1From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 22 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Dartmouth College Library It has been a great Pleasure to me to hear occasionally from others, that you were closely engag’d in your Studies, and distinguishing yourself by the Progress you made in them. I promise my self that you will return with such a Stock of useful Knowledge as will render you an Ornament to your Country; and that I shall have no reason to regret the Appearance of...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 14 October 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania The many Advantages which I derived from your Friendship Whilst in London have emboldened me to take the Liberty of recommending to your friendly Notice the Bearer of this Letter——my Brother who proposes to spend two Years in the Temple in Order to finish his studies in the Law. The Civilities you confer upon him will add greatly to the very many Obligations...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 22 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; letterbook draft: American Philosophical Society I am favoured with yours of June 24. and shall as it is my Duty endeavour to obtain the Royal Assent to every Act passed by our Assembly; and to that you recommend, the more particularly as I think it reasonable in itself, and connected with Liberty of Conscience a Fundamental of our Constitution. But I am doubtful...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; letterbook draft: Library of Congress In a Box to Mr. Bache I send you a Bundle of the Ephemerides; they came but lately to hand with Duplicates for me; tho’ it appears by my Letter that they were sent from Paris last May was twelvemonth. Where they have been all this time I have not learnt. I send you also one of Dr. Priestly’s Pamphlets, containing a...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 1 May 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am much Obliged to you for Dr. Priestley’s Experiments. They have thrown a good deal of Light upon the subject of fixed Air, Altho’ I can by no means assent to some of his inferences from them. The Experiment made with a Sprig of mint extends our Ideas of the Oconomy of Vegetables. But is all the fixed Air which is discharged from its various sources...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 14 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; letterbook draft: Library of Congress I received your Favour of May 1. with the Pamphlet for which I am obliged to you. It is well written. I hope in time that the Friends to Liberty and Humanity will get the better of a Practice that has so long disgrac’d our Nation and Religion. A few Days after I receiv’d your Packet for M. Dubourg, I had an Opportunity of...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, [after 15 September 1773] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I acknowledge myself much indebted to you for the Instruction contained in your last Letter. I have met with many Facts which confirm your Opinion of the Origin of Catarhs from Cloaths, Beds, Books &c. Baron Van Swieten in his last Volume of Commentaries on Dr. Boerhave’s Aphorisms in treating upon Epidemic Diseases mentions with Astonishment a...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 22 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; letterbook draft: American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of May 14. with the very ingenious Oration you deliver’d at the Society, for which I thank you. The Bookseller you had likewise sent it to (Mr. Dilly) being desirous of Dr. Huck’s Opinion and mine as to its Publication, we had, after separately reading it, a little Consultation upon it; the...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 25 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have already written to you as a Friend by this Conveyance. I now write to you as one of the Secretaries of our Philosophical Society, who understands French, to request your Attention to the enclos’d Papers, and that you would translate them for the Use of the Society. In this Ship, Capt. Falconer, I send a Box, containing a Number of Presents for the...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 7 January 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia This letter of introduction is the initial appearance in Franklin’s correspondence of a young man who later became important to him, first as his editor and then as Shelburne’s emissary during the peace negotiations of 1782. Benjamin Vaughan (1751–1835) was the eldest son of Samuel Vaughan, a wealthy English merchant with interests in...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 26 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives I have just received the enclos’d Letters by the Chevalier Kermorvan. By the Conversation I have had with him he appears to me skilful in his Profession. I hope in a few days to be strong enough to come to town and attend my Duty in Congress. In the mean time, I could wish you to introduce the Gentleman where it may be proper, and that you would translate the Passage...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, [24 July or 31 or 7 August 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr: Rush begs leave to inform Dr. Franklin that the members of the Canadian Committee will wait upon him this afternoon at 6 oClock at his own house. Addressed: Dr Franklin The committee was to hear Canadian petitions; its meetings determine the note’s possible dates. See Smith, Letters , IV , 537 n.
13To George Washington from Benjamin Rush, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just now learned from General Mifflin that your Excellency intends to take the field in a few days. I hope your Excellency will excuse the liberty I am about to take in Suggesting that your troops will probably suffer from being so early exposed in an encampment. The variable weather of the Spring and fall have always been found much more destructive to the health of an Army than the...
