Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 5 April 1767
From: Parker, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honoured Sir
New-York, April 5. 1767
Yours of Jan. 10. I just received: am glad to hear you continue well. It is only on Account of Cheapness I would take Scotch Letter: for I confess I always gave the Preference in my Mind to Caslon’s: Last Packet I wrote that I had got a very small Fount of Caslon’s Pica by Chance, so that if Pica were not engaged, I would do without it; but if it is engaged, let it come.

The Stationary I hope will come safe: and will be acceptable now I being near out of those Articles: but not of the others.
Yesterday I received from Mr. Foxcroft, from Virginia, a Paper from you, called Notes of Enquiry made on examining the Post Masters Accounts Nov 15. 1766. to be examined by the Comptroller; and having immediately examined every Particular in them, (supposing you have a Copy) I make the Inclosed Notes or Answer thereto.
Having frequently pressed B. Mecom for his Post-Office Accounts, Pay &c. a few Weeks ago, he return’d his Commission to me and resign’d the Post-Office. There is a Ballance yet due from him: which he promised to pay soon: Mr. Foxcroft being gone to Virginia, I appointed Mr. Luke Babcock, who lives at New Haven, and is a Son of Col. Babcock of Westerly: I flatter myself it will be agreeable to you and Mr. Foxcroft both, and hope he will do well in it, tho’ I know him not personally, yet he has a general good Name.
I wrote to you once begging you to speak to somebody to send English Papers to me: for which I would pay them: I suppose the Chronicle to be the best but I know not whom to apply to: I have borrow’d hitherto: I keep creaping on slowly that is, my Papers increase slowly. It is not in any Body to command Success, but I am sure I have try’d to deserve it, ever since I have been here: Indeed I find myself sometimes almost overcome, but I am determined to struggle hard before I yield: Every One can sail the Sea in fine Weather, good Sailors are try’d in a Storm. I print now about 300 Papers—and I hope more will come in. I have had Writs out for Holt now above 6 Months, but he keeps close, and I can get neither Accounts nor Money of him: yet he drives on, fighting me with my own Weapons. I thank God, I have as much Health this Winter, as I have had these 5 years past or more, and am yet able to work myself and hope to make both Ends meet: But my Son, who I find I dare not trust alone at Woodbridge, is coming to live here in May: He has been at work here some Weeks, can work very well, and has recovered a good Share of his Health again: 4 or 5 of my Family, Boys and Lads are now going thro’ Inoculation at Woodbridge: otherways I have Reason to be thankful we are all in a better State of Health than I have known in my Family these two years.
April 6 ... With the above Notes, I had Mr. Foxcroft’s Letter wherein he requests me if I could get it any Way, to send you a Bill for £300—or £400 Sterl: As to myself I have not any Post Office Money in my Hands, I had a Bill on London for £50, from Quebeck, which I sent directly to Mr. Foxcroft, and I Suppose he will send it to you: I tried Mr. Colden this Day, but he could not assist: tho’ he promised to do what he can by the next Packet, which is now every Moment expected: this having had a long Passage, as you’ll see by the Papers: If I get any from any Quarter between this and the next Packet’s Sailing, I will send it to you.
Mr. Colden shewed me also a Letter he had received from the Gen. Post-Office in London, relating to his being charged with unpaid Letters from London per Packet: Now, as I had no Information of unpaid Letters sent here with the Packet I have not adverted to such dead Letters as have been returned to me whether they had the Packet Postage due on them or not: tho’ many Packet Letters are returned from the distant Post-Offices, which are not taken up many of which has been paid: And as many Packet Letters come here which go to the distant small Offices, many of those Officers have never adverted to their being Packet Letters, or kept any distinct Account of them when they did know: and some of them incapable of making the Distinction, and others, who think their Allowance too small already, will not be at the Trouble, but would sooner throw up, as indeed many of them can hardly be prevailed on to keep it: And as I apprehended, that all the Proceeds of the Post-Office, whether Packet Letters or others, went into one Fund, I could not apprehend that it was needful to keep any separate Accounts or note those dead Letters: However for the future, I will endeavour to do it: And will separate all returned dead Letters of the Packets from whatever Office they may come: I suppose Mr. Colden answers about it as well as he can.
You say you will write fuller per next Packet: shall then hope to know you are on the Return: but presume this may meet you there yet. I thank you for the Information and kind offer of negociating the Custom-House Affair, if you be there: I have never spoke one Word or heard one Word about it from any Person here: nor shall I mention it, till the Year is up.
April 7. A cold backward Spring in general, Nothing further worth noting: but all our humble Respects &c. from Your most obliged Servant
James Parker.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Penington, 5 April 1767
From: Penington, Edward
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Respected Friend Benja. Franklin Esqr.
Philad. April 5th. 1767

I received thy favour of Decr. 13th. which Inclosed a Copy of Springett Penns Will. I am very much Obliged for the same as well as the Intelligence that I was soon to receive a power of Attorney to sell the lands. The power has since come to hand and Inclosed is a letter to Ann Penn in answer to what she wrote me on the occasion which after perusing please to forward to her. I am much pleased with the Unreserved manner in which she has transacted this business and shall make it my study to dispose of her Estate on the best terms. As I make no doubt but thee has been a means of procuring this power of Attorney for me, please to Accept of my sincere Acknowledgment of thy Friendship therein. I am very respectfully Thy Assured Friend
Edwd: Penington
 Addressed: To / Benja. Franklin Esqr. / in / London


Title: Extract from a Pamphlet, [9 April 1767]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

To the Printer of the London Chronicle.Sir
[April 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 Extract of a Letter, in which, Accusations of the Colonies from Officers of Government residing there, are set in a light very different from that they have usually been considered in. It was written here at the time of our last year’s disputes, by one who had lived long in America, knew the people and their affairs extremely well—and was equally well acquainted with the temper and practices of government officers. Speaking of the opinion entertained in Britain of the Americans, he says,
[Here appears an extract from Section 2 of Franklin’s projected Stamp Act Pamphlet of 1766 beginning at “Much has been said of a virtual representation.” above, XIII, 79–80, and ending at “snubbed, curb’d, shackled and plundered,” above, XIII, 81. The letter to the London Chronicle then concludes:]
This seems a very natural, and I believe is a very true account of the matter. I am, Sir, yours, &c.
F.B.


Title: Reply to Coffee-House Orators, [9 April 1767]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

To the Printer of the London Chronicle
[April 9, 1767]
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 times a great deal of harm; the latter particularly when they prevailed in advising the Sicilian war; under the burthen and losses of which war that flourishing state sunk, and never again recovered itself.
To the haranguers of the populace among the ancients, succeed among the moderns your writers of political pamphlets and newspapers, and your coffee-house talkers.
It is remarkable that soldiers by profession, men truly and unquestionably brave, seldom advise war but in cases of extream necessity. While mere rhetoricians, tongue-pads and scribes, timid by nature, or from their little bodily exercise deficient in those spirits that give real courage, are ever bawling for war on the most trifling occasions, and seem the most blood-thirsty of mankind.
At this present juncture, when we have scarce had time to breathe, after a war the most general and the most expensive both of blood and treasure Europe was ever involv’d in, we have three sets of orators, who are labouring, by exasperating us against our friends to engage us in three new wars, viz. a war with Portugal, a war with Holland, and a war with our own colonies. As to the two first of these wars, I shall not dispute the prudence or the justice of them. I suppose no Englishman can doubt, that if the Hollanders did our grandfathers an injury 150 years ago, whatever friendship there has between us since, we may, whenever we think fit, revenge it; and that if the Portuguese buy cloth cheaper of the French than they can of us, we have a right to drub them till they are willing to give us the preference. Allowing then that we are strong enough to beat both Holland and Portugal, cause or no cause, with all the friends and allies they can both muster, and all the enemies such a conduct may draw upon our hands, and that the Dutch too will probably lend us money enough to pay the expence, I wou’d only humbly submit it to consideration whether there may not be some small convenience in being the mean while at peace with ourselves, and finding some other way of settling matters between our late ministers and colonists than cutting of throats.
Every step is now taking to enrage us against America. Pamphlets and news papers flie about, and coffee-houses ring with lying reports of its being in rebellion. Force is call’d for. Fleets and troops should be sent. Those already there should be called in from the distant posts, and quartered on the capital towns. The principal people should be brought here and hang’d, &c. And why?
Why! Do you ask why?
Yes. I beg leave to ask why?
Why they are going to throw off the government of this country, and set up for themselves.
Pray how does that appear?
Why, are they not all in arms?
No. They are all in peace.
Have they not refused to make the compensation to the sufferers by the late riots, that was requir’d of them by government here?
No. They have made ample satisfaction. Which, by the way, has not been done here to the sufferers by your own riots.
Have they not burnt the custom-house?
No. That story is an absolute invented lie, without the least foundation.
Have they not refus’d to comply with an act of parliament for quartering of troops? And have they not sent a petition to government for taking off the restraint on their trade, and so to overthrow the navigation-act?
Allowing that the assembly of one colony, New York, has refus’d to comply with that act, and that some merchants of that one colony have dared to petition, and that refusing and petitioning are high treason; are five and twenty colonies to be punished for the crime of one?
But let us consider coolly the nature of this act, of this refusal, and of this petition.
The act was a production of the same administration that made the stamp-act, and was probably intended to facilitate the awing the colonies into a submission to it. For that purpose there was in the bill, when first brought in, a clause to impower the officers of the army to quarter soldiers on private houses in America. This clause being strongly oppos’d, was omitted; and the act only requir’d the hiring of empty houses, barns, &c. for the troops, where were to be furnish’d with firing, candles, bedding, utensils to dress victuals, five pints of small beer or cyder, or half a pint of rum per man per diem, and some other articles, without paying any thing for the same, but the expence to be borne by the province.
There is no other way to raise money in a province, but by the assembly’s making an act or law for that purpose. This is therefore to be considered as a law made here, directing that the assembly in America should make another law. The propriety of this proceeding has by some been doubted, they having been of opinion that an assembly is a kind of little parliament in America, not an executive officer of government, and as such oblig’d to obey and execute orders; that it is in its nature a deliberative body; its members are to consider such matters as come before them; and when a law is proposed, they are to weigh well its utility, necessity, propriety, possibility or practicability, and determine on the whole according to their judgments. If they were oblig’d to make laws right or wrong in obedience to a law made by a superior legislature they would be of no use as a parliament, their nature would be changed, their constitution destroyed. Indeed the act of parliament itself seems sensible of this; for in other acts where a duty is enjoin’d to be perform’d by any person, it has always been usual to appoint a penalty on neglect or refusal, and direct the mode of recovering or inflicting that penalty. But nothing of this kind is, or indeed well could be, in this act of parliament, with respect to what is required of the assemblies. It was therefore look’d upon in America merely as a requisition, which the assemblies were to consider, and comply with or decline, in the whole or in part, as it might happen to suit the different circumstances and abilities of different colonies. Accordingly Pensylvania, where but few troops generally are, comply’d readily with the whole. But New York, thro’ which all the troops usually pass and repass between Britain and the French conquests, conceiv’d the burthen of the whole would be too great for them, and therefore comply’d only with a part of the requisition, and in an address to their governor gave their reasons couch’d in the most decent and respectful terms.
To many persons, indeed, the principle of the act seems wrong. It is hard, say they, to assign a good reason why soldiers should, in any part of the King’s dominions, be furnished with any thing for nothing. There is always a paymaster with them. Why should they not pay for all they have? ’Tis otherwise a partial burthen on the places where they happen to be, and therefore unjust. In Britain this burthen is only thrown on inn-keepers, and may be considered as a tax on that employment, which they however, can exonerate themselves of, by higher bills on their customers, and so spread the tax more equally. But one colony that happens to be so opprest, has no means of laying part of their burthen on another colony, that from its situation is generally exempted.
Our coffee-house orators, however, would have it declared, that this refusal of full compliance with the act, is Rebellion, and to be punished accordingly. A rare proceeding this would be, to make a law requiring something to be done that is new, not expressing what the offence shall be of refusing to comply with it, or what the punishment; and after the offence is committed, then to name the one, and declare the other! The first instance, I believe, of this kind, in legislation; and would look not so much like making of laws, as making of traps for the subject. This is, besides, a new kind of Rebellion. It used to be thought that Rebellion consisted in doing something; but this is a Rebellion that consists in not doing something, or in doing nothing. If every man who neglects or refuses to comply with an act of parliament is a rebel, I am afraid we have many more rebels among us than we were aware: Among others, they that have not registered the weight of their plate, and paid the duty, are all rebels; and these, I think, are not a few: To whom may be added the acting rebels that wear French silks and cambricks.
As to the petition mentioned above, it is, I have been informed, from a number of private persons, Merchants of New York, stating their opinion, that several restraints in the Acts of Trade laid on the Commerce of the Colonies, are not only prejudicial to the Colonies, but to the Mother Country. They give their reasons for this opinion. Those reasons are to be judg’d of here. If they are found to be good and well supported by facts, one would think that instead of censure those Merchants might deserve thanks. If otherwise, the petition may be laid aside. Petitioning is not rebellion. The very nature of a petition acknowledges the power it petitions to, and the subjection of the petitioner.
But, in party views, molehills are often magnify’d to mountains. And when the wolf is determined on a quarrel with the lamb, up stream or down stream ’tis all one; pretences are easily found or made, reason and justice are out of the question.
A Friend TO BOTH Countries.


