Benjamin Franklin Papers

From Benjamin Franklin to Edward and Jane Mecom, 30 December 1756

To Edward and Jane Mecom

ALS: American Philosophical Society

Philada. Dec. 30. 1756.

Dear Brother and Sister

You will receive this by the Hand of your Son Benjamin, on whose safe Return from the West Indies I sincerely congratulate you.7 He has settled Accounts with me, and paid the Ballance honourably.8 He has also clear’d the old Printing House to himself, and sent it to Boston, where he purposes to set up his Business together with Bookselling, which, considering his Industry and Frugality, I make no doubt will answer.9 He has good Credit and some Money in England, and I have help’d him by lending him a little more;1 so that he may expect a Cargo of Books and a Quantity of new Letter in the Spring; and I shall from time to time furnish him with Paper. We all join in Love to you and yours, I am Your Loving Brother

B Franklin

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

7On Benjamin Mecom’s decision to give up his printing business in Antigua, see above, VI, 463–5.

8Among the Franklin Papers in APS is Benjamin Mecom’s bond to BF, Dec. 27, 1756, for the payment of £50 one year from date. In his will of April 28, 1757, made before sailing to England, BF bequeathed this bond with accrued interest to Benny, indicating thereby his intention to forgive the debt. The bond was never canceled as paid.

9The Boston venture lasted until 1762 when he moved to New York.

1See BF’s letter to Strahan immediately below.

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