11From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, [November 1760?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress It is, as you observed in our late Conversation, a very general Opinion, that all Rivers run into the Sea , or deposite their Waters there. ’Tis a kind of Audacity to call such general Opinions in question, and may subject one to Censure: But we must hazard something in what we think the Cause of Truth: And if we propose our Objections modestly, we shall, tho’...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 30 March 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library As you have been so good as to forgive my long Delay of writing to you and answering your always agreable Letters, I shall not now trouble you with the Apology I had written on that head in one of my Pieces of Letters never finish’d. Supposing the Fact, that the Water of the Well at Bristol is warmer after some time pumping, I think your manner of accounting for...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 7 July 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is just to acquaint my dear Polly, that her good Mama, Mr. and Mrs. Strahan, and her Friend Franklin, purpose to be at Bromley on Tuesday Morning next, to have the Pleasure of seeing Dr. and Mrs. Hawkesworth and the agreable Miss Blunt’s, dining there and returning in the Evening. They carry down with them Miss Peggy Strahan, and leave her there...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 10 August 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received yesterday my Papers. I had sent for them before to Mr. Stanley’s, but Peter found no one at home. It has however been of no Damage to me, except being so long without the Pleasure of reading your agreable little Letter that accompanied them. We are to set out this Week for Holland, where we may possibly spend a Month, but purpose to be at home again...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 29 October 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My dear Polly’s good Mama bids me write two or three Lines by way of Apology for her so long omitting to write. She acknowledges the Receiving two agreable Letters lately from her beloved Daughter, enclosing one for Sally Franklin which was much approv’d (excepting one Word only) and sent as directed. The Reasons of her not Writing are; That her Time all...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 8 March 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Your good Mama has just been saying to me that she wonders what can possibly be the Reason she has not had a Line from you for so long a time. I have made no Complaint of that kind, being conscious that by not writing my self I have forfeited all Claim to such Favour; tho’ no Letters give me more Pleasure, and I often wish to hear from you, but Indolence grows...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 22 March 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Stan. V. Henkels, Catalogue No. 1262 (July 1, 1920), pp. 15–16. I must retract the Charge of Idleness in your Studies, when I find you have gone thro’ the doubly difficult Task of reading so big a Book on an abstruse Subject and in a foreign Language. The Question you were about to ask is a very sensible one. The Hand that holds the Bottle receives and conducts...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 10 May 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received this Morning my dear Polley’s kind Present of two Tickets for the Latin Play at Hackney, enclos’d in her agreable little Letter of the 8th. for both which she will please to accept my Thanks. I am oblig’d also to Mrs. Tickell and to her for the kind Invitation of Dining on the Day of the Play. But I think we are engag’d for that Day to Dine at...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 24 May 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society According to Promise I write on Monday to let my good Girl know how her Mama does; but so late in the Day that I fear I might as well have let it alone till Tuesday. She is not yet quite well, but so well as to be abroad ever since Morning. I went early into the City, Din’d there, and return’d hoping for the Pleasure of a Dish of Tea with her; when I learnt...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 7 June 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your Favour of the 27th. past, and have since expected your intended philosophical Epistle. But you have not had Leisure to write it! Your good Mama is now perfectly well, as I think, excepting now and then a few Rheumatic Complaints, which however seem gradually diminishing. I am glad to hear you are about to enjoy the Happiness of seeing and being...