14551Proceedings of the Albany Congress, 19 June 1754–11 July 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office, London; Rhode Island State Archives; John Carter Brown Library; New York State Library; Maryland Hall of Records; Massachusetts Historical Society James DeLancey had summoned the Albany Congress to meet on June 14, but its opening session did not take place until the 19th. The delay was caused chiefly by the failure of some of the Iroquois to come to Albany on...
14552From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 27 September 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Since my last of the 12th Instant, I have been told that one Williamson of Pensilvania who is here, reads Letters at the Coffeehouse, said to be from you to me, or from me to you, I know not which, nor have I been told the Import of them, so I cannot judge whether they may not be Forgeries. He is going over, and probably you may hear more of the Matter there than...
14553To Benjamin Franklin from John Canton, [1766] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Canton presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and begs to be inform’d whether, or not, in Writing to Dr. Priestley, he has mention’d Mr. C’s wanting Æpinus’s Tentamen Theoria Electricitatis et Magnetismi for Mr. Cavendish; if not, Mr. C would beg the Favour of a Frank. Addressed: To / Doctor Franklin So dated by the reference to the book by Aepinus,...
14554From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 26 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Maryland Historical Society I wrote to you on the 22d Instant, via Maryland. I now congratulate you again on the Prospect of having the Stamp Act repeal’d. The Grand Committee reported on Monday. Mr. Conway mov’d that Leave should be given to bring in a Bill for repealing the American Stamp Act. The Motion being seconded and agreed to, one of the late Ministry mov’d, that a Clause should...
14555To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Osborne, [c. 1766] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Osborn’s Compliments to Dr. Francklin and If he writes to Dr. Fothergill that He woud be so kind as to recomend me to the Dr. to publish or purchase the Quakers bible and shoud be Oblidged If he woud Inform me what No. of Books might goe off in His part of the World. Mr. Bevan is my friend and will serve me. Endorsed: Mr Osborne gave this to Mrs...
14556Editorial Note on Undated Letters Assigned to 1777 (Franklin Papers)
The undated and, at least as yet, undatable material from the French years is massive. Taking notice of it all together at this point would be in keeping with our general policy of assigning each document to its earliest plausible date. Doing so, however, would not only produce a headnote of stupendous length and dullness but also, more important, would foreclose the possibility that clues...
14557Editorial Note on Four Undated Letters from Madame Brillon, [1777?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society We summarize these brief notes here, on the highly questionable assumption that they were written late in 1777. Their tone suggests an early phase of the relationship, but they reveal almost nothing else about it. One, with no date, is an invitation to tea with her and her family. Another, dated eight o’clock Thursday, explains that she cannot come to see...
14558To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Gale, 15 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Had I been apprized of your Crossing [ torn ] a Second time in the Service of your Country [ torn; Exp]erience of past favours, and the well known [ torn ] temper of your Mind, I should almost have been [ torn ] to have Asked the favour of you, to have recom[mended] me to the notice of some Gentleman of Charecter eminent in the practice of Phisick in...
14559Subscriptions to the Academy, 14 November 1749 (Franklin Papers)
DS : University of Pennsylvania Archives The 14th: Day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven Hundred and forty-nine. For the Encouragement of this useful good and charitable Undertaking, to enable the Trustees and their Successors to begin, promote, continue and enlarge the same, humbly hoping, through the Favour of Almighty God, and the Bounty and Patronage of pious and...
14560From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel Burton, 21 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Society for the Propagation of the Gospel Being informed that Mr. Jonathan Odell purposes applying to the Venerable Society, for an Appointment to the Mission of Burlington in New Jersey, I beg leave to acquaint you that from the Character he bears I apprehend such Appointment may be very agreable to the Congregation there; and that if the Society think fit to favour his Request, I shall...
14561To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [June 1766] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society [ First part missing ] That the Proprietors must have lost their Interest, Otherwise Mr. F, could not have got, that Obnoxious Man, John Hughs appointed —Indeed! To do them Justice, I verily think, They believe it is all Over, with Them, for your Old Acquaintance Dr. Thomas Bond told Me last Night, They were extremely Mortified and disappointed....
14562From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 28 April 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received several of your kind Favours since my Arrival in England, the last by your good Brother, the Subject not in the least disagreable as you apprehend, but in Truth it has not been at all in my Power to do what you desir’d; if for no other Reasons, yet for this, that there has been no Vacancy. I congratulate you on the Repeal of that Mother of...
