Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Giambatista Beccaria, 29 May 1766
From:
To:

Reverend Sir,
London, May 29. 1766.
  It gives me pleasure to transmit to you herewith the thanks of our society for your most ingenious paper on electrical matters,

   *[Footnote in Eandi:] The paper spoken of here is the one entitled Novorum quorundam in re electrica experimentorum specimen, quod regiae Londinensi societati mittebat die 11 ianuarii anni 1766 Ioannes Baptista Beccaria ex scholis piis. Printed in Turin by Fontana in fol., and then, with a few addenda and with illustrations, in the LVI volume of the Transactions.

   The note of thanks of the Royal Society to Father Beccaria, enclosed by Franklin in his letter, is as follows:

   Viro ornamentissimo, et φιλοσοφικοτἀτω [most philosophical] Joanni Baptistœ Beccariœ ex scholis piis, et regiœ societatis Londinensis socio C. Morton soc. reg. Londin. secret, et synedrus et academiar. imperial. Leopoldinœ S.C. et Petropolitanœ socius S.P.D.

   Elegans, et doctissimum opus tuum de aliquibus circa rem electricam experimentis Societati regiœ Londinensi in comitiis suis ordinariis hodie recitatum fuit, quo nomine gratiœ societatis tibi publicœ statutœ sunt. Datum ex œdibus societatis maii 1. 1766.

 and permit me to add to them my own [thanks].

In conformity with your wishes, it had been shown to me before it was presented to the society, and I recommended it as well deserving the society’s attention.
Before it is printed in the Transactions I should like to know whether there is not some mistake in that part of the table where you say:
Pili leporis accipiunt a tibiali albo pauculum;and then: Tibiale album dat pilis leporis plurimum;and following: Tibiale album accipit a tibiali nigro pauculum;next: Tibiale nigrum dat tibiali albo plurimum.
   †[Footnote in Eandi:] Both in the edition of Turin and in the Philosophical Transactions it reads as follows: Pili leporis accipiunt a tibiali albo pauculum. Tibiale album dat pilis leporis. Tibiale album accipit a tibiali nigro. Tibiale. nigrum dat tibiali albo.

If these are not writing mistakes, but agree with facts, I should like to know what circumstances in the experiments you think may account for [the fact] that in the reciprocal rubbing of those substances one of them does not supply the same quantity as the other receives.
I ought to have thanked you before now for the favor you did to me some time ago by sending me your books on electrical matters, and for your mentioning me honorably in them. Rest assured that I have read no other work on this subject that has given me so much pleasure. A new edition of my writings, with many additions, is being printed here; when it is finished I shall beg you to accept a copy. A small paper on meteorology which was read to the society some time ago, but not yet printed in the Transactions, is appended to it.
Since I came back here from America in 1765 I have found only one new thing about electricity: this is that, if a spark is sent into the dark around bodies which imbibe light (as I believe I must express myself), these bodies shine briskly for a few minutes thereafter. It is not necessary for electric fire to go through the body; a spark that passes at a two- or three-inch distance is sufficient. I suppose that Bologna stone may be used for this experiment. Here we use an artificial compound of calcined oyster shells, burned in a crucible with sulphur. A spark of your fulminating table would give a long lasting light. I am sending you a small piece of wood covered with a little of this compound, which was given me, and made by Mr. Canton, a member of our society. The discoverer of this effect of electricity was Mr. Lane, who also has devised an elegant method, by means of a screw, to give exactly equal shocks of a certain determined strength for medical objects, as the bottle will always discharge when it has received the quantity of fire that will hit at the distance determined by the screw.
I am pleased to hear that you read English, although you do not write it. I am in the same case with Italian. Hence we can correspond, if this pleases you, more easily if each of us writes his own language. I shall thus more often take the opportunity of expressing to you through my letters the great esteem, and the respect, with which I am, Reverend Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant
B. Franklin.


Title: Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence to Richard Jackson and Benjamin Franklin, 6 June 1766
From:
To:

Gentlemen
Philadelphia June 6. 1766
Our Assembly now sitting, having purposely adjourned, in May last, to this Time, have their Expectations joyfully gratified by receiving an authentic Account, in Secretary Conway’s Letter to the Governor, of the Repeal of the Stamp Act, which has been the Occasion of great Distress and Anxiety to the Colonies for Several Months past; We are ordered by the House to transmit to you, the inclosed Address to his Majesty, expressing the grateful Sense they entertain of his Wisdom and Clemency, and the Justice of his Parliament, in Releiving the Colonies from the distressing Consequences, which must have attended the Execution of that Law, which, as Soon as you receive, you will lose no Time in presenting, as the House, is desirous that this Province may be the foremost in a Testimony of their Loyalty and gratitude on that Occasion.

We have the Satisfaction to inform you, that amidst the rejoicings of the People here, on the Arrival of this Interesting News, such Moderation and Decorum, have been preserved, that we hope they will not occasion, the least Uneasiness to the Friends of America in England.
The House have omitted in this Address a Declaration of their readiness to comply with the Demands of the Crown in granting such Sums of Money, for the general Safety of the Colonies, as our Circumstances will admit, jud[g]ing it improper to blend Complaints of our Grievances with our grateful Acknowledgments to his Majesty and Parliament. You may however perceive, by their Resolve inclosed, which you will Communicate to his Majestys Ministers, in such Manner as your prudence may Suggest, That we are authorised to instruct you to give the strongest Assurances, that it is their full Determination to do every thing in their Power to answer such Requisitions, as may be made, consistent with the present distrest Circumstances of the Province.
You cannot be insensible of the Impediments which have heretofore, prevented the Grants of former Assemblies, and the disagreeable Contests arising thro the Interuption of Proprietary Instructions to their Governors. And as you have, already, full Directions, to Solicit a Redress of these Grievances under which the Province has long laboured, We hope and request, that you will Omit no Opportunity or Argument to Obtain, the much desired Relief, in the manner and under the Limitations formerly Prescribed. In full Confidence of your Care and Attention to this Important Business, We are Gentlemen your Assured friends and humble Servants

Giles Knight
Jos: Fox

Thos: Livezey
Jos: Richardson

Jos. Galloway
Isa. Pearson

Richard Jackson and Benjamin Franklin Esquires

Endorsed: Committee of Correspe.   June 6. 1766   Enclosing Address, Pressing the Change


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 7 June 1766
From:
To:

