealous...
41454To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 14 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to address you with the Compliment of the Season; not merely as a Compliment, but with a fervent sincerity. May this Year give you a happy sight of your Native Country, and of those dear Relations you left in it; and if there is anything else wanting to compleat your Felicity, May that be added! May you enjoy a long succession of Years, fraught...
41455Minute of the Associates of the Late Dr. Bray, 17 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
MS : University of Virginia Library At a meeting of the Associates of the late Dr. Bray called for Jan. 17, 1760, to enable the Society to avail itself of Franklin’s advice (see above, pp. 12–13), he recommended New York, Williamsburg, and Newport as the best places to establish the three Negro schools which the Society intended to found in America in addition to the one already started in...
41456From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 14 February 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I see I must overcome the Indolence so natural to old Men, and write now and then to my dear good Girl, or I shall seldom have the Pleasure of a Line from her; and indeed it is scarce reasonable in me to expect it. I receiv’d your kind Congratulations on occasion of the new Year; and though you had not mine in writing, be assured that I did and do daily...
41457To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Eyre: Bill and Receipt, 16 February 1760 (Franklin Papers)
DS (two copies): Historical Society of Pennsylvania On February 16 Franklin’s legal adviser Francis Eyre called upon him to receive “Instructions to sollicit the Confirmation of nineteen Pennsylvania Acts of Assembly” passed during 1758 and 1759. The Proprietors opposed eleven of the measures, including the two most important, the £100,000 Supply Act of 1759 and an act authorizing Franklin, as...
41458From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 21 February 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; transcript: Harvard College Library (Sparks) Since I wrote you last, I have receiv’d yours of Nov. 7. and 29, Dec. 17. and Jan. 4. the last yesterday by Capt. Monck. I rejoice to hear you and Sally and Mother are well. I have lately been much indispos’d with an Epidemical Cold, that has lain greatly in my Head; but being just now cupp’d by Dr. Fothergill’s...
41459From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 26 February 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The above is a Copy of mine per Capt. House Since which I have receiv’d your Favour of Jan. 8. but one you mention to have wrote of Dec. 2. is not come to hand. Nothing material has pass’d in our Affairs since my last, the Proprietor not having yet presented the Laws. They are at present under Consideration of our Council on both sides. You desire some Information...
41460From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 February 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Lemar doing me the Favour to call on me, and acquaint me with his going to Philadelphia, I write this Line to acquaint you that I am now quite well of my late Indisposition, which I mention’d in former Letters. By Capt. Bolitho I send you two Saucepans, plated inside with Silver instead of tinning. I bought them at Sheffield, because I thought they...
41461To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 27 February 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am just come from the House to my Brother’s where I met a Gentleman setting out for NY who complements me with staying for this Letter which will probably reach the Albany Sloop of War to be dispatched by General Amherst, as he writes our Governor in ten Days from the 21st Instant. This Vessel brot Secretary Pitts Letter with the Plan of...
41462To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 1 March 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote on the 27th of February last by a Gentleman to N York. This will inform you that the Assembly have resolved to grant £100,000 for the raising paying and cloathing 2,700 Men to Act in Conjunction with his Majestys Forces during the ensuing Campaign and have got their Bill into the Hands of a Committee for those Purposes. As we shall...
41463From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 March 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d the Enclos’d some time since from Mr. Strahan. I afterwards spent an Evening in Conversation with him on the Subject. He was very urgent with me to stay in England and prevail with you to remove hither with Sally. He propos’d several advantageous Schemes to me which appear’d reasonably founded. His Family is a very agreable one; Mrs. Strahan a...
41464To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 5 March 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Duplicate: American Philosophical Society By the Captains Friend and Lowther to London and Captain Rankin to Bristol, I sent you the first, second and third Copies of a Bill of Exchange for £200 Sterling; some of which, if not all, must have got to your Hands long before this reaches you. I am not sure whether I wrote you the Exchange of that Bill; but in case I did not, it was Fifty-two....
41465To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 6 March 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This serves to confirm the above, and to inclose the second Copy of the above mentioned Bill from Yours, &c. The duplicate of Hall’s letter of March 5 (printed immediately above) is on the same sheet as this brief note. Pa. Gaz. , March 6, 1760, records the clearance of the Rachel , Capt. Thomas Grant.
