Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Franklin, 4 November 1751
From: Franklin, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Brother
Boston Nov 4th 1751
I have spoke with Turner about your seal. He thinks he cant git the Designe Compleated before the post going but will have it Ready against the next.
Rogers & Foule to whoom I Red the parigraph of your Letter Relateing to your Ballence and Foul Tole me he [would] Take Care that it be paid when Billey Comes who is not yet arriv’d but suppose he will be hear the first southerly wind. When he Comes shall be Right Glad to see him and hope the small Time you allow him will be agreeably spent boath to him and his frind Swan.
I have not Time to Enlarge being Just going on bord the Germin ship with Messrs. Hutchinson, Oliver and Wendell a Committee of Council. With Love to all I am your affectionate Brother
John Franklin

Addressed: To Benjamin Franklin Esqr Postmr Philada


Title: Obituary of James Logan, 7 November 1751
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Thursday last, after a long Indisposition, died the honourable James Logan, Esq; in the 77th Year of his Age; and on Saturday his Remains were decently interr’d in the Friends Burying Ground, in this City, the Funeral being respectfully attended by the principal Gentlemen and Inhabitants of Philadelphia and the neighbouring Country. His Life was for the most Part a Life of Business, tho’ he had always been passionately fond of Study: He had borne the several Offices of Provincial Secretary, Commissioner of Property, Chief Judge of the Supreme Court, and for near two Years govern’d the Province as President of the Council, in all which publick Stations, as well as in private Life, he behav’d with unblemish’d Integrity: But some Years before his Death he retir’d from publick Affairs to Stenton, his Country Seat, where he enjoy’d among his Books that Leisure which Men of Letters so earnestly desire. He was thoroughly versed both in ancient and modern Learning, acquainted with the Oriental Tongues, a Master of the Greek and Latin, French and Italian Languages, deeply skilled in the Mathematical Sciences, and in Natural and Moral Philosophy, as several Pieces of his Writing witness, which have been repeatedly printed in divers Parts of Europe, and are highly esteemed by the Learned. But the most noble Monument of his Wisdom, Publick Spirit, Benevolence, and affectionate Regard to the People of Pennsylvania, is his Library; which he has been collecting these 50 Years past, with the greatest Care and Judgment, intending it a Benefaction to the Publick for the Increase of Knowledge, and for the common Use and Benefit of all Lovers of Learning. It contains the best Editions of the best Books in various Languages, Arts and Sciences, and is without Doubt the largest, and by far the most valuable Collection of the Kind in this Part of the World, and will convey the Name of Logan thro’ Ages, with Honour, to the latest Posterity.


Title: Obituary of Thomas Hopkinson, 14 November 1751
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Last Week died here the honourable Thomas Hopkinson, Esq; Judge of the Admiralty for this Province, one of the Governor’s Council, and Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, &c. A Gentleman possessed of many Virtues, without the Alloy of one single Vice; and distinguish’d for his Attachment to the Cause of Justice and Honesty; which he practised in private Life with a scrupulous Exactness, and in publick Affairs, with an Intrepidity and Firmness of Mind that was not to be shaken; an excellent Ingredient in his Character, where a quick Conception, a clear Discernment, and a solid Judgment, were happily united: In Matters of Trust so faithful, that the nearest Concerns of his own Interest had not a greater Share of his Application. His Benevolence was as extensive as the proper Object of it, the whole human Race; but his great Modesty, and his not seeking to be known, caused the Number of his intimate Friends to be but small: Among those, in the Hours of Recreation, he had the particular Faculty of tempering the Facetious with the Grave, in so agreeable a Manner, as made his Conversation both delightful and instructive. He was reserved in Professions of Religion; but the Spirit of Christianity actuated the whole Conduct of his Life. Not conscious of any Guilt or Neglect of any Social Duty, he beheld the slow Approaches of Death with an amazing Chearfulness, without any Mixture of Anxiety or Fear; and at last bid adieu to the World with all the Serenity of Mind that could flow from the Wisdom of a Philosopher joined to the Innocence of a Child.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John and Martha Read: Deed, 15 November 1751
From: Read, John, Jr.,Read, Martha
To: Franklin, Benjamin

November 15, 1751
   Abstract: Sarah Read, by indenture of April 10, 1734, granted to her son John Read a messuage and lot on the south side of High Street, Philadelphia, 16½ ft. broad by 306 ft. long, bounded north by High Street, east by a messuage and lot then or lately belonging to the said Sarah Read, south by the ends of Chestnut Street lots, and west by a lot formerly granted to Samuel Carpenter and others in right of George Fox. John Read, by indenture of [date left blank], granted to Sarah Read a lifetime lease of the premises. Now, John Read, of the town of York, Pa., formerly of Philadelphia, carpenter, and Martha his wife, in consideration of £390, lawful money of Pennsylvania, hereby grant and sell this messuage and lot to Benjamin Franklin, his heirs and assigns, under the proportionable part of the quitrent due to the chief lord or lords of the fee. John Read warrants a clear title excepting only the above lease to Sarah Read, and upon its expiration Franklin may have full use and possession of the premises. Signed by John Read and (by her mark) Martha Read, his sealing and delivery witnessed by Mary Tonge and Paul Isaac Voto, and hers by Wm. Freeman and John Croker. Acknowledged by John Read, Nov. 20, 1751, before Benjamin Shoemaker. Recorded in the Philadelphia Office for Recording Deeds, Feb. 22, 1757, Book H, vol. 7, p. 440 &c. by C. Brockden, Recorder. On the back is John and Martha Read’s receipt for £390 in full.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 18 November 1751
From: Belcher, Jonathan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Elizabeth Town (NJ) Novr 18: 1751
I duly received your favour of the 14: Instant.
In mine of 4: Current I inclosed you a packet to go by Capt. Child and in mine of the 11: to Mrs. Franklin another to go by Capt. Shirley and I hope they were forwarded according to their several directions.
If this comes to hand time enough I shou’d be glad the Electrical Apparatus might be forwarded to Mr. Sam: Smith of Burlington and to desire he wou’d send it by the Waggon to Mr. Jno. Deare at Amboy.
Since I have been here I have received none of the Pennsylvania Gazettes which I desire may be duly sent me. I know I am in Arrears with you upon that Account and will soon Order my Friend at Philadelphia to pay you.
I am sorry to give you so much Trouble and shall be glad when you can find out Opportunities for me to Retaliate it. I am Sir Your Friend and Countryman.
Mr. Franklin (post)


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Susanna Wright, 21 November 1751
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Wright, Susanna

Madam
Philada. Nov. 21. 1751
Your Guests all got well home to their Families, highly pleas’d with their Journey, and with the Hospitality of Hempfield.

When I had the Pleasure of seeing you, I mention’d a new [kind of Candles very convenient] to read by, which I think you said you had not seen: I take the Freedom to send you a Specimen of them. You will find that they afford a clear white Light; may be held in the Hand, even in hot Weather, without softning; that their Drops do not make Grease Spots like those from common Candles; that they last much longer, and need little or no Snuffing. I may add, what will be another Recommendation of them to you, that they are the Manufacture of our own Country, being wrought at Marcushook.
In the Magazine of August, I find that the magnificent King of Portugal has rais’d his Marble Aqueduct near 100 Foot higher than your Chicaselungo. It must be a most stupendous Work. I send you the Prospect of it.
Accept an Almanack for the New Year, with my hearty Wishes that it may prove a happy one to you and your Friends. I am Madam Your obliged humble Servant
B Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 25 November 1751
From: Belcher, Jonathan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Eliz: Town (NJ) Novr. 25: 1751
I am obliged to you for yours of the 21: present and for your good Care of my Packets sent to London and that the Electrical Apparatus shall be sent forward as I have requested.
I thank you Sir, for Mr. Peters’ ingenious Sermon upon the Education of Youth which I have re’d with much pleasure, the Christian, the Divine and the Polite Gentleman being coucht thro’ the whole discourse in an easy handsome manner. Pray give him my best Compliments and thanks for Communicating this discourse to the publick which I think will stimulate the present and future generations to Countenance and Encourage Religion and Learning.
I also thank you Sir for your Idea of the English School so well and Justly Calculated for the Service of your Accademy and which I am sure the Honourable The Trustees will gratefully acknowledge.
I heartily wish your publick Schools may greatly flourish as a substantial basis of prosperity and happiness of Mankind now and of their posterity unborn. I remain Sir Your ready Friend and Servant.
I shou’d be glad your Gazette might be duly sent me hither.
Mr. Franklin (post)


