31“A Lover of Britain”: Preface to Three Letters to William Shirley, [8 February 1766] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , February 6–8, 1766. In the issue of Feb. 6–8, 1766, the London Chronicle printed three letters Franklin had written to Governor William Shirley of Massachusetts twelve years earlier, together with an introductory letter that Verner W. Crane has identified as being also written by Franklin. His letters to Shirley, Dec. 3, 4, 22, 1754, have been printed earlier...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Crowley, 8 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Subsequent to our Conversation at or near the House of Commons, I was informd by one of the Committee that he had been informd that I was the author of the Paragraph inserted in the Gazetteer 1 feb: alledging that “by a Calculation of an Eminent American Merchant it appears that the whole Taxes in all the American Provinces, do not amount, upon an Average...
33Privy Council: Referral of Franklin’s Application for a Land Grant, 10 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
MS Minutes: Public Record Office Franklin’s interest in Nova Scotia lands has been examined in the preceding volume, where documents were printed showing that, as a member of two land speculating syndicates headed by Alexander McNutt, he acquired in 1765 claims to thousands of acres in what is now the province of New Brunswick. See above, XII , 345–50. The petition summarized here differs from...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Springett Penn, 12 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received Mr. Penningtons Letter you was so Kind to forward. I wrote to you a long time since to desire the favour of you to ask Mr. Life for somuch Money (as he had some of my Mothers in his Hands) as would purchase a Lottery Tickett since which have not had the favour of a Line from you. My Mother and myself join in Respects and good Wishes to you and...
35Examination before the Committee of the Whole of the House of Commons, 13 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Text of the Examination printed in The Examination of Doctor Benjamin Franklin, before an August Assembly, relating to the Repeal of the Stamp Act, &c. [Philadelphia, Hall and Sellers, 1766]; Franklin’s Notes, ad: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Nathaniel Ryder’s Notes, transcription of shorthand ms : Harrowby Manuscript Trust, The Earl of Harrowby, Sandon Hall, Stafford. During the...
36“Pacificus”: On Chastising the Colonies, [13 February 1766] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , February 11–13, 1766. The authorship of this piece has not been established with any certainty, and the editors can offer little evidence that Franklin wrote it. He often used anecdotes to support or illustrate his ideas, but he was by no means the only writer of the time to employ such a device. The London Chronicle , with which his friend William Strahan was...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Evans, [18 February 1766] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This morning I have had my difinitive answer from the family I am in, and am to go with them. The Ship in which they are to sail is now ready at Portsmouth and they only wait for the Consuls Credential letters which are hourly expected. The reason therfore Sir for my troubling you in this manner is to beg you will endeavour to have some estimation put on...
38Amelia Evans: Receipt, 19 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society Receiv’d Feb. 19. 1766 of Benja. Franklin Five Guineas for the Plate of the American Map made by my Father Lewis Evans and the Right to the Copy of the Book wrote by him to explain that Map. Endorsed: No 73 Amelia Evans £11. 11. 0 Note, Herein is an Order on Mrs Strettell for £6. 6 s. 0 d . Sent to Mrs Franklin Jan. 26. 1771 The entire document except the...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 22 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I am excessively hurried, being every Hour that I am awake either abroad to speak with Members of Parliament or taken up with People coming to me at home, concerning our American Affairs, so that I am much behind-hand in answering my Friends Letters. But tho’ I cannot by this Opportunity write to others, I must not omit a Line to you who kindly write me so many. I...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Boulton, [22 February 1766] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Assay Office, Birmingham The addition you have made to my happiness in being the cause of my acquaintance with the amiable and ingenious Dr. Small deserves more than thanks and theretofore I take this opportunity, of making my acknowledgements to you in the Same Sort of Coin by introducing to you, my Good friend Mr. Samuel Garbett, who is an admirer of Mr. Francklin in particular, a...