To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 14 January 1754
From Peter Collinson
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Lond: Jry 14: 1753 [1754]
My Dear Friend
I am so disheartend at the Loss of Capt. Davis, that I cannot tell how to sett Penn to paper.8 I had so amply Employed my Budget in 2 or 3 pacquetts with a Large pack and Books per M. Dalibard at Paris a Box with 6 of Bird thermometers9 books Magazins all gone and Poor John Bartram has lost his Two Guinea Microscope and prints for Billey Seeds and Two or three Sheets all of my Scrawl.
I had writt you Largely of Mr. Smiths Affair.1 The propretor has give Mee all the Assurance He will Support a Rectorship which will be setled when He Comes to Town. I have but a few Minites for this Scrowl so accept my best Wishes. Yours
P Collinson
I hope John Bartram will send Twelve Boxs of Seed.
Addressed: To Benn: Franklin Esqr at Philadephia via New England.
8. Captain George Davis in the ship Britannia, after a month’s delay, sailed from Gravesend, November 7, but foundered on a sandbar off Margate next day, with the loss of his ship and 13 lives, including his own. Pa. Gaz., Jan. 22, 1754. See Dalibard’s letter, March 31, 1754 (below, p. 253) on the books lost with Davis.
9. John Bird, mathematical instrument maker in London. See above, III, 484.
1. Rev. William Smith, who became provost of the Academy and College of Philadelphia the next year. See above, IV, 467 n.