Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 3 January 1760
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Kames, Henry Home, Lord

            My dear Lord,
            London, Jany. 3. 1760

          I ought long before this time to have acknowledg’d the Receipt of your Favour of Nov. 2. Your Lordship was pleas’d kindly to desire to have all my Publications. I had daily Expectations of procuring some of them from a Friend to whom I formerly sent them when I was in America, and postpon’d Writing till I should obtain them; but at length he tells me he cannot find them. Very mortifying, this, to an Author, that his Works should so soon be lost! So I can now only send you my Observations on the Peopling of Countries, which happens to have been reprinted here; The Description of the Pennsylvanian Fireplace, a Machine of my contriving; and some little Sketches that have been printed in the Grand Magazine; which I should hardly own, did not I flatter myself that your friendly Partiality would make them seem at least tolerable.
          How unfortunate I was, that I did not press you and Lady Kames more strongly, to favour us with your Company farther! How much more agreable would our Journey have been, if we could have enjoy’d you as far as York! Mr. Blake, who we hop’d would have handed us along from Friend to Friend, was not at home, and so we knew nobody and convers’d with nobody on all that long Road, till we came thither. The being a Means of contributing in the least Degree to the restoring that good Lady’s Health, would have contributed greatly to our Pleasures, and we could have beguil’d the Way by Discoursing 1000 Things that now we may never have an Opportunity of considering together; for Conversation warms the Mind, enlivens the Imagination, and is continually starting fresh Game that is immediately pursu’d and taken and which would never have occur’d in the duller Intercourse of Epistolary Correspondence. So that whenever I reflect on the great Pleasure and Advantage I receiv’d from the free Communication of Sentiments in the Conversation your Lordship honour’d me with at Kaims, and in the little agreable Rides to the Tweedside, I shall forever regret that unlucky premature Parting.
          No one can rejoice more sincerely than I do on the Reduction of Canada; and this, not merely as I am a Colonist, but as I am a  Briton. I have long been of Opinion, that the Foundations of the future Grandeur and Stability of the British Empire, lie in America; and tho’, like other Foundations, they are low and little seen, they are nevertheless, broad and Strong enough to support the greatest Political Structure Human Wisdom ever yet erected. I am therefore by no means for restoring Canada. If we keep it, all the Country from St. Laurence to Missisipi, will in another Century be fill’d with British People; Britain itself will become vastly more populous by the immense Increase of its Commerce; the Atlantic Sea will be cover’d with your Trading Ships; and your naval Power thence continually increasing, will extend your Influence round the whole Globe, and awe the World! If the French remain in Canada, they will continually harass our Colonies by the Indians, impede if not prevent their Growth; your Progress to Greatness will at best be slow, and give room for many Accidents that may for ever prevent it. But I refrain, for I see you begin to think my Notions extravagant, and look upon them as the Ravings of a mad Prophet.
          Your Lordship’s kind Offer of Penn’s Picture is extreamly obliging. But were it certainly his Picture, it would be too valuable a Curiosity for me to think of accepting it. I should only desire the Favour of Leave to take a Copy of it. I could wish to know the History of the Picture before it came into your Hands, and the Grounds for supposing it his. I have at present some Doubts about it; first, because the primitive Quakers us’d to declare against Pictures as a vain Expence; a Man’s suffering his Portrait to be taken was condemn’d as Pride; and I think to this day it is very little practis’d among them. Then it is on a Board, and I imagine the Practice of painting Portraits on Boards did not come down so low as Penn’s Time; but of this I am not certain. My other Reason is an Anecdote I have heard, viz. That when old Lord Cobham was adorning his Gardens at Stowe with the Busts of famous Men, he made Enquiry of the Family for a Picture of Wm. Penn, in order to get a Bust form’d from it, but could find none. That Sylvanus Bevan, an old Quaker Apothecary, remarkable for the Notice he takes of Countenances, and a Knack he has of cutting in Ivory strong Likenesses of Persons he has once seen, hearing of Lord Cobham’s Desire, set himself to recollect Penn’s Face, with which he had been well acquainted; and cut a little Bust of him in Ivory which he sent to Lord Cobham, without any Letter of Notice that it was Penn’s. But my Lord who had personally known Penn, on seeing it, immediately cry’d out, Whence came this? It is William Penn himself! And from this little Bust, they say, the large one in the Gardens was formed. I doubt, too, whether the Whisker was not quite out of Use at the time when Penn must have been of the Age appearing in the Face of that Picture. And yet notwithstanding these Reasons, I am not without some Hope that it may be his; because I know some eminent Quakers have had their Pictures privately drawn, and deposited with trusty Friends; and I know also that there is extant at Philadelphia a very good Picture of Mrs. Penn, his last Wife. After all, I own I have a strong Desire to be satisfy’d concerning this Picture; and as Bevan is yet living here, and some other old Quakers that remember William Penn, who died but in 1718, I could wish to have it sent me carefully pack’d in a Box by the Waggon (for I would not trust it by Sea) that I may obtain their Opinion, The Charges I shall very chearfully pay; and if it proves to be Penn’s Picture, I shall be greatly oblig’d to your Lordship for Leave to take a Copy of it, and will carefully return the Original.
          My Son joins with me in the most respectful Compliments to you, to Lady Kaims, and your promising and amiable Son and Daughter. He had the Pleasure of conversing more particularly with the latter than I did, and told me, when we were by our selves, that he was greatly surprized to find so much sensible Observation and solid Understanding in so young a Person; and suppos’d you must have us’d with your Children some uncommonly good Method of Education, to produce such Fruits so early. Our Conversation till we came to York was chiefly a Recollection and Recapitulation of what we had seen and heard, the Pleasure we had enjoy’d and the Kindnesses we had receiv’d in Scotland, and how far that Country had exceeded our Expectations. On the whole, I must say, I think the Time we spent there, was Six Weeks of the densest Happiness I have met with in any Part of my Life. And the agreable and instructive Society we found there in such Plenty, has left so pleasing an Impression on my Memory, that did not strong Connections draw me elsewhere, I believe Scotland would be the Country I should chuse to spend the Remainder of my Days in.
          I have the Honour to be, with the sincerest Esteem and Affection, My Lord, Your Lordship’s most obedient and most humble Servant

