1Directors of Library Company to Thomas Penn and Reply, 16 May 1733 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Friends Library, London; also MS Minute Book, Library Company of Philadelphia; printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , May 31, 1733. Franklin and the Directors of the Library Company had learned that the Proprietor would welcome an address praying his “Countenance and Protection” of their young institution, and on May 14 a committee composed of Franklin, Thomas Hopkinson, William Coleman,...
2Bill to Thomas Penn, 18 May 1734 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Honorable Thos. Penn Esq. Dr. 1734 May 18. For printing and Paper of 200 Cases at 2 d. per. £1 13 4 For a Supplement to the same 5 Mr. Steel { For 300 Warrants a 1 d. per. 1 5
3Library Company to Thomas Penn, 29 July 1747 (Franklin Papers)
MS Minutes: Library Company of Philadelphia Franklin informed the Library Company Directors on July 13, 1747, that he had received a letter from the Proprietor Thomas Penn, “with a compleat Electrical Apparatus” as a gift to the Library. John Sober, William Coleman, and Franklin were appointed to acknowledge it. A copy of their letter was spread on the Library Company’s minutes of September...
4Directors of Library Company to Thomas Penn, 14 March 1749 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania This waits of You to acknowledge the Receipt of Your generous present to the Library Company by the Hands of Mr. Richard Hockley of a curious reflecting Telescope and five Volumes of Voyages. The Occasions of returning Thanks for Your several generous Donations have been so frequent that it is not easy to find new Expressions of Gratitude for this fresh...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Penn, 30 May 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Peters has communicated to me a Paragraph of your Letter of Feby. 1. relating to a Plan desired by Sir Everard Fawkener, for the Extension of Correspondence, without any View to present Advantage. Immediately after the Treaty at Albany, Mr. Hunter and I are to proceed on a Journey thro’ all the Northern Colonies, to visit all the Post Offices, and...
6William Smith to Thomas Penn, [September? 1755] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania In June 1755 Franklin had written that he “liked neither the Governor’s Conduct, nor the Assembly’s; and having some Share in the Confidence of both, I have endeavour’d to reconcile ’em but in vain,” and that “Our Friend [William] Smith will be very serviceable here.” By November, however, Franklin thought Governor Morris “half a Madman” and a year...
7Robert Hunter Morris to Thomas Penn, 28 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Public Record Office, London Throughout the protracted controversy between the governor and the Assembly, Morris was as active as the representatives in building a case and defending a position, as his many letters to the Proprietors and to other governors show. Immediately after the passage of the Militia Act, November 25, and the £60,000 Appropriation Act, November 27, he wrote a...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas and Richard Penn, 28 November 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission I yesterday receiv’d a Paper from Mr. Paris, containing your Answer to the Heads of Complaint, wherein I am inform’d that the Proprietaries, “to take off all pretence of Clamour, are very ready to have the annual Income of their Estate enquired into, and are as ready to contribute whatever the said Sum [viz. £5000 by them formerly ordered to...