To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Hopkinson, 17 July 1781
From Francis Hopkinson
Two ALS: American Philosophical Society
Philada. July 17th. 1781
My dear Sir.
I have wrote you many Letters, but fear very few ever reached your Hand. In particular I wrote fully by the unfortunate President Laurens enclosing some of my Labours in the Cause (such as they were). They fell into the Hands of the British & were probably handed up to Court with great Solemnity, along with Papers of more Consequence—they are heartily wellcome to any Performance of mine in that Way. I wish the Dose was stronger & better for their Sake. The only Disappointment I have is that my Squibbs would probably have afforded a Laugh to you, which is a very wholesome Exercise, but will do them no Good.3
This serves to cover a Letter for Amsterdam,4 which I have left open for your Perusal: requesting you would be so good as to seal & forward it as directed.
I shall not enter upon the large Field of News & Politics— nor discuss the Subject of your Enemies & Friends— To be without Enemies would be to be of no Consequence in the World, which never will be your Case; & to enjoy the Love and Esteem of a respectable Number in almost all the civilised Parts of the World, whose Friendship it is an honour & a gratification to possess, will I doubt not be your Happiness to the latest hour of Life— Amongst your friends I claim a Place, & shall be ever proud of an Opportunity of assuring you again & again that I am Your sincerely affectionate
F: Hopkinson
I need not say I wish to hear from you
Dr. Franklin
Endorsed: F. Hopkinson July 17. 1781
3. Hopkinson’s letter and enclosures have not survived. (His previous letter was written a month before Laurens’ August, 1780, sailing: XXXIII, 54–5). He undoubtedly sent the group of four songs called “A Tory Medley,” published as a broadside in 1780. He may also have enclosed a copy of the poem he published in the July 22, 1779, issue of the Pennsylvania Packet entitled “The Most Gracious Address of Admiral Collier and General Tryon to the People of Connecticut”: George E. Hastings, The Life and Works of Francis Hopkinson (Chicago, 1926), pp. 304–8. For other “Squibbs” Hopkinson sent BF see XXX, 298.
4. To Brandlight & Sons of Amsterdam, according to BF’s reply of Sept. 13, below.