1To Benjamin Franklin from R[obert] A[lexander], 8 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send my [ sic ] by the Bearer the Portfolio containing my Papers the Key to which you will find here inclosed, I shall send for them back betwixt twelve and one in order to convey them to our other Friend who is so kind as to keep himself disengaged thorough [ sic ] the day in order to give them a serious Perusal. There is a Letter I received from my...
2To Benjamin Franklin from George Baker, 13 July 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Dr. Baker waited on Dr. Franklyn, in order to shew him the inclosed paper, which is extracted from a paper which Dr. B. is to read this afternoon at the College of Physicians. If Dr. Franklyn has any thing to object, or to add, Dr. B. will take it as a particular favour, if he will send his alterations to him in Jermyn-Street . George Baker (1722–1809),...
3To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, Junior, 27 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania D: Barclay Jun. presents his Respects to Dr. Franklin, with the inclosed Copy of his Remarks on Paper Currency: The Committee have several Times mett thereon, but have not yet fixed on their Answer to the Report of the Board of Trade, and as it has been intimated to them, that protracting the Affair a Week or two will be advantageous to the Cause, they...
4To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay & Sons, 21 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society David Barclay & Sons present their Respects to Dr. Franklin and acquaint him that they received yesterday a letter from Charles Read relative to treating with M: Morgan Esqr. and desire to know what has passed between them on the subject. Addressed: For / Benjamin Franklin Esqr: The secretaryship of New Jersey, an office under Crown appointment, became...
5To Benjamin Franklin from John Baskerville, 7 September 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania After having obtained the Reputation of excelling in the most useful Art known to Mankind; of which I have your Testimony; Is it not to the last Degree provoking, that I cannot get even bread by it? I must starve, had I no other Dependence. I have offered the London Booksellers to print for them within 5 per Cent. as low as their common Currency, but...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Giambatista Beccaria, 20 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted and translated from Latin pamphlet: De Electricitate Vindice Joannis Baptistae Beccariae ex Scholis Piis Ad Beniaminum Franklinium Virum de Re Electrica, & Meteorologica optime meritum. Epistola . Taurini, Typis Joannis Baptistae Fontana Impressoris, & Bibliopolae in Palatio Urbis. Facultate obtenta. [1767] (Yale University Library). Beccaria’s letter is known only in...
7To Benjamin Franklin from John Blair, 13 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Blairs Compliments to Dr. Franklin and begs leave to acquaint him that Lady Irwin and one or two Ladys with her propose making him a Visit next Tuesday at twelve if agreable. Mr. George Lewis Scott, and Mr. Strahan of Suffolk Street are to be of the Party. Addressed: To / Doctor Franklin / Craven Street For Dr. John Blair, the chronologer and divine, see...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Peter and Michael Collinson, 14 July 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania P Collinson and Son’s Respects to their Good Friend Benn: Franklin Request the favour to Enjoye His company at Mill-Hill any Day this Week that it Suites Him: to Make his Stay more Agreeable—I have by this Post requested the like favour, of Doct. Solander. I hope you Two Gentlemen will Concert Measures, to Come together, but if that can’t conveniently...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 17 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was glad to hear my Dear Friend was Safe Arrived In the happy land of Liberty—and more So, that Wee shall Have the pleasure of his Company at Mill Hill. If He will do Us that Favour Next Fryday or Saturday it will be perfectly Suiteable and Agreeable to Us. I have wrote by this post to Docr. Solander that He may come to you and Settle the Time to be...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Collinson, 12 November 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Enclos’d we return your Letter and are much obligd by your communicating the same—as also for transmitting the other Leters. My Father desires me to ask whether you have received any Intelligence about the House at Philadelphia—Copy of the Grant of which [he] thinks he gave you—with much Esteem subscribe myself your obliged Friend Addressed: To / Benjn....
11To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Collinson, [2 May 1767] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have waited for some Time past to have an Opportunity of asking honest Ferguson to spend an Evening with me. Calling on him this afternoon find he is disengaged from all Lectures &c. on Wednesday Evening next. I told him I would ask the Favour of your Company at the same Time, pray therefore let me have the Pleasure of it. Nairne I dare say will also be...
12To Benjamin Franklin from James Des Cotes & Company, 2 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Messrs. James Des Cotes & Company present their Best Compliments To Mr. Franklin. They Sent Him the latter end of March last a Letter from Counsellor Luther in Franckfurth and at the Same time acquainted Him that they were ready to Receive of him and pay him for what Mr. Luther had wrote. Yesterday they Received another Letter of Said Mr. Luther In which he...
