42451On the Candidacy of Barlow Trecothick, 8 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Chronicle, and Universal Advertiser , December 5–12, 1768; draft in American Philosophical Society. The essay as published in the Pennsylvania Chronicle purports to be a reprint from the London Gazetteer ; Crane presents strong presumptive evidence, however, that it was submitted in London but did not appear there ( Letters to the Press , p. 113). The draft in...
42452From Benjamin Franklin to [John Canton], 9 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society Dr. Priestly left these Specimens of the Circles with me to be produc’d to the Society. As I cannot be there this Evening, when I understand the Paper is to be read, I inclose them to you. Those that look at them should be caution’d not to rub them, lest they should be defac’d before the Company have all had a Sight of them. I am, Yours &c. The letter is among the...
42453Account of Dr. Priestley’s New Experiments, [10 March 1768] (Franklin Papers)
Autograph abstract: The Royal Society A brief Account of that Part of Doctor Priestly’s Work on Electricity, which relates the new Experiments made by himself. This Part is divided into thirteen Sections. Section I. contains Experiments on the Excitation of Glass Tubes fill’d with compress’d Air, whereby he discover’d that the compress’d Air, does not, as had before been thought, prevent the...
42454To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 10 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I inclose this in a Packet Sent by the Committee of Correspondence, containing the Messages which passed between the two Houses of Legislature, at their last Sitting. By them you will be able to form a proper Judgment of the Affairs of this Province; which in the Opinion of all good Men here are at length reduced to the most desperate Circumstances. All the...
42455From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 13 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D., F.R.S., &c. (quarto edition, 3 vols., London, 1817–18), II , 156–9; fragment of AL in Yale University Library. I have received all together your letters of January 6, 21, and 22: it had been a great while that I had not heard from you. The purpose of settling the new colonies seems at...
42456From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 13 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I wrote to you very fully per Falconer of Feb. 17. and have since received yours of Jan. 21. together with one from the Committee, and the Messages, which, as you will see by my Answer to the Committee, I communicated to Lord Hillsborough. His Lordship read them deliberately, and took Notice that the Message of the Assembly seem’d to insinuate, that the Governor...
42457From Benjamin Franklin to Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence, 13 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library On the Receipt of your Letter of Jan. 20. Mr. Jackson and myself waited on Lord Hillsborough the new Secretary of State for American Affairs, and communicated to him the Contents, pressing the Necessity of enforcing the Orders already sent to Sir William Johnson for immediately settling the Affair of the Boundary Line with the Indians. His Lordship was pleased to...
42458From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, 14 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; draft dated January 31, 1768, also in American Philosophical Society. Whenever I reflect, as I often do, on the kind Reception I met with at Paris, and the Civilities heap’d upon me there by that People, the politest sure of all Mankind, I dwell with particular Pleasure on the Remembrance of my Acquaintance with you, which I esteem as one of the happiest...
42459To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 14 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Salem County Historical Society, Salem, N.J. The Reason of my not writing to you more fully is, that I was [recently?] informed by Mrs. Franklin, you designed to set out for Philadelphia in the Month of May or June next. The Thoughts of seeing you here [ torn ] I assure you, is most pleasing to me, and I heartily wish you a safe Voyage, [and?] every Thing that is agreeable on...
42460To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 20 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you will excuse the liberty I take of enclosing to you two copies of a paper I wanted to send to Dr. Kippis and Mr. Price, and beg the favour of your transmitting them the first convenient opportunity. Do not imagine, from the nature of this paper, that I am deserting philosophy. I am now chiefly employed in perusing the books you sent me in High...
42461To Benjamin Franklin from Rodolphe Valltravers, 20 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Valltravers presents his best Respects to Dr. Franklin, hopes He continues well, and begs the Favour of his kind acceptance, Perusal, and opinion of the enclosed Swiss Performance. For an earlier note from Valltravers, the wandering journalist and F.R.S., see above, XIV , 24. With that note and this one he enclosed material, not now identifiable, on the...
42462From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 22 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Dartmouth College Library It has been a great Pleasure to me to hear occasionally from others, that you were closely engag’d in your Studies, and distinguishing yourself by the Progress you made in them. I promise my self that you will return with such a Stock of useful Knowledge as will render you an Ornament to your Country; and that I shall have no reason to regret the Appearance of...
42463To Benjamin Franklin from William Bean, 24 March 1768: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Coverley’s Fields, opposite the Cock and Hoop; March 24, 1768. He called on Franklin on March 16 and found him engaged, and asks to know whether “there is Any Encouragement for Me in the Colonies.”] In her letter to BF above, Jan. 21–22, 1768, DF had remarked that “the Beens is at New York.” If this cryptic reference is to people rather than the...
42464To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Hopkinson, 28 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is odd enough for a Person to write a Letter which he heartily wishes may never get to Hand; But this is really my Case at present as I am encouraged by your last to expect the Pleasure of seeing you here early in the Summer. I am sensible however that many unforeseen Delays may occur to prevent your embarking so soon as you imagin’d, and therefore will...
42465To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 29 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote thee on the 24 and on the 27 Ulto. and Inclosed the Chronicles, which I hope will come safe to hand, and as I have from thy Letter to Governor Franklin some reason to suppose thou’l not be able to get away so soon as thou some time before Expected, and as I hope my Scrawls have afforded thee Pretty Early Intelligence I trust my Continuing them...
