gably active in the Performance of those Duties.

I give

you this Testimonial with great Pleasure, being with sincere & great Esteem, Sir,

Your most obedt Serv

B. FRANKLIN.

1663. TO ABBE DE LA ROCHE (L. C.)

DEAR SIR,

Philada, Nov. 20, 1786.

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.

Helvétius,

Adieu. Yours most affectionately,

infinitely

B. FRANKLIN.

I receiv'd several Productions of the Academy at Auteuil,' which gave me great Pleasure.

1 A humorous allusion to the literary diversions of the merry guests of Madame Helvétius. - ED.

1664. TO WILLIAM HUNTER

MY DEAR OLD FRIEND,

1

Philadelphia, Nov. 24, 1786.

It rejoiced me much 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 24 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 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.

2

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.""

1 From "The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin" (1818), Vol. I, p. 211. - Ed.

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

3 A famous series of letters in rhyme entitled the "New Bath Guide, or Memoirs of the B-r-d [Blunderhead] Family, in a series of Poetical Epistles," by Christopher Anstey (1724-1805). — Ed.

I had read it formerly, but it has afforded me fresh pleas

ure.

Your newspapers, to please honest John Bull, paint our situation here in frightful colours, as if we were very miserable since we broke our connexion 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 8 s., and 8 s. 6 d. per 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.

1665. TO THOMAS WIGHT, JR.1

(L. C.)

Philada, Nov. 25. 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 Armourer 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 humble Servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

DEAR SIR: I hope your Gout will be of Service to you, as I have always found mine has been to me. I return the Piece. And since you seem to wish for my Advice, tho' 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 Ani

--

1 A brandy merchant of Birmingham. — ED. 2 In A. P. S. - ED.

A citizen of Birmingham who had gone to America upon advice and direction of Franklin. Mr. Wight wrote that a certain Mrs. Glover who died on the 22d of July had left some property to the said John Tyler. — ED.

mosity may be entail'd to the Prejudice of both sides. With great Esteem and Affection, I am ever yours,

B. FRANKLIN.

1667. TO EDWARD BANCROFT

DEAR SIR,

(L. C.)

Philada, Nov. 26, 1786.

I received your kind Letter of September 5,1 informing me of the intention Mr. Dilly has of printing a new Edition of my Writings, and of his Desire, that I would furnish him with such Additions as I may think proper. At present all my Papers and Manuscripts are so mixt with other things, by the Confusions occasioned in sudden and various Removals during the late Troubles, that I can hardly find any thing. But, having nearly finished an Addition to my House, which will afford me Room to put all in Order, I hope soon to be able to comply with such a Request; but I hope Mr. Dilly will have a good Understanding in the Affair with Henry and Johnson, who, having risqu'd the former Impressions, may suppose they thereby acquired some Right in the Copy. As to the Life propos'd to be written, if it be by the same hand who furnish'd a Sketch to Dr. Lettsom, which he sent me, I am afraid it will be found too full of Errors for either you or me to correct: And having been persuaded by my Friends, Messrs. Benja Vaughan, M. Le Veillard, Mr. James of this Place, and some others, that such a Life, written by myself, may be useful to

1 In A. P. S. - ED.

2" Philosophical and Miscellaneous Papers. Lately Written by B. Franklin, LL.D. London; Printed for C. Dilly in the Poultry, 1787." Charles Dilly (1739-1807) was the publisher of "Tour to the Hebrides" (1780) and the first edition of Boswell's "Life of Johnson" (1791). — Ed.