1To Benjamin Franklin from William Heberden, 1 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Heberden sends his compliments to Dr. Franklin, and desires the favor of his company at dinner on tuesday next (Jan. 6th.) at half an hour past three. Addressed: To / Mr. Franklin / Craven Street For William Heberden, one of 18th century England’s most eminent physicians, to whose pamphlet on inoculation for smallpox BF had written a preface during his...
2To Benjamin Franklin from François Willem de Monchy, 9 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have spoken here with a man to make you a model of an Iceboat, but as it must be made in the proportion of an Inche, or perhaps less to a foot it will cost you about 10 Duc., that is between 4 and 5 guineas, and this is the reason why I ask you first if you will give so much for it, if you like it, I’ll take care it shall be made soon, and send it over...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Rich, 10 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society If Doctor Franklin is in England Miss Rich begs the favour of him to call upon her some morning about Eleven o’clock, if it be not inconvenient to him. On Mary Rich, daughter of one Sir Robert Rich and sister of another, see above, XIII , 548 n. While this note could have been written during any January when BF was in England through 1769, the year of Miss...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 12 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society laste nighte Mr. Brown Came and asked me if I had any Commans to you I sed I all ways have he sed he shold saile this day by the way of Dublin I Cold a wishe he Coud a Stayde tell the Poste had Cum in as I heard the Packit is Cume in to N Yorke. I am so impashente tell the poste cumes in I send you the 2 bills endorsed by Septeymus Robinson but the Paper...
5To 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...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 14 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you a Short letter a few days [ago per] Mr. Brown, nor can I write you a long one now. This is chiefly to acknowledge the receipt of your Obliging Favor of the 8th of Novr. We have indeed been plentifully bespatterd by the Malice of our Enemies. And as you Observe our Consolation must be, that we do not Deserve it. I can assure my Friend, their...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 14 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thou’l find by the date of this Letter, that, We have entr’d into another Year, thy Friends here, sincerely wish, it may be repleate with Health and Happiness to thee, and that, within it, We may have to Congratulate each Other, on the Important Change made in our Goverment from Proprietary to Royal. Our Assembly are now sitting but as yet, nothing Material...
8To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 16 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By this Packet I had not the Pleasure of one Line from you: I am sorry I am so displeasing to you: As I never knew the Gentleman’s Name before, to whom I owe the Place in the Custom House, I could not return him Thanks by Name: therefore only did it to you. Will you be pleased to make my Humble Complements to him, and sincere Thanks for the Favour, which is...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Tissington, 20 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My last told you of an hare; Yesterday she was returnd me hither as no Carriage could pass, and I send this to prevent you the trouble of inquiring; We have yet no passage in the Country; no post from North or South since last Wednesday, but hope for one today as roads are cutting thro’ the snow. The Winter is now calm, the sky clear; the frost severe; and...
10From 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...
11To 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...
12To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 27 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society I have your Favours of the 12th August, and 27th of September, now before me, which I ask Pardon for not answering sooner, but you may believe the Delay, did not proceed from Want of Respect. As to the Contents of that, of the 26th. August, I need say nothing relating to them, as Mr. Brown, who is with you long before this can reach, will be able...
13To Benjamin Franklin from John Michell, 27 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Michell presents his Compliments to Mr. Franklin and desires the honor of his Company at dinner next Sunday. Dine at four. For John Michell, the astronomer and geologist, who late in this year became rector at Thornhill, Yorkshire, see above, VII , 357 n. This note could have been written at almost any time during BF ’s first or second missions. It is...
14To 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
15Extract of a Letter from London, 2 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Pennsylvania Gazette , April 30, 1767 There is no certainty that Franklin wrote the letter of which this is an extract. It might have been taken from one of William Strahan’s frequent letters of political news to David Hall, except that the “us” in the final sentence seems to establish that the writer was an American—whether Franklin or someone else. Colonial...
16To 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...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 6 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Here are three Ships about to sail. I can only write to my Friends by the last of them or by the Packet, that goes to morrow Week. Yet I must write a Line to you by every one of them, tho’ it be only to tell you I am well and very busy. I have received your Letters by the December Packet and by Captain Beves. I have got the Clothes and have worn them, but...
18To 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...
19List 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,...
20To 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...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Hasenclever, 9 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Hasenclever presents his Respects to Dr. Francklin, sends him his Carriage and hopes to have the Honnour to see him to day at Dinner, or as Soon as possible. Addressed: To/Dr. Benjamin Francklin Esq/Cravenstreet/Westminster Peter Hasenclever (1716–1793), Prussian-born son of an iron manufacturer, came to New York in 1764 at the head of a British company...
22To 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...
23The Legal Tender of Paper Money in America, 13 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library This paper appears to be the “Hints of Arguments” Franklin told Jackson in the letter immediately below that he had drawn up for the use of the Duke of Grafton when the proposed bill for the repeal of the Currency Act should reach the House of Lords. The subject matter of the paper, its date, and the statement that it was “presented to one of the Ministry” all...
24From 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...
25From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, [14 February 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. 280. Great changes being expected keeps men’s minds in suspense, and obstructs public affairs of every kind. It is therefore not to be wondered at, that so little progress is made in our American schemes of the Ilinois grant, and...
