48 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



of the disease; question of who will succeed him in the office of Probate 

 for Wills. An advertisement, published by John Dickinson, inform- 

 ing the electors of this county of his determination to decline the ser- 

 vice. A. L. S. 2 p. I, 156. 



From John Balfour. 1765. September 2. Edinburgh. 



Acknowledging favor of 9th ult. giving an account of Mr. Mecom's 

 affairs; thinks that young gentleman is much to be pitied; considers that 

 Franklin has acted generously in suffering Mr. Mecom's effects to be 

 equally divided amongs his creditors. Asks him to recommend an honest 

 attorney in New York, as one James Parker owes him a good deal of 

 money. Mr. Robert Alexander stands as candidate for the borough of 

 Anstrather in the place of Sir Harry Erskine. A. L. S. 2 p. I, 157. 



From James Parker. 1765. September 22. Burlington. 



Acknowledging favor of July 6th; will send him tables of rates of 

 postage as soon as he can print them. Mr. Hall's accounts. Concern- 

 ing the possibility of procuring that place in the custom house for 

 his son, who has mended his ways. Saw Mr. Hughes in Philadelphia, 

 who is poorly. Will doubtless hear from many quarters of the com- 

 motions related to the Stamp Act; thinks one-half the Americans will 

 die rather than yield. A. L. S. i p. I, 158. 



Printed in Proc. Mass. Hist. Soc, 2d Series, XVI, p. 199. 



From Mary Hopkinson. 1765. October i. 



Expressing her intense gratitude to Franklin after his kindness in 

 tracing out her family ; of all her husband's old friends, but one gentle- 

 man besides himself has been good enough to extend their regard to his 

 wife and children ; sends him an order on jMessrs. Barclay & Sons for the 

 expense he has been at in this affair. A. L. S. 2 p. I, 160. 



From Tho[mas] Wharton. 1765. October 5. Philadelphia. 



Acknowledging favor of 13th July. Result of the elections; got in 

 every man they proposed: I. Norris, J. Fox, J, Galloway, J. Rich- 

 ardson, R. Evans, T. Livezey, M. Hillegas and Henry Pawling; thus it 

 has fared throughout the Province, except in Berks, where they lost 

 their worthy friend John Ross. Arrival of the vessel with the stamped 

 paper created much confusion and disorder; inhabitants gathered at the 

 State House by beat of drum; their object, the destruction of J. Hughes 



