1From 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...
2From 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...
3The 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...
4From 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...
5From 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...
6From 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...
7From 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,...
8From 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...
9From 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...
10Remarks 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...
11From 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...
12From 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...
13From 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....
14From 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...
15Extract from a Pamphlet, [9 April 1767] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , April 7–9, 1767 As the bare letter of a Governor of one of our provinces, accusing his People of rebellious intentions , is by many here thought sufficient ground for inflicting penalties on such province, unheard , without farther evidence , and without knowing what it may have to say in its justification: I wish you would give the Public the following...
16Reply 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...
17From Benjamin Franklin to ——, [11 April 1767] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in The Pennsylvania Chronicle , June 1–8, 1767. We have been very busy about the Paper Money Affair. The Merchants are to wait on Lord Clare with their Opinion in Favour of it in a Day or two. After receiving Dr. F’s Remarks on the Report of the Board of Trade, they have drawn up a new Representation on the Subject, which they have signed, and Dr. F’s Paper...
18Report 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...
19“Benevolus”: On the Propriety of Taxing America, [11 April 1767] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , April 9–11, 1767. This letter was reprinted in London in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , April 13, 1767, and in The Pennsylvania Chronicle , June 8, 1767. Franklin’s authorship is specifically recognized in the manuscript list of his pieces that were reprinted in the Philadelphia newspaper. The letter also appeared in Boston and Williamsburg papers...
20[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,...
21From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 11 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your Favour of Dec. 8. and Feb. 22. and thank you for the particular Accounts you send me of Affairs on your side the Water, which are very agreable to me to read. Here publick Affairs are in great Disorder; a strong Opposition against the Ministry which at the same time is thought not to be well united, and daily Apprehensions of new...
22From 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...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 14 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library I have before me your Favours of Jan. 11. and 14. Feb. 20. and 21. I am glad the House thought fit to attempt a Circuit Bill. It has long been a great Hardship to the remote Counties, that they were forc’d to come to Philadelphia for Justice. Obliging the Judges to go the Circuit regularly is so reasonable a Measure, that it must in time force itself thro’ all...
24From 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...
25Right, Wrong, and Reasonable, [18 April 1767] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , April 18, 1767. In the March 5 and 9 issues of the Gazetteer appeared a long, unsigned article, entitled “Right, Wrong, and Reasonable, according to American Ideas, and the genuine meaning of certain manuscripts lately imported.” This article was clearly prompted by the New York merchants’ petition, Nov. 28, 1766, which was laid before the...
26Incoming 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...
27From 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....
28From Benjamin Franklin to [William Strahan], 16 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I send you the Notes you desired of me. When you have dress’d them they’ll be fit to appear in Company. I send also a little Article of News for your Paper, which I wish may be inserted this Evening if you see no Objection. I mean to set the Dispute in a ridiculous Light if I could. The Act of Parliament requires the Colony to find for the Troops, Barracks,...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 20 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library; enclosure: AD : Yale University Library I had no Line from you per last Packet. I hope you are well. We have been extreamly busy here lately in the Affair of Paper Money. Enclos’d I send you a Copy of the Report of the Merchants, obtained after many Meetings and delivered to the Ministry: But there are still great Difficulties, the Board of Trade being...
30From 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...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 23 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I wrote to you a few days since via New York, and purpose writing again by a Ship that sails from hence in a few Days. It was intended at the Post Office, as this Packet arriv’d long after the time she was expected, to keep her till next Month; but some Reasons have suddenly alter’d that Resolution, and I have just heard that the Mail is to be dispatch’d to night....
32From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, [13 June 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), p. 280. The Ilinois affair goes forward but slowly. Lord Shelburne told me again last week, that he highly approved of it, but others were not of his sentiments, particularly the Board of Trade. Lyman is...
33From 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...
34From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson: Verses on Her Birthday, 15 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AD (two copies): American Philosophical Society To Miss Stevenson, on her Birthday, June 15. 1767. Addressed: To / Miss Stevenson Of these two copies, both in BF ’s hand, one survives among his own papers, the other among the papers of Mary Stevenson Hewson. The Hewson Papers were inherited by her descendants, James Sydney Bradford and Miss Frances Margaret Bradford, of Philadelphia, and...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 17 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library We were greatly disappointed yesterday that we had not the Pleasure, promis’d us, of our dear Polly’s Company. Your good Mother would have me write a Line in Answer to your Letter. A Muse, you must know, visited me this Morning! I see you are surpriz’d, as I was. I never saw one before. And shall never see another. So I took the Opportunity of her Help to put the...
36From 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...
37From 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...
38From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 22 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Falkener is arriv’d, and came yesterday to see me, and bring my Letters. I was extreamly glad of yours, because I had none by the Packet. It seems now as if I should stay here another Winter, and therefore I must leave it to your Judgment to act in the Affair of your Daughter’s Match as shall seem best. If you think it a suitable one, I suppose the...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin (I), 3 July 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With this you will receive a Box with 2 of the Petticoats quilted in the Loom; one for you, the other for Sally—also a Negligee and Petticoat for Sally, and some Snail. I shall write more fully per Pacquet next Week. I can now only add that I am, Your ever loving Husband PS. I have been ill this Week past with the epidemical Cold that every body has had, or...
40From 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...
41From 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...
42Note Respecting Trade and Manufactures, 7 July 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Library of Congress This memorandum may have been intended as a newspaper article, although the editors have not discovered any printing of it in the London or Philadelphia papers. On the other hand, BF may have written it only for his own or his friends’ amusement. The manuscript is badly torn along its right side, so that many words are lost. The missing words have been supplied from...
43From 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...
44From 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...
45From 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...
46From 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,...
47From 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...
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 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,...
50From 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...