46521From Benjamin Franklin to John Alleyne, 15 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society; printed in John Alleyne, The Legal Degrees of Marriage Stated and Considered, in a Series of Letters to a Friend (2nd ed., London, 1775), appendix, pp. 1–2. I have never heard upon what Principles of Policy the Law was made prohibiting the Marriage of a Man with his former Wife’s Sister, nor have I ever been able to conjecture any political...
46522Drawing and Description of a Boat for Fishing Parties on the Delaware River, [1784?] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society The person who inspired Franklin to think about the design of small craft for use on rivers was, it seems, Julien-David Le Roy. By the early 1780s, when the architect began discussing his ideas with Franklin—including improvements to hot-air balloons—he was deeply absorbed in trying to design boats with sails, masts, and hulls that would allow for more...
46523From Benjamin Franklin to John Langdon, 17 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Letters by Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Others. Written during and after the Revolution, to John Langdon, New Hampshire (Philadelphia, 1880), pp. 81–2. I was much oblig’d by your News of Gen. Burgoyne. Accept in Return my Congratulations on the Conclusion of two Treaties with France, one of Amity and Commerce the other of Alliance: which are on the most equal Terms, leaving...
46524From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes: Two Letters, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (incomplete draft) and copy: Library of Congress; (II) ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress The first of these letters represents one of Franklin’s few imprudent acts as a diplomat. His congressional instructions had ordered him to seek French help in attacking Quebec and Halifax, but here he...
46525Poor Richard, 1745 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1745. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1745 , … By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin. (American Antiquarian Society) For the Benefit of the Publick, and my own Profit, I have performed this my thirteenth annual Labour, which I hope will be as acceptable as the former. The rising and setting of the Planets, and their Conjunctions with the...
46526From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frederic Dumas, 1 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I have just time to acknowledge the Receipt of your two Packets, A and B. with the Pamphlets enclos’d, the Contents of which are very satisfactory. You will hear from me more fully in a little time. With great Esteem I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant See Cornelius Stevenson to BF above, Aug. 22, 1776....
46527To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 29 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received the Letter you honour’d me with of the 16th. Instant. I had written to you on the 21st. which I hope you have received, that I would accept and pay your Bills, only desiring you to furnish me a List of them with the Times of their becoming due, and that you would draw, not for the whole at once, but for the Sums as wanted, and thro’ the House of Fitzeaux & Grand. Since the receipt...
46528From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the great Pleasure of hearing from you and Sally last Night per Packet. I cannot now answer every particular of your Letters, having many to write that are to go per this Days Mail: but will per next Opportunity. Mrs. Stevenson bids me tell Sally that the striped Gown I have sent her will wash; but it must be with a light hand in a cold Lather. I am...
46529From Benjamin Franklin to Michael Hillegas, 17 March 1770 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The American Museum, or, Universal Magazine , VII (1790), 224–5. I received your favour of November 25, and have made enquiries, as you desired, concerning the copper covering of houses. It has been used here in a few instances only: and the practice does not seem to gain ground. The copper is about the thickness of a common playing card: and though a dearer metal than lead, I am...
46530From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 19 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of an ALS and copy: Library of Congress In reading over again your Favour of the * Inst, I perceive a Question which I did not before observe, and omitted to answer in mine of the 17th. viz. Whether I will pay your Disbursements for the Brigantine Active? You do not mention to what Sum they may probably amount; I have no Orders to make such Payments; and I daily expect Mr. Palfrey,...