Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

CORRESPONDENCE.

TO BENJAMIN VAUGHAN.

Southampton, 8 o'clock, A. M., 24 July, 1785.

MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,

I am this minute arrived here with my family from Havre de Grace; and shall stay here till Captain Truxtun arrives at Cowes to take us in.* I write this line, just to inform you, that I bore the journey to Havre, in one of the King's litters, very well, and the voyage also from thence hither in forty-five hours, though the wind was a great part of the time contrary. I shall be glad of a line from you, acquainting me whether you ever received two pieces I sent you some months since; one on your penal laws, the other an account

* Thomas Truxtun, distinguished in the naval annals of the United States, was born on Long Island, February 17th, 1755. He manifested an early predilection for the sea, and made his first voyage when he was twelve years old. During a part of the Revolution he commanded several private armed vessels, in which he was successful in annoying the enemy's commerce, particularly on the coast of England. He signalized himself for courage and skill in two or three engagements. When the navy was revived, on the prospect of a war with France, in 1794, Truxtun was one of the six captains first nominated by Washington to the Senate. He superintended the building of the frigate Constellation, with which, and a small squadron under his command, he was employed in protecting the American commerce in the West Indies. It was here that he fought his celebrated action with the French frigate Insurgente, on the 9th of February, 1799. After an engagement of an hour and a quarter the Insurgente struck her colors. This vessel carried forty guns, and four hundred and seventeen men; of whom twenty-nine were killed and forty-four wounded. The Constellation carried thirtysix guns, and had but one man killed and two wounded. The gallantry displayed by Commodore Truxtun on this occasion was highly applauded. VOL. X. 28

of the residence of an English seaman in China.* As you commonly said something to me concerning the things I used to send you, I apprehend you either have not received these, or do not like them. If you have any thing to say by me to your friends in America, send it, and I will take care to deliver it. Adieu, my dearest friend. I am ever yours,

B. FRANKLIN.t

FROM JONATHAN SHIPLEY, BISHOP OF ST. ASAPH,

TO B. FRANKLIN.

MY EVER DEar Friend,

Twyford, 24 July, 1785.

The first emotion of my heart is, to thank Heaven, that you are once more so near me, and that I shall have the happiness of seeing you in a few hours. Some of our good friends are come most untimely to dine with us. As soon as we are rid of them, my wife, and I, and the only daughter that is now with us, will hasten to welcome you, and to enjoy, till the last moment of your departure, as much of the blessing of your conversation, as we can without being tiresome. Adieu, till seven or eight in the evening. I will leave directions to hasten Mr. Williams. Ever yours,

See Vol. II. pp. 241, 478.

J. ST. ASAPH.

He wrote also from Southampton to Dr. Lettsom as follows. "Dear Sir; I received here your kind letter, and the valuable present of Dr. Fothergill's Works; for which please to accept my grateful acknowledgments. I purpose, on my voyage, to write the remaining notes of my life, which you desire, and to send them to you on my arrival. You have done a good deed in contributing to promote science among us, by your liberal donation of books to Carlisle College. Thanks for your good wishes in favor of our country, and of your friend and servant."-July 26th.

TO MRS. MARY HEWSON.

DEAR FRIEND,

Southampton, 26 July, 1785.

I received here yours of the 23d instant. I am sorry it did not suit you to go in the ship with me, having engaged places in the cabin, that would have accommodated you and yours, not indeed on your account, because I never depended on your going; but I took the whole cabin, that I might not be intruded on by any accidental disagreeable company.

If you come to Philadelphia, you will find an always affectionate friend in me, and in my children after I am gone. My love to yours, and to Dolly; and my respects to Mrs. Hawkesworth. I came to Havre de Grace in a litter, and hither in the packet-boat; and, instead of being hurt by the journey or voyage, I really find myself very much better, not having suffered so little for the time these two years past.

Adieu, my dear friend; accept my repeated thanks for the agreeable winter your kind company, with that of my young friends, made me pass, and believe me ever yours most sincerely and most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

FROM MISS CATHERINE LOUISA SHIPLEY TO

B. FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR GOOD FRIEND,

Twyford, 2 August, 1785.

You gave me leave to write to you, and I take the first opportunity of profiting by your indulgence. I do assure you, we all left your ship with a heavy heart; but the taking leave was a scene we wished to save you as well as ourselves. God grant you may have

a good voyage; it is our constant toast every day at dinner. I was quite provoked with myself, when I got to Southampton, that I had not thought of something to leave with you, that might have been useful during the voyage, to remind you of me. You produced a housewife; possibly you had no pincushion ; how happy would it have made me to have given you Did you ever taste the ginger cake, and think it had belonged to your fellow traveller? In short, I want some excuse for asking, whether you ever think about me.

one.

We are for ever talking of our good friend; something is perpetually occurring to remind us of the time spent with you. We never walk in the garden, without seeing Dr. Franklin's room, and thinking of the work that was begun in it.* I have sincerely wished you a good voyage, but since the completion of that work depends on its length, I cannot wish it may be short. I had a letter from Emily the night after I got home, to inquire whether your stay at Southampton would allow time for her coming to see you. Bessy regretted much that she lost that happiness. I have written to dear Georgiana a long account of you, for I know every circumstance will be interesting to her.† Indeed, my dear Sir, from my father and mother down to their youngest child, we all respect and love you. I have not sent the verses, because I intend to make them an excuse for troubling you with another letter. Believe me, my dear good friend, most affectionately yours, CATHERINE LOUISA SHIPLEY.

*It was in this room that Dr. Franklin wrote the first part of the Memoirs of his life, in the year 1771.

Georgiana Shipley was married to a Mr. Hare, and was at this time residing in Italy.

FROM DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

London, 24 August, 1785.

I thank you for your last kind remembrance of me from Southampton. I was very unfortunately absent in the country for the two days, in which I could have had the pleasure of seeing you at Southampton, had I heard of your being there. I heard it in London, on Wednesday afternoon, the 27th of July. I got within a mile of Southampton the next morning, and met the Bishop of St. Asaph, who had just left you on board and under sail.

I greatly regret my disappointment. We were three of us, all of one name, and of one affection and respect for you; though I must still claim the preeminence in this above my relations, having had the happiness of knowing you most. Although we are separated, yet I hope you know me too well, not to remain always assured, that I shall for ever continue united with you in our favorite pursuit of promoting good will and a good understanding between our two countries, as the probable means of securing durable peace, that best of human blessings. I hope you will remember me, when you arrive in your own country, and that you will always consider me as an unalterable friend to peace and justice, and for ever your friend and well

wisher.

My brother and sister desire to be most kindly remembered to you, as likewise my cousin, Mr. Samuel Hartley, whom you know; and his brother, Colonel James Hartley, desires to join, from his respect to your character, though he never had the pleasure of seeing you. I hope you will favor me with your correspondence, particularly upon any interesting public

S

« ZurückWeiter »