valuable Review of the Principal Questions and Difficulties in Morals. The College of Physicians in London have just printed a specimen of a new Pharmacopoeia. The president has favored me with a copy; and I think the dispensatory, on the whole, is likely to be much improved.

I have already transmitted, in a letter to Dr. Rush, my grateful acknowledgments to the American Philosophical Society for the honor of being elected into their body. To you I am doubtless much indebted for this mark of distinction. Accept my best thanks, and believe me to be, with the most cordial respect and esteem, dear sir, etc.,

MCCCCXL

THOMAS PERCIVAL.

TO M. L'ABBÉ DE LA ROCHE

PHILADELPHIA, 20 November, 1786.

DEAR SIR: I hope soon to be in a situation when I can write largely and fully to my friends in France, without the perpetual interruptions I now daily meet with. At present I can only tell you that I am well, and that I esteem you,

and l'Abbé Morellet,

and M. Cabanis,

and love dear Mme.

Helvetius,

Infinitely.

Adieu. Yours most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

I received several productions of the Academy at

Auteuil, which gave me great pleasure.

MCCCCXLI

TO WILLIAM HUNTER

Philadelphia, 24 November, 1786.

MY DEAR OLD FRIEND:-It rejoiced me to learn by your kind letter of February last, which I received about ten days since, that you are still in the land of the living, and that you are still at Bath, the very place that I think gives you the best chance of passing the evening of life agreeably. I too am got into my niche, after being kept out of it twenty-four years by foreign employments. It is a very good house that I built so long ago to retire into, without being able till now to enjoy it. I am again surrounded by my friends, with a fine family of grandchildren about my knees, and an affectionate good daughter and son-in-law to take care of me. And, after fifty years' public service, I have the pleasure to find the esteem of my country with regard to me undiminished; the late reëlection of me to the presidentship, notwithstanding the different parties we are split into, being absolutely unanimous. This I tell you, not merely to indulge in my own vanity, but because I know you love me, and will be pleased to hear of whatever happens that is agreeable to your friend.

I find Mr. Anstey,' whom you recommend to me, a very agreeable, sensible man, and shall render him any service that may lie in my power. I thank you for the New Bath Guide. I had read it formerly, but it has afforded me fresh pleasure.

Your newspapers, to please honest John Bull,

Mr. Anstey was a commissioner sent over by the British government to settle the affairs of the refugees in America.

VOL. XI.-19.

paint our situation here in frightful colors, as if we were very miserable since we broke our connection with him. But I will give you some remarks by which you may form your own judgment. Our husbandmen, who are the bulk of the nation, have had plentiful crops, their produce sells at high prices and for ready, hard money; wheat, for instance, at eight shillings, and eight shillings and sixpence, a bushel.

Our working people are all employed and get high wages, are well fed and well clad. Our estates in houses are trebled in value by the rising of rents since the Revolution. Buildings in Philadelphia increase amazingly, besides small towns rising in every quarter of the country. The laws govern, justice is well administered, and property as secure as in any country on the globe. Our wilderness lands are daily buying up by new settlers, and our settlements extend rapidly to the westward. European goods were never so cheaply afforded us as since Britain has no longer the monopoly of supplying us. In short, all among us may be happy, who have happy dispositions; such being necessary to happiness even in Paradise.

I speak these things of Pennsylvania, with which I am most acquainted. As to the other States, when I read in all the papers of the extravagant rejoicings every 4th of July, the day on which was signed the Declaration of Independence, I am convinced that none of them are discontented with the Revolution. Adieu, my dear friend, and believe me ever, with sincere esteem and affection, yours most truly, B. FRANKLIN.

MCCCCXLII

TO MR. THOS. WIGHT, JUNIOR.

PHILADELPHIA, 25 November, 1786. SIR: I received your letter dated the 3d of September last, enquiring after John Tyler. He is living and in good health, and was here with me a few days since, but is, I believe, gone back into the country where he resides, his coming to town being to apply to government for some arrears due to him as armorer to the troops during the late war. I am glad to hear that Mr. and Mrs. Salt are still in the land of the living. My respects and best wishes attend them. I shall acquaint Mr. Tyler with what you have mentioned to me of something being left him, and am, sir, your most humble servant,

MCCCCXLIII

ΤΟ

B. FRANKLIN.

25 November, 1786.

I

DEAR SIR: I hope your gout will be of service to you, as I have always found mine has been to me. return the piece. And since you seem to wish for my advice, though without asking it, I will give it. Do not publish the piece immediately. Let it lie by you at least a twelvemonth, then reconsider it, and do what you find proper. Such personal public attacks are never forgiven. You both have children, and the animosity may be entailed to the prejudice

of both sides. With great esteem and affection, I

am ever yours,

B. FRANKLIN.

MCCCCXLIV

TO THE CAPTAIN OF A SPANISH MAN-OF-WAR

PHILADELPHIA, 16 December, 1786.

HONORABLE SIR:-The council having received information that the ship under your command lies in a dangerous situation, exposed to be much injured, if not destroyed, by the violence of the driving ice, have thought that not only the duty of hospitality, of duty towards strangers in our port, but the just regard due from us to the excellent prince, your sovereign, and the good friend of these States, required of us to afford every assistance in our power for her preservation. And apprehending that possibly your people, accustomed to warmer climates, may not be so well acquainted with the force and mischievous effects of ice, and the methods of guarding against it, we send to you two of the wardens of the port, men of experience and knowledge in such matters, on whose advice you may rely, and who have authority to obtain such aid from the inhabitants, if any should be wanted, as may enable them to put her in a position of the greatest possible safety. Wishing you every kind of prosperity, I have the honor to be, honorable sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN.