Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Paul Marat, 14 February 1782

From Jean-Paul Marat

ALS: Library of Congress

From the Rue de Bourgogne febr: 14th 1782.

Sir.

If you are curious to see a Series of new electrical experiments, directed to establish many a principle hitherto unknown, I Shall do myself the pleasure of Summiting them to your judgment.3

In case you Should accept my invitation, Sir, I beg you would be so good as to appoint the day and the hour convenient to you, in order I may be ponctual to the appointment.

Any person attending you will be very well com. I am with great regard Sir Your Most obedient and very humble Servant

Marat

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

3A continuation of the electrical experiments that BF had been too ill to witness in 1780: XXXIV, 26–7, 50. Marat’s iconoclastic theories were by this time well-formed. His Recherches physiques sur L’électricité was on the verge of publication; it was approved on March 7 and was announced in the Jour. de Paris on May 8. See BF’s acceptance of this invitation and Marat’s acknowledgement, Feb. 25 and March 1.

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