            B Franklin

            PS. My Son puts me in mind that a Book published here last Winter, contains a number of Pieces wrote by me as a Member of the Assembly, in our late Controversies with the Proprietary Governors; so I shall leave one of them at Millar’s to be sent to you, it being too bulky to be sent per Post.
            Ld. Kaims.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 4 January 1760
From: Norris, Isaac
To: Franklin, Benjamin

              Dear Friend B Franklin
              Fairhill, Janry 4th. 1760

            The Bearer Charles Monk calling here in his way to N York from whence he is going to England. I send by him this short Letter for which I detain him on his Journey to inform you we have nothing very new or important in America since the reduction of Quebeck. Our Forces are quiet and General Stanwix continues at Pitsburg (as I hear laid up with a Fit of the Gout). Major Gates left the Troops there very lately well and in good health. At our last sitting in December our House reduced our Forces to 150 Men intended to Garrison Fort Augusta Littleton and Fort Allen with a Design to protect our Indian Trade.
            General Stanwix had kept the Province Forces, as the former Generals had done, at Pitsburg designing to have them there this Winter and bring the Regulars into Winter Quarters if we had continued them, and if he had done so it would have been the Fourth Winter these poor Creatures had remained there from their Homes almost perishing for want of Necessaries whilst the Regulars were sent down (as they were last Year) to commit shocking Insults on the Inhabitants in their Quarters. The Highlanders who bear a most wretched Charracter here were particularly mischievious at Lancaster, last Winter, forced themselves into private Houses killed several in a most shameful Manner and committed every Disorder which could be expected or feard from such worthless miserable Creatures (set on as ’tis said by their Officers). These and other Reasons as well as the Peaceable Prospect on our Frontiers and our Inability to support the Charge we have been at for several Years past, determined the House to ease the Province of the heavy Expence we were incurring every Year by the failure of our Taxes to discharge the Grants to the Crown.