13To Benjamin Franklin from [Robert] Crafton, 12 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Crafton’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin has made an Appointment with Mr. Paxton of Boston, for Thursday or Friday next and desires Dr. Franklin will send Word [by the] Bearer, or to morrow, which Day will be more agreeable; that he may fix with Mr. Paxton in Conformity. Dinner at 3 o’Clock. Identified as Robert Crafton by the agreement of handwriting and...
14To Benjamin Franklin from George Croghan, 2 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
LS : William L. Clements Library; LS : American Philosophical Society; draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was favoured with your Letter of the 18th April and I return you my sincere thanks, for the Notice you are pleased to take of my Publick Transactions; And shall think myself happy if my Conduct meets with the approbation of the Kings Ministers. I have been about three Months this...
15To Benjamin Franklin from George Croghan, 27 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
LS : William L. Clements Library; extract: Public Record Office By the last packet from hence, I did myself the Honour of writing to you and of inclosing you, a Copy of my Report to his Excellency General Gage, in respect to the Trade, Situation &c. of the Illinois Country. Since which, I have strong Reasons to suspect, That he has imbibed unfavourable and very unjust Sentiments, relative to...
16List of Fossils Sent by George Croghan to the Earl of Shelburne and Benjamin Franklin, 7 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions , LVII. Part i. For the Year 1767 (London, 1768), 467. The earliest fully authenticated discovery of fossil vertebrates by a white man in what is now the United States was made in 1739 by Charles Le Moyne, Baron de Longueuil, near the Ohio River at a point an unknown distance above the falls that mark the site of the present Louisville,...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cumming, 30 December 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thos. Cumming presents his best Respects to his worthy Friend Doctor Franklin, and begs Leave to introduce to his Notice the Bearer, who is canvassing for the Place of Library-Keeper to the Royal Society. The Doctor will be presented with a Book of that Gentleman’s, which if it has been already read by the Doctor, Cumming may save himself the Trouble of...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwalader Evans, 20 November 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your very acceptable letter of Augst 5th. , and also Doctor Baker’s ingenuous investigation of the cause of the Devonshire colic; for which he deserves the thanks of that County in particular, and of all the world, where Wine, and Cyder, are drank. Gentlemen of the faculty, too often begin where they shou’d end; and instead of writing from...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 18 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library With this you will receive a Power of Attorney from Messrs. Brown and Sons, Bankers, to recover a Debt of one Mitchel, which I recommend to your Care. The Case is this, When I was in Philadelphia, this Mitchel came to England on a Scheme for Purchasing some Lands in Partnership with Mr. Hughes, who desired me to give him a Letter of Credit for any Sum he...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 28 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have staid too long in London this Summer, and now sensibly feel the Want of my usual Journey to preserve my Health. Therefore I this Morning am to set for a Trip to Paris. Sir John Pringle, the Queen’s Physician, goes with me. He has Leave for Six Weeks only, her Majesty being again pregnant. I shall write to you from thence. I receiv’d yours by Sir John...
21From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, [13 November 1767] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.,] A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin Now for the First Time Published (Boston, 1833), pp. 281–2. Since my return, the affair of the Ilinois settlement has been renewed. The King in Council referred the proposal to the Board of Trade, who called for the opinion of the merchants on two points,...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 21 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Falkener has just been here to bring me your Letters. I rejoice to hear that you and Sally are well. My dear Love to her. I will write to you and all my Friends per next Packet. Some Things go for you in a Case to Mr. Foxcroft from his Brother. I send you 4 Handkerchiefs, as a little Present, which please to accept. I bought a Piece and keep half of...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles, 28 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Dr. William’s Library, London Inclos’d I return your List of Doctors, compleated as far as I can do it with the Help of my Friends here. I hope you continue well and happy, being, with sincere Regard and Esteem, my dear Friend, Yours most affectionately [ On the back in Stiles’s hand: ] By Ezra Stiles Episcopalians in America * Revd. Timothy Cutler D D Boston. 1723. Oxon. and Cant. ob....
24Remarks and Facts Relative to the American Paper Money, 11 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AD (first two MS pages missing): American Philosophical Society; printed in The Pennsylvania Chronicle , May 25–June 1, 1767; The Pennsylvania Gazette , June 4, 1767; and [Benjamin Vaughan, ed.,] Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces;... Written by Benj. Franklin, LL.D. and F.R.S . (London, 1779), pp. 206–21; fragment of rough draft: Library of Congress. During January and early...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 17 November 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this minute receiv’d Letters by the Packet of October, from Billy and some other Friends, but not a Line from you. I suppose therefore you have written by some other Vessel: I long to hear of your and Sally’s Welfare from your own Hands. I purpose writing to you fully to-morrow; but as I may be interrupted, I would not miss this Post, in hope it may...