Title: Report on a Debate in the House of Lords, [11 April 1767]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

[April 11, 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 they dared to palliate the Warmth shewn by their Opponents against America. Indeed your Friends can do nothing else but palliate a little, and delay coming to Resolutions against America, as they would, at this Time, be very violent ones.
It is said, that it is agreed on all Sides, that some Measures shall be taken (what they will be Time must discover) effectually to enforce the Authority of Parliament, and to carry it into actual Execution. The Act of Indemnity passed by the Boston Assembly, will undoubtedly be repealed, and there is a great Probability that a severe Censure on the Assembly will attend it. This Act is looked on as a high Infringement of the King’s Prerogative. It was mentioned by several in the Debate, that Acts of Pardon and Indemnity never originate in either of the Houses, but always are sent down from the King complete and signed, and is [sic] accepted and agreed to below.
It is also reported, and I fear the Report is true, that a Project is on Foot, to render all the Governors and Magistrates in America independent of the annual Support they receive of their several Assemblies.
There are great Heats on American Affairs, and those of the India Company, how they will particularly terminate, the wisest among us, as yet, are not able to discover.


Title: [To Lord Kames, 11 April 1767]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

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, pp. 62–71, rather than here at the April 11 date. Notes to that text indicate the verbal differences between the two versions.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 11 April 1767
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Ross, John

Dear Sir,
London, April 11. 1767
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 Changes, make it extreamly difficult to get forward with Business. We must use Patience. This Satisfaction we have, that there is scarce a Man of Weight in or out of the Ministry that has not now a favourable Opinion of the propos’d Change of Government in the Proprietary Colonies; but during the present violent Heats occasion’d by some Conduct of the Assemblies of New York and Boston, and which the Opposition aggravate highly in order to distress the Friends of America in the present Ministry, nothing so little interesting to them as our Application can get forward.
Your Messages on the Subject of the Circuit Bill are not yet arriv’d. I much want to see them.
I send you a little Essay of an Inscription to the Memory of my departed amiable young Friend, whose Loss I deplore with you most sincerely. If it has been long coming to your Hand, I hope that has occasion’d your being furnish’d with another and a better. The Stile is simple and plain, as more proper for such Things than affected ornamental Expression.
I am looking out for a Chariot for you, which I shall send you as soon as possible. With great Esteem, I am, Dear Friend, Yours affectionately
B Franklin

Addressed: To / John Ross, Esqr / Philadelphia / per Packet / New York / B Free Franklin

[Draft of Inscription:]
In Memory of Margaret,Daughter ofJohn & Ross who deceased 1766aged 19 Years Lamented by all that knew herfor all that knew her lov’d her
[In the margin:] The Delight of her Parents & Relations
[Elsewhere on page:] Innocence & Sweetness of Manner Sincerity Benevolence of Heartrender’d her


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Morton (I), 11 April 1767
From: Morton, James Douglas, 14th Earl of
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Saturday 11th Ap 10 o’Clock. [1767]
Lord Morton’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin; He has workmen now upon the roof of his house and shou’d be glad to take this opportunity of putting up Conductors to prevent the bad effects of lightning; If the Dr. would take the trouble of coming to Brook Street for a few Minutes this morning before 12 o’Clock Lord Morton shou’d think himself much obliged.
 Addressed: To / Dr Franklin / Craven Street


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Morton (II), [11 April 1767]
From: Morton, James Douglas, 14th Earl of
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Brookstreet Saturday 1 o’Clock [April 11, 1767]
Lord Morton’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin; acquaints him that Lord Morton and the Workmen have been expecting him ever since 12 o’Clock, and hopes the Doctor has not forgot his engagement to dine with him afterwards where he will meet some of his acquaintance.
 Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / at Mrs Stephenson’s / Craven Street


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from [Robert] Crafton, 12 April 1767
From: Crafton, Robert
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Broad Street Buildings, Apr. 12. [1767]
Mr. Crafton’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin has made an Appointment with Mr. Paxton of Boston, for Thursday or Friday next and desires Dr. Franklin will send Word [by the] Bearer, or to morrow, which Day will be more agreeable; that he may fix with Mr. Paxton in Conformity. Dinner at 3 o’Clock.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to George Croghan, 14 April 1767
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Croghan, George

Sir
London, April 14. 1767.
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 expected in consequence of your Representations; but ’till our Ministry feels itself a little better settled, and has more time to spare from defending itself to think of such distant Objects, I doubt little will be done. You have doubtless render’d great Service to Government by your Negociations among the Indians. I take every Opportunity of mentioning it, and I hope you may in time obtain some suitable Reward. I thank you heartily for the Information and Entertainment I received by reading your Journals, and am, with great Regard, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
Col. Geo. Croghan

 Addressed: To / Col. George Croghan / at / Philadelphia [Philadelphia struck out and Johnson Hall substituted] / via New York, / per Packet


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 14 April 1767
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hall, David