            We have not heard from you by the last Packet or Captain Nicholson who arrived just before the Winter set in, so that it is a long Time since our last advices from you either to myself or the Committee. I am Your Assured Friend

              I N

            (Ensclosed in this Letter I sent)
            3d Bill Exchange for £200. Joshua Howell on Messrs. Wm and Richard Baker. No. 2001
            NB as I had not Four Bills I must get another drawn by Joshua Howell if those three already Sent should Miscarry–in order to which I took a Certified Copy of the above Third Bill examind by [Israel?] Morris before I sent it enclosed in the above Letter.
            NB I have an Account from BF of the rect of the above Bill No. 2001 for £200 Ster
            BF recd this ackd. Feb


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Waring, 4 January 1760
From: Waring, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir
            Russel Street Jan. 4: 1760

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

            Jn. Waring

          Addressed: To / Benj Franklin Esq,/in Craven Street/near/Charing Cross.
          Endorsed: Mr Waring Jan 4. 60. recd Jan 5.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Hughes, 7 January 1760
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hughes, John

            Dear Sir,
            London, Jan. 7. 1760

          On my Return from our Northern Journey, I found several of your obliging Favours; and have now before me those of June 20. July 4. 25, Aug. 9. 22, 23, Sept. 25. and two of Oct. 3. for which please to accept my hearty Thanks.
          I congratulate you on the glorious Successes of the [year p]ast. There has been for some time a Talk of [Peace], and probably we should have had one this Winter if the King of Prussia’s late Misfortunes had not given the Enemy fresh Spirits, and encourag’d them to try their Luck another Campaign and exert all their remaining Strength that if possible they may treat with Hanover in their Hands. If this should be the Case, possibly most of our Advantages may be given up again at the Treaty and some among our great Men begin already to prepare the Minds of People for this, by discoursing, that to keep Canada would draw on us the Envy of other Powers, and occasion a Confederacy against us; that the Country is too large for us to people, not worth possessing, and the like. These Notions I am every day and every where combating and I think not without some Success. The Event God only knows. The Argument that seems to have a principal Weight is, that in Case of another War, if we keep Possession of Canada the Nation will save two or three Million a Year now spent in Defending the American Colonies and be so much the stronger in Europe by the Addition of the Troops now employ’d on that Side of the Water: To this I add that the Colonies would thrive and increase in a much greater Degree, and a vast additional Demand arise for British Manufactures, to supply so great an Extent of Indian Country, &c. with many other Topics, which I urge occasionally, according to the Company I happen into or the Person I address. And on the whole, I flatter myself that my being here at this time may be of some Service to the general Interest of America.
          The Acts of the last Yea[r are] all come to hand, but not all in a Condition prop[er to] be laid before the King for his Approbation. [As] the Governor’s propos’d Amendments are tack’d to ’em, and no Distinction which were agreed to, or whether any or none; so that in some of the most material Acts there is no Ascertaining what is intended to be Law and what not. This Mistake was fallen into, I suppose, from the late Practice of sending home the Bills refus’d by the Governor, with his propos’d Amendments, certify’d by the Clerk of the House and under the Great Seal, that the true State of such refus’d Bills might be known here. But when Bills are pass’d into Laws, the Copies to be sent here should be taken from the Rolls Office after the Laws are deposited there, and certify’d by the Master of the Rolls to be true Copies; and then the Governor under the Great Seal certifys that the Master of the Rolls is such Officer, and that Credit ought to be given to his Certificate; or otherwise, that those Copies are true Copies and agreable to the Laws pass’d by him as Governor. But the Certificates with these Laws only expresses, that such Bills were sent up to him for his Assent on such a Day, that he propos’d the Annex’d Amendments on such a Day and on such a Day he pass’d the Bills, without saying a Word whether the Amendments were agreed to or not. Indeed by that Part of the Minutes of March and April which came [remainder missing].

            Mr. Hughes


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 14 January 1760
From: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Sir
            Wanstead, Janr 14. 1760

          Permit me to address you with the Compliment of the Season; not merely as a Compliment, but with a fervent sincerity. May this Year give you a happy sight of your Native Country, and of those dear Relations you left in it; and if there is anything else wanting to compleat your Felicity, May that be added! May you enjoy a long succession of Years, fraught with all the Blessings you desire!
          I thank you, dear Sir, for the present you intend me. Your kind Remembrance of me upon every occasion demands my utmost Gratitude. I am extremely happy in finding I am still so much the object of your Regard; and I hope I shall continue to be so, for I shall never cease to be with the highest Esteem your grateful and affectionate Humble Servant

