1To 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...
2To 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,...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Osborne, [c. 1766] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Osborn’s Compliments to Dr. Francklin and If he writes to Dr. Fothergill that He woud be so kind as to recomend me to the Dr. to publish or purchase the Quakers bible and shoud be Oblidged If he woud Inform me what No. of Books might goe off in His part of the World. Mr. Bevan is my friend and will serve me. Endorsed: Mr Osborne gave this to Mrs...
6From 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)...
7Passages 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...
8To 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,...
9To 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...
10To 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...
11To Benjamin Franklin from [William Franklin], [December 1766] (Franklin Papers)
AL (fragments): American Philosophical Society [ Top part of first surviving sheet is missing. ] Side the Water. But, if we [ torn ] late Publications in Virginia [ torn ] still remains a considerable Spirit [ torn ] and Opposition. They have been told, and [ torn ] must know, that tho’ the Parliament have solemnly [dec]lar’d their Right to tax America, they do not mean to exercise it in...
12To Benjamin Franklin from the Committee of American Merchants, 29 [December] 1766 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The Committee of America Merchants meet this Evening 6’Clock and desire Mr. Franklins attendance. Addressed: For. / Mr: Franklin / Cravenstreet While the 29th of a month fell on a Monday seven times during 1765–68, the editors are inclined to assign this note to Monday, Dec. 29, 1766, because during that winter the merchants and the American agents were...
13To Benjamin Franklin from [Andrew] Cheap and from Mr. and Mrs. [Israel] Wilkes, 23 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
AL (two): American Philosophical Society These two invitations are printed together because they are written on the same sheet of paper, though in different hands, and clearly relate to each other. They were certainly written on the same day. Though December 23 fell on a Thursday in 1760 as well as in 1766, this paper and its contents are assigned to the latter year because the people...
14To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 22 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of the 11th of October is now before me: In Answering of which some various Passions intermix alternately in my Mind: In the first Place your kind Wishes for the Return of my Health, demands my grateful Acknowledgements—and, thank God, considering what Sicknesses have surrounded me, I have escaped wonderfully. The next Thing, you tell me Col. Hunter...
15To Benjamin Franklin from John Tunnicliff, 21 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Received your kind Letters for which I return you my Best Thanks. If I can get a good Plantation either in Pensylvania or the Jerseys provided the same, is in a good Neighbourhood and the House High and Ary Sittuation to render it Healthy and near the River Delaware or the River Schoolkill with sufficiant Meadow and Pasture of the White Honey-Suckle,...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush and Jonathan Potts, 20 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Fordham University Library With this I send you Letters for several of my Friends at Edinburgh. It will be a Pleasure to me if they prove of Use to you. But you will be your own best Friends, if you apply diligently to your Studies, refraining from all idle useless Amusements that are apt to lessen or withdraw the Attention from your main Business. This from the Characters you bear in...
17From Benjamin Franklin to William Cullen, 20 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I beg Leave to recommend to your favourable Notice two young Gentlemen the Bearers of this Letter, Messrs. Rush and Potts Sons of my Friends in Philadelphia. They are at Edinburgh to improve themselves in the Study of Physic, and from the Character they bear of Ingenuity, Industry and good Morals, I am persuaded they will improve greatly under your learned...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Alexander Dick, 20 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I am heartily glad that the Information procur’d from my Son, affords any Satisfaction to your Friend Mr. Swinton. I beg Leave to recommend to your Countenance and Protection the Bearers of this Letter, Mr. Rush and Mr. Potts, Sons of my Friends in Philadelphia, who come to study in your Medical School. They are strongly recommended to me by many of my...
19From Benjamin Franklin to [William Robertson], 20 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society The young Gentlemen who will have the Honour of presenting you this Letter are Mr. Potts and Mr. Rush, drawn to Edinburgh by the Fame your Medical School has so justly acquired; intending there to accomplishing them selves there in the Study of Physic. They are recommended to me in the fullest and strongest Manner, by a Number of my Acquaintance in...