14From George Washington to Benjamin Rush, 16 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favour of the 13th instant; and am much obliged to you, for communicating your judicious observations on the inconveniences of an early incampment. They are perfectly correspondent with my own ideas, but how far they can be allowed to operate must depend upon many other considerations and circumstances. I shall be induced to incamp the army, sooner than I could wish,...
15To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 8 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
In Observing the different operation of Whig principles upon different people, I have been led to divide the Whigs of America into the five following classes 1st the Whig from a love of power. 2 The Whig from resentment. 3 The Whig from interest, 4 The Whig from a love of the military life, and lastly the Whig from the love of liberty. I have my eye upon men who belong to each of these...
16To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 1 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
It would have given me great pleasure to have Spent an hour with you in this place After my return from Genl. Howe’s camp. I could have told you but little of the loss of the enemy on the heights of Bradywine for I confined my Questions to Subjects more interesting to my country, and which were solved without difficulty or restraint. Let us leave to common Soldiers the joy that arises from...
17To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 13 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have little to add to the long letter I wrote to you a few days ago, but that the event of the battle at Germantown on the 4th instant was full of proofs of the truths I formerly communicated to you. We lost a city—a Victory—a campaign by that want of discipline and System which pervades every part of the army. General Conway wept for joy when he saw the Ardor with which our troops pushed...
18To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 21 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
I fear you will class me with the weeping philosophers of antiquity, but I cannot help it. He who can be happy while his country is wasting her blood, and treasure to no purpose must be more or less than a man. General Gates’ unparalled success gave me great pleasure, but it has not obliterated the remembrance of the disorders I have seen in the army in this department. On the contrary I am...
19To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 31 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
The disorders of our Army do not proceed from any natural faults in our men. On the contrary I believe the people of America (especially the Natives) are the most tractable Creatures in the world. I Can say with great certainty that I have never yet been disobeyed in a single instance by a Virginian or a New England man in any connection with them in the hospital. I speak therefore from...
20To George Washington from Benjamin Rush, 26 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have delayed troubling your Excellency with the State of our hospitals, in hopes you would hear it from the Director General whose business it is to correspond with your Excellency upon this Subject. I beg leave therefore at last to look up to you, and through you to the congress as the only powers that can redress our greivances, or do us justice. I need not inform your Excellency that we...
21From George Washington to Benjamin Rush, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 26th December. Soon after the Rect I had an opportunity of communicating the substance of it, and one from Govr Livingston on the same subject, to the Director General. It is to be regretted, that a department for which such ample provision has been made, and on which so much depends, should yet be inadequate to the ends proposed. If the present medical...
22To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 22 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yorktown, 22 January 1778. RC ( Adams Papers ); printed : Benjamin Rush, Letters Letters of Benjamin Rush , ed. L. H. Butterfield, Princeton, 1951; 2 vols. , 1:190–192. Whatever might be said about the graces needed at the French court, Rush praised the choice of the “perfectly honest” Adams as commissioner. Critical of American generalship, Rush yet dreaded the entry of France into the war...
23From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, with Postscript by Abigail Adams, 8 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
Two Days ago, I was favoured with your polite and elegant Letter of January 22. I have received so many of your Letters, within a few Months, containing such important Matter, in So masterly a style, that I am ashamed to confess I have answered but one of them, and that only with a few Lines. I beg you would not impute this omission to Inattention, Negligence, or Want of Regard, but to its...
24To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 8 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
Lancaster, 8 February 1778. RC ( Adams Papers ); printed : Benjamin Rush, Letters Letters of Benjamin Rush , ed. L. H. Butterfield, Princeton, 1951; 2 vols. , 1:199–200. Detailing some of his charges against Dr. Shippen, Rush complained that his alleged personal resentment was the congress’ excuse for not removing the director general of hospitals; therefore, “to restore harmony,” Rush felt...