26From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Morton, [19–25 November 1767] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society In Obedience to your Lordship’s Commands I have look’d over that Part of Dr. Priestly’s Work that contains an Account of the Experiments made by him. I find There are a great Number of them, mostly quite new, and some I think very curious and important, well deserving for that Reason and for the great Pains and Expence he has been at in making them, the...
27Incoming Philadelphia Mail, 1767–1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed forms with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society Among the Franklin Papers is a record of letters received in the Philadelphia Post Office by Postmaster Thomas Foxcroft between May 12, 1767, and April 21, 1768. The record consists of a group of twenty-one sheets printed on both sides in the manner prescribed for Post Office Form “C” by Benjamin Franklin and William Hunter in...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Neave, 27 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library At your Request I have perused the Letter to you from Messrs. Baynton, Wharton, and Morgan, relating to the Lands they have convey’d to you, together with the Copies of the Warrants and Surveys; and it is my Opinion they have represented Matters truly and fairly to you in every particular, and that the Lands are so situated as probably to be of a...
29From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 19 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library Dining to day with Mr. Potts, I hear that Letters go by this Night’s Post to Falmouth for the Chance of reaching the Packet. Therefore I write this Line just to say, that I receiv’d yesterday a Line from the Treasury acquainting me that Mr. Kollock is appointed upon my Recommendation to be Collector of Lewes. I shall be more particular in my next. Your...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin (II), 3 July 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library My Friend Mr. Neave calling to acquaint me of his going, I write this Line to let you know that I am well at present, tho’ I have been all last Week so ill with the general Cold and Fever which everybody has had, that I could not hold a Pen, or I should have written fully by him to you and all my Friends as I intended. But the Packet goes next Week by which I...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 16 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (two letters): American Philosophical Society I am unluckily so much engag’d that I cannot have the Pleasure of being at Bromley on Sunday or Monday. present my best Respects to the good Doctor and Mrs. Hawkesworth, and to the Miss Blounts, and to Mrs. Rogers. I should rejoice in the Opportunity of making your Journey to Town more agreable than in the Stage, if I could possibly embrace it....
32Of Lightning, and the Method (Now Used in America) of Securing Buildings and Persons from Its Mischievous Effects … (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; printed in Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Made at Philadelphia in America, By Benjamin Franklin, L.L.D. and F.R.S . (Fourth edition, London, 1769), pp. 479–85. This paper, appearing for the first time in the 1769 edition of Franklin’s important work, is headed “Letter lix.” The date line indicates that he wrote it during his and Pringle’s visit to Paris in 1767....
33From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 26 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We want to hear how our dear Polly does after the Loss of her Two great Teeth together; whether the Jaw is easy and not swell’d &c. Sir Cha. Blount call’d in Cravenstreet last Night, and we learnt with Pleasure that your Friend Dolly and all that Family were well. Dr. Hawkesworth is to spend this Evening there, and I am mortified that I cannot be with them....
34From Benjamin Franklin to Rudolphe Erich Raspe, 6 July 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Landesbibliothek, Kassel I received long since your Favours of Feb. 10. and March 3. I need not tell you I am the worst Correspondent in the World; you are convinc’d of it, as is every one else that does me the Honour of writing to me. If I were younger, I might hope to mend this Fault; I wish Age, or any thing else could excuse it; I can now only confess, and hope my Friends will...
35From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, [8 April 1767] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The Bearer is Mr. Brown of whom I spoke to you formerly. I hope you can, without Inconvenience, afford him some Employment as a Compostor. He will be with me till the Beginning of next Week. I send one of the Papers, and shall send the other in the Morning. If you see any thing in them improper for Publication in your Paper, impute it to my being (as you say) too...
36From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 25 November 1767 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D. F.R.S. &c ., Quarto Edition, II , printed with separate title as The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D. F.R.S. &c . (London, 1817), pp. 144–6; also [William Duane, ed.,] The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin , VI (Philadelphia, 1817), 255–7; MS extracts:...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 13 July 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ADS and AD enclosure: British Museum I have heard of an Account you lately received from Russia of some Discovery of an ancient Sepulchre in the Frontiers of that Country. I wish I could see that Account. In the mean time I send you a Passage I have met with in Herodotus, that most ancient Historian, concerning the Sepulchres of the Sythian Kings, which may possibly throw some Light on this...
