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,...
31To Benjamin Franklin from [John] Blair, 8 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
AP: American Philosophical Society Dr. Blair presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and has used the freedom of sending his Servant for a small parcell of the Pine Tops which he was so obliging as to say he would give him. While the writer of this note might be Hugh Blair (1718–1800), a Scottish minister who was also Regius professor of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres at the University of...
32To Benjamin Franklin from the Associates of Dr. Bray, [4 December? 1766] (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with ms insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society The Associates of Dr. Bray, for establishing Parochial Libraries, and instructing the Negroes in the British Plantations, meet on Thursday the 4 Day of December at Ten o’Clock, at their Office at the Angel and Bible, in Ave-Mary Lane. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin Near / The Strand For the Associates of Dr. Bray, a...
33“Arator”: On the Price of Corn, and Management of the Poor, [29 November 1766] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , November 27–29, 1766. The first editor to identify Franklin in print as the author of this paper was Benjamin Vaughan, who included it in his 1779 edition of Franklin’s writings. Before that it had been twice reprinted. A periodical published by the French physiocrats, called Ephémérides du citoyen , printed a translation in February 1767, introducing it with...
34To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Morton, 24 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Lord Morton’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin, Acquaints him that he has been elected one of the Auditors on the part of the Society, and desires the favor of his Company to Dinner on Saturday next the 29th, and that he would come about one o’Clock so as there may be time to Examine the Accounts before Dinner. Addressed: To / Doctor Franklin For James Douglas,...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Margaret Stevenson, 22 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I rived hear Thursday Night at Ten a Clock alramd [alarmed] all the wilage Mrs. Moriss gone to Bead but got up. I cant express her Joy. I thought it wod have bin to much for her. It is a misrabl being for cold and hard Lod[g]ing. But Poor Mrs. Walker is every kind and car[e]full to keep me warm and gete me all the good [ torn ] she cane but how I am to geet...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel Burton, 21 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Society for the Propagation of the Gospel Being informed that Mr. Jonathan Odell purposes applying to the Venerable Society, for an Appointment to the Mission of Burlington in New Jersey, I beg leave to acquaint you that from the Character he bears I apprehend such Appointment may be very agreable to the Congregation there; and that if the Society think fit to favour his Request, I shall...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Ann Penn, 20 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Albert H. Smyth, ed., The Writings of Benjamin Franklin , iv (New York, 1906), 466–7. I received yours of the eleventh Instant, and condole with you most sincerely on the loss of your Son—my amiable young friend. It must have been a heavy loss to you; For he was truly a good Child; His last Will is only the last Instance of the affectionate dutiful Regard he always...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, 20 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am scarce forgiven by Lady Fawkener for not bringing you down with me to this place. She bids me say that she had flattered her with the hopes of seing you here. I have told her of your promise to come at Xmass and if you don’t keep your word I shall be ruined. You was so good to say that you would forward the enclosed for me. Pray be so good you will...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Gale, 15 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Had I been apprized of your Crossing [ torn ] a Second time in the Service of your Country [ torn; Exp]erience of past favours, and the well known [ torn ] temper of your Mind, I should almost have been [ torn ] to have Asked the favour of you, to have recom[mended] me to the notice of some Gentleman of Charecter eminent in the practice of Phisick in...
40To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 15 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Four Days ago I wrote you per the Harriot Packet, in hopes that will come safe to your Hands. To that I refer for many Things, as this serves only to inclose two or three of my News-papers, which I did not think so proper to send then. I have now printed 5 Newspapers and have got 25 Subscribers in this City, and about 50 in all in the Country: As many more...
41To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 13 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
LS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Mr. Sherwood was not removed for any offence he had given, but by the Management of the East Jersey Proprietors in the Council, who have long wanted to have the Agent they employ appointed Provincial Agent. They took Advantage of Sherwood’s Letters about the Stamp Act, which were very short and trivial, and produced some of Mr. Wilmot’s which...
42To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 11 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of Sept. 1. by Way of Philadelphia, I duly received, which is all I have been favoured with a great While: I congratulate you on your safe Return from Germany. I will do what is possible with B Mecom. With Respect to a new Supply of Types, I should either have been more explicit at first, or wrote again about them: But amidst the Manifold Distresses,...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 11 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My last was on the 24th. Ult. since which I received thy kind Favour of the 13th. Sep. for which I thank thee. And rejoice to find the Tour thou took into Germany, proved servicable to thee; and restored the Health of One, whom many look upon, as the great Instrument in saving both our Mother-Country and this Continent from Ruin. The kind sentiments, thou...
44From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, [8 November 1766] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in [Jared Sparks, ed.,] A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 279–80. Mr. Jackson is now come to town. The ministry have asked his opinion and advice on your plan of a colony in the Ilinois, and he has just sent me to peruse his answer in writing, in which he warmly recommends it, and enforces...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence, [8 November 1766] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; abstract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania, Met at Philadelphia [October 14, 1766] (Philadelphia, 1767), p. 17. Mr. Speaker laid before the House a Letter received from Benjamin Franklin, Esq; in London, dated November the 8th, 1766, acquainting the Committee of Correspondence, that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had...
46From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 8 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library I received your kind Letter of Sept. the 22d. and from another Friend a Copy of that lying Essay in which I am represented as the Author of the Stamp Act, and you as concern’d in it. The Answer you mention is not yet come to hand. Your Consolation, my Friend, and mine, under these Abuses, must be, that we do not deserve them . But what can console the Writers...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 8 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You wonce tould me my Dear Brother that as our Numbers of Bretheres and Sisters Lessened the Affections of those of us that Remain Should Increes to Each other. You and I only are now Left, my Affection for you has all ways been So grate I see no Room for Increec, and you have Manifested yours to mee in such Large measure that I have no Reason to suspect...
48To Benjamin Franklin from [Joseph] Johnson, 4 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J. Johnson’s compliments to Dr. Francklin and sends those MSS for his inspection by order of Dr. Priestley who will esteem himself much oblig’d to the Dr. for looking over them as soon as possible. Addressed: To Dr. Francklin Joseph Johnson (1738–1809), bookseller and printer and in his later years deemed “the father of the book trade,” was one of the...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Francois Willem de Monchy, 4 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With no small pleasure did I recive your kind letter of the 23 Oct. where for I am much oblig’d to you. I confess, that the care you have taken of my friends commission is very great, and that I do’nt know any think to recompence it. Being come home last week from England, I have spoken with my friend and shew’d him your letter, who like wise return’d his...
50Remarks on the Plan for Regulating the Indian Trade, [September 1766-October 1766] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Library of Congress During June 1764 the Board of Trade had spent considerable time and effort preparing a “Plan for the Future Management of Indian Affairs,” and on June 15 it ordered that copies be sent for comment to the superintendents of Indian affairs and the royal governors on the North American continent. On July 10 drafts of the Board’s explanatory letters to these officials...