41821To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 27 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Yesterday I had the Pleasure of receiving your kind Favor of the 13th April, which I just sit down, to acknowledge, As the Packet sails sooner than I expected. I have been much absent from Home, for two Months past, otherwise I should have regularly wrote you and Owned the Receipt of your several Favors of the 12th January and 15th February and...
41822From Benjamin Franklin to John Canton, 29 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
MS not available: facsimile of ALS : The Royal Society Franklin’s interest in magic squares and circles, which began in the 1730s when he was clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly, has been demonstrated in earlier volumes; see above, III , 458–9; IV , 392–403. In 1752 he sent Peter Collinson, among other examples of his constructions, the first version of his complicated magic circle, for which...
41823To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 29 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I have never had the Pleasure of one single Line from you, in answer to several I have wrote, I can now say but little, I have made no further Progress in the Accounts yet, than what I mentioned in my last: being obliged to stay at home some Time past: I wrote you all I could, or did, about your Concerns with Dunlap, but having no Answer, am at a Loss to...
41824To Benjamin Franklin from Baynton, Wharton & Morgan, 30 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It was not, until last Night, We recived your kind Favor of the 9th of March, otherwise, you may [be] assured, We should have remitted you, by this Packet (which [sails] On Saturday), The thousand pounds Sterling, That [you] in the most friendly Manner, sold Us. We are very sensibly pained, That we have subjected you, to the least Inconvenience, But as We...
41825To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Franklin, 30 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take it particularly kind of you to write to me at a time when I know you must have so much Business on Your hands. However I hope tis hapily setled before this and that we shall have the Satisfaction of seing you here in the fall, which we long for. As I know my dear Papa likes to hear of Wedings I will Give him a list of my Acquaintance that has enter’d...
41826To Benjamin Franklin from Heinrich Ehrenfried Luther, May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
MS : Massachusetts Archives, Office of the Secretary of State Puisque M. Gmelin, Capt. au Service de Sa Majesté Britannique en Amerique part pour Londres, je l’ai prié de s’y informer aprez vous, et de vous assurer de mes respects, d’autant plus qu’il y a bien des années, que je n’ai rien de vous appris. Je crois en 1751 étoitce pour la derniere fois, vous récommandiez alors à Boston Mr....
41827From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Alexander Dick, 2 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I received your kind Congratulations on my Return to Britain, by Mr. Alexander, which were very obliging. The Slip to Dr. Morgan I sent after him to America, where I hope he is safely arrived before this time. He always express’d himself greatly oblig’d to you for the Notice you took of him and the Countenance you afforded him; and I shall always thank you...
41828From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 2 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Scottish Record Office I receiv’d with great Pleasure your friendly Letter by Mr. Alexander, which I should have answer’d sooner by some other Conveyance, if I had understood that his Stay here was like to be so long. I value myself extreamly on the Continuance of your Regard, which I hope hereafter better to deserve by more punctual Returns in the Correspondence you honour me with. You...
41829From Benjamin Franklin to William Robertson, 2 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library I could not omit this Opportunity by our good Friend Mr. Alexander, of thanking you for your obliging Favour of the Beginning of April, which I should have done sooner, but that I purpos’d to acknowledge at the same time the Receipt of the Diploma, that was daily expected and is not yet come to hand. I suppose, however, that it will now soon appear, as Mr. Strahan...
41830To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, [before 4 June 1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Govr. Pownall presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin beggs the honor of his Company to Dinner on Tuesday the 4th of June. The Favor of an Answer is desired. Addressed: Craven Street [ In Franklin’s hand on address side: ] Steel Pen for Mr. Strahan. Tuesday June 4 fell in both 1765 and 1771; according to editorial policy this document is placed at the...
41831From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 4 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have now before me your Favours of April 13, 15, 17, 23, May 14, 18, 20. not so many Letters as Dates, some of them having two or three. As to the Cause concerning the Lot, I have never been in the least uneasy about it, desiring only that Justice might be done, which I do not doubt. I hope Robinson was not long missing after your Letters, as I really...
41832From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 8 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed from facsimile and partially printed text in Parke-Bernet Galleries Catalogue, Sale No. 82, item 125 (January 18, 1939). I received yours of Feb. 25. via Londonderry and the Copy, with one of March 15. per Capt. Bingley; I have also yours of April 12. per Packet; for all which I thank you. The Bill for £150 by Rotch & Compy is paid. And I shall write to Mr. Grace...
41833From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 8 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania If, according to the Custom here, I congratulate you on your having a severe Fit of the Gout, I cannot avoid mixing some Condolance with my Congratulations: For I too have lately had a Visit, or rather a Visitation , from the same Friend (or Enemy) that confin’d me near a Fortnight. And notwithstanding the salutary Effects People talk of, to comfort us...
41834To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed you will have as far a general State of the Accounts, as I could hitherto get done: by the Dates’ thereof, you will see part of them were done the latter End of February last, and some part just now: I have been at them this Spell but three Days, and my Business will not permit me to stay longer this Time: but as soon as ever it will permit, I will...
41835James Parker: First Report on the Franklin and Hall Account, 14 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Haverford College Library In accordance with Franklin’s power of attorney, Nov. 5, 1764 (above, XI , 441–3), James Parker undertook a detailed examination of the financial records of Franklin & Hall well in advance of the expiration of the partnership agreement and the dissolution of the firm, scheduled to take place on Feb. 1, 1766. He began the examination in the latter part of February...
