It is long since I have heard from you or of you. I hope, however, that you and the Children continue well. Ben is very well, and growing amazingly. He promises to be a stout as well as a good Man. Temple has been ill lately with a Fever, but is getting better and sends his Duty. I suppose Ben writes. I am ever my dear Children, your affectionate Father,

B. FRANKLIN in his 80th Year.

1566. TO MARÉCHAL DE CASTRIES (A. P. S.)

SIR,

Passy, May 16, 1785.

I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 9th Instant, respecting an Advance made to Mr. Bingham Agent of the United States at Martinique, amounting to 200,216 #5. for which he is held accountable. Mr. Bingham resided at Paris during the Winter, with his Family; but is now gone to London, and I know not his Address there. Before his Departure he obtain'd some Letters of Introduction to the Minister of France at that Court, and probably therefore is acquainted with residence; and I submit it to your Consideration, whether it may not be well to charge that Minister with the Demand, as I am about to depart for America, and shall probably have no Opportunity of seeing Mr. Bingham, for which reason I return the Letter. With great Respect, I am, Sir,

Your Excellency's most obedient

& most humble Servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

1567. TO JONATHAN WILLIAMS

DEAR JONATHAN

(P. C.)

Passy May 19. 1785

The Conversations you mention respecting America are pitiable. Those People speak what they wish; but she was certainly never in a more happy Situation. They are angry with us and hate us, and speak all manner of evil of us; but we flourish, notwithstanding. They put me in mind of a violent High Church Factor, resident some time in Boston, when I was a Boy. He had bought upon Speculation a Connecticut Cargo of Onions, which he flatter'd himself he might sell again to great Profit, but the Price fell, and they lay upon hand. He was heartily vex'd with his Bargain, especially when he observ'd they began to grow in the Store he had fill'd with them. He show'd them one Day to a Friend. "Here they are," says he, "and they are growing too! I damn 'em every day; but I think they are like the Presbyterians; the more I curse 'em, the more they grow."

Billy is got well again and I suppose writes. My Disorder has its bad and good Days: At present I am tolerably affected by it; but sometimes the Pain is hard to bear. I wish you to buy and send me Blackrie's Disquisition on Medicines that dissolve the Stone. You will find it at Wilkie's, N° 71, Paul's Churchyard. I am ever, your Affectionate Uncle

B. FRANKLIN.

1 The first paragraph of this letter I have omitted. It contains remarks upon his preparations for his homeward voyage, the substance of which is to be found in other letters. The original is in the possession of Louis A. Biddle, Esq.- ED.

2 "A Disquisition on Medicines which dissolve the Stone, in which Dr.

1568. TO CALEB WHITEFOORD

(B. M.)

Passy May 19. 1785

MY DEAR OLD FRIEND

I have desired my Nephew Mr. Williams to buy a Book for me, Blackrie's Disquisitions upon Medicines for dissolving the Stone. It treats I understand of the Sope-Lye, which is recommended in the Pamphlet you were so kind as to send me. But as he may not easily find an Opportunity of sending it to me, I have directed him to consult with you, hoping that if it is not too big, you may prevail to have it come by the Court Courier, under Cover to your Friend here, who will immediately give it to me.

I am really griev'd to learn by your Letter to my Grandson, that your public Services at the Treaty remain yet unrewarded. You were long and usefully employ'd here, and it is a shame you should be so long neglected. The Ministry being chang'd does not lessen your Merit with regard to the Public. You had a great loss in the Death of that truly good Man Mr. Oswald. For I know it was his intention, tho' he would not accept of anything for himself on Account of his Employment here, to make it a Point with Government, the obtaining a handsome Provision for you. It is unlucky, I think in the Affairs of this World, that the Wise and Good should be as mortal as Common People

Chittick's secret is considered and discovered," by Alexander Blackrie. London, 1766. 12mo.- ED.

1 It was not until 1793 that a pension of £200 a year was secured to Whitefoord for his services. — ED.

2 Richard Oswald died November 6, 1784.- Ed.

and that they often die before others are found fit to supply

I received the very good letter you sent me by my grandson, together with your resemblance, which is placed in my chamber, and gives me great pleasure. There is no trade, they say, without returns, and therefore I am punctual in making those you have ordered.

I intended this should have been a long epistle, but I am interrupted, and can only add, that I am ever yours most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

1570. TO GEORGE WHATLEY

DEAR OLD FRIEND,

(L. C.)

Passy, May 23, 1785.

I sent you a few Lines the other Day, with the Medallion, when I should have written more, but was prevented by the coming in of a Bavard, who worried me till Evening. I bore with him, and now you are to bear with me; for I shall probably bavarder in answering your Letter.

1 From "The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin" (1818), Vol. I, p. 183. - ED.

I am not acquainted with the Saying of Alphonsus,' which you allude to as a Sanctification of your Rigidity, in refusing to allow me the Plea of Old Age, as an Excuse for my Want of Exactness in Correspondence. What was that Saying? You do not, it seems, feel any occasion for such an Excuse, though you are, as you say, rising 75. But I am rising (perhaps more properly falling) 80, and I leave the Excuse with you till you arrive at that Age; perhaps you may then be more sensible of its Validity, and see fit to use it for yourself.

I must agree with you, that the Gout is bad, and that the Stone is worse. I am happy in not having them both together, and I join in your Prayer, that you may live till you die without either. But I doubt the Author of the Epitaph 2 you send me was a little mistaken, when he, speaking of the World, says, that

"he ne'er car'd a pin

What they said or may say of the Mortal within."

It is so natural to wish to be well spoken of, whether alive or dead, that I imagine he could not be quite exempt from that Desire; and that at least he wish'd to be thought a Wit, or he would not have given himself the Trouble of writing so good an Epitaph to leave behind him. Was it not as worthy of his Care, that the World should say he was an honest and a good Man? I like better the concluding Sentiment in the old Song, call'd The Old Man's Wish, wherein, after wishing for a warm House in a country Town, an easy Horse, some good old authors, ingenious and cheerful Companions, a Pudding on Sundays, with stout Ale, and a bottle of Bur

1 The wish of King Alphonsus was to have old friends, old books, old wine, and old wood, whence Whatley gathered that the age of friends ought not to be a plea for indolence or inexactness.-Ed.

2 Pope's Epitaph, Ep. XVI, 6.— Ed.