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Clap, 28 November 1751
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Clap, Thomas

Sir
Philada. Nov. 28. 1751
I am heartily sorry for your Disappointment in Letort; I could not have imagin’d he would have behav’d so imprudently, and let so very profitable a Jobb slip thro’ his Fingers. I have done with him.
I hope you will be able to procure a Subscription to furnish your College with a compleat Apparatus for Natural Philosophy. If you are like to succeed I will contribute the Electrical Part.
Bower has lain ever since in Mr. Parker’s Hands at New York. He desires you would order one of your Boatmen to call for it.
We had the Pleasure of a little of Mr. Whittelsey’s Company a few Days since. I hope he will get well home.
My Respects to all Friends. Please to accept the enclos’d from, Dear Sir, Your obliged humble Servant
B Franklin
 Endorsed: B Franklins to President Clap. Novr. 28. 1751.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jared Eliot, 10 December 1751
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Eliot, Jared

Dear Sir
Philada. Dec. 10. 1751
The Rector of our Academy Mr. Martin, came over into this Country on a Scheme for making Potash in the Russian Method: He promis’d me some written Directions for you, which expecting daily I delay’d writing, and now he lies dangerously ill of a kind of Quinsey: The Surgeons have been oblig’d to open his Windpipe, and introduce a leaden Pipe for him to breathe thro’. I fear he will not recover.
I thank you for the marine Wooll; ’tis a Curiosity. Mr. Roberts promises me some Observations in Husbandry for you. It is one Mr. Masters that makes Dung of Leaves, and not Mr. Roberts: I hope to get the Particulars from him soon.
I have a Letter from Mr. Collinson of July 19. in which he writes, “Pray has Mr. Elliot published any Addition to his Work; I have No. 1, and 2. If I can get ready I will send some Improvements made in the sandy Parts of the County of Norfolk; by the Way it is a great Secret, but it is Mr. Jackson’s own Drawing up, being Experiments made on some of his Father’s Estates in that County: but his Name must not be mentioned. I thank you for the Fowl Meadow Grass. I sowed it June 7 as soon as I received it, but none is yet come up. I dont know how it is, but I never could raise any of your Native Grasses; and I have had Variety per J. Bartram of curious Species.”
In another of Sept. 26. he says, “I am much obliged to thee for Mr. Elliot’s third Essay. I have sent Maxwell’s select Transactions in Husbandry: If Mr. Elliot has not seen them, they may be very useful to him. I have prevail’d on our worthy, learned and ingenious Friend Mr. Jackson to give some Dissertations on the Husbandry of Norfolk, believing it may be very serviceable to the Colonies: He has great Opportunities of doing this, being a Gentleman of Leisure and Fortune, being the only Son whose Father has great Riches and Possessions, and resides every Year all the long Vacation at his Father’s Seat in Norfolk. After J. Bartram has perused it, I shall submit how it may be further disposed of, only our Friend Elliot should see it soon; for Mr. Jackson admires his little Tracts of Husbandry as well as myself, and it may be of greater Service to him and his Colony, than to yours. The Fowl Meadow Grass has at last made its Appearance. Another Year we shall judge better of it.”—Thus far Friend Collinson. You may expect the Papers in a Post or two. If you make any Use of them, you will take Care not to mention any thing of the Author.
The Bearer is my Son, who desir’d an Opportunity of paying his Respects to you in his Return from Boston. He went by Sea.
They have printed all my electrical essays in England, and sent me a few copies, of which I design to send you one per next post, after having corrected a few errata. I am, dear Sir, Your most humble servant,
B. Franklin
Mr. Martin is dead!
 Addressed: To The Revd Mr Jared Elliot at Killingworth


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 18 December 1751
From: Belcher, Jonathan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Eliz: Town (NJ) December 18: 1751
I duly received your kind Letter of 28: of Novr. with the Directions about the Electrical Operation and the box with the Electrical Apparatus came to my hands the 16: Currant and I am sorry to Inform you that when I came to open it the Glass Globe was broke all to pieces I suppose by the rough Conveyance of it (in a Waggon) from Burlington hither. This is a great misfortune to me in the delay of what I desired to be done. I have tryed to get another at New York without Success. Can you Sir, put me into any method to repair it?
I give you a great many thanks for your kindness in this matter while I am Ashamed to give you so much trouble and remain with my best respects to yourself and Mrs. Franklin Sir Your Assured Friend and Servant.
Mr. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 21 December 1751
From: Bowdoin, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Boston December 21. 1751
The Experiments Mr. Kennersley has exhibited here, have been greatly pleasing to all sorts of people, that have seen them; and I hope by the time he returns to Philadelphia, his Tour this way will turn to good account. His Experiments are very curious, and I think, prove most effectually your doctrine of Electricity: that it is a real Element annexed to, and diffused among all bodies we are acquainted with; that it differs in nothing from Lightning, the Effects of both being Similar, and their properties, so far as they are known, the same &c. The remarkable Effect of Lightning on Iron lately discovered in giving it the magnetic virtue, and the same Effect produced on small needles by the electrical Fire is a further and convincing proof that they are both the same Element; but, which is very unaccountable, Mr. K— tells me it is necessary, to produce this effect, that the direction of the needle and the electrical Fire should be North and South, from either to the other; and that just so far as they deviate therefrom, the magnetic power in the needle is less; till their direction being at right angles with North and South, the effect intirely ceases. We made at Fanieul Hall, where Mr. K—’s apparatus is, several Experiments to give some small Needles the magnetic virtue, previously examining by putting them in water, on which they will be supported, whether or not they had any of that virtue; and I think we found all of them to have some small degree of it, their points turning to the north: we had nothing to do then but to invert the poles, which accordingly was done by sending thro’ them the charge of two large glass Jars; the Eye of the needle turning to the North, as the point before had done. That End of the Needle which the Fire is thrown upon, Mr. K. tells me, always points to the North. The electrical Fire passing thro’ the Air, has the same crooked direction as Lightning. This appearance I endeavour to account for thus. Air is an electric per se; therefore there must be a mutual repulsion between air, and the electrical Fire.
A Column or cylinder of Air having the diameter of it’s base equal to the diameter of the electrical spark, intervenes that part of the body which the spark is drawn from, and of the body it aims at. The Spark acts upon this column and is acted upon by it, more strongly than any other neighbouring portion of air. The column being thus acted upon, becomes more dense, and being more dense, repels the spark more strongly: its repellency being in proportion to its density. Having acquired, by being condensed, a degree of repellency greater than it’s natural it turns the spark out of it’s streight course; the neighbouring air, which must be less dense, and therefore has a smaller degree of repellency, giving it a more ready passage. The Spark having taken a new direction must now act on, or most strongly repel the column of air which lies in that direction, and consequently must condense that column in the same manner as the former, when the spark must again change it’s Course, which course will be repeatedly changed till the Spark reaches the body that attracted it.
To this account one objection occurs: that as air is very fluid and elastic, and so endeavours to diffuse itself equally, the supposed accumulated air within the column aforesaid would be immediately diffused among the contiguous air, and circulate to fill the space it was driven from, and consequently that the said column, on the greater density of which the phaenomenon is supposed to depend, would not repel the Spark more strongly than the neighbouring air.
This might be an objection; if the electrical Fire was as sluggish and inactive as air. Air takes a sensible time to diffuse itself equally, as is manifest from winds which often blow for a considerable time together, from the same point, and with a velocity, even in the greatest Storms, not exceeding, as it is said, sixty miles an hour: but the electrical Fire seems propagated instantaneously taking up no perceptible time in going very great distances: it must be then an inconceivably short time in it’s progress from an electrified to an unelectrified body, which, in the present case can be but a few inches apart: but this small portion of time is not sufficient for the elasticity of the air to exert itself, and therefore the column aforesaid must be in a denser state than it’s neighbouring air.
About the velocity of the electrical Fire more is said below, which perhaps may more fully obviate this objection. But, Let us have recourse to Experiments. Experiments will obviate all objections, or confound the Hypothesis. The electrical spark, if the foregoing be true, will pass thro’ a vacuum in a right line.
To try this, let a wire be fixed perpendicular on the plate of an air-pump, having a leaden ball on it’s upper end; let another wire passing thro’ the top of a receiver, have on each end a leaden ball; let the leaden balls within the receiver when put on the air-pump, be within two or three inches of each other; the receiver being exhausted, the spark given from a charged Phial to the upper wire, will pass thro’ rarified air nearly approaching to a vacuum, to the lower wire, and I suppose in a right line or nearly so: the small portion of air remaining in the Receiver which cannot be intirely exhausted may possibly cause it to deviate a little, but perhaps not sensibly, from a right line. The spark also might be made to pass thro’ air greatly condensed, which perhaps would give it a still more crooked direction. I have not had opportunity to make any Experiments of this Sort, not knowing of an air-pump nearer than Cambridge, but you can easily make them at your State House where there is one. If these Experiments answer I think the crooked direction of Lightning will be also accounted for.
With respect to your Letters on Electricity, it will be no new thing to you to be told, that they are very curious and entertaining; and by far the best and most rational that have been written on that subject. Your hypothesis in particular for explaining the phaenomena of Lightning, is very ingenious. That some clouds are highly charged with electrical Fire, and that their communicating it to those that have less, to Mountains and other Eminences, makes it visible and audible, when it is denominated Lightning and Thunder, is highly probable: but that the Sea, which you suppose the grand source of it, can collect it, I think admits of a doubt: for tho’ the sea be composed of salt and water, an electric per se, and non-electric; and tho’ the friction of electrics per se, and non-electrics will collect that Fire; yet it is only under certain circumstances, which water will not admit: for it seems necessary that the electrics per se and non-electrics rubbing one another, should be of such substances as will not adhere to, or incorporate with each other. Thus a glass or sulphur sphere turned in water, and so a friction between them, will not collect any fire; nor I suppose would a sphere of salt revolving in water; the water adhering to, or incorporating with those electrics per se, but granting that the friction between salt and water would collect the electric fire, that fire being so extremely subtil and active, would be immediately communicated either to those lower parts of the sea, from which it was drawn, and so only perform quick revolutions, or be communicated to the adjacent islands or continent, and so be diffused instantaneously thro’ the general mass of the Earth. I say instantaneously, for the greatest distances we can conceive within the limits of our globe, even that of the two most opposite points, it will take no sensible time in passing thro’ and therefore it seems a little difficult to conceive how there can be any accumulation of the electric fire upon the surface of the sea, or how the vapours arising from the sea should have a greater share of that fire than other vapours.
That the progress of the electrical fire is so amazingly swift, seems evident from an Experiment you yourself (not out of choice) made when two or three large glass jars were discharged thro’ your body. You neither heard the Crack, was sensible of the stroke, nor, which is more extraordinary, saw the light: which gave you just reason to conclude that it was swifter than sound, than animal sensation, and even light itself. Now light, as astronomers have demonstrated, is about six minutes passing from the Sun to the earth; a distance they say of more than eighty million miles. The greatest rectilinear distance within the compass of the Earth is about eight thousand miles, equal to it’s diameter. Supposing then that the velocity of the electrical Fire be the same as that of light, it will go thro’ a space equal to the Earth’s diameter in about 2/60 of one second of a minute. It seems inconceivable then that it should be accumulated upon the Sea in it’s present state, which, as it is a non electric, must give the fire an instantaneous passage to the neighbouring shores, and they convey it to the general mass of the earth. But such accumulation seems still more inconceivable when the electrical fire has but a few feet depth of water to penetrate, to return to the place from whence it is supposed to be collected. Your tho’ts on these remarks I shall receive with a great deal of pleasure. I take notice that in the printed copies of your Letters several things are wanting which are in the manuscript you sent me, particularly what relates to Mr. Watson.
I understand by your Son (whose good sense, and Gentlemanly Behaviour have recommended him to a considerable acquaintance) that you had writ, or was writing a paper on the Effects of the electrical fire on Loadstones, needles &c. which I would ask the favour of a copy of, as well as of any other papers on Electricity, written since I had the manuscript; for which I repeat my Obligations to you. I shall desire Mr. Mifflin (to whom please to make my Compliments) to pay the person you employ for transcribing them; who I presume has paid for the transcribing the former. I am with great Esteem Sir Your most obedient humble Servant
James Bowdoin
To Benjamin Franklin Esqr.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Johnson, 24 December 1751
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Johnson, Samuel

