48421Franklin’s Contributions to a Pamphlet by George Whatley, March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in [George Whatley,] Principles of Trade, Fredom and Protection Are Its Best Suport: Industry, the Only Means to Render Manufactures Cheap. Of Coins; Exchange; and Bountys: Particularly the Bounty on Corn. By a Well-Wisher to His King and Country. With an Appendix. Containing Reflections on Gold, Silver, and Paper Passing as Mony. The Second Edition Corrected and Enlarg’d . … (London,...
48422Martha Careful and Caelia Shortface, 28 January 1729 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The American Weekly Mercury , January 28, 1728/9. When Samuel Keimer forestalled Franklin’s plan to publish a newspaper by announcing that he would publish one of his own, Franklin expressed his resentment through the satirical essays of The Busy-Body (see below, p. 113). The Busy-Body, however, was not the first to ridicule Keimer. Plodding methodically through the alphabet of...
48423Poor Richard Improved, 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard improved: Being an Almanack and Ephemeris … for the Year of our Lord 1750 . … By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin, and D. Hall. (Yale University Library) To the Reader . The Hope of acquiring lasting Fame , is, with many Authors, a most powerful Motive to Writing. Some, tho’ few, have succeeded; and others, tho’ perhaps fewer, may succeed...
48424From Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand, 4 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress In case you furnish Mr de Chaumont with Four hundred Thousand Livres tournois on Account of the Cloths he has sold to me, this shall authorise you to receive the said Sum out of the Aids of Government for the ensuing Year, in quarterly Payments, agreable to the Etat formerly settled, and to retain the same in your Hands in discharge...
48425From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, 27 September 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Vassar B. Carlton, Titusville, Florida (1955) I received yours of the 17th Inst. with the Plan of Halifax for which I thank you. Pray send me the Heads of Shirley and Pepperill with the Price. I received also yours per Mr. S. Cooper [?] who arived here last Night. We shall look over the Town Plan to morrow (Mr. Etter and I) and if I can think of any Thing that may be advantageous,...
48426Franklin’s Notes for a Conversation with Lord Chatham, 31 January 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AD and copy: Library of Congress In the debate in the House of Lords on January 20 Lord Chatham, in response to a challenge from the ministerial benches, promised to offer a plan of reconciliation. Franklin was most curious to know what it was, and the Earl had assured him in December that he would be consulted. His curiosity was satisfied when he was summoned to a conference at Hayes on...
48427From Benjamin Franklin to Timothy Horsfield, 28 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the Pleasure to inform you that the 6 Waggons are just arriv’d, and I suppose all right, tho’ I have not yet had time to examine the Contents. Here are 10 Lehi People buzzing me in both Ears while I write, so can only add my Thanks for your Care and Readiness to serve the Province, and am, Dear Sir, Your most obedient Servant Our Compliments to Mr....
48428From Benjamin Franklin to St. Farre, 31 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I do not recollect that I have ever known or seen the Person you mention; and it is certain that I never knew or heard that Mr. De Beaumarchais was charged with the Payment of Gratifications to those who had been Prisoners of War or that any such Gratifications were allowed, so that I could not have sent any Person to that Gentleman for such Purpose. I honour the...
48429From Benjamin Franklin to Sir John Pringle, [1767?] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I have attentively perused the Remarks of Capt. Coats, relative to Voyages into Hudson’s Bay, the Geography of the Country, and his Reasons for believing a Western Sea to be not far distant, put into my Hands by Dr. Hamilton and I cannot but think the Work of too great Importance to be kept longer in Obscurity, as the Information it contains would be...
48430From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, 12 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives The Bearer Monsieur Gerard, is recommended to me by M. Dubourg, a Gentleman of Distinction here, and a hearty Friend to our Cause. I enclose his Letter that you may see the favorable Manner in which he speaks of Mr. Gerard. I thereupon take the Liberty of recommending the young Gentleman to your Civilities and Advice, as he will be quite a Stranger there, and to request...
48431From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, [before 18 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress Mr. F. submits it to the Consideration of Mr. Jay, whether it may not be adviseable to forbear, at present, the Justification of ourselves, respecting the Signature of the Preliminaries; because That matter is, at present, quiet here; No Letter sent to the Congress is ever kept secret; The Justification contains some Charges of...
48432From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquis de Lafayette, 17 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly your much esteemed favours of july 12. and Aug. 3.— You have found out by this time that I am a very bad Correspondent. As I grow old I perceive my aversion to writing increases, and is become almost insurmountable. The Expedition of the Enemy into Virginia has done us some harm, but not considerable, and it has done them no good. They have only more...
48433From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 7 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Pierpont Morgan Library; ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress In looking over your Letters I find in that of Nov. 12, mention of a Prize of £20 which you have drawn. It never came into my Hands, and I cannot find that Smith, Wright and Gray know any thing of it. If I knew the No. of the Ticket, I could enquire farther. I am much obliged by your Care in Hall’s Affair and glad you...
48434From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 8 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office, William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society Although the American peace commissioners refused to conduct formal negotiations with David Hartley until he received a commission granting him full powers, they took advantage of his presence to exchange ideas. On April 29 (above) they discussed three proposed articles for a...
48435From Benjamin Franklin to Luke Ryan, 2 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Being much pleased with your Auctivity and Bravery, in distressing the Enemy’s Trade, and beating their Vessels of superior force by which you have done honour to the American flag I beg you to accept my thankful Acknowledgments to gether with the present of a Night Glass, as a Small Mark of the Esteem with which I have the honour to be. Sir Your &c.
