48801William Franklin to Timothy Horsfield, 21 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Orndt having informed the Commissioners, that there are a Number of the Province Arms at Bethlehem, under your Care, which he thinks are better than those belonging to his Company; they have given him Leave to take his Choice of those Arms, and directed him to return as many of those he now has, in the Room of those he shall take. I am Sir your humble...
48802William Franklin to Sarah Franklin, 10 October 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Copy (incomplete): American Philosophical Society In the summer of 1761 Franklin took his customary annual trip for health and pleasure. This time, instead of traveling in Great Britain, he made his first visit to the Continent, journeying through the Austrian Netherlands and the Dutch Republic (now Belgium and the Netherlands). This letter gives the only extensive surviving account of the...
48803To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 10 May 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favors of Jany. 9, 29, Feby. 13, and Mar. 13. I think I before acknowledg’d the Receipt of the Remainder of the Postscript of Decr. 19. It is not in my Power to give such particular Answers to them as I could wish, being now busily engag’d with the Assembly, who are just on the Point of Rising. Besides I am in doubt whether this will find...
48804To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 3 September 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I miss’d writing on Friday and Yesterday no Post went from hence, otherwise I should before have acknowledgd the Receipt of your Favour of the 30th. Ulto. Mr. Jackson is prevented from setting off from here so soon as he intended by reason of the matrimonial Affair he mentioned to us not being quite settled. He says he has Letters from the Parties almost...
48805To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 3 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just return’d from Philadelphia, where I have been for some Days with Betsy, in order to see her Brother Downes and his Wife and Daughter who arrived there last Sunday from Barbados. He is in a very bad State of Health, and we have brought him Home with us that he might be out of the Heat of Philada. On my Return I found your Letter of the 5th. of...
48806To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 30 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you by Capt. All who left Town the day before Yesterday, and this morning I received a few Lines from you dated Mar. 15. by a Passenger in Sutton. I was surprized to find that it contained nothing about the Ohio Grant, as the Whartons are quite elated with the glad Tidings they have received by that Opportunity from Mr. S. Wharton. The Old Man...
48807William Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 26 August 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The Mail was made up and sent for Falmouth on Saturday last, so that whether this may reach you by that Conveyance is uncertain. But as I imagine you must all be extremely anxious about the Fate of your very important Acts, and glad to know of every Thing relative to them from time to time, I have scribbled over as fast as possibly I could, two Papers which have...
48808To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, [31 January 1769] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (perhaps incomplete): American Philosophical Society The last Packet, which left England about the Middle of Novr. brought no Letter from you, that I can hear of, except one to the Committee of Correspondence. I imagine your Time must be almost wholly engross’d in attending on the publick Business at this important Crisis, and in writing for the Press. I see a Number of Pieces in the...
48809William Franklin to William Temple Franklin, 16 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Dr Jeffries has informd me that he is to set off for Dover early Tomorrow Morning, in order to embark in Blanchard’s Balloon for France. I dare say you will like to be one of the first who gets a Letter across the British Channel by this kind of aerial Conveyance: I have therefore availed myself of the Opportunity, to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letters...
48810To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 11 May 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A few Days ago I was favoured with your Letter of the 20th. of March by Capt. Creighton. The Packet which left England the 7th. of March is since arrived, but I had no Letter by her from any one. I suppose (tho’ you do not mention it) that you have wrote to me before relative to the Letters I sent you by the January Mail; perhaps by Sparks who is not yet...
48811William Franklin to Elizabeth Graeme, 9 December 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard College Library (Sparks) No Doubt you must be much surpriz’d at so many Vessels arriving at different Parts of America from England, without so much as a single Line from the Man who has so often, and so warmly professed himself your Friend and Admirer. The Thoughts, the Suspicions, that must naturally arise in your Breast on this Occasion, my Imagination pictures in such strong...
48812To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, [May? 1767] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society This communication in the handwriting of William Franklin, but without salutation, date, or signature, exactly fills both sides of a single sheet of paper. Because it deals with a confidential and delicate matter and concludes the last manuscript line with the admonition “Do burn this,” it seems highly likely that William sent it to his father enclosed in...
48813To George Washington from William Franklin, 22 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sensible that you must now have so much Employ for your Time & Attention, in the great Business you are engaged in, that you can have very little of either to spare for an Individual. But as the peculiarly distressing Circumstances & Urgency of my Case will admit of no Delay, I have such Confidence in the Generosity & Humanity of your Disposition, that I cannot but flatter myself you will...