Dear Sir
Philada. Dec. 24. 1751
I received your Favour of the 11th Inst. and thank you for the Hint you give of the Omission in the Idea. The Sacred Classics are read in the English School, tho’ I forgot to mention them: And I shall propose at the Meeting of the Schools after the Holidays, that the English Master begin and continue to read select Portions of them daily with the Prayers, as you advise.
But if you can be thus useful to us at this Distance, how much more might you be so if you were present with us, and had the immediate Inspection and Government of the Schools. I wrote to you in my last that Mr. Martin our Rector died suddenly of a Quinsey. His Body was carried to the Church, respectfully attended by the Trustees, all the Masters and Scholars in their Order, and a great Number of the Citizens. Mr. Peters preach’d his Funeral Sermon, and gave him the just and honourable Character he deserved. The Schools are now broke up for Christmass, and will not meet again ’till the 7th of January. Mr. Peters took Care of the Latin and Greek School after Mr. Martin’s Death ’till the Breaking-up. And Mr. Allison, a Dissenting Minister, has promis’d to continue that Care for a Month after their next Meeting. Is it impossible for you to make us a Visit in that Time? I hope by the next Post to know something of your Sentiments, that I may be able to speak more positively to the Trustees concerning the Probability of your being prevail’d with to remove hither.
The English Master is Mr. Dove, a Gentleman about your Age, who formerly taught Grammar 16 Years at Chichester in England. He is an excellent Master, and his Scholars have made a surprizing Progress.
I shall send some of the Oeconomies to Mr. Havens per next Post. If you have a spare One of your Essays on the Method of Study, the English Edition, please to send it me.
My Wife joins in the Compliments of the Season to you and Mrs. Johnson, with Dear Sir, Your affectionate humble Servant
B Franklin
 Addressed: To  The Revd Dr Johnson  at  Stratford Connecticut  Free  B Franklin


Title: Physical and Meteorological Observations, Conjectures, and Suppositions, 1751
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

This paper, read in the Royal Society on December 23, 1756, though not printed until 1765, is quite likely the one Franklin told James Bowdoin on January 24, 1752, he was about to copy for Dr. John Perkins. Although he did not get around to doing so for some months, the editors have tentatively assigned it to the end of the year 1751.
Only four pages of Franklin’s fair copy survive. It appears to be the manuscript actually submitted to the Royal Society for printing in the Philosophical Transactions in 1765, though not the one read in the Society in 1756. It may well have been used also for printing the paper in Experiments and Observations in 1769, since it survives among Franklin’s own papers rather than among those of the Society. The editors have followed this manuscript as far as it goes and have taken the remainder from Experiments and Observations, because this text is closer in several minor respects to Franklin’s draft than is the one in the Transactions. There are, however, no major differences among the manuscript and printed versions listed above.

[1751?]
Physical and Meteorological Observations,Conjectures and Suppositions
The Particles of Air are kept at a Distance from each other by their mutual Repulsion.
Every three Particles mutually and equally repelling each other, must form an equilateral Triangle.
All the Particles of Air gravitate towards the Earth, which Gravitation compresses them, and shortens the Sides of the Triangles, otherwise their mutual Repellency would force them to greater Distances from each other.