25To George Washington from Benjamin Rush, 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I should think myself inexcusable in leaving the army by resigning my commission without informing your Excellency that I was compelled to that measure by the prevalence of an opinion among some people that the distresses and mismanagement of the hospitals arose from a “want of harmony” between Dr Shippen, and myself. next to the conviction of my own mind that this was not the case, I wish to...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 17 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Elizabeth Mifflin Boyd, Chestnut Hill, Pa. (1955); AL (draft): Library of Congress This will be delivered to you by Mr. Archer, a young Gentleman of excellent Character, whose Zeal for the Cause of Liberty, and strong Desire of being serviceable to it and to our Country, with those Qualities of Mind and Acquirements that lay the best Foundation for his really becoming so, will I am...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 30 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Parke-Bernet sale catalogue, February 27–28, 1974, item 265. The Bearer M. Tessier, is well recommended to me as a Person of good Character and an excellent Surgeon, who purposes to go to America and offer his Services in our Armies. Having no Orders to send Surgeons thither, I could give him no kind of Encouragement by Promises of Employment or otherways. He therefore goes of...
28Benjamin Rush to Abigail Adams, 15 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I set down with great pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from Mr. Adams dated February 8th, with a poscript from you, which through a Mistake, or neglect in the post Offices did not reach me ’till the 10th. of this instant. I hope it is not too late to thank you for them both. The remedies you have demanded to releive the anguish of your mind occasioned by parting with your dear...
29To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 27 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your letter written a few days before your embarkation from for France, lays me under an Obligation to renew my correspondence with you. You are pleased to say my letters give you pleasure. This is eno’ for me. Happy shall I esteem myself if thro’ your eminent and useful Station I can convey a single idea that will add a mite to the happiness of our beloved country. Many new events have...
30From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 6 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of a Letter from you, a few days before I Sailed from Boston, which I have never been able to answer. I think I find more to do here; more Difficulty to do right and at the Same Time give Satisfaction, than I did, you know where. We Suffer here extreamly for Want of Intelligence from America, as We did there, and as I fear you do still for Want of it from Europe. We have...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 17 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed letter to Mr Coxe is from one of his family.— I have taken the liberty of addressing it to your care. Your conveying it safely to Mr Coxe will Oblige a worthy family, and Sir Your most Hble Servant Addressed: The Honble: / Benjamin Franklin Esqr: / Minister Plenipotentiary / from the / United States at / the Court of Versailles. Endorsed: Dr...
32To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 19 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
The same Opinion of your Abilities and Zeal for our country which made me rejoice in your accepting of an embassy to France, leads me to rejoice with most of your countrymen in your Safe return to your native Shores. I am sure you cannot be idle nor unconcerned ’till the Vessel in which our All is embarked is safely moored. We stand in greater Need than ever of men of your principles. You may...
33From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 10 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am indebted to you, for more Letters than I can repay at present. But declaring myself a Bankrupt, You must except of a few shillings in the Pound. Indeed I suspect the Debt is greater than I know of. I saw in the Courier de L’Europe, Part of a Letter from you to Dr. Dubourg, which was intercepted, in which you refer him to me for a long Letter you wrote me upon our military affairs &c. But...
34From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 19 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of yours of August 19, by the last Post, and thank you for your kind Congratulations on my Return. You judge right, when you Suppose, that I cannot be idle, but my Industry will probably be directed, in a different manner, in future. My Principles are not in Fashion. I may be more usefull here, as you observe, than in the Cabinet of Louis the 16. But let me tell you, that...
35To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 12 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
Accept of my thanks for your early and puntual Attention to my letter. I have ever thought myself honoured in your friendship, and shall be happy at all times in cultivating a correspondence with you. In your first letter you enquire after the state of our goverment. The best answer I can give to your Question, is that I am Afraid to commit my Opinion of men and measures in our state to...
36To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 19 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I cannot help troubling you with a second Answer to your letters on purpose to congratulate you upon the Success of your Schemes for prosecuting the war in the Southern states. Count D’Estang has done wonders. He will be acknowledged by posterity as one of the deliverers of our country. We have just heard that he is safely arrived with all the trophies of his American conquests off the Capes...
37From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 4 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of Octr. 12 and 19 are before me. I should not have left the first Seven days unanswered, if had not been for my new Trade of a Constitution monger. I inclose a Pamphlet as my Apology. It is only a Report of a Committee, and will be greatly altered no doubt. If the Committee had boldly made the Legislature consist of three Branches, I should have been better pleased. But I cannot...