41466From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 18 March 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosphical Society Being just told by Mr. Wickoff, that he goes tomorrow for Philadelphia, I write this Line here to let you know I am pretty well recover’d of a slight Illness I lately had, the same that affected me when I came down first from Gnadenhut, if you remember it, a Pain and Giddiness in my Head, I have been cupp’d, blooded, physick’d and at last blister’d for it;...
41467Deed of Trust for the Loganian Library, 25 March 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Commissioner of Records, City of Philadelphia; abstract: American Philosophical Society On Aug. 28, 1754, William Logan and James Logan, sons of James Logan, deceased (above, I , 191 n), his son-in-law John Smith, and Hannah Smith, his surviving daughter, together with Israel Pemberton, William Allen, Richard Peters, and Benjamin Franklin, executed a deed of trust establishing the...
41468From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [28 March 1760?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday I receiv’d your [Letter] of Feb. 10. in which you mention that it was some Months since you heard from me. During my Journey I wrote several times to you, particularly from Liverpole and Glasgow; and since my Return some very long Letters that might have been with you before your last to me, but I suppose the severe Winter on your Coast, among...
41469From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 28 March 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I receiv’d yours of Dec. 15. with the Bill for £200 drawn by W Plumsted on Nesbit & Cheesbrook. Also yours of Feb. 8. The Brevier went in Capt. Gibbon, and I hope will get safe to hand. I order’d the Fount all Roman, as it will hold out better in the same Quantity of Work, having but half the Chance of Wanting Sorts, that the same Weight of Rom. and...
41470To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 31 March 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society In my two last to you, of the 5th and 6th Instant, by the Captains Grant and McKinly, to Liverpool and Dublin, were inclosed the first and second Copies of a Bill of Exchange for £200 Sterling; and, in case of Miscarriages, I now send you the third Copy of the same Bill, and am, Sir, Yours, &c. See above, pp. 33–5. Pa. Gaz. , April 3, 1760,...
41471From Benjamin Franklin to [Alexander] Colden, 8 April 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I have ordered into your Care from Liverpool 9 Casks and a Bale, which I request you would receive and forward to my Brother Peter Franklin, in Newport, Rhodeisland. Enclos’d is the Bill of Lading. Please to pay the Freight (Eight Guineas) and charge me with it. I hope this Summer to have the Pleasure of seeing you, and of finding both the Families well...
41472From Benjamin Franklin to Messrs. Hillary and Scot, 8 April 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I receiv’d yours of the 26th past, with the Invoice and Bill of Lading for the Earthen Ware. I am told on Enquiry that I cannot insure here to more Advantage than with you; so desire you would get Insurance made for £50 which will include the Bale from Kendal; and draw on me for the whole Amount, deducting only the Allowance, (if any is customary with your...
41473From Benjamin Franklin to ——, 8 April 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of the 31st of last Month, the answering of which I delayed and [I] should be glad to accompany you from London, in your next Return to Derbyshire; but doubt it will not be in my Power. I am sorry I cannot be certain as to the time of my going into Derbyshire. For on the very day you purpose coming to Town, viz. the 18th of this...
41474To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 15 April 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania It is so long since we received any Accounts of our Publick Affairs in England, that I hope the old Saying “that No News is good News,” may be our Case, with respect to the Bills Pass’d by Governor Denny the last Year, should the ReEmitting Act (of which I own I was very Apprehensive) be repealed it would now throw us into extream Confusion....
41475The Interest of Great Britain Considered, [17 April 1760] (Franklin Papers)
The Interest of Great Britain Considered, With Regard to her Colonies, And the Acquisitions of Canada and Guadaloupe. To which are added, Observations concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, &c . London: Printed for T. Becket, at Tully’s Head, near Surry-Street in the Strand. MDCCLX . (Yale University Library); draft (five scattered pages only): American Philosophical...
41476To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 18 April 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society In my last to you, of the 31st ult. by the Roebuck, Capt. Jones, to Holyhead, I inclosed you the third Copy of a Bill of Exchange for £200 Sterling. I have now sent you the first Copy of another Bill of Exchange for £100 Sterling more, which, with what was before sent you, makes up Two Thousand Forty-nine Pounds, Twelve Shillings, and Five-pence...
41477To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 20 April 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society In mine to you, of the 18th Instant, by the Friendship, Capt. Falconer, was inclosed the first Copy of a Bill of Exchange for £100 Sterling; which, with what I had sent you before, I told you amounted to Two Thousand Forty-nine Pounds, Twelve Shillings, and Five Pence Sterling, remitted you since you left Philadelphia, and for which I desired you...