Whatever Particles of other Matter (not endued with that Repellency) are supported in Air, must adhere to the Particles of Air, and be supported by them: for in the Vacancies there is nothing they can rest on.
Air and Water mutually attract each other. Hence Water will dissolve in Air, as Salt in Water.
The Specific Gravity of Matter is not alter’d by dividing the Matter, tho’ the Superficies be increas’d. Sixteen leaden Bullets of an Ounce each, weigh as much in Water, as one of a Pound, whose Superficies is less.
Therefore the Supporting of Salt in Water is not owing to its Superficies being encreas’d.
A Lump of Salt, tho’ laid at rest at the Bottom of a Vessel of Water, will dissolve therein, and its Parts move every Way till equally diffus’d in the Water; therefore there is a mutual Attraction between Water and Salt. Every Particle of Water assumes as many of Salt as can adhere to it; when more is added, it precipitates, and will not remain suspended.
Water in the same Manner will dissolve in Air, every Particle of Air assuming one or more Particles of Water; when too much is added, it precipitates in Rain.
But there not being the same Contiguity between the Particles of Air as of Water, the Solution of Water in Air is not carried on without a Motion of the Air, so as to cause a fresh Accession of dry Particles.
Part of a Fluid having more of what it dissolves, will communicate to other Parts that have less. Thus very salt Water coming in contact with fresh, communicates its Saltness till all is equal, and the sooner if there is a little Motion of the Water.
Even Earth will dissolve or mix with Air. A Stroke of a Horse’s Hoof on the Ground in a hot dusty Road, will raise a Cloud of Dust, that shall, if there be a light Breeze, expand every way till perhaps near as big as a common House. ’Tis not by mechanical Motion communicated to the Particles of Dust by the Hoof, that they fly so far, nor by the Wind that they spread so wide; But the Air near the Ground, more heated by the hot Dust struck into it, is rarified and rises, and in rising mixes with the cooler Air, and communicates of its Dust to it, and it is at length so diffus’d as to become invisible. Quantities of Dust are thus carried up in dry Seasons: Showers wash it from the Air and bring it down again. For Water attracting it stronger, it quits the Air and adheres to the Water.
Air suffering continual Changes in the Degrees of its Heat, from various Causes and Circumstances, and consequently Changes in its Specific Gravity, must therefore be in continual Motion.
A small Quantity of Fire mix’d with Water, (or Degree of Heat therein) so weakens the Cohesion of its Particles, that those on the Surface easily quit it, and adhere to the Particles of Air.
A greater Degree of Heat is required to break the Cohesion between Water and Air.
Air moderately heated will support a greater Quantity of Water invisibly than cold Air; for its Particles being by Heat repell’d to a greater Distance from each other, thereby more easily keep the Particles of Water that are annex’d to them from running into Cohesions that would obstruct, refract, or reflect the Light.
Hence when we breathe in warm Air, tho’ the same Quantity of Moisture may be taken up from the Lungs as when we breathe in cold Air, yet that Moisture is not so visible.
Water being extreamly heated, i.e. to the degree of Boiling, its Particles, in quitting it, so repel each other, as to take up vastly more Space than before, and by that Repellency support themselves, expelling the Air from the Space they occupy. That Degree of Heat being lessen’d, they again mutually attract, and having no Air Particles mixed, to adhere to, by which they might be supported and kept at a Distance, they instantly fall, coalesce, and become Water again.
The Water commonly diffus’d in our Atmosphere never receives such a Degree of Heat from the Sun, or other Cause, as Water has when boiling; it is not therefore supported by such Heat, but by adhering to Air.
Water being dissolv’d in and adhering to Air, that Air will not readily take up Oil, because of the natural Repellency between Water and Oil.
Hence cold Oils evaporate but slowly, the Air having generally a Quantity of dissolv’d Water.
Oil being heated extreamly, the Air that approaches its Surface will be also heated extreamly; the Water then quitting it, it will attract and carry off Oil, which can now adhere to it. Hence the quick Evaporation of Oil heated to a great degree.
Oil being dissolv’d in Air, the Particles to which it adheres will not take up Water.
Hence the suffocating Nature of Air impregnated with burnt Grease, as from Snuffs of Candles and the like. A certain Quantity of Moisture should be every Moment discharg’d and taken away from the Lungs. Air that has been frequently breath’d is already overloaded, and for that Reason can take no more, so will not answer the End. Greasy Air refuses to touch it. In both cases Suffocation for want of the Discharge.
Air will attract and support many other Substances.
A Particle of Air loaded with adhering Water, or any other Matter, is heavier than before, and would descend.
The Atmosphere suppos’d at rest, a loaded descending Particle must act with a Force on the Particles it passes between, or meets with, sufficient to overcome in some degree their mutual Repellency, and push them nearer to each other.
   Thus supposing the Particles A B C D and the others near them, to be at the Distance caus’d by their mutual Repellency (confin’d by their common Gravity) if A would descend to E it must pass between B and C. When it comes between B and C it will be nearer to them than before, and must either have pushed them nearer to F and G, contrary to their mutual Repellency, or pass through by a Force exceeding its Repellency with them. It then approaches D, and, to move it out of the way, must act on it with a Force sufficient to overcome its Repellency with the two next lower Particles by which it is kept in its present Situation.
Every Particle of Air therefore will bear any Load inferior to the Force of these Repulsions.
Hence the Support of Fogs, Mists, Clouds.
Very warm Air, clear tho’ supporting a very great Quantity of Moisture, will grow turbid and cloudy on the Mixture of a colder Air: As foggy turbid Air will grow clear by warming.

Thus the Sun shining on a Morning fog, dissipates it. Clouds are seen to waste in a Sunshiny Day.
But Cold condenses and renders visible the Vapour. A Tankard, or Decanter, fill’d with cold Water, will condense the Moisture of warm clear Air, on its Outside, where it becomes visible as Dew, coalesces into Drops, descends in little Streams.
The Sun heats the Air of our Atmosphere most near the Surface of the Earth; for there, besides the direct Rays, there are many Reflections. Moreover, the earth itself being heated, communicates of its heat to the neighbouring air.
The higher regions having only the direct rays of the sun passing through them, are comparatively very cold. Hence the cold air on the tops of mountains, and snow on some of them all the year, even in the Torrid zone. Hence hail in summer.
If the atmosphere were, all of it (both above and below) always of the same temper as to cold or heat, then the upper air would always be rarer than the lower, because the pressure on it is less; consequently lighter, and therefore would keep its place.
But the upper air may be more condensed by cold than the lower air by pressure; the lower more expanded by heat, than the upper for want of pressure. In such case the upper air will become the heavier, the lower the lighter.
The lower region of air being heated and expanded, heaves up, and supports for some time the colder heavier air above, and will continue to support it while the equilibrium is kept. Thus water is supported in an inverted open glass, while the equilibrium is maintained by the equal pressure upwards of the air below; but the equilibrium by any means breaking, the water descends on the heavier side, and the air rises into its place.
The lifted heavy cold air over a heated country, becoming by any means unequally supported, or unequal in its weight, the heaviest part descends first, and the rest follows impetuously. Hence gusts after heats, and hurricanes in hot climates. Hence the air of gusts and hurricanes cold, though in hot climes and seasons; it coming from above.
The cold air descending from above, as it penetrates our warm region full of watry particles, condenses them, renders them visible, forms a cloud thick and dark, overcasting sometimes, at once, large and extensive; sometimes, when seen at a distance, small at first, gradually increasing; the cold edge, or surface, of the cloud, condensing the vapours next it, which form smaller clouds that join it, increase its bulk, it descends with the wind and its acquired weight, draws nearer the earth, grows denser with continual additions of water, and discharges heavy showers.
Small black clouds thus appearing in a clear sky, in hot climates, portend storms, and warn seamen to hand their sails.
The earth turning on its axis in about twenty-four hours, the equatorial parts must move about fifteen miles in each minute. In Northern and Southern latitudes this motion is gradually less to the Poles, and there nothing.
If there was a general calm over the face of the globe, it must be by the air’s moving in every part as fast as the earth or sea it covers.
He that sails, or rides, has insensibly the same degree of motion as the ship or coach with which he is connected. If the ship strikes the shore, or the coach stops suddenly, the motion continuing in the man, he is thrown forward. If a man were to jump from the land into a swift sailing ship, he would be thrown backward (or towards the stern) not having at first the motion of the ship.
He that travels, by sea or land, towards the equinoctial, gradually acquires motion; from it, loses.
But if a man were taken up from latitude 40 (where suppose the earth’s surface to move twelve miles per minute) and immediately set down at the equinoctial, without changing the motion he had, his heels would be struck up, he would fall westward. If taken up from the equinoctial, and set down in latitude 40, he would fall eastward.
The air under the equator, and between the tropics, being constantly heated and rarified by the sun, rises. Its place is supplied by air from Northern and Southern latitudes, which coming from parts where the earth and air had less motion, and not suddenly acquiring the quicker motion of the equatorial earth, appears an East wind blowing Westward; the earth moving from West to East, and slipping under the air.

Thus, when we ride in a calm, it seems a wind against us: If we ride with the wind, and faster, even that will seem a small wind against us.
The air rarified between the Tropics, and rising, must flow in the higher region North and South. Before it rose, it had acquired the greatest motion the earth’s rotation could give it. It retains some degree of this motion, and descending in higher latitudes, where the earth’s motion is less, will appear a Westerly wind, yet tending towards the equatorial parts, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the air of the lower regions flowing thitherwards.
Hence our general cold winds are about North-West, our summer cold gusts the same.
The air in sultry weather, though not cloudy, has a kind of haziness in it, which makes objects at a distance appear dull and indistinct. This haziness is occasioned by the great quantity of moisture equally diffused in that air. When, by the cold wind blowing down among it, it is condensed into clouds, and falls in rain, the air becomes purer and clearer. Hence, after gusts, distant objects appear distinct, their figures sharply terminated.
Extream cold winds congeal the surface of the earth; by carrying off its fire. Warm winds afterwards blowing over that frozen surface, will be chilled by it. Could that frozen surface be turned under, and a warmer turned up from beneath it, those warm winds would not be chilled so much.
The surface of the earth is also sometimes much heated by the sun; and such heated surface not being changed, heats the air that moves over it.
Seas, lakes, and great bodies of water, agitated by the winds, continually change surfaces; the cold surface in winter is turned under, by the rolling of the waves, and a warmer turned up; in summer, the warm is turned under, and colder turned up. Hence the more equal temper of sea-water, and the air over it. Hence, in winter, winds from the sea seem warm, winds from the land cold. In summer the contrary.
Therefore the lakes North-West of us, as they are not so much frozen, nor so apt to freeze as the earth, rather moderate than increase the coldness of our winter winds.