Dear Mr. Hall
London, April 14, 1767.
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 it necessary for the Popular Interest to encourage another Press. I suppose this was their only Motive, and not an Inclination to do you a Mischief as you seem to imagine. I can easily conceive, that the Unwillingness you always show to the Printing of any Party Pieces in your Paper, might be ascribed by them to your being of the opposite Party, and if you have refused any of their Papers they might be more confirm’d in that Opinion, and apprehend some Inconvenience in the Knowledge you must have of the Authors of those Pieces you consented to print, and feel a greater in its being altogether in your Pleasure whether they should or should not speak to the Publick in the most generally read Newspaper. For my own Part, I never thought you of any Party: and as you never blam’d me for the Side I took in Public Affairs, so I never censur’d you for not taking the same, believing as I do that every Man has and ought to enjoy a perfect Liberty of judging for himself in such Matters: tho’ I know the common Opinion is with the old Saying, He that is not for us is against us; which I think would have been full as true a Saying if there had been a small Transposition in it, He that is not against us, is for us.
You are right in believing that I am not a Partner in Mr. Goddard’s Printing-House. It was set on foot without my Knowledge or Participation, and the first Notice I had of it was by reading the Advertisement in your Paper. I had indeed by the same Conveyance a Letter offering me a Share in it, which I declin’d accepting before my Return, not only because I did not well know the Person, but because I did not care to be again concerned in Business, unless on settling my Affairs when I get home it should appear necessary for the Support of my Family. Indeed I had not the least Idea of any Agreement between you and I, either express’d or imply’d as you say, in any of its Articles, by which I was “prohibited from being any farther concern’d in the Printing Business in Philadelphia, after the Expiration of our Partnership.” I have not a Copy of our Articles with me here; but I am confident that if you examine them you will find this a Mistake. I could not possibly foresee 18 Years beforehand, that I should at the End of that Term be so rich as to live without Business. And if this did not happen, it would be obliging myself to the hard Alternative of Starving or Banishment, since Threescore is rather too late an Age to think of going ‘Prentice to learn a new Trade, and I have no other. This I say, not to justify my engaging with Mr. Goddard, for I have not done it. And I hope I shall have no Occasion to do it. I know there must be a very great Sum due to me from our Customers, and I hope much more of it will be recovered by you for me than you seem to apprehend. When that is got in, I suppose I can use it in such a Manner, as that with my Office and the few Rents I have, my Circumstances will be sufficiently affluent, especially as I am not inclin’d to much Expence. In this case I have no purpose of being again concern’d in Printing. But I may lose my Office, I may receive much less of my Debts that I hope for, I may find myself going behind-hand, and I am sure you would take no Pleasure in seeing me ruined, or oblig’d at my time of Life to quit my Country, Friends and Connections, to get my Bread in a strange Place, especially as my not following my Business could not hinder others from interfering with you. I am in short, so far from conceiving it possible that I should make such an Agreement tho’ forgotten, that, on the contrary I believe such an Agreement was never made by any Man in his Senses.
You do me but Justice in believing that I shall “countenance no other Printer to your Disadvantage, but rather render you every Service in my Power.” Our long amicable Connection is grown into a settled Friendship, that I think will not easily be shaken on either side. I wish all my Friends were Friends to each other; But in such a Number this is a Happiness I cannot reasonably expect. I wish however they would all be Friends to you: I really do not think any of them your Enemies; and if you could recollect by what Means their Regard for you [illegible] [you] might possibly if you thought it worth while, again recover it since a little Disagreeableness in a Man’s Manner of Refusing, or even in his Manner of Granting, a Favour, is sometimes sufficient to disgust People with a Person whose Virtue ought to entitle him to their Esteem. And this Fault being but a small one, and I think your only one, you could easily correct, if you attended a little to it, and to its Consequences.
What you say of the Utility of settling our [Accounts] is very just. I have somewhere a Paper of [Remarks?] I made upon them when I first perus’d the [one sent] me per Mr. Parker, but cannot just now lay [my Hand] on it. I will endeavour to send it to you [at the] very next Opportunity. In the mean [time I am] with great Truth and Sincerity, Dear Friend, Yours most affectionately
B Franklin
 Addressed: To / Mr David Hall / Printer / Philadelphia / via N York / Packet / B Free Franklin
Endorsed: Mr. Franklin April 14 1767


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 2[0–25] April 1767
From: Franklin, Deborah
To: Franklin, Benjamin

  My Dear Child
April 2[0–25, 1767]
I did reseve your Dear littel letter by the packit it gave me much pleshuer to hear that your dear armes air so much better and that our Dear littel Salley is so much better my love to her tell her I ofen have talked of her. Thank good mrs. Stephenson for takeing Cair of her. I did thinke her mother was dead as you had not sed aney thing of her poor dear child hough I love her Capt. Folkener and I tolke of her when we meet. I am verey Glad you have got your close and I hope thay was properly dun up. I hope the meel proved good I did all I Cold to preserve it and I hope thee buck wheet flower proved good allso. I Cold not find one dreyd peech in the market Sense those I sente but I got sum apills and presented to Capt. Folkiner as hee semed plesed with a pey [pie] he eate parte of att our house.
When I heard of Mr. Mockridges Deth it surprised and trubold me indead our nabor Thomson wente up I got him to speeke to Mrs. Drewrey shee semed to be a strainger to the afair but it Cold not be as I had talked with her abought it. I got Mr. Thomson to write to her but have not reseved one word of anser from her but Thomey Potts ses his Brother Rutter is Exceketer and he will speeke to him but the wather has bin so bad that thair is hardly aney travilin. I have shone your letter and presented the Bill. Mr. David Potts ses he shall send to his father and will Cole on me. He is much obliged to you for your kines to his Brother and Mrs. Morris is all in Rapters a bought your kines to her Son Dr. Rush who has wrote to several of his friend and told them what sivilitey he reseves from your recomendashon. He has wrote to his mother the Copey of your to himselef and that to Sir Elexander Dick. Indead it has given his friends much pleshuer and will gain you much respeckte it has dun you much Credit withoute a Compleymente and I have bin much plesed with it.
On Sonday which was Esterday the poste Came in and brought me a letter and Salley one. You tell her to let you find that shee ades to the number of her friends. Before this dus reach you, you will be informd of the adishon of her friends I doute not but it will make you Sereious it makes me so in dead my menshoning agen that I wold let you know in what manner I ackte as I am obliged to be father and mother. I treet him as a friend and shall while I am alone for I thinke he deserves it and was I to due other way I thinke it wold only drive her to see him sum wair eles which wold give me much uneseynes. I hope I ackte to your Satisfackshon. I due acordin to my beste Judgment. Mr. Gallaway has sumtime ago sed sum thing to me a bought it and the day befor yisterday he Came to see us. Salley dined att Mr. Rosses so we was alone he spooke to me a gin I freely told him and told him all so hough I had ackted. He sed I did write and as I shold ac[t.] Now I will tell you a bought her and her friends and I am to tell you all so to be a Governers mother and Sister brings us much friends from the Jarsey and so forthe and shee all way be have to everey bodey well, now to begin only Wednesday evening laste shee had a littel Partey att Cardes and super it Consisted of the two Miss Mores of more Hall the two Miss Frankes miss Kittey Ross and Kittey Ingles and Miss Levey the men a son of Mr. Goldins Poste master a ofiser an humbel servant of Miss Rosses Mr. Beauch and Mr. Foxcrofte. Salley was att the Laste Assembley and was Compleymented by one of Mr. Allins Sons with a seet in thair Carrag but shee choues Mr. Peens as they bouth ofred. I shold not menshon this only to tell you that Salley has friendes all a bought on everey sid. This day Pason Petters and Miss Oswell was to a dranke tee with her but shee was in Gaged on a party att the falles. Mrs. Frances and her Brothers and sister Willines their is 12 in Number Secketer Shipen and Mr. B---h and Sally the only ones under the Carackter of Brothers and Sister.

This minit I hear that Capt. Friend is a Coming up but as Capt. Folkener is to saile this day I muste write to go by him and as the Packit is to saile next week I shall write a gen but mabey you will be on your way home be for that Capt. Folkener is in hopes of bringing you home I shold be glad if it Cold be so as I know he wold be kind to you.
I muste tell you that our Gardin that is to be is a fenesing of [f] but I have two Cartes a bringing durte to rais it as the desente muste Come from the wall to go to the street. In dead I raly due all I Can but that is so verey littel that I am a shamed. I paid to Mr. Smith laste week £30 as I did to Mr. Ervin the Carter. I am to pay this day 6 pounds od money for the seder postes and fenes. I am if I live to go to Mr. Rodises plase next week and then we air to go to friend Bartrams.
I have ofen wondered that you did not send us one or two of those quilted Cotes that air quilted in the Frame[?] I wish you wold. I was a going to write for sume more of the Read Stuef for two Cushins but I saw such to be sold the same Coler and I got a pees. It Coste this money £7 10s. 0d. I had not a bitt to send and was told it was as cheep as I Cold get it in Ingland. It is for the two littel rooms or if we pleas for bouth roomes upstaires but I shall put them down staires. Billey dont like the Blew room at all, so it is not finished tell you cume home. I nead not menshon to you to bring sumthing for Salley when you Cume. This minit Mr. Whorton brought your letter to me by Friend and Mr. Galloway was a going up to Burlinton and I sente it to him (Billeys letter). Thay was all well ten days a go. I thinke to go up in a verey littel time to see them. I am verey glad to hear that our Dear Salley Franklin is well my love to her I love the name inded I thought her mother was dead as I had not heard her menshon. My tenderest love to her. Tell me if our Polley is like to have a clever Husband. Due you like him and Can I like him I hope to but what makes them a scorne the serey money [ceremony] it is soon sed if they like but hough I talke.
I have bin ought to inquier a bought sending a letter to Mrs. Drewrey aboute your Book. I shall send you a Bill by the packit David Potts will get one. I hope Salley will write by this vesill if not by the packit I hope to see Capt. Folkener to day. I will send you sume No Cake if I can. I had sum sente to me from Nantucket. Our Nabours all send thair love to you. Good Hugh Evens and our Nabor Derberah spente yisterday with me. I Cante tell you hough maney pepel inquier after you. Our poor Nabor Sumain is in a verey poor way indead you will see that Jonas Green is Dead we loos by him I supose but by Packit I shall send you Mr. Ringolds letter or a Copey. Mr. Foxcroft is not Cum back yit but he was well the laste his Brother heard from him.

[April 29]
April the 29 this day Mr. Whorton the Elder come and Satt with me and had sume chatt on several a Countes sume on Salleys I was so free as to tell him in what maner I had ackted and have his apprebashon.
I send in a Judg the No Cake. It is of two Sortes. I presente sum of it to Mr. Hugh Robortes who liked it. I hope you will if you stay till it arives I hope you got the tin Tube safe with what was in it. Salley writes. I was in hopes to a sente a Bill But Mr. John Potts is verey ill and two nights ago one of his Sones Came downe for a Dr. and his Son is gon up so I muste defer it tell he Comes down which I hope will be time aneuef for the Packit. My Cusin Cash is better agen as is Cusin Northe who I thought wold a lefte us be for this time. My love ones more to good Mrs. and Miss Stephens to our Dear Salley Franklin. I wish our Friend Robertes had a shaid [shade] of yours. He dus admier this verey much but I Cante parte with it.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 1 May 1767
From: Franklin, Deborah
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear Child
May the 1 1767
This minnit Capt. Folkener Cume to bid fairwell. Salley is in her Room a writeing and I only Say Mr. [David] Potts is not Come down. I shall Send the Bill as Soon as I Can. I have maid a present of my watch to Salley and we have given Capt. Folkner the chain to have it put to write. when you See Mr. and Mrs. Strahan and your young wife my love to them to Capt. Orrey to Mr. and Mrs. West to all our dear friend [and?] God bless you and bring you over the watter to your afeckshonet wife
D Franklin
 Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / In / London / per favour of / Capt. Falconer
Endorsed: Mrs. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Collinson, [2 May 1767]
From: Collinson, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My worthy Friend
Lomb St. Sat. Eveng. 2d Inst.[May 2, 1767?]
I have waited for some Time past to have an Opportunity of asking honest Ferguson to spend an Evening with me. Calling on him this afternoon find he is disengaged from all Lectures &c. on Wednesday Evening next. I told him I would ask the Favour of your Company at the same Time, pray therefore let me have the Pleasure of it. Nairne I dare say will also be glad to give you the Meeting. Do not conclude I imagine myself a man of Science—and as such invite you to spend any of your Hours with me. No I rise no higher than being a Lover of Knowledge—which is in Philosophy, as in Gallantry, quite a different State from that of Possession. I shall always regard your Visits as resulting from your Friendship towards me which will ever be most acceptable to your faithful Friend
Thos Collinson
Pray let me have a Line as I will inform Ferguson accordingly.

