To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Hargrave, 6 March 1761
From Charles Hargrave9
ALS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Greenich March 6th 1761
My Good frend Mr. Frankling
I am very Sorry that I have been Guilty of So much Ill manners in not acquainting you of my receiving your present1 which I give you many thanks for all favours I Should have done my Self the pleasur of Seing you to return you thanks, had I not been taken with a very bad fitt the gout in both my feett and hands that I have not been out off the Infermiry this Six weeks but have been fead by the Nurse for I Could not help my Self, But I thank God I have gott a little Use of my hands again and hope to gett out of the Infermiry Next Week then please God the first Oppertunity I will do my Self the Pleasure to Wait on you I hope so [sic] you will Excuse this Scrible pray Give my love to your Son and hope that he and yourself is both in good health. I received yours the 3d Instant2 and am Sir your unfortunate humble Servat to Command
Charles Hargrave
9. The “Infermiry” at Greenwich from which Hargrave wrote this letter can be no other than the famous seamen’s hospital there. The author must then have been a seafaring man. A Charles Hargrave, or Hargrove, is listed as master of a vessel built in Baltimore Co., Md., in 1750, and of others registered in Philadelphia, 1729–52. He is probably the captain who carried David Hall to Philadelphia in 1744 in the Mercury and the one whose ship, sailing from Md., took a letter from BF to Strahan in 1745. “Commission Book, 82,” Md. Hist. Mag., XXVI (1931), 346; PMHB, X (1886), 87; XXIII (1899), 264, 385, 512; XXV (1901), 278; and above, III, 50.
1. No information about this gift has come to light.
2. Not found.