48814To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 6 September 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope this will find you safe at Home, and that you met with no Accident on your Journey. Yesterday Evening Thomas found the Enclosed Letter for you in the Bar of one of the Taverns in this Town. Enclosed is a Copy of the Exposition of the Resolution of the House of Commons which you requested. I also send you the Minutes of the two last Sessions of the...
48815To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 22 January 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you Yesterday, when I acquainted you that I had not receiv’d any Letters from you by the Pacquet, the Bag being either lost or not forwarded by the last Post, but he has since return’d and I have this Moment the Pleasure of receiving yours of Octr. 9. and Novr. 13; the last enclos’d in a Cover dated Novr. 17. I have but just Time to mention this,...
48816To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 10 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I have before me your two Favours of March 19, and April 11, which came by the Pacquet. Your Remarks on the Report of the Board of Trade have been printed, and never any thing met with more general Approbation. Even the Proprietary Party are warm in its Praises. Alexr: Houston, I am told, has acknowledg’d that he did not believe that all the...
48817To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 22 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL (fragments) and LS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Since my last I am favor’d with [yours] of May 20, per Mr. Odell, May 23d. per Packet, and [June?] 6, per Gilbert. The second came to hand but [ torn ] Yesterday above a Week after the [last?]. From the little [ remainder of page missing .] The Assembly of New Jersey have made Prov[ision] for supplying the King’s Troops with...
48818To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 12 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Soon after I received your Letter enclosing a Copy of a Grant of Lands in Pennsylvania to Major Robert Thompson, which you received from Mr. Whately, I happened to meet with our Friend Mr. Galloway, and mentioning the Matter to him, I found he was perfectly acquainted with every Circumstance relative to the Grant, owing to his having been formerly Attorney...
48819To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 19 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been long, very long, without receiving a Letter from you—or hearing of you:—but I suppose you & my other Correspondents, have not wrote in expectation of soon seeing me. This will be my last from this Country.— We set out on Monday or Tuesday. I could have departed a few days earlier, but Mrs. H. requested I would delay it that she might be able to...
48820William Temple Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received my dear Friend, your Letters of the 19 & 14 Inst. The Bills contain’d in the Letter shall soon be return’d you. Those contained in former Letters I have regularly sent you back, accepted or barr’d. More underwent the latter Fate than I believe you expected. It is yourself only that is to blame, for instructing me in registring the Bills in so good a method,...
48821To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 15 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am got thus far on my Journey, much fatigued by the Vehicle in which we travelled; We set off from Paris at 12 the Night I left you, & have been, ’till an hour ago, on the Road to this Place. No stopping for Sleep, & no means of taking any in so Rough a Machine. It is the first, & I hope will be the last time, I shall ever climb into such a Thing. I made,...
48822William Temple Franklin to John Adams and John Jay, 22 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Since the Letter I had the honour of writing to your Excellency on the 19th. Inst, the Duke de Lauzun is arrived at Versailles from Virginia, with the glorious News of the combined Force of America & France having forced General Cornwallis to capitulate. The English Garrison marched out of York Town on the 19th of...
48823To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 12 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I this Instant receiv’d your Letter of the 2d.— It gives me inexpressible Grief to learn that you have been so long without receiving any Letter from me, & that you attribute it to my neglect! I can assure you—you wrong me,—for I have wrote, I think constantly every Week;—some of my Letters went by Private Hands, others by the Post: the former may have been...
48824To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 24 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Gerrad not being in town, I waited upon Count Vergennes, and delivered him the Letters, which he put in his Pocket, and desired I would call upon him for his answer, at 9 OClock tomorrow morning; so that I purpose staying here to night and have taken the Liberty of keeping the Carriage and Servants. Present my respects to Messrs. Deane and Lee and...
48825To Thomas Jefferson from William Temple Franklin, 13 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the Pleasure of seeing you here, I have received pressing Letters from my Friends both in England and France, to go over immediately with my Grandfathers Papers, in order to derive that Advantage from them, which they say, Delay would greatly diminish: this, together with some other private Business I have to transact in Europe, has determined me to embark as soon as possible. My...
48826To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 1 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am here in the middle of that Family you so much love, and who I can assure you, make you most ample Returns.— My Expectations of the Worthy Bishop, Mrs. Shipley & her Daughters—however exalted,—have been fully satisfied. The Dean his Son, is also here on a Visit—and is every way agreable. I did intend to have visited Lord Shelburne on my Return to...