 Addressed: To / Benjn Franklin Esqr / at Mrs Stevensons / Craven Street


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 2 May 1767
From: Parker, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honoured Sir
Newyork May 2. 1767

This incloses the 2d Bill for £300 Sterl, the first of which was sent per Packet, who sail’d Thursday last, which I got of Mr. Colden pursuant to a Request of Mr. Foxcroft.
I having been one Year in the Service of the Custom-House here, I enquired what Methods I should take to get any Pay, what Information I can get is as follows: A Power of Attorney must be sent by me to some Person in London, to receive the Pay due: And that such Power enables the Person to receive it, but that, unless the Person be one of the Custom-House Officers, it generally meets with Difficulties and Delays: Mr. Colden tells me, his Power is to one Mr. Stanley an Officer there, who has 2½ per Cent always for receiving and paying it to his Order and he recommends this Method to me: for tho’ his Friend would do it for Nothing, yet for those Obstacles, he chuses this Way, and the Money is then always paid: He thinks with me, I had better write to you, that perhaps you might chuse to recommend some other Person: for tho’ I don’t doubt but Mr. Strahan would do it, yet as it will be paid best, if one in the Custom-House be appointed: so it will be equal to me if Mr. Stanley or another of your Acquaintance or Friend, and Should rather chuse to give the 2½ to your Friend than to a Stranger: so that now before I send any Power home, or draw for any of it, I will wait your Advice: I would send you a Power; but in as much as you are about to return it will be troublesome without answering the End.
I sent you per Packet also a Copy of Mr. Holt’s Account exhibited to the Auditors at New Haven, as also Mr. Ingersoll’s Letter to me on the Subject: I sent also a Copy of the same to Mr. Foxcroft; who is expected up from Virginia in a short Time. Holt is returned to New York, and I must Still try to apprehend him: but he eludes every Thing I can do: and from his Exhibition of that Account, I begin to think him a downright Villain; for if he can swear to such an Account as that, what can I expect, but that when obliged to settle, he will trump up similar Ones against me his Chicanry with me, forebodes as much. He is but a little Man: but a very great Lump of soft tongued Deceit and Hypocrisy: God will reward him according to his Works.
I told you the Stationary came to Hand: Shall I expect any new Letter this Summer: I would send the Money if I had it: but I don’t know which way to turn myself to get it yet: I have a Job of Work, that will be something when done: tho’ I shall eat part of the Calf in the Cow’s Belly. But I yet hope all will do well: at least I am determined to Struggle hard and conquer or die’s the Word. We all beg our Respectful Complements may be acceptable, from Your most obliged Servant
James Parker


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Andrew Millar, 11 May 1767
From: Millar, Andrew
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monday Morning 11 May. [1767]
Mr. Millar presents his best Compliments to Dr. Franklyn and presumes at the desire of Our Common Friend Mr. Strahan to trouble him with a Packet herewith sent to Joseph Galloway Esq. of which he knows the Contents as Mr. Strahan Thought it would be safer thro your Channal than by sending it by shiping.
He hopes to have the pleasure of meeting you and Mr. Hume at Mr. Strahans this day to and [sic] Fix on one when you will give him the same in Pallmall.
If it proves Inconvenient for you to forward this Packet the bearer will take it to the ship.
 Addressed: To / Dr Franklyn


Title: Incoming Philadelphia Mail, 1767–1768
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

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 1753. The local official was to enter regularly on this form all letters he received from other colonial post offices or from ships; above, v, 162–3, 172–3.
These sheets are not a continuation of the record for the years 1764–67 that is described above, XI, 398–402. That was a listing of the outgoing Philadelphia mail for the indicated period, prepared on Form “B,” while these sheets record the incoming Philadelphia mail for nearly a year in 1767–68. Since Form “C” required the postmaster to list the mail received from each other office by its weight in pennyweights and grains, not by the number of letters as Form “B” required, it is impossible to make any meaningful quantitative analysis of this record comparable to the sample tabulations printed for the earlier period. It may be useful, however, to point out the existence of this record and to report briefly on the post offices named in its pages. All but a few of the smallest offices listed as receiving Philadelphia mail during the 1764–67 period (above, XI, 400–2) are reported as sending mail to that city in the later period; and each of the following offices, not on the previous list, appears at least once during the months of May 1767 through April 1768: Springfield, Mass.; Bladensburg and Georgetown, Md.; Hampton, Petersburg, Suffolk, Todds, and Urbanna, Va. The appearance of so many new post offices in Maryland and Virginia, especially the latter, is noteworthy. The fact that John Foxcroft, a resident of Virginia, was actively functioning as deputy postmaster general during this period, while Franklin was not, may help to explain this apparent increase of the postal service in Foxcroft’s own colony.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Shippen, Junior, 14 May 1767
From: Shippen, William, Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Philadelphia 14th. May 1767
I take the Liberty to send to the Royal Society a small Box containing A very extraordinary Lusus Naturae, two female children joind firmly together from the breast bone as low as the navel, having therefore but one body; in every other respect, as well internal as external, two compleat children. I enclose an exact account of the appearance on dissection &c. for the Use and amusement of the curious and learned who I am in hopes from an examination of this Phoenomenon will be enabled to throw some light on that unintelligible work of Nature Generation.

This preparation of wax was made by a Gentlewoman who is a great tho unimproved genius in this way, Tis the exact semblance of the original which I have in spirits: Your Love of every thing curious or useful and the many favors you have formerly conferred on me convince me you will spare no pains to Make this curiosity useful to the public and excuse my giving you this Trouble. I am Dear Sir Your obliged and very humble Servant
W. Shippen JR.
PS Unavoidable Interruptions from business render it impossible to finish my account of the internal Structure of these children but shall send it by Capt. Friend who will sail the week after next. Your’s
W S
 Addressed: To / Dr. Benjamin Franklin / at Mrs. Stephensons in Craven / Street Strand [struck out: or in his / absence to Dr. Pringle in / Pall Mall] London


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from François Willem de Monchy, 15 May 1767
From: Monchy, François Willem de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

  Dr. FranklinSir
Rotterdm 15 May 1767.
My Father joins me in compliments and thanks for the trouble you have had in procuring such accurate information concerning the Fire Engine, and also for inquiring about the microscopes which at length I have recieved.
Agreeable to your desire I have send you two drawings of an Ice-boat. That without the mast is in the proportion of an Inch to a foot, and that with the mast but the half of that proportion otherwise we could not have brought it within the compass of the paper. You would have had it much sooner, had not the death of my deaer Mother prevented me from fininching my part of the drawing. The model without the mast was done by the ship-builder of the Admiralty, the other by my self under his direction. I shipped it yesterday on board the King George sloop, Capt. Harper, who lives in Queen’s Court St. Katherines and promised to take great care of them. I shall give him a letter to put into the penny post, which, when you recieve you will know he is arrived and may send for the parcel, for I believe they will not send it home. I find it will be opened at the Custom house, but I don’t think they can sieze it. If the[y] should you have interest enought to get it again.
I shall be glad of a line to let me know you have recieved it, and how you like it, and if there is any think here I can further serve you in on this side the water, you may freely command Sir Your very obliged humble Servant
F. W: DE Monchy.
P.S. Pray give my compliments to Sir John Pringle and Dr. Ingenhuse.
 Addressed: To / Dr. Benjamin Franklin at / Mrs. Stevenson’s Craven street / near Charing Cross / London.
Endorsed: Monchy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker: Bond, 15 May 1767
From: Parker, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[May 15, 1767]
Know all Men by these Presents, That    I James Parker of the City of New-York, Printer, am    Held and firmly bound unto    Benjamin Franklin, of the City of Philadelphia Esqr    in the Sum of    Two Hundred and Thirty-One Pounds,    Current Money of    Great Britain    To be paid to the said    Benjamin Franklin    or to    his    certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators, or Assigns: To which Payment, well and truly to be made,    I    bind    myself,    Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, firmly by these Presents. Sealed with    my    Seal: Dated the    Fifteenth    Day of    May    in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and    Sixty-seven    and in the    Seventh    Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the    Third,      by the Grace of God, King of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, &c.
The Condition of this Obligation is such, That if the above-bounden    James Parker, or his    Heirs, Executors, Administrators, or any of them, shall well and truly pay or cause to be paid, unto the above-named    Benjamin Franklin,    or to    his    certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, the just and full Sum of    One Hundred and Sixty pounds, ten Shillings    Current Money aforesaid, on or before the    First Day of January next, with lawful Interest from the Date hereof, and that    without any Fraud, or other Delay; then this Obligation to be void, or else to remain in full, Force and Virtue.
James Parker
Sealed and Delivered in   the Presence ofHenry Von WagonenAnthy Carr

  [Written in upper left corner:]

