2051To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 14 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society Since my last to you of September 6. I am favoured with Two Letters of yours by the July and August Packets, for which am much obliged. I know you have been an useful and publick spirited Member of Society, for a Number of Years past, and am sorry to find, that many, who, some Years ago, seemed to have the greatest Regard for you, are now become...
2052Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence: To Richard Jackson and Benjamin Franklin, 16 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1765–1766 (Philadelphia, 1766), p. 6. By Order of the House of Representatives, we inform you, that you are appointed joint Agents of this Province for the ensuing Year, to transact and solicit the Affairs thereof in Great-Britain. That they perceive, by a Letter from Richard Jackson, Esq; dated the Ninth of August last, “that...
2053To Benjamin Franklin from Margaret Stevenson: Bill, 18 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
MS : American Philosophical Society Doctr Benjamin Franklin to Margt Stevenson Dr for Sundries Purchased for and sent to Mrs. Jane Mecom of Boston 1765 Octor 18 To Viny & Braggs Bill for Sundrys 1 £ 6 6 – 22 To ditto’s do. do. 2 6 16 – –
2054To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 20 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I forwarded yesterday by the derby Stage, to the Swan with two necks, Lad-lane, a Hare, from Mr. Tunnicliff, which he desires the favor of You to accept as a gratful acknowledgment of the favors confer’d upon him. Since Mr. Ludlams report of Mr. Harrisons Time-keeper, has been made public, I have been considering what further improvements are wanting to...
2055Casper Krible to David Deshler, John Wister, and Richard Wister, 21 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Translation: Yale University Library This letter is neither by nor to Franklin and it is possible that he never even saw it, yet it is printed here because it gives some information on the attacks being made on him among the German settlers of Pennsylvania in connection with the Stamp Act and on the efforts of some friends and supporters to defend his reputation. Apparently, one of the men...
2056To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 23 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Four drafts: Yale University Library During 1764 Ezra Stiles had taken a firm public stand against the efforts of some Rhode Islanders to bring about a revocation of the colony’s charter and the establishment of royal government. When news of the passage of the Stamp Act arrived in Newport in April 1765 he was equally firm in his objections to the measure as a matter of political principle,...
2057To Benjamin Franklin from Hannah Walker, 26 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have sent an order according to Mrs. Stevensons Letter and return you a thousand thanks for so great a Favour and my Husband and I both Humbly ask your Pardon for so greatly offending so good a friend which if we were Present ought to be on our Bended knees for such Extreme Favours and such great offences for which Dear Sir I myself Humbly beg you will...
2058To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Hutchinson, 27 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy (mutilated): Massachusetts Archives, Office of the Secretary of State The grievous loss I have sustained in consequence of the resentment of the people against the stamp duty and the refusal of the assembly to make any compensation has obliged me to lay my case before his Majesty and to pray for relief. Indeed the loss is heavier than I am well able to bear. I hope you will...
2059From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Morton, 29 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: The Royal Society This letter was read at a meeting of the Council of the Royal Society, Nov. 14, 1765. At the previous meeting the Council had directed Morton to find out from Franklin the best way to communicate with the astronomers and geodetic surveyors, Charles Mason (1728–1786) and Jeremiah Dixon (1733–1779), then in America, and to send them needed instruments. They had been...
2060To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Armbruster: Chattel Mortgage and Inventory, 29 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society Know all Men by these Present Whereas I Anthony Armbruster of the City of Philadelphia Printer by a certain Obligation bearing Date the thirty first day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and sixty four became bound to Benjamin Franklin of the same City Esquire in the Sum of One hundred and seventy six pounds and Ten Shillings...
2061Montagu Wilmot to Alexander McNutt and Associates: Two Land Grants, 31 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Department of Lands and Forests, Halifax, Nova Scotia In the spring of 1764 Franklin’s English friend Richard Jackson aroused his interest in the possibility of acquiring land in Nova Scotia as a speculative investment and in the settlement of people from other colonies on it; above, XI , 186–7, 358–9. At about the same time or perhaps somewhat earlier, Alexander McNutt, an optimistic...
2062To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 3 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The dredfull firste of November is over; and not so much disorder as was dreded I am a shamed of maney of our sittisons but I think you air informed by better handes than I am. I am to one [own] I did not write by the laste packit all thow I did in quier when it wold saile the poste Came in after darke and wente in a quator of an ower so I Cold not write as...
