1311To Benjamin Franklin from a Committee of the Library Company of Philadelphia, 28 May 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; minutebook copy: Library Company of Philadelphia <Philadelphia, May 28, 1772: They enclose a draft on John Whitmore for £125 from Stocker & Wharton & John Wilcocks at thirty days’ sight, dated May 26 in favor of and endorsed by Josiah Hewes, to pay for the books ordered through Sparks for the Library Company. If the amount is insufficient, they will...
1312To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 29 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have but just Time to acknowledge the Receipt of yours per my Brother, whose Arival we had been long wishing for, but our pleasure was greatly damped by seeing him in such a state of Health; he has not been out since he first entered the House, and is at present very low, we are all fearfull he is consuming fast. I received per him only three 2d Volumes...
1313To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Rhoads, 30 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Loxly going early in the Morning to Morrow for London, gives me the Opertunity of Acknowledging thy Favour per Falconer, which with several Canal Papers and Pamphlets came safe to Hand, and I hope will be usefull as I find the Reports of the great Engineers, Smeaton Brindly &ct concerning the Scotch Canal, contain a great deal of Instruction to us...
1314To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 31 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons icy beaucoup de mauvais Catholiques qui, parcequ’ils ont manqué une année a faire leurs paques, n’osent plus jamais retourner a confesse. Je ne perds pas courage si aisement, ou je vous suis plus attaché qu’ils ne le sont au st. Siege. Un morne silence de deux ans m’a sensiblement affligé, mais ne m’empechera pas de profiter de l’occasion de M M...
1315To Benjamin Franklin from John Walsh: Two Notes, [before June 1772?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : (1) University of Pennsylvania Library; (2) Historical Society of Pennsylvania The two brief notes below appear insignificant, but they belong to a scientific correspondence that continued intermittently for at least a year, and that chronicled a major advance in the knowledge of animal electricity. The writer, John Walsh (1726–95), was a man who developed his experimental bent late in...
1316To Benjamin Franklin from William Brownrigg, 12 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this moment received a letter from Sir John Pringle, in which he is pleased to acquaint me that he shortly intends me the favour of a visit; that you accompany him to Leeds, and may possibly come with him so far as this place. I have great reason to beleive that you will not very willingly part from Sir John on this excursion, or he from you; I...
1317To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 12 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Soon after I received your Letter enclosing a Copy of a Grant of Lands in Pennsylvania to Major Robert Thompson, which you received from Mr. Whately, I happened to meet with our Friend Mr. Galloway, and mentioning the Matter to him, I found he was perfectly acquainted with every Circumstance relative to the Grant, owing to his having been formerly Attorney...
1318To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 13 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You make me very happy by the near prospect of seeing you and Sir John Pringle at Leeds. I shall be intirely at liberty to receive you, and I hope you will contrive to stay as long as possible in this town and neighbourhood. I thank you for the Native of New England . I had casually seen the same paper, and was particularly struck with it, without having...
1319To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer hereof Mr. Adam Winthrop is son to Doctr Winthrop of Cambridge, who you are so well acquainted with, that I need say nothing of the Connection. But with regard to this Gentleman, he is an intimate acquaintance of mine, and a person for whom I have a very great Esteem, therefore beg leave to reccomend him to your Civilities. Mr. Bancroft’s Stay...
1320To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Bache, 14 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Oh with what joy, and pleasure [did] I receive your wellcome letter, with the acoun[t of the] Safe arival of our Dear Son, which he will [ torn ] his Dear family, to think of his, and Dear Sally [ torn ] Makes me quit So. I have been very uneas[y for this?] Month past, and this last week I was quit[e so; not?] hearing any thing of him of So long a time, I...
1321To Benjamin Franklin from Harvard College, 16 June 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William C. Lane, “Harvard College and Franklin,” The Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts , X (1907), 238. <June 16, 1772: The President and Fellows vote to extend their thanks to Franklin for the gift of Dr. Priestley’s History and Present State of the Discoveries Relating to Vision, Light, and Colours (London, 1772), and to request Dr. Winthrop to forward a...
1322To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly, [June?] 17, [1772?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having Received an Account from Dr. Priestley that he could not verify my Experiment of ascertaining the direction of the Electric Matter in its passage through flame, I took the Liberty to call at your House with my Apparatus, in order to shew it you both positively and negatively, but I found you was gone into the Country. I then call’d and shew’d it to...
1323To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Maseres, 17 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am much obliged to you for the favour of your letter and the remarks on my proposal, concerning which this is what I have to say. In page 46, I think it unnecessary, and rather inconvenient, to limit the expence of these grants in the act of parliament itself. I hope it will be as small as possible, and mean that these grants should be printed with blanks...