26To 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...
27To 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...
28Lewis Morris and Hugh Roberts: List of Apple Scions Sent to Benjamin Franklin, 21 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania This Canister contains No 1 a bundle of Cions from an Apple Tree of the best flat Newtown Pippins 2 a bundle do. of the Preistly-Apple, so Called, this Apple preserves its lively juices, longer than any Other; and the Tree is remarkably beautiful; for it naturally grows strong and in the form of a Cone. 3 a small bundle of Cions from an excellent...
29To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 21 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The Company that were to have dined with me on Monday are so desirous that you should make one with them, that they have agreed to defer their Meeting, till Tuesday, on which Day at Four I shall expect the Pleasure of seeing you. I herewith send you some more of the Copy of the History of North America. Be so good to put it to what you had before, and when you...
30From 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...
31To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 23 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Some Time ago, I wrote requesting you to send me a Fount of Pica and one of Long-Primer. If this be not too late I would counter order the Pica only for this Reason: The Low Dutch Congregation here, are about having part of their Time of Worship to be English, and so got the Psalms turn’d into Verse in English to suit their Dutch Tunes: for which purpose,...
32From 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,...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, [February 1767–May 1767] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I come to Town on tuesday if you are not Engaged in the Ev’ning I will call upon you about seven if you are Engaged or whether you arez not, be so good to give me a Line by the Penny post to my House in Portugal Street. I find some People are Determined to decide that NA is in Rebellion, and to come to an open rupture. Your Obligd and Obedient Addressed: To / Benj...
34From 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...
35To Benjamin Franklin from John Pownall, 4 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Pownall presents his respectfull Compliments to Dr. Franklyn and shall be greatly obliged to him if he can give him any Information as to the person and [ illegible ] mentioned below. One -- Dimsdale died in the Province of Pensylvania in 1764 or 1765. possessed of a Plantation there, which he left by will in general Terms to his relations in the North...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Mr. and Mrs. John Sargent, 6 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. and Mrs. Sargent present Their Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and will be glad of the Favour of his Company, if He will take a Family Dinner with Them on Sunday next. at half past Three . Addressed: To Dr. Franklin / Mrs. Stephenson’s / Craven Street / Strand John Sargent was a director of the Bank of England and at this time an M.P. for West Looe; BF had...
37To 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...
38From Benjamin Franklin to [Robert] Willock, [9 March 1767] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Maggs Bros., Catalogue No. 215 (November 1905), p. 17; and Goodspeed’s Book Shop, The Flying Quill. Autographs at Goodspeed’s , New Series, August, 1962, p. 8. Dr. Franklin presents his compliments to Mr. Willock, and requests he would forward the enclos’d with his respects to Dr. Lewis. Dr. F. has just received it from Germany. Robert Willock, bookseller, whose...
39Remarks 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...
40From 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...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Franklin, 14 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind present and am very Glad to hear you and My Daughter and Mrs. Stevenson are well and give you humble thanks for your very Great favours. I have sent this Week by Mrs. Biggs the Welford Carrier that Inns att the Windmill in St: Johns Street and Will be in London on Wensday next ten pounds of Butter a Couple of Chickins a Sage Cheese...
42To Benjamin Franklin from I. M. Luther, 16 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La Complaisance que vous avez euë à me procurer une aussi jolie Perspective me fait prendre la Liberté à vous prier derechef de m’envoyer le plutôt possible encore un pareil, de même qu’un microscope simple avec des changements usités, de cuivre jeaune dans un Etuïe. Si ce microscope peut-être arrangé de façon à en faire un composé cela me fairoit d’autant...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Heinrich Ehrenfried Luther, 16 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society L’honneur de l’agréable vôtre du 9. 7bre de l’année derniere m’est bien parvenuë le 29. 8bre d’aprez aussi bien que les Limes &ce. et la Perspective pour mon fils. Mrs. Voogd Des Cotes &Ce. vous en auront remboursé et je vous fais bien des remerciments Monsieur de la peine que vous avez euë avec ces Emplettes. Je me récommande par contre, et vous prie de...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Pomeroys & Hodgkin, 18 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We inclose You the Revd. Mr. Coopers two Sermons, Our freind Mr. Nicholas Boylston sent us, which we esteem deserving the high character he gives of Mr. Cooper, which You will please to forward to Glasgow as soon as possible to procure his degree of Doctor in Divinity, what ever charges You may be at shall be repaid You with the greatest gratitude by Sir...
45From 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...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Mr. Walker, 20 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Walker presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklyn and will be glad of the favour of his Company to dinner on Monday the 6th of April. This may possibly be George Walker (1734–1807), a dissenting minister and mathematician and a friend of Joseph Priestly. BF supported his nomination to the Royal Society in 1771; above, VIII , 359; DNB .
47From 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....
48To 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...
49To 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...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Potts, 2 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With this I send you your Commission signed by his Majestys Post Master General the Fees you will pay at your leisure. I am with great Truth and regard Dear Sir Your faithful Friend and most humble Servant The Post Office commission that was issued to BF and Foxcroft, Sept. 25, 1765, was to be valid “for and during the Term of three Years, or ’till they...