14563To Benjamin Franklin from James Pemberton, 1 May 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania It is not with a view to add to the number of thy Correspondents, and thereby encrease thy trouble of writing; but from a motive of regard that I Send this. Conscious of thy integrity abilities and firmness to Serve thy Country I rest fully Satisfied in respect to myself but Observing with Concern every occasion however frivolous is taken to keep alive...
14564From Benjamin Franklin to ———, 6 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I have attentively perus’d the Paper you sent me, and am of Opinion that the Measure it proposes of an Union with the Colonies is a wise one: but I doubt it will hardly be thought so here, ’till tis too late to attempt it. The Time has been when the Colonies, would have esteem’d it a great Advantage as well as Honour to them to be permitted to send Members...
14565To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 13 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your favours of Sept. 26, and Novr. 9th. We are Sensible of the many Obstructions and unavoidable Difficulties which you have met with in proceeding on our Petitions. And from the perfect Confidence we repose in you we have not the least doubt, but that every thing has been done for the Obtaining the Desirable Object, a Royal Government, should...
14566From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 27 September 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I received your very kind Letter of May 20. which came here while I was absent in Germany. The favourable Sentiments you express of my Conduct with regard to the Repeal of the Stamp Act, give me real Pleasure; and I hope in every other matter of publick Concern, so to behave myself as to stand fair in the Opinions of the Wise and Good: What the rest think and say of...
14567Information to Those Who Would Remove to America, [before March 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Printed at Passy, [1784]; AD (draft): Yale University Library; copy: Library of Congress When Franklin sent this pamphlet to Secretary of Congress Charles Thomson on March 9, he explained it as follows: “I am pestered continually with Numbers of Letters from People in different Parts of Europe, who would go to settle in America; but who manifest very extravagant Expectations, such as I can by...
14568From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you a few days ago by Mr. Penrose via Mary land, when I wrote also to the Speaker, to Mr. Galloway, Mr. Hughes and Mr. Hall. I have now as little time as then to enlarge, having wrote besides to day so much that I am almost blind. But by the March Packet shall fully answer your late Letters. Let the Vaults alone till my Return: As you have a Wood...
14569To Benjamin Franklin from Sir John Pringle, [1766–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Sir J Pringle’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin and acquaints him that he now recollects that the gentleman from Geneva was not to call till 8 o’cl this evening and therefore begs that if Dr. F. is not engaged he would favour with his company, in order to gratify that learned gentleman. Also, that Dr. F. would further oblige him by eating with him tomorrow his...
14570To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 27 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you by the Packet, inclosing a Copy of the Extract of a Letter from Thomas Penn Esqr. to his Nephew the Governor, which is inclosed in this Letter. This Account of the Petitions for a Change of this Government from Proprietary to Royal, has struck our Friends with the utmost Consternation. And indeed I am not a little alarmed at the Consequences....
14571From Benjamin Franklin to Ann Penn, 20 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Albert H. Smyth, ed., The Writings of Benjamin Franklin , iv (New York, 1906), 466–7. I received yours of the eleventh Instant, and condole with you most sincerely on the loss of your Son—my amiable young friend. It must have been a heavy loss to you; For he was truly a good Child; His last Will is only the last Instance of the affectionate dutiful Regard he always...
14572To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Morton, 24 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Lord Morton’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin, Acquaints him that he has been elected one of the Auditors on the part of the Society, and desires the favor of his Company to Dinner on Saturday next the 29th, and that he would come about one o’Clock so as there may be time to Examine the Accounts before Dinner. Addressed: To / Doctor Franklin For James Douglas,...
14573To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Broughton, 3 July 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you will pardon me as I am really sorry to find myself Obliged to trouble you On this Occasion but as I have tryed every Other way in my power and found them Enefectual I will not doubt your Usuall Candor will plead My excuse and now to take Up No More of your Usefull time I must inform you that I have had An Account Running on with Mrs. Franklin for...
14574To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, [14 July–15 August 1766] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society On Satterday I wrote to you and in Closed a bill to you gave it to Mr. Foxcrofte to send as I did not know wather the Packit wold not Saile before this poste. Laste evening I reseved a line and halef from Salley to let me know that thay was returnd on Satterday night and was well the reste was a bought getting things for them as Lord Hope was to...