            M Stevenson

          Addressed: To  Benj Franklin Esqr
          Endorsed: Miss Stevenson


Title: Minute of the Associates of the Late Dr. Bray, 17 January 1760
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

          At a meeting of the Associates of the late Dr. Bray called for Jan. 17, 1760, to enable the Society to avail itself of Franklin’s advice (see above, pp. 12–13), he recommended New York, Williamsburg, and Newport as the best places to establish the three Negro schools which the Society intended to found in America in addition to the one already started in Philadelphia, and he suggested the men mentioned in this document to superintend them. While none of Franklin’s letters to the persons named have been found, a reply from William Hunter to the Associates, dated June 1760, expresses his pleasure at receiving a commission “to open a Negroe School.” For the success of the schools in the three localities mentioned, see Edgar L. Pennington, “Thomas Bray’s Associates and their Work among the Negroes,” American Antiquaries Society, Proceedings, new series, XLVIII (1938), 311–403.

            January 17. 1760
            Agreed,

          That Mr. Franklin be desired to write to the aforesaid Gentlemen (viz. Dr. Johnson, Mr. Barclay, and Mr. Auchmutey, at New-York, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Dawson, and the Minister of the Church at Williamsburgh, and Mr. Pollen at Newport) to request the Favour of their kind Assistance in establishing these Schools; that they would occasionally, and as often as they may judge convenient, visit and inspect them, and from time to time transmit to the Associates an Account of their Proceedings and the Progress the Children make, and the Reception the Design meets with from the Inhabitants in general.
          The above is an Extract of the Minutes of the Associates of Dr. Bray, relating to the Erecting Schools for Negro Children, at New-York, Williamsburg and Newport Rhodeisland—mention’d in a former Letter.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 14 February 1760
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson

            Feb. 14. 60.

          I see I must overcome the Indolence so natural to old Men, and write now and then to my dear good Girl, or I shall seldom have the Pleasure of a Line from her; and indeed it is scarce reasonable in me to expect it.

          I receiv’d your kind Congratulations on occasion of the new Year; and though you had not mine in writing, be assured that I did and do daily wish you every kind of Happiness, and of the longest Continuance.
          Your good Mama will have the Pleasure of seeing and conversing with you to day. I should be extreamly glad to partake of that Pleasure, by accompanying her to Wanstead; but Business will not permit.
          Present my respectful Compliments to the good Ladies your Aunts, and believe me to be, with the sincerest Esteem and Regard Dear Polly, Your affectionate Friend

            B Franklin
            Miss Stevenson,

          Endorsed: Feb 14–60


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 21 February 1760
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Deborah

            My dear Child,
            London Feb. 21. 1760

          Since I wrote you last, I have receiv’d yours of Nov. 7. and 29, Dec. 17. and Jan. 4. the last yesterday by Capt. Monck. I rejoice to hear you and Sally and Mother are well. I have lately been much indispos’d with an Epidemical Cold, that has lain greatly in my Head; but being just now cupp’d by Dr. Fothergill’s Advice, and parting with 8 Ounces of Blood from the Back of my Head, I find myself better, but cannot write much. I shall only acknowledge the Receipt of the Apples; those in the Boxes turn’d out much better than those in the Barrels; and amongst the Boxes, Billy’s rather the best. I send you per Capt. Bolitho, two Saucepans, which instead of being tin’d within, are plated with Silver, that will not melt off like the Tin. The biggest cost me 2 Guineas, the smallest 17s. I flatter my self they will please you. O that I were with you, or you with Your affectionate Husband

            B Franklin

            P.S. Feb. 26. I continue mending, but not quite hearty yet. I was blooded on Sunday, 16 Ounces, which was of great Service; but that and Physic has left me a little weak. I bought 3 Saucepans, but keep the smallest to use here. I write to Sally per the Beulah, and send her some Goods. Mrs. Garrigue’s Things will go in Capt. Gibbon, I mention’d them in a former Letter. Mr. Bland buys and ships them.

          Addressed: To / Mrs Franklin / Philadelphia


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 February 1760
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Deborah

            My dear Child,
            London, Feb. 27. 1760.

