2101To 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...
2102Joseph 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 The Merchants having Signd an Agreement not to Send for any European Goods unless the Stamp Act was repealed, The next Measure Set on foot by the Proprietarians was to compell all the Publick Officers to do business on Common Paper.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...
2103To 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...
2104To 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...
2105To 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...
2106To 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...
2107From 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...
2108To 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...
2109Joseph 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,...
2110To 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...
2111To 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...
2112To 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...
2113To 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...
2114To 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...
2115From 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....
2116To 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...
2117To 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...
2118“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...
2119To 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...
2120“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...
2121“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...
2122To 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...
2123To 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...
2124From 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...
2125To 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...
2126To Benjamin Franklin from George Maddison, [1766–1773]6 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society G. Maddison called to acquaint Dr. Franklin that the Packets for America do not go from the Gen. Post Office till Saturday night. George Maddison (1747–1783) had been brought into the Foreign Office of the Post Office by 1765 by his uncle, Anthony Todd, secretary of the Post Office. In 1773 Maddison entered the diplomatic service and was posted to the Hague,...
2127To Benjamin Franklin from John Mervin Nooth, [before 22 April 1773]: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: printed in the Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions …, LXIII (1773), part I , 333–9. It must undoubtedly appear extraordinary, that, in the present age, when the study of electricity is become so general, and the advances that have been made in the science are so very considerable, I should attempt to recall your attention to the structure of the electrical machine. But I believe...
2128To Benjamin Franklin from [Mary] Rich, [1766–1769] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society As Miss Rich finds her Servant deliverd the money and Reciept to a Little Girl, She is desirous to know that Dr. Franklin recievd it, therefore begs he will just write her a line by the penny Post. She will also be obligd to him for the Direction to the man that made the Spindle &ca in Case She Should at any time want his Assistance. She finds so much...
2129To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [1766?–1768] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society P Collinson very Respectfull Inquires after his Dear Friends Health hopes to See him next Thurday. The Inclosed Letter Shows the purpose of the Ingenious Mr. Moors waiting on You to Show his Curious Types. Addressed: To / Benn. Franklin Esqr / at Mrs Stephensons in / Craven Street This note cannot have been written later than Aug. 11, 1768, the date of...
2130From Benjamin Franklin to John Hughes, [1766] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society The addressee of the letter of which this is a fragment and the matter to which it refers are made clear by a letter Franklin wrote Galloway, June 18, 1767 (Princeton Univ. Lib.), and by entries in Franklin’s accounts dated June 2, 1769. During Franklin’s stay in America, 1762–64, one Mitchell (perhaps Abraham Mitchell, a Philadelphia hatter)...
2131Passages for Priestley’s History of Electricity, [1766] (Franklin Papers)
Drafts: American Philosophical Society As other documents in this volume show, Franklin was one of several friends who read sections of Joseph Priestley’s History of Electricity while it was in preparation during 1766, offered information and suggestions, and on occasion submitted revised or expanded phraseology at various points. Among Franklin’s surviving papers are two sheets containing...
2132To 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,...
2133To Benjamin Franklin from [John] Hunter, [1766?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Hunter intreats the favour of Docr. Franclin’s Company to Tea this Evening as Mr. H. is going to Bath to Morrow, and Wishes to see Mr. Franclin very much first. For John Hunter, a merchant of Hampton, Va., and a colonel in the Va. militia, who settled in England by the fall of 1765, see above, VI , 223 n; XII , 354. As a kinsman and bondsman of John...
2134To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, [1766] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society [ First part missing ] ly; and in a direct line, I some times inclosed them [in?] small glass tubes. I make these experiments with great care, as my machine is constructed so as to electrify with equal strength by the rubber, or by the conductor, and I can change the mode of operation in an [instant?]. I am still in a course of experiments upon...
2135Magna Britannia: Her Colonies Reduc’d, [January–February 1766] (Franklin Papers)
“Explanation” and “Moral” reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D. F.R.S. &c. (quarto edition, London, 1817–18), i, 219–20. Philadelphia “Explanation” reprinted from print in American Philosophical Society Library. Among the methods Franklin used during the winter of 1765–66 to gain support for the repeal of the Stamp Act was the...
2136Fragments of a Pamphlet on the Stamp Act, [January 1766] (Franklin Papers)
Plan, notes, rough draft, and fair copy: American Philosophical Society During the period of agitation and discussion before the repeal of the Stamp Act Franklin began to prepare a pamphlet to supplement his letters to the newspapers. No published pamphlet that he might have written has been found, and it is probable that, well before he had finished writing, the movement for repeal had gained...
2137To 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...
2138“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...
2139“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...
2140“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...
2141To 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...
2142“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,...
2143From 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...
2144“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...
2145From 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...
2146To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 12 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [As it] is verey Cold I did not go ought to day so was a writeing a letter to our Sister Janey in anser to one I had wrote to her sense the deth of her husband I Cante helpe thinking the more trials shee do meet with the more shee shines I pray god to bless and kep her. So this minit or with in this ower the poste Come in and the packit is arived and I have...
2147To 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...
2148“F.B.”: Third Reply to Tom Hint: Two Taylors, 14 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , January 14, 1766. This is the second of two letters that Goddard reprinted in the Pennsylvania Chronicle , March 2–9, 1767, the authorship of which William Franklin later also attributed to his father. In December 1765 “Tom Hint” and Franklin, the latter writing as “F.B.,” had twice exchanged letters in the Gazetteer (above, XII , 406–7,...
2149From 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...
2150“Homespun”: Further Defense of Indian Corn, 15 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , January 15, 1766. This is the first of two letters Goddard reprinted in the Pennsylvania Chronicle , March 16–23, 1767, the authorship of which William Franklin later also attributed to his father. On January 2, writing as “Homespun,” he had replied briefly to aspersions on Indian corn by “Vindex Patriae” (above, pp. 7–8), and that writer had...