48361Account of Sales of Stock, [26 November 1761] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Sold for Benj: Franklin Esqr 1761 Novbr. 26 £700 4 per cents to Wm: Morris at 83½ £584. 10 – £1000 to J. Ruddell at 83⅜ 833. 15 – £1200 to S: Cazalet at 83⅜ 1000.
48362From Benjamin Franklin to William Carmichael, 24 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress On looking over your Letters I am asham’d to find my self so much & so long in your Debt. I thank you for making me acquainted with Mr. Sonnerat. He appears a very amiable Man, and is full of Intelligence & Information. We are all much obliged to Count de Montmorin, for his friendly Assistance in our Affairs. Please to present him my thankful...
48363From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 10 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I received the honour of yours of the 29th past from Nantes. I hope you are before this time safely arrived at L’Orient. M. De la Luzerne is making diligent Preparation for his Departure, and you will soon see him. He and the Secretary of the Embassy are both very agreable and sensible Men, in whose Conversation you will have a...
48364From the Casuist: The Case of the Missing Horse, 25 January 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 25, 1731/2; also draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. To the Query, propos’d to the Casuist in the last Gazette, I have received two Answers, from different Hands, each of which subscribes himself The Casuist. As their Opinions are different, ’twill perhaps be more satisfactory to the Querist if I insert them both. My Opinion, which is...
48365From Benjamin Franklin to Walter Williams and Helenus Scott, 24 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letters you did me the Honour of writing to me on the 27th. of Last Month, and beg you will accept my Thanks for your good Will to the American Cause. Having the most positive orders from Congress not to give the smallest encouragement to any Persons whatever to go to America with Expectations of military Preferment, (the Army of the United States being...
48366From Benjamin Franklin to ――― Adoubeden with a Covering Note to ―――, 2 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (two drafts): Library of Congress It would be a pleasure to me if I could comply with your Request to place your Son in our American Army. But it is absolutely not in my Power. Some old experienc’d Engineers and Officers of Artillery have been desired from Europe, but they have long since been engag’d and gone. And we have so many young Gentlemen, Natives of our Country, who are desirous...
48367From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 9 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received no Answer relative to the Proposition you mention. Perhaps without waiting longer for an Answer, thro’ Versailles it might be as well for you to apply directly to the Spanish ambassador for the Information you desire. With much Respect I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedt. humble servant In response to Lee’s of the previous day.
48368From Benjamin Franklin to Baudouin, 18 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I shall write immediately as you desired to the Capitain of the American Privateer forbidding him to meddle with the Pacquets betwen Dover and Calais. I did not attend much to the Capitains Letter, supposing that if they were under the protection of the Governement they would if stopt by him produce that protection, and that he would of course discharge them. Please...
48369Rise of the Late War, [18 May 1756] (Franklin Papers)
Ad: American Philosophical Society When and for what purpose Franklin prepared this brief chronology has not been determined; no direct connection between it and any of his other writings has been found. The words “late War” in the endorsement suggest 1763 or a subsequent year for its composition, although he may have added the endorsement some time after compiling the text. While he could not...
48370From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 1 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Original ALS not found; duplicate: Pierpont Morgan Library I wrote you yesterday a Line or two enclosing the second of a Set of Bills for £120 Sterling, drawn on Mr. William Anderson, Merchant, London, by Robert Lloyd, of Maryland I now send the first of the same Set. On the 27th past I drew on you for £50 Sterling in favour of Benjamin Mecom, which I doubt not will meet with due Honour I wish...
48371From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas-François Dalibard, 9 December 1761 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; translation of extract reprinted from Gazette d’Epidaure, ou Recueil de Nouvelles de Médecine , III , no. XI (Feb. 6, 1762), 81. (Bibliothèque Nationale) Il y a quelques années que la guerre a interrompu notre correspondance. Mon ami le Docteur Shippen partant pour voir Paris, j’ai profité de cette occasion pour vous communiquer l’extrait ci-joint d’une Lettre que j’ai reçûe de...
48372From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 11 February 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just received your Favour by the extra Packet of Nov. 26. and am pleas’d to find a just Resentment so general in your House against Mr. W.’s seditious Conduct, and to hear that the present Administration is like to continue. If Money must be raised from us to support 14 Batallions, as you mention, I think your Plan the most advantageous to both the...
