Letters to Benjamin Franklin 97 



adequate in such a dear place as New York. Post-office affairs; ques- 

 tion of appointing him traveling surveyor. Offers to measure the roads, 

 if it is thought expedient to have it done. Never expects to do much w^ith 

 his printing; mentions many rival papers; of advertisements, which are 

 the life of a paper, he only gets a few. A. L. S. 3 p. II, 176. 



i^roOT James Parker. 1769. May 31. New York. 



Concerning bills of exchange sent to Franklin. Has got almost all 

 the locks and keys on the several mails; many of the riders don't like it. 

 Mr. Luke Babcock, Post-Master at New Haven, wishes to resign in 

 favor of Mr. Christopher Kilby; desires Franklin's opinion. Question 

 of appointing Mr. Robinson assistant in the post-office. His printing 

 materials at Woodbridge are being used by his son; he seems to have 

 reformed a little; his health injured by his folly. Hard times in 

 general. A. L. S. 2 p. II, I77« 



From John Shippon. 1769. June 3. Southwark. 

 After perusing the enclosed letters from his father, hopes Franklin 

 will assist him to return to America, to accomplish his scheme of read- 

 ing lectures on natural history. A. L. S. I p. II, 178. 



From [Dr.] Th[omas] Bond. 1769. June 7. Philadelphia. 

 Acknowledging favor of March 9, concerning some business trans- 

 action between Mr. Cowell and Bond & Byrn. Mrs. Franklin was 

 affected with a partial palsy in the tongue and a sudden loss of memory; 

 better now, but constitution seems impaired. American Philosophical 

 Society again united and with the aid of Franklin's presence, might make 

 a figure. The telescope he procured was used in the late observa- 

 tions of Venus's transit; hopes to transmit these in a fortnight. Hos- 

 pital and School of Physic flourishing; manufactures of necessity take 

 place more and more; Maryland and Virginia examples of industry 

 and patriotic spirits. L. S. 2 p. II, I79- 



From C[adwalader] Evans. 1769. June 11. Philadelphia. 

 Enclosing some remarks made by O. Biddle and Joel Bailey at Cape 

 Henlopen on the late transit of Venus. Has not attended the meetings 

 of the Philosophical Society since the two were joined and Franklin was 

 elected President; thinks the eagerness the professors of the College 

 showed for the union was to avail themselves of the labors of others 



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