Letters to Benjamin Franklin 307 



FroTH Noah Webster, Jr. 1786. May 24. New York. 



Concerning his project of reforming the English alphabet; encloses 

 a plan [i p.] for reducing the orthography of the language to perfect 

 regularity; submits it to Franklin for adoption, amendment or rejection; 

 if he approves it, desires him to lay it before Congress; America ripe 

 for all reforms; asks permission to dedicate his lectures to Franklin; 

 begs him to recommend the [" Grammatical] Institute [of the English 

 Language." 3 parts, Hartford, 1783-5.] A. L. S. 3 p. 



XXXIV, 78. 



From [Col.] D[avid] Humphreys. 1786. May 24. New York. 



Announcing his arrival ; is the bearer of many compliments and 

 friendly messages from Franklin's friends in France. News of Mr. 

 [Thomas] Jefferson. Forwarded from London a poem by Mr. [Wil- 

 liam] Bingham. Hopes to wait upon him in a few weeks; expects 

 to visit Boston and Mount Vernon. A. L. S. 3 p. XXXIV, 79. 



From D[avid] Hartley. 1786. May 24. London. 



Has received no letter from Franklin since December; the news- 

 papers never came to hand; desires to receive about once in three 

 months a box of newspapers and Journals of Congress ; begs Franklin 

 to recommend him to a printer who will undertake the commission. 

 Messages to friends in America. A. L. S. i p. XXXIV, 80. 



From Fran[ci]s Childs. 1786. May 26. New York. 



Has sent the fount of St. Augustine by Capt. Hyde; begs him to return 

 the Philosophic, after weighing both. A. L. S. i p. XXXIV, 81. 



From Patrick Wilson. 1786. May 27. Glasgow University. 



Introducing Dr. Minto, a gentleman of professional merit and the 

 greatest proficiency in mathematics. Messages from his father and other 

 friends. A. L. S. 2 p. XXXIV, 82. 



From Due de la Rochefoucauld. 1786. May 31. Paris. 



Franklin's letter to M. [Louis Guillaume] Le Veillard gave him the 

 greatest pleasure; delighted at the present state of affairs in America; 

 congratulates the country on avoiding anarchy and despotism. A. L. S. 

 2 p. (In French.) XXXIV, 83. 