48373From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 7 November 1748 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in Sparks, Works , VII , 39–40. I send you herewith the late Voyage for the Discovery of the Northwest Passage, which I hope may afford you some entertainment. If you have the Journal of the French Academicians to Lapland, I should be glad to see it. Probably [Charles Swaine], An Account of a Voyage For the Discovery of a North-West Passage by Hudson’s...
48374From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 10 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have no objection to the taking the Parole of the Captains or Officers on Condition of the Security you mention. But as the Prisoners taken by arm’d Vessels under our Colours are by giving me a means of exchanging so many of our Country men some satisfaction to me for the Trouble these Vessels occasion me in examining all the Proces Verbaux , making out the...
48375From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwalader Evans, 4 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Samuel Hazard, ed., Hazard’s Register of Pennsylvania , XVI , no. 5 (August 1, 1835), 92. I acquainted you some time since that I expected soon to obtain satisfactory Answers to your Queries relating to the Specimens of Silk you sent over; but I was disappointed till lately that I had a Meeting with Mr. Patterson, esteemed one of the best judges of that Commodity, who favoured...
48376To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 14 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I duly received your Excellency’s Favour of the 1st. and 6th Instant. I wrote to you by Mr Barclay, who went from hence some Days since, and I hope is with you by this time, and that he will with your Assistance be able to settle every thing relating to the Goods. I have receiv’d a long Letter from Messrs. Neufville, the Purport of which is, that they are willing for their Parts to deliver the...
48377From Benjamin Franklin to Edmund Burke, 15 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Sheffield Central Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I did myself the honour of writing to you about two Months since. I have not heard whether that Letter was receiv’d; and being told that a Packet Boat was lost about that time, I fear it miscarried, and therefore send a Copy. With great Respect, I am, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant, Endorsed: Dr....
48378From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Partridge, 27 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library By the Votes and Copies of Papers herewith sent to you and Mr. Charles, you will see the Difficulties this Province has been under by Proprietary Restraints, so that we could not obtain a Bill for raising Money for the King’s Use, till it had been sent home to England, and the Proprietary’s Leave obtain’d for Passing it; and in the meantime the King’s Service was...
48379From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 20 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Je prends la Liberté d’introduire aupres de votre Excellence le Commodore Gillon de la Caroline Meridionale. Cet Etat l’envoie en France pour y negocier une Affaire tres Importante. Il desireroit soumettre quelques Propositions aux Lumieres de votre Excellence, & je me flatte qu’elle voudra bien lui accorder une Audience favorable. J’ai L’honneur d’etre avec beaucoup...
48380From Benjamin Franklin to Abel James, 3 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Agreable to your Request when in London and what you wrote to me from Bristol relating to the Purchase of Stringfellow’s Right, I have attended to the Affair from time to time with Mr. Wheeler, who has been very assiduous in it, and taken a great deal of Pains to bring it to a Conclusion. We could not obtain the Right for less than £110 besides the Charges of...
48381From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 1 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress By certain Resolutions of Congress, dated Nov. 27. & Dec. 3. 1781, Mr. Morris, Superintendant of Finances, is authorised and directed to take under his Care, apply and dispose of all Monies which have been or may be obtained in Europe by Subsidy, Loan or otherwise. And by his Letters to me of the same Dates supposing...
48382From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee: Two Notes, 18 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) LS : Harvard University Library; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I have the honor to communicate to you herewith Copies of Resolutions of Congress, of Sept. 11. Sept. 14. & Oct. 22. I shall endeavour strictly to comply on my Part with the Commands of Congress contained in the latter; which are at the same time perfectly agreable to my...
48383From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 4 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Sixteen French Sailors who belonged to Cap. Cunningham having been exhanged by the Last Cartel as Americans after an Imprisonnement of near two years, are now on their Way to Dunkirk. As I am quite unacquainted with the affairs of that Ship which were managed between Mr. Deane and M. Hodge, I can say nothing to any Claims made by the People on her Account. Whatever...
48384Certification of Bills, [8 August 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of DS and copy: College of William and Mary Library I do hereby Certify whom it may concern, that the following Certificates of Money, due from the Treasury of the United States of America, to the following Officers, have been by them lodged in my Hands, Viz:— Dollars To Major Genl DuPortail, { One dated 24 Novr. 1781. for 5,255: One dated 4 Novr 1783. for 9960: One dated 4 Novr....
48385From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Greene, 5 September 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On my returning hither from Portsmouth, I find your obliging Favour of the 18th past, for which I thank you. I am almost asham’d to tell you that I have had another Fall, and put my Shoulder out. It is well reduc’d again, but is still affected with constant tho’ not very acute Pain. I am not yet able to travel rough Roads, and must lie by a While, as I can...