          Mr. Lemar doing me the Favour to call on me, and acquaint me with his going to Philadelphia, I write this Line to acquaint you that I am now quite well of my late Indisposition, which I mention’d in former Letters. By Capt. Bolitho I send you two Saucepans, plated inside with Silver instead of tinning. I bought them at Sheffield, because I thought they would please you; and if you are not much taken with them, I shall be greatly disappointed. I got three, but keep the smallest here to make my Watergruel, and send you the largest and middlemost. The Wine being now fine, proves excellent: The Apples are a great Comfort to me. My Love to all. Please to take Care of and forward the enclos’d. I have sent Sally a Cask of Sheffield Goods instead of the Stationary she wrote for to Mr. Hall; which I imagine may answer better. I am, my dearest Debby Your ever-loving Husband

            B Franklin

          Addressed: To / Mrs Franklin / Philadelphia / per favour of / Mr Lemar.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 27 February 1760
From: Norris, Isaac
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Friend B Franklin
            Philada Febry 27. 1760

          I am just come from the House to my Brother’s where I met a Gentleman setting out for NY who complements me with staying for this Letter which will probably reach the Albany Sloop of War to be dispatched by General Amherst, as he writes our Governor in ten Days from the 21st Instant. This Vessel brot Secretary Pitts Letter with the Plan of Operations for the ensuing Campaigne in N America on the same Terms as last Year.
          The Governor did not lay this Letter and General Amhersts Two Letters accompanying it before us ’till two or three Hours ago, thô he received them last Week so that I cannot send you the Resolves of the House for want of Time but, by what has been said by several Members I think, there is no Doubt we shall raise the same Number of Men that we supplied last year in hopes the present Ministry will not sacrifice their American Possessions to a foreign Interest in a future Peace.
          This farther Grant will load us with a great Debt and it would have been some Direction to our future Supplies to have received an Account of the proportion of the Parliamentary Grant allotted to our Province, but this Crisis in America demands our utmost Strength and we contribute it freely for our own Security and in Aid of the vast Expences of our Mother Country in this just and necessary War.
          I recd your Two Letters of the 10th November and 8th. of December last and Now inclose a First Bill of Exchange. John Hunter on Messrs Thomlinson Hanbury Colebrooke & Nisbett No 3,638 for £100 Sterl which I request you to receive for my Account. I am &c.

              Endorsed:
              Via N Y. by the Albany Sloop of War

              B F received this Letter ackd. June 14th 1760.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 March 1760
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Deborah

            My dear Child,
            London, March 5. 1760

          I receiv’d the Enclos’d some time since from Mr. Strahan. I afterwards spent an Evening in Conversation with him on the Subject. He was very urgent with me to stay in England and prevail with you to remove hither with Sally. He propos’d several advantageous Schemes to me which appear’d reasonably founded. His Family is a very agreable one; Mrs. Strahan a sensible [and] good Woman, the Children of amiable [char]acters and particularly the young Man, [who is] sober, ingenious and industrious, and a [desirable] Person. In Point of Circumstances [there can] be no Objection, Mr. Strahan being [in so thriving] a Way, as to lay up a Thousand [Pounds] every Year from the Profits of his Business, after maintaining his Family and paying all Charges. I gave him, however, two Reasons why I could not think of removing hither. One, my Affection to Pensilvania, and long established Friendships and other Connections there: The other, your invincible Aversion to crossing the Seas. And without removing hither, I could not think of parting with my Daughter to such a Distance. I thank’d him for the Regard shown us in the Proposal; but gave him no Expectation that I should forward the Letters. So you are at Liberty to answer or not, as you think proper. Let me however, know your Sentiments. You need not deliver the Letter to Sally, if you do not think it proper.
          My best Respects to Mr. Hughes, Mr. Bartram, and all enquiring Friends. I am, Your ever loving Husband

            B [Franklin]

            PS. I have wrote several Letters to you lately. But can now hardly tell by what Ships.

          Addressed: To / Mrs Franklin / Philadelphia / per favour of / Mr Drinker


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 5 March 1760
From: Hall, David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir,
            Philada. March 5. 1760

          By the Captains Friend and Lowther to London and Captain Rankin to Bristol, I sent you the first, second and third Copies of a Bill of Exchange for £200 Sterling; some of which, if not all, must have got to your Hands long before this reaches you. I am not sure whether I wrote you the Exchange of that Bill; but in case I did not, it was Fifty-two.