2063To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 6 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This Moment yours of Sept. 17. I received, and as the Packet is tho’t will be discharged immediately, tho’ I have the Gout in my right Hand, the first Fit I have had since I been here, I venture to write a few Lines. The dreadful Commotions in this Country now, you will doubtless hear from abler Hands: I have almost done the Book I am about here: I have not...
2064To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 7 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thy Acceptable favour of the 19th of August I had the Pleasure of receiving, and am altogether of thy Mind that if this Meeting at New York shall be favourably look’d on by our Superiors at Home, Meetings of this kind may in future be of great service to America; And as I understand the Affairs thereat transacted, were laid before our House, at their last...
2065From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 9 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours and Sally’s kind Letters of Sept. 22. and Brother Read’s. Also one from our good Neighbour Thomson, and one from Brother Peter; one from Mr. Hall and one from Mr. Parker: All which I pray you to acknowledge for me, with Thanks, as I find I can not have time to write to them by this Packet. I honour much the Spirit and Courage you show’d,...
2066From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 9 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Cooper, Secretary of the Treasury, is our old Acquaintance, and expresses a hearty Friendship for us both. Enclosed I send you his Billet proposing to make me acquainted with Lord Rockingham. I dine with his Lordship To-morrow. I had a long Audience on Wednesday with Lord Dartmouth. He was highly recommended to me by Lords Grantham and...
2067From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 9 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have only time to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of Sept. 6. and thank you for the Intelligence it contains. The Disturbances in the Colonies give me great Concern, as I fear the Event will be pernicious to America in general. But I hope the Address expected home from the Congress you mention, will be couch’d in such humble and dutiful Terms, as that...
2068To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 13 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Mr. James Logan has just called upon me, to let me know that there is a Vessel sails Tomorrow for Liverpool, and that he returns to Philadelphia early in the Morning in hopes of being in Time to write by her. Had I known anything of this Vessel’s being to sail before, I should have wrote you a long Letter, as I have a great deal to communicate...
2069To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Penington, 14 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is now about four Years since I began to Correspond with Springett Penn respecting his Affairs in this Province during which time I have taken care to get the best Intelligence I could relative thereto, and have regularly Advised him of every thing material which has come to my knowledge; this I think deserves some recompence especially as I Acted a very...
2070Joseph Galloway to William Franklin, 14 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Upon my Return Home, I found the City of Philadelphia in great Commotion. The Merchants having Signd an Agreement not to Send for any European Goods unless the Stamp Act was repealed, The next Measure Set on foot by the Proprietarians was to compell all the Publick Officers to do business on Common Paper. Tickets were Sent about to the Houses of the...
2071To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, [16?–28? November 1765] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Americans and remove their chief Complaint and all reasonable Cause of [Murmurs?] and Discontent, notwithstanding their present objections to it. They will naturally conceive it their Duty to obey Institutions and Laws agreed on by their own representatives; And in my Opinion This woud form the Strongest and most indissoluble Bond of Union, that...
2072To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Hutchinson, 18 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Archives I am very much obliged to you for your letter [of] Aug. the 15t. I was disappointed in one of the commissioners from Repres[entative]s of this Pro[vince]. Mr. R only having firmness enough [ shorthand or cipher ] all the rest of the commis[sioners] except Mr. Ogden of the Jersies [ shorthand or cipher. ] I have been in most parts of this Prov[ince], and...
2073To Benjamin Franklin from John Balfour, 21 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I believe I forgot to mention in my last, that at your desire, I had not sent over any power of Attorney to make effectual the Debt due to us by Mr. James Parker of New York, I have had several Letters from him promissing a Remmittance, and also from one Mr. John Holt who it seems had enterd into Copartnership with him. The Debt has been long due; and was...
2074To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 26 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; draft and letterbook copy: Yale University Library On the 22d Instant I received your Favor of the 5th. of July last, and the Diploma from the University of Edinburgh, with the several Letters relating to it. It is owing to you, Sir, that the University has done me this unmerited Honor, and therefore my Gratitude is due to both. To be enrolled in the...
2075From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, [27 November 1765] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library Oh! my dear Friend! I never was more surpriz’d than on reading your Note. I grieve for you, for Mrs. Strahan, for Mr. Johnston, for the little ones, and your whole Family. The Loss is indeed a great one! She was every thing that one could wish, in every Relation. I do not offer you the common Topics of Consolation. I know by Experience how little they avail; that...