48386From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 29 November 1748 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your Favour of the 9th Inst. with the Voyage in Search of the N.W. Passage; I have been several Times since at Kalm’s Lodgings, but never happen’d to meet with him, he being almost always in the Country. I have got the 2d Vol. of Dialogues on Education, which your Son Jemmey told me you once had a Desire to see. If you have not since seen it,...
48387From Benjamin Franklin to Chevallié, 26 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I duly receiv’d in its time, the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 21st. of October last, with the Papers that accompany’d it, relating to your Demands against the State of Virginia, the Congress, & sundry private Persons in America. Mr Jefferson, a principal Person and late Governor of that State, being in Paris, I thought I could not do better with...
48388From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [c. 7 April 1759] (Franklin Papers)
LS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society [ First part missing ] By the same I shall write to dear Precious, Cousin Debby, and some other Friends. I have now only to let you know what I have sent in these Ships. There are two or 3 Boxes; Mr. Neate shipt them, but I know not on board which Ship, as he has not sent me the Bills of Lading. They were shipt on board [the] Cornelia Capt. Smith...
48389From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Preston Moore, 21 February 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library Company of Philadelphia I wrote to you per Capt. Calef, via New-York, that I had receiv’d yours with a Copy of the Act that I had put it into the Hands of our Solicitor Mr. Eyre, and would do what I could to forward it. But the Copy you sent me not being under Seal, we could not present it; and were oblig’d to wait Mr. Penn’s Leisure, who had the regular Copy in his Hands. By the...
48390From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Chapin Library, Williams College; press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society I received some time since, and sent to your Father, the Samples you had sent to me of your Drawing, particularly the Copy of the Print of your Grand Father, which appear’d to be well done. I have also just now receiv’d your Letter written to wish me a happy New Year; but you should nevertheless have put...
48391“A Traveller”: News-Writers’ Nonsense, 20 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Public Advertiser , May 22, 1765; draft: American Philosophical Society As Verner W. Crane has pointed out, this article illustrates a practice which Franklin employed in the newspapers again in 1768: the fictitious controversy. On May 10, writing over the signature of “The Spectator” (see above, pp. 123–4), he had commented unfavorably on the veracity and overheated...
48392From Benjamin Franklin to Le Couteulx & Cie., 2 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have the honour of sending you enclos’d a Letter I have just receiv’d for you from Mr Morris.— I find that from a Mistake in his Expectations of the Funds I should be able to furnish, he has drawn on Mr Grand to a larger Amount than I can possibly supply. Mr Grand will therefore be obliged to protest some of those Bills unless Means can be found...
48393From Benjamin Franklin to Chaumont, 5 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I received your Favour of the 2d Instant. I have no farther Orders to give Capt. Jones: My best Wishes attend him & his little Fleet; and I hope soon to have the Pleasure of seeing you and my young Friend well at home. Being ever with the sincerest Esteem & Affection Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant In WTF ’s hand....
48394From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 28 May–1 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete draft): American Philosophical Society; incomplete translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), 1, 321. I have received your Favour of the 13th Instant with several Packets of the Sheets. I have examined more of them, and hope to finish examining the rest before next Post, when I shall send you what Remarks have...
48395Marginalia in [Josiah Tucker], A Letter from a Merchant, [1770?] (Franklin Papers)
MS notations in the margins of a copy in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania of [Josiah Tucker], A Letter from a Merchant in London to His Nephew in North America (London, 1766). The Rev. Josiah Tucker, Dean of Gloucester, was one of the more prolific pamphleteers of his time, and one of the few whose work still commands attention. He was an economist as well as a theologian, and his...
48396From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 8 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Mr Barclay who will have the honour of delivering you this, will have that of laying before your Excellency his Commission from the Congress of the United States of America, appointing him their Consul General in France. Mr. Barclay being about to enter on his Consular Functions, I request your Excellency would in the usual manner,...
48397From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Hubbard, 28 April 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard College Library In persuance of Mr. Winthrop’s memorandum, which I lately rece’d from you, thro’ the hands of Mr. Mico, I have procured and delivered to him the following things, viz. A Mahogany Case lined with lead containing 35 Square Glass Bottles, in 5 Rows, 7 in a Row. A Glass Globe of the same Size and kind with that I used at Philadelphia and Mounted in the same manner. A...
