1311To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, [December 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society NB Dr Franklin to whom these verses Verses which accompanied her Christmas gift to BF .
1312To Benjamin Franklin from [Richard Henry Alexander?] Bennet, [1769?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Bennet presents his Comp[limen]ts to Doctor Franklin and returns him many thanks for the Honor of his very obliging Present which he esteems infinitely. The writer and date are equally conjectural. The Bennet to whom we have assigned the note was an F.R.S. and a co-sponsor, with BF , of the nomination of William Hewson to the Society in December, 1769;...
1313To Benjamin Franklin from [John] Foxcroft, [1769?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [1769? A note in the third person, dated only Friday, asking Franklin to visit him for a game of chess “on his New Invented Table.” A very bad cold has prevented Foxcroft from calling, and the visit would be an act of charity.] So identified by the handwriting. But his brother Thomas, the Philadelphia postmaster, wrote a closely similar hand, and visited...
1314To Benjamin Franklin from W. Masters, [1769?] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Though I have not the honour of an intimate acquaintance with you, yet your character of humanity and benevolence, and the intimacy that subsisted between you and my Father, and especially the desire of contributing to the Peace and Happiness of an old Neighbour whom for several Years I have found an honest worthy industrious Man, imboldens me to give you...
1315To Benjamin Franklin from John Ewing, 4 January 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Our Philosophical Society have at Length ordered me to draw out an Account of our Observations of the Transits of Venus and Mercury to be transmitted to you as our President thro’ whose Hands we think they may most conveniently be communicated to the learned Societies of Europe to whom you may apprehend they will be agreable. The Reason of their not coming...
1316To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 4 January 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am yet here about the Jersey Laws: I sent up to New York 8 Days ago, a Letter for you with the first of the inclosed Bill of Exchange for £200, Wats and Mc Evers on Harley and Drummond which I had of Mr. Colden: but the Weather has been so extreme severe, that I have not learnt whether it could be sent by a Merchantship, or by this Packet; but lest that...
1317To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [10 January? 1770] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was informed late last Night, That a Number of your and my Letters were lying at the New York Coffee House and Therefore I went into the City early this morning and have taken up all I could find. I send by my Boy, yours. I [am] always very respectfully your Very affectionate Friend. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin The dating is purely conjectural. Capt....
1318To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Viny, 13 January 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the first extant letter from a man with whom Franklin continued to correspond intermittently for years to come. Viny was a carriage-maker in Tenterden, Kent; he and his wife were friends of the Stevensons, and their acquaintance with Franklin went back at least to the autumn of 1768. The subject of this letter, obscured by the fact that a crucial...
1319To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 18 January 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The natural tendency of philosophical minds to promote useful knowledge, seems to render an apology to you quite needless for the favour I’m going to request. I’m inform’d Sir, that the truely eminent Artist Mr. West is one of that Class of men who cultivates the Science he professes for the Sake of the Art only. A most laudable example indeed. A Young...
1320To Benjamin Franklin from William Robertson, 30 January 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library By some unlucky accident I could find no person to take the charge of Dr. Haven’s Diploma. I have therefore got my Brother to put it into a box which he was sending by the waggon to his correspondents Messrs. Poole & Buckenton Jewellers in Bartholemew Closs. I suppose it will be in London by the time you receive this letter, and if you take the trouble of...