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Franklin Brain Builders B Franklin, Silas Deane, Arthur Lee, The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs 02/17/2011 Gentlemen:
We have now the Pleasure of sending you the Treaties of Amity and Alliance with France compleated after long Deliberation and signed the 6th. Instant. This is an Event that will give our States such an Appearance of Stability, as must strengthen our Credit, encourage other Powers in Europe to ally themselves with us, weaken the Hopes of our internal, as well as external Enemies, fortify our Friends, and be in many other Respects so advantageous to us, that we congratulate you upon it most heartily; And we flatter ourselves that the Congress will approve of the Terms and dispatch the Ratifications as soon as possible. From Franklin’s Journal, [December 18, 1780-January 29, 1781] 01/26/2011 Went to Paris. Visit Princess Daschkaw, not at home. Visit Prince and Princ[ess] Masserano. He informs me that he dispatches a Messeng[er to Madrid] on Tuesday. Visit Duke de Rochefoucault & Made la Duchesse d'Enville. Visit Messrs Dana & Searle; Not at home. Leave Invitations to dine with me on Sunday. Visit Comte D'Estaing. Not at home. Mr Turgot, not at home.— Accept Bills. From Franklin’s Journal, [December 18, 1780-January 29, 1781] 01/12/2011 Sign Acceptation [of? var]ious Bills. They come thick. From Franklin’s Journal, [December 18, 1780-January 29, 1781] 01/05/2011 Signed Recommendations, to the Ministers, of M. de la Neuville, Officer formerly in the American Service. To Mr. and Mrs. John Sargent, December 29, 1783 12/30/2010 You cannot conceive, my dear Friends, how happy your kind Letters make me. To find that thro’ all the unpleasant Circumstances that so long have separated us, you still retain your ancient Regard for me, gives me a Pleasure inexpressible. A Thousand Thanks for your hearty Invitation to your House. I am sure I can be no where happier, than with a Family I so much love. Whether I can come over in the Spring, is yet uncertain, but it is very certain that I long exceedingly to see and embrace you all; being ever, my Dear Friends. To Vergennes, December 15, 1782 12/30/2010 I have the honour to acquaint your Excellency that our Courier is to set out to-morrow at Ten o Clock, with the Dispatches we send to Congress by the Washington, Capt. Barney, for which Ship we have got a Passport from the King of England. If you would make any Use of this Conveyance, the Courier shall wait upon you to-morrow at Versailles, and receive your Orders.
I hoped I might have been able to send part of the Aids we have asked, by this safe Vessel. I beg that your Excellency would at least inform me what Expectations I may give in my Letters. I fear the Congress will be reduc’d to Despair, when they find that nothing is yet obtained.
Draft Letter to Lord Dartmouth, December 8, 1772 12/30/2010 Dr. Franklin presents his best Respects to Lord Dartmouth, and believing it may be agreable as well as useful to him, to receive other Information of the Sentiments and Disposition of Leading People in America, besides what Ministers are usually furnish’d with from the Officers of the Crown residing there, takes the Liberty of communicating to his Lordship a Letter just received from the Speaker of the Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay, written not as Speaker, but in his private Capacity. Extract from The Pennsylvania Gazette 06/24/2010 The Coroners Inquest on the Body of the young Man, mentioned, in our last, found that his Death was occasioned by the burning Spirits thrown on him, but that, as far as it appeared to them by the Evidence they had, the Throwing those Spirits on him was accidental. 'Tis said however that since the Inquest, farther Evidence has been given to the Magistrates, that it was a voluntary Action. Extract from The Pennsylvania Gazette, June 16, 1737 06/16/2010 We hear that on Monday Night last, some People pretending to be Free-Masons, got together in a Cellar with a young Man who was desirous of being made one, and in the Ceremony, ’tis said, they threw some burning Spirits upon him either accidentally or to terrify him, which burnt him so that he was oblig’d to take his Bed, and died this Morning. The Coroners inquest are now sitting on the Body “Discharge of Cornwallis from His Parole,” June 9, 1782 06/10/2010 I do hereby as far as in my Power lies, in virtue of the abovementioned Resolution or otherwise, absolve and discharge the Parole of Lord Cornwallis given by him in Virginia; setting him at intire Liberty to act in his Civil or Military Capacity, untill the Pleasure of Congress shall be known, to whom is reserved the Confirmation or Disapprobation of this Discharge, in Case they have made or shall intend to make, a different Disposition. Richard Bache, June 2, 1779 06/02/2010
I am surprised to hear that my grandson, Temple Franklin, being with me, should be an objection against me, and that there is a cabal for removing him. Methinks it is rather some merit that I have rescued a valuable young man from the danger of being a Tory, and fixed him in honest republican Whig principles; as I think from the integrity of his disposition, his industry, his early sagacity, and uncommon abilities for business, he may in time become of great service to his country.