14575Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence to Richard Jackson and Benjamin Franklin, 8 May 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress When the Assembly reconvened in May after a recess of about three months, “A Member of the Committee of Correspondence,” undoubtedly Joseph Galloway, presented letters from Franklin “addressed to that Member only, and not to the said Committee, though relative to the Business of the Public.” When the letters had been read the House resolved that the Committee “do...
14576From Benjamin Franklin to the Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence, 11 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania , v (Henry Miller, Phila., 1775), 446, in the record of May 6, 1766; also as a broadside headed “Addendum,” but taken from the Miller edition (n.p., n.d., copy in Yale University Library). In Compliance with the Direction in the Committee’s Letter, I have procured, and now send you...
14577From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan: Report on William Pitt’s Speech in the House of Commons, [14 January 1766] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Pierpont Morgan Library When Parliament reassembled on January 14 after a recess of about four weeks, the King delivered a speech from the throne recommending in deliberately indefinite terms that the members give attention to “the just Rights and Authority of the British Legislature” and the “Welfare and Prosperity of all my People.” The king promised that his ministers would lay papers...
14578Petition to the Pennsylvania Assembly regarding Fairs, 1731 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania To the Honourable House of Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania The Petition of divers Inhabitants of the City of Philadelphia Humbly sheweth That the Fairs which are held in this City twice a Year are of very small Benefit to the Inhabitants the Wares therein sold being either such as may be bought at any other Time, or else insignificant...
14579To Benjamin Franklin from William Heberden, [Before 29 September 1766] (Franklin Papers)
AL : William Pepper, Philadelphia (1956) Dr. Heberden sends his compliments to Dr. Franklin and desires the favor of his company at dinner on monday next (Sept. 29th.) at half an hour past three. On Dr. Heberden, distinguished physician, for whose pamphlet on smallpox inoculation BF had written the preface, see above, VIII , 281. Since the invitation was for “monday next (Sept. 29th.),” it...
14580From Benjamin Franklin to Abbot Upcher, 4 October 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Since my Return from abroad I have been inform’d of your good Purpose to purchase a land[ed?] Estate in America of the Value of One Thousand Pounds and to apply the Rents and Profits thereof to the Support of Schools for the Instruction of Negro Children. And I have been desired by the Associates to consider the Matter, and give my Opinion where, and in...
14581From Benjamin Franklin to [Hugh Roberts], 27 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I receiv’d your kind Letter of Nov. 27. You cannot conceive how much Good the cordial Salutations of an old Friend do the Heart of a Man so far from home, and hearing frequently of the Abuses thrown on him in his Absence by the Enemies that Party has rais’d against him. In the meantime I hope I have done even those Enemies some Service in our late...
14582From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [February–March 1766] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society There is a brown Paper Packet for you directed but contains chiefly a Letter and Parcel of News papers for Billy, which pray send to him directly. I mean the Newspapers. You need not indeed open the Pacquet, if it were not to take out a Letter or two for Neighbour Sumain, and the Beans. But pray send him up the Papers directly before they are...
14583To Benjamin Franklin from the Associates of Dr. Bray, [4 December? 1766] (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with ms insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society The Associates of Dr. Bray, for establishing Parochial Libraries, and instructing the Negroes in the British Plantations, meet on Thursday the 4 Day of December at Ten o’Clock, at their Office at the Angel and Bible, in Ave-Mary Lane. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin Near / The Strand For the Associates of Dr. Bray, a...
14584To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 12 July 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your kind letter of May the 9th by the Packet, for which I am much obliged, and observe what you say as to the Accounts; but, as you are pleased to express your Satisfaction, with respect to my Desire of settling every thing right, and my Sentiments are exactly the same as to you, we can not, as you remark, have any Difference:...
14585From Benjamin Franklin to Rudolph Erich Raspe, 21 July 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Landesbibliothek, Kassel I had a Bill on Messrs. Michael David, & Fils, for 526 ⅓ Reichs Thalern. I receiv’d 50 Ducats in Specie, and a Bill on Franckfurth for 134 Ducats, making in all but 184 Ducats. I request the Favour of Monsr. Raspè to speak of it to Monsr. David, and to get the Mistake rectified, receiving and retaining in his Hands the Money still due to me, to pay for such Books...