          Inclosed I now send you the first Copy of another Bill of Exchange for £200 Sterling more; which, with what I have before remitted you, since you left Philadelphia, makes in all Nineteen Hundred Forty-nine Pounds, Twelve Shillings, and Five Pence Sterling. For the Receipt of this last, you will please advise me, as usual, and give me Credit for it, when paid. The Exchange of this last Fifty-four.
          I have wrote you so often lately, and hear so seldom from you, that I have nothing new or material to say; but must own that I was a good Deal surprised, on not receiving a single Line from you by the November or December Mails into New-York, nor by the Friendship, Captain McClelland, who arrived here from London Monday last, was a Week. Your Reason for so long Silence, I am at a Loss to conceive. Wish the Fount of Brevier for the News Advertisements, (if we are to have one) was come; the old Letter is shockingly bad, and I don’t care to use the Bourjois, for the Reason I have several times given you, that it drives out so much. Wish you would send a Receipt for all the Bills sent you on a separate Piece of Paper, in your next Letter, and am Yours most sincerely

            D. Hall
            To Mr. Franklin.By the Wolfe, Capt. McKinly, to Dublin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 6 March 1760
From: Hall, David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir,
            Philada. March 6. 1760.

          This serves to confirm the above, and to inclose the second Copy of the above mentioned Bill from Yours, &c.

            D. Hall
            To Mr. FranklinBy the Rachel, Capt. Grant, to Liverpool.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 18 March 1760
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Deborah

            My dear Child,
            London, Pennsilva. Coffee House March 18. 1760

          Being just told by Mr. Wickoff, that he goes tomorrow for Philadelphia, I write this Line here to let you know I am pretty well recover’d of a slight Illness I lately had, the same that affected me when I came down first from Gnadenhut, if you remember it, a Pain and Giddiness in my Head, I have been cupp’d, blooded, physick’d and at last blister’d for it; and it seems now quite remov’d; but by those Operations and very spare Living, I am grown a little thin, which I do not dislike. I hope this will find you well, and Mother and Sally. I purpose a little Journey of a few Days during the Easter Holidays. My Love to all enquiring Friends. I am, as ever, dear Debby Your affectionate Husband

            B Franklin

          Addressed: To / Mrs Franklin / Philadelphia / per favour of / Mr Wikoff


Title: Deed of Trust for the Loganian Library, 25 March 1760
From:
To:

          On Aug. 28, 1754, William Logan and James Logan, sons of James Logan, deceased (above, I, 191 n), his son-in-law John Smith, and Hannah Smith, his surviving daughter, together with Israel Pemberton, William Allen, Richard Peters, and Benjamin Franklin, executed a deed of trust establishing the Loganian Library, thereby carrying out the intentions of the elder James Logan, left unfulfilled at the time of his death. An extended abstract of this document was printed above, V, 423–6. The original manuscript is now in the possession of the Library Company of Philadelphia (which by act of the Pennsylvania Assembly, approved March 31, 1792, acquired possession of the Loganian Library), but the deed of 1754 was never “acknowledged and Recorded in the Office for Recording of Deeds in the Province of Pennsylvania,” as it stipulated should be done.
          For a reason now not entirely clear a new deed of trust was prepared, dated March 25, 1760. There are some differences in the arrangement of the subject matter and many minor variations in phraseology, but no significant changes from the terms and conditions of the deed of 1754. Hence a new abstract here is unnecessary.
          According to the recorded copy, the new deed was “contained in five Sheets of Parchment” and was signed and sealed by all the parties. Witnesses for all but Franklin were Edward Jones and Robert Greenway. Those for Franklin, who must have acted at a much later time, were Edward Shippen and William Bache. Probably his signing and sealing was delayed until Sept. 9, 1789, on which date he formally acknowledged his act before Shippen, then president of the Court of Common Pleas. On Sept. 19, 1792, James Logan, one of the other parties, appeared before Shippen, now one of the justices of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and made affirmation that he had been present and saw William Logan, John and Hannah Smith, Israel Pemberton, William Allen, and Richard Peters sign and seal the document, and he acknowledged his own act. With these formalities completed, the deed was at last recorded in Deed Book D 34 of the Department of Records, Philadelphia, on March 20, 1792. This belated action came just eleven days before the passage of the bill transferring the Loganian Library to the Library Company of Philadelphia.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [28 March 1760?]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Deborah