1324To Benjamin Franklin from John Walsh, 21 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society After some enquiry I procured the two Copies of Gennete’s Book and shall deliver them to Sir John Lambert to forward to you by some one of our returning Countrymen. Your friend M. Le Roy, who presents you his Compliments, has shewn us many Civilities; as has M. Trudaine, the Abbé Morillet’s friend for which I must beseech you to make my...
1325To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 30 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is not perhaps unknown to you that soon after my Arrival in this Country from England I was induced to make several large purchases of Lands with a Veiw of soon disposeing of some of them again to Advantage; you well know the Sudden Change that took place in the Sale of Lands, Vast Quantitys of new Lands Comeing into the Market and a great Scarceity of...
1326To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 30 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I reseved by the packit which was to a cume by Capt. Laxly I am verey glad to hear that you continew well. I hope your friend Dr. Small is Safe a rived and is well my compleymantes to all that I am obliged to love and respeckt. You may see what blunders by the scratchin oute that I am not capabel of writin so I shall only say that I find my selef growing...
1327To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 30 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have recieved your Remarks on our Account on which I have only to observe, That The Ten Guineas must have been paid by you for Nelson’s Passage, and you expressly say you paid it, I find, in your Letter of the 21st: of Septbr: 1765. which probably you kept no Copy of, as you mention the Vessel to be just upon the Point of Sailing. The 8 Guineas being in...
1328To Benjamin Franklin from Andre Morellet, [30 June? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous remercie très humblement de votre attention pour moy je me servirai des lettres que vous aves eu la bonté de m’envoyer pour birmingham. J’espere encore que j’aurai le plaisir de vous y trouver. Je pars demain de Whycomb pour oxford ou je passerai 2 ou 4 jours c’est à dire jusques à samedi ou lundi prochain je compte etre à birmingham le dimanche ou...
1329To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Letter of the 14th. April merits my best Acknowledgments, for the kind and affectionate Manner in which you express your Fears of my having appropriated Mr. Warrens Money to other purposes: In the manner this Matter may have appeared to you, those Fears were Just, and I think myself happy in having so good a Friend to forewarn me of even supposed...
1330To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 1 July 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I presume that by this time you are arrived in London, and I am willing to take the first opportunity of informing you, that I have niver been so busy, or so successful in making experiments, as since I had the pleasure of seeing you at Leeds. I have fully satisfied myself that air rendered in the highest degree noxious by breathing is restored by sprigs of...
1331To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 6 July 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I had the pleasure of receiving your Letter I am bound to answer it. My Mother I must tell you went off last friday week, took our little Boy with her and left Mr. Hewson the care of her House. The first thing he did was pulling down a part of it in order to turn it to his own purpose, and advantage we hope. This Demolition cannot affect you, who ar...
1332To Benjamin Franklin from John Walsh, 12 July 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with particular Satisfaction I make to You my first Communication that the Effect of the Torpedo appears to be absolutely electrical, by forming it’s Circuit thro’ the same Conductors with Electricity, for instance Metals, Animals, and moist Substances; and by being intercepted by the same non-conductors, for instance Glass and Sealing Wax. I will not...
1333To Benjamin Franklin from John Robertson, 14 July 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <The Royal Society, July 14, 1772, a note in the third person. The committee appointed by the Society, at the request of the Board of Ordnance, to suggest how to apply lightning rods to the powder magazine at Erith is requested to meet at the Society’s quarters in Crane Court on Saturday, July 18, at seven P.M.; Franklin’s presence is desired.> A...
1334To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, 15–23 July 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The petition from the Massachusetts House enclosed in the following letter marked another advance in the logic leading toward independence. Whitehall’s intention to pay colonial officials out of revenue drawn from America by the Townshend duties was engendering greater and greater opposition in the Bay Colony. In 1771 Hutchinson had exacerbated it by refusing to...
1335To Benjamin Franklin from Erasmus Darwin, 18 July 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was unfortunate in not being able to go to Birmingham, till a Day after you left it. The apparatus you constructed with the Bladder and Funnel I took into my Pond the next Day, whilst I was bathing, and fill’d the Bladder well with unmix’d Air, that rose from the muddy Bottom, and tying it up, brought it Home, and then pricking the Bladder with a Pin, I...