42466To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Walker, 1 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Humbly beg the Favour to Except these few Lines hoping you and your good Family in America are all in good health as my Cousin Morris and we all are at Present and my Mother is in hopes that some of Mr. Franklins Children in Boston are Boys as your Name may not be Quite Extinct my Cusin and Father and Mother and Brothers Humbly beg the acceptance of our...
42467To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Morton, 2 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Lord Morton’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and has sent the bearer for the Electrical Machine, Is much obliged by the trouble the Doctor has taken in putting it in order. The bearer will pay any expence the Dr. has been put to on that account. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street For James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton, president of the Royal...
42468To Benjamin Franklin from the Associates of Dr. Bray, [before 7 April 1768]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XXIV (1900), 389. [Before April 7. A notice of the meeting of the Associates at ten o’clock on that day, at their office at the Angel and Bible in Ave-Mary Lane.] For the Associates and BF ’s connection with them see above, VII , 100 n., 377–9; IX , 12.
42469To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Lee, 7 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I forgot before I left London to desire You wou’d (if Mr. Durden shoud write to me on the subject of the Springsborough estate) direct it to me at Sir Charles Bunbury’s Barton near Bury St. Edmonds Suffolk. I shoud ask ten thoushand pardons for this liberty, and intreat You to believe me, Dear Sir, Your most obedient Servant Alexander Durdin, a Dublin...
42470Ordinance of Georgia Appointing Benjamin Franklin Agent, 11 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ADS (copy): American Philosophical Society In November, 1765, Georgia dismissed William Knox as its agent because of his support of the Stamp Act. For two and a half years thereafter the question of the agency was a political football: the House of Assembly attempted to have Charles Garth appointed to succeed Knox; the Council refused, and Governor Wright used his influence in London to...
42471From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 16 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Historical Society of Pennsylvania While I am writing, the letters by the March packet are come to hand with yours of the 9th and 12th. Amidst all the sickness and misfortunes to our friends what reason have you and I to bless God, that we at these years enjoy with our children so great a Share of health and so much happiness in other respects. Let us be thankful for what is past...
42472From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 16 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D., F.R.S., &c. (quarto edition, 3 vols., London, 1817–18), II , 161–2. Since my last, a long one of March 13, nothing has been talked or thought of here but elections. There have been amazing contests all over the kingdom, £20 or 30,000 of a side spent in several places, and...
42473From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 16 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The March Packet is just arrived, and has brought me your Favour of the 10th of that Month, containing a strongly painted Description of the present unhappy State of our Province, from the Debility of the Government, and the Folly and Wickedness of the Frontier People. I can now only say, that I shall make the best Use of your Letter, by communicating it to the...
42474From Benjamin Franklin to Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence, 16 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have just received your Favour of Feb. 20. directed to Mr. Jackson and myself, containing Instructions for our Conduct relating to the Application for a Repeal of the Duty Act, to the Change of Government, and to the legal Tender of Paper Money; which Instructions we shall observe to the best of our Abilities. Mr. Jackson has read your Letter, and is now reading...
42475To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 18 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This Morning only the January Packet arrived after about 13 Weeks Passage, and tho’ I had not the Pleasure of one Line from you, yet I will once more adventure to write, tho’ uncertain whether it will meet you there or not. Matters of the Post-Office go on as usual. I think I told you the Issue of the Suit against Holt, at New Haven, and the Stopping of the...
42476To Benjamin Franklin from William Saunders and Others, 18 April–28 May 1768: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Printed forms and AL : American Philosophical Society [April 18-May 28. Printed form letters from Dr. William Saunders, April 18, and from Samuel Leeds, April 30. Each wishes to succeed Dr. Benjamin Alexander, deceased, as physician to the London Hospital, and solicits Franklin’s vote as a governor. A printed letter from Franklin’s colleague, Richard Jackson, April 24, recommends Dr....
42477To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 25 April 1768: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, April 25, 1768. Franklin will probably have left before this reaches London. Wrote him a week ago, enclosing some papers (for which see his letter above, April 18); has heard nothing from him since December, but the February packet has not yet arrived. Wishes him a safe and speedy return home.]
42478On the Laboring Poor, [April 1768] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in the Gentleman’s Magazine , XXXVIII (1768), 156–7. I have met with much invective in the papers for these two years past, against the hard-heartedness of the rich, and much complaint of the great oppressions suffered in this country by the labouring poor. Will you admit a word or two on the other side of the question? I do not propose to be an advocate for oppression, or oppressors....
42479Reply to “A Portugal Merchant,” [end of April 1768] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Your Paper of April 28. contains a Letter from Lisbon , signed A Portugal Merchant , which charges me with an Attempt to set “the British Merchants residing there at variance with their fellow Subjects in America,” quoting, as the Foundation of his Charge, the following Passage of a Letter of mine to you, which he terms politely absurd, false , and...
42480The English Editor to the Reader [of John Dickinson’s Letters from a Farmer], 8 May 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society On December 2, 1767, The Pennsylvania Chronicle published the first of a series of letters, signed “A Farmer,” that continued to appear weekly through the issue of February 15, 1768. The letters immediately attracted wide attention in the colonies and, before long, in England and on the Continent; the author remained anonymous for only a short time, and...