To Benjamin Franklin from Springett Penn, 12 February 1766
From Springett Penn9
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Dublin 12th Feby 1766
Dear Sir
I received Mr. Penningtons Letter you was so Kind to forward.1 I wrote to you a long time since to desire the favour of you to ask Mr. Life2 for somuch Money (as he had some of my Mothers in his Hands) as would purchase a Lottery Tickett since which have not had the favour of a Line from you.3 My Mother and myself join in Respects and good Wishes to you and your Family and Mrs. Stephenson. I remain Your Obliged humble servant.
Springett Penn
Pray Excuse this poor paper.
[In the margin:] Mr. Life wrote me that Mr. Jackson gave no hopes of succeding in my Claim to the Government at present.
9. Springett Penn, William Penn’s great-grandson through his first wife, whose claim to the proprietorship of Pa. BF had encouraged during his first mission but who seemed by 1766 inclined to make his peace with Thomas Penn; above, IX, 260–2, 315–17; x, 6; xi, 151, 532–3.
1. Penington enclosed his letter to Springett, apparently dealing with the sale of Pennsbury Manor, in his letter to BF of Nov. 14, 1765; see above, XII, 370–2.
2. For Thomas Life, a lawyer whom BF employed to try to prove Springett’s title to the proprietorship of Pa. and whom Springett’s mother, Mrs. Ann Penn, considered his “adviser in business,” see above, X, 369 n; XI, 151 n; PMHB, xxii (1898), 183.
3. Springett’s letter to BF has not been found; neither has BF’s response, if indeed he ever wrote one.