14586From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Hopkinson, 9 May 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have been so busy that I have not had time to go to the Customhouse about your Salary, since mine of Feby. 26. (but will now do it soon) nor to write to you since I saw the Bishop, which was some time after he receiv’d your Letters. He express’d a Pleasure in hearing of and from his Relations, enquir’d in what manner he could send Letters to you, and...
14587From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, [10 May 1766] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.,] A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), p. 275. I like the project of a colony in the Ilinois country, and will forward it to my utmost here. The original letter has not been found. On the relationship between this extract and those immediately above and below, see the headnote to the one...
14588To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Kent, 19 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With a pleasing pride I often recollect, your former complaisance in calling me Brother Ben and agreable to the Old saying non Animam Mutant, qui trans mare Currunt. I still challenge the Honour of being your Friend: but I should be but a miserable private Friend, If I was not the Friend of all men: and it is from that, principle, as well an especial Love...
14589Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts, 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Of the accounts discussed throughout the French period, the following still apply: VI, XII, XIII, XVI, XVII, XIX, XXI–XXIII. We offer here a summary of entries which have not found a place elsewhere in our annotation, but which provide insights into Franklin’s private and public life during the course of this volume. Account VI ( XXIII , 21) records an Oct. 13 payment of 32 l.t. for Franklin’s...
14590To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Kent, [c. September 1766] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Assure you I am not so mercinary as to expect the undeserv’d favour of A Line from you; but agreable to An old Observation, on which I much rely viz Non animam Mutant qui trans mare Currunt I shall make my self as free with you, as when you used to flatter me, with the kind appellation of, “Brother” Ben. And If these should Interrupt your grand Concerns...
14591Record of Birth, 6 January 1706 (Franklin Papers)
MS Record, Boston Births, V , 113: City Registry, Boston Benjamen Son of Josiah Frankling & Abiah his Wife born 6 Janry 1706 This entry is taken from an official compilation, made at some later time, from the original book of record. The clerk used the year dates of the New Style calendar (adopted by Great Britain in 1752), recording the year of BF ’s birth as a simple 1706 instead...
14592Response to a Memorandum of Sabatier fils & Després, [c. 29 August? 1783] (Franklin Papers)
D : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Apostille proposée par Monsieur Le Docteur Francklin Sur le Mémoire de MM. Sabatier fils et Desprez. Jepense que MM. Sabatier fils et Desprez dirigent Irrégulierement Leur demande Sur moy qui n’ayant jamais eté partie dans le marché dont il Sagit, et n’ayant pas dû m’attendre à La répétition de La somme qui en est L’objet, n’ait fait aucune...
14593From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 11 October 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind little Letter of August 26. per Packet. Scarce any one else wrote to me by that Opportunity. I suppose they imagin’d I should not be return’d from Germany. You mention writing to me by a Son of Mr. Potts’s. A Ship is come from Philadelphia, Capt. Golley. But I have only one Letter in her, and that is from Mr. Hall, to whom my Respects....
14594Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts (Franklin Papers)
The following accounts, identified in earlier volumes, continue to apply to the current period: VI and VII ( XXIII , 21); XVII ( XXVI , 3); XIX and XXII ( XXVIII , 3–4); XXV, XXVII ( XXXII , 3–4); XXX ( XXXVI , 3); XXXI ( XXXVIII , 3). We offer here a summary of entries that have not found a place elsewhere in our annotation but provide insights into Franklin’s private and public life. Account...
14595From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Fox, 1 March 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William Logan Fox, Philadelphia (1956) I wrote to you of the 22d past, via Maryland. Inclos’d I send a Copy of the late Votes on the Affair of the American Stamp-Act. The Repeal is now in a fair way of being compleated, on which I congratulate you and the Assembly. I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant, P.S. An Act will pass at the same time with the Repeal of the Stamp Act,...
14596Editorial Note on a Charity Appeal, [before 15 April 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Broadside: American Philosophical Society Among Franklin’s papers in the American Philosophical Society is a one-page printed invitation to the “Assemblées de Charité,” held at the Grand Châtelet on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoon of Holy Week, April 15–17, 1778; it was in a packet that Franklin endorsed “Notes and Invitations.” The assembly was a religious service followed by a...