The air over the sea being warmer, and therefore lighter in winter than the air over the frozen land, may be another cause of our general N.W. winds, which blow off to sea at right angles from our North-American coast. The warm light sea air rising, the heavy cold land air pressing into its place.
Heavy fluids descending, frequently form eddies, or whirlpools, as is seen in a funnel, where the water acquires a circular motion, receding every way from a center, and leaving a vacancy in the middle, greatest above, and lessening downwards, like a speaking trumpet, its big end upwards.
Air descending, or ascending, may form the same kind of eddies, or whirlings, the parts of air acquiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above, and lessening downwards; if ascending, greatest below, and lessening upwards; like a speaking trumpet standing its big end on the ground.
When the air descends with violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.
The air in its whirling motion receding every way from the center or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a vacuum; which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends.
The greatest pressure inwards must be at the lower end, the greatest weight of the surrounding atmosphere being there. The air entering, rises within, and carries up dust, leaves, and even heavier bodies that happen in its way, as the eddy, or whirl, passes over land.
If it passes over water, the weight of the surrounding atmosphere forces up the water into the vacuity, part of which, by degrees, joins with the whirling air, and adding weight, and receiving accelerated motion, recedes still farther from the center or axis of the trump, as the pressure lessens; and at last, as the trump widens, is broken into small particles, and so united with air as to be supported by it, and become black clouds at the top of the trump.
Thus these eddies may be whirlwinds at land, waterspouts at sea. A body of water so raised may be suddenly let fall, when the motion, &c. has not strength to support it, or the whirling arch is broken so as to let in the air; falling in the sea, it is harmless, unless ships happen under it. But if in the progressive motion of the whirl, it has moved from the sea, over the land, and there breaks, sudden, violent, and mischievous torrents are the consequences.


Title: Pennsylvania Hospital: Law for Regulating the Elections of Managers and Treasurers, 17 January 1752
From: Franklin, Benjamin,Crosby, Joshua,Bond, Thomas,Smith, John,Roberts, Hugh
To:

January 17, 1752
This document, drafted by Joshua Crosby, Thomas Bond, John Smith, Hugh Roberts, and Franklin, is omitted here for the reason stated above, p. 111; but is printed, with editorial annotation, in Some Account of the Pennsylvania Hospital, May 1754, in the next volume.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 20 January 1752
From: Belcher, Jonathan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Eliz: Town (NJ) Janua: 20: 1752
I wrote you a few lines the 18th: of last month telling you of the misfortune that had befell your Electrical Globe. I have however made some use of the rest of the Apparatus and with Mr. Burr’s assistance have been electrifyd several times but at present without any alteration in my Nervous disorder. As Mr. Burr has such another Apparatus as yours and lends it to me I think to go on with the Operation some little time longer. I now return your Apparatus with a great many thanks and am very sorry for the mischance it met with.

I wish you and Mrs. Franklin happy in the joye of a new year and that you may live to see a long succession of such. I am Sir Your Assured Friend and Servant.
Mr. Franklin per Mrs. Teale


Title: Notice to Subscribers, 25 January 1752
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Die Hoch Teutsche und Englische Zeitung was Franklin’s second attempt at publishing a German newspaper in Philadelphia, and it was only a little less unsuccessful than the first. When Gotthard Armbrüster’s German paper failed in 1749, Franklin bought the equipment, placed Johann Boehm in charge, and the Philadelphier Teutsche Fama appeared over the joint imprint of Franklin and Boehm from 1749 until the latter’s death in July 1751. Franklin continued the paper under a new title. The Pennsylvania Gazette, Aug. 22, 1751, announced it: “At the German Printing-Office, in Arch-street, is now printed every Fortnight a Dutch and English Gazette, containing the freshest Advices foreign and domestick, with other entertaining and useful Matters in both Languages, adapted to the Convenience of such as incline to learn either.” Die Hoch Teutsche und Englische Zeitung (alternatively, The High-Dutch and English Gazette) contained commentary and advertisements in both languages, often in parallel columns, “gedruckt und zu finden bey Benjamin Fräncklin, Postmeister, in der Marck-Strasse.” The notice printed below marked the newspaper’s demise

Diese Englisch- und Teutsche Zeitung, No. 13. endiget sich mit diesem halben Jahr, und wird in Philadelphia nicht länger gedruckt; Eine auf die nemliche Art, wird itzt in Lancaster von guten Händen verfertiget, welche unsere Customers ohne einige Unkosten für Post-Geld haben können.
This English- and Dutch Paper, No. 13. ending the half Year, will be no longer printed in Philadelphia; one of the same kind being now done in Lancaster, by good Hands, which our Customers may have delivered here without Charge of Postage.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Johnson, [January 1752?]
From: Johnson, Samuel
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
[January ? 1752]
I now make my Thankful Acknowledgment for your 2 kind Letters of Decr. 24, and Janry. 8. I have reviewed your most obliging Letters of the Summer before last to which you refer me. There was one of Augst. 23 to which I did not make a particular Reply by reason of my Illness at that time. In that you reasoned I own in a very forceable manner upon the head of Duty. You argued that Ability with Opportunity manifestly pointed out Duty as tho it were [a] Voice from Heaven. This Sir I agree to and therefore have always endeavoured to use what little Ability I have that way in the best manner I could having never been without pupils of one sort or other ½ a year at a time and seldom that, for 38 years, and thank God I have the great Satisfaction to see some of them in the first pulpits not only in Connecticut but also in Boston and York and others in some of the first places in the Land. But I am now plainly in the decline of Life, both as to agility of Body and vigour of Mind, and must therefore consider my self as being an emeritus, and unfit for any new Situation in the World or to enter on any New Business especially at such a Distance from my hitherto Sphere of Action and my present Situation where I have as much Duty on my Hands as I am capable of and where my Removal would make too great a Breach to be countervailed by any good I am capable of doing other where for which I have but a Small Chance Left for such Opportunity. So that I must beg my Good Friends at Philadelphia to excuse me, and I pray God they may be directed to a better Choice, and as providence has so unexpectedly provided so worthy a person as Mr. Dove for your other purpose I hope the same Good providence will provide for this. I am not personally acquainted with Mr. Winthrop the professor at Cambridge, but by what I have heard of him perhaps he might do. But I rather think it would be your best way to try if you cannot get some friendly and faithful Gent. at home of good Judgment and Care to inquire and try if some worthy Fellow of one or other of the Universities could not be obtained. Perhaps Mr. Peters or Mr. Dove may know of some Acquaintance of theirs that might be likely dulcius ex ipsis fortibus. Your Son intimated that you had thots of a Voyage home your Self: if you should you might undoubtedly look out a fit person to be had, and you had better do as you can for some time than not be well provided. I could however wish to make you a visit in the Spring if the way were safe, but it seems the Small pox is propagating at N. York, and perhaps you will scarcely be free of it. Mean time you have indeed my Heart with you as tho’ I were ever so much with you in presence, and if there were any good office in my power you might freely command it. I thank you for sending the 2 sheets of my Noetica which are done with much care. I find no defects worth mentioning but what were probably my own. At p. 62. l. 19 there should have been (;) after universal, and l. 21. a (:) after affirmative. On reviewing the former Sheets I observe: a neglect, p. 30. l. 24 r[ead] on account of which, and p. 36. l. 3. there should be a (,) after is. I am very much obliged to you for Short and the Almanac and my wife for hers. I have had 5 parcels of the Œconomies and Fisher. I think you told me they were a dollar each parcel, besides that of Havens, who desires you to send him another parcel, and begs you to send one or more of your peices on Electricity published in Eng. By your Sons Account I am much charmed with this and beg if you have a spare Copy to send it me, and as you desire a Copy of my Introduction, since I had many sent me from home I send you ½ a Dozen of which with my humble Service to Messrs. Peters and Francis and your Son pray them to accept each a Copy. My Wife and Son with me desire our Service may be acceptable to you and Mrs. Franklin and your Son. I am Sir &c.
S.J.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 3 February 1752
From: Belcher, Jonathan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Eliz: Town (NJ) Febr. 3 1752
The 20th Ulti I returnd you my thanks for your kind respect in the service of your Electrical Apparatus and which I hope before this is got well to your hands.
I am again thankfull for your Respect in yours of 25th: January.
Mr. Samuel Smith of Burlington tells me the first time he goes to Philadelphia he will pay you what I am in your debt to September last for your News Paper since which I have not had it tho’ shou’d be glad of it by every Post.
I am to ask pardon for a fresh trouble I now give you in desiring you to procure for me two Pounds of the Virginia Rattle snake root on which Dr. Tennent who was some time agoe at Philadelphia printed several Dissertations and if you cou’d get me the quantity I have mentiond I shou’d take it very kindly and that we may get the right sort I desire you to advise with the worthy and ingenious Dr. Cadwalader and to whom you will give my best Compliments. If you can answer my Request in this matter I pray it may be Carefully packt up and forwarded by the first Vessel to Boston there Directed to be left with my Kinsman Mr. Ebenezer Holmes for my further Order and whatever may be the Cost and Charge I will thankfully pay when you will please to let me know it and am Sir Your ready Friend and Servant.
Mr. Franklin (post.)


