Title: From Benjamin Franklin to [Springett Penn?], 30 June 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Penn, Springett

            Sir
            Friday June 30. 61

          I have not yet obtained the Opinion of my Lawyer on the Title &c. and am to be out of town tomorrow and next Day, but on Friday purpose to be in the City and to call on you. I am Sir, Your humble Servant

            B Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 7 July 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson

            Cravenstreet July 7. 1761

          This is just to acquaint my dear Polly, that her good Mama, Mr. and Mrs. Strahan, and her Friend Franklin, purpose to be at Bromley on Tuesday Morning next, to have the Pleasure of seeing Dr. and Mrs. Hawkesworth and the agreable Miss Blunt’s, dining there and returning in the Evening. They carry down with them Miss Peggy Strahan, and leave her there instead of Miss Stevenson who is to come to Town with them. This is the Scheme; but all this in case it will be agreable to our Friends at Bromley, of which you are to let us know. Mr. Strahan is here with us, and we all join in drinking your Health with that of our Bromley Friends. ’Tis 11 a Clock at Night, and the Post rings his Bell, which obliges me to conclude, dear good Girl, Your affectionate Friend

            B Franklin

            Mama says God bless you. Peter could find me no better Paper.

          Endorsed: July 7—61


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 8 July 1761
From: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Bromley July 8. 1761.

          Soon after my Eyes were open this Morning they were blest with a Letter from my dear and honour’d Friend.
          Mrs. Hawkesworth (for I have not seen the Doctor, but they seem to have both one Soul) bids me tell you they approve all your Scheme except that part of it which relates to me; and they shall expect to see all their Friends, who design them that Pleasure, next Tuesday. It is uncertain where I shall be then, but if I am not gone from hence I need not tell you I shall receive additional Happiness, tho what I enjoy is so great that I can scarce wish for more. Except those Hours I have spent with you, I never had my Time so fill’d up as it is now. Chearfulness, Benevolence and Goodsense reigne here. When my Dolly and I are by ourselves our Conversation generally turns upon two Gentlemen, whose Praises we repeat with Delight, and whose Virtues we resolve to imitate. I won’t tell you who they are.
          Give my Duty to my dear Mother; and believe me to be with all imaginable Gratitude and Esteem Dear Sir Your most affectionate Servant and (as you permit to say so) Your faithful Friend

            M Stevenson.

          Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven street / in the / Strand


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 20 July 1761
From: Hall, David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir,
            Philada. July 20. 1761.

          Your Favour I received relating to Scott and McMichael’s protested Bill, for which am obliged to you, and much approve of your Conduct in that Affair.
          Bills, at present, are so very high, that I do not know what to do about remitting you; they ask now Seventy-seven and a Half; however, if I don’t hear quickly of your embarking for this Place, shall soon remit you more.
          I think you should immediately order Caslon to cast the same Quantity of Brevier you sent over lately, and to do it with all Expedition. My Reason for it is, That our Advertisements, for a considerable Time past, have been very bulky, and often continued for a great While, which obliges us, many times, to distribute the standing Ones, in order to set up the new, which is a Loss; or else set many of them on Bourjois, which is also a very great Disadvantage. I am, Sir, Yours, &c.

            David Hall
            To Mr. Franklin. Sent by the Philada. Packet, Capt. Budden.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 21 July 1761
From: Norris, Isaac
To: Franklin, Benjamin

              Dear Friend B F
              Fairhill July 21st. 1761.

            I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of the 27th of febry, and 14th of April, with my Account Current, the Articles of which Agree with my Remittences, and I return my Acknowledgments for Your Care in transacting them, the Sence of the House Could not be Depended Upon in Relation to the Province Mony in your hands, Till their last Adjournment on the 23d of April, without giving any orders to the Trustees for drawing Bills, and tho’ by Law perhaps the Trustee’s have the power, I know they will Not Venture to Draw for that Mony Without an order of the Assembly, so That As they Stand Adjourned to the begining of Sept. it will Continue in its present Situation, At least Till that Time, Under These Circumstances it Would have been of Advantage to the Province had You Venturd to Deposite the remainder of That Mony on the Same Terms with the £15,000 but the Reasons Advanced for Not doing it have Great weight; and we must be satisfyd with what has been done. On the 1st of May last I wrote my Sentiments Upon it, and gave hints of the Motion of one of our Members on That occasion, but as he was not Seconded, it drop’d, he was very earnest for having the Mony drawn for Imeditatly, but as Nothing further was done in it, That Mony will in all liklihood be Continued in the Stocks till their rise may Encourage the House to give orders for drawing for it, Whether that may happen at their Next Seting, or be left to the Suceeding Assembly, is Uncertain, What Can I say to your Seperate Paper, I am sorry for it, and have somtime since wrote to my old Acquaintance on that head, I have not yet mentiond Any Thing of his former Letter, to me, but shall Take Care to do what is Necessary on my part on the first Sutible Opportunity. I have not yet heard where Mr. Chambers, recommen[d]ed under the 14th of April is, but learn upon enquiry That he has Not yet reached this Place, Whenever he does, I shall be pleas’d to do him all the Good Offices in my Power. I am obligd to Close My Brother Just Now Sending me up the Two Bills, of Exchange and Informing me That Capt. Budden has left Town and I must Depend Upon Some Persons following him, I am, Your affectionate Friend

              I N

            I have inclosed two Bills of Exchange for £100 sterling each No. 37 John Hunter on Messrs. Thomlinson Colebrooke

                Nesbitt & Hanbury
                £100.
                0.
                0.

                38 Ditto On Ditto
                100.
                0.
                –

                £200
                0.
                0

            Which please to receive for my Account, Bills are become so scarce and the Exchange so high that it is difficult now to procure them. I detain my Brother’s Man in hopes to reach Captain Budden

              I N

              NB This Letter was designed to go by Captain Budden but it got to Town too late for him and CN informs me that he put it on board Captain Marshall in a Schooner Via Corke which saild the 30th July.
              BF rec this Letter ackd 8br. 9th. 1761
              First Bills of Excha £200. 0.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 30 July 1761
From: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Sir
            Wanstead July 30th. 1761.

          I cannot return your Book without making some little Acknow[le]dgment of my Obligation. You did me great Honour by entrusting me with it, and I receiv’d a high Pleasure in the Perusal. Give me leave to say the Pleasure I receiv’d proceeded not wholly from the Merit of the Writings, but from my Esteem and Affection for the Author; yet I will so far compliment my Understanding to think I should have been instructed and convinc’d by the same Words deliver’d by another, tho’ I should not have been equally delighted. I told Dr. Hawkesworth, the other day, he was a dangerous Man: I thought you so, long ago. For you have such a Power of Perswasion you can make me think what you please. How happy is it a good Heart is join’d to that Power!
          I cannot longer indulge myself in this pleasing Employment, for I have appointed to spend the day, with Mr. and Mrs. Lehook, at the Devil’s House, a Place by the Water side, where we hope to see the West-India Fleet pass, and we are to go soon. I therefore took some of your morning (not Dr. Hawkesworth’s) for a last look at the Book, and to assure you I am Dear Sir Your gratefully affectionate Servant

            M Stevenson.
            My Duty to my Mother.

          Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin.


Title: Record of Stock Purchases, July 1761–August 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Norris, Isaac

            I. N.

              1761 July 5th. paid for £10,000 Scrip of 1761

              the preceeding Payments being made
              £4,800:
              —:
              —

              28
              paid for this Monthly Payment
              1,000:
              —:
              —

              Augst. 14
              paid the Remaining Payments
              3,000:
              —:
              —

              £8,800:
              —:
              —

              £10,000 Stock at 88 P Ct. per London Chron. No. 707 from July to July 7: 1761

              Commission £4,800. for Brokers
              12:
              10:
              —

              £8,812:
              10:
              —

              do.
              Cash recd for advanced Payments made this day on the Scrip
              16:
              7:
              10

              Nt Cost of £10,000 Stock
              £8,796:
              2:
              2

          Endorsed: July. 1761 Ten thousand Pound Scrip at 88 per Cent. the Net Cost £8,796. 2. 2 No. 4


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 7 August 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Deborah

            My dear Child
            London, Aug. 7. 1761

          I wrote to you June 13. July 11. July 22. and July 24. I have now little to add, except to acquaint you that we continue pretty well, tho’ I begin to feel the want of my usual yearly Journeys. We shall therefore, having little to do at present, set out in a few Days for Harwich and possibly may take a Trip over to Holland, but purpose to be again in London, God willing, before the Coronation. My Love to my dear Sally, whom with you I long to see, and to all Friends. I am, my dearest Debby Your ever loving husband

            B Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 10 August 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson

            Dear Polley,
            Cravenstreet, Aug. 10. 61

          I received yesterday my Papers. I had sent for them before to Mr. Stanley’s, but Peter found no one at home. It has however been of no Damage to me, except being so long without the Pleasure of reading your agreable little Letter that accompanied them.
          We are to set out this Week for Holland, where we may possibly spend a Month, but purpose to be at home again before the Coronation. I could not go without taking Leave of you by a Line at least, when I am so many Letters in your Debt.
          In yours of May 19. which I have before me, you speak of the Ease with which Salt Water may be made fresh by Distillation, supposing it to be, as I had said, that in Evaporation the Air would take up Water but not the Salt that was mix’d with it. It is true that distill’d Sea Water will not be salt, but there are other disagreable Qualities that rise with the Water in Distillation; which indeed Several besides Dr. Hales have endeavoured by sundry Means to prevent; but as yet their Methods have not been brought much into Use. I have his Pieces on the Subject, which I will leave with your Mother for your Perusal, as you may possibly make her happy a Day or two with your Company before our Return.
          I have a singular Opinion on this Subject, which I will venture to communicate to you, tho’ I doubt you will rank it among my Whims. It is certain that the Skin has imbibing as well as discharging Pores; witness the Effects of a Blister Plaister, etc. I have read that a Man hired by a Physician to stand by way of Experiment in the open Air naked during a moist Night, weighed near 3 Pounds heavier in the Morning. I have often observ’d myself, that however thirsty I may have been before going into the Water to swim, I am never long so in the Water. These imbibing Pores, however, are very fine, perhaps fine enough in filtring to separate Salt from Water; for tho’ I have been soak’d by swimming, when a Boy, several Hours in the Day for several Days successively in Saltwater, I never found my Blood and Juices salted by that means, so as to make me thirsty or feel a salt Taste in my Mouth: And it is remarkable that the Flesh of Sea Fish, tho’ bred in Salt Water, is not salt. Hence I imagine, that if People at Sea, distress’d by Thirst when their fresh Water is unfortunately spent, would make Bathing-Tubs of their empty Water Casks, and filling them with Sea Water, sit in them an Hour or two each Day, they might be greatly reliev’d. Perhaps keeping their Clothes constantly wet might have an almost equal Effect; and this without Danger of catching Cold. Men do not catch Cold by wet Clothes at Sea. Damp but not wet Linnen may possibly give Colds; but no one catches Cold by Bathing, and no Clothes can be wetter than Water itself. Why damp Clothes should then occasion Colds, is a curious Question, the Discussion of which I reserve for a future Letter, or some future Conversation.
          Adieu, my dear little Philosopher. Present my respectful Compliments to the good Ladies your Aunts, and to Miss Pitt; and believe me ever Your affectionate Friend and humble Servant