American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, May 26, 1777 05/26/2010 The importance of having a Considerable Naval force is too obvious to need our saying more than that we conceive no apparent difficulty, or obstruction, ought to deter Us from pushing it forward to the utmost of Our power. We have sent you by a former Conveyance a plan of a Frigate on a New Construction, and Now send You the Duplicate which we submit to the Judgment of those better skill'd than we pretend to be in Naval Affairs; but imagine that on Our Coast, and perhaps anywhere, Ships constructed in some such manner may be as formidable as those of 74 Guns, and it is certain they will cost Us less. To De Chaumont, May 19, 1779 05/19/2010 I am sorry and very much ashamed of the Quarrel on Board the Alliance: But I beg you would not form an Opinion of the Americans in general from this Accident. Where a Number of Men of whatever Nation are together with little or nothing to do they are apt to be mutinous and quarrelsome. I hope when they are fully employ’d they will behave with more discretion and more good Nature to each other. To the Judges of the Admiralty of Dunkirk, May 12, 1780 05/13/2010 It appears to me that the English Ship of War, called the Countess of Scarborough therein mentioned to be met with when convoying a fleet of the same Nation from the Baltick, and taken by the Pallas is undoubtedly a good prize being taken from the Enemies of the United States of America. And I do accordingly hereby desire of you that you would proceed to the sale of the aforesaid Prize, in conformity to his Majestys Regulation of Septr. 27th. 1778. To Jonathan Williams, April 21, 1764 04/21/2010 I should be glad to know what Sum your Government has paid for the Bounty on Wheat last Year, if you can get at it easily.
It grieves me that the Glasses are not yet come for the Armonica. How does Cousin Josiah go on with his Spinnet? But I make no doubt he improves very fast.
To John Lining, April 14, 1757 04/14/2010 Thus a Body which is a good Conductor of Fire readily receives it into its Substance, and conducts it thro' the Whole to all the Parts; as Metals and Water do; and if two Bodies, both good Conductors, one heated, the other in its common State, are brought into Contact with each other, the Body which has most Fire, readily communicates of it to that which had least; and that which had least readily receives it, till an Equilibrium is produced. Thus, if you take a Dollar between your Fingers with one Hand, and a Piece of Wood of the same Dimensions with the other, and bring both at the same Time to the Flame of a Candle, you will find yourself obliged to drop the Dollar before you drop the Wood, because it conducts the Heat of the Candle sooner to your Flesh. To Benjamin Vaughan, April 7, 1787 04/08/2010 I have here a Harpsichord of such a construction that our Tuners can not tune it, there being two half Notes between the whole Notes. C# for example, as well as D. When properly, tuned, its Music far exceeds what can be produced from common Instruments, but at present 'tis useless to me. When I liv'd in London, there was one Rowley a Clock bell maker, somewhere in or near Moorfields, who made for me two octaves of Bells with those half Notes, all tun'd exactly by a Monoshord of Harrison’s Invention. By the help of these Bells I could tune my Instrument but I lost them when the English were here.
To Peter P. Burdett, March 17, 1775 03/17/2010 Being about to embark for America this Line is just to take leave wishing you every kind of Felicity, and to request that if you have not yet purchased for me the Theatrum Machinarum, you would now omit doing it, as I have the Offer of a Set here. But if you have purchased it, your Draft on me will be duly paid in my Absence by Mrs. Stevenson, in whose Hands I leave my little Affairs, till my Return, which I purpose God willing, in October. Mrs. Stevenson keeps the House in Cravenstreet, wherein I have always lodged since my Residence in London.