2076To Benjamin Franklin from Hugh Roberts, 27 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am favoured with thy short Epistle of Augt. 9th and when I considered the lesser demand thou mentions for Cutting a Seal was ten Guineas and the little prospect there is of our fixing it for a donation again (unless that pernicious Stamp Act is Repealed or Mitigated which is likely to subvert good Neighbourhood Charity and Benevolence thro’ the...
2077Joseph Galloway to Richard Jackson and Benjamin Franklin, 29 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Merchants of this City, greatly destrest with the present Circumstances of their Commerce, have transmitted to the Merchants and Manufacturers of Great Brittain, a Memorial Pointing out their Difficulties and hinting at the Remedies &c. which they Conceive will afford them the Desired Relief. They have been induced to take this Step from an Expectation,...
2078To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 30 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library The inclosed is the Copy of a Letter I delivered on the 16th. Inst. to be conveyed by a Vessel bound to Falmouth, which is not yet sailed, but continues at Providence. On the 22d. Inst. I received your Letter of 5th July with the Diploma from the University of Edinburgh. I have prepared the Letters in Acknowledgment of this unexpected Honor, and shall...
2079To Benjamin Franklin from John Ross, [November 1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society In the Midst of our Confusions, You will permit me to trouble You with the reading a line from me also, but to give You a Regular Course of Intelligence Concerning our affairs, is What I will not Attempt, as I hate Writing Very much, and leave that to Mr. Hughes our Welsh Squire, who upon Honour has fought the Battle Manfully, and I think there...
2080To Benjamin Franklin from William Heberden, [4–9 December 1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Dr. Heberden sends his compliments to Dr. Franklin, and desires the favor of his company at dinner on wednesday next (Decr. 11th.) at half an hour past three. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / craven Street On William Heberden, physician and author of a treatise on inoculation for which BF wrote the preface, see above, VIII , 281 n. During the years in...
2081To Benjamin Franklin from Baynton, Wharton & Morgan, 6 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We did Our selves the Pleasure of Writing to You, on the [ blank ] Ultimo via Liverpoole, To which be pleas’d to be referr’d. We must again take the liberty of troubling You on a matter, Wherein, We daresay, You will cheerfully serve Us, As it will eventually be rendering an essential kindness to many Merchants, besides Our Selves, in the different Citys of...
2082To Benjamin Franklin from Timothy Goolding, 7 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having been from home all day on Business prevented my waiting on you, been since inform’d that an Account of the Curtains were Immediately wanted, have therefore inclos’d it, I beg the favour of you Sir to Convey my respectful Compliments to the Governour and his Lady. With thanks for their kind Remembrance of Me, and please to mention that if the Curtains...
2083To Benjamin Franklin from George Croghan, 12 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office As I am return’d to this City, after my long Tour thro’ the Indian Country, I do myself the honor of sending you a brief Journal of my Transactions, as I am persuaded, you are deeply interested in whatever respects the welfare of America. Ever since the Cession of Canada and its appendages to the British Crown, it has been found, that the French Settlements, in the...
2084From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I can only write one Line to let you know I am well, and shall write fully to you and all my Friends as soon as [the] Parliament adjourns for the Holidays, which it will do next Week. I receiv’d [your] kind Letters per Friend and per the Packet. My Love to Sally and all Friends. I am, Your ever affectionate Husband Parliament was summoned to meet on Dec....
2085To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Hopkinson, 13 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By this Time I hope his Lordship has recieved our Letters, and as the Bishops always spend their Winter in London it is probable he may have desired a Conversation with you on the Discovery of his Family, and has made more particular Enquiries about his Relations in Philadelphia; And very happy do we esteem ourselves in having a Friend in England to answer...
2086To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 17 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office You will probably have heard before this reaches you of the Return of Col. Croghan, and the Success he every where met with in his Negotiations with the Indians. Frequent Attempts (some of them very expensive) had been before fruitlessly made by the Military to take Possession of the Illinois. And tho’ that valuable Country has of Right belonged to us ever since the...
2087“F.B.”: First Reply to Tom Hint, [19 December 1765] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , December 19, 1765. In The Pennsylvania Chronicle, and Universal Advertiser , Feb. 9–16, 1767, the printer, William Goddard, reprinted several letters from English newspapers which he prefaced with the following note: “Agreeable to our Promise, we now lay before our Readers three of the Pieces wrote and published by Dr. Franklin, in Defence of...
2088To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 20 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My last to you was the Beginning of November last, very short, as I was then taken with the Gout in my Hand, and could scarce write at all: I had just then received yours of the Middle of Sept. with the Invoice of the Goods you sent to Mr. Hughes of New-York: I immediately wrote to a Friend at New-York, as I was unable to Stir myself: They arrived just...