            B Franklin

            P.S. I begin to see a Rival in Dr. Hawkesworth. But, what is uncommon with Rivals, the more he likes you, and you him, the more, if possible, I shall esteem you both.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Eyre: Bill and Receipt, [10 August 1761]
From: Eyre, Francis
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Benjamin Franklyn Esqr
            For Samuel Preston Moore’s Private Act of Assembly, past in Pensilvania and confirmed by His Majesty in Council.
            1761.

                16. Janry.
                Fees at the Council Office

                Order referring said Act to a Committee
                3:
                2:
                6

                Copy of the Act annexed
                1:
                –:
                –

                20.
                Committee Order referring it to the Board of Trade}
                2:
                2:
                6

                Copy of the Act annexed
                1:
                –:
                –

                5 June
                Committee Report thereon
                1:
                10:
                –

                25 Do.
                Order confirming the Act
                4:
                2:
                6

                Record Keepers Fee
                2:
                2:
                –
                14:
                19:
                6

                NB. This Act was referr’d among Others by Mr. Penn, who payd for it in the Gross, yet the Fees are thus charged to Mr. Eyre.

                NB. also, The Board of Trade referr’d it with Others to their Counsel, And have hitherto made no Demand; If they do their Fees will be inserted.

                Paid Sir Mathew Lamb Counsel to the Board of Trade, his Fee, on this Act being referr’d to him}
                5:
                5:
                –

                Do. to his Clerk
                –:
                5:
                –

                Do. for a Copy of his Report
                –:
                10:
                6

                For all my own Trouble Attendances at the Publick Offices getting this Act passed through, Copys thereof and the Orders &c.}
                10:
                10:
                –

                Paid Porters Petty Expences and Gratuitys
                5:
                5:
                –

                £36:
                15:
                –

            Reced the 10th. of August 1761, of Benjamin Franklyn Esqr. thirty six Pounds fifteen Shillings, in full by me

              Fras. Eyre.

            Recd. Jany. 18 1762 of S.P.Moore the above sum in Current money at 75 percent per C[urren]t Exchange amounting to £64. 6. 3.

              D Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Preston Moore, 13 August 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Moore, Samuel Preston

            Dear Sir,
            London, Augt. 13. 1761.

          Inclosed I send the Account of Charges in Solliciting your Act, amounting to £36 15s. 0d. The Act itself with the Royal Approbation engross’d on Parchment, I sent you per Mr. Wells, and hope it will get safe to hand. I am, with great Esteem, Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant

            B Franklin
            S. Preston Moore Esqr

          Addressed: To / Samuel Preston Moore Esqr / Philadelphia / Per favour of / Mr Hilborne
          Notation on address page:

              36.
              15.
              0

              18.
              7.
              6

              9.
              3.
              9

              64.
              6.
              3

              18.
              3

              63.
              8.
              0

              9.
              –


Title: Of the Meanes of Disposing the Enemie to Peace, [13 August 1761]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

          This paper was part of Franklin’s campaign to prevent a premature and disadvantageous peace. As such, it is closely linked in argument as well as in purpose with “A Description of those, who, at any rate, would have a Peace with France,” published in The London Chronicle, Nov. 22–24, 1759 (above, VIII, 446–7). In this instance he employed one of his characteristic devices: a composition of his own which he gravely attributed to another source. The supposititious author was Tommaso Campanella (1568–1639), a Dominican (not a Jesuit as Franklin and others thought him to have been), who wrote in 1601 a treatise called De Monarchia Hispanica Discursus, recommending a suitable foreign policy to the Spanish government. First published in a German translation, 1620, later in several Latin editions, it appeared in an English translation by Edmund Chilmead in 1654. William Prynne gave it further circulation in England about 1660, when he reissued the Chilmead text under the title Thomas Campanella an Italian Friar and Second Machiavel. This title and Prynne’s comments gave the author an almost wholly undeserved reputation for nefarious intrigue, which he still retained a century later when Franklin concocted his spurious chapter and cited it as coming from a non-existent English translation.
          Among Franklin’s surviving papers is a two-page set of rough notes enumerating the classes of Englishmen whom he was about to describe as eager for a premature peace and listing some of their supposed unpatriotic motives. He checked most of them off his list as he wrote. There also survives a draft of the paper as a whole, with the introductory and concluding paragraphs by “A Briton” added at the end and a notation as to where they were to go in the fair copy. There are numerous revisions in the draft; a few will be indicated in footnotes to illustrate Franklin’s methods of composing and polishing such writings.

            To the Printer of the London Chronicle.
            Sir,
            [August 13, 1761]

          I send you for your excellent Paper, an extract from the famous Jesuit Campanella’s discourses address’d to the King of Spain, intituled, Of the Meanes of extending the Greatnesse of the Spanish Monarchie. The language is a little antiquated, being the old translation in the edition of 1629; but the matter contain’d is so apropos to our present situation (only changing Spain for France) that I think it well worth the attention of the Publick at this critical conjuncture, as it discovers the arts of our enemies, and may therefore help in some degree to put us on our guard against them. After discoursing largely on the wars to be made, particularly against England and Holland, the conquests to be attempted, and the various means of securing them when gained, he comes to his
          CHAP. XIV.
          Of the Meanes of disposing the Enemie to Peace.
          “Warres, with whatsoever prudence undertaken and conducted, do not always succeed; many thinges out of mans power to governe, such as dearthe of provisions, tempests, pestilence, and the like, oftentimes interfering, and totally overthrowing the best designes; so that these enemies
   *England and Holland.
 of our Monarchie, though apparentlie at first the weaker, may, by disastrous events of warre on our part, become the stronger; and though not in such degree as to endanger the bodie of this great kingdome, yet, by their greater power of shipping and aptness in sea-affaires, to be able to cut off, if I may so speak, some of its smaller limbes and members, that, being remote therefrom, are not easilie defended; to wit, our islands and colonies in the Indies; thereby however depriving the bodie of its wonted nourishment, so that it must thenceforthe languish and grow weake, if those parts be not recovered, which possibly may, by continuance of warre, be found unlikely to be done. And the enemie, puffed up with their successes, and hoping still for more, may not be disposed to peace on such termes as would be suitable to the honour of your Majestie, and to the welfare of your State and Subjectes. In such case, the following meanes may have good effect.
          “It is well known, that these northerne people, though hardie of bodie, and bold in fight, be neverthelesse, through overmuch eating and other intemperance, slowe of wit and dull in understanding, so that they be oftimes more easilie to be governed and turned by skille than by force. There is therefore always hope, that by wise counsel and dextrous managemente, those advantages which through cross accidents in warre have been lost, may again with honour be recovered. In this place I shall say little of the power of money secretly distributed amongst grandees or their friends or mistresses, that method being in all ages known and practised. If the minds of enemies can be changed, they may, be brought to grant willingly and for nothing, what much golde would scarcelie have otherwise prevailed to obtaine. Yet as the procuring this change is to be by fitte instruments, some few doublones will not unprofitablie be disbursed by your Majestie; the manner whereof I shall now brieflie recite.
          “In those countries, and particularly in England, there are not wanting men of learning, ingenious speakers and writers, who are neverthelesse in lowe estate and pinched by fortune; these being privatelie gained by proper meanes, must be instructed in their sermons, discourses, writings, poems and songs, to handle and specially inculcate points like these which followe. Let them magnify the blessings of peace and enlarge mightily thereon, which is not unbecoming grave Divines and other Christian men; let them expatiate on the miseries of warre, the waste of Christian bloode, the growing scarcitie of labourers and workmen, the dearness of all foreign wares and merchandises, the interruption of commerce by the captures or delay of ships, the increase and great burthen of taxes, and the impossibilitie of supplying much longer the expence of the contest; let them represent the warre as an unmeasurable advantage to particulars, and to particulars only (thereby to excite envie against those that manage and provide for the same) while so prejudicial to the Commonweale and people in general: let them represent the advantages gained against us as trivial and of little import; the places taken from us as of small trade or produce, inconvenient for situation, unwholesome for ayre and climate, useless to their nations, and greatly chargeable to keepe, draining the home Countries both of men and money: let them urge, that if a peace be forced on us, and those places withheld, it will nourishe secret griefe and malice in the King and Grandees of Spain, which will ere long breake for the in new warres, wherein those places may again be retaken, and lost without the merit and grace of restoring them willingly for peace-sake: let them represent the making and continuance of warres from view of gaine, to be base and unworthie a brave people; as those made from view of ambition are mad and wicked; and let them insinuate that the continuance of the present warre on their parte, when peace is offered, hath these ingredients strongly in its nature. Then let them magnifie the great power of your Majestie, and the strength of your kingdome, the inexhaustible wealthe of your mines, the greatness of your incomes, and thence your abilitie of continuing the warre; hinting withal, the new alliances you may possibly make; at the same time setting forth the sincere disposition you have for peace, and that it is only a concerne for your honour and the honour of your realme, that induceth you to insist on the restitution of the places taken. If with all this they shrewdly intimate and cause it to be understood by artfull words, and beleeved, that their own Prince is himself in heart for peace on your Majesties termes, and grieved at the obstinacie and perverseness of those among his people that be for continuing the warre, a marvellous effect shall by these discourses and writings be produced; and a wonderful strong party shall your Majestie raise among your enemies in favour of the peace you desire; insomuch that their own Princes and wisest Councellours will in a sort be constrained to yeeld thereto. For in this warre of words, the avarice and ambition, the hopes and fears, and all the croud of human passions, will, in the minds of your enemies, be raised, armed, and put in array, to fight for your interests, against the reall and substantiall interest of their own countries. The simple and undiscerning many, shall be carried away by the plausibilitie and well seeming of these discourses; and the opinions becoming popular, all the rich men, who have great possessions, and fear the continuance of taxes, and hope peace will end them, shall be imboldened thereby to cry aloud for peace; their dependents who are many, must do the same: all marchants, fearing loss of ships and greater burthens on trade by farther duties and subsidies, and hoping greater profittes by the ending of the warre, shall join in the cry for peace: All the usurers and lenders of monies to the state, who on a peace hope great profit from their bargaines, and fear if the warre be continued, the State shall become bankeroute, and unable to pay them: these who have no small weight, shall joine the cry for peace: All the gowne and booke statesmen, who maligne the bold conductors of the warre, and envie the glorie they may have thereby obtained; these shall cry aloud for peace; hoping, that when the Warre shall cease, such men becoming less necessarie shall be more lightelie esteemed, and themselves more sought after: All the officers of the enemies armies and fleets, who wish for repose, and to enjoy their spoiles, salaries, or rewards, in quietness, and without peril, these, and their friends and families, who desire their safetie, and the solace of their societie, shall all cry for peace: All those who be timorous by nature, amongst whom be reckoned men of learning that lead sedentarie lives, using little exercise of bodie, and thence obtaining but few and weake spirits; great Statesmen, whose natural spirits be exhausted by much thinking, or depress’d by over-much feasting; together with all women, whose power, weake as they are, is not a little among such men; these shall incessantly speake for peace: And finallie, all Courtiers, who suppose they conforme thereby to the inclinations of the Prince;
   *Ad Exemplum Regis, &c.
 all who are in places of profit, and fear to lose them, or hope for better; all who are out of places, and hope to obtain them; all the worldly-minded clergie, who seeke preferment; these, with all the weight of their character and influence, shall joine the cry for peace, till it becomes one universal clamour, and no sound but that of Peace, Peace, Peace, shall be heard from every quarter. Then shall your Majesties termes of peace be listened to with much readiness, the places taken from you be willingly restored, and your kingdome, recovering its strength, shall only need to waite, a few years for more favourable occasions, when the advantages to your power proposed by beginning the warre, but lost by its bad successe, shall, with better fortune, be finallie obtained.”
          What effect the artifices here recommended might have had in the times when this Jesuit wrote, I cannot pretend to say; but I believe, the present age being more enlightened, and our people better acquainted than formerly with our true national interests, such arts can now hardly prove so generally successful. For we may with pleasure observe, and to the honour of the British people, that though writings and discourses like these have lately not been wanting, yet few in any of the classes he particularises seem to be affected by them; but all ranks and degrees among us persist hitherto in declaring for a vigorous prosecution of the war, in preference to an unsafe, disadvantageous peace.
          Yet, as a little change of fortune may make such writings more attended to, and give them greater weight, I think the publication of this piece, as it shows the spring from whence these scribblers draw their poisoned waters, may be of publick utility. I am, Sir, yours, &c.