38To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 28 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
This letter will be handed to you by Dr. John Foulke (a Graduate in our University) a young gentleman of a respectable Quaker family who goes to France to finish his Studies in Medicine. He is a youth of a fair character, and promising Abilities, and friendly to the liberties of his country. It gave me great pleasure to hear of your safe Arrival, and favourable reception in Spain. We long to...
39From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 1 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
I Yesterday, received your Favour of the 28 of April, the first Since my Arrival by Dr. John Foulke. This young Gentleman shall have every assistance in my power to procure him in the Prosecution of his Studies. When, or whether ever I Shall enter on the Business of my Mission, So as to restore Peace, Time only can discover. England is more disposed to a War with one another at home, and a War...
40To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 13 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
The reduction—I will not say loss of Charlestown has produced a new Era in the politicks of America—Such as you and I saw—and felt—and admired in the years 1775 and 76. Our republic cannot exist long in prosperity. We require adversity, and appear to possess most of the republican Spirit when most depressed. The papers will inform you of the exploits of our governments—of our citizens—of our...
41To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 25 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
Behold the fruits of the french Alliance! Our young men no longer look upon Great Britain as their home or Mother Country, but turn their eyes entirely to France for all the purposes of business and knowledge. The bearer of this letter Mr. Wm. West —a young merchant of excellent character, and of a respectable Quaker family waits upon you with a proof of this assertion, I beg leave to...
42From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 20 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 13 July I have received. Your Account of the Resurrection of the Spirit of 65 and 6, is very refreshing. The Ladies having undertaken, to support American Independance settles the Point. Surely no Gentleman will ever dispute it against So many of the fair. The ill bred Fellows at St. James’s will continue to quarrell about it, but We knew long ago that they have no manners. If Mrs....
43To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 23 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The discovery of Arnold’s treachery, and the new Bennington Affair in the South, have given fresh hopes and Spirits to the Whigs. We had forgotten former deliverances under our late losses and mortifica tions. But we now find that providence is on our Side, and that our independance is as secure as the everlasting mountains. We have discovered at last that God means that we should live only...
44To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 21 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of Sepr. 20 from Amsterdam came safe to hand. The contents of it were of so important a nature that I took the liberty of publishing them in our newspapers. They were known from the republican and liberal Spirit of the sentiments, to be yours, and were well received by the public. I am happy in finding that your once unpopular name, now gives weight to opinions and measures not only...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 23 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr Rush’s most respectful compliments to his venerable father, and friend Benjamin Franklin Esqr &c and begs the favor of him to forward the enclosed letters to the persons to whom they are addressed.— He has left one of them open for the Doctors perusal—in which he will see that the good old cause continues to flourish under the auspices of heaven and our...
46To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 23 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
The bearer Mr. George Harrison intends to spend a few years in a compting house in Amsterdam. He is the son of a Gentleman who once filled the first office of magistracy in our city, and his family still maintain the first rank among us. The Revd. Mr. White whose political Character and whose office as Chaplain to Congress I presume are well known to you is his Brother in law. I beg your...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 18 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I profitted so much by your kindness and conversation while I was abroad that I cannot refuse an Application from a young Student for a letter of introduction to you in order that he may assist in obtaining your Mantle and transporting it to your Native country before you leave our world.— The bearer Dr Saml Griffitts has genius and an insatiable desire for...
48From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 22 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Mr Peter Paulus, is seized with an enthusiasm to go to Philadelphia, with his Journeymen. I Should be much obliged to you, for any Advice or Civility you may Show him. The Batavian Spirit is at last arroused, and has uttered its Voice, with Majesty, for the Souvereignty of the United States of America. The 19 of April, was the memorable day, when their High Mightinesses took, the Resolution....
49To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 28 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Accept of my congratulations upon the Success of your negociations at the Hague. Your countrymen are not insensible of your Zeal and industry in effecting the important event of a connection with the States of Holland. Our hearts vibrate with the hearts of those honest republicans whose petitions and memorials opened the eyes of their rulers to acknowledge our independance. The tories...
50From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 7 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Accept of my thanks for your favor of 28 th. Sept r. — The Analogy of Religion & of Manners are undoubtedly not less advantages in the Connection with Holland, than those of Commerce and Republicanism. The Influence of the Stadtholder & his Court, the Intrigues of the English; the Weight of a numerous, wealthy & powerful English Party; the secret and open Negotiations of Neutral Powers, were...