1336To Benjamin Franklin from Rebecca Haydock, 20 [July?] 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am sorry the Silk I have sent will not answer the intend porpose as its out of the common way of trade. I shall be satisfied in haveing it Manufacturd according to the proposal provided its the coular of the pattren. I am sorry to have giving so much trouble but as my kinde Neighbour Docter Franklin is pleas to advise I therefore leave it intirely to you....
1337To Benjamin Franklin from William Watson, 31 July 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Doctor Watson presents his complements to Doctor Franklin. He has twice called at his house in hopes of Seeing him; At his convenience if he will call in Henrietta Street, it may be Settled when the expedition to Purfleet may take place; as it Should be, before the Summer is too far advanced. Mr. Cavendish Seldom fails of coming there. Whenever the meeting...
1338To Benjamin Franklin from William Hunter, [July? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Hunter’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin. He has some preparations which he intends giving away, and if they would be acceptable to Dr. Franklin, he should be glad to see him any morning (except tuesday) from 8 to 10 or 11. for a few minutes. Addressed: To Dr Franklin / Craven Street For the background of this letter see Dr. Hunter’s stipulations about his...
1339To Benjamin Franklin from Patrick Wilson, 3 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take my departure for Glasgow in a few Hours, having heard yesterday Evening of an inviting Opportunity of a Ship for the Forth which sails immediately. Im sorry that Im so much hurried as not to be able to see You before I go. I shall take Care and deliver the Vollume of the American Transactions to the Questor of our Library. I beg the favour of being...
1340To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Cavendish, 4 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have agreed to go to Purfleet on friday morning: we propose setting out a ½ an hour past 9; so that I suppose we shall be there about one at latest. I am sorry I could not send you notice sooner; but Dr. Watson was not able to fix on a day sooner. As I imagine friday is about the time you thought of coming to town, you perhaps might like to come back...
1341To Benjamin Franklin from Margaret Stevenson, 4 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am Hartly glad to hear your so well. I have sent all Leters that ar in my Posstion. Mr. Alexander and Mr. Small has called, and that is all. News I have none Capt. Falciner I have not seen. Hewsons ar well but Litill Boy is verey Poorly. I my self am, verey so so, I can not write but if aney news should come to my hear your Poly shall Transmit to you for...
1342To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 4 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this Day deliver’d your Clock to Mr. Clark, who Inn’s at the Ball in Wood street and hope it will Arrive Safe and to your Sattisfaction. Please to unlock the door, and you will find the Screws, which fasten the Case in the Packing Case. The weights, Ball, Pulley, &c. are Packed between bottom of the Clock and Packing Cases. And please to draw the...
1343To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, [6 August 1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I reseved yours by the packit it gives me much pleshuer to hear that you air well and happey. I was in hopes that a packit or a vesill wold [have?] arived before this wente as I saw it in the papers as I was in hopes that wold in forme when you intend to returne agen to your one [own] home. I cante write to you as I am so verey unfitt to expres my selef and...
1344To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac L. Winn, 12 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
LS : the Royal Society Winn was a pioneer in this attempt to apply observations on the aurora borealis to forecasting the weather. His hypothesis was related, no doubt accidentally, to two earlier observations: that high winds follow an auroral display, and that a storm moves in an opposite direction from the winds it creates. His theory, when Franklin had it published and added comments of...
1345To Benjamin Franklin from Dorothea Blunt, 14 August [1772?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When and where this may find you my Dear Sir I know not, but I hope soon, and that you [may be] in good health. I fancy my fears made [me tremble?] more than I believe I ought to have [done. But?] I own I thought you much indispo[sed when last?] I saw you in Craven Street, and I a[llow that] I was conceited enough to think that I cou’d [have] precribd...
1346To Benjamin Franklin from Giambattista Toderini, 15 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society En vous soumettant mon petit ouvrage, qui a pour titre Filosofia Frankliniana sopra le Punte preservatrici del fulmine, &c. c’est le mettre entre les mains d’un Philosophe connu dans le Public pour un des plus illustres, dont les heureuses inventions ont fait faire un si grand Progrès à la Physique. Votre grand esprit, propre de la Nation Angloise, et vos...
1347To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 21 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Lee’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin. The Gentleman who deliverd him the inclosd Letter, having informd him, that the Bearer of it from Mr. Cushing was under an express injunction to deliver it to Dr. Lee in the absence of Dr. Franklin, as the Contents requird immediate attention; Mr. L. took the Liberty of opening it. The Contents however appear to Mr....
1348To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 21 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As you will probably write to Philadelphia by some of the Vessels now about to sail thither, may I request the favour of you to remind Mr. Galloway of the Money due to me for Types and Newspapers sent to Mr. Goddard by his Order above four Years ago, and which, as stated in my Letter to him of the 6th. Decr. 1770. amounted then to £172 15 s. 2 d. ? I wrote...