            A Briton.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 19 August 1761
From: Norris, Isaac
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Friend B Franklin
            Fairhill, Augt. 19th. 1761

          Your Wife has very kindly sent me Notice that if I write by this Post it will reach the Packet from N. York and that She will take care of the conveyance. I write therefore to acknowledge the receipt of yours 9th May and the 13th of June last which came to my Hands the 12th. Instant. I am well pleased with the Additional purchase of Stock on Account of the Province and hope the whole may be invested in them as I believe no part of that Mony will be drawn out ’till they Rise as must certainly be the Case upon a Peace.
          As the Lords of the Treasury have apportioned the Parliamentary Grant for 1759 I presume the House at their next Meeting will by a Law impower some Persons to receive it, and take care that it shall be appropriated to the lessning our Taxes and Sinking the Bills of Credit already issued in due time. It is unfortunate for the Province that a suitable provision had not been made in the Law passed by Govr. Denny which might have been done by a few Words, but that cannot now be amended.
          The Assembly immediatly on hearing the accession of his present Majesty to the Throne of G. Britain addressed, and I know the Address and a Copy have been transmitted by different Conveyances but I do not know by what Vessels they were sent. I hope, however they may have escaped the Enemy. I have already mentioned my Letter of Credit to Colo. Lloyd which he asked of me and I gave him after my Letter by him was sealed up. I now approve of that payment to him and shall Credit it in your Account with me. I have already sent Two Bills of Exchange the first and Second by way of Cork. I now inclose the third Bills John Hunter on Messrs. Thomlinson &c. No 37 and No 38 for a Hundred Pounds Sterling each. Captain Hammet will sail in a few Days as I am informed and by him I propose to add Duplicates of what I have written by way of Corke. I am your Assured Friend

            Isaac Norris

            Please to purchase for me to make my Stock an even Sum in Hundred Pounds.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 24 August 1761
From: Hall, David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir,
            Philada. Aug. 24. 1761.

          In my last to you, of the 20th ult. by the Philadelphia Packet, Capt. Budden, I owned the Receipt of yours relating to the protested Bill of Scott and McMichael, and signified my Approbation of your Conduct in that affair. In it I told you, that Exchange was at Seventy-seven and a Half, which was the Reason you had no Remittance from me by that Opportunity; and as they are now at Eighty, you have none by Hammit, not caring to give so high an Exchange, but should be very glad to know your Mind on that Head. I likewise told you, that I thought it would be best for you immediately to order Caslon to cast the same Quantity of Brevier you sent over some time ago, and to have it ready to come as soon as possible, as our Advertisements of late have been very bulky and often continued long, which occasions us either to distribute them before they are done with, in order to set up the new Ones, which is a great Loss; or to compose many of them on Bourjois, which is also a considerable Disadvantage. I am Sir, Yours, &c.

            David Hall.
            To Mr. FranklinSent by the Dragon Capt. Hammit, to London


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 29 August 1761
From: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson
To: Franklin, Benjamin

              Dear Sir
              Cravenstreet, Augt. 29. 1761.

            I arriv’d here, very opportunely for my Mother and myself, on the day a Letter was to be sent to you, which saves her the Trouble and affords me the Pleasure of writing. I am first to present her Thanks for your two kind Letters, and then I must acknowledge my Obligation for your Remembrance of me in them.
            No Person has call’d here except Mr. Johnston for the Glasses, and the packet has not been sent for. My Mother receiv’d your Letter for Mrs. Franklin which she will take care of. This is all she orders me to tell you, only she bids me add all the civil Things I can say to you for her; but as I judge of her Breast by my own, I think it will not be in my power to say all she means, for I never can express myself fully, and therefore I shall decline saying anything.
            I have your Letter now before me in which you applaud the Zeal of the Romanists, and censure us (too justly I fear) with Indifference. I wish all the Members of the Reform’d Church had your Piety, and I wish that we could boast of you for one of the Pillars of it. Forgive me my dear Friend! I have a little Zeal for Religion, and I know nothing that would promote the Cause of it so much as Dr. Franklin’s adding the Performance of it’s Rituals to that inward Devotion of his Heart and his truely Virtuous Conduct.
            A necessary Train of Thought brings to my Mind that your Rival (as you are pleas’d to call him) with his amiable Partner, and my two Friends make us happy with their Company to day: Indeed, Sir, I love him much, I love you very much, you may judge then what Pleasure it gives me to find you love each other. God bless my two amiable Friends! and may they continue to love her whose grateful Heart is highly sensible of the Obligation, and will most faithfully return it.
            I thank you, my dear Preceptor, for your kind Letter which I receiv’d a few days before you left England. To let you see I don’t lose the Instructions you give, I remember’d you had related to me all which you then wrote, and that it might not slip my Memory I had pen’d it down. This did not lessen the Pleasure of your Letter, but rather added to it by confirming what I had written to be right. I have not yet seen the Book you left for me. Mr. Stanley apologiz’d to me about your not receiving your Manuscript sooner; but I told him the delay was not attended with any bad Consequences.
            I left my Aunts this morning at Wanstead, both now pretty well, but my Aunt Rooke is just recovering from a fit of the Gout. All the rest of your Friends that I know are well. My Mother joins in every good and fervent Wish for you Welfare with Dear Sir your most sincere and affectionate humble Friend

              M Stevenson

            Pitt, who came with me, desires her best Respects. God send you safe to us!
            Dolly comes to me while I am writing and says, “Do you think it worth while to say anything for me?” She loves and honours you much.
            Dr. Hawkesworth says I know his Heart, and I know he loves and honours you. I would have him write this himself, but he says he will not take anything from me.
            My Mother I know would chuse something to be said from her to your Son, but as she don’t tell me what I leave it to you; and if it may be done without impropriety you may say he has my good Wishes with hers.

          Addressed: To / Dr. Benj. Franklin / to be left at the Post Office at / Amsterdam


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 10 September 1761
From: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Sir
            Wanstead Septr 10. 1761.

          I don’t know whether to say I fear or I hope this won’t reach you before you leave Holland, for I don’t care how soon we have you in our Island again, and I wish you had no Attachment ever to draw you from it again, that is I wish your Attachments were all here.