48827To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 9 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Chaumont desires me to inform you, that he has received a Letter from Mr. Montaudoin (whom you saw at Nantes) in which he mentions, and desires you may be informed of it; that there is a Scotchman arrived at Nantes, in a Dutch Vessel from New-York, who says, that General Howe had embarked ten thousand Men for the purpose of attacking Philadelphia. Mr....
48828To John Adams from William Temple Franklin, 25 February 1791 (Adams Papers)
In the Letter you did me the honor of writing to me previous to my Departure from Philadelphia, you intimated a Wish to be informed of the Progress of French Liberty.— I have not yet been able to go over to the Continent—but shall in a few Weeks, when I will endeavor to comply with your Desire, relative to the Revolution that is effecting in France.— In the meantime, I have taken the Liberty...
48829To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, [25 October 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been endeavouring, almost ever since my Arrival here, to find the means of Returning to Passy, at the Expiration of the Time you were pleas’d to permit me to be absent: but hitherto my Endeavours have not been successful. I have sent to Blois, & have been myself to Amboise, & even to Tours (which is 36 Miles distant) & have not been able to procure a...
48830To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 13 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Fearing my Letters by this Conveyance might be long in reaching you, I wrote by last Nights Post. With this you will receive several Pamphlets, some of which have been given, the others purchas’d. I likewise forward you a Letter which was left here Yesterday, I know not by whom.— In the Packet from Dr. Price, is likewise a Letter from that worthy—but at...
48831William Temple Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress My Grandfather recd. your letter of the 14 Inst. inclosing one for the Minister. He had already solicited a Convoy & recd. for Answer that the Ship as soon as she was loaded, should go to Brest: whence she might profit of the Protection of the Ships of War going to America. Mr. Chaumont has I believe already wrote to his Captain to that effect.— As to the Order you...
48832William Temple Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress My Grandfather is laid up with the Gout & cannot write. He directs me to acknowledge the Receipt of your letter of the 17th. Inst.— He is entirely unacquainted what the Freight you propose is worth, but in order to assist the Ship Mars in returning to Boston, he is willing to advance twelve thousand Livres, provided she will take a hundred Tons of the Military Stores...
48833To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 18 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Notwithstanding I left Orleans on Tuesday Morg, I did not get here ’till this Day at 11 .00— The shortness of the Days, & the Loire being at this Time extreamly low, occasioned our being so long on the Water: there are so many Sand Banks in the River that it was impossible for us to proced but from Sunrise to sunset: & notwithstanding; our Boat often got on...
48834William Temple Franklin to Dumas, 6 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, Library of Congress My Grand father has been for a long time past laid up with the Gout, and is so still. He directs me to inform you, that he has recd. Several of your Letters, which he has not as yet been able to answer; he hopes however that in a few Days he shall be able to do it, as his Sufferings are much diminished. You have heard I suppose of the arrival at...
48835To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 26 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having just now learnt by young Mr. Alexander, that his Uncle purposes setting off for France tomorrow Morg at 5 a Clock, I set down to acknowledge the rect of your kind Letter of the 13. Inst, and to return you my sincerest Thanks for your acquiescing so readily with my Request of a longer leave of Absence: I found hower that I should not be able to get...
48836To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 9 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You may recollect, my dear Sir, when I informed you of Mrs. Hewsons having deviated from her first Determination, I said, or hinted, that it was not impossible that she might change again:— It has turn’d out so. On my Return from Chilbolton I found a Letter from her, informing me that I had staid so long, that I had given her time to Change her Mind again—&...
48837William Temple Franklin to John Adams and John Jay, 22 November 1781 (Jay Papers)
Since the Letter I had the honour of writing to your Excellency on the 19 th . Inst, the Duke de Lauzun is arrived at Versailles from Virginia, with the glorious News of the combined Force of America & France having forced General Cornwallis to capitulate. The English Garrison marched out of York Town on the 19 th of Oct r . with the honour of War, & laid down their Arms: the Troops consisted...
48838II. William Temple Franklin to Thomas Jefferson, 27 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly received the Letter Your Excellency did me the honor of writing to me the 20th Inst. The Scene of Distress in which I have been engaged, has prevented my answering it sooner: you will I know excuse it. In the Loss I have lately sustained of a valuable and dear Relation, you, Sir, have likewise lost a Friend, who held your Virtues and Talents in the highest Estimation. You mention, as...