Dear Sir
Philada. June 7th. 1766
I transmit you, herewith, a Letter from the Committee of Correspondence, inclosing An Address from the Assembly to his Majesty, agreable to the Hint you gave me, in your’s of the 27th. of February. Our Assembly adjourned yesterday to the 8th of September, after Sitting 5 Days, during which Time my Fatigue was uncommon, The Court and Assembly both requiring my Attendance. The first had indeed very little Share of it, as the Proprietarians Seized every Opportunity in my Absence, of proposing Something, that might injure the Embassy you were Sent over upon. The Message to the Governor published in this Weeks Paper, carries the Face of Harmony, between our two Branches of the Legislature, and was obtained one Morning in my Absence, and as I much Suspect, to prove this to the Ministry. But upon Perusal of the Committees Letter and the Resolve inclosed, you will perceive it was no more than a meer Compliment which they coud not politely Avoid; And that they still Continue firm in their Resolution never to be easy under a Government which Admits of the Intervention of a Private Subject between their Sovereign and them. And indeed shoud any Use be made of this Address against us, I think it may be justly replied, that it only proves, that the Assembly do not Act on any personal resentment against the Proprietaries as the Address Plainly proves, but that their Objection rests alone on the unhappy Form of Government, which has so much injured the Service of the Crown and the Safety of the People.
Great Opposition was given to the Resolve, and many Arguments used, by the Chief Justice and five more of the Proprietary Friends, among others, they alledged, that we ought not, to give his Majesty Assurances of granting Aids for the Defence of the Colonies when required because they contended that the Assembly were the Sole proper Judges when Aids were Necessary. To which I replied, That it was obviously our Duty to Contribute towards the Protection and Security of a Pro[v]ince which remain’d so naked and Defenceless as this does. That the Power of Defence was lodged in the Crown, and therefore it was the Province of its Ministers to determine when Aids were Necessary, and that it was unreasonable to suspect Supplies would ever be demanded, when there was no Occasion for them. And shoud that be the Case, ever, it woud be Time enough then, to determine the Right of Refusal on just Terms. And indeed every Argument which the Party cou’d Form either in or out of the House was made use of to prevent this Assurance to the Crown. I had inserted it in the Address, but for the reasons mentioned in the Committees Letter, it was taken out—And at length, passed in a Resolve by a Majority of 18. there being 24. for and 6 against it. The Letter from the Committee was also read and Approved of in the House by the same Majority.
I was, at first reading of Secretary Conways Letter, to the Governor, not a little Surprized, to find his Majesty approved of his Conduct, but when I observed, that it was an Answer to the Governor’s Account of his own Behaviour, my Surprise Vanished. No doubt he assured the Secretary of his having been instrumental in Preserving the Peace of the Province &c. But if he did, nothing coud be more untrue. For be assured, Nothing was left unessayed by the Majestracy, to incite the People to Acts of Violence, which coud be done, without publickly joining with the Mob and exposing themselves. Instead of being Silent on the Occasion, they were the loudest in proclaiming the Inequity of the Law and their Abhorence to it. And when the Mob were invited in the Morning to meet in the Afternoon at the State House to Oblige Mr. Hughes to resign, The Governor Mayor Recorder and all the Majestrates save Mr. Shoemaker went out of Town, and Had not our Friends Acted with uncommon Resolution and firmness, and been ready in different Parts of the Town to preserve the Peace, infinite Confusion woud have ensued, In short, three Different Attempts, were made by the Proprietary and Presbyterian Party to Hang up Effigies &c. &c. and they were as often Prevented, not by the Governor or his Officers, but by the resolution of our Friends. From whence it is plain, His Honour has deceived Mr. Conway by an Elogium on himself which he did not deserve.
The C. Justice’s Malevolence against you never will end but with his Breath. He publickly Asserted in the House that you were the greatest Enemy to the Repeal of the Stamp Act, of all the Men in England. This Declaration filled your Friends with that Indignation and Resentment which it deserved. Mr. Ashbridge Pemberton, Livezey, Humphrys, &c. and my Self—called on him to make out his Charge, or to take Shame to himself—And the Consequence thereof would I think have been an Expulsion of the Accuser, had he not made good his Accusation, and that we had not the least Suspicion of, if the Speaker had not very Abruptly adjourned the House, for which he is not a little Censured by the Members. And so high is their Resentment at length worked up, That they Seem resolved to call on him again to make good his Accusation, in the Beginning of the next Sitting.
Be assured, my Dear Friend, The Assembly entertain the most grateful Sense of the Firmness and Integrity with which you have Served your Country on this very important Occasion—And will not be Wanting in their Demonstrations of it on your Return. I have thought it my Duty, to insert the Extracts of the several Letters from London to our friend wherein honourable mention has been made of your Name, and from thence had them translated into Millers for the Satisfaction of the Dutch, who are now generally come over to the Assembly Party, and have lost their former Prejudices. Every Day Adds to the number of the People who Wish for the immediate Rule of their soverign, and in my Opinion Nothing Less will satisfy them.
You will perceive by the before mentioned Resolve, which you are directed to lay before the Ministry, that the House, tho Sincerely disposed to grant Aids, when required, that they have no Expectations of being able to do it, unless the Government is Changed, And Proprietary Influence removed. Their Abhorrence to the Proprietary Government Seems as deeply rooted, as their Dislike to the Stamp Act, and it is my firm Opinion, were requisitions now made, of the two Proprietary Provinces, the Crown woud not receive a Farthing from them. Maryland you know gave Nothing in Times of the greatest distress and altho Pennsylvania did, yet when that Necessity is over, it is not reasonable to Expect it. But coud these Provinces grant them on just Terms, They never woud be denied. This Consideration founded on the Safety of the People certainly points out the Policy and Wisdom of Changing both these Governments from Proprietary to Royal.
I Sincerely Thank you for the Many Letters I have received from you, notwithstanding your late Hurry. Beleive me, my Dear Friend, with the Sincerest Wishes for your Happiness, yours very Affectionately
Jos. Galloway
I had the Pleasure of Seeing your Worthy Son Yesterday in Good Health in this City.

The Assembly, who, now, do not Suspect that their Petitions are rejected, Seem very Desirous they should be urged to a Determination with all prudent Expedition. As they are now much in Debt for the Common Exigencies of Government, and can think of no Means of discharging it, but what Proprietary Instructions will prevent A Hard Distressing Case indeed!
Did you receive a Letter from the Committee of Correspondence by Cap. Bogs via Dublin?


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Baynton, Wharton & Morgan, [8 June 1766]
From:
To:

[June 8, 1766]
I approve much of the Preposal of a strong Colony at the Illinois. It is well listned to here; But all affairs, except what immediately relate to Great Britain are laid aside, until the Season of Publick Business comes on and until the Ministry, are a little better settled.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to the Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence, 10 June 1766
From:
To:

Gentlemen,
London, June 10. 1766
I wrote to you pretty fully by the April Packet. The Parliament have since been continually agitating the Affairs of America, which has oblig’d us to constant Attendance. All the new Regulations I mention’d as like to take place, are now carried into Acts, except that relating to the Portugal Trade, which, together with the Paper Currency, is postpon’d, but I should have little doubt of their being obtain’d another Year if this Ministry continues, and no farther Imprudencies appear in America to exasperate Government here against us. The present have incurr’d a good deal of Abuse from the Opposition, for the Favour they have shown us; and great Advantages will be taken of them next Session if that Favour should not appear to have been properly received.
With this I send you Copies of two of the Acts relating to America, and I congratulate you on the Reduction of Duties by another, not yet printed, and on the Establishment of Free Ports which I hope will prove so useful as that more may be obtained, some on the Continent.
Mr. Jackson, by his close Attendance in Parliament and with the Ministry, has been exceedingly serviceable to us; and is likely to be soon in a Station that will give him still more Weight, if it continues. But all ministerial Dispositions are extreamly fluctuating. The Duke of Grafton has lately quitted the Ministry; and Mr. Conway, who was Secretary of State for the Southern Department, which included America, is now gone into the Northern, and the Duke of Richmond is made Secretary for the Southern. America is now to be a separate Department, and Lord Dartmouth, first of the Board of Trade, is to have it: But all is yet unsettled, and all American Affairs, even the Granting of Lands, are now at a stand, and will probably be so for some time, ’till the Season of Business returns. The frequent Changes that have happened, and the general Opinion even among the Ministers themselves, that more will happen, disposes People generally to lie awhile upon their Oars; till the Ministry have so establish’d themselves, as that they can afford Attention to Affairs, which not being of national Concern they think may well be postpon’d: And indeed ’tis a kind of Labour in vain to attempt making Impressions on such moveable Materials; ’tis like writing on the Sands in a windy Day.
As to myself, finding a Summer Journey, to which I have been so many Years accustomed, and which I omitted last Year, necessary to my Health, of late sensibly impair’d, I am about to make a little Tour for Six or Eight Weeks, which I hope will re-establish it. At my Return I shall apply myself diligently to what concerns the Interests of our Province; and if the present Ministry should be confirmed, as I sincerely pray they may, I hope another Winter will bring our Affairs all to a happy Conclusion. At least I think they may be put in such Train as that my Continuance here will be no longer necessary, and I now request that I may have leave to return in the Spring.
By all Accounts there is great Prospect that the Peace of Europe will not soon be disturbed. France is said to be perfectly well-dispos’d to be quiet, and Spain too much disturb’d with internal Commotions to prosecute its Views on Portugal. Commerce and Manufactures engross the Attention of other States; and the Empress of Russia is bent on increasing the Population of her Country, improving its Laws and farther refining its Manners. The King of Prussia too, tho’ frequent in reviewing his Troops, seems rather intent on repairing the Damages of the last War, than projecting new ones. So that we may reasonably expect a Tranquility of some Duration.
Be pleased to present my best Respects and Duty to the Assembly, and believe me, with sincere Esteem, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
Committee of Correspondence.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Baron Behr, 10 June 1766
From:
To:

Cleveland Row St. James’s 10. Juin 1766.
Baron Behr presente ses complimens à Mr. le Docteur Franklin, et souhaitant un heureux voyage, lui remet les incluses.

Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Baron Behr


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from [Alexander] Small, 11 June 1766
From:
To:

June 11th 1766
Mr. Small presents his Complements to Dr. Franklin, is glad Sir John Pringle is to be happy in so agreable a Fellow Traveller, and begs leave to trouble him with the inclosed Letter and Bill, in case they take Hague in their way. If not the Dr. may burn them. Mr. Johnson is a very polite Man, and will, I dare say, be very ready to do Sir John and Dr. Franklin any Service in his power. Mr. Small sincerely wishes them a pleasant Journey, and happy return.

Endorsed: June 11th. 1766 Birmingham


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to George Read, 12 June 1766
From:
To:

Dear Sir,
London, June 12th 1766.
I received your letter of April 14th, and immediately made an application in your favor. It will be a pleasure to me if it succeeds. But the Treasury have so many to provide for that we must not be surprised if we are disappointed. My regards to your good mother, and believe me, with sincere regard, your assured friend and most humble servant,
B. Franklin
George Read, Esquire.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 16 June 1766
From:
To:

Dear Sir
Philada. June 16th. 1766
I wrote to you, by Captains Falkner and Egdon last Week, Since which I have received your Favor of the 12th. of April. I now do, what I ought to have done long before, Sincerely Thank you, for the frequent Intelligences which I have received on publick Affairs. And altho a Continuance of that Favor will ever be very grateful to me, yet I am not so unreasonable as to desire, you will in the midst of your very important Engagements, take the Trouble of answering all my long and tedious Scrawls. They were intended to give you Information of what passed here, not to draw particular Answers which must engross too much of that Time, which you have ever employed for the Interest of your Country and the Benefit of Mankind.
I have Sent to Mr. Hall an Extract of your letter which justly Characterises those Worthy Men now at the Head of public Affairs. I pray God they may long Continue in their Stations. Nothing has been or shall be wanting in my Power, to impress the Minds of the People here with a just Sense of their Integrity Prudence and Justice. For this Purpose, I have Inserted many Extracts of Letters from Time to Time in the Publick Papers, mentioning their Virtues and Good Disposition towards America.
It greatly revives the People here, to find, by your Letter to the Committee of Correspondence, that our Petitions for a Royal Government, will be proceeded on, as soon as the general Affairs of the Colonies are Settled. The Proprietor T.P. in the Winter, wrote so positive and circumstantial a Letter respecting it’s being laid aside, forever, that it greatly dismay’d them, till your Letter to the Contrary was made known. This rendered them more easy.
I do not think the House will proceed to expel the Ch. J., but from their present Temper, I think they will transmit his Character to posterity, on record, in a Light which will not reflect much Honor on his Children. At our last Sitting he positively charged you, with being one of the greatest Enemies to the Repeal of the Stamp Act, in England, and that he coud prove it. But this happening in the Midst of a warm Debate, respecting the resolve about granting Requisitions to the Crown, and the Obstructions thereto occasioned by Proprietary Instructions, the Speaker called to Order, and so the Matter drop’d for that Time. But this infamous and Groundless Charge has filled the Members as well as the People out of Doors, with so much resentment, that they all Cry out, “it is Time, his Calumnies had met with the Censures they Deserve”. And as the House is determined to resume the Matter in September next I wish you woud Favor me, if you Approve, with your Examination in the House of Commons by the Earliest Opportunity; Perhaps it woud be well to have it Certified by the Clerk.
I am greatly rejoiced at the intended Regulations of the American Commerce, and particularly at the Design of making Dominica a Free Port. The most extensive Advantages will flow from the taking off every Incumbrance on the Trade with the Spaniards. And perhaps will in some Small Degree relieve us from the Distress we suffer, for want of a Medium of Trade of our Own. But I fear it will not effectually do it, as the Gold and Silver we may Smuggle from the Spaniard, will like the Birds of Passage Continue but a Small Time among us, and take their Flight to the Mother Country in Lieu of her Manufactures. A Currency of our Own, permanent and fixt in its Value, seems therefore Necessary to our Commerce, and will inable us with less reserve to Ship Home the Money we receive from Abroad. I wish the Colonies coud be gratified in this Matter this Year, because it would enable them to pay not only their Colony debts with more Punctuality as well as those to Brittain—which at present they are really not able to do, without breaking up a Multitude of Good Livers and reputable Families. But my Dear Friend, so much has been done, for us, this Year, That our Hearts ought to be filled with Gratitude instead of Murmurs. And what remains to be done shoud be waited for with a Decent and respectful Patience.
Powel not being Arrived, I have not received the Power from Governor Dennys Executors—When it comes [nothing] shall be wanting on my Part, to fulfil the Trust they shall repose in me with our Friend Mr. Hughes.
It may not be amiss to inform you, That The Proprietary Party give out, that they have Assurances from the Proprietors, that they never will Consent to a Surrender of the Government, without giving their Friends 12 Months Notice, that they may provide for themselves, I suppose, by obtaining All their Commissions during Good Behaviour, which I conclude will not be agreeable to the Crown. I am, as ever, my Dear Friend yours Affectionately
Jos. Galloway
Benja. Franklin Esqr.

Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esquire / Craven Street / London


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Read, 17 June 1766
From:
To:

Dear Brother
Philada: 17th June 1766
Inclosed I send You a Copy of a letter to reinstate me again into the Kings service how long it may last I know not I have agreed to go to Execute that business, under the disadvantages ariseing from the great Expence of traveling in hopes I may be allowed something at London for former Expencies as per my letter to You of the 21st May which I hope You have received. If You can serve me it Will lay me under great obligations to You.
Mr. Franks here tels me he wrote to Mr. Franks one of the Contractors in London very warmly recomending me to him, to get me apointed Commissary for the South West Districkt otherwise cauld the Pennsilvania Districkt and If posoble to Obtaine rank in the Army [torn: such as p]uts one upon a futing [footing] to do business with Officers, &ca.

I have wrote several letters formerly but Supose You have much other buseness upon Hands but should be glad to have a line or two to Know if any aplications have been made or If it be posoble any can be made. Mr. Leake thinks a frind in England could Easely get me upon the Establisment Espetialy for One who has served so long and Don so much publick business as I have.
Mr. Allin has Roundly Asserted and that in the House that You was the great Cause of Bringing on the Stam[p] Act, it makes a good Deal of noise. I hear a Number of Your Frinds and some that loves You very well say they Hope and wish You will fall upon some method of Convincing the Publick of the falshood of his Assertions. Docter Smith has Said Somthing in religous Polliticks that has greatly Iretated the Prisbetearen Clerge the Sinod at New York have nominated Some Wits of the laiety to handle him it relats to the haveing of an American Bishop of which Smith has great Hopes of the apointment. I am Dear Sir Your Loving and Efechonate Brother
John Read

Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esqr: / Craven Street / Lond[on]
Endorsed: Bror J. Read June 17. 1766 Wants Rank &c


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from George Wythe, 23 June 1766
From:
To:

Sir.
[June 23, 1766]
If our attorney gen[eral shall become speake]r of the house of burgesses, and thereby h[is post is vacant, as in] all probability will be the case, the govern[or will propose me] to succeed him; and that recommendation, I [am very sure] will be more effectual, were some of those great per[sons] to whom it must be addressed, to know that such a promotion would be in any degree pleasing to doctor Franklin. If you incline to honour me with your patronage in this competition, you will perhaps be partly instrumental in producing that rare phaenomenon a contented mind, at least in the article of fortune; and you shall find an exception to that observation of Tacitus: “Beneficia eo usque laeta sunt, dum videntur exsolvi posse: uti multum antevenere, pro gratia odium redditur.”  I am Sir, Your most obedient servant.
G. Wythe.
Doctor Franklin.

Endorsed: Mr Wyth June 23. 1766


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 27 June 1766
From:
To:

Honoured Sir
Perth-Amboy June 27, 1766
I wrote to you a few Days ago by the Packet, since which I have receiv’d Mr. Kearny’s Opinion on the State of the Case sent over by Sir Alexr. Dick, and now enclose it. I sent you Mr. Smyth’s Answer to the Queries before.
I sent to you by Capt. Falconer for some Table China, but as I have since purchas’d some from Capt. Wms. who is going to England which match mine extremely well, I should be glad you would not send any over, unless you have already bought it. I must beg you to send me over two more Silver Bottle Sliders to match those you sent before, and a Silver Cross for the Table of a middling Size. [I have] bought some Silver Salts of Capt. Wms. and he has promised to get me a Pair more in England to match these, and deliver them to you. If he should please to pay him the Cost on my Account. I am likewise in Want of Tea, and should be glad you would speak to Miss Smith to send me Nine Pound of the best Green Tea, in 3 lb. Canisters, and pay her for it. I’ll send you a Bill as soon as I return. Please to let me know how young Temple does, and his present Situation.
The Assembly are upon the Point of breaking up, and I am excessively hurried.
Sally and Betsy join in Duty with Your dutiful Son
Wm. Franklin

Endorsed: Billy. Amboy June 27. 66
Sends Kearney’s Opinion on Swinton’s Affair.
Wants
 A Silver Table Cross
 Two Bottle Sliders
 9 lb of Tea.—in 3 lb Canisters


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from [Henry] Hope, [June? 1766]
From:
To:

Gentlemen
from home Wednesday. [June? 1766]
We humbly ask your pardon for not waiting on you ourselves, if it had been possible for either of us, it would not have been ommitted; That however we may enjoy the happiness of your agreable Company, we kindly begg the favour of Seing you att dinner to morrow, your cordiall acceptance will very much oblige Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servants
[The?] Hopes
We dine att 2 aClock

Addressed: To Benjamin Franklyn Esqr
Endorsed: Messrs Hope Amsterdam


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [June 1766]
From:
To:

[June 1766]
[First part missing] That the Proprietors must have lost their Interest, Otherwise Mr. F, could not have got, that Obnoxious Man, John Hughs appointed—Indeed! To do them Justice, I verily think, They believe it is all Over, with Them, for your Old Acquaintance Dr. Thomas Bond told Me last Night, They were extremely Mortified and disappointed. God Grant! This may Only, be a preparatory Shock, To the grand One, Which you, I ardently hope have secured for Them.
I am straitened very much in Point of Time, and therefore cannot send you the Particulars of the Conference, held by Mr. Croghan at Fort Pitt, The beginning of this Month; But you may depend upon his having settled the Peace, upon the most secure Conditions and That He will safely reach the Illonois and conciliate the Minds of the Indians, in that Neighbourhood. The particulars of the Treaty will, dubtless, be forwarded by the General to the Ministry and Therefore there is the less Necessity of my troubling you, with it.
The Post is just going off, Therefore I must abruptly conclude, with my best Wishes for your Success and a Continuation of your Health. I am Dear Sir, with sincere Regard your Obliged and affectionate Friend
Saml Wharton


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 1 July 1766
From:
To:

Honoured Sir,
New York, July 1. 1766
You had a long Letter from me by the Packet a Week or two ago, which I hope you will have received, and referring to that, I shall have the less to enlarge upon here: The Assembly of New-Jersey are broke up, and I hear Govr. Franklin is this Day at Newark, Miss Sally with him, but I don’t learn that they are coming over here. The Commotions excited by the Stamp-Act are not yet quite subsided: We have just now heared of some Rioters about Lands between Albany and the New England Governments having been disturbed, the Lives of Some were lost on both sides, but the Particulars or the real Occasion I have not yet learnt: I told you before that Letters were still continued to be openly delivered at the Coffee-House: nor is it safe yet to make Opposition to it: I informed you also, that I had given a Certificate from the Governor here, of his qualifying me into the Office of Land-Waiter, to Mr. Stewart, the Surveyor General, who has transmitted it home to the Commissioners of the Customs, and I have exercised it ever since. There is not a Day since, (but when I have been absent) but what I walk in that Exercise at least two Miles, and sometimes four: This City has increased in Length very much for Years past, and it is my peculiar Business to go from One End to the other every Day once or twice, and see that no Vessel load or unload without Permission &c. There is not the least Fee or Reward belonging to it, without being look’d upon with an evil Eye be a Reward: tho’ that is no Discouragement to me, my highest Ambition being to do my Duty in whatever Station it shall please God to call me, I know I fall Short in many Things: And tho’ there seems to be a moderate Salary attending it, I am convinced I shall dearly earn the Pay: which however, whilest Providence gives me Strength to do, I am no Way concerned; but God knows, if I am taken with the Gout, what I shall do, and I am threatned with it every Day. I grow old and feeble in Body, and Shall fall Short: I have been here now two Months, in which Time I have had my Health; but have neither sold in my Shop to the Amount of 20s. nor have I had as much printing Work, as would come to 40s. more, exclusive of some Blanks for the Shop: I shall wait two Months longer, in Hopes of getting some Settlement with Holt, tho’ I begin to doubt much of his ever doing it, and I shall then be compelled to the Law, and perhaps get Nothing. I think I can say Holt has eat and drank my Sweat and Blood; but I endeavour to be resigned: I have been always ill natured and cross, but good Humour in such Fortune as mine, is like Patience in the Gout, much easier preach’d than practised: If lamenting Things past would do good, how would I cry, O God, why was I ever a Printer to be choused and duped as I have been, why was I not a poor Labourer or Farmer, in which if I was choused or duped, I should not have had Sensations to resent it, but this I know is vain: I have Nothing left but to make the best of a bad Market, which had I but Strength equivalent to my Spirit, I should not be cast down in the least; but now in my old Age to be obliged to Struggle thro’ Such Difficulties, seems hard: I believe I have my Deservings, and try to practise the Patience I know it is my Duty to do: Every Day I now walk out my Round or Cruise, and by 11 or 12 o Clock come home, and fling myself into my Chair, scarce able to live. Judge you then the Comfort I feel from Rest; and this would be my Pleasure, did not my aching Bones convince me, I am drawing nigh to my great Change. Anxiety to leave the World as clear as I found it, without Injury to others, is the greatest of my Concern, And this I have long in Vain tried to be ready for, and can’t but think had I but common Justice done me, from those I have most befriended and served, I might have done. In the Midst of all, I still have a strong Reliance on that Providence of God, which has so often delivered and supported me, and to whom, I try to have a chearful Resignation. No Prospect yet what Business in general may be in the printing Way: but my Tools are worn out, and I unable to get a Supply of new. I told you all Holt’s Treachery, which I leave to Heaven to avenge: B. Mecom I told you also, I had less and less Hopes of: In the Post-Office, by his Accounts just come to Hand, there is a Ballance due of near £40, to the 6th of last April; tho’ he pays a Rider (that to Hartford) £50, per An. and I imagined that would be almost all the Amount of his Office, but the £40, is above that in the whole, and I have continually press’d him for those Accounts, and the Ballance; those I have at last got, but the Ballance I fear; because I have wrote about my own Dues sundry Times very pressingly, and never could get one Penny. We have had some sharp Letters pass’d between us, but tho’ I have Tried him, as the Seamen term it, upon every Quarter, I find it all as Vain, as washing the Blackmoor white: I threaten him, with removing him, that is taking away those Materials from him, but nothing can quicken his Motions any more than a dead Man’s: What I shall do with him, I know not. It is hard for me, who can hardly keep myself above Water, under a Complication of Sickness, Infirmities and Wrongs, to support others also. Yet do I bear as quietly as I can every Thing, knowing that God has bore long with me: and that my Tresspasses are more against him, than those against me. The Office I yet Sustain in the Post-Office, I endeavour to execute to the best of my Power and Ability: and if any Thing more than I have hitherto done in it, be necessary or required, shall be glad to know it: That is now my chief Dependance, and whilst I havethat, the others ill Usage Shall not make me despond: ’Tis true, I could wish, as Matters are circumstanced and obliged to live in this City, where every Thing is excessive high and dear, the Salaries attending that, or the Land-Waiter, were a little more adequate to the Expence of Living here: in one of which Mr. Foxcroft did tell me, he would use his Interest to obtain, as there are continual new Post Offices erecting, and much Writing to do; that almost my whole Time is taken up between the two; that I could have but little Time to attend other Business, if I had it, which as yet a while, I seem not to be in much Danger of; However I try to be as contented as I can.
I suppose Mr. Foxcroft acquaints you with the General State of the Post-Office, whatever Money I get, I pay to him: which has been above £500, since I came to this City: Business is excessive dull in general throughout these Colonies, so that the Post-Office must be something affected, by such a State of Affairs: To what its owing to, I can’t determine: Perhaps some may think it the Dregs of the Stamp-Act, but I rather think, that during the War, Money being plenty, Many abounded in Luxury, over-run the Constable, and thinking every Day alike, never thought a Day of Reckoning would come: and so Law-Suits and Ruins ensue. Apropo, Mr. Chew of New London, is reported to be near this State: I have not been able to get many Accounts and no Money from him since you saw him at Philadelphia, tho’ as he pays a Rider yearly, it is thought no great Matter can be behind, yet there is some Ballance due: I am trying to get a Settlement with him, and hope to accomplish it.
In the Ship, Capt. Davis, with whom I purpose to send this, comes many Passengers, possibly you may see some of them, or the Papers which will inform you of the publick News better than I can write: As you may probably be on the Preparations to return, I shall heartily pray God to send you a safe Passage, which is all I can do: With all our Complements remain Your most obliged Servant
James Parker

Addressed: For / Benjamin Franklin, Esqr / Craven-Street / London / per Capt. Davis


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Broughton, 3 July 1766
From:
To:

