not been neglected. The Hurry in our Public Councils during the first Part of the Winter, occasion'd by the Expectation of an immediate foreign War, and the domestic Confusion that took place after the Convention, have been great Hindrances to proceeding in American Affairs.

545. TO JONATHAN WILLIAMS'

LOVING COUSIN,

London, March 5, 1771

I suppose Jonathan has told you, that the lottery is drawn, and your two new tickets had the same success as the former, namely, one twenty-pound prize, and one blank. Would you go on any further?

Josiah is very happy in being under the tuition of Mr. Stanley, who very kindly undertook him at my request, though he had left off teaching. Josiah goes constantly, too, to several concerts, besides operas and oratorios, so that his thirst for music is in a way of being thoroughly satiated. This is the principal expense; for, in all other respects, I never saw two young men from America more prudent and frugal, than he and his brother are.

Jonathan seems to have an excellent turn for business, and to be a perfect master of accounts. In the latter he has been of great use to me, having put all mine in order for me. There is a proposal from his uncle of his going to East India, as a writer in the Company's service, which I wish may take place, as I think, if he lives, he cannot fail bringing home a

1 From "A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin" (Sparks), Boston, 1833, p. 137. — ED.

fortune. He had ordered a cargo of goods to be sent you for cousin Wood's shop, and had given expectations of paying ready money. But, one of your bills being protested, there seemed a necessity of asking some credit of the merchant. I advised him to take what was wanting of me, rather than fail in punctuality to his word, which is sacred here among all that would maintain a character in trade. He did so; and thereby also saved the discount without putting me to the least inconvenience, provided the money is replaced in six months; and I was glad I had it in my power to accommodate him.

I hope you have before this time got another tenant for your house, and at the former rent. However, I would have you go on advancing to my sister the amount of it, as I am persuaded she cannot well do without it. She has, indeed, been very unfortunate in her children. I am glad to hear, that, as soon as the weather permits, the tomb will receive a thorough repair. Your kind care in this matter will greatly oblige your affectionate uncle,

B. FRANKLIN.

546. TO MRS. WILLIAMS1

DEAR COUSIN,

(P. C.)

London, March 5, 1771.

I received your kind Letter with your Sons. They are, I assure you, exceeding welcome to me; and they behave with so much Prudence, that no two young Men could possibly less need the Advice you would have me give them. Josiah is

1 From the original in the possession of Mr. Louis A. Biddle. Mrs. Williams, the mother of Jonathan Williams, was Grace Harris, a niece of Benjamin Franklin. — ED.

very happily employ'd in his Musical Pursuits. And as you hinted to me, that it would be agreable to you, if I employ'd Jonathan in Writing, I requested him to put my Accounts in Order, which had been much neglected. He undertook it with the utmost chearfulness and Readiness, and executed it with the greatest Diligence, making me a compleat new Set of Books, fairly written out and settled in a mercantile Manner, which is a great Satisfaction to me, and a very considerable Service. I mention this, that you may not be in the least Uneasy from an Apprehension of their Visit being burthensome to me; it being, I assure you, quite the contrary.

It has been wonderful to me to see a young Man from America, in a Place so full of various Amusements as London is, as attentive to Business, as diligent in it, and keeping as close at home till it was finished, as if it had been for his own Profit; and as if he had been at the Publick Diversions so often, as to be tired of them.

I pray God to keep and preserve you and yours, and give you again, in due time, a happy Sight of these valuable Sons; being your affectionate Uncle,

B. FRANKLIN.

547. TO THE LIBRARY CO. OF PHILADELPHIA 1 London, April 16, 1771

GENTLEMEN

I received yours of Jan. 25 with a Catalogue of Books to be purchased for the Library Company. The Collection is making with all possible Expedition, but I fear will scarce be ready to go with this Ship.

1 From the original in the possession of Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan. - ED.

I beg you would not imagine it giving me Trouble When you send me the Commands of the Company. If I can execute them to their Satisfaction it will on the contrary be a very great pleasure to me For I have many Reasons to wish well to the Institution.

I hope to send you with the Books an Estimate of the Cost of the European Transactions and the French Cyclopædia. I am very Respectfully

Messrs Mich. Hillegas

Nich. Waln

and R. Strettrell Jones

B. FRANKLIN.

548. TO WILLIAM FRANKLIN

DEAR SON,

(A. P. S.)

London, April 20, 1771.

It is long since I have heard from you. The last Packet brought me no Letter, and there are two Packets now due. It is supposed that the long easterly Winds have kept them back. We have had a severe and tedious Winter here. There is not yet the smallest Appearance of Spring. Not a Bud has push'd out, nor a Blade of Grass. The Turnips that us'd to feed the Cattle have been destroy'd by the Frost. The Hay in most Parts of the Country is gone, and the Cattle perishing for Want, the Lambs dying by thousands, thro' Cold and scanty Nourishment. Tuesday last I went to dine at our Friend Sir Matthew Featherstone's thro' a heavy Storm of Snow. His Windows you know look into the Park. Towards Evening I observ'd the Snow still lying over all the 1 A member of the Royal Society, elected a Fellow, February 13, 1752.—ED.

1

Park, for the Ground was before too cold to thaw it, being itself frozen & Ice in the Canal. You cannot imagine a more winterlike Prospect! Sir M. and Lady F. always enquire kindly of your Welfare: As do Mr. and Mrs. Sargent.

Sir John Pringle has heard from Mr. Bowman of your kindness to that gent", and desires I would present his particular Acknowledgments for the Attention you have paid to his Recommendation.' The Ohio Affair seems now near a Conclusion. And if the present Ministry stand a little longer, I think it will be compleated to our Satisfaction. Mr. Wharton has been indefatigable, and I think scarce any one I know besides would have been equal to the Task, so difficult it is to get Business forward here, in which some Party Purpose is not to be served: But he is among them, eternally, & leaves no stone unturn'd. I would, however, advise you not to say anything of our Prospect of Success, till the Event appears, for many things happen between the Cup & the Lip.

I have attended several Times this Winter upon your Acts of Assembly. The Board are not favourably dispos'd towards your Insolvent Acts, pretending to doubt whether distant Creditors, particularly such as reside in England, may not sometimes be injured by them. I have had a good deal of Conversation with Mr. Jackson about them, who remarks that whatever Care the Assembly may, according to my Representation of their Practice, take in examining into the Cases to prevent Injustice, yet upon the Face of the Acts nothing

1 A paragraph concerning William Franklin's accounts is here omitted. The only item of interest in it is: "the heaviest Part is the Maintenance & Education of Temple but that his Friends will not grudge when they see him." - ED.