41836From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, [15 June 1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Franklin did not know of the Message this Morning till the Servant was gone; he has since been ready to beat Mrs. Stevenson for declining any Occasion (especially so joyful an one) of meeting the good Family of Kensington. Having made up the Quarrel, they now jointly beg to be favour’d with the Company of that Family this Day in Cravenstreet, June 15....
41837To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 15 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am heartily glad you made up the quarrel without coming to blows; and as we hope to find you peaceable and happy, we all promise ourselves much pleasure in spending this day in Craven street. To my mortal day I shall remain Your dutiful and affectionate
41838To Benjamin Franklin from “A Merchant in Philadelphia” [Charles Thomson], 19 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The London Chronicle , August 17–20, 1765; AL (fragment): American Philosophical Society That this letter was addressed to Franklin and that he was responsible for its printing in London seem virtually certain: the surviving leaf of the manuscript is found among his papers, and two editorial emendations, now almost indecipherable, appear to be in his hand. Identification of the...
41839To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 20 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society Yours, of February 14. and April 13. came safe to hand, and are the only Letters I have received from you since your Arrival in England. The Double Demy is arrived in Sparks: but, as it was not done up in Cases, and pretty near the Bottom of the Vessel, the Corners of some of the Bales got wet a little, which occasioned some Damage, but not much....
41840To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 22 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society I have just heard that all the Paper we are to print News Papers, &c. on, is to come over from England stamped, of which Mr. Hughes is to have Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling Worth by the next Ship, and for which you are to be his Security. If so, I wish the Double Demy had not been sent, as it must be returned. That Paper is nothing like so good or...
41841To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 24 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote thee per Capt. Robinson on the 15th Instant to which please to refer. And as I sett out with a resolotion to inform thee of every material Occurrance which hapn’d during thy Absence; Occasions my troubling thee with these few Lines; I doubt not that several of thy Friends have inform’d thee of the Uneasiness, which the Act of Parliament relative to...
41842To Benjamin Franklin from William Neate, 27 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Wm. Neate presents his Compliments to Mr. Benjn Franklin and Mrs. Stevenson, and will do himself the pleasure of sending his Carriage to convey them to Richmond on Saturday next. NB . The Carriage will be in Craven Street at any Hour they shall appoint. Addressed: To / Benjn Franklin Esqr / Craven Street William Neate (d. 1775) was a London merchant,...
41843To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 28 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to introduce to your Acquaintance Mr. John Williams, a gentleman recommended to me from London, who lately came over to this Place on Business of the Treasury by order of the Ministry. An Acquaintance with him I apprehend will be so full a recommendation that I need add nothing in his Favor. Believe me very Sincerely your Affectionate humble...
41844Deborah Franklin: Household Accounts, [1 July 1765—1 October 1766] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Among the Franklin Papers is a three-page account in Deborah Franklin’s hand headed “July the 1 1765 Laid ought on all a Cashons [occasions] in house keeping and other necesarees.” There follow approximately 130 entries of financial transactions, although in about a dozen instances she seems to have failed to put down the amounts paid out. After the heading...
41845From Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles, 5 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library I received your very ingenious Letter of February 20th. and shall shortly forward that which was enclosed for Lomanozow. You need not have made any Apology for sending it thro’ my hands, as if you gave me Trouble. When I can do any thing to Oblige you, it is a Pleasure. Your Remarks on the Coldness of Snow are curious. It seems that a Degree of heat heigher than 32...
41846To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Alexander Dick, 5 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It was not till the other day I had the pleasure of receiving your Letter of June the 2d by our freind Mr. Alexander, who had traversd England in his way here. So soon as he arrivd, I communicated the contents to my freind Mr. Swinton, who as well as I have reason to own ourselves extremly oblidgd to you, for the Information you are pleasd to give. He bids...
41847From Benjamin Franklin to [John Chalmers?], 6 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have been many Years Acquainted with the Revd. Mr. Mather Byles, of Whom you tell me some Acct. is desired, He is a Native of New England, Descended of the Ancient Mather family of which there have been two Doctor’s in Divinity both Famous in that Country for their Learning and Piety, Viz Dr. Increase Mather and Dr. Cotton Mather; the former President...
41848From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hopkinson, 6 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Agreable to your Request when I last had the Pleasure of seeing you, I did, soon after my Arrival here, begin an Enquiry after your Family. My Friend, Mr. Burrow, Vice President of the Royal Society, kindly undertook to assist me in it, than whom there could not be a fitter Person, as he delights in such Disquisitions, and being moreover a...
41849From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 7 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Reverend John H. Wo Rhein, Jr., Seaford, Delaware (1964) The Bearer Mr. John Martin, is a Compostor, and goes with the Approbation of his Father and Friends to America. He would be glad to work with you if you can employ him. If not, I do, at the Request of his Father, desire you would favour him with your Advice, and put him in the Way of obtaining Employment at some other House. He...
41850From Benjamin Franklin to Hugh Roberts, 7 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your kind Favour of May 20th. by the Hand of our good Friend Mr. Neave, gave me great Pleasure. I find on these Occasions, that Expressions of Steady continued Friendship such as are contain’d in your Letter, tho’ but from one or a few honest and sensible Men who have long known us, afford a Satisfaction that far outweighs the clamorous Abuse of 1000...