Letters to Benjamin Franklin 309 



judgment would have prevented many wild and extravagant acts. 

 Highly approves of Franklin's suggested reforms of the Book of Com- 

 mon Prayer; great praise due their young Minister [William Pitt] ; 

 his suppression of smuggling and the wisdom of the taxes imposed; 

 an uninterrupted competition between Nations the true source of im- 

 provement and mutual benefit. A. L. S. 2 p. XXXIV, 88. 



From Thomas Paine. 1786. June 6. Bordentown. 



Introducing Mr. Hall, who carries with him the other two models 

 for a bridge, one of wood and the other of cast iron; desires Franklin's 

 opinion and judgment thereon; these bridges leave the river clear of 

 the incumbrance of piers; comparison of the two models; designed the 

 wooden bridge to span the Harlem river; suggests a bridge being 

 erected across the Schuylkill on the plan of the iron model ; hopes to 

 see Franklin shortly and discuss the subject further. A. L. S. 7 p. 



XXXIV, 89. 



From R[ichard] Caswell. 1786. June 7. Kinston, North Carolina. 



The Assembly passed an Act to restore Mr. [Edward] Bridgen his 

 property. A. L. S. i p. XXXIV, 90. 



From W[illiam] Alexander. 1786. June 10. Richmond. 



Concerning a piece of business undertaken by him for Franklin's 

 old servant, Nicolas La Fargue. Requests him to deliver the securities 

 upon La Fargue returning his obligation with an acknowledgment on 

 the back that his trust is discharged. If his friend Billy [William 

 Temple Franklin] has nothing to do, would be glad to see him in 

 Richmond. A. L. S. 2 p. XXXIV, 90^. 



Fro7?i Carl Friderich Schilling von Canstadt. 

 1786. June 12. Hohenweltersbach near Durlach, Suabia. 



Wishes to acquire an estate in America for one of his children. Is 

 there danger from incursion of savages? Is there spiritual and moral 

 liberty? Suggestions to America for the encouragement of emigra- 

 tion. Mentions Ludwig Baisch, a Philadelphia merchant, also Messrs. 

 Bertsch and Mayer of the same place. A. L. S. 7 p. (In German.) 



LIX, 71. 



Abstract of the same. L. 2 p. XXXIV, 91. 