            My dear Child,
            London [March 28? 1760]

          Yesterday I receiv’d your [Letter] of Feb. 10. in which you mention that it was some Months since you heard from me. During my Journey I wrote several times to you, particularly from Liverpole and Glasgow; and since my Return some very long Letters that might have been with you before your last to me, but I suppose the severe Winter on your Coast, among other Delays, has kept the Vessels out. One Pacquet, Bonnel, was blown quite back to England.
          I am sorry for the Death of your black Boy, as you seem to have had a regard for him. You must have suffer’d a good deal in the Fatigue of Nursing him in such a Distemper. That Flower has wrote me a very idle Letter, desiring me not to furnish the Woman pretending to be his Wife with anything on his Account: and says the Letters she shows are a Forgery. But I have one she left with me, in which he acknowledges her to be his Wife, and the Children his, and I am sure it is his Hand-Writing, by comparing it with this he has now wrote me and a former one. So he must be a very bad Man, and I am glad I never knew him. She was sick and perishing with her Children in the Beginning of the Winter, and has had of me in all about 4 Guineas. What is become of her now I know not. She seem’d a very helpless silly Body, and I found her in some Falshoods that disgusted me, but I pity’d the poor Children, the more as they were descended, tho’ remotely, from our good old Friends whom you remember.

          I have now the Pleasure to acquaint you, that our Business draws near a Conclusion, and that in less than a Month we shall have a Hearing, after which I shall be able to fix a Time for my Return. My Love to all, from, Dear Debby Your affectionate Husband

            B Franklin
            Billy presents his Duty.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 28 March 1760
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hall, David

            Dear Mr. Hall,
            London, March 28. 1760

          I receiv’d yours of Dec. 15. with the Bill for £200 drawn by W Plumsted on Nesbit & Cheesbrook. Also yours of Feb. 8.
          The Brevier went in Capt. Gibbon, and I hope will get safe to hand. I order’d the Fount all Roman, as it will hold out better in the same Quantity of Work, having but half the Chance of Wanting Sorts, that the same Weight of Rom. and Ital. would have; and the old Italic is not so much worn as the Roman, and so may serve a little longer.
          I am oblig’d to Mr. Colden for his useful Correspondence with you, which you mention to me.
          I am amaz’d at the great Price of Wood among you, and the high Rents I hear are given for Houses. The first I suppose must be owing to the Want of Hands to cut it; the last to the Encrease of Trade and Business, and Number of Inhabitants.
          I think you have done very well with the Almanacks. I see there are others advertis’d: but doubt not Poor Richard will hold his Ground.
          I begin to see a Prospect of returning home this Summer, as I think our Affairs here will now soon be brought to a Conclusion. It will be a great Pleasure to me to see you and my other Friends, and to find all well.
          There are abundant Rumours just now of a Peace; but it is thought it can hardly take Place till next Winter.
          My Love to Cousin Molly and your Children. I am, Yours affectionately

            B Franklin

          Addressed: To / Mr David Hall / Printer / Philadelphia
          Endorsed: B. Franklin March 28. 1760.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 31 March 1760
From: Hall, David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir,
            Philada. March 31. 1760

          In my two last to you, of the 5th and 6th Instant, by the Captains Grant and McKinly, to Liverpool and Dublin, were inclosed the first and second Copies of a Bill of Exchange for £200 Sterling; and, in case of Miscarriages, I now send you the third Copy of the same Bill, and am, Sir, Yours, &c.

            D. Hall
            To Mr. Franklin.By the Roebuck, Capt. Jones, to Holyhead.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to [Alexander] Colden, 8 April 1760
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Colden, Alexander

            Mr. Colden
            Dear Sir,
            London, April 8. 1760

          I have ordered into your Care from Liverpool 9 Casks and a Bale, which I request you would receive and forward to my Brother Peter Franklin, in Newport, Rhodeisland. Enclos’d is the Bill of Lading. Please to pay the Freight (Eight Guineas) and charge me with it. I hope this Summer to have the Pleasure of seeing you, and of finding both the Families well for whom I have the sincerest Regard. I am, Dear Sir, Yours affectionately

            BF