sources in advance---arms---discipline---cannot prepare to return home till he hasmade some arrangements. David Hartley, Esq., to Dr. Franklin, Paris, June 1, 1784, 545 Has transmitted ratification of treaty---incloses letter from lord Carmarthen, excepting to expressions and terms in the treaty---copy of the letter. Communicates to Mr. Jefferson---remarks on treaties of com- merce---all reports of discontents in America fictitious. John Jay, Esq., Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phila., Sept. 19, 1785, 552 Commisioners who negotiate, no right to explain treaty--- meaning of treaties to be sought in the words only... Dr. Franklin to the Secretary of State of the United States, Explains boundaries of St. Croix river---it is the western not the eastern branch---the map guided by, was furnish- WE received your kind letter of the 2d instant, by which we are glad to hear you still enjoy such a measure of health, notwithstanding your great age. We read your writing very easily. I never met with a word in your letter but what I could easily understand, for though the hand is not always the best, the sense makes every thing plain. My leg, which you inquire after, is now quite well. I shall keep these servants: but the man not in my own house. I have hired him out to the man that takes care of my Dutch printing-office, who agrees to keep him in victuals and clothes, and to pay me a dollar a week for his work. The wife, since that affair, behaves exceeding well: but we conclude to sell them both the first good opportunity, for we do not like negro servants. We got again about half what we lost. * Part I. of Miscellaneous Correspondence, and Part I. of Political, are comprehended in vol. V. of this edition. As to your grandchildren, Will is now 19 years of age, a tall proper youth, and much of a beau. He acquired a habit of idleness on the expedition, but begins of late to apply himself to business, and I hope will become an industrious man. He imagined his father had got enough for him, but I have assured him that I intend to spend what little I have myself, if it please God that I live long enough, and as he by no means wants acuteness, he can see by my going on, that I mean to be as good as my word. Sally grows a fine girl, and is extremely industrious with her needle, and delights in her work. She is of a most affectionate temper, and perfectly dutiful and obliging to her parents, and to all. Perhaps I flatter myself too much, but I have hopes that she will prove an ingenious, sensible, notable, and worthy woman, like her aunt Jenny-she goes now to the dancing school. For my own part, at present, I pass my time agreeably enough; I enjoy (through mercy) a tolerable share of health. I read a great deal, ride a little, do a little business for myself, (now and then for others) retire when I can, and go into company when I please, so the years roll round, and the last will come, when I would rather have it said, he lived usefully, than he died rich. Cousins Josiah and Sally are well, and I believe will do well, for they are an industrious loving young couple; but they want a little more stock to go on smoothly with their business. My love to brother and sister Mecom and their children, and to all my relations in general. I am, your dutiful son, B. FRANKLIN. To Miss Jane Franklin.b DEAR SISTER, Philadelphia, January 6, 1726-7. I AM highly pleased with the account captain Freeman gives me of you. I always judged by your behaviour when a child that you would make a good, agreeable woman, and you know you were ever my peculiar favourite. I have been thinking what would be a suitable present for me to make, and for you to receive, as I hear you are grown a celebrated beauty. I had almost determined on a tea table, but when I considered that the character of a good housewife was far preferable to that of being only a pretty gentlewoman, I concluded to send you a spinning wheel, which I hope you will accept as a small token of my sincere love and affection. Sister, farewell, and remember that modesty, as it makes the most homely virgin amiable and charming, so the want of it infallibly renders the most perfect beauty disagreeable and odious. But when that brightest of female virtues shines among other perfections of body and mind in the same person, it makes the woman more lovely than an angel. Excuse this freedom, and use the same with me. I am, dear Jenny, your loving brother, B. FRANKLIN, To the same. Philadelphia, June 19, 1730. DEAR SISTER, YOURS of May 26, I received with the melancholy news of the death of sister Deavenport, a loss, without doubt, regretted by all that knew her, for she was a good woman. Her friends ought, however, to be comforted that they have enjoyed her so long and that she has passed through the world b This sister of Dr. Franklin's was married to Mr. Edward Mecom, July 27, 1727. |