48398From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Pownall, 1 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : Library of Congress The above is Extract of a Letter I wrote you in Septr. 1782. I had been misinformed as to the Receipt of the Box at Ostend. It had it seems been put on board a London Ship which was to touch at Ostend for Imperial Papers; but was not landed there, The Ship being bound to the West Indies, carried it thither, where it has lain till lately that a...
48399From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Nathaniel Bancroft, 26 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have received two Letters from you, and am pleas’d to see that you improve in your Writing and Language, and to read your dutiful Expressions of Respect and Love for your Parents, which is very commendable. My Grandson Benja. Franklin Bache, who is lately return’d from Geneva, answer’d for me your first Letter, and hopes you receiv’d it, tho’ you mention nothing...
48400Extracts from the Gazette, 1739 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 4 to December 27, 1739. [ Advertisement ] Benjamin Franklin, Printer, is removed from the House he lately dwelt in, four Doors nearer the River, on the same side of the Street. [January 11] We hear from the Head of Timber-Creek in the Jerseys, That a Woman there has lately had Five Children, all born alive, within the space of 11 Months, by two...
48401From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 4 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives It is so long since I heard from you, that I begin to fear you are ill. Pray write to me, and let me know the State of your Health. I inclose Morgan’s Acct. of his Engagement with Tarleton. If he has not already received it, it may be agreable to our Friend the Gazetteer of Leiden. Everything goes well here, and I am ever, Your...
48402From Benjamin Franklin to Grace Williams, 5 March 1771 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin ... (London, 1833), pp. 139–40. I received your kind letter by your sons. They are, I assure you, exceeding welcome to me; and they behave with so much prudence, that no two young men could possibly less need the advice you would have me give them. Josiah is very happily employed in his musical...
48403From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 27 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 15th with Letters from Commodore Jones and Capt. Conyingham. I would write to them and send to Capt. C. a Letter I have from his wife for him, but suppose the Ship has left Holland. I Send you one of our latest papers from America containing an Account of the Conquest of the Iroquois County by our army under general Sulivan, and some other...
48404From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 12 October 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I wrote to you on the 1st Inst. per Capt. Cook; acquainting you with the Dissolution of the Parliament since which the Elections are going on briskly every where for a new one. The Electors of London, Westminster, the Borough of Southwark, and the County of Middlesex, have obliged their Candidates to sign a written Engagement, that they will endeavour...
48405From Benjamin Franklin to Archibald Douglas, 23 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 18th. relating to the Loss of your Captain which has given me much Concern: But I hope the Application we are making to Government to have him reclaimed will Succeed and that he will be restored to his Vessel and People; But as it may be some time before this is accomplished, if you and they are disposed to be getting something by another...
48406From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Penington, 5 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I received yours of May 21. and 25. with a Letter and Papers enclos’d for Mrs. Penn, which I forwarded. Yours of June 8. is since come to hand, with one for her by the Name of Durdin. She will now change neither her Name nor her Mind any more, for I hear she is dead. I have nevertheless seal’d and forwarded the Letter to Ireland. They were strange...
48407From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Jefferson, 6 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Pierpont Morgan Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress This will be delivered to your Excellency by Mr. Grieve, who goes to America with a View of establishing himself in the State of Virginia, where he has also some Business in which your Countenance & Protection may be of great Service to him. I beg leave to recommend him to you as a Gentleman, who has always been a Steady...
48408From Benjamin Franklin to De Chezaulx, 21 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Mr. De Chaumont having had the whole Care of equipping and paying every thing relating to The little Squadron that sent the Prizes in to Bergen, I have constantly refered to him the Letters you have done me the honour of writing to me on that subject, and I believe he has answered them. I am nevertheless extreamly sinsible of the kind Care, zeal and Activity you have...
48409From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Agreeable to your Desire I have requested the American Gentlemen residing at Nantes to examine your Accounts. I have added M. Schweighauser, he having been appointed by my former Colleagues to manage our Affairs there, and may be supposed interested particularly to do Justice to the Congress. And the others, I imagine, can have no Interest in favouring you, as perhaps...
48410From Benjamin Franklin to William Hodgson, 26 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Public Record Office Your two Favours of the 9th Instant came to my hands but a few days since. I had written so fully to you by the preceeding Post, sending at the same time the Passports and Powers you had demanded, which I hope will be sufficient, that I find little left to answer. I am much pleas’d with the memorial you presented respecting the Prisoners, and thank you heartily for...