    First Parcel
    £55:
    6:
    3

    Interest Do.
  3:
  3:
  9

  2d Parcel
  50:
  2:
  9

    Interest Do.
  1:
  1:
  3

  3d Parcel
  50:
  13:
  0

    Interest

  3:
  0

  £160:
  10:
  0

Endorsed: March the 10 1769 reseved of 8 peces of 8 [next words indecipherable] £24–0–0

Reseved of mr Parker when he Came to town to Settel with Mr. John Foxcrofte he paid me 6 peces of gold 3 pound peces £18–0–0


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 15 May 1767
From: Price, Richard
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
May 15th. 1767
I was in some expectation of seeing you last night in Crane-Court; but not having had this Pleasure I take the liberty to write this to you to put you in [mind] of doing me a favour which I think you gave me Some [reason?] to hope for the last time I Saw you, I mean dining [torn] on Holy-thursday, or next thursday Sennight. [Dr. Hawk]esworth, Mr. Canton and Mr. Densham are then to dine with me, and we shall be greatly disappointed should any thing happen to deprive us of your company. Our dining [time?] will be about three. We meet next thursday the last [time before?] the Summer at St. Paul’s Coffee-House, and I hope then [to see?] you. I am, Dear Sir, with great respect Your most obedient and humble Servant
Richd: Price


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 15 May 1767
From: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Bromley May 15. 1767
I received a letter from Kensington to day by which I learn that my aunt will not come to Bromley to fetch me, therefore I must go home by way of Craven Street next monday. Now if it will be convenient to you to come hither on sunday or monday you will give a great deal of pleasure to several persons by doing it and I shall have a more agreeable journey to town than in the Stage. Be so good as to write me a line tomorrow to inform me whether I may depend upon you. I write this in Miss Blunt’s room, upon her paper, and she particularly desires to be remember’d to you. All the family honour you and wish to see you. My hostess does the same.
You must excuse all the faults in this letter, for I cannot see to mend them, and when I can it will be too late. Give my duty to my mother, and love to Sally. I am Dear Sir Your faithful Servant
M Stevenson


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 16 May 1767
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson

Dear Polly
Cravenstreet, May 16. [1767]
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. Sally is ill again of a Fever, and your good Mother much fatigu’d. She sends her Love to you, and says that if you come in the Stage, you will find Nanny at the Inn ready to wait on you hither. I am as ever, my dear good Girl, Your affectionate Friend
B Franklin

My dear Polly
Cravenstreet, May 16. 67 Evening
I have just received yours of yesterday. I wish I could come to you on Sunday, to spend the Afternoon and Evening with that agreeable Family, and return with you on Monday. But I am too busy to spare two Days without great Inconvenience. On Monday between 2 and 3 you may expect me. But then you will hold yourself ready to set out homewards at 6, that we may be in Town before Night, and have time, after you have seen your Mother, to go to Kensington; for you cannot conveniently lodge here, Sally being again ill with a Fever. Tell the good Doctor and Mrs. Hawkesworth, and Miss Blount, that I love them as I ought, and as every body ought; and you may whisper Dolly that I love her a little more; I hardly know why, but one sometimes has odd Fancies. Present my respectful Compliments to your Hostess; and believe me ever Your affectionate Friend
B Franklin
 Endorsed: May 16–67


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to [William Strahan], 16 May 1767
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Strahan, William

Dear Friend
May 16. 67
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, Firing, Candles, Bedding, Utensils to dress their Victuals, Small Beer or Cyder, or Half a Pint of Rum with Salt Vinegar and Pepper. All the material Articles they have granted, and refuse only the Rum, Salt, Vinegar and Pepper. The Reasons they give are that those articles are not usually allow’d in other Places, and that they cannot afford them; but the true Reason is suppos’d to be, that by acting differently from the Act, it may appear that what they do is voluntary, and that they keep up their Claim of Right, to Freedom from Taxes by Act of Parliament. The End is an Allusion to one of the Tales in the Arabian Nights, wherein a Person is in great Distress, finding him self condemn’d to be hang’d, and could not conceive for what Offence, being charg’d only with having made his Cream Tarts without Pepper. Adieu. yours, affectionately
B Franklin
Pray lend me, and send by the Bearer, Ruffhead’s Statutes.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin (I), 16 May 1767
From: Franklin, Deborah
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Deares Child
May 16, 1767
I hear that Capt. Sparkes is to saile to morrow or next day. I set down to chatt a littel to you, and in close a letter, which I had sente to N yorke but the vesill was gon. I wente up to see our Children att Burlinton on Satterday and Billey Come doune with me on munday and returnd yisterday and Salley wente up with him and I expeckte her down this day or to morrow. I was the reder [readier?] to let her go as shee is not verey well and looks verey paile so as to give me much uneseynes but shee all way looks ill in summer and 2 or 3 day Changes her but I thinke shee has bin maid unesey a bought her Brother who was chalinged on Munday night. I shold not a sed one word to you but I thinke sumbudey will tell. The Chaling was sente by young Hickes brought by young Dr. Kersly verey much in drinke. Salley was verey much scaired and wold not let her Brother go withoute her. So you see this dafter of ours is a mear Champin and thinkes shee is to take Cair of us. Her Brother and shee is verey hapey togather indead but I long to see her back a gen as I Cold not live a bove another day with ought her as I am sir cumstansed [circumstanced] a mind flutered sum times glad then depresed and so on. O that you was att home but be ashuered that no littel famely ever had more hormoney in it than youres has and I truste will have.
[May the 24 1767]
Senes I wrote the above I have wrote to you by Mr. Tenche Fransis and lefte this tell Capt. Friend Sailes which will be to morrow morning. If Mr. Fransis is a rived he will have told you his misforten but I hope it will end better then he thinkes att presant. I say nothing a bought Mr. Beach as he writes to you himselef. On frey day laste Salley and my Selef was asked over the river to a tortel [turtle] Billey and Mrs. Franklin and the Mair of Burlinton and his Ladey the whol Wharton famely the Ducke was my Gallant. We spente a plesant afternoon and when we talked of partin we Cold not so our Children and thair Nabors Came over with us and staid tell within this quortor of an over and as Salley is better I have given her leve to go up with them and thay air to send her down to morrow. Thay say it will be of servis to her.
My old friend Debbey Norris has lefte us. She was one of my first play maites and I raly Loved her. I wente to the bureyal and I desire to visit Mrs. Norris soon. With sum Dificalty I have got a Bill to send to you but I shold explain it. I did all I Cold as did young mr. Foxcroft and mr. Thomson but David Potts got it att laste. This afair has made everey bodey quite amaised and as several vesiles has sailed it was quite difical to get a Bill. I see it is for more then the money menshoned in the drafte but as I have bin so much ingaed I Cold not see mr. Potts. Due my Dear if you Can Comfort mr. Franses for he standes in nead of a friend as dus some others but I say lose of substans is not lose of repeytashon and it is sed what is is beste but what is I know I Cante helpe and so muste indever to thinke and make the Beste of it. The afaire I menshon this failer [failure] of the merchant that has hurte Mr. Franses but I truste that Same God whos marseys is over all his workes will never leve him nor aney other to suefer and be deprest. Polley Ashmaid is here and sendes her love to you.

Laste evening Mr. Foxcrof Came to town in Companey with Governer Wantworth. I saw him and this day thay was with Billey in our Parler but I did not see him as I was not fitt to be seen.
I supose Mr. Foxcrof writes by Friend or the Packit. My love to good Mrs. Stephenson to my Dear Salley Franklin to mr. and mrs. Strahan to Capt. Orrey and Ladey and Dafter to Mrs. Weest and I shold a sed Mr.Weest. I am in hopes Salley will be in town time eneuef to write. I wold say sumthing a bought the Ring and letter hough like your selef it is and what pleshuer it has given to maney of our friends. Mr. Ross wanted Salley to let him have it but as he Spook to me I sed thay mought send to you to get them one. I rely wish that you wold get two of your shaids dun one for Mr. Robortes and one for Billey.
It is all moste night I muste bid you adue and am my Dear Benney your Afeckshonat wife
D Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 16 May 1767
From: Franklin, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honoured Father
Burlington May 16, 1767
I have this Moment heard of Mr. Francis’s being to embark To morrow Morning for England. His unfortunate Connection with Mr. Hagen, a considerable Merchant in London, who has lately fail’d is the Occasion of his sudden Departure. The Distress which must be necessarily brought on him and his Family, in case Hagens’s Affairs should prove as bad as represented, gives all his Friends and Acquaintance great Concern. I am sure that the Humanity of your Disposition will naturally prompt you to assist the Unfortunate; more especially a Gentleman who has in all his extensive Dealings as a Merchant, preserv’d an unblemish’d Reputation. I shall therefore only add, that if you can either by your Advice, Interest, or Influence, render Mr. Francis any Services on this unhappy Occasion, you will afford great Pleasure to several of our good Friends, and particularly to, Honoured Sir, Your dutiful Son
Wm: Franklin
To Benjn: Franklin, Esqr. London


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Tissington, 17 May 1767
From: Tissington, Anthony
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Alfreton 17th May 1767.
When I wrote last to you I do not remember; as I’ve been hurried about, so as Scarce to sit down since I saw you last: but remembering that you talked of leaving England this Summer; along with Mr. Paxton, who has not [illegible], I want to learn your Motions; that if you shou’d once more make me happy here, I may know how to govern my own, and not be miserable by being out of the way.
At your leasure let me hear, of your Health; your movements; your time of Stay in England; and how Mrs. Stephenson does; to whom, and to your self, my Wife, Who is much better, Joins me in best Wishes.
Inclos’d I send you Copies of two Estimates of Fire Engines, as Erected in Derbyshire.