2089“F.B.”: Second Reply to Tom Hint, [23 December 1765] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , December 27, 1765 This is the second of Franklin’s letters that William Goddard reprinted in The Pennsylvania Chronicle, and Universal Advertiser , Feb. 9–16, 1767, and of which Franklin later acknowledged authorship. “Tom Hint” had responded to Franklin’s first letter in the Gazetteer of December 23. In answer to the demand that he put his...
2090“N.N.”: First Reply to Vindex Patriae, [28 December 1765] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , December 28, 1765. This is the third of Franklin’s letters in the Gazetteer that Goddard reprinted in The Pennsylvania Chronicle, and Universal Advertiser , Feb. 9–16, 1767, and that Franklin later acknowledged he had written. It is a reply to a letter in the Gazetteer , Dec. 23, 1765, signed “Vindex Patriae.” For the most part, that...
2091To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 30 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have alredy wrote you two Leters won about four months ago [by?] Capt. Freeman, the other about a month Past by Capt. Logee, since which I received won from you which came by way of Nantucket which was Extreemly comforting to me, as I was almost Tempted to think you had forgot me, but I check those thoughts with the consideration of the Difeculties you...
2092To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 30 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote thee a few Lines on the 18th Inst.—and two days past was favoured with thy Letter of the 26th Sepr. for which I thank thee: the same being deliver’d me by N. Evans who arrived in Cap. Sparks. Which day and the following arrived also Capts. Hammitt and Robinson, and We are pleased to find that the Cargoes of these three Vessels do not make up the...
2093From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 31 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thanks to you for the Garters, and for the Lines that accompany them; the Knitting of the latter is as even and as pretty as that of the former, and the Work much more durable, for with me it will never wear out. Your Mama is pretty well, and gone abroad. We purpose to be at Kensington tomorrow and hope to have the Pleasure of finding you all well. I am...
2094To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society None of the following notes can be dated with precision; it is possible that some may have been written during BF ’s first mission, while others may have been composed as late as 1775. They are placed here because they seem to the editors to belong to the second mission, and in accordance with editorial practice because this is the earliest year in which...
2095To Benjamin Franklin from Mather Byles, [1765–1766] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New England Historical Genealogical Society It was with great Surprize and Pleasure, that I received your Picture, from Philadelphia. And it is with no little Pride, that when the Picture introduces talk of the Original, a Theme always pleasing to the Lovers of Learning, that I can pronounce, “ This was sent me by Dr. Franklin himself .” But my Ambition has been strangly augmentd by a...
2096To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [1765–1768] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Peter Collinson is much obliged for his Dear Frinds Calling Yesterday—Shall be glad to See Him to Dine with Mee next Thursday Two Clock and then go afterwards to Crane Court. I am Engaged to Dine att Your End of the Town to Day Being called Sunday in Hast. Addressed: To / Benm. Franklin Esqr / these This note can not have been written later than Aug. 11,...
2097To Benjamin Franklin from Grey Cooper, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Cooper presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and returns him many thanks for the honor of his obliging Enquiries. Addressed: Dr. Frankln’s For Grey Cooper, M.P., 1765–84; secretary to the Treasury, 1765–82; see above, X , 182 n.
2098To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cumming, [1765–1774] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society T. Cumming presents his best respects to his worthy friend Doctor Franklin, and begs the favour of his company to eat a bit of venison (from Brislay park) at three o’Clock, with their Friend John Wright at C’s house. Addressed: To / Doctor Franklin / Craven Street. For Thomas Cumming, a London Quaker merchant, see above, X , 345–6. Since Cumming died on May...
2099To Benjamin Franklin from William Denny, [1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Col. Denny presents his compliments to Dr. Franklin, and should be glad to have the pleasure of dining with him at a tavern; for being in lodgings he cannot ask the favour of his company at home. If it is agreeable, will bespeak a dinner at the Star and Garter, Pall Mall, at a crown a head to be ready at four o’clock. Please to name sunday, monday, or...
2100Mr. and Mrs. [Samuel?] Mead to Margaret Stevenson and Benjamin Franklin, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. and Mrs. Mead’s Compliments to Mrs. Stephinson, and Doctor Franklin, and are sorry the day the Doctor was at leisure to have done them the favour of a Visit, did not fall out, to have accepted it; They hope the first convenient time the Doctor hath, he will; and that Mrs. Stephenson will be so good to bring the young Gentleman she mentioned! Mr. and Mrs....