          My Mother wanted me to write another Letter to you while I was with her, but my Time was so taken up with seeking for Places at the Coronation that I had not Leisure during my stay which was very short, being oblig’d to attend my Friends the Miss Blunts, who favour us with their Company at Wanstead. I just found Time to look into the Books you left for me of Dr. Hales, which gave me a high Opinion of his Benevolence. The Methods for distilling Sea Water as you observe cannot be brought much into Use. The Expedient you propose for relieving the Distress People at Sea suffer from Thirst would be easy and you have prov’d it by Experiment to be efficacious. I don’t doubt that you have made it publick, and I hope it will prove successful. You take notice that Men do not catch Cold by wet Clothes at Sea: I somewhere met with a Proposal for preventing the bad Effects of the exessive Dews in hot Countries by wetting the Clothes with Salt Water. I should ill deserve your good Opinion if I conceal’d my Errors from you who so candidly look over them, therefore I must confess that I did not express myself as I meant, for you understood that I thought Salt Water could with Ease be made fresh by Distillation, supposing it to be, as you had said, that in Evaporation the Air would take up Water but not the Salt that was mix’d with it. Now I conceiv’d that the Air had no Action in the Distillation and therefore the Particles of Salt which would be forc’d up by the Heat with the Water, not meeting the Air to repel them, would remain with it. I find, however, I was not wrong in supposing part of the Salt must be detain’d by somewhat to which it will adhere. I shall not trouble you any further at present with my Philosophy, because I must leave room for my Mother to write to you about Business, as I am not with her to do it. I was resolv’d nothing should prevent my writing to day as I promis’d I would send her a Letter for you, but I am afraid she will think it almost too late. The Stanleys and Hawkesworths dine with us to day. I shall tell the Doctor I have written to you to day and he will say, If the Letter is not seal’d say something for me. I believe I may venture to say he esteems you highly, and, what he thinks is more, loves you heartily. I should have a very indifferent Opinion of him if he did not, and could neither esteem or love him, for with the greatest Esteem and warmest Affection I am my honour’d Friend most sincerely yours

            M Stevenson.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Hunter, 9 October 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hunter, John

            Dear Sir,
            London, Octobr 9. 1761

          I am extreamly concern’d at the News of the Death of my dear Friend Mr. Hunter, with whom I had so long liv’d and transacted Business with the most perfect Harmony. It was the more surprizing to me, as his last Letters mention’d an entire Freedom from his old Complaints, and a perfect Establishment of his Health. His Death is not only a Loss to his Friends; I think it a great one also to his Country. For he had Abilities for Publick as well as private Business, an excellent Understanding with the best Dispositions in the World. I would write to poor Polly on the melancholly Occasion, but at present—I cannot; tho’ I condole with her most sincerely. I purpose to be in America early in the Spring, when a Settlement may be made more easily between his Executors, (one of which I imagine you are) and myself. But in the mean time, as I may possibly be detained longer than I expect, it will be a Satisfaction to have a Line here from you on the State of our Accounts which I think you can easily obtain, as I know he was always very exact and regular in them. My best Respects to good Mrs. Hunter, and believe me, with the sincerest Esteem, Dear Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant

            B Franklin
            Col. Hunter

          Addressed: To / Col. John Hunter / Mercht / Hampton / Virginia / Free / B Franklin
          Endorsed: London Benja: Franklin 9 Octor: 1761


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Coleman, 12 October 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Coleman, William

            Dear Sir,
            London, Oct. 12. 1761

          I have received your obliging Favours of July 16. and Augt. 15. for which I thank you.
          The Transit I think would not have appear’d at Philadelphia, if any body had been ready there to observe. It is so far West, that Venus was off the Sun’s Disk before he rose there. I send you Ferguson’s Book on the Subject to which I was a Subscriber, and also a large Scheme of the Transit he has since presented to me. At the next Meeting of the Society, which is in November, we shall have all the Observations laid before us, except the most remote, and I will immediately send you a Copy.
          I have not yet heard that the Books sent the Library Company by Becket, are got to Hand. Mr. Collinson sends a few, he tells me per this Ship. With the greatest Esteem, I am, Dear Friend Yours affectionately

            B Franklin.

          Addressed: To / William Coleman Esqr / Philadelphia
          Endorsed: London October 12th. 1761 from B. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 19 October 1761
From: Norris, Isaac
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Friend BF
            Fairhill, Octobr 19th. 1761

          I find my Last of the 30th of September mist the Packet by which it was intended so that having since that Date received yours of 7th August and and Letter from the Executors of R. Partridge by which they Order and direct the Settlement of their Accounts here I retract my former Order to pay them the Ballance of R P. Account as it will suit me better to settle and discharge that Account here in pursuance of their said Order. I have now procured Bills of Exchange which I shall remit directly to my old Friend R. Charles for which Reason I contravene my Order to pay him the £200 mentioned in mine of the 30th of September last.
          The distresses of the Merchants for want of Bills of Exchange at a reasonable Price and the Strong Rumours of a Peace which gained Credit at the same Time induced the last Assembly to order the Trustees “forthwith” to draw Bills of Exchange for the first Parliamentary Grant which they are now drawing to make up about £26.000 sterling the greatest Part of which is already drawn and Subscriptions for the whole some Time since compleated.
          As the Merchants are limited in the Sums and obliged to pay for the Bills in our Paper Currency only the Bills perhaps may not be sent by the Vessels now ready to sail for London and other Ports in England to more than ½ or ⅔ds of the Whole Sum. But their Necessities are so great that I believe the Remainder will soon follow. I was of Opinion that the House had better defer their Order for drawing Bills till we had had a Confirmation of a Peace, but as every Body did or affected to, believe the Reports Current at that Time the Province must take the Chance of the Stocks to answer their Bills now drawn.
          I have given your Account Current Credit for the Mony paid Col. Lloyd, both Payments amounting to the Sum of One Hundred Pounds Sterling. I have mentioned Som’thing on this Head in some of my former Letters.
          I found at the End of last Year that several of the Members were well acquainted with R. Charles’s declining the Agency of this Province, tho’ not from me, however, as I proposed to inform the House of it when the Year expired, I acted accordingly, and the present Assembly have complied with his Request so that it now only remains to settle and discharge his Accounts In Order to which I shall remit Bills of Exchange to himself as I apprehend this Method will be more acceptable to him than the Manner before proposed. If the price of Stocks should encourage at the Time of receiving this Advice or during your stay in England, be pleasd to invest what Mony I may have in your Hands in the consolidated Annuities in Addition to what I have already there or in any other of the publick Funds, thô I suppose the prizes [prices] of all are very soon brought to an equal value by the Stockjobbers according to their several Purchases.
          I would chuse mine to lye together as I think the Sum will be too inconsiderable to be seperated—but in this use your own Judgment. I am your Affectionate Friend

            I Norris

            Whilst I am writing I am informed that Captains Gibbons, Friend, and Bradford are arrived but as they bring me no Letters I have nothing futher to add.

            The Trustees inform me they have taken Care to advise Their drawing.

          [In the margin:] Added—I have enclosed a Second Bill of Exchange ut Supra for £97. 10s. 8d. Sterling.
          Endorsed: See page 125  Sent by Captn Hervey and W. Fisher B F recd it. ackd. Janry 7. 1762


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 29 October 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson

            Cravenstreet, Oct. 29. 61.

          My dear Polly’s good Mama bids me write two or three Lines by way of Apology for her so long omitting to write. She acknowledges the Receiving two agreable Letters lately from her beloved Daughter, enclosing one for Sally Franklin which was much approv’d (excepting one Word only) and sent as directed. The Reasons of her not Writing are; That her Time all Day is fully taken up during the Day-Light, with the Care of her Family and—laying abed in the Morning. And her Eyes are so bad, that she cannot see to write in the Evening—for Playing at Cards. So she hopes, that one who is all Goodness, will certainly forgive her, when her Excuses are so substantial. As for the Secretary, he has not a Word to say in his own Behalf, tho’ full as great an Offender, but throws himself upon Mercy; pleading only that he is with the greatest Esteem and sincerest Regard his dear Polly’s ever affectionate Friend

            B Franklin

            Compliments to the good Family, and to Mrs. Byrd if still with you. We shall be glad to see Mr. White as often as agreable to him.

          Endorsed: Oct 29–61


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Bessborough, [October 1761]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Bessborough, William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of

            My Lord,
            Craven StreetFriday Evening. [October 1761]

          Calling at the Board this Morning, I was informed that Application had been made by Governour Fauquier for a Commission to his Secretary as my Colleague in the American Office. It is my Duty to acquiesce in your Lordship’s Pleasure if after reading this you should think proper to gratify the Governor by such an Appointment. But I conceive that the Application to your Lordship was founded on a Supposition of a Vacancy to be supply’d, which I apprehend not to be really the Case. The Commission I have had the Honour so recently to receive from the Goodness of your Lordship and Mr. Hampden, grants the whole Office, Powers and Salary, to the Survivor of the two Persons therein appointed; and therefore, notwithstanding the Decease of Mr. Hunter, there is properly no Vacancy; unless you should think fit to make one by revoking that Commission; which, when my long and faithful Service of 24 Years in the Post Office, is considered, I hope will not be done. During the greatest Part of that time, I had the Burthen of conducting the whole American Office under others, with a very slender Salary; and it has been allow’d, that the bringing the Office to what it is, from its former low insignificant State, was greatly owing to my Care and Management. And now that in the Course of Things some additional Advantage seems to be thrown in my Way, I cannot but hope it will not be taken from me in favour of a Stranger to the Office; especially as Governor Fauquier has in his Disposition many Places of Profit in his Government as they fall, and therefore cannot long want an Opportunity of gratifying the Services of his Secretary.
          I beg your Lordship to excuse the Freedom I have taken in this Representation; and believe me to be, with the most perfect Respect and Attachment, My Lord, Your Lordship’s most obedient and most humble Servant

            B Franklin
            I was at your Lordship’s Door to day, but did not find you at home.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 4 November 1761
From: Hall, David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir,
            Philada. Nov. 4. 1761.

