Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 26 May 1758

From Isaac Norris

Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Philada. May 26. 1758

Dear Friend Franklin

Comming into town I hear by Accident that a Vessel is to sail for Liverpoole either this Evning or to Morrow,5 as this is the first Notice I have had of it I can only acknowledge the Receipt of your Letters by Budden and the rest of the Books the Day after by Captain—I forget his Name.6 Baskerville’s Virgil is certainly a curious performance of the Press for which I return my thanks to the Donor. I think I once saw a Sheet as a Specimen of the Work about a Year ago and if it had not been put out of my Mind by other Affairs I would have been a Subscriber. Please to let me know whether Baskerville [has] any other Classical Authors in the same Letter and which of them that I may have an Opportunity of contributing my Mite to encourage such a curious and Ingenious Man as Baskerville who has done an Honor to the English Press.7 I dare no begin on our Affairs at this Time but as I hear there will be another Vessel in a few Days I propose to write by her but could not let this Vessel sail without a Line of thanks from your Assured Affectionate Friend

I N

Endorsed: Recd ackd. by BF. 7br. 16 1758

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

5Pa. Gaz., June 1, 1758, listed the ship Philadelphia, Capt. Charles Stewart, as cleared for Liverpool.

6See above, p. 78 n, for these ship arrivals.

7See above, pp. 53 n, 79, for Baskerville’s Vergil and below, p. 229, for Norris’ “Mite” to encourage him.

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