31To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 5 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of Jan. 10. I just received: am glad to hear you continue well. It is only on Account of Cheapness I would take Scotch Letter: for I confess I always gave the Preference in my Mind to Caslon’s: Last Packet I wrote that I had got a very small Fount of Caslon’s Pica by Chance, so that if Pica were not engaged, I would do without it; but if it is...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Lachlin MacLeane, 24 November 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Mr. Macleane presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and sends him a Paragraph of a Letter from Sir Wm. Johnson relative to the Boundary Line behind Pensylvania. Mr. Macleane will do Himself the Pleasure of waiting on the Doctor some Day this Week. [ On the same page: ] Extract of a Letter from Sir Wm. Johnson to the Earl of Shelburne, dated Johnson Hall...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Count Sarsfield, [June 1767] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Count Sarsfield’s compliments to Dr. Franklin and desires to know if he will be at home about Eleven, because the count can’t tomorrow have the honour to Call on him for Some material business hinders him. Guy Claude, Comte de Sarsfield (1718–1789), was a French military officer of Irish ancestry, with an interest in scientific matters and a fondness for...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin (I), 16 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hear that Capt. Sparkes is to saile to morrow or next day. I set down to chatt a littel to you, and in close a letter, which I had sente to N yorke but the vesill was gon. I wente up to see our Children att Burlinton on Satterday and Billey Come doune with me on munday and returnd yisterday and Salley wente up with him and I expeckte her down this day or...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Katherine French, 19 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mrs. French’s compliments to Doctor Franklin desires to know how he does; if at leisure would be very glad of the pleasure of his company this Morning to play at Chess. A number of notes from Mrs. French to BF survive in the Franklin Papers, but the editors have been able to discover little about her; for what is known, see above, XII , 96–7 n. May 19 fell...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Mr. and Mrs. William Strahan, 28 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. and Mrs. Strahan present their Compliments to Dr. Franklin and Mrs. Stevenson and desire the favour of their Company this Afternoon to drink Tea and spend the evening. Addressed: To / Dr / Franklin / at Mrs Stevensons / Craven Street
37To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 1 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society No doubt you will wonder I have not sent you a Power according to my Promise: The Reason is this: Mr. Colden tells me he has a Copy of the Power he sent, Which he would lend me to form one by: and he says he cannot at present recollect where it is, but will search for it, and I being desirous to have it unexceptionable, have waited in hopes he will find it:...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 8 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library Having been much engaged in the late Sitting of our Assembly and Supream Court which has continued Since the Adjournment of the House till this Time, I was fearful It woud not be in my Power to write you per this Packet. But the Subject of this Letter appears to me of so much real Importance to the Welfare of the Colonies and their future Peace that I resolved...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Sir John Pringle, [March 1767] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty to beg that You would come as soon as You can to the Duke of Ancaster’s in Berkeley Square, as His Grace and the Duchess are in the greatest distress about their daughter, who has been long in a most Miserable condition with spasms and convulsions. After all that we have done the distemper remains obstinate, and therefore the Parents have...
40To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 16 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this Moment heard of Mr. Francis’s being to embark To morrow Morning for England. His unfortunate Connection with Mr. Hagen, a considerable Merchant in London, who has lately fail’d is the Occasion of his sudden Departure. The Distress which must be necessarily brought on him and his Family, in case Hagens’s Affairs should prove as bad as...
41To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Morton, 21 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Lord Morton’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin and desires the favor of his Company at dinner on Saturday next to meet Sir John Pringle, but wishes he would come about 11 o’Clock to go through some of the Electrical Experiments with Dr. Ingen Housz, but if that Doctor should be engaged for Saturday, in such event the meeting must be put off till some other...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Emanuel Mendes da Costa, 2 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society The Committee (to whom the Consideration of the Papers communicated to the Society at their Weekly Meetings is referred, by Virtue of a Statute of the said Society , passed at a Council, held on the 26th Day of March, 1752) having been appointed to meet at the Society’s House in Crane-Court, Fleetstreet, on Thursday the...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 7 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This opportunity presenting via Falmouth —I embrace it to inform thee, that thy Family are well; and that, thy Friends have frequent Occasion to make mention of thee with great pleasure. We now hourly look for the December-Packet, by which Vessel We do expect to hear something much to our Satisfaction; relative to the Affairs of this Province. The...
44To 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...
