671Commission to James Parker as Comptroller of the Post Office, 22 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Sometime after their appointment as joint deputy postmasters general in 1753 Franklin and Hunter had made William Franklin comptroller of the North American postal service, in addition to being postmaster of Philadelphia. The exact duties which they assigned to him in this position are not known since his commission and instructions have not been found. It...
672Post Office Instructions to James Parker, 22 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society Mr. James Parker [General Post O]ffice } April 22, 1757 Sir [in] North America As you have undertaken to execute the Office of Comptroller of the General Post Office during our Absence and that of the present Comptroller the following Instructions are necessary for your Observation viz. [1.][ Illegible ] Every Post Master on the Continent to send you a...
673From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 25 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The List of Servants is come to hand. I suppose ’tis as compleat as it could at present be made, but it has many Blanks in it. I purpose to talk with my Lord upon it to day, as well as upon the Affair of the Indian Trade Bill, which I have always had much at heart; and shall let you know the Result. We are still waiting for my Lord’s Dispatches, and still...
674Last Will and Testament, 28 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia I Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia, Printer, being in my usual Health of Body and Mind (blessed be God) do this twenty-eighth Day of April, in the Year 1757, make, publish, sign and seal, this my last Will and Testament, viz. I will that all my just Debts, if any there are at the Time of my Decease, be paid as soon as may be after that...
675From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 29 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you yesterday per Post. This is only to acquaint you, that I am determined against going in the first Pacquet. Send me the Indian Sealskin Hussiff, with all the Things that were in it. It will be an acceptable Present to a Gimcrack great Man in London, that is my Friend. In the right hand little Drawer under my Desk, is some of the Indian Lady’s...
676From Benjamin Franklin to William Parsons, 3 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just time to bid you Farewell; and to acquaint you, that Mr. Nugent is at present in the Service in Ireland, but ’tis thought the Regiment he belongs to, will be one of those ordered to America with the expected Fleet. He is a Relation of Col. Bradstreet’s; who is daily expected here, and tis said can give me the best Account of Nugent. If I learn...
677From Benjamin Franklin to [Peter Franklin], 21 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been now near 6 Weeks waiting for the Sailing of the Pacquet, and know not yet when she is like to sail. I received yours of the 7th Inst. with the Invoice and Memorandum, which I shall endeavour to comply with. As to the Pay, I expect not to meddle with your Paper Currency; for I always lose by it. With the Goods I shall send Directions about the...
678From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Loudoun, 21 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library Having determined not to go in the first Pacquet, I retired hither about two Weeks ago, to have Leisure for Settling some private Affairs before the Sailing of the second; which is the Reason I have not for some time been to pay my Respects to your Lordship. In your present Multiplicity of important Business, I would not be too importunate. But if your Lordship should...
679From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 21 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Pieces of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 52–3. I received your kind letter of the 9th instant, in which you acquainted me with some of your late troubles. These are troublesome times to us all; but perhaps you have had more than you should. I am glad to hear that Peter is at a place where...
680From Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles, 23 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Horace Howard Furness Memorial Library, University of Pennsylvania I have been waiting here near Six Weeks for the sailing of the Pacquet, and know not yet when that will be. From London I will send you the Account you desire of the Verification of the Meridian of France; and one of the best Thermometers I can procure. If in any thing else I can do you pleasure, signify it by a Line...