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...
51From Benjamin Franklin to George Croghan, 14 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your Favour of Jany. 16. with the Copy of your Report to Sir William Johnson, and one Letter of later Date, all which I communicated to Lord Shelburne. I delivered him also your Letter that was directed to him. I wish more Attention was paid here to what is recommended by People acquainted with America, and particularly that more could be...
52From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have now before me all your late Letters, and shall answer them Article by Article. Capt. Ourry din’d here a few Days since, and thanks you for remembering him, desiring his Respects to you and Sally—Mr. Strahan and Family the same. I received the Bill sent per Mr. Potts, and suppose it will be duly paid. You will return him the Overplus. I wish I could...
53From Benjamin Franklin to Isaac Hunt, 24 December 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received yours of Octo. 10 and perceive with concern that you are still persecuted as a heretic in politics. It is remarkable that the objection to you as a libeller should come from that person who is himself one huge, living, walking talking libel against all the worthy characters that come in his way. You ask me my advice on the occasion. The...
54From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 25 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (marked “Copy” and dated Feb. 25, 1767); LS (dated April 11, 1767): both Scottish Record Office This letter appears in two forms and offers a puzzle that the editors are unable wholly to solve. One manuscript, dated Feb. 25, 1767, and marked at the top “Copy,” is entirely in Franklin’s hand except for two of its three endorsements on the final page. The other manuscript, dated April 11,...
55From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 14 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Salem County Historical Society, New Jersey I received your Favour of Jany. 27. by way of Ireland. I have not nor ever had the least Doubt of the Regard you express for me, and if such Assurances, after our long Acquaintance were necessary, I [ torn and illegible ] strongest that mine for you is equal. I am therefore sorry, if it is likely to hurt you, that any of my Friends should think...
56From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 8 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I wrote you a pretty long Letter a Day or two ago, per Capt. Falkener our good Friend. I have nothing to add but that I am well, and purpose some little Excursion shortly to preserve my Health. Mr. Hopkinson is now here at our House to take Leave, going to morrow Morning: Mrs. Stevenson presents her Compliments to you and Sally, and Miss Stevenson, that is our...
57From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 2 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I received your kind Letter of Nov. 8. for which I thank you. It rejoices me to hear that you and your Children continue well. I thank God that I too enjoy a greater Share of Health, Strength and Activity than is common with People of my Years, being now Threescore and one. You mention my Opinion of this being a good sort of World, in which you differ from...
58From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, [1767–1770] (Franklin Papers)
Fragment of draft: American Philosophical Society [ First part missing ] and a Train of various Amusements daily interfering, I as continually put off Writing till to-morrow; when I receiv’d the second Letter, I propos’d answering both together to-morrow; the same of the third; and now what a shameful Fault has this Procrastination led me into! a Fault which even my Polly with all her...
59From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 13 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library; enclosure: AD : Yale University Library In my last of May 20. I mention’d my Hopes that we should at length get over all Obstructions to the Repeal of the Act restraining the legal Tender of Paper Money. But those Hopes are now greatly lessened. The Ministry had agreed to the Repeal. And the Notion that had possess’d them that they might make a Revenue from...
60From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, [14 March 1767] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Pennsylvania Chronicle, And Universal Advertiser , May 18–May 25, 1767; and The Pennsylvania Gazette , May 28, 1767. This extract appeared in identical form in both the Chronicle and the Gazette to introduce the extended passage from the Board of Trade representation of Feb. 9, 1764, recommending a prohibition of legal-tender currency in all the colonies. The...