Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from John Waring, 4 January 1760

From John Waring

ALS: American Philosophical Society

Russel Street Jan. 4: 1760

Sir

This is to inform You that the associates of the Late Dr. Bray unanimously chose You a Member of their Society.1 The Prospect of Your kind Assistance induced them to accept of the proposal mentioned in their Advertisment,2 and to resolve upon opening three Schools for Negroes with all convenient Speed: They adjourned to Thursday 17th. Instant with a View to ask Your Advice and Assistance in the establishment of these Schools, and hope to have the pleasure of meeting You on that Day at 10 oClock at Mr. Birds Bookseller in Ave Mary Lane near St. Pauls: to go upon Business at 11. precisely.3 I am Sir Your most obedient humble Servant

Jn. Waring

Addressed: To / Benj Franklin Esq,/in Craven Street/near/Charing Cross.

Endorsed: Mr Waring Jan 4. 60. recd Jan 5.

1BF was elected to membership in The Associates of Dr. Bray on Jan. 2, 1760. On March 6, 1760, he was appointed to the committee which audited the Society’s accounts and on the same day he was elected chairman of the Society for the ensuing year. In the spring of 1761 he was re-elected chairman. Richard I. Shelling, “Benjamin Franklin and the Dr. Bray Associates,” PMHB, LXIII (1939), 282–93. For BF’s earlier relations with this society, see above, VII, 100–1, 252–3, 356, 377–9; VIII, 425.

2The editors have not succeeded in locating a copy of this “Advertisement.”

3For BF’s recommendations at the meeting on Jan. 17, 1760, see below, pp. 20–1. John Bird (d. 1804) was a liveryman of the Company of Stationers. John Nichols, Illustrations of the Literary History of the Eighteenth Century, VIII (London, 1858), 472.

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