20From Benjamin Franklin to John Swinton, 20 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Josiah C. Trent Collection in the History of Medicine, Manuscript Division, Duke University Library; draft: American Philosophical Society I am extreamly glad that the Intelligence procur’d from my Son, relating to your Lands in New Jersey, affords you any degree of Satisfaction. You may rely on his doing you any farther Service in his Power. He has not mention’d to me that he has been...
21To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel] Potts, 19 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Potts presents his Compliments to Mr. Francklin and Dsires the favour of his Company to Dine on a Doe of the Postmaster Generals at the Kings Arms Tavern in Cornhill on Monday next at 3 OClock in Afternoon. Addressed: To / Benjamin Francklin Esqr / Craven Street / Strand For Samuel Potts, comptroller general of the General Post Office, see above, X , 149...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 15 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I omitted one thing in my Letter of Saturday, which I intended to mention, viz. to desire you to send me three or four young Trees of the Newtown Pippin kind, or else a few Cuttings for Grafts solder’d up in a Tin Tube to keep them from drying. Mr. Bartram or Mr. Roberts will be good enough to tell you which is best, and also the best time to send them....
23To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 15 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Not having received any more than one Letter from you since last May: and the Packet expected this Month not arrived, while this Opportunity offering by a Merchant-man, I take the Liberty to scribble again to you, especially as I this Post have News from Mr. Foxcroft that you consent to allow me £20, per Annum more, for which I return you my Sincere and...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 15 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received the inclosed letter from Dr. Priestly last Saturday night. I know nothing of the list of books on Electricity mentioned in it. I believe it was not in your letter to him, which pass’d thro my hands. He is in a hurry for it, and if you have it he will be much oblig’d to you for Sending it him, or conveying it to me that I may Send it to him. I am...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Hunt, 14 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (mutilated): American Philosophical Society Your friendly and obliging Favour by Captain Falconer came safe to Hand. I think myself happy in so good a Friend, and shall always endeavour by an upright Conduct to deserve your Friendship. The Judgment you have passed on my Essay does me great Honor, and [offers?] a Pleasure in reading that Part of your Letter which I want Words to express. I...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last I have received your kind Letters of Sept. 28. and Oct. 4. I wonder you had not heard of my Return from Germany, as I wrote by the August Packet, and by a Ship from Holland just as I was coming over. It is not amiss that the Reverend Doctor refused that Privilege. We shall not want it. And it will be a good Reason for us to refuse him...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 13 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library I congratulate you cordially on the News I see with much Pleasure in the Papers, that you are chosen Speaker of the Assembly. I foresee great Good to our Country from your being in that Station, as I know you will fill it ably and worthily. It is long since I have heard from you; not a Line of later Date than Sept. 22. not a Word since the Election, or the...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 13 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society [ First part missing ] the Profile is Cume Safe and is the thing as everey one ses that has seen it I am verey much obliged to you for it everey bodey knows it that has seen it. As to the Candil sticks and Corke Screw thay will doe when you return in the Spring. Be So good as to give my love to Mrs. Stephenson and her Dafter tell me is Polley is...
29To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Morton, [11 December 1766] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Lord Morton woud have spoke with Dr. Franklin but he was gone immediately after the Counsil; Should be oblig’d if the Dr. could breakfast with him to morrow about 10 and will send for an answer earlier. Addressed: To / Dr Franklin / Craven Street The phraseology of this note suggests that Lord Morton, president of the Royal Society from 1764 until his death,...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Potts, 10 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you upon my arrival in Liverpool as did my Friend and Relation Mr. Benjamin Rush, we also sent you some Letters from your Friends in Philadelphia in our favour, the design of which Letters was that you would be so kind as to write to any of your Friends in this place in our behalf, as I am somewhat apprehensive you have not received those Letters,...