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Ebenezer Kinnersley, 3 February 1752
From: Kinnersley, Ebenezer
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
Feb. 3, 1752
I have the following experiments to communicate: I held in one hand a wire, which was fasten’d at the other end to the handle of a pump, in order to try whether the stroke from the prime conductor, through my arms, would be any greater, than when convey’d only to the surface of the earth, but could discover no difference.
I placed the needle of a compass on the point of a long pin, and holding it in the atmosphere of the prime conductor, at the distance of about three inches, found it to whirl round, like the flyers of a jack, with great rapidity.
I suspended with silk, a cork ball, about the bigness of a pea, and presented to it, rubbed amber, sealing wax, and sulphur, by each of which it was strongly repelled; then I tried rubbed glass and china, and found that each of these would attract it, until it became electrified again, and then it would be repelled as at first; and while thus repelled by the rubbed glass or china, either of the others when rubbed would attract it. Then I electrified the ball, with the wire of a charged phial, and presented to it rubbed glass (the stopper of a decanter) and a china tea cup, by which it was as strongly repelled, as by the wire; but when I presented either of the other rubbed electrics, it would be strongly attracted, and when I electrified it, by either of these, till it became repelled, it would be attracted by the wire of the phial, but be repelled by its coating.
These experiments surprized me very much, and have induced me to infer the following paradoxes.
1. If a glass globe be placed at one end of a prime conductor, and a sulphur one at the other end, both being equally in good order, and in equal motion, not a spark of fire can be obtain’d from the conductor; but one globe will draw out, as fast as the other gives in.
2. If a phial be suspended on the conductor, with a chain from its coating to the table, and only one of the globes be made use of at a time, 20 turns of the wheel, for instance, will charge it; after which, so many turns of the other wheel will discharge it; and as many more will charge it again.
3. The globes being both in motion, each having a separate conductor, with a phial suspended on one of them, and the chain of it fastned to the other, the phial will become charged; one globe charging positively, the other negatively.
4. The phial being thus charged, hang it in like manner on the other conductor; set both wheels a going again, and the same number of turns that charged it before, will now discharge it; and the same number repeated, will charge it again.
5. When each globe communicates with the same prime conductor, having a chain hanging from it to the table, one of them, when in motion, (but which I can’t say) will draw fire up through the cushion, and discharge it through the chain; the other will draw it up through the chain, and discharge it through the cushion.

I should be glad if you would send to my house for my sulphur globe, and the cushion belonging to it, and make the trial; but must caution you not to use chalk on the cushion, some fine powdered sulphur will do better. If, as I expect, you should find the globes to charge the prime conductor differently, I hope you will be able to discover some method of determining which it is that charges positively. I am, &c.
E. Kinnersley


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 17 February 1752
From: Belcher, Jonathan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Eliz: Town (NJ) Febr. 17: 1752
The last post brought me yours of 11: Currant and in another packet 2 of your papers of 28: of January and 11: February and which I desire may be regularly sent me for the future.
I am thankfull that you will send to Mr. Ebenezer Holmes by the first Vessel to Boston Two Pounds of the right Virginia rattle snake root not Seneka root as you call it in yours and what ever the Charge may be I will pay when you will please to let me know it. I am Sir Your Assured Friend.
Mr. Franklin (Post)


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Perkins, 17 February 1752
From: Perkins, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Feb. 17th. 1752. Boston
I received your Bill by the last Post and thank you for it as I do likewise for the Pamphlets last Summer.
It was a sincere pleasure to me to see good Dr. Thompson so well defended by his generous Friend Dr. Hamilton. I am much pleas’d with both these Gentlemen’s Performances.
I beg’d your Plain Truth of Mrs. Mecom a few Weeks since which I had never seen before and about the same Time had the good Fortune to see your Plan of an English School.
Mr. Kennersley was well receiv’d among us by whome I have seen some of your Experiments which were very entertaining. But this new found Element ambresine! I can by no means understand it any more than Magnetism. I imagin it has very important Uses in the World possibly not in our Power to discover. I cant help thinking Sensation and Muscular Motion are at least in part performed by it. Your Rationale on Clouds and Rain appears extreamly probable to me and so that of the Aurora Borealis. As to the Fulmen it is demonstrable that it is the same Thing.
I made an Observation or two on the Fulmen and the Thundring Sound of it in August last which I would transmit to you if I tho’t you were enough at Leisure.
We have had a Cold Winter. The first of January was the sharpest Day when my Glass reach’d, 100 which is three Degrees and a half colder than any since I had it being 7 or 8 Years. It was at 66 on December 30. hor. 8. A.M. at which Time the air began to alter. I should be glad to know how it was with you And (if you have Intelligence) how it was at Virginia or South Carolina and when it began, was at the height, &c. It was by common Report at Hallifax the same Day as with us, at the height.
The Small Pox threatens spreading here and some of our People are runing into a Course of Tar-Water as a preparative.
If your Doctors have found any benefit by any previous Medicinal management to the common way of Infection I should be glad to know it for the safety of such as are not pleas’d with Inoculation and for the meliorating this too. I believe something may be done in this Matter and would promote Tryals of every Thing likely: Tho’ I differ from my Bretheren in the affair of Diet.
Dear Sir, I had the pleasure to see your Son while he was with us and need say no more of him than to wish you all the Happiness in him that his Genius and Accomplishments seem to me to promise. I hope he got well home. I am Sir Your Obliged Humble Servant
John Perkins
 Addressed: For  Mr. Franklin Post Master  In Philadelphia


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Ebenezer Kinnersley, 2 March 1752
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Kinnersley, Ebenezer