48436From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Brochier, 24 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress On Enquiry this Day I do not find that you have yet drawn upon me as I expected for the Money you had kindly advanc’d in relieving our poor Prisoners at Lisbon. If any fresh Charges on that Account have accru’d since the Letter you honour’d me with Dated the 16th of January, please to add them to the former, and draw upon me for the whole, and your Bill...
48437From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 20 January 1750 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in Sparks, Works , VI , 100. The magical squares, how wonderful soever they may seem, are what I cannot value myself upon, but am rather ashamed to have it known I have spent any part of my time in an employment that cannot possibly be of any use to myself or others.
48438From Benjamin Franklin to James Jay, 28 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : John Carter Brown Library I received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me the 27th past. I have no direct Powers from Congress to transact Exchanges, but have taken the Liberty in your Case, to absolve the Parole of Captain Francis Dundas, of the first Regiment, now a Prisoner on Parole in London, on Condition that yours be also fully discharged. You will know whether this...
48439From Benjamin Franklin to Augustus Gottlieb Spangenberg, 30 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Archives of the Moravian Church, Bethlehem I receiv’d your Favour of the 29th: relating to the unhappy Refugees at Bethlehem, with a Copy of their Address to the Commissioners. I imagine the Commissioners will refer the Matter to me, as I am in the County. And it is my Opinion, that such as are in real Necessity should be supply’d with Meal and Meat and I will pay any reasonable...
48440To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 10th Instant, and am of Opinion with you, that the English will evacuate New York and Charlestown, as the Troops there, after the late Resolutions of Parliament, must be useless, and are necessary to defend their remaining Islands where they have not at present more than 3000 Men. The Prudence of this Operation is so obvious, that I think they can hardly miss it:...
48441From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Nesbitt, 21 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Honour of yours relating to the Exchange of Capt. Kinnear for Capt. Bell. If Capt. Kinnear is not confin’d as a Ransomer, I do hereby give my Consent to the exchange. But not knowing in whose Care he’s confined, I know not to whom my Consent for his Discharge should be directed. You may therefore make Use of this Letter, & leave it with the Commissary...
48442From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 10 August 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received yesterday my Papers. I had sent for them before to Mr. Stanley’s, but Peter found no one at home. It has however been of no Damage to me, except being so long without the Pleasure of reading your agreable little Letter that accompanied them. We are to set out this Week for Holland, where we may possibly spend a Month, but purpose to be at home again...
48443I Sing My Plain Country Joan, 1742 (Franklin Papers)
MS : American Philosophical Society There can be little doubt that Franklin composed these verses to his wife. They are assigned to him in two different anecdotes, which, though the incidents described are separated by forty years, are not inconsistent. The first, from the family of Franklin’s friend John Bard, relates how, at a meeting of some club, possibly the Junto, someone jokingly took...
48444From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Benezet, 14 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received your Favour of April 24. with the Pamphlets for which I thank you. I am glad to hear that such humane Sentiments prevail so much more generally than heretofore, that there is Reason to hope Our Colonies may in time get clear of a Practice that disgraces them, and without producing any equivalent Benefit, is dangerous to their very...
48445From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 2 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have just received your Favour of Feb. 28. being but lately returned home from Virginia. Dr. Kelly in his Letter, appears the same sensible, worthy, friendly Man I ever found him; and Smith, as usual, just his Reverse. I have done with him: For I believe no body here will prevail with me to give him another Meeting. I communicated your Postscript to B Mecom, and...
48446From Benjamin Franklin to Grey Cooper, 24 June 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Inclos’d I send, for the Ladies, a Piece of the Bark Cloth with which the new-discover’d People dress themselves. It was fast together, but I have split it, as you see; and it will still split farther into its original thin Pieces like Lace. You once express’d a little Partiality for Things of my Writing, which encourages me to send you two; one to which you have...
48447From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Darling and Nathan Whiting, 12 March 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library I wrote to you about a Month since, and sent you a Set of Bills for £15. 11 s. 5 d. Sterling, which I hope you have receiv’d. Some Time in next Month I hope to have the Pleasure of seeing you at Newhaven, when any little Affairs between us may easily be settled. The Bearer, Mr. Bordley, is a Merchant of Maryland, deservedly esteem’d by all that know him. He is...
48448From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 11 November 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you a long Letter of Sept. 16. and again I wrote to you Oct. 2. since which I have receiv’d your Favour of Augt. 15. You mention its being sent by the Son of our good Friend Dr. Perkins. I have not seen him yet, but shall endeavour to find him out. I hope my Health is now pretty well established by the frequent Journies I have made this Summer, and...
48449Dates of Journeys Abroad, 1766–69: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society [Memorandum of the dates of Franklin’s departure from and return to England on his trips to Germany in 1766 (June 15 and Aug. 13), to Paris in 1767 (Aug. 28 and Oct. 8), and to Paris in 1769 (July 14 and Aug. 24).] Hitherto documents covering a span of years, such as accounts, have been printed under the first date entered. Hereafter they will be printed or...
48450From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 29 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I have the honour to acquaint your Excellency, that the Commissioners of the United States, have agreed with Mr Oswald on the Preliminary Articles of the Peace between those States & Great Britain. To-morrow I hope we shall be able to communicate to your Excellency a Copy of them. With great Respect I have the honour to be, Sir, Your...