45To 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...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Rodolphe Valltravers, 6 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Valltravers’s best Respects wait on Dr. Franklin, and sends him the Memorial, he promised him, and Mr. Colinson, for their true Information about the Troubles At Geneva. He goes to Bath on Monday, and will call on his Return to Town. Valltravers was a shadowy, though well-meaning, figure who corresponded frequently with BF during the latter’s war-time...
47To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Morton, 9 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Lord Morton’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin, If it will be convenient for him to look at the Chimney tomorrow forenoon Lord Morton will call upon him between 11 and 12 o Clock, as he is to be in that part of the Town however about that Hour. He will carry the Doctor to Brook Street, and afterwards set him down at home, as he has business which calls him to...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 9 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you a few Lines yesterday per Packet. Our Election is now over, and all the Old Members (save a few that resigned ) again are returned as Representatives in Assemby: And in the stead of those who are left out, such are come in as are warm for the Change of our Government. So that I have no Doubt but you will receive from the New House further...
49To Benjamin Franklin from John Huske, [11 April 1767] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania My very long confinement with the Gout hath prevented me from the pleasure of waiting on you for part of the autumn and the whole of the winter. And at present I am so weak in the joints which have been affected with the Gout that I cannot stand or move without assistance.This being my situation and a Tax being designed to be imposed on salt in America,...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Sherwood, 21 July 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Joseph Sherwood’s respects to Benjn. Franklyn Esqr., Sherwood has applied to the Plantation, and Secretary of States Office (where the Patents &c. are Recorded) both of whom Absolutely refuse to give Copies, being as they say totally unusual and Extra Official; Sherwood has Perused and Considered the Papers very Attentively, and from his own Ideas of the...
51To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel] Potts, 3 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Potts presents his Compliments to Mr. Frankland and desires the favour of his Company to dine on a Buck of the Postmaster Generals on Wednesday next at the Kings Arms in Cornhill at 3 in the Afternoon. On the basis of handwriting comparison the editors have attributed this note to Samuel Potts, controller of the Post Office’s Inland Office, 1765–87, and...
52To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 23 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My last to you, was per Capt. Lawrence, by whom I received the Stationary: A few Days after he was sail’d I got yours via Philadelphia of Feb. 28. and 12 Days ago I received yours per Packet of March 14. inclosing Capt. Berton’s Bill of Lading for the Letter, which arrived about 6 Days ago: I have executed a Bond agreeable to your Order. I have not received...
53To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, [13–18 October? 1767] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have reseved all your letters down to July 3d the laste by mr. Nevese whare in you say that by the packit you shall anser all mine and your friends letters by Folkener Friend and the Packit but that is arived and no letter from you to aneybodey which is verey surpriseing to them I say that I thinke you have wrote but by sum mistake thay was not put on...
54To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, 19 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Received yours per Mr. S. Barrett —your kind Condolance of my late Misfortune by Fire and Good Opinion of my Industry and ability to recover the same Gives me Pleasure; I am verry Sensible its Wise not to be Concern’d about What I Cant Help more. Especially for What I niver may want, and I am Satify’d I Shall niver Want to buy an Old House to Repair...
55To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Morton (II), [11 April 1767] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Lord Morton’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin; acquaints him that Lord Morton and the Workmen have been expecting him ever since 12 o’Clock, and hopes the Doctor has not forgot his engagement to dine with him afterwards where he will meet some of his acquaintance. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / at Mrs Stephenson’s / Craven Street
56To Benjamin Franklin from Katherine French, 30 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The opera interfering [ torn ] Mrs. French to put off her Music till Saturday 6th. June When she hopes to have [the] favor of seeing Docr. Frank[lin.] May 30, fell on a Saturday in 1767 and 1772 during BF ’s second mission; according to editorial practice this note is printed here at the earlier of the two dates.
57To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 15 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society We experienced a much greater degree of Cold at derby, in the late Frost, than perhaps was ever observed in England, and the quick transitions, were no less remarkable. On Sunday the 18 of last month, at 7 o Clock in the evening. My thermometer stood at 20. At half an hour after Nine, nearly one degree below 0. At seven the next Morning 30. External Air. I hope to hear...
58To 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...
59To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 23 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you Yesterday in a Hurry on hearing that the Packet was to sail from New York Tomorrow but my Letter got over to Bristol too late for the Post, who it seems missed his Tuesday’s Stage and did not get into Philadelphia till Wednesday, and the Postmaster kept him till Thursday Morning and then dispatch’d him early, whereas in common he is not...
60To 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...