41478From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 1 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I embrace most gladly my dear Friend’s Proposal of a Subject for our future Correspondence; not only as it will occasion my hearing from her more frequently, but as it will lay me under a Necessity of improving my own Knowledge that I may be better able to assist in her Improvement. I only fear my necessary Business and Journeys with the natural Indolence...
41479From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 3 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Scottish Record Office Your obliging Favour of January 24th. found me greatly indispos’d with an obstinate Cold and Cough accompany’d with Feverish Complaints and Headachs, that lasted long and harass’d me greatly, not being subdu’d at length but by the whole Round of Cupping, Bleeding, Blistering, &c. When I had any Intervals of Ease and Clearness, I endeavour’d to comply with your...
41480From Benjamin Franklin to [Peter Franklin], 7 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 379–80. ******It had, indeed, as you observe, been the opinion of some very great naturalists, that the sea is salt only from the dissolution of mineral or rock salt, which its waters happened to meet with. But this opinion takes it for granted that all water was originally fresh, of...
41481Defense of the Canada Pamphlet, [8–15 May 1760] (Franklin Papers)
Draft (fragment): American Philosophical Society The London Chronicle for April 24–26 contains a long and highly favorable review of The Interest of Great Britain Considered , calling it a “masterly performance” which “shows the writer to be perfectly acquainted with his subject and possessed of the happy talent of expressing himself with clearness, strength, and precision.” Most of the...
41482From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Small, 12 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 381–3. Agreeable to your request, I send you my reasons for thinking that our North-East storms in North-America begin first, in point of time, in the South-West parts: That is to say, the air in Georgia, the farthest of our colonies to the South-West, begins to move South-Westerly...
41483To Benjamin Franklin from Hugh Roberts, 15 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am convinced thou thinks it a Duty to pay those Debts, Custom as well as friendship has introduced, in answering Epistle from thy numerous set of Acquaintance; and tho’ thou art bless’d with a large stock, yet the great demands on thee, must engage a considerable part of that Time, which thou art endeavouring to employ in promoting a general Benefit....
41484From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 17 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Feehan Memorial Library, St. Mary of the Lake Seminary; transcript (part MS , part printed): Library of Congress. I send my dear good Girl the Books I mention’d to her last Night. I beg her to accept them as a small Mark of my Esteem and Friendship. They are written in the familiar easy Manner for which the French are so remarkable, and afford a good deal of philosophic and practical...
41485To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Bessborough, 18 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Lord Bessborough Complements to Mr. Franklin and desires the favour of his Company at Dinner next Sunday. 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...
41486To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 6 June 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society The Happiness I enjoy’d last friday has afforded me pleasing reflections for the week past. I attended with delight to your kind Instructions, and my highest Amusement ever since has been to recollect them. You obligingly condescended to satisfy my Curiosity about the Barometer, and by your explanation I clearly conceived the cause of the rise and fall of...
41487From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 11 June 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress ’Tis a very sensible Question you ask, how the Air can affect the Barometer, when its Opening appears covered with Wood? If indeed it was so closely covered as to admit of no Communication of the outward Air to the Surface of the Mercury, the Change of Weight in the Air could not possibly affect it. But the least Crevice is sufficient for the Purpose; a Pinhole will...
41488William Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 16 June 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I wrote you a few Lines on Saturday last to go per the Pacquet, in which I mention’d a Pamphlet wrote by my Father in Answer to the Remarks on the Letter to Two Great Men. I could not send you one by that Opportunity, but as Capt. Monk has inform’d my Father that he is just upon the Point of sailing to America, and will take Charge of any Thing we may have to...
41489To Benjamin Franklin from John Sargent, 19 June 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I shall be heartily glad to see You at Mayplace on Sunday—or Saturday—and at all Times. Alas Quebeck! I little thought that We should have to mingle our Sighs for that, when We met. What a Barbarism in a General threatned with a Siege, to go out to fight Those who found[?] themselves strong enough to undertake forceing Him in his Fastness! There never was...
41490To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 23 June 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You who are no Stranger to the Feelings of Humanity will readily conceive the anxiety of my Mind while I thought my Friend in Danger: It is only such a Situation as I was then in that can make me neglect your Favours. Upon examining the Barometer after I receiv’d your Letter, I found a small Crevice where the piece of hollow wood which covers the Mercury is...