          I received yours, (Via New-York) relating to the order of Forty Pounds Sterling, in Favour of Mr. Palomba, which is paid, at the Rate of Seventy per Cent. Exchange, that being the Exchange the Trustees of the Loan-office drew for.
          Remember me kindly to your Son, and tell him, I received his by Palomba, but never heard any thing of the Letter he mentions to be sent by Mr. Quincy Via Boston.
          I wrote you by two or three other Vessels, desiring you to order Caslon to cast, and send by the first Ship, the same Quantity of Brevier you last sent, which I hope is at Sea before this reaches. If the War is not at an End before you leave England, hope you will order it so, that the News Papers will come regularly by the Packets, as they now do. I am, Sir, Yours very sincerely

            David Hall
            To Mr. FranklinSent by the James and Mary Captain Bradford.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 4 November 1761
From: Norris, Isaac
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Friend BF
            Fairhill, Novr. 4th. 1761

          I sent by Captain Hervey bound to Hollyhead and by Wm. Fisher to Bristol Originals and Duplicates of Mine of the 30th Septr. and of the 19th of Octobr Last which inclosed First and Second Bills of Exchange for £97 10s. 8d. Sterling. I now remit the Third Bill drawn by JL and JS. on G. Bailey and A. Drummond Physicians in Bristol for the aforesaid Sum of £97 10s. 8d. Sterling. I have now likewise inclosd a First Bill of Exchange drawn by the Trustees of the L. Office on your self No. 121 for £100. Sterling which please to carry to the Credit of My Account it needs no indsorsing but to prevent Accidents I have Transcribed the Above Order on the Bill. Pray take the Trouble of investing this with the Ballance of my Mony in your Hands in the Stocks in addition to what I have already there. I leave it to your own Judgment, but refer to mine of the 19th. of Octobr last if that Letter has come to Hand, In which I prefer the Lodging all my Mony in the Same Fund, unless you See Cause to seperate it. There are Several Vessels going nearly at the Same Time so that I shall close this with Design to let it lay with My Brother for the First Opportunity. I am your Affectionate Friend

            I N
            BF arrived at Philada. Novr. 1: 1762.

          Endorsed: By Captn Bradford This did not go by Bradford who left his Bag—but soon after
          First Bill £100.0—BF received This Acknowledged in his of Feb. 13. 1762


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 16 November 1761
From: Norris, Isaac
To: Franklin, Benjamin

              Benja. Franklin By Captn. Bradford
              }
              Infra
              Nover 16 [1761]

          Above is the Substance of my Last. I now send the Second Bill of Exchange No. 121 for £100. Sterling drawn by the Trustees on your Self. Please to Credit my Account Current with That Sum. I am afraid our last Assembly have been too precipitate in drawing These Bills but it is now too late to recall it. I am your assured Friend

            I N.
            To Benja Franklin

            NB. I. Johnston Sent a Third Bill. B F recd the Bill See his Letter of the 13. Febry. 1762

          Endorsed: Second Bill Excha for £100. 0. 0 BF recd this Bill
          Benja. Franklin arrived at Philad November 1st. 1762.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Winthrop, 17 November 1761
From: Winthrop, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dr. Franklin, Sir
            Cambridge 17 9br 1761

          I received your favor of 20 Feb. and 8 April last, the former inclosing Dr. Pringles paper on an extraordinary meteor, and the later Mr. Kennicotts papers relating to the Hebrew Bible. I am infinitely[?] obliged to you for introducing me to so valuable acquaintance as Dr. Pringle, several of whose curious papers I perused in the Phil. Trans. and whose correspondence I shall highly esteem; and agreeable to a hint you have given me, have enclosed a letter directed to him, which I beg you’d be so good as to send him.
          I’m sorry we are not able to contribute towards Mr. Kennicott’s design of revising the edition of the Hebrew Bible; but as you readily judge, new Countries are not the most likely places to look for ancient MSS in. I have, however, thoroughly searched our College Library with this view; and find several editions which I am sensible can be of no service in the affair; but not so much as 1 MS. I couldn’t tell what better to do in the next place than to consult our old Rabbi Mr. Monis. All the information I can get from him is, that MSS of the whole Old Testament are very rare; MSS of the Pentateuch are common in every Synagogue; tho he couldn’t certainly inform me of any in America. Most of those copies I presume must be modern, and so of little Authority. [illegible] moreover the book of Esther.
          Give me leave now sir to congratulate you on the honorary distinctions conferred on you at home; which if I may be allowed to express my sentiments and those of my acquaintance are but just acknowledgements of your merit. I hope, you are pursuing your philosophical inquiries with the same happy success as formerly: and shall look upon your correspondence as a great obligation, when you can find leisure to favor me with it. And if it shall be in my power to render you or any of your learned Friends the least service in this part of the world, I shall do it with the utmost pleasure, being with great esteem Sir, etc.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Ringgold, 26 November 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Ringgold, Thomas

          This note serves to introduce both the present document and the one immediately below.
          Lord Baltimore, the Proprietor of Maryland, and his governors and supporters in the province continuously and successfully thwarted the desire of the House of Delegates to appoint an agent to represent its interests and point of view in England independently of the Proprietor. Several times, therefore, the leaders of the House were forced to rely on the good offices of an agent of another assembly. Such a situation occurred in 1761–62 and Franklin was the man to whom they turned for help.

          The death of King George II and the accession of his grandson George III led Governor Sharpe to propose, April 15, 1761, that the two houses of the Assembly join him in an address of condolence and congratulation to their new King. The House of Delegates and the Council agreed and each appointed members of a joint committee to prepare the address. As originally drafted, probably by two councilors, it was a wholly innocuous document, couched in the usual language of adulation of the deceased monarch and of loyalty and devotion to the “Sacred Person” of his successor. On April 22, however, the Lower House instructed its representatives, by a vote of 24 to 17, to propose the addition of a paragraph complaining of the lack of “proper Means of obtaining Access to the Throne,” and asking for a full inquiry into the reasons why Maryland had during the present war “in so small a Degree exerted it’s Force for the Service” of the late King. The proposed addition urged that the Delegates be allowed to “raise a Support for an Agent, who may lay all their Grievances which they suffer under the Government of the Lord Proprietary” before the new King, and it expressed a wish that in the meantime he would continue “that favourable Opinion which, we hope, you have hitherto maintained of your Protestant Commons of the Province of Maryland,” whose members were unexcelled in loyalty by subjects in any of the King’s dominions.
          When this paragraph was offered at the committee meeting the next day, the councilors present walked out “without saying one Word,” returned to the Upper House (as the Council was called in its legislative capacity), and reported the proposed addition, “so extremely improper and foreign to the subject of the Address,” and so “apparently intended to cast an injurious Blemish upon his Lordships Government.” As a result of the impasse which followed, the governor and Upper House alone adopted the address as originally prepared and sent it to Lord Baltimore on April 29 for presentation. The Lower House adopted its own longer version and asked Sharpe, May 1, to affix the provincial great seal, a request with which he quite understandably refused to comply. Five days later he prorogued the Assembly to August.
          Apparently a group of members of the Lower House decided almost at once to ask Franklin to present their address to William Pitt for submission to the King. While neither their letter of May 9 nor Franklin’s reply of August 7 to Thomas Ringgold, one of their number, has been found, his efforts on their behalf and his gentle hint for their future action on the matter of an address are both apparent from the incomplete letter printed here and the longer one immediately following.

            Mr. Ringold
            Dear Sir,
            London, Nov. 26. 1761

          The above is a Copy of my last. On my Return from a little Tour I made thro’ Flanders and Holland, I found a Duplicate of the Papers you sent me, and among them the Address which had before been omitted. Inclos’d is my Letter to the Gentlemen who did me the Honour of recommending that Matter to my Care; by which you will see its present Situation. As your House may probably at their meeting this Winter, think proper to address his Majesty on his happy Nuptials, the Congratulation on his Accession may be blended with it; and the other Matter couch’d in a Memorial or Petition by it self, agreable [to] Mr. Wood’s Advice, which if done, I am persuaded will be attended with good Effects; for at present the Proprietor and Governors Friends have possess’d the Ministry with an Opinion that the Failure of Supplies in your Province was totally owing to the Obstinacy of the Assembly, and their Disinclination to his Majesty’s Service.
          I thank you for the Pains you have taken in applying to Mr. Green concerning my old Account. I think he uses me extreamly ill, and makes me very bad Returns for so long Forbearance and Kindness: I shall find myself obliged to sue him at last.
          The Retaining of Canada is now become so popular a Point here, that I imagine nothing but some fatal Change in our [Affa]irs can make any Ministry think themselves [justi]fiable or safe in giving it up. I flatter m[yself] that the Pamphlet you are pleas’d to spe[ak of fa] vourably may have had some Share in [producing] this Effect which [remainder missing].


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Tilghman, William Murdock, Matthew Tilghman, Charles Carroll, Thomas Ringgold, and John Hammond, 26 November 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Tilghman, Edward,Murdock, William,Tilghman, Matthew,Carroll, Charles,Ringgold, Thomas,Hammond, John

            Gentlemen:
            London, Nov. 26, 1761

          In mine of the 7th of August to Mr. Ringold, I acknowledg’d the Receipt of yours of May 9th, which had then just come to hand, but without the mentioned Address. Soon after, taking the Opportunity of the Vacation of Business in the Public Offices here, I went abroad and was absent making the Tour of Holland and Flanders with my Son, till towards the End of September. At my Return I received a Duplicate of your first Dispatches, with the Address. Having carefully read your Votes, and acquainted myself with every thing proper to be said in defence of your House, I endeavoured to see Mr. Pitt, in order to deliver him your Letter, and at the same time make him acquainted with the Particulars for which you had referr’d him to me. He was always extreamly difficult of Access, and more so about the Time of his intended Resignation, which follow’d before I could have an Opportunity of Speaking with him. I then sent your Letter to him with the Address inclos’d, by my Son, who assists me here, supposing Mr. Pitt would deliver the Address to his Successor Lord Egremont, as he accordingly did. As soon as the Bustle occasion’d by the Resignation was a little over, we made Enquiry after the Address at the Secretary’s Office, in order to urge the Presenting it. After several Attendances together and separately to no Purpose, my Son at length met with Mr. Wood, who was under Secretary to Mr. Pitt, and continues in the same Office under Lord Egremont. He enter’d into a free Discourse on the Conduct of your Province, and express’d a great deal of the Resentment entertain’d against your Assembly by the Ministry here, with whom you at present stand in a very bad Light. My Son, who knows your Affair as well as I do, took occasion to justify you, and to satisfy him that you had been much misrepresented, by informing him of many Particulars in your favour that were quite unknown to the Ministers, owing to your not being allow’d an Agent here, which he seem’d greatly surpriz’d at. As to the Address he said, it had not been presented, nor would be, the foreign Matter mix’d in it, making it quite improper; for that if it was presented, it must of course be printed in the Gazette; and then there would appear a heavy Charge against an Officer or Servant of the Crown, publish’d by Authority, without his having had any Opportunity of being heard in his own Defence, which was not thought equitable. That the Assembly themselves would be very sensible of the Irregularity, and probably complain of it as an Injury, if a Charge of their Governor against them, should be inserted here in the Gazette, without Enquiry or Hearing. He was glad however for their sakes to learn that they desir’d an Enquiry from a Consciousness that they could justify themselves; and concluded with Advising that they should make their Address of Congratulation distinct from their Complaint, and send them separately, and they might be assur’d that the Address would be favourably receiv’d, and an Enquiry order’d immediately to be made as they should desire.
          I am extremely sensible, Gentlemen, of the Honour done me by the Confidence you have plac’d in me; and it would be no small Pleasure to me to be able to render any Service to the Assembly of Maryland. If such an Enquiry should be order’d while I reside here, you may depend no Pains or Care shall be wanting on my Part to place your Conduct in a just Light, and to remove the Imputations it at present labours under. In the mean time, I shall take every Opportunity in Conversation or otherwise of vindicating you, where it may be proper and seasonable.
          With great Respect, I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble Servant,

            B. Franklin.

                To E. Tilghman,
                }
                Esqrs.—Maryland.