Sir.
Philada. July 3 1766
I hope you will pardon me as I am really sorry to find myself Obliged to trouble you On this Occasion but as I have tryed every Other way in my power and found them Enefectual I will not doubt your Usuall Candor will plead My excuse and now to take Up No More of your Usefull time I must inform you that I have had An Account Running on with Mrs. Franklin for More than Seven Years and which it Never was in My power to prevail on her to settle till the last spring My Brother waited On her and proposed two of our Neighbours should Examine the Affair. She Consented and Choose one, and I another and they dertimined that she was in My debt Thirty one pounds fourteen Shillings and Nine pence Exclusive of a Bed which she bought of me Near two Years Ago And Now Insists that I should take it Back. Her true reason for this I know is because the price of feathers is fallen from three Shillings and four pence to twenty pence a pound But Notwithstanding the loss I must have been at I Agree’d to take it Back in Case it was not Damaged. Now you’ll Observe there Is a Nighbour of Ours that had A mind for the Bed before Mrs. Franklin bought it And Did look at it, And Now has by Mrs. Franklins permission Reaxamined it And she Declares that it is not now As good as it was at the time Mrs. Franklin had it. I then wrote the inclosed Note To Mrs. Franklin in hopes she would send Me the Money which is seven pounds seven Shillings but she sent me back the Note and sent Me for Answer that she Did not know Me [and] that I might write to you she was An hege[hog.] Now sir I Dont think her A hegehog but In reallity she has shot a great Many Quills at Me but thank Heaven None of them has, Or Can hurt Me as I doubt not that your known Justice will Induce you to Order the Above sum of Seven pounds Seven shillings payed. To Sir your very humble Servant
  Sarah Broughton

  nb that I have received thirty one Pounds fourteen Shillings and nine pence And gave a Receit for that sum and noted in the Receit that the Bed is not paid for.

    Addressed: To / Docter Franklin / London / per favour of Capt / Freind
      Endorsed: Mrs Broughton   July 3. 1766   a silly Complt.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sir William Johnson, 10 July 1766
From:
To:

Sir
Johnson hall July 10th 1766
At the Request of your Son Govr. Franklyn, and several Gentlemen of Pensilvania, I now enclose you a Scheme proposed for establish[in]g a Colony at the Ilinois, together with my Letter to Mr. Secretary Conway in favour thereof, which the proposers desired might be transmitted thro’ your hands. I have accordingly sent it under a flying seal, and must request you to forward it as Addressed.
I daily dread a Ru[p]ture with the Indians occasioned by the Licentious Conduct of the frontier Inhabitants who Continue to Rob, and Murder them. I am imediately to meet Pondiac with the Western Nations, at Ontario and wish I may be able to satisfy them.
Altho’ I have not had an Opportunity of Cultivating your Acquaintance I shall always be Glad to render you, or yours any Service as I am &c.

To Benjn. Franklyn Esqr.

Endorsed: Johnson hall July 10 1766 To Benjn. Franklyn Esqr London, with proposals for a Colony at Ilinois, &a Letter to Mr Secy Conway thereon


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 12 July 1766
From:
To:

Dear Sir.
Philadelphia July 12th. 1766
I receiv’d your kind letter of May the 9th by the Packet, for which I am much obliged, and observe what you say as to the Accounts; but, as you are pleased to express your Satisfaction, with respect to my Desire of settling every thing right, and my Sentiments are exactly the same as to you, we can not, as you remark, have any Difference: However, I should have been glad to have known what Articles you did not understand, and likewise those you thought there were Mistakes in, which might have been rectified before your Return; but of those, no Doubt, I shall hear, when you have more Leisure.
I am much obliged for your Indulgence, in allowing Mr. Strahan to send my News Papers, Via Boston and New-York, under your Cover. I never thought of asking it with respect to Letters.
I acknowledge your Favour in writing to Mr. Grace in my Behalf and doubt not its having the desired Effect with his Widow.
Mrs. Franklin as I wrote you formerly, may always command any small service, it may be in my Power to do her. The Account shall be presented to Mr. Bradford.
As to the publishing these Encomiums on you; It is true, I did shew some of my Letters from London to your particular Friends; who all, as well as myself, thought what we did was right, in order to do Justice in some Degree, to your traduced Character; but as I find it is disagreeable to you shall observe your Directions for the future. Mrs. Franklin was well this Morning. Sally is at present in the Jerseys. I heartily condole with you on the Loss of your worthy Brother; but as he was an antient Man, and has been long in a declining State, the Shock must have been the less to his Family.
I paid Mrs. Franklin this day Fifty one Pounds, towards purchasing a Bill of Mrs. Stevens; and about the Time of your Brother’s Death, she had Twenty Pounds which is all I have paid her, besides what I have already informed you of. My Wife, and Children who are all a little grown up now, send you their best Wishes. And you may believe me to be, Dear Sir Yours most Affectionately
D H
Pray remember me kindly to Mr. Strahan and tell him, I am much obliged to him for his Favour by the Packet.
Per the PacketTo Benjamin Franklin Esq


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, [13 July 1766]
From:
To:

Suppose about July 10. or 11.
[July 13, 1766]
  Honoured Father,

I have just returned from Amboy, and have received your Letter per the Packet of May 10. Mr. Wharton’s Clerk has this Moment call’d on me to let me know he is going Express to N.Y. in hopes of overtaking the Packet. I have stopt him that I might send you an Extract of Sir Wm.’s last Letter relative to the Colony.
I before sent you an Answer to the Enquiry made by Sir Alexr. Dick. Mr. Pennington informs me that he has sent Mr. Penn an Account of the Land he enquir’d about in N. Jersey; nor can I obtain any other Account of it but the same Mr. Pennington has received. He is afraid of young Penn selling the Manor to the Proprietor for much less than it could be sold for here, and wishes you would caution him against it.
There has been lately several Murders of Indians in the different Provinces. Those committed in this Province will be duely enquired into, and the Murderers executed, as soon as found guilty. They are all apprehended and secured in Gaol.

I congratulate you on the Resolutions of Parliament relative to Commerce. They are in general much approv’d. I am in hopes that the People of the Colonies, particularly Persons of Property, will conduct themselves so as to give great Satisfaction to the present Ministry. In New York there has been some Riots on Account of Lands in the Great Manors; but they are now quell’d, and their Chief, one Pendergrass, taken Prisoner.
All the Provinces seem in quiet, except Virginia and Massachuset’s Bay. The Governor of the first won’t let his Assembly meet, as he understands they are disposed to pass a Bill of Rights, and act otherwise in such a Manner as to keep up the Spirit which they kindled before. In the latter, the Assembly, by the Influence of that Firebrand Otis, has imprudently turn’d out all the Crown and other Officers out of the Council.
I have come off with Flying Colours in the Brush I had with my Assembly. In order to get the better in the Dispute, they asserted a Number of downright Falsehoods, and finding themselves embarrass’d by this means, and that they had given me great Advantage, they fairly yielded and desired me to proceed no further in the Affair. I had them to be sure prodigiously in my Power; but however like a generous Enemy, upon their crying out They had got enough, I witheld my hand. For the future I believe they will be more cautious. I have just heard that Lord Hope is coming here Tomorrow on a Visit to me.
Before this reaches you you will probably hear of Uncle Peter’s Death. We are much concern’d at it, particularly as it happen’d so unexpectedly, he having been lately better to all Appearance than for many Months before. I have not heard how the Post Office is dispos’d of, but I wish Coz. Davenport had it.
The Proprietary Party give out that Col. Wm. Skinner (Brother to our Attorney General) is coming over Governor of this Province. He has an Interest with Col. Fitzroy, the D. of Grafton’s Brother, who married his Relation Miss Warren. The Governor of Barbados has Leave to return Home for a 12 Month, when he expects to resign. In Haste Your dutiful Son
WF