To De Vergennes, March 10, 1779 03/17/2010 It is with great Reluctance that I give your Excellency any farther Trouble on the Subject of a Loan of Money: But the Bearer Mr. Grand, who is much better acquainted with the Nature and Manner of such Operations than I am, being of Opinion that the Sum we want might with your Permission & Countenance be procured in France, I beg you would be so good as to hear him upon the Subject, both of the Necessity of obtaining such a Loan and of the Means of accomplishing it.
To Gérard, February 24, 1778 03/17/2010 Understanding that Reports have been spread at Versailles, of Treaties on foot in America between the Congress and the English Commissioners; or here between us and the English Ministry; I send you an American Newspaper of Decr. 19. by which you will see, in the Passages marked with a Pen, in what manner such Reports, and those who occasion them, are treated there. I send you also the only Correspondence I have had, which has any Relation to the same Subject here that you may judge of the Credit due to Such Reports.
To Samuel Rhoads, February 10, 1771 03/17/2010 Mentioning to a Friend of mine, Mr. Wooller, an Engineer, your Idea of Paint and Sand, to make Roofs durable and safer from Fire (which I hope you will try, as I think it very likely to succeed) he communicated to me an Account of a new Method of Covering, in the North, that is in some respects similar, may be as durable, but in my Opinion not so safe. Perhaps it may be of Use for Summer-Houses, Barns, Outhouses, or Buildings where no Fire comes (and therefore I send you the Account enclos'd); but I think I should not care to trust it in a Dwelling-House, in a Town, unless the under Side of the Boards was lathed and plaistered between the Rafters, which would add to the Expence: For tho' the Outside, hardened by the Air, and paved, as it were, by the Sand, Shells, &c. might not readily take fire, the Tar coming thro' the Seams or Craiks of the Boards might be readily inflamed by a Candle from the Inside, placed carelessly by Servants in a Garret.
The Flatness of this Roof, as well as of those with Copper, lessens a good deal the Areas to be covered, and of course the Expence.
To Richard Bennett Lloyd, February 3, 1780 03/17/2010 [I]f you think you can have leave to pass by New York I see nothing amiss in your attempting it and I heartily wish you a prosperous Voyage. As to Conveyances from hence, they are very uncertain or too hazardous for your family to risque, and from Holland they will not be so frequent to Eustatia as here to fore; their ships now going, only under Convoys; and you have afterwards the Risque of being taken between that Island and the Continent. Mr. Izard after waiting long there for a Passage, is returned to Paris having given over that project. To Auzoüer, January 27, 1780 03/17/2010 It is long Since I had any News of Mr. Carrol. I only know that he is a Member of the Congress; but I hear nothing of his Coming to [F]rance. Probably he was not willing to undertake so hazardous a Voyage with his family in time of war, nor to leave them behind in case he did come over.— Be pleased to present my respects to Made. Memorandum on Allowances for Officers’ Quarters, January 20, 1757 03/17/2010 The Officers express’d some Dissatisfaction with the Quarters assigned, as not being convenient or suitable to their respective Ranks. Private Gentlemen were dispos’d to take a Number of the Officers and accommodate them gratis in their own Houses; but the Officers to whom it was mention’d, declin’d accepting such Quarters as it would be laying themselves under an Obligation for a Matter to which they had an undoubted Right. Franklin Brainbuilder 01/13/2010 To Elizabeth Hubbart, January 13, 1757 Old Age, we see, is subject to Love and its Follies as well as Youth: All old People have been young; and when they were so, they laugh’d, as we do, at the Amours of Age. They imagin’d, ’tis like, that the Case would never be theirs. Let us spare ’em, then; lest the same Case should one day be ours. I see you begin to laugh already at my ranking myself among the Young! But you, my Girl, when you arrive at Fifty, will think no more of being old, than does Your affectionate Uncle