                Wm. Murdock,

                Mat. Tilghman,

                Cha. Carroll,

                Thos. Ringold,

                Jno. Hammond,


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Brown, 27 November 1761
From: Brown, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            I.N.
            Benj. Franklin. Esqr.
            Lombardstreet 27th Novr. 1761

          I have sent herewith a letter of Attorney to be Executed by you before two Witnesses to empower me to transfer the Fifteen Thousand Pounds 4 per Cents. as I could not do it without, you’ll please to return it per Bearer as it must be lodg’d at the Bank this afternoon—£8000 being sold for to morrow morning and must be done then as the Persons who bought it will stay no longer—it being sold to be transferr’d this morning and it was with difficulty they were prevail’d on to take it to morrow. I am for Father and Self most Respectfully Yours

            Jas. Brown
            I have sent back your Bank Book apprehending it was sent per Mistake.

          Addressed: To / Benj. Franklin Esqr. / from J. Brown / Banker in Lombard Street / respecting the Sale of Stocks.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas-François Dalibard, 9 December 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Dalibard, Thomas-François

            Monsieur,
            [December 9, 1761]

          Il y a quelques années que la guerre a interrompu notre correspondance. Mon ami le Docteur Shippen partant pour voir Paris, j’ai profité de cette occasion pour vous communiquer l’extrait ci-joint d’une Lettre que j’ai reçûe de M. Kinnersley que j’imagine qui vous fera plaisir. Je suis, etc.

            Benjamin Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 10 December 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Babcock, Joshua

            Dear Sir
            London, Decr. 10. 1761

          I have been favour’d with yours by your valuable Sons, on whose promising Worth I congratulate you and good Mrs. Babcock. I should be glad to see them oftner than I do. But young Men find in England, Amusements more agreeable than the Company of old ones. The Colonel is gone down with my Son to Bath, where I last Night had the Pleasure of hearing they were both well.
          It gives me Pleasure to learn that my Endeavours here for the Good of our Northern Colonies, have met with the Approbation you mention, among my Countrymen. The Negotiations for a Peace, in which Canada was to be for ever ceded to England, are unfortunately broken off, but there is nevertheless great Reason to believe it will not be given up, unless some fatal Change should happen in our Affairs. The Nation is now so fully convinc’d of the Importance of retaining it; that a Minister without evident Necessity, will hardly venture to relinquish it.
          My best Respects attend you and yours. Remember me to your Neighbours the good Samaritans: to Mr. and Mrs. Ward, Mr. Eeles, &c. With the greatest Esteem, I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant

            B Franklin

            P. S. I enclose you some Seeds of the true Tartarian Rhubarb. It is distributed by Order of the Society of Arts. There is no doubt but it will grow with you.

            Dr. Babcock

          Addressed: To / Dr Babcock / at Westerly / Rhodeisland Governmt / Free / B Franklin
          Endorsed: Ben Franklin Esq. of 10 Decr. 1762 from London with seed of Tartarn Rhubarp Recd 21 Aprl. 1762
          Another note in an almost illegible hand: Tower Hills April 21. 1762 By My Master and forwardd by Ser [?] Hurd Ser John Cass[?]


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Edmund Quincy, 10 December 1761
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Quincy, Edmund

            Sir,
            London Decr. 10, 1761

          I should sooner have answer’d your obliging Letter of Jany. 9. but that I hoped from time to time I might be able to obtain some satisfactory Answers to your Queries. As yet I have done little, that kind of Information being look’d upon as a Part of the Mysteries of Trade, which the Possessors are very shy of communicating. But I think I am now in a Train of obtaining more, of which I hope soon to give you a good Account. In the mean time I may inform you that great Quantities of Wine are made both here and at Bristol from Raisins, not by private Families only for their particular Use, but in the great Way by large Dealers, for the Country Consumption. As New England trades to Spain with their Fish, it would I imagine, be easy for you to furnish yourself at the best hand with Plenty of Raisins, and from them produce a genuine Wine of real Worth, that might be sold with you for good Profit. Being lately at a Friend’s House where I drank some old Raisin Wine that I found to be very good, I requested the [torn] sound and good. It is thought here, that by far the greatest Part of the Wine drank in England is made in England. Fine Cyder or Perry is said to be the Basis, Sloes afford Roughness. Elder Berries Colour. And Brandy a little more Strength. But of this I have no certain Account. The Porter now so universally drank here, is, I am assured, fined down with Isinglass or Fish Glue, for which £60,000 per Annum is paid to Russia. Of late it has been discovered, that this Fish glue is nothing more than the Souns of Cod or other Fish extended and dry’d in the Sun, without any other Preparation: So you may make what Quantity you please of it, and cheap, Fish being with you so plenty. I heartily wish you Success in your Attempts to make Wine from American Grapes. None has yet been imported here for the Premium. With great Esteem, I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant

            B Franklin

            P.S. The Negotiations for a Peace, in which Canada was to be forever ceded to England, are at present broken off. But whenever they are resum’d, I am persuaded that will be [torn].
            N.B. One Ezl. [Ezekiel] hatch, near Greenwoods Mastyard, tells me that, the Cod Souns or other may be Sav’d by stringing up and drying, that under this Circumstance they will not dissolve in any liquor hot or Cold; but that taken and wrapp’d up in Clean linnen Cloath or other Cloath, and covered up in embers so as to wast them, they will then dissolve—and that they will answer the End of Glue; but not so well of Cod as the Souns of hake, which is catch’d in or near the fall; those many Joyners at distant places use as Glew for their Cabinet work: roasted first in order to dissolve as Glew.

          Addressed: To / Mr Edmund Quincy / at Braintree or / Boston / [Fr]ee / [B Fr]anklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 30 December 1761
From: Stiles, Ezra
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir
            Newport, Decr. 30. 1761

          I once more attempt to reach you with a Letter, which the Fate of war has I suppose hitherto intirely prevented. We are extremly sorry to know that Mr. Pitt has resigned the Seals: and have scarcely yet learned enough about the Earl of Bute (except from Scotsmen) to form an Idea of him. The only obnoxious Thing in Mr. Pitts Character that any in this Country (except the Jacobites) are toutched with, is his being an Advocate for Exercising the Militia on Sunday—for the Sanctity of the Day apart: this washing up and resting once in a while is healthy—but Training days in New England are the hardest Days work in the year. That Men and Cattle lie by one day in a week or thereabouts I believe beneficial: in a well constituted community for Industry and social Life, I believe 100,000 industrious Farmers or other Laborers would accomplish more work in a year, desisting and resting every seventh day than by incessant and unremitted Labor. And the same holds good of Oxen, Horses. Whether we consider Health, or fruits of Labor, these weekly recruits are necessary for Man and beast—so wise was the mosaic Institution! To me who am a Believer of Revelation, there is another Argument for desisting from Secular Labors on the Lords Day, which doubtless has no Weight with Mr. Pitt.
          But excepting this and some few Reflexions on the dissenters which I hope they do not disserve, Mr. Pitt is deservedly in the highest Reputation among us—I believe never was a Minister of State tread [treated?] with so much honor and Affection by us in New England—we almost idolize him: his being in the privy Council and in the House of Commons, has given us the greatest Confidence as well as Spirit and Alacrity. In short (I hope without Reason, but so it is) we know not how to confide in any one personge below the Crown. We have such an Idea of the universal Corruption, and of the national Jockying, that we fail of feeling assured, with respect to any of the illustrious Personages in public Administration, that they will subordinate their own to the Interest of the public, that they will not sacrifice the great public Interest when it interferes with their own Interest or that of their Friends and Connexions or prospect of Honor Preferment whether at his own high price most may not be bo’t to abandon the National Interest &c. But we believe in Mr. Pitt we have a Confidence in him, in his Integrity and patriot faithfulness to the national Interest, more than his Capacities tho’ extraordinary—I say we have a Confidence in Mr. Pitt, which I do think that I may do him the Honor to resemble to that Confidence which with infinitely greater Justice ought to be and is exercised by the Body of the intelletual World in him who consults for all, with whom is the Guidance and Administration and Guardianship of the universe. I have the honour to be Dear Sir Your most obedient servant

            Ezra Stiles
            Dr Franklin London


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Miss Ralph, 31 December 1761
From: Ralph, Miss ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Decr. 31. 1761.

          Miss Ralphs best respects wait upon Dr. Franklin, she with Pleasure, informs him that her Pappa, as the Doctor Said, yesterday, was out of Danger; but, he remains very Low, and weak, She is very Sorry, that she had not the Pleasure of seeing Dr. Franklin, a Tuesday; but, she having set up all Night, was oblig’d, to go to Bed, in the Morning. She desires her Compliments to Mrs. Stephenson.