1349To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Timothy, 24 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is almost sufficient to discourage any Man from continuing to write, who has sent so many Letters as I have to you since the 16th of August last Year, without receiving an Answer to any one besides the first, and that after Six Months had elapsed. But I will suppose they have miscarried: I can not believe that Doct. Franklin will withdraw his Friendship...
1350To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 27 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is the Receit for the Books. They told me at the Coffeehouse yesterday, that the Captain takes his Bag away tomorrow. Please to remember your Engagement to dine with me tomorrow at 4. I am ever Dear Sir Your affectionate humble Servant Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street Aug. 27 also fell on a Thursday in 1767, but in that year BF would...
1351To Benjamin Franklin from John Walsh, 27 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I will not let this Post slip without making to You my hearty congratulations on your being elected by the French Academy of Sciences to be one of it’s eight foreign Members, a truely illustrious Society; and I will freely say it, even to You, because I think it, that Your Election does honour to the Judgement of the Academy. On my Arrival here the 21st. I...
1352To Benjamin Franklin from William Bowden, 29 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The great regard I have for my friend M Skey the bearer of this, engages me to take the liberty to introduce him to you. He wants some information with respect to the new Settlement intended at the Ohio, and as I am very sensible your opinion will be of great use, I presume to ask your favoring him with your sentiments on that head, for a guide to him...
1353To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr. [August? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete and mutilated): American Philosophical Society [ Beginning mutilated ] advice, because I [ torn ] I think afterward indeed I am [ torn ] fearing that he is Spending his [ torn ] nought his Situation puts me in [mind of a quotation?] I have somewere seen [ illegible ] the God if the [ torn ] to hold attendance and Dependence be [ torn ]. Agreeable to your Orders Some [ torn
1354To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 2 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am Sorrey to Trouble you with aney Triflings matters of mine but as it is uncertain that I shall Return Directly to London or go Elswhere I must beg the Favor of you to Call on mr. Samuel wharton when the Grant is made for my Right for Forty Thousand acres for which he has already Received Fifty pounds Sterling of mildreed & Roberts where his order to...
1355To Benjamin Franklin from Marie Catherine Biheron, 10 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis tres sensible à l’honneur de votre souvenir et vous remercie de votre grasieuse lettre; je saisis avec empressement l’occasion de Mr. Walsh pour vous envoyer le discours de notre Cour des Aides fait par notre Celebre Magistrat Mr. Malherbe. Jaurois souhaité qu’il fut imprimé tel qu’il est je desire qu’il vous soit agreeable. Je suis bien faché que...
1356To Benjamin Franklin from Georgiana Shipley, 22 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have the Misfortune to acquaint you that last week poor Mungo got out of his Cage and was killed by a Dog. I was really very much concerned for it, as I am remarkably fond of all Squirrels, and particularly valued Mungo as being the Gift of my good Friend. I perfer’d it to the European Squirrels for being more Gentle and Goodhumored and full as lively. Papa and...
1357To Benjamin Franklin from Sir John Pringle, [before 30 September? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society For some nine years William Hewson and Dr. William Hunter were partners in a course in anatomy that they gave for medical students, until Hunter dissolved the partnership. Hewson then decided to give a course of his own, and accordingly spent the winter and spring of 1772 in making anatomical preparations to be used in his lectures, which began on Sept. 30,...
1358To Benjamin Franklin from the Count of Belgioioso: Two Letters, 30 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The Count of Belgioioso presents His best Compliments to Dr. Franklin and would take it as a particular Favour if He’d please to inform Him where the Person lives who makes the Glasses for the Harmonica according to His Invention: as the French Embassadour who is a great Lover of Musick and is desireous of having One enquired to The Count about this said...
1359To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, 30 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’aurois repondu plutot Monsieur et cher confrère, à la lettre que vous m’avez fait l honneur de m’écrire; si je n’avois voulu vous parler de celle que vous m’avez fait remettre, par LAbbé Morellet, pour M. Le Duc de la Vrillière. J’ai conçu, par là, que vous desiriez que je la remisse en main propre à ce Ministre, et ce n’est que depuis quelques Jours, que...
1360To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 30 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Sent you enclosed Dr. Priestley’s letter to you, together with another which I received from him last night. Indeed I don’t know whether to be glad or Sorry on account of his rejection of Lord Shelburne’s proposal. I love him and am heartily concerned for him and wish he was better provided for. I think myself extremely obliged to you for mentioning...