B Franklin Franklin Brainbuilder 01/06/2010 To [Thomas Crowley], January 6, 1766 In my own private Judgment I think an immediate Repeal of the Stamp Act would be the best Measure for this Country; but a Suspension of it for three Years, the best for that. The Repeal would fill them with Joy and Gratitude reestablish their respect and Veneration for Parliament, restore at once their ancient and natural Love for this Country, and their regard for every thing that comes from it; hence the Trade would be renew’d in all its Branches, they would again indulge in all the expensive Superfluities you supply them with, and their own new assumed home Industry would languish. But the Suspension, tho’ it might continue their Fears and Anxietys, would at the same time keep up their Resolutions of Industry and Frugality, which in two or three years would grow into Habits to their lasting Advantage. However, as the Repeal will probably not be now agreed to [from] what I think a mistaken Opinion, that the Honour and Dignity of Government is better supported by persisting in a wrong Measure once entered into, than by rectifying an Error as soon as it is discover’d; we must allow the next best thing for the Advantage of both Countries is the Suspension. For as to executing the Act by Force, tis Madness, and will be Ruin to the whole. Franklin Brainbuilder 12/30/2009 To James Bowdoin, December 30, 1754 The enclos’d I intended to send to London but have not yet sent any Part of it. Some of the Letters being yours, I ought first to have your Permission. When you have perus’d the whole, please to send it after me per Post to Rhodeisland, where I expect to be at least 10 Days. My Compliments to Mrs. Bowdoin, with Thanks for your many Civilities, and hearty Wishes of Happiness to you and yours, concludes from Dear Sir, your obliged and most humble Servant Franklin Brainbuilder 12/23/2009 To [Dumas], December 23, 1776 I have only time to say that I am arrived here well, and happy to learn, by your favour of the 17th, that you are so. I enclose a letter to you from the committee, and I shall write to you more fully in a few days. With great esteem, I am ever yours, affectionately Franklin Brainbuilder 12/16/2009 Extracts from The Pennsylvania Gazette, December 16, 1729 We hear from Trenton, that on Friday the 5th Instant, a good new Stable belonging to Mr. John Severn, was burnt down to the Ground, in which was consumed five Load of English Hay, and seven Horses were burnt to Death; occasioned by the Carelessness of a Servant, who let a Candle fall among the Hay.
About the same Time a Barn and Stable was burnt near Allen’s-Town: The Owner attempting to save a good Horse he had in the Stable, very narrowly escap’d with his own Life; ’tis observed as something unaccountable in the Nature of Horses, that they are so far from endeavouring to avoid the Danger of Fire, as to stand obstinately and suffer themselves to be burnt; nor will they be led from it unless first made blindfold. Franklin Brainbuilder 12/02/2009 To John Adams, December 2, 1784 Mr. Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Mr. Adams, with Thanks for his obliging Invitation, which he should accept with Pleasure, but that he finds himself obliged to renounce dining abroad, his Malady rendring it on many accounts extreamly inconvenient to him.
Mr. F. has receiv’d a Letter and some Papers from Mr. Grand, on which he wishes to confer with Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson when convenient to them. Franklin Brainbuilder 11/30/2009 To Thomas Darling and Nathan Whiting, November 25, 1754 I suppose you long since received the Press, Types and Stationary I ordered into your Care. My Nephews that are Printers having one after the other changed their Minds, and chusing to continue where they are, the one at Antigua, and the other at Newport; I must provide another Hand for your Place. In the meantime, Mr. Parker of New York will come I believe and make trial this Winter. If he likes the Place, perhaps he may continue. So please to deliver him the whole when he arrives with you. Franklin Brainbuilder 11/11/2009 To Charles Thomson, November 11, 1784 I received your kind Letter of August 13th. with the Papers annexed, relative to the Affair of Longchamps. I hope Satisfaction will be given to Mr. Marbois. The Commissioners have written a joint Letter to Congress. This serves to cover a few Papers relative to Matters with which I was particularly charged in the Instructions. I shall write to you fully by the next Opportunity, having now only Time to add, that I am, as ever, Yours most Affectionately, Franklin Brainbuilder 11/10/2009 To John Wright, November 4, 1789 We have now had one session of congress, and with as much general satisfaction as could reasonably be expected. I wish the struggle in France may end as happily for that nation. We are now in the full enjoyment of our new government for eleven of the states, and it is generally thought that North Carolina is about to join us; Rhode Island will probably take longer time for consideration. We have had a most plentiful year for the fruits of the earth, and our people seem to be recovering fast from the extravagant and idle habits which the war had introduced, and to engage seriously in the contrary habits of temperance, frugality, and industry, which give the most pleasing prospects of