Sir,
March 2, 1752
I thank you for the experiments communicated. I sent immediately for your brimstone globe, in order to make the trials you desired, but found it wanted centers, which I have not time now to supply; but the first leisure I will get it fitted for use, try the experiments, and acquaint you with the result.
In the mean time I suspect, that the different attractions and repulsions you observed, proceeded rather from the greater or smaller quantities of the fire you obtained from different bodies, than from its being of a different kind, or having a different direction. In haste I am, &c.
B. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 2 March 1752
From: Bowdoin, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Boston March 2d. 1752
I have received your favour of the 24th. January past, inclosing an Extract from your Letter to Mr. Collinson and Dr. Colden’s Letter to yourself, which I have read with a great deal of pleasure, and am much obliged to you for. Your Extract confirms a correction Mr. Kinnersley made a few days ago of a mistake I was under respecting the polarity given to needles by the electrical fire “that the end which receives the fire always points north” and “that the needle being Situated East and West, will not have a polar direction.” You find however the polarity strongest when the needle is shock’d lying North and South; weakest when lying East and West: which makes it probable that the communicated magnetism is less, as the needle varies from a North and South Situation. As to the needle of Capt. Waddel’s Compass; if it’s polarity was reversed by the Lightning, the effect of Lightning and Electricity in regard of that, seems dissimilar: for a magnetic needle in a North and South Situation (as the Compass-needle was) instead of having it’s power reversed or even diminished, would have it confirmed or increased by the electrical fire. But perhaps the Lightning communicated to some nails in the Binocle (where the Compass is placed) the magnetic virtue, which might disturb the Compass. This I have heard was the case; if so, this seeming dissimilarity vanishes. But this remarkable Circumstance (if it took place) I should think would not be omitted in Capt. Waddel’s Account. I am very much pleased, that the Explication I sent you of the crooked direction of Lightning meets with your approbation. As to your Supposition about the Source of Lightning, the luminous appearance of the Sea in the night, and the Similitude between the friction of the particles of Salt and Water as you considered them in their original Separate State, and the friction of the Globe and Cushion, very naturally led you to the Ocean as the grand Source of Lightning. But the activity of Lightning or the electric Element, and the fitness of water to conduct it, together with the Experiments you mention of Salt and Water seem to make against it, and to prepare the way for some other hypothesis. Accordingly you propose a new one, which is very curious, and not so liable I think to objections as the former; but there is not as yet I believe a sufficient variety of Experiments to establish any Theory, tho’ this is the most hopeful of any I have heard of. The Effect which the discharge of your four Glass Jars had upon a fine wire ty’d between two strips of Glass, puts me in mind of one very similar of Lightning, that I observed at New York October 1750, a few days after I left Philadelphia.
In company with a number of Gentlemen I went to take a view of the City from the Dutch Church Steeple, in which is a Clock about 20, or 25 feet below the Bell. From the Clock went a wire thro’ two floors to the Clock Hammer near the Bell: the holes in the floors for the wire being about ¼ of an inch Diameter. We were told that in the Spring of 1750 the Lightning struck the Clock-Hammer, and descended along the wire to the Clock, melting in its way several Spots of the wire from three to nine inches long thro’ one third of its Substance, till coming within a few feet of the lower end it melted the wire quite thro’ in several places, so that it fell down in several pieces; which spots and pieces we saw.
When it got to the End of the wire, it flew off to the hindge of a door, shattered the door and dissipated. In its passage thro’ the holes of the floors it did not do the least damage: which evidences that wire is a good conducter of Lightning (as it is of Electricity) provided it be substantial enough, and might in this case, had it been continued to the Earth, have conducted it without damaging the building. Your information about your Globe raising electrical fire in greater Quantity by means of wire extended from the Cushion to the Earth, will enable me, I hope, to remedy a great inconvenience I have been under to collect the fire with the electrifying Glass I use, which is fixed in a very dry room three Stories from the ground. When you send your Meteorological Observations to Dr. Perkins I hope I shall have the pleasure of seeing them. I heartily congratulate you on your Advancement in public Life, but I hope it will not be the means of diverting your tho’ts from philosophical subjects, which would be a real injury (I speak it without flattery) to the philosophical world. With the greatest respect I am Yours &c.
P.S. As it may be pleasing to your Brother and Mr. Kennersley to see Dr. Colden’s Letter, I take the Liberty (which I hope you’ll think excusable) to detain it till next post.


Title: Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 7 March 1752
From: Pennsylvania Assembly
To:

The Assembly passed a bill to re-emit and continue in currency the existing bills of credit and to issue an additional £40,000 in paper money; and sent it to Governor Hamilton for approval on Feb. 26, 1752. The governor and Council unanimously disapproved, and Hamilton gave their reason in a reply to the Assembly, March 6. The emission of so large a sum, he pointed out, was contrary to British policy and likely to jeopardize any future application by Pennsylvania for permission to issue paper money. John Smith, Franklin, Mahlon Kirkbride, Joseph Gibbons, James Wright, and John Wright were at once appointed to draft an answer to the governor. It is printed here. The governor replied on March 10, refusing assent even to an issue of £20,000, to which sum the proposal had been reduced. “It is no uncommon Thing,” Hamilton concluded drily, “for Men to differ in Sentiment: Whenever it happens between different Branches of a Legislature, each Part should be guided by their own Understandings, and the Dictates of their own Consciences. This Rule, I am persuaded, you never swerved from, and therefore must the readier approve of my observing it.”

May it please the Governor,
[March 7, 1752]
As the Bill for striking Forty Thousand Pounds, &c. was agreed upon by the House after a long and very serious Deliberation, we were well assured that the Bill, as then sent up to him, would have tended greatly to the Welfare of this Province, had the Governor been pleased to pass it.
But to obviate every Objection, and to demonstrate how far we are from being desirous of “exceeding the Bounds of Moderation,” even at this Time, when our Gold and Silver is in a great Measure exported to Great-Britain, in Return for the Commodities received from thence, and our Trade really languishes for want of an Addition to our Paper Currency, we now present the Bill, with a Deduction from the Sum to be struck, which we hope the Governor will find so much below what our Trade, and Commerce, and the Interest of the Merchants and Manufacturers of Great-Britain, trading to this Province, require, that it cannot fail of meeting his Approbation.
We have examined the Votes of the House of Commons for the last Year, and observe, with great Satisfaction, how tenderly and patiently they proceeded against the four “Northern Colonies,” where the miserable Condition of their Trade, and the Injustice done to the “Widows and Orphans,” as well as the British Merchants, from the excessive Emissions of their Bills of Credit, in Opposition to “some of the Deputies of the Assembly,” and a great Number of Petitions from the most considerable Inhabitants of Rhode-Island, who represented those Emissions as totally unnecessary, and in no Respect wanted, might have induced that Honourable House to have acted with less Reserve.

Before such Judges, where the State of our Currency has been repeatedly called for, and examined, we beg Leave to assure the Governor, we have no Apprehensions of Danger, being well assured, that upon the severest Scrutiny it must appear to be the Advantage of the Trade of our Mother Country, in full Proportion to what we can expect or hope to reap among ourselves.
By a Message from the Governor to the Assembly in February, 1748, we observe he hoped it would not be thought unreasonable, if he took some Time to get the best Information to enable him to form a right Judgment upon the Bill for making current Twenty Thousand Pounds then before him, and that the Delay might not be attended with any considerable Inconvenience to the People, as there was confessedly at that Time a greater Sum current [Gold and Silver included] than at any Time before. And again, on the 10th of August, 1749, he judged it might be attended with very bad Consequences to the Province to encrease the Quantity of our Currency, whilst a Bill was depending in Parliament for restraining the Issuing the Bills of Credit in the Colonies of America: To all which the then Assembly very prudently submitted, and proceeded no farther upon the Bill.
But at this Time, when those Reasons are answered by the great Exportation of our Gold and Silver, and when the Parliament, after so strict an Enquiry, have not found Cause to include us in the Restrictions laid upon the Four Northern Colonies, we hope the Objection to a Re-emission, which by this Bill is continued no longer than six Years beyond the Time limited by the Act in Force, can now have no Weight, when a further Addition, as appears clear to us, is become absolutely necessary, there having been but an inconsiderable Sum added to our Paper Currency for these twenty Years past, tho’, within that Time, the Number of our Inhabitants and our Trade are greatly increased; and therefore, upon reducing the Sum at present desired so very low as we have now done, we trust the Governor will readily oblige us, and our Constituents, by giving his Assent to the Bill.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Ebenezer Kinnersley, 16 March 1752
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Kinnersley, Ebenezer