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, [14 July–15 August 1766]
From:
To:

My Dear Child
[July 14–August 15?, 1766]
 On Satterday I wrote to you and in Closed a bill to you gave it to Mr. Foxcrofte to send as I did not know wather the Packit wold not Saile before this poste. Laste evening I reseved a line and halef from Salley to let me know that thay was returnd on Satterday night and was well the reste was a bought getting things for them as Lord Hope was to be thair to dine this day so for fair [fear] I shold not get up soon anevef [enough] I did not sleep all night and was up and ought att for [four] a Clocke for to helpe get things. Supose when Mr. Foxcrofte returnes I shall have a letter or Salley will Come home.
You menshon that our Polley is a ging to be marreyed I hope it is one that is deservin of her and one that Shee likes and her friend like also. It raines now and I fair will be a guste or else I shold go to our old friends Buriel Isack Norris he is bureyed from his Sister Debbeys. Mr. Finley is near his end and has bin as dead for several days. I thinke I did tell you that Joseph Shipen of Jormantown bureyed his only Son on Satterday.
Yister day I wente with Sister to meeting and in the evening I sett more then an ower with her and this morning I was it her house. Shee is in a verey poor staite of mind. When Salley Cumes home I hope it will be better as shee will be with her or I shall be more so. I donte like to be from home as we air still open to the Stabel and abundans of pepel is going too and frow but we air in a fair way of geting of it dun as the brickes is a holing [hauling] to day and laste Satterday.
I am to tell you that my maid Susanah is a larning to Spin now that shee has not so maney arontes [errands] to go on. I wish that when you Come home you wold bring her sume litel thing to in-Carraig her. Maney ladeys old and young to inquier hough you due on Satterday Mrs. and Miss Suel. Senes I wrote the other Side I have had a deal to due amoungest our old friendes. Mr. Thomos whorton has loste his eldest son and the younges he followd them bouth to the Grave to gather. Mr. Crose is dede allso as is good old Passon Cammill and a Duch Poson all three lad Dead to gother and now I am to tell you that our Sister Franklin layes verey ill with the Same disordor and if shee dos not get relefe verey soon shee cante Live long. I have as much to dew as I Can dew att this time for I have but Jeste raised poor Gorge so as to set up a littel. He has bin verey ill a bove two weeks and handeled verey severly in deaid. I muste Say abought poor Sister that shee is so verey low [s]perrited that I thinke it will be as much as aney one can thinke shee will sirvive it and the wather is So verey warme that I Can hardly stir and you know I donte ofen Complain of the wather but the going back words and for words is all moste two much for me and I Cante be all way thair on a Counte of Gorge and Salley is much with Pegey Ross att Peel Hall poor dear child shee is all moste gon it is a wonder shee is a live I have bin to see her ones and shold go agen but Cante for I have not time I wonder I keep up and well god is verey good to me indead.
Poor Dear Sister is dead shee never was well of her harte in faling down staires and when dead that side of her showed shee had sufered much. Shee was bureyed in the same grave with Brother and Mr. Galloway and T Whorton ofred to Carrey her and get the other Jentelmen that Carreyed Brother I thanked them but declined it as not thinkin it safe but thay was at the buriol which was plaine. I shold tell you that for 8 nights I had not fore owers reste a nighte and the laste night I set all nighte all thow I had a Nuorse the laste 4 days as it was imposabel I Cold doe my selef aney longer for I was not abel to bair my waite on my feet. Billey Come down to the buriol and with his helpe I maid shifte to go. Capt. All wente with Salley and our relashons all Come to the bureyal and our good friends paid their laste regardes to her memerey. Shee had not don aney thing as to Brothers afaires all thow I ofen advised her to it and shee wold say that shee hope shee was amoungest her friends. I all ways ansered I hoped shee was and as to my parte I Cold a shuer her shee was and I have the satisfackshon to say I did all in my power to oblige and serve her and shee did me the Jestis to say to several of the good folkes that visited her after Brothers Deth that shee found her sister a mother. You know that I am quite a Strainger to thair Sir Cumstans in everey respeckte but I know that funereal Charges and Hous rente muste be paid and I know that as soon as the house is let that will leve near 20 shilins a week so I have had the house clened and shall let it as soon as posabel and as we have not rume to take in the [lumbring?] goods I thinke it beste to sell them but not Books nor what small mater of plaite and such as I Can packe up. Sister had given to Ephrem all Brothers Close and to her maid her one [own] morning and as thay behave verey well to me I sed I had not the leste obieckson to her maid shee gave a small bead and all that belonged to it. Shee is a going home in a week or two as is Ephrem but Comes back a gen. The littel Boy is to stay att your house tell his Brother retuerns a gen as he ses he knows his mother Cante maintaine him [remainder missing.]


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 15 July 1766
From:
To:

Honoured Sir
New-York. July 15. 1766
On a Supposition that this may find you not embarked yet, on your Return home, I adventure to write once more: to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of May 9th. I think I told you in my last per Capt. Davis, my Reasons for delaying yet to print a News-paper, that is in Hopes of getting a Settlement with Holt, which he has promised to get done in three Months, tho’ indeed he has so often failed in his Promises, that I have not the Strongest Faith, that he will perform; but my Word is given to Wait that Time, and tho’ he breaks his Word, it is not right that I should, if it be possible to keep it. I think I told you some other Reasons which induced me to delay it a While at least till the Commotions here subside a little more: And at present every Thing in general looks but dull and gloomy here; tho’ it is hoped the Regulations expected to be made by this Time on Trade, may have some good Effects; yet I think that is not the real Ground of our Distress, but the City is too large for the Country, and Idleness and Luxury too abounding; for as all the real Necessaries of Life are very dear here, it is to me plain, there are not Country Labourers enough in Proportion to the trading Part: for if Country Produce were cheaper more of it might be sent abroad. But why do I trouble you with my silly Reflections.
In Answer to yours, I never did desire any Thing of you and Mr. Foxcroft, with Relation to the Post-Office Affairs at New Haven, that I thought unjust; but inasmuch as you might not think favourable of it, as we were both Parties, I should be willing to submit my Claim to indifferent Persons: this is sometimes done in Disputes, but then Law being costly, I put up with Wrong often, rather than try a Remedy worse than the Disease, yet Equity, if it could be procured without too much Cost, is certainly the most agreeable Thing in the World. I thank you sincerely for your promising “that when we meet again, all my Reasons shall be duly weigh’d and considered,” Tis all I can equitably desire—Here let that rest.
With Regard to Mr. Hall’s Accounts, I apprehended it needless for me to take any Notice of the Debts outstanding, of which there certainly is very considerable: but inasmuch as you both lose your Part of what is never paid, so whatever is paid, will be accounted for by Mr. Hall as tis received: This be it more or less is half yours. Mr. Hall is under the same Obligations to act honestly in this, as in all the rest; he is trying to collect it in, tho’ as Money is really scarce and Bankruptcies every Day, it is not possible to ascertain what he will receive, or what he will not: Here according to my Conception, we acted right: for he does not attempt to divide the Debts, to give you the bad and him the good, or vice versa, but lets both have equal Chance—How happy should I have been, if any one of those I have been concerned with, had acted so by me; they on the Contrary took the Money paid to themselves, and would leave the Outstanding Debts, that perhaps will never be paid, for me to get if I can, and even this would have some Shew of Justice, had they divided those Debts with me; but they first get in all they can themselves, keep that to themselves, and then such as they can’t get in, they would discount as Pay to me: But is this Justice and do I desire any Thing unjust in refusing such Concessions.
I wrote you before, that I had taken the Box of Stationary, and am content to pay you Interest from the Day I open’d them, tho’ I sincerely declare, I have not sold as much of them in Value, as will pay only the Interest: This however, I believe chiefly owing to the Dulness of the Times in General; but excepting their Lying long on Hand, I don’t think I can be a great Loser by them, because the Paper and Books being the most material will sell one Time or other. But the Electrical Machine we have not got yet, they refusing to deliver it without the Bill of Lading, and the Captain who brought it, not being at home, we cannot help it: He is expected home this Summer. Mr. Hughes here continues to keep close, and to keep a good School also; I believe he would come to some Composition with his Creditors, but the greatest of them being absent in the West-Indies, he says, it cannot be done till he returns. In this I can’t say much about it.
Your Advice for me, to push bravely, and to endeavour to possess a placid Temper, I take exceeding kindly. It is a little like Balm to a Wounded Mind But I have long experienced one Truth; that it is far easier to preach that Doctrine, than to practise it: I confess myself too subject to a fretting Temper, and it has been my constant Struggle to overcome it: I have Strove hard against the Current, and never was dejected for any Length of Time for assoon as Reason and Consideration could assume the Reins, I have submitted tho’ it has been to those Hardships and Crosses which a Soul at Ease, can know but little of: You have known me long, and, I think, believe, I never desired to wrong any Body or disire to do them Injustice, but when by my Folly, Weakness or Kindness to others, I am cruelly dealt with; when I see others eating and drinking my Sweat and Blood, and myself as it were really in Want of some of it, this is hard—indeed it is hard: I hope and believe you never felt much of the kind—and yet I believe you have a little: All Men don’t rub thro’ the World alike; tho’ all do rub thro’ somehow; (for none Stick in it long) yet it would be more pleasant, either to be more insensible of the Crosses I meet with, or less of them attack me; but every One are not to be alike in this Case: I believe even you will allow some have sharper Trials than others: their own natural Tempers and Faults excluded: However, I do not pretend to teach you: I am obliged to you for your Expressions of Kindness and Assistance. I will endeavour to follow your Advice, tho’ indeed, my poor Carcase is weak and infirm; Tho’ as far as I am a Judge, could my Body keep any Degree of Pace with my Mind I might yet recover all my lost Way: I do not dispair, but I find myself more and more feeble, and yet more Occasion for Strength, than ever I had, because the Difficulties I have to encounter are more.
I told you, I had taken all the Steps requisite in the Office you were so good to procure for me, of Land Waiter: I am in the constant Exercise of it. I shall endeavour to give Satisfaction in it; tho’ in the Manner it is expected to be performed, the Salary will be well earned: and it is apprehended the new Regulations will make it more weighty: It is a Place in Reality of the most or heaviest Duty and the least Salary in the Custom-House: and tho’ I should be glad if some larger Allowance could be made, yet I will be content with it if I can but give Satisfaction, tis the utmost of my Wishes.
In the Post-Office Affairs, I presume Mr. Foxcroft and your Friends relate every Thing needful except it relates particularly to me: I told you I continued to exercise that Post here: and if any Thing different or particular be necessary, I shall be glad of Instruction: It will give me a peculiar Pleasure to give Satisfaction also in that and as there are several new Offices appointed, which increases the Business I have, as well as the Revenue I should be very glad if I should be thought worthy of a little better Allowance on that Head; for every Thing here is very dear indeed.
In the printing Business, my Types are almost all worn out, especially the common sort: I saw Holt’s Invoice of his Original Cost of Scots Types which are very good, I think almost equal to Caslon’s, and much cheaper. I wish I could get two or three Fonts of them: could you help me to such? I had rather owe all my Debts to you than others, and indeed I can say, could I get Holt to finish Hamilton’ & Balfour’s Business, that I owe No body else, put all together, the Value of £50, in the World, but what I owe you, and if I live to push thro’, you will be paid, and if I do not, there will be enough left to pay you all. A little new Letter will go a great Way in such a Dispute with respect to Work, when my Antagonists have all new themselves, for Gaine and Holt have both new Types, but mine are bad. Weyman continues yet, but I am credibly informed, he owes more than he is worth, and every Thing he has is under Execution, but they let him go on as they can’t do any Thing better.
Benny Mecom, I told you also continues and he promises too but performs Not any Thing material. I will try every Movement of his Soul; but my Faith fails every Day in relation to him: He must live, and yet I know not what to do with him.
I told you also, that Masters of Vessels coming in here, do not comply with the Act of Parliament in delivering their Letters, but as usual cry them off at the Coffee-House; nor does the Collector decline any Entring on that Account: Indeed it is thought till Matters grow more settled that tis yet not practicable here: Nor is it otherways at Philadelphia. I want not to injure any Man and yet from many Complaints I have heard, Mr. Colden is rather too much of a Gentleman for the due Execution of the Post-Office: It would be more beneficial to the Revenue, were he a little more on the Plebean Order: It is true, he keeps Clerks: but they do not give the best Attendance, nor will they at all Hours: but no Man is perfect: I believe he is otherways a good Officer. But now I am here, I can’t see any Benefit I am to the General Office in this Place more than I was at Woodbridge—But I will have done lest you grow more tired of reading, than I am of writing, or say, I write only to fill my Paper.
My Son as I told you grows stronger and I hope will recover his Strength, at least in part again: I have sent down my Hands to Woodbridge to help him do the Votes and Acts passed last Session there, not having any Thing here for them to do yet, not having had a single Job yet offered, except the Shop-Blanks: We hope for better Times. My Daughter is with me here: We are all as well as can be expected: and with all our Salutations to you and Prayers for your safe Return, I take Leave to subscribe myself Your most obliged Servant
James Parker.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Rudolph Erich Raspe, 21 July 1766
From:
To:

Memo.
Göttingen, July 21. 1766
  I had a Bill on Messrs. Michael David, & Fils, for 526 ⅓ Reichs Thalern. I receiv’d 50 Ducats in Specie, and a Bill on Franckfurth for 134 Ducats, making in all but 184 Ducats. I request the Favour of Monsr. Raspè to speak of it to Monsr. David, and to get the Mistake rectified, receiving and retaining in his Hands the Money still due to me, to pay for such Books as he may hereafter send to his Humble Servant
B Franklin