future national felicity. Franklin Brainbuilder 10/28/2009 To Mary Stevenson, October 28, 1768 see very clearly the Unhappiness of your Situation, and that it does not arise from any Fault in you. I pity you most sincerely: I should not, however, have thought of giving you Advice on this Occasion if you had not requested it, believing as I do, that your own good Sense is more than sufficient to direct you in every Point of Duty to others or yourself. If then I should advise you to any thing that may be contrary to your own Opinion, do not imagine that I shall condemn you if you do not follow such Advice. I shall only think that from a better Acquaintance with Circumstances you form a better Judgment of what is fit for you to do. Franklin Brainbuilder 10/23/2009 To Robert R. Livingston, October 14, 1782 In my last of the 26th. past I mentioned that the Negociation [sic] for Peace had been obstructed by the Want of due Form in the English Commissions appointing their Plenipotentiaries. In that for treating with us, the Mentioning our States by their public Name had been avoided, which we objecting to, another is come of which I send a Copy inclosed [sic]. We have now made several preliminary Propositions which the English Minister, Mr. Oswald has approved and sent to his Court. He thinks they will be approved there; but I have some Doubts. Franklin Brainbuilder 10/07/2009 To William Franklin, October 7, 1772 There are certainly some Villains who go about the Country imposing upon People with these Stories of great Estates left them in America; for I have had many Applications of the sort equally groundless. And I believe the same Game is plaid in America, for we have every now and then Fools that come from thence to look for Estates in the Clouds here. The Informer always gets some little Consideration for his Trouble in coming out of his way to give the Information. Franklin Brainbuilder 09/30/2009 To Richard Bache, September 30, 1774 The bearer, Mr. Thomas Paine, is very well recommended to me, as an ingenious, worthy young man. He goes to Pennsylvania with a view of settling there. I request you to give him your best advice and countenance, as he is quite a stranger there. If you can put him in a way of obtaining employment as a clerk, or assistant tutor in a school, or assistant surveyor, (of all which I think him very capable,) so that he may procure a subsistence at least, till he can make acquaintance and obtain a knowledge of the country, you will do well, and much oblige your affectionate father. My love to Sally and the boys. Franklin Brainbuilder 09/23/2009 Extracts from The Pennsylvania Gazette, September 23, 1730 hursday last, a certain P——r [’tis not customary to give Names at length on these Occasions] walking carefully in clean Cloaths over some Barrels of Tar on Carpenter’s Wharff, the head of one of them unluckily gave way, and let a Leg of him in above his Knee. Whether he was upon the Catch at that time, we cannot say, but ’tis certain he caught a Tartar. ’Twas observ’d he sprung out again right briskly, verifying the common Saying, As nimble as a Bee in a Tarbarrel. You must know there are several sorts of Bees: ’tis true he was no Honey Bee, nor yet a Humble Bee, but a Boo bee he may be allow’d to be, namely B.F. Franklin Brainbuilder 09/16/2009 To Jane Mecom, September 16, 1758 I received your Favour of June 17. I wonder you have had no Letter from me since my being in England. I have wrote you at least two and I think a third before this; And, what was next to waiting on you in Person, sent you my Picture. In June last I sent Benny a Trunk of Books and wrote to him. I hope they are come to hand, and that he meets with Incouragement in his Business. I congratulate you on the Conquest of Cape Breton, and hope as your People took it by Praying the first Time, you will now pray that it may never be given up again, which you then forgot. Billy is well but in the Country. I left him at Tunbridge Wells, where we spent a fortnight, and he is now gone with some Company to see Portsmouth. Franklin Brainbuilder 09/11/2009 To [Messrs. Melme & Co.], September 9, 1777
I received your Favour of the 19th past, proposing to furnish the Congress with Arms and Clothing of the Manufacture of Prussia. We have already contracted for as much as our Funds here will enable us to pay for in due time, a considerable Part of the Remittances made to us from America having been intercepted: but as a much greater Quantity is wanted, and will undoubtedly come to a good Market there, we advise you to send a Cargo thither on your own Account, which we hope and believe you will find greatly to your Advantage; and if the Goods are approved, it may open a Trade and Demand there for Prussian Commodities that will be very beneficial to that Kingdom.