          Addressed: To / Dr [?] / Franklin / in / Craven Street / in the Strand / London

              Notes on the cover:
              Mr Lo

              Mrs

              Mr AC

              Dr R

              Mrs R

              Mr R


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sargent Aufrere & Co., 8 January 1762
From: Sargent Aufrere & Co.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

I.N.
Dear sir,
Mincing Lane 8 Jany 1762.
Mr. Barclay is not come to Town yet, and it is uncertain whether we may be able to confer with him, and give you the result time enough for your writing by this packet, we will therefore take our own Resolution, and undertake to pay, ourselves, what part of the Colony’s drafts on you (by means of the deficiency of the Stock) you shall not have wherewithall to discharge—there needs no more than the reason of the Thing to justifye it, you’ll be so kind to explain our Motives for doing it, and to let the Assembly know it was your advice to us, which we think Ourselves obliged to conform to: We make no doubt but that Mr. Barclay will readily concur with us when the Business is imparted to him.
You’ll be pleased to give us notice in due time of all the necessary particulars of such bills as you may refer to us for Payment. We return you the Letters you favour’d us with the Perusal of, much obliged to you for the friendly Offices that gave occasion to the mention of us in Them. We think ourselves much honour’d by the Colonys Employ of us and shall be glad on any Occasion to shew our true Zeal for its Interests. The Act of Assembly as it may be of some use to us, we take the Liberty of keeping, till we have the pleasure of seeing you next, which we hope will be soon. We remain with perfect Regard, Dear sir, Your most obedient Servants
Sargent Aufrere & Co.
directed. To Benja Franklin Esqr In Craven Street—Strand.
 Endorsed: London Janry. 8. 1762 John Sargent & Compa. to Benja Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Sargent Aufrere & Co., 8 January 1762
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Sargent Aufrere & Co.

To Messrs. Sargent & Aufrere,
Gentlemen,
Craven Street, Janry. 8. 1762
The very obliging manner in which you have undertaken to support the Credit of the Province Drafts, demands my thankful Acknowledgments in Behalf of the Province, which I beg you to accept. Your doing it so readily and chearfully at my Instance I esteem a particular Obligation on myself. I shall not fail explaining your Motives in this Transaction to the Assembly as you desire. There can be no doubt of its being a right Measure that must be approved of. It appears by the Speaker’s Letter, that the Assembly order’d the Drawing on the Expectations, then general, that a Peace would be concluded and of Consequence the Value of their Stocks enhanced by the Time the Bills would arrive here. They thought, that by drawing for the original Sum only, they should be a good deal within bounds. It has happened otherwise, and there must be a considerable Deficiency. If the overdrawn Bills were to go back protested, there would be a Disappointment to the Merchants who purchas’d the Bills, which the Interest could not compensate: The Publick would have that Interest to pay, added to the Loss; and the Credit of their future Drafts would be impaired, and so probably not fetch so good a Price as otherwise they might do. I will give you in due time the Notice you desire of all the necessary Particulars relating to the Bills to be referr’d to you for Payment. The Act of Assembly I shall [have] no Occasion for: It may be of Use to you; be pleas’d to keep it. I am, with the greatest Esteem, Gentlemen, Your most obedient Servant
B. Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Norris and Thomas Leech, 9 January 1762
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Norris, Charles,Leech, Thomas

Gentlemen
London, Jany. 9. 1762
When your Drafts upon me first came to hand, the Form appearing new to me and very particular, containing as I thought an Alternative at my Choice to pay the Money in 30 Days or in 12 Months, I accepted some of them with the long Day, expecting that a Letter from you would explain your Intention in that Form; but receiving no Line on the Subject, and being soon inform’d that the Bill was merely a Copy of that us’d by the northern Governments, I concluded, for Reasons which I have mention’d to the Speaker, to retract that Acceptance and pay in 30 Days. I have accordingly now accepted near £22,000 and can assure you that altho’ the Sale of the Province Stocks will not produce a Sum equal to what you have probably drawn for, yet all the Trustees Bills will be duly honoured and punctually paid. I am, with the greatest Respect and Deference for yourselves and the other Trustees Gentlemen Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
Messrs. Norris and Leech
 Endorsed: London Janry 9th 1762 Benjamin Franklin To Chas Norris and Thos Leech


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Penington, 9 January 1762
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Penington, Edward

Sir,
London, Jan. 9. 1762
I receiv’d your Favour of Oct. 21. with one enclos’d for Mr. Penn, which I have deliver’d to him. I doubt he will not know of this Opportunity time enough to write to you, and therefore I may say for him that he appear’d well-pleas’d with your Letter, and dispos’d to follow your Advice of not selling the Mannor. The Opinion that has been long expected on his Case is not yet given, but will now very soon. I am now preparing to return, and propose taking Passage in the first Man of War that goes to any Part of North America in the ensuing Spring or Summer. It will be a Pleasure to me to meet with you in the Assembly, as I see by the Papers you are chosen for our County. I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
Mr Pennington
 Addressed: To / Mr Edwd. Pennington / Mercht / Philadelphia / Free / B Franklin
Endorsed: Jany 9th. 1762 B Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from George Aufrere, 9 January 1762
From: Aufrere, George
To: Franklin, Benjamin

To B. Franklin, Esqr.
Dear Sir,
Mincing Lane, 9th Janry. 1762
I have seen Mr. Barclay this Morning who concurs with our House in the Resolution we had taken to pay such of the Province Bills as the Cash in your Hands falls short of discharging. The Method of doing this, will be for you to suffer them to be noted for Non-acceptance, and to direct the Holders of them to us when the 30 Days are run out from the Day of Presentation. We shall then in Conjunction with Messrs. Barclays pay them for Account of the Drawers under the Notarial Act of Honour usual in such Cases. As I hear there is a fresh Arrival to day from Philadelphia which may probably bring over the Remainder of the Bills I thought it necessary to apprize you of the Mode proposed by us for compleating this Transaction, and I am, with sincere Regard, Dear Sir, Your most faithful humble Servant
Geo. Aufrere


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Leech and Charles Norris, 14 January 1762
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Leech, Thomas,Norris, Charles

I.N.
Gentlemen,
London, Jany. 14, 1762
Notwithstanding what I wrote to you of the 9th Inst, that all your Bills would be paid, which I was warranted to do by the Letter from Messrs. Sargent & Aufrere that I enclos’d to the Speaker, and another from the same wherein they inform’d me Messrs. Barclay had agreed thereto, I have now the Mortification to acquaint you, that the last named Gentlemen have since been prevail’d on by the Proprietor to retract their Engagement, and in consequence the former, as you will see by the Copies of Letters that I send you annex’d. I have now accepted all that I can venture to accept till the remaining Stocks are sold, and indeed no more have yet been offer’d me. They are from No. 1. to No. 138 inclusive, except the following which have not yet appear’d, viz. No. 4, 24, 36, 43, 44, 50, 66, 68, 69, 70, 81, 92, 93, 95, 96, 121, 125, 126, 127. These, or most of them, must I believe be return’d. I now hope to be with you pretty early in the Summer, when I shall render a particular Account of this Transaction. In the mean time, I am, with great Regard, Gentlemen, Your most obedient Servant,
B Franklin
Messrs. Leech and Norris


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Sargent Aufrere & Co., 14 January 1762
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Sargent Aufrere & Co.

To Messrs. Sargent & Aufrere
Gentlemen,
London Jany. 14, 1762
I beg Pardon for giving you any farther Trouble relating to the Colony Drafts. It is only to request you would be assured yourselves, and do me the Favour to inform Messrs. Barclays, that I had not the least Intention to subject you and them to the precarious Pleasure of the Proprietor or his Governor, for your Reimbursement, when I requested your Honouring those Drafts. I knew very well that it did not depend upon the Governor. The Drawers must in the Nature of Things have been accountable to you. They actually keep the Money for which they sold the Bills in their own Hands, for their own Security, till they are advis’d of the Payment here, and to enable them to make good any possible Deficiency. They have accordingly allow’d themselves in the Drafts, a proper Time for that Purpose. I did not mean to propose that any Part of the Money appropriated by the new Law should be apply’d to make good any Deficiency in the old one; for I knew that could not be legally done without an Act. But I thought no Inconvenience could arise from borrowing a Part of the second Grant to pay off the overdrawn Bills, and replacing it with the Money that must have been sent you by the Drawers, as soon as they could hear of your Transaction in their favour; especially as an Expence and Loss would thereby be sav’d to the Province, Disappointment to the Purchasers of the Bills prevented, and the Credit of the Publick Drafts supported to their future Advantage; while the Money borrowed for this purpose must otherwise for the Time lie quite dead and useless. Finding it impossible at this Time, to borrow Money of private Persons for their Payment, I have concluded, tho’ with much Regret, to let the overdrawn Bills take their Course. With the greatest Regard, I am Gentlemen, your most obedient humble Servant
B. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Brown, 14 January 1762
From: Brown, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

I.N.
Benj. Franklin Esqr.
Lombardstreet 14th Jany 1762
This is to acquaint you that in consequence of your directions Mr. Shervell has Sold £5000 of the 3 Per Cents. at 65¾ that is without the Dividend 64¼—he is attending the Sale of the remainder and as any thing is done in it will keep you advis’d. I am for Father and Self most Respectfully Yours
Jas. Brown
 Addressed: To / Benj. Franklin Esqr. / In Craven Street / In the Strand


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sargent Aufrere & Co., 15 January 1762
From: Sargent Aufrere & Co.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

To B. Franklin, Esqr;
Dear Sir,
Mincing Lane 15th Janry. 1762
We have this Morning receiv’d your two Letters, that of the 8th. Instant, which you had intended to favour us with sooner, and this of the 14th. Instant, in which to be sure what you say regarding the Colony Drafts, of the Regret you shall feel to let any of them go back, and the very evident Service that will be done the Colony, by preventing it, is so clear and unanswerable, that we can’t help feeling an equal Concern upon the Occasion with yourself, and will therefore out of Respect to you (though we cannot do it out of the Money we are to receive for the Colony,) resolve to pay them out of our own, and that without accepting any Security other than that which we know we have in your Character, of your good Offices with the Colony, to obtain our Reimbursement, as soon as possible, as it really never was so inconvenient for us to do any Thing of this kind, as it is at present, from various Circumstances that you can’t be a Stranger to. We have done you the Justice to explain to Mr. Barclay the Reasons on which you applyed to us, and invited him to join in this Advance for the Colony, but he seems to think it too delicate a Thing for him to meddle in, and declines it. We shall always shew ourselves, Dear Sir, Your assured Friends and humble Servants,
Sargent Aufrere & Co.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Sargent Aufrere & Co., 16 January 1762
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Sargent Aufrere & Co.

