From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 October 1768
To Deborah Franklin
ALS: Cornell University Library
London, Oct. 5. 1768
My dear Child,
It feels very strange to me to have Ships and Packets come in, and no Letters from you. But I do not complain of it, because I know the reason is, my having written to you that I was coming home. That you may not have the same disagreable Sensation, I write this Line, tho’ I have written largely by the late Ships, and therefore have little left to say. I have lately been in the Country to spend a few Days at Friends Houses, and to breathe a little fresh Air. I have made no very long Journey this Summer as usual, finding my self in very good Health, a greater Share of which I believe few enjoy at my time of Life, but we are not to expect it will be always Sunshine. Cousin Folger, who is just arriv’d from Boston, tells me he saw our Son and Daughter Bache at that Place, 9 and that they were going farther, being very well, which I was glad to hear. My Love to them and all Friends, from Your ever affectionate Husband
B Franklin
9. Timothy Folger (1732–1814), a Nantucket ship captain, was BF’s first cousin twice removed (B.1.4.6.1.3). He had sailed from Boston in August, twelve days after Richard and Sally Bache had arrived in town. Boston Gazette, Aug. 15, and Mass. Gazette, Aug. 25, 1768. BF subsequently queried Folger at length about the Nantucket whalers’ knowledge of the Gulf Stream, in the hope of accelerating the packet service. See BF to Anthony Todd below, Oct. 29, 1768.