Franklin Brainbuilder 09/06/2009 To Anthony Todd, September 2, 1764 The Public Papers, before this can come to hand, will have inform'd you, that Sir William Johnson had held a Treaty at Niagara, and concluded a Peace with all the Indian Nations or Tribes that were at War with us, the Delawares, Shawanese, and other Ohio Indians excepted, who had haughtily refused to send Deputies to the Congress. We were much concern'd to hear of their standing out, as by their Situation they were most capable of injuring this and the neighbouring Provinces, and had actually committed all the late Ravages on the Frontiers of Pensilvania and Virginia.
Franklin Brainbuilder 08/31/2009 To Thomas Ronayne, August 26, 1761
The Balls may be kept from the Wind by hanging them from the Cork within a thin Glass Phial; where they will nevertheless be affected by the State of Electricity in the Air. Rain water, caught during a Thundershower, has been found to be electrified. Small Fragments of Cloud are often seen to be attracted to the large Body of Cloud of a Thunder Gust. The Leaves on the Tops of Trees are observ'd to be drawn up wards when the Great Cloud first comes over them, and the Dust is also drawn up. A number of Strokes from Cloud to Cloud, though all at the same Instant, will give Sounds that arrive at the Ear in Succession according to the different Distances.
Franklin Brainbuilder 08/20/2009 To Henry Laurens, August 19, 1782 The Account you give of your bad State of Health alarms your Friends. Mr. Oswald informs me, that the Waters of Bath used to recover you effectually. And tho' we are very sensible that if you could get well to America, you might be of great Service to the Publick, yet we think the Hazard is too great, as it may be Winter before you can come upon the Coast, and perhaps at this Juncture you might be equally useful in England. On these Considerations we agreed to advise your Return thither.
Franklin Brainbuilder 08/20/2009 To Robert Morris, August 12, 1782 Most of your Letters pressing my obtaining more money for the Present year. The late Losses suffer'd in the W. Indies, and the unforseen necessary Expenses the Reparation there and here must occasion render it more difficult, and I am told impossible. Tho' the good Disposition of the Court towards us continues perfect. All I can say on the Head of money more than I have said in preceding Letters, is, that I confide you will be careful not to Bankrupt your Banker by your Drafts, and I will do my Utmost that those you draw shall be duly honored. Franklin Brainbuilder 08/05/2009 To Alexander Martin, August 5, 1782 Mr Edward Bridgen, Merchant of London, a particular Friend of mine and a zealous one of the American Cause, acquaints me that his Lands on the Sound in Cape Fear River, with his Negroes & Debts owing to Bridgen & Waller have by virtue of some late Laws of your Province been all Confiscated. I have not seen those Laws, but I would hope there may be some Exception in them favouring the Property of our Friends, as it would grieve me to see those suffer as Enemies, who have from the Beginning of our Difference with England, uniformly, openly & firmly espoused the Interests of our Country, which to my certain Knowledge is the Case of Mr Bridgen. Franklin Brainbuilder 07/30/2009 To Peter Collinson, July 29, 1754 I am just return'd from Albany, where were Commissioners from seven Provinces to treat with the Indians of the Six Nations. I suppose the Treaty will be printed, and I shall send you a Copy. At present can only mention, that we brighten'd the Chain with them &c. and parted good Friends; but in my Opinion no Assistance is to be expected from them in any Dispute with the French, 'till by a compleat Union among our selves we are enabled to support them in case they should be attacked.
Franklin Brainbuilder 07/26/2009 To Robert R. Livingston, July 22, 1783
You have complained sometimes with reason of not hearing often from your foreign Ministers; we have had cause to make the same Complaint, six full Months having intervened between the latest Date of your preceeding Letters, and the receipt of those per Capt. Barney. During all this Time we were ignorant of the Reception of the Provisional Treaty, and the Sentiments of Congress upon it, which if we had received sooner, might have forwarded the Proceedings on the Definitive Treaty, and perhaps brought them to a Conclusion at a time more favourable than the present. But these occasional Interruptions of Correspondence are the inevitable Consequences of a State of War and of such remote Situations.
