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....
2101To Benjamin Franklin from [Henry] Potts, [1765–1767] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Potts presents his Compliments to Doctor Francklin and desires the favor of his Company at Dinner Thursday next the 19th Instant. An Answer is desired. Addressed: Benjamin Francklin Esq. / Craven Street Analysis of handwriting has led the editors to conclude that this note and the one immediately following were written by Henry Potts, secretary of the...
2102To Benjamin Franklin from [Henry] Potts, [1765–1767] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Potts presents his Compliments to Mr. Francklin, will be glad of the favor of his Company tomorrow to eat part of a Haunch of Vension. An Answer is desired. At four oClock. Addressed: To / Benjamin Francklin Esqr. / In Craven Street / Strand
2103To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Govr. Pownall presents his Compliments to Mr. Franklin and shou’d be very glad to the favour of his company to Dinner to Day. If he is engaged Govr. Pownall shou’d be very glad to see him any Part of this Evening if not otherwise engaged. [ Memo in Franklin’s hand: ] Forts. and Indian Expenses. Ministers make an impossible Act and run mad that it will not...
2104To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society If you have nothing better to do will you be so good to call on me this Morning and take a Family Dinner with us. I would call on you but having the symptoms of a great Minister strong upon by name the Gout I am not able to walk. I wish much to see you. Your friend and Servant Addressed: To / B Franklin Esqr / &c William Pitt, a famous sufferer from the...
2105To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Govr. Pownall presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin finds he shall necessarily be detained at home here to too late an hour for breakfasting with Dr. Franklin. But will if not inconvenient call upon him about eleven. Addressed: Dr Franklin / at Mrs Stevenson’s / Craven Street/ Strand
2106To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Salt, [1765] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your’s received was glad to hear of your Safe Arivall to England. As your Stay will be for Some time hope youll take a Tower in this Country and Shall be proud to See you at Bir[ming]ham but Should with a grate dale more Plesure had I not Lost the best of friends the Dearest Companion your Relation my wife who Departed this Life the 26 of January 1764. I do...
2107To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Strahan presents his best Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and begs he would send the Letter by the Bearer. This note might have been written at any time when BF was in London after he had received his honorary doctorate from the University of St. Andrews in February 1759. It is possible that the letter Strahan referred to was one of BF ’s communications to...
2108To Benjamin Franklin from William and Margaret Strahan, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. and Mrs. Strahan present their Compliments to Dr. Franklin and the Ladies, and conceiving it may be more agreeable and convenient for them, will not dine till three o’Clock to day. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / or / Mrs. Stevenson Apparently “the Ladies” were Mrs. Stevenson and her daughter Mary (Polly), if the note was written before the latter’s...
2109To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Whately, [1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Whately presents his Compliments to Mr. Franklyn and will be much obliged to him, if he will do him the favor to call upon him at the Treasury tomorrow morning between twelve and one OClock. Addressed: To / —— Franklyn Esqr. / Craven Street / T Whately Thomas Whately ( c. 1728–1772) was secretary to George Grenville and then to the Treasury, October 1763...
2110To Benjamin Franklin from Mr. and Mrs. Wood, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. and Mrs. Wood present their Compliments to Dr. Frankland and beg the favour of his Company to dinner to morrow at three o’ Clock. An undated note from Mrs. Stevenson of about 1767–70 mentions a Mr. Wood who called while BF was away from Craven Street for a few days. The caller told her that BF knew where he lodged and that they had seen each other in...
2111The Mother Country. A Song, [1765–1772?] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Cornell University Library This song occupies one side of a single sheet, at the bottom of which Jared Sparks wrote “(Franklin’s hand-writing) J. S.” The present editors agree with his identification. Nothing has been found to indicate whether Franklin composed these verses himself or merely copied them from another source because they amused and pleased him. They probably date from the...
2112To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Hutchinson, 1 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Archives, Office of the Secretary of State Upon a review of my last letter from you I find that you asked my opinion upon an application to Parliament for repres[entation] from the colonies and that I omitted taking notice of your desire in my answer. When the scheme of a stamp duty was first known in the colonies the general voice was that it would deprive them...
2113“Pacificus Secundus”: Reply to “Pacificus,” 2 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted in The Pennsylvania Chronicle, And Universal Advertiser , February 16–23, 1767, from The Public Advertiser , January 2, 1766. Franklin’s contributions to the newspaper debate in England that followed the passage of the Stamp Act and the emergence of colonial opposition in 1765 continued into the early weeks of 1766. The problem of identifying his contributions and the grounds for...
2114“Homespun”: Second Reply to “Vindex Patriae”, 2 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , January 2, 1766 This is the second of two letters that Goddard reprinted in the Pennsylvania Chronicle , Feb. 16–23, 1767, the authorship of which is attributed to him there and in William Franklin’s memorandum. It is his second response to a letter by “Vindex Patriae” printed in the Gazetteer , Dec. 23, 1765, refusing to admit the economic...
2115“F.B.”: On the Paving of Chancery Lane, 4 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , January 4, 1766 While there is no certainty that Franklin wrote this squib, the editors agree with Verner W. Crane ( Letters to the Press , pp. 44–5) that “the probability . . . is strong enough to justify its inclusion” among his writings. The style and lightness of touch are characteristic; his interest in street paving appears several...
2116To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 4 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society About eight Days after mine per December Packet, yours of Sept. 26 1765 per Capt. Robinson came to Hand: The Chief Matter in yours, which my last will not serve for an Answer to, is that part relating to Mr. Balfour: Tho’ I have the highest Sense of your Kindness in what Answer you return’d him, yet I have now wrote to them, and inclose it to you, first...
2117“N.N.”: On the Tenure of the Manor of East Greenwich, 6 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , January 11, 1766. This letter was the first of two that Goddard reprinted in the Pennsylvania Chronicle , March 2–9, 1767, the authorship of which William Franklin later also attributed to his father. It is part of his newspaper controversy with “Vindex Patriae” and the second in the series that he signed “N.N.” His opponent’s first letter,...
2118From 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...
2119“N.N.”: Communicating Massachusetts Documents, 7–9 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , January 7–9, 1766 This introductory note to the printer is attributed to Franklin chiefly because its signature, “N.N.,” is one he certainly used for three other letters to the press in the winter of 1765–66 and continued to use from time to time during later years. With this communication Franklin sent copies of the instructions adopted by the Boston town...
2120From 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...