38From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, [9 October 1767] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.], A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), p. 281. I returned last night from Paris, and just now hear that the Ilinois settlement is approved of in the Cabinet Council, so far as to be referred to the Board of Trade for their opinion, who are to consider it next week. Shelburne...
39Reply to Coffee-House Orators, [9 April 1767] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , April 7–9, 1767; draft (fragment): American Philosophical Society. Cinque gran nemici da pace, habitanto con esso noi; civè l’avaritia, l’ambitione, l’invidia, l’ira, et la superbia: se detti inimici si mandassero in esilio, regenerebbe senza dubio tra noi pace perpetua . Petrarch . Athens had her orators. They did her sometimes a great deal of good, at other...
40From Benjamin Franklin to Lachlin MacLeane, [November 1767] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Sir Wm. Johnson’s Letter of May 30, 1767 of which you have been so kind as to communicate an Extract to me, has no Relation to the propos’d Boundary Line between the English Colonies and the Indian Country. It is merely a Line of Division between the two Colonies of Pensilvania and Maryland, now running by Agreement of the two Proprietaries, and as it is to...
41From Benjamin Franklin to Mr. Pomeroy, 1 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I yesterday had the Pleasure of receiving the enclosed from Dr. Robertson, Principal of the University of Edinburgh, in answer to mine relating to Mr. Cooper, of which I send you a Copy. I feel myself happy in having been any way instrumental in procuring an Honour so justly due to that Gentleman’s uncommon Merit. As soon as I receive the Diploma, I shall...
42From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 23 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you a few days ago by Mr. Odell a young Clergyman, appointed to the Mission of Burlington, who goes by way of New York; and I purpose writing again per Capt. Egdon, who sails in a few days. As the Packet was late coming hither, I was told by the Secretary of the Post Office that she would not be dispatch’d till the second Saturday of June: But I...
43From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 12 December 1767 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D F.R.S. &c ., Quarto Edition, II, printed with separate title as The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D. F.R.S. &c . (London, 1817), p. 148. I received your kind letter of October 18. I had before seen with great pleasure your name in the papers as chosen for the...
44Report on a Debate in the House of Lords, [11 April 1767] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in The Pennsylvania Chronicle , June 1–8, 1767. I attended a late Debate in the House of Lords, and it gave me great Uneasiness to find much Resentment against the Colonies in the Disputants. The Word Rebellion was frequently used. Lords T—t, T—e, S—h, and others, were against you, and Lord Sh——e, the Duke of G—n, and Lord C——n, your Friends. They said what...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 13 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you the Sketch of the Bill for repealing the Act relating to the legal Tender, to be modell’d by you and brought in as propos’d. I am doubtful the Clause relating to existing Debts will occasion Difficulties in America, and therefore wish the Bill could pass without it. But I think a Clause limiting the Quantities each Colony may emit, would not be...
46American Longevity, [15 December 1767] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , Dec. 12–15, 1767. I have often heard it remarked, that our Colonies in North America were unhealthy and unfavourable to long life; and more particularly so upon their first settlement. In opposition to this groundless notion, I here send you two paragraphs taken from the Pensylvania Gazette of July 16, and the New-York Gazette of August 27, giving an account...
47[To Lord Kames, 11 April 1767] (Franklin Papers)
One of two signed versions of a long letter from Franklin to Lord Kames is dated April 11, 1767, and previous editors have accepted that date without question. For reasons explained in an accompanying head-note the present editors believe the other version, dated Feb. 25, 1767, is closer to Franklin’s original and that the earlier date is the correct one. The letter is therefore printed above,...
48From Benjamin Franklin to George Croghan, 5 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D. F.R.S. &c . (quarto edit., London, 1817–18), III , 366–7. I return you many thanks for the box of elephants’ tusks and grinders. They are extremely curious on many accounts; no living elephants having been seen in any part of America by any of the Europeans settled there, or...
49From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 19 December 1767 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D. F.R.S. &c ., I (quarto edit., London, 1818), 125–6 note. The paragraphs printed here form one of two documents William Temple Franklin printed at widely separated points in his edition of his grandfather’s writings, both of which he said were letters to William...
50From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Gale, 23 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from The Connecticut Courant , June 28, 1769. I receiv’d your favour of Nov. 15, with a letter inclos’d to Dr. Huxham, relating to a mistake in the account given of your success in inoculation, as printed in the Gentleman’s Magazine of August last, which seems to give you great uneasiness. It seems you have not known that your letter to Dr. Huxham, concerning...