Franklin Brainbuilder 07/26/2009 To Thomas Jefferson, July 15, 1782 I was in great Hopes when I saw your Name in the Commission for treating of Peace, that I should have had the Happiness of seeing you here, and of enjoying again in this World, your pleasing Society and Conversation. But I begin now to fear that I shall be disappointed, as I was in my Expectation of your Company, when I first undertook the Voyage hither.
Franklin Brainbuilder 07/26/2009 Extracts from The Pennsylvania Gazette, July 8, 1731
The Small-pox has now quite left this City. The Number of those that died here of that Distemper, is exactly 288, and no more. 64 of the Number were Negroes; If these may be valued one with another at 30 pounds per Head, the Loss to the City in that Article is near 2000 pounds.
Franklin Brainbuilder 07/08/2009 To [Charles de Weissenstein], July 1, 1778 Our Expectations of the future Grandeur of America are not so magnificent, and therefore not so vain and visionary as you represent them to be. The Body of our People are not Merchants but humble Husbandmen, who delight in the Cultivation of their Lands, which from their Fertility and the Variety of our Climates, are capable of furnishing all the Necessaries and Conveniencies of Life, without external Commerce: And we have too much Land to have the least Temptation to extend our Territories by Conquest from peaceable Neighbours, as well as too much Justice to think of it. Our Militias, you find by Experience, are sufficient to defend our Lands from Invasion; and the Commerce with us will be defended by all the Nations who find an Advantage in it: We therefore have not the Occasion you imagine of Fleets or Standing Armies, but may well leave those expensive Machines to be maintain'd for the Pomp of Princes and by the Wealth of ancient States.
Franklin Brainbuilder 06/27/2009 To Gerard de Rayneval, June 24, 1780 The Person who calls himself Dumont was with me yesterday Evening, bringing Notes to me from M. de Vergennes & M le Duc de Vauguyon. He said his Business was to solicit a Supply of 4000. Stand of Arms to be landed in the West of England, for the Use of the Petitioners who were become sensible that Petitioning signified nothing, and that without using Force it was impossible to prevent the total Loss of Liberty and the Establishment of arbitrary Government in England; that the Appearance of 4000 Men in Arms, would be sufficient to draw together a great Body from different Parts, the whole Nation being dissatisfied with the present Government; that even the Army was disaffected, & the Navy so much so, that Admiral Geary had been ordered to put to Sea with the Fleet, to prevent a Revolt which was apprehended among the Seamen.
Franklin Brainbuilder 06/17/2009 To John Lining, June 17, 1758 [M]ere blowing of air on a dry body does not cool it, as any one may satisfy himself, by blowing with a bellows on the dry ball of a thermometer; the mercury will not fall; if it moves at all, it rather rises, as being warmed by the friction of the air on its surface? To these queries of imagination, I will only add one practical observation; that wherever it is thought proper to give ease, in cases of painful inflammation in the flesh, (as from burnings, or the like) by cooling the part; linen cloths, wet with spirit, and applied to the part inflamed, will produce the coolness required, better than if wet with water, and will continue it longer. For water, though cold when first applied, will soon acquire warmth from the flesh, as it does not evaporate fast enough; but the cloths wet with spirit, will continue cold as long as any spirit is left to keep up the evaporation, the parts warmed escaping as soon as they are warmed, and carrying off the heat with them.
Franklin Brainbuilder 06/15/2009 To Jonathan Shipley, June 10, 1782
I long with you for the Return of Peace, on the general Principles of Humanity. The Hope of being able to pass a few more of my last Days happily in the sweet Conversations & Company I once enjoy'd at Twyford, is a particular Motive that adds Strength to the general Wish, and quickens my Industry to procure that best of Blessings. After much Occasion to consider the Folly and Mischiefs of a State of Warfare, and the little or no Advantage obtained even by those Nations who have conducted it with the most Success, I have been apt to think that there has never been or ever will be any such Thing as a good War or a bad Peace.
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