61To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 30 September 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library I have not wrote to you, as often as my Inclinations would have induced me, as I have been engaged in a great Variety of Business, Which has called me much from Home; But as I esteem it my Duty, to afford you every Piece of Intelligence, which respects his Majesty’s Interest, I give you the Trouble of this Letter. I took the Liberty, both last Year and the...
62To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 21 September 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote thee on the 8th Inst. since which have none of thy favours, as I in my last inform’d thee, relative to the Affairs of Baynton Wharton & Morgan, I have now the satisfaction of saying, that, in a few Days after, they calld their Creditors together, and laid before them, a state, whereby it clearly appeared they had a Capital of £28.000 and Upwards,...
63From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 14 September 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; incomplete copy: American Philosophical Society I am always pleas’d with a Letter from you, and I flatter myself you may be sometimes pleas’d in receiving one from me, tho’ it should be of little Importance, such as this, which is to consist of a few occasional Remarks made here and in my Journey hither. Soon after I left you in that agreable Society at Bromley, I...
64To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Sherwood, 11 September 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Joseph Sherwood Presents his Respects to B. Franklyn Esqr. and Informs him, that Sherwood Attended at his Lodgings the beginning of the Week, with the Papers &c. ready to send to Charles Read Esqr. Addressed: For / Benjn. Franklyn Esqr. / at Mrs. Stephensons / Craven Street / Strand See above, p. 217 n.
65To 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...
66To Benjamin Franklin from John Michell, 6 September 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just returned to Newark from an expedition into Yorkshire to see Thornhill, the place I told you I was going to remove to. In my return, I came through Sheffield, where I enquired after the Stands for small Wax Candles, with nippers, such as Mrs. Stevenson wanted; but found there were none of them made yet of the plated ware, by any of the workmen in...
67To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 1 September 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having wrote twice since 8 Days ago, I have not any Thing material to write now only that I have not been able yet to execute a proper Power: Indeed, the chief Reason is for some Weeks past, I have had the Gout wandering from Limb to Limb, and tho’ none so very violent as to lay me quite up, yet so much, that I have no sooner Ease in one Part, than I have...
68To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Rich, [June–August 1767] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Miss Rich is very unwilling to trouble Mr. Franklin again about the Glass Instrument, well knowing that every moment of his time is employ’d in things of much greater Consequence; but not having been well lately, She is apprehensive She May be sent suddenly to the Bath, and cannot help wishing to recieve from Him some Little Idea of the practice of it...
69From 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...
70From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 28 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 edition, London, 1817–18), II, 143–4. I have no letter of yours since my last, in which I answered all preceding ones. Last week I dined at Lord Shelburne’s, and had a long conversation with him and Mr. Conway (there being no other company), on the subject...
71From 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....
72To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 27 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho’ it is but 4 Days since I wrote per Packet, yet this Opportunity offering I send again, with this Day’s Paper, tho’ there is Nothing of Importance in it: Nor any Thing of private Intelligence, than that we are much as we were: nor have I had Time since my last to see about any Thing wrote about in my last: but as the Packet is to go next Monday I shall...
73To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Templeman, 27 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Templeman presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and heartily wishes Him a great deal of pleasure in his Tour. Begs the favour of Him to deliver the inclosed to Mr. Genet; he has not mentioned the place of Mr. Genet’s residence, for he imagines that He always accompanys the Court. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / in / Craven street / Strand Peter...
74To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 24 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society All yours of April 14. May 23. and June 12. I received within a few Days of each other: I congratulate you, on the Renewal of your Commission. Thank you for all your kind Advice, and as Mr. Foxcroft has since appointed Mr. Babcock at New Haven, I am glad my Sentiments tallied with both yours. I have received the Chronicles by the two last Packets from Mr....
75To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 22 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL (fragments) and LS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Since my last I am favor’d with [yours] of May 20, per Mr. Odell, May 23d. per Packet, and [June?] 6, per Gilbert. The second came to hand but [ torn ] Yesterday above a Week after the [last?]. From the little [ remainder of page missing .] The Assembly of New Jersey have made Prov[ision] for supplying the King’s Troops with...
76From 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...
77From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 8 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library; extracts printed or paraphrased in The Pennsylvania Chronicle, and Universal Advertiser , October 5–12, 1767. I have before me your Favours of April 23. May 21. and 26. I am exceedingly oblig’d to you for the kind Care you have taken to make me that seasonable Remittance of £250 by a Bill Richardson on Barclay. It was well-judg’d to send it thro’ the Hands of...
78To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 8 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Not having the Pleasure of one Line from you for several Vessels; I have the less to write you. I am afraid we shall have bad Work with Mr. Chew, who now says, you promised to allow him for a Rider he hired to Hartford, in 1755 and 1756: but it is Strange when he was with me in Philadelphia in 1764, that he never mentioned it at that Time. Holt’s Account...
79From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 5 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received yours of the 21st of May and am truly sorry to hear of your misfortune. It must however be a consolation to you that it cannot be imputed to any imprudence of your own, and that being yet in the early part of life, industry and good management may in a few years replace what you have lost. But in the mean time your own discretion will suggest...
80From 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...
81From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwalader Evans, 5 [August] 1767 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Samuel Hazard, ed., Hazard’s Register of Pennsylvania , XVI , No. 5 (August 1, 1835), 65–6. I received your obliging favour of May 16. I am always glad to hear from you when you have Leisure to write, and I expect no Apologies for your not Writing. I wish all correspondence was on the Foot of Writing and answering when one can, or when one is dispos’d to it,...
82From 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...
83From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Penington, 5 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I received yours of May 21. and 25. with a Letter and Papers enclos’d for Mrs. Penn, which I forwarded. Yours of June 8. is since come to hand, with one for her by the Name of Durdin. She will now change neither her Name nor her Mind any more, for I hear she is dead. I have nevertheless seal’d and forwarded the Letter to Ireland. They were strange...
84To 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...
85From 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...
86From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 1 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Facsimile of ALS : Catalogue of Charles Hamilton Sale, Dec. 13, 1966, p. 95, no. 284. Last Night I received a Letter from Dr. Robertson, acquainting me that the University of Edinburgh have on my Recommendation conferr’d the Degree of Dr. in Divinity upon the Revd. Mr. Cooper of Boston: an Event, that when I last had the Pleasure of seeing you, you may remember I was desirous of waiting for,...
87To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Sherwood, 28 July 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Joseph Sherwood’s respects to Benjn. Franklyn Esqr., Sherwood has Inclosed a Draught of a Case to be laid before the Attorney General, as clear as Sherwood is able to do it, with the materials he has got, Sherwood desires his Friend Franklyn will give it an Attentive Perusal and Amend it as Occasion shall require, Sherwood will call in Craven Street in a...
88To 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...
89From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Franklin, 17 July 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society; transcript: New England Historic Genealogical Society I should sooner have answered your kind Letters of last Year, but postpon’d it from time to time having mislaid the Print I intended to send you, which I have now found and send herewith. I am glad to hear of the Welfare of you and your Family, which I hope will long continue. My Love to them all. It gives...
90To 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...