I beleive we shall preserve our mineral Liberties, whole and entire; that compleated, I am determined to set down in quiet, and pursue my own favourite studies; or remove to my Farm in East-Florida, and call [upon] you in my passage, and am Dear Sir Yours Entirely and allways
Anth Tissington
 Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esqr / in Craven street Strand / London


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 20 May 1767
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Galloway, Joseph

Dear Sir,
London, May 20. 1767
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 extreamly averse to the Repeal of an Act which they were the Fathers of, and on which they have highly valued themselves. The general Rage against America, artfully work’d up by the Grenville Faction, has been another Obstacle. I hope we shall get over all, the Ministry being at length prevail’d on to espouse the Measure, that the Colonies may have something to give on a Requisition from the Crown, and that the Duties may increase by the Increase of Commerce. But if this Ministry should be changed before the Session ends, as there is now strong Talk that they will be, our Hopes and all our Labour will again be frustrated.
It is resolved to bring in a Bill to suspend all Legislation in New York, till the Act of Parliament for quartering Soldiers is complied with. Mr. Conway was against it, and would have had it reconsidered.
I shall write you fully per Egdon. With great Esteem, I am Dear Sir, Your faithful humble Servant
B Franklin
Joseph Galloway Esqr.

[Enclosure]
The Merchants of London trading to the Continent of America are of Opinion
That the most speedy and effectual Relief to the Colonies in respect to the present distressed State of their Commerce, for want of a Medium of Trade will be the Repeal of an Act of Parliament respecting Bills of Credit in America, passed in the 4th Year of his present Majesty; and that such Repeal cannot injure the British Merchant, provided a Clause be inserted in the Act for the said Repeal, declaring Paper Bills of Credit shall not be a legal Tender in Payment of any Sterling Debts or Contracts whatsoever already made or to be made by or with or in the name and behalf of any Person residing in the Kingdom of Great Britain.
 Endorsed: Merchants’ Report to Administration for a Clause to prevent Paper Bills being a legal Tender for Sterling Debts


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 23 May 1767
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Galloway, Joseph

Dear Sir,
London, May 23. 1767
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. So that I have only time to say, things continue here in the same uncertain State, and Changes confidently talk’d of in the Ministry, which appears not very strong, thro’ Lord Chatham’s Illness, and Divisions among the rest. But I hope they will continue. Tho’ Yesterday in a Vote on the Massachusetts Affair in the Lords House, the Opposition were within 6 of the Ministry; and the King’s Brother, the Duke of York, voted against them, which looks ill. I am, Dear Friend, Yours affectionately
B Franklin
Joseph Galloway Esqr
 Endorsed: Benja. Franklin May 23 1767


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 23 May 1767
From: Parker, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honoured Sir
New York May 23, 1767
My last to you, was per Capt. Lawrence, by whom I received the Stationary: A few Days after he was sail’d I got yours via Philadelphia of Feb. 28. and 12 Days ago I received yours per Packet of March 14. inclosing Capt. Berton’s Bill of Lading for the Letter, which arrived about 6 Days ago: I have executed a Bond agreeable to your Order.
I have not received one Newspaper from any Person whatever: and I now don’t know, if it will do to venture to send any to the Gentleman you mention per Packet, lest it put him to Charge: but I will try to send him by all private Vessels; and as I know this will come free of Charge to you I send the last, and you can send or give them to him, if you should think fit.

I sent per Lawrence the 2d Bill of a Set for £300 also Holt’s Account, of which I would send a Duplicate now, but as Mr. Foxcroft is daily expected up from Virginia, and I have sent him a Copy also, I am not able to transcribe it again just now, having been taken poorly two Days ago, and have now but just Strength enough to sit up. Tho’ I have had my Health in general as well this year past, as I have had these many Years, yet I have every now and then, a hard Turn, or as I think it is, a fresh Dun from my Landlord.
Inclosed I send the first of a Bill for £200. I got of Mr. Hubbart: When I got Mr. Foxcroft’s Orders, I tried every Office to get some, fearing lest we should fail: and this Mr. Hubbart sent after the Opportunity was past before: He says it cost him £280 Lawful: which is far above Par, when if he had sent the Cash to me, I could have got one then for £175—as the other: which is much less than his Cost: but we did the best we could.
I wrote you per Lawrence a little about my Allowance in the Custom House; as I never was told before, what Method or who was to pay me. And I would have sent a Power to you to get it; but as you are I suppose about to return, Mr. Colden thought it best for me to get an Attorney in the Office, as he had, and advis’d me to the same Person: because he said, if one out of the Office was appointed, it was generally a great deal of Trouble to get the Money: and those in Office always expected 2½ per Cent. for doing it: On those Considerations, I thought it best to have your Advice about it, before I sent any Power to any Body; because the Charge of executing One here before the Mayor, is pretty high, and to execute two would be additional Charge.
You see I shall creep on with my News-papers. I increase slowly every Week about one, and sometimes two: but my Antagonists are powerful. Holt drives on yet, but keeps close, I have Writs out, but he is not taken. Is it not strange, that he will sooner [be in] this precarious State and Confinement, rather than exhibit any Account to me: But his Account against the Post-Office, tho’ it is in my Favour has now made me think him indeed a Villain. God knows when it will end, Tho’ I fear I have nothing to hope for, but by Diligence to regain what I have lost: But my Strength fails me much. However, if I can but do every Body Justice, I shall be satisfied—I have not to add, but all Respects, &c. from Your most obliged Servant
James Parker.
 Addressed: For / Benjamin Franklin Esqr / Craven Street / London / per Duke of Cumberland / Packet, Goodridge


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 26 May 1767
From: Galloway, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Friend
Philada. May 26. 1767.
I wrote you a few Days since by the Post not expecting that the Packet wou’d be detained till now.
I inclose you a Bill of Exchange drawn by Mr. Joseph Richardson on D. Barclay and Sons payable to you for £250 0s. 0d. Sterling, in Part of your two Years Salary amounting in the Whole to £1000, like Money agreable to a Certificate Signd by Order of the House, which I shall take up. The Residue of your Salary I shall remit by the first Opportunities, as I am requested so to do by your Worthy Son the Governor of Jersey. And as it is Possible you may have left London before this Letter Arrives, I have thought it prudent to inclose this Letter to Mr. Serjeant as your Friend, and a Gentleman with whom you have heretofore deposited your Cash, as your son informs me, desiring him, shoud you have Left England, to receive the Money on your Account. In this we have acted for the best, and if we have err’d I know youl have goodness enough to forgive the Mistake.
Being just about to set of[f] for Chester Court I have scarcely Time to add that I am, as ever Dear Friend, yours most Affectionately
Jos. Galloway
Benja. Franklin Esqr.

 Addressed: For / Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / at Mrs. Stevensons in Craven Street / London


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Katherine French, 30 May 1767
From: French, Katherine
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Saturday 30th. May, [1767?]
The opera interfering [torn] Mrs. French to put off her Music till Saturday 6th. June When she hopes to have [the] favor of seeing Docr. Frank[lin.]


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Hopkinson, 31 May 1767
From: Hopkinson, Francis
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Sir
Hartlebury Castle May 31st. 1767
I have once more the Pleasure of writing to you from this delightful Place; where I thank God, I enjoy perfect Health and all the Pleasures the Country can afford. Time rolls away in the most agreeable Manner imaginable; Reading, walking, riding, Music, Drawing &ca. season the Hours with much calm and rational Pleasure; and to crown all, the good Bishop and Mrs. Johnson treat me with all possible Affection and Kindness. Yet, after all (such is my Partiality for dear Philadelphia and my Friends there) that I must say it is with great Delight I look forward to the Time of my Embarkation. I have not recieved a Letter from Home since Mid-Winter—But a Ship is hourly expected, and, as the Winds have been favourable for some Days past, I hope it will not be long before she arrives. After I left London, I spent a Week very agreeably a[t] Bath; where I was kindly entertained by Mr. Taylor and Family. We made an Excursion to Bristol and the hot-Wells. Was I to choose a Residence in England I think I should not hesitate a Moment in giving the Preference to Bath beyond any other Place—except Hartlebury Castle—From Bath I took a Post Chaise to Repple, near Glocester, where I spent two or three Days with Dr. Warren, one of my good Couzins, who conducted me in his Carriage to this Place. I am very fond of riding out on Horse-back—His Lordship has therefore accommodated me with a very fine little Horse and with him I have made several pleasant Excursions about the Country. Mr. Hamilton did me the Honour to write to me the other Day; he has kindly offer’d to secure me proper Accommodations and Provisions for our intended Voyage, on as reasonable Terms as may be: and informs me that we are likely to have Mr. Powel a fellow Passenger. The Ship in which we propose to sail is daily expected and Messr. Barclays assure us that she will not be detained beyond the latter End of July, her Cargo being chiefly engaged.

I hope you retain your Health and Spirits, for I shall always interest myself much in your Wellfare, having the greatest Personal Regard for my good Friend, and a lively Gratitude for all Favours. My affectionate Compliments to good Mrs. Stevenson. When I left her she was a little disordered by a Fright occasioned by a Fire in the Neighbourhood; I hope she has long e’er this regain’d her usual Composure and Serenity of Mind; which I wish s[he may] long enjoy. Compliments to Miss Stevenson [and] to Miss Franklin. Adieu. I am Dear Sir Yours most sincerely
F. Hopkinson

Addressed: To / Dr Franklin / at Mrs Stevenson’s / Craven Street / London / Free / J Worcester
Endorsed: Hopkinson


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, [May? 1767]
From: Franklin, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

This communication in the handwriting of William Franklin, but without salutation, date, or signature, exactly fills both sides of a single sheet of paper. Because it deals with a confidential and delicate matter and concludes the last manuscript line with the admonition “Do burn this,” it seems highly likely that William sent it to his father enclosed in some letter dealing with more prosaic topics, and that he wrote it on a separate sheet so that it could be destroyed without injuring the letter it accompanied. An upper corner is torn off, causing the loss of a few words on each side.
In the first sentence William mentions Richard Bache’s statement that he had written his prospective father-in-law “of his Misfortune,” and on August 5, Franklin wrote Bache acknowledging a letter of May 21 and saying that he was “truly sorry to hear of your Misfortune.” Below, p. 220. It seems probable that William sent this paper a few days after May 21, so that, as soon as possible after receiving a statement of the case from Sally’s young man, her father would have other information to help in forming a judgment. Hence it is placed here at the end of May, although it must be recognized that William may not have written and sent it until later in the spring or even during the first part of the summer.