48839William Temple Franklin to William Robeson, 3 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Mr. Raymond is just arrived, & has brought with him your black Servant. They Boy seems desirous of returning to you, provided you send him some Money together with his Freedom. He says the latter was his due immediately on his Arrival in England. He has lodg’d himself some where in Passy, & purposes waiting 15 Days for your Ansr. I offer’d him Bed & Board here without...
48840To Thomas Jefferson from William Temple Franklin, 17 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Amidst the Congratulations of Public Bodies on your Arrival will you receive those of an Individual, who has long entertained the highest Esteem for your Character, as a Man, a Philosopher, and a Statesman. Permit me also felicitate you on your late honorable Appointment, tho’ I am not certain you will accept of it; but this I know, that if you do, I shall in common with my Countrymen rejoice...
48841To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 22 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am still without a Line from you in ansr to several of my Letters:— I have I hope sufficiently cleared up my apparent Neglect:— You must I think have recd four of my Letters since yours by the Abbé Morellet:— In my last I believe I mentioned that Mrs. Hewson had at length determined to accept yr. Invitation,— She had really told me so, and I had begun to...
48842To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 27 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Fearing least you should be uneasy about me, as the Weather has been very Stormy; I think it well to inform you, that we are still kept here by contrary Winds:— There is Hopes of our sailing at high Water this Afternoon, but there is no certainty: The Weather is become fair—& the Wind much abated but still contrary.— The Post is near setting off, & this...
48843To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 17 August 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It being rather late when I got to Mr. Duffields and the Road from there to Mr. Galloways being very bad; by the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Duffield I staid that Night and waited on Mr. Galloway in the Morning, and proceeded on my way to this place where I arrived yesterday afternoon with out any accident. Let Mrs. Bache know that her Son William has...
48844To George Washington from William Temple Franklin, 9 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Sir, Philadelphia Jany 9th 1790 I know not whether I am acting improperly, in thus addressing you, but if I am, I beg your Excellency will not impute it to any want of Respect for your exalted Character, or elevated Situation. Thinking as Shakespeare expresses it, that “There is a Tide in the Affairs of Men, Which taken at the Flood, leads on to Fortune” has induced me to trouble...
48845To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 26 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Day after the Date of my last, I recd your kind Letter of the 18th. Inst.—for which I am very thankful, as it so far prolongs my Stay here as to permit me to visit a Family—of whom I have heard so much—and who so sincerely love and respect you.— I had already taken Engagements ’till Friday—as I informed you in my last,—so that it will not be in my Power...
48846To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 5 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My last went by Mr. J. Alexander, who I suppose forwarded it from Calais, where he purposed remaining some time, to endeavor, if possible, to enter into some Arrangement with the Bank here. I understand Mr Pigott has given him some Reason to hope for success.— I wish it with all my heart, both for his sake and the amiable Family of which he is the Support.—...
48847William Temple Franklin to Caleb Whitefoord, 7 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from W. A. S. Hewins, ed., The Whitefoord Papers … (Oxford, 1898), pp. 190–1. I have been so much taken up with Business since the rect of your Letter, inclosing me an Introduction to Mrs Hesse, that I have hitherto delay’d answering it. I have not however been deficient in complying with your request relative to that amiable and accomplish’d Lady: She has form’d with Mr Brillon not...
48848To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 28 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After a very disagreable Passage, which lasted from 8 last Night to 8. this Morning, we arrived here safe. I was sick the whole Passage—& I think more so than in either going or returning from America.— Mais comme en toutes Choses, “il faut toujours regarder la Belle Jambe ”.— I flatter myself with the Notion that it will prove a Crise salutaire, as Mesmers...
48849William Temple Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 2 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and transcript: National Archives I am directed by my Grandfather to forward you the inclosed Papers, which were put into his Hands by the Ambassador from Portugal, and to request you would take them into Consideration.— With great Respect, I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Sert.— Oswald reported to Townshend on Oct. 2 that BF was still unwell and not able to...
48850To George Washington from William Temple Franklin, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Tho’ I am from Experience assur’d of your Excellencys Good Will towards me, yet being convinc’d that in discharging the important Trust to which you have been unanimously elected, Merit & not Favor will obtain your Patronage; I take the Liberty of laying before your Excellency a Sketch of my Services to the United States in the Line of public Foreign affairs, and of offering a continuation of...