Sir,
March 16, 1752
Having brought your brimstone globe to work, I try’d one of the experiments you proposed, and was agreeably surprized to find, that the glass globe being at one end of the conductor, and the sulphur globe at the other end, both globes in motion, no spark could be obtain’d from the conductor, unless when one globe turned slower, or was not in so good order as the other; and then the spark was only in proportion to the difference, so that turning equally, or turning that slowest which work’d best, would again bring the conductor to afford no spark.
I found also, that the wire of a phial charg’d by the glass globe, attracted a cork ball that had touch’d the wire of a phial charged by the brimstone globe, and vice versa, so that the cork continued to play between the two phials, just as when one phial was charged through the wire, the other through the coating, by the glass globe alone. And two phials charged, the one by the brimstone globe, the other by the glass globe, would be both discharged by bringing their wires together, and shock the person holding the phials.
From these experiments, one may be certain that your 2d, 3d, and 4th proposed experiments, would succeed exactly as you suppose, though I have not tried them, wanting time. I imagine it is the glass globe that charges positively, and the sulphur negatively, for these reasons, 1. Though the sulphur globe seems to work equally well with the glass one, yet it can never occasion so large and distant a spark between my knuckle and the conductor when the sulphur one is working, as when the glass one is used; which, I suppose, is occasioned by this, that bodies of a certain bigness cannot so easily part with a quantity of electrical fluid they have and hold attracted within their substance, as they can receive an additional quantity upon their surface by way of atmosphere. Therefore so much cannot be drawn out of the conductor, as can be thrown on it. 2. I observe that the stream or brush of fire appearing at the end of a wire connected with the conductor, is long, large, and much diverging, when the glass globe is used, and makes a snapping (or rattling) noise: but when the sulphur one is used, it is short, small, and makes a hissing noise; and just the reverse of both happens, when you hold the same wire in your hand, and the globes are work’d alternately: the brush is large, long, diverging and snapping (or rattling) when the sulphur globe is turn’d; short small, and hissing, when the glass globe is turn’d. When the brush is long, large, and much diverging, the body to which it joins, seems to me to be throwing the fire out; and when the contrary appears, it seems to be drinking in. 3. I observe, that when I held my knuckle before the sulphur globe, while turning, the stream of fire between my knuckle and the globe, seems to spread on its surface, as if it flow’d from the fingér; on the glass globe ’tis otherwise. 4. The cool wind (or what was call’d so) that we used to feel as coming from an electrified point, is much more sensible, when the glass globe is used, than when the sulphur one. But these are hasty thoughts. As to your 5th paradox, it must likewise be true, if the globes are alternately work’d; but if work’d together, the fire will neither come up nor go down by the chain, because one globe will drink it as fast as the other produces it.
I should be glad to know whether the effects would be contrary, if the glass globe is solid, and the sulphur globe hollow; but I have no means at present of trying.
In your journeys, your glass globes meet with accidents, and sulphur ones are heavy and inconvenient. Query. Would not a thin plane of brimstone, cast on a board, serve on occasion as a cushion, while a globe of leather stuff’d (properly mounted) might receive the fire from the sulphur, and charge the conductor positively? Such a globe would be in no danger of breaking. I think I can conceive how it may be done; but have not time to add more than that I am, Yours, &c.
B. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 16 March 1752
From: Bowdoin, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Boston March 16. 1752
According to promise in my last, I now return you Dr. Colden’s Letter, for communicating which I am greatly obliged to you. The Dr. dissenting from you, is of opinion, that Sea Clouds are less electrified than Land Clouds, and gives the reasons of his opinion “That Salt, tho’ an Electric per se, is never raised in Sea-vapours, therefore Sea-Clouds are less electrified than Land Clouds; That all Sulphurs (which mountains especially abound with, from whence Thunder-Gusts are often observed to rise) being Electrics per se, sulphureous vapours are more electrified than Sea-vapours: The conclusions from these reasons might be just, if the Supposition they are form’d upon, was just viz. that vapours &c. are more or less electrified according to the quantity of Electrics per se they contain. But that seems contrary to experience: for Electricity (to instance) is accumulated upon the Conductor without any mixture of the Electrics per se (Glass or Sulphur) which excited it.
Another reason the Dr. offers is, that Electricity forwards vegetation, which makes it probable, he supposes that vapours from the Land and Vegetables are more electrified than Sea-vapours: but by the same way of reasoning, it is probable that Land vapours have a mixture of Salt (which the Dr. has denied and justly I believe even of Sea-vapours) for Salt in a suitable proportion, I have heard, promotes vegetation.
I pretend not to say what vapours are most electrified, but only that these Reasons do not appear to me to support the Dr.’s Opinion. The Doctor hints that he has something in speculation which will be the means of improving all parts of natural philosophy. If he has communicated his Scheme to you, or any new improvement I shall be obliged, provided it be consistent with the Laws of friendship, if you’d favour me with some account of it. I have heard that several Gentlemen have desired you to procure them a number of large glass Jars suitable for electrical experiments; I take the Liberty of adding to your trouble by asking the favour of you to procure half a dozen of them for me, two of them to be coated, and made fit for use, the other 4 I shall get finished here: for which I shall take care to re-imburse you. I am with much esteem Sir Yours &c.
Mr. Benja. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 16 March 1752
From: Colden, Cadwallader
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Coldengham March 16th 1752
Last fall I acknowleged from New York the favour you did me in sending me a copy of your Electrical experiments. The oftener I read them over the more I am pleased with them and every time discover some thing new which I had not taken notice of at the first reading. In my opinion no set of experiments which I have read lead so directly towards discovering the cause of Electricity as yours do. However I find it difficult to form any conception of this cause which in any degree satisfies my mind. I conceive it to be a most subtile elastic fluid like our air but incomparibly more subtile and more elastic. Vinegar and Vinous spirits are both parts or productions of Fermented liquors. High rectified Spirit is an electric per se. Vinegar is a none Electric or a Conductor, Now I can easily Imagine that Wine or fermented Liquor contains a considerable quantity of this Electrical fluid [and] that Vinegar has lost it all or a great part of it but that the whole or greatest part is seperated with the high spirit and remains with it. But I cannot conceive how or from what cause it proceeds that in proportion as one side of the glass is filled with this elastic fluid the other side is emptied of it and without understanding this no satisfactory account can be given of the Phoenomena of Electricity.
You say that Salt is an electric per se. Several pieces of West India Salt will draw the electrical fluid from the electrified viol [vial] and some others will not do it. Some will draw off the Electricity from the viol even when they are fixed in sealing wax. Salts never communicat the Shock but seem to retain the Electrical fluid in themselves and become saturated with it. For by some experiment made in my house a piece of Salt that at first drew of the Electricity would by repeated applications to the Electrical viol become an electric per se. But all Electrical experiments depend so much on particular circumstances that any not so much conversant in them as you are may be easily deceived.
We have observed that Woemens flannel under petticots are sometimes deeply charged with the Electrical fluid so as in the Winter time after they are throun off and a non-electric draw slowly over them make a snapping noise as the excited tube does on the approach of a non electric.
I inclined to have made experiments by filling the viol at several times with the strong acid spirits such as strong spirit or oyl of Vitriol, Sp. of Niter, Aqua fortis and Aq. Regia and at other times with the Alcaline sp. as sp. of Sal Armen [Ammoniac], Hartshorn &c. but I have not sufficient quantities for such purposes.
I would incline likewise to make experiments on several kinds of Salts as common salt, Niter, Borax, and Ammoniac, of Earths as Bole, Chalk, Clay, Sand, Lime, &c. I am strongly inclined to think that from such like experiments we may learn many usefull things in Medecine and Agriculture. For I suspect that all Fermentations Vegetation and Animal Motion is principally produced by this subtile elastic fluid which I imagine to be the cause of Electricity and is more or less to be found in all bodies strongly, retained by some, and seperating easily from others. When the Viol has been repeatedly charged we find Water raised along the Wine to the outside of the Cork and may not the similar nourishment in plants be raised in such like manner.
I am so strongly possessed with the Principles of Action in Matter which you have seen that I amuse my self at leisure hours in applying them to the explication of the most general phoenomena of nature and can not easily direct my thoughts to other speculatives. These favourite prepossessions probably may be of advantage to our gaining of knowlege more perhaps than if you and I were both solely attached to one kind of pursuit because one may receive hints from the other which do not naturally arise in the pursuit which only one singly follows. Some gentlemen distinguished by their knowlege in Physical matters in London, Oxford, Leipsic, and Paris have given so favourable an opinion of that litle treatise that I have been induced to revise what was before wrote and to make considerable additions which I expect Mr. Dodsley has by this time printed a Specimen of the sheet I have received this spring. The printer has don his part to recommend it by a good letter and paper. I have indeavour to explain my thoughts more clearly and fully than I did at first. A few copies of it will be printed as it is not adapted to amuse common readers. I cannot expect that my sentiments so contrary to the commonly received notions should suddenly prevail. A French Gent. writes il a bien donné la torture a nos Metaphysiciens but I am confident they will at last.
I have mentioned this book on account of a proposition advanced in it which perhaps may be of use or serve as a hint for explaining the electrical fire.
I propose to add to this a copy of an illustration of that proposition because the illustration will not be found in the printed book.
No doubt you have seen the Cure of Cancers by the Poke weed published in the Gentns. Magazine. I have lately had a confirmation of this by a Cancer last year cured in a Womans breast. I make no doubt it will generally make a perfect cure of a genuine Cancer from many Accounts. I have heard though not obtained in such an authentic manner as fit to be published and as no cure before this was known but by the cruel method of extirpation and that not allwise a certain cure publication in the Magazine may be of use to many miserable persons. Though this juice gives much pain in the application it is not a caustic but rather such kind of pain as Arum gives without destroying the substance of the flesh. I never heard of any ill consequence from the external use of it where the sick had patience to endure the pain tho it has been frequently used in external applications.
To Mr. Franklen
 Endorsed: To Benj. Franklin Relative to Electricity