[May? 1767]
Mr. B. tells me that he has [sent] you an exact Account of his Misfor[tune.]. The Bills are come back protested, a[nd] he says his Brother is bound with him for the Payment of them with Interest, the Creditors having agreed to give up their Claim to Damages, on Account of its being a particular hard Case. But I can’t learn that his Brother gives him the Money to pay the Bills, but only becomes his Surety till he can contrive to get the Money to discharge them himself. But the Amount is greater than the Sum he is worth by his own Account, which Account too I am credibly inform’d must be greatly exaggerated. Mr. Ross[?] told [torn] that Mr. B. had often attempted [to d]eceive him about his Circumstances but that he was well convinced he was not, before this unlucky Affair happened, worth any thing if all his Debts were paid. In short that he is a mere Fortune Hunter, who wants to better his Circumstances [by] marrying into a Family that will support him. For my Part, I dont know what to make of all the different Accounts I hear of him; but I think it evident that these Bills have involved him in a Load of Debt greatly more than he is worth, and that if Sally marries him they must both be entirely dependent on you for Subsistence. For if he should get forward in the World he must repay his Brother. Do burn this.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Des Cotes & Company, 2 June 1767
From: Cotes, James des, & Co.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Tuesday 2d. June 1767.
Messrs. James Des Cotes & Company present their Best Compliments To Mr. Franklin. They Sent Him the latter end of March last a Letter from Counsellor Luther in Franckfurth and at the Same time acquainted Him that they were ready to Receive of him and pay him for what Mr. Luther had wrote. Yesterday they Received another Letter of Said Mr. Luther In which he desires to be Informed How long Mr. Franklin proposes to stay here in Town and whether we have Received of Him the Perspective (Suppose Spying Glass). Mr. Franklin is therefore Requested to favour us with an answer That we may Report the Same to Councellor Luther.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 10 June 1767
From: Franklin, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honoured Father
Burln. June 10, 1767
I have before me your two Favours of March 19, and April 11, which came by the Pacquet.

Your Remarks on the Report of the Board of Trade have been printed, and never any thing met with more general Approbation. Even the Proprietary Party are warm in its Praises. Alexr: Houston, I am told, has acknowledg’d that he did not believe that all the Writers on his Side of the Question put together could produce any Thing equal to it. Our Friend Saml. Smith of this Town says that he thinks all the Provinces in North America ought to join to make it worth your while to reside in England as long as you live. The People of this Province are much pleas’d with your having mentioned New Jersey as one of the Colonies which has guarded against Excess in Paper Currency. They have no Tidings of any Thing being done by their own Agent, in this or any other American Affair; and the Assembly having some Resentment for their being surpriz’d into the Appointment of him, will probably remove him at this Sessions. But who they will appoint in his Stead I cannot guess.
The Clamor in England against the Colonies has alarm’d the People here in general. The New-York Assembly I’m told, have voted £3,000 for supplying the King’s Troops with Necessaries, which is to be put into the Hands of Persons who are to provide the same Articles as are required by the Act of Parliament, without taking any more Notice of that Act than if it had never existed. Our Assembly, which is now sitting will, I believe, act nearly on the same Plan. They had, indeed, provided, in the last Act, all the Necessaries mention’d in the Act of Parliament except Cyder, or  Rum in Lieu thereof; but they at the same Time provided some other Things which were not required by that Act; and the Officers and Soldiers quarter’d in this Province have acknowledg’d themselves well satisfied. There are several Letters from England which Mention Governor Moore’s imprudent Letter’s being read in the House of Lords, and I hear ’tis likely to occasion some Uneasiness between him and the People at New York. I wish, however, that the Assembly there had done at their last Sitting what they have now done, as it would have sav’d their Friends in the Ministry a great deal of Trouble; and they might too have done it very consistently, if, as you say, they had considered the Act in the Light of a Requisition. As to the Boston Assembly there seems to be no Hopes of any temperate Proceedings from that Quarter, unless Governor Barnard was remov’d, or Otis was to die.
You may depend that your Mahogany Press will not be us’d, and I fancy they have avoided meddling with the Letter, but I shall enquire. When Mr. Parker comes this Way I will get him to fix a Value on that and the old Press.
I am much obliged to you for procuring the Collectorship for my Friend Kollock. I have wrote him that it was obtain’d by a Friend of mine to whom I had apply’d in his Behalf; and have taken Pains to inculcate among our Friends your Aversion to engage in such Applications while you continue Agent. The Reasons you urge for its not being known that you had any Hand in the Affair are undoubtedly of great Weight; and I have contriv’d it so that it is generally suspected that I obtain’d it thro’ Mr. Cooper, with whom, many here have heard, I was acquainted in England. The  David Hall you mention, is a Member of Assembly for Sussex, and had the Proprietary Interest to procure the Office. As the Proprietor has fail’d in his Application, I suppose the Party would if they thought his Want of Success was owing to you, make such another Outcry as they did when they were disappointed in getting the Collectorship of New Castle for one Morris in whose Behalf they had greatly interested themselves. Morris’s Friends and the Proprietor wrote over that you had got the Office for Walker (I think his Name is), and that they were so inform’d at the Treasury. This was generally believ’d to be Truth, and you were much abus’d for using your Interest for a drunken Fellow, and a Stranger, when you might have got it for some Man of Character on this Side of the Water, or have let the Proprietor have procured it for some such. That your not doing this, was making a wanton Use of your Interest merely with a View of thwarting the Proprietor &c. &c. But when the Man arriv’d, and heard these Reports, he declar’d that he was not even known to you, and I have told many that he ow’d his Place to Mr. Trecothick, as you wrote me. But the Proprietary Party, notwithstanding, persevere in declaring that you got it for him, and that they have Letters which mention it. I suppose the Proprietor had heard of the Application you made for that Office in Behalf of some Friend, and concluded, when the Appointment was made, that Walker was the Man. As to the Fees which you have paid, or may pay on Account of Mr. Kollock’s Commission I will be answerable to you for them, and shall be glad you’d acquaint me what they are.
Governor Wentworth visited me on his Journey home and lay a Night at my House. I next Morning accompanied him as far as  Trenton Falls, where we spent the Day a Fishing and supp’d together. I think him a very sensible, easy, agreeable Gentleman [remainder missing.]


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 12 June 1767
From: Parker, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honoured Sir
New-York, June 12. 1767.
The Bearer of this Dr. Nicholas Falck, is an Inhabitant of this City, and is a Person of a general fair Character:–It is said, he having made some remarkable Discoveries in the Mathematicks and other Sciences, goes to London in order to communicate them to Advantage, and being some Acquaintance of mine, I have presumed to recommend him thus to your Notice: The Nature or Use of his Acquisitions he must inform you of himself, being persuaded that you will be a better Judge, whether they be of Utility or not, than I could pretend to: As I write per Packet I have no more to add now, than that I am with all Respects Your most obliged Servant
James Parker.
To Dr. Franklin London.

Addressed: For / Dr. Benjamin Franklin / Craven-Street / London / per Dr Falck
Endorsed: Parker
[Notes on address page in BF’s hand:]
Oars for a Man of War
  A Machine to keep Acct of the Ship’s Way
  A Quadrant to observe the Sun’s Altitude without a Horizon.
  A universal Rule for extracting [illegible] with the greatest Simplicity


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, [13 June 1767]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, William

[June 13th, 1767]
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 almost out of patience, and now talks of carrying out his settlers without leave.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 13 June 1767
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Galloway, Joseph