To Messrs. Sargent & Aufrere.
Gentlemen,
Craven Street Janry, 16, 1762
Knowing as I do the present great Scarcity and Value of Money here, and the many profitable Uses it may be put to at this Time, I cannot but esteem your Undertaking to pay those Bills out of your own Cash, a Proceeding extreamly generous towards the Province; as well as particularly obliging to me. I shall not omit to express fully, my Sentiments of it to our Friends there by the first Opportunity, and doubt not but an adequate Remittance will immediately be made to Reimburse you, with their best Acknowledgments. In the mean time be pleased to accept of mine, with the sincerest Wishes for your Prosperity. I am, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant
B. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Canton, 21 January 1762
From: Canton, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir,
Spital-Square, January 21, 1762.
Mr. Delaval, in his curious electrical experiments, found that Portland stone, common tobacco-pipe, &c. would readily conduct the electrical fluid, when very hot, or when quite cold; but were non-conductors in an intermediate state. As no one, that I know of, has yet attempted to account for this, I shall submit the following solution to your judgment.
The stone, tobacco-pipe, wood, &c. I apprehend, conduct when cold, by the moisture they contain in that state; when their moisture is evaporated by heat, they become non-conductors; and when they are made very hot, the hot air at, or near their surfaces, will conduct, and the bodies appear to be conductors again.
To prove that hot air will conduct the electrical fluid, let the end of a poker, when red-hot, be brought, but for a moment, within three or four inches of a small electrified body, and its electrical power will be almost, if not entirely destroyed.
And if excited amber, &c. be held within an inch of the flame of a candle, it will lose its electricity before it has acquired a sensible degree of heat.

   I have observed also, that the Tourmalin, Brazil Topaz, and Brazil Emerald, will give much stronger signs of electricity while cooling, after they have been held about a minute within two inches of an almost surrounding fire, where the air is a conductor, than they ever will after heating them in boiling water. And if both sides of either of those stones be equally heated, but in a less degree than will make the surrounding air a conductor, the electricity of each side, whether plus or minus, will continue so, all the time the stone is both heating and cooling; but will increase while it is heating, and decrease while it is cooling. Whereas, if the heat be sufficient to make the surrounding air conduct the electric fluid from the positive side of the stone to the negative side of it, while heating; the electricity of each side will increase, while the stone is cooling, and be contrary to what it was, while the stone was Heating. See the Philosophical Transactions, Vol. LI. p. 403 and 404.

That glass is a conductor in damp weather, on account of the moisture on its surface, is well known; as also, that warming it a little will render it a non-conductor; and that a great degree of heat will make it seem to be a conductor again. Now tobacco-pipe, wood, &c. will not only attract the moisture of the air to their surfaces, but will also absorb it; whence they are conductors in dry weather; and require more heat than glass, as well as a longer continuance in it, to render them non-conductors. It is remarkable, that tobacco-pipe, after it begins to cool, will become a conductor again, sooner than most other substances, and much sooner than wood. The cause of this appears to me, to be the tobacco-pipe’s absorbing the moisture of the air faster than most other substances, and much faster than wood: for the surfaces of tobacco-pipe and wood being wetted, the surface of the wood will continue wet much longer than the surface of the tobacco-pipe.
That tobacco-pipe does not become a non-conductor by a particular degree of heat, without evaporating its moisture, is evident, from the following experiments. If three or four inches of one end of a tobacco-pipe, of more than a foot in length, be made red-hot, without sensibly heating the other end; this pipe will prove a ready conductor, through the hot air surrounding one part of it, and the moisture contained in the other; although some part of it must have the degree of heat of a non-conductor. But if the whole pipe be made red-hot, and suffered to cool, till it has only superficial moisture enough to make it a good conductor; and then three or four inches of one end be again made red-hot, it will become a non-conductor. And if a nail be placed at, or near each end of a longish solid piece of any of the absorbent bodies above-mentioned, so that the point of each nail may be about half the thickness of the body, within its surface; this body, by heat, may be made a non-conductor externally, or superficially, while it remains a good conductor internally: for the electric fluid will pass readily from one nail to the other, through the middle of the body, when it will not pass on its surface; and even when the internal parts of the body are in an equal degree of heat with the external; as they must soon be, after it begins to cool. But if the same body be exposed, for a short time, to a greater degree of heat than before; or if it be kept longer in the same heat, it will become a non-conductor entirely.
In making the above experiments, I used the little electrometer, which I have described in the forty-eighth volume of the Philosophical Transactions, p. 783, and supported it by sealing-wax, or warm glass.
I well remember your acquainting me, that Mr. Delaval did not approve of the above manner of accounting for his experiment on tobacco-pipe, soon after you related it to him, which was some time last summer: but as it still appears satisfactory to me, not withstanding what that gentleman has lately offered against it,

   See a Letter from Mr. Delaval to Mr. Wilson, in the first part of the fifty-second volume of the Philosophical Transactions.

 your laying it before the Royal Society will oblige, Dear Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant,
John Canton.
P.S. Having formerly observed, that the friction between Mercury and Glass in vacuo, would not only produce the light of electricity, as in the luminous barometer, or within an evacuated glass ball, but would also electrify the glass on the outside; I immerged a piece of dry Glass in a basin of mercury, and found, that by taking it out, the Mercury was electrified minus, and the Glass electrified plus, to a considerable degree. I found also, that Amber, Sealing-wax, and Island Crystal, when taken out of Mercury, were all electrified positively.

   A small quantity of an amalgama, or mixture, of Mercury and Tin, with a very little Chalk or Whiting, being rubbed on the cushion of a globe, or on the oiled silk-rubber of a tube, will excite the globe or tube to great degree, with very little friction; especially if the rubbers be made more damp, or dry, as occasion may require.

 How does it then appear, that the electricity, which was observed upon rubbing the last mentioned substance, after it was taken out of Mercury surrounded by Ice, was owing to cold, and not to the friction between it and the Mercury, in taking it out? Island Crystal, when warm, is a non-conductor; and all non-conductors may be excited with proper rubbers.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Brown, 22 January 1762
From: Brown, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

I.N.
Lombardstreet 22d Jany 1762
Mr. Brown’s compliments to Benj. Franklin Esqr. and acquaints him that he has sold Five Thousand Pounds more of the Annuities Vizt.

£3000
at 64½

   2000
at 64⅜

which was all he could do—the price is now but 63¾ and therefore before he sold the remaining five thought it proper to acquaint him with it—and Mr. Brown desires Mr. Franklin will please to send him word per Bearer whether he shall finish it or postpone it for a day or two.
 Addressed: To/ Benj. Franklin Esqr. / In Cravenstreet/In the Strand


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 27 January 1762
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Kames, Henry Home, Lord

My dear Lord,
London, Janry. 27, 1762
I was encourag’d by your Favour of the 22d. of November, to hope that the Beginning of the New Year would have brought me the Pleasure and Improvement I expect from the Perusal of your Elements of Criticism. As yet I hear nothing of any Copies being come to London; and I grow a little impatient.

I am now so much employ’d in Preparation for my Return to America, that tho’ I may while I stay here find Time to read what I so much desire to read, I see I shall find none to write what you in so obliging a Manner urge me to write. When I am once again at home, I have reason to expect a good deal of Leisure, and purpose seizing the first Opportunity of compleating a Work which I flatter myself will be useful to many, and afford some Reputation to its Author.
I am griev’d that you should live in a smoaky Room at Edinburgh, and that it is so difficult at this Distance to employ any Skill I may have in these Matters for your Relief. Perhaps I may be able to advise something after being inform’d of the following Particulars. Does the Chimney refuse constantly to carry Smoke, or is it only at particular Times? Is it in a calm Season, or only when Winds blow? If when Winds blow, what is its Situation? that is, What Point of the Compass does the Opening of the Chimney within your Room face towards, and what Winds chiefly affect it? Does the Smoke only come down in Puffs while the Wind blows, and at Times go well up, or does it constantly lag below and come continually into the Room more or less? Does it in calm Seasons smoke only when the Door is shut, and carry Smoke well up when a Door or Window is left open? What Distance is the Door from the Chimney, and how is it situated with respect to the Chimney? What is the Situation of your high Street in Edinburgh, with respect to the Compass? On which Side of the Street is the House you live in; and is the Room you speak of, in the Front or back Part of the House? Are there any Buildings near that are much higher than that you live in; and how are they situated with respect to it? What are the Dimensions of the Opening of your Chimney in the Room, and what the Dimensions of the Funnel? You will, I am afraid, hardly see a Reason for some of these Questions; and it would be too much for a Letter to explain them all properly. And after all perhaps I can give you no better Advice, than you might receive from a very ingenious Man you have with you, I mean Mr. Russel the Surgeon. There are I think 5 or 6 different Cases of smoaky Chimnies; all (except one) to be cured by different Means; and that one seems to me at present absolutely incurable. Chimneys in this Case, from what I remember of the Situation of Buildings in Edinburgh, I should fear you have more in proportion than any other Town in Britain. But Workmen, ignorant of Causes, are like Quacks, always tampering; applying the Remedy proper in one Case to another in which it is improper, as well as attempting the Cure of what from the Nature of Things is not to be cured.
My Son joins with me in the most cordial Congratulations to you and Lady Kaims on the Marriage of your Daughter so much to your Satisfaction, and with such a Prospect of Happiness to herself. She was indeed a Favourite with us both. Pray intimate to her and to your Son in law that we sincerely wish them every kind of Felicity. Our Compliments likewise to your valuable Son.
I thank you for the kind Reception my young Friend Morgan informs me you have been so good as to afford him. With the truest Esteem and Respect, I am, My dear Lord, Your Lordship’s most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin
P.S. Feb. 11. This Letter was to have gone with Mr. Alexander, but miss’d that Opportunity.
 Addressed: To / The Rt. Honble Lord Kaims / Edinburgh / per / J Bullock
Endorsed: 1762 Jan. 27