Dear Sir,
London, June 13. 1767.
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 Paper Money in appropriating the Interest by Parliament, was pretty  well remov’d by my assuring them that it was my Opinion no Colony would make Money on those Terms, and that the Benefits arising to the Commerce of this Country in America from a plentiful Currency would therefore be lost, and the Repeal answer no End, if the Assemblies were not allow’d to appropriate the Interest themselves; that the Crown might get a great Share of it upon occasional Requisitions I made no doubt, by voluntary Appropriations of the Assemblies; but they would never establish such Funds as to make themselves unnecessary to Government, &c. These and other Reasons that were urged seem’d to satisfy them, and we began to think all would go smoothly, and the Merchants prepar’d their Petition on which the Repeal was to be founded. But, in the House, when the Chancellor of the Exchequer had gone thro’ his propos’d American Revenue, viz. by Duties on Glass, China Ware, Paper Pasteboard, Painters Colours, Tea, &c. Grenville stood up, and undervalued them all as Trifles, and, says he, I’ll tell the honourable Gentleman of a Revenue that will produce something valuable in America: Make Paper Money for the Colonies, issue it upon Loan there; take the Interest and apply it as you think proper. Mr. Townsend, finding the House listned to this and seem’d to like it, stood up again, and said, That was a Proposition of his own, which he had intended to make with the rest, but it had slipt his Memory; and the Gentleman, who must have heard of it, now unfairly would take Advantage of that Slip, and make a Merit to himself of a Proposition that was anothers; and as a Proof of this, assur’d the House that a Bill was prepar’d for the Purpose and would be soon laid before them. This startled all our Friends; and the Merchants concluded to keep back their Petition for a while, till things appear’d a little clearer; lest their Friends in America should blame them as having furnish’d a Foundation for an Act  that must have been disagreable to the Colonies. I found the rest of the Ministry did not like this Proceeding of the Chancellor’s, but there was now no going on with our Scheme against his Declaration; and as he daily talk’d of resigning, there being no good Agreement between him and the rest; and as we found the general Prejudice against the Colonies so strong in the House, that any thing in the Shape of a Favour to them all, was like to meet with great Opposition whether he was out or in, I propos’d to Mr. Jackson the putting our Colony foremost, as at present we stood in a pretty good Light, and asking the Favour for ourselves alone. This he agreed might be proper in case the Chancellor should go out; and undertook to bring in a Bill for that purpose, provided the Philadelphia Merchants would petition for it; and he wish’d to have such Petition ready to present if an Opening for it should offer: Accordingly I apply’d to them, and prepar’d a Draft of a Petition for them to sign, a Copy of which I send you enclos’d. They seem’d generally for the Measure; but apprehending the Merchants of the other Colonies, who had hitherto gone hand in hand with us in all American Affairs, might take Umbrage if we now separated from them, it was thought right to call a Meeting of the whole to consult upon this Proposal. At this Meeting I represented to them as the Ground of the Measure, that the Colonies being generally out of Favour at present, any hard Clause relating to Paper Money in the repealing Bill would more easily be receiv’d in Parliament if the Bill related to all the Colonies: That Pensilvania being in some Degree of Favour, might possibly alone obtain a better Act than the whole could do, as it might by Government be thought as good Policy to show Favour where there had been Obedience as Resentment where there had been the Reverse: That a good Act obtain’d by Pensilvania, might, another Year, when the Resentment against the Colonies should be abated, be made use of as a Precedent for the rest, &c, &c. But after a good deal of Debate, it was finally concluded not to precipitate Matters, it being very dangerous by any kind of Petition relating to Paper Money, to furnish the Chancellor with a Horse on which he would  put what Saddle he thought fit: The other Merchants seem’d rather averse to the Pensilvania Merchants proceeding alone, but said they were certainly at Liberty to do as they thought proper. The Conclusion of the Pensilvania Merchants was, to wait awhile, holding the separate Petition ready to sign and present, if a proper Opening should appear this Session; but otherwise to reserve it to the next, when the Complexion of Ministers and Measures may probably be changed. And as this Session now draws to a Conclusion, I begin to think nothing will be farther done in it this Year.
Mentioning the Merchants puts me in mind of some Discourse I heard among them, that was by no means agreable. It was said that in the Opposition they gave the Stamp Act and their Endeavours to obtain the Repeal, they had spent at their Meetings and in Expresses to all Parts of this Country to obtain Petitions, and for a Vessel to carry the joyful News of the Repeal to North America, and in the Entertainments given our Friends of both Houses, &c. near £1500. That for all this, except from the little Colony of Rhodeisland, they had not received so much as a Thank-ye. That on the contrary, the circular Letters they had written, with the best Intentions, to the Merchants of the several Colonies, containing their best and most friendly Advice, were either answered with unkind Reflections, or contemptuously left without Answer. And that the Captain of the Vessel they sent Express with the News, having met with Misfortunes that oblig’d him to travel by Land through all the Colonies—from New Hampshire to Pensilvania, was every where treated with Neglect and Contempt instead of Civility and Hospitality; and no where more than at Philadelphia, where tho’ he delivered Letters to the Merchants that must make him and his errand known to them, no one took the least Notice of him. I own I was ashamed to hear all this, but insisted there must be some Mistake in the Account. I should not have troubled you with it, but that I think we stand in truth greatly obliged to the Merchants, who are a very respectable Body, and whose Friendship is worth preserving, as it may greatly help us on future Occasions; and therefore I wish some decent Acknowledgments or Thanks were sent them from the Assemblies of the Colonies (since their Correspondents have omitted it) if it be not now thought too late.

I have said the less lately in my Letters concerning the Petitions, because I hoped this Summer to have an Opportunity of communicating everything vivâ voce, and there are particulars that cannot safely be trusted to Paper. Perhaps I may be more determined, as to returning, or staying another Winter, when I receive my next Letters from you.
We got the Chancellor to drop his Salt Duty. And the Merchants trading to Portugal and Spain (he says) have made such a Clamour about the Intention of suffering Ships to go directly with Wine, Fruit and Oil from those Countries to America, that he has dropt that Scheme; and we are, it seems to labour a little longer under the Inconveniency of the Restraint.
It is said the Bill to suspend the Legislatures of New-York and Georgia, till they comply with the Act of Parliament for Quartering of Soldiers, will pass this Session. I fear that Imprudencies on both Sides, may, Step by Step, bring on the most mischievous Consequences. It is imagined here that this Act will enforce an immediate Compliance; and if the People should be quiet, content themselves with the Laws they have, and let the Matter rest, till the Time shall be more in their favour, the Parliament will be greatly disappointed. I wish nothing worse may happen. It seems to me a very extraordinary Act, equally restrictive on the Prerogative of the Crown as on the Privileges of the People: For if the King should in some future War want Aids of those Provinces, he cannot obtain them, till the Act is repeal’d that forbids his acting in Legislation with them.
The present Ministry will probably now continue thro’ the Session. But their Disagreement, with the total Inability of Lord Chatham, thro’ bad Health, to do any Business, must bring on some Change before next Winter. I wish it may be for the better, but fear the contrary.

Please to present my dutiful Respects to the Assembly, and believe me ever, Dear Sir, Yours, and the Committee’s, most obedient and faithful humble Servant
B Franklin
Joseph Galloway Esqr. Speaker,

 [Enclosure]
To the honourable, &c.
The Petition of the Merchants trading to Pensilvania Humbly sheweth.
That by long Experience in the said Trade the Petitioners have constantly found the Increase or Diminution thereof to depend greatly on a plentiful or scanty Currency.
That the present Paper Currency of that Province, being now much diminish’d, and soon to be extinguish’d, the Commerce there already labours, and is in danger of being greatly hurt if not totally ruin’d for want of it.
That the Petitioners understand from their Correspondents there, that the Restraint laid by a late Act of Parliament on the making Paper Money with a legal Tender, is the Reason why no more is emitted in that Province; which Act, it is understood was founded on the Supposition that such legal Tender was prejudicial to the Interest of the British Merchants.
Your Petitioners therefore beg Leave to assure the Honourable House, that in the long Course of their Trade and Dealings with the Province of Pensilvania, they have never suffered any Loss or Inconvenience by the legal Tender of the Bills of Credit in that Province, where a Prudent Care has always been taken to issue the same on good Funds, and to keep the Quantity within due Bounds; and where, in the Courts of Justice, full Satisfaction has ever been given in Discharge of Debts due to the British Merchant, And that on the other Hand they have found the Paper Currency to be of great Use to them, in facilitating the Sale of the Goods exported thither, and rendring the Payment for the same more easy and speedy, at the same time greatly increasing the Demand and Consumption.
Your Petitioners therefore pray, that the House would take the Premises into Consideration, and repeal the said Restraining Act so far as relates to the Province of Pennsylvania.
And your Petitioners &c.

Endorsed: Drt. of Petition for the Pensylvania Merchts. May 1767


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 13 June 1767
From: Parker, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honoured Sir
New-York, June 13. 1767.

Things here in general are much in the same State as they were in my last, only Mr. Foxcroft being returned from Virginia to Philadelphia; you will doubtless hear from him.
I think I told you, I had sent the Bond for the whole I have had of you to Mrs. Franklin. The first of the inclosed Bill I sent per last Packet, I send this lest any Accident attend it.
I continue to rub along, all uphill Work: But I don’t yet despair. Is it not Strange, that Holt had rather keep close now above 8 Months, than exhibit his Accounts: He fights me with my own Money, I am concerned about the Affair of Hamilton & Belfour, of which I send inclosed to you a Letter for them, which when you have seen, please send to them. Books and Stationary in general, are grown excessive dull Articles here: Rivington being shut up, Gaine only flourishes in the Business—Noel does indifferently—Weyman declines in all Appearance.
I had no Line from you for two Packets past, and several Londoners: nor one News-paper from any Body: Capt. Berton sails in a Day or two, by whom I shall send some Papers to Mr. Carter, but I suppose, my Papers will be of little Service or Use to him, and I had rather Pay some Body, that would be punctual: Mr. Potts used formerly to send Papers for Pay; does he do so no more? For if he does, there might be some Dependance.

B. Mecom stays at New-Haven yet, but I get Nothing of him, nor I fear ever shall: His Post-Office Accounts are not very large, but the Ballance is unpaid yet.
We had a cold backward Spring and in Appearance a very dry hot Summer, Crops thin, and Grass very scarce.
Thank God my own Health is beyond my Expectation, or even my Hope; That of my Family is better than it has been known for some Time past: tho’ I have some down now, but not bad. On the whole I have reason to be thankful. With all our humble Respects remain Your most obliged Servant
James Parker.
 Addressed: For / Benjamin Franklin, Esqr / Craven Street / London / per Capt. Goddard


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson: Verses on Her Birthday, 15 June 1767
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson

To Miss Stevenson, on her Birthday, June 15. 1767.

1.
You’d have the Custom broke, you say,
That marks with festive Mirth your natal Day;
“Because as one grows old,
One cares not to be told,
How many of one’s Years have pass’d away.”
That Reason came not from your Heart;
’Tis given in earnest but by those,
The empty Belles and emptier Beaux,
Who justly may suppose
Their outward Frame to be their better Part
And therefore grieve that Time subjects it to Decay.
2.
God, who values only Souls,
Has given yours that outward Case,
In which (as Time his Seasons rolls)
It may, while here below improve,
Till, fit for Heav’n above,
It shall be brought there, to increase
The Happiness of the Place,
Where all is Joy and all is Love.
3.
No hospitable Man, possess’d of generous Wines,
While they are in his Vaults, repines
That Age impairs the Casks; for well he knows
The heavenly Juice
More fit for Use
Becomes, and still the older better grows;
He only keeps it there ’till it refines.
Then, when the Cooper can no longer
Hold the mouldring Wood together,
(Though he pretends with Hoops to make it stronger)
Bring, says the Master, Bottles hither:
Time hurts not Glass: This Wine must be preserv’d
And at my Table serv’d:
There thro’ the Chrystal Vase it shines;
The chosen Guests enjoy it and extoll it;
The happy Company are happier made;
This! This is Wine indeed! Pray what d’ye call it?
O! ’tis my Anno Domini! he said.
Then round and round the chearful Board it flies,
And turns to Wit that never dies.

 Addressed: To / Miss Stevenson


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Osgood Hanbury & Company, 15 June 1767
From: Hanbury, Osgood, & Co.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Tower street 15th. June 1767
Messrs. Hanbury’s respects to Doctor Franklin and inform him, that upon Captain Bannings coming up this Evening, they find the Ship will not be ready to sail before the 24th. Instant, by which time if the Chariott can be got ready the Captain shall take particular care of it.