The Property of
THE AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN, Signer (Pennsylvania). Autograph letter signed twice ("BFranklin," and with his free frank: "BFreeFranklin") to his nephew, Jonathan Williams Sr. in Boston; Paris, 27 May 1777. 1 page, 4to, 231 x 183 mm. (9 1/8 x 7 1/4 in.), integral address leaf, professionally silked from the blank side [With] Autograph free frank on integral address leaf addressed in Franklin's hand to: "Jonathan Williams Esqr. Merchant Boston," recipient's docket, small seal hole and partial fold separations, otherwise in very good condition.
Details
FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN, Signer (Pennsylvania). Autograph letter signed twice ("BFranklin," and with his free frank: "BFreeFranklin") to his nephew, Jonathan Williams Sr. in Boston; Paris, 27 May 1777. 1 page, 4to, 231 x 183 mm. (9 1/8 x 7 1/4 in.), integral address leaf, professionally silked from the blank side [With] Autograph free frank on integral address leaf addressed in Franklin's hand to: "Jonathan Williams Esqr. Merchant Boston," recipient's docket, small seal hole and partial fold separations, otherwise in very good condition.
I "HOPE TO LIVE TO SEE...OUR COUNTRY ESTABLISHED IN FREEDOM, WHEN IT WILL SOON BECOME GREAT & GLORIOUS, BY BEING THE ASYLUM OF ALL THE OPPRESSED IN EUROPE, & THE RESORT OF THE WEALTHY WHO LOVE LIBERTY"
An exceptional letter in which Franklin, American envoy to France since December 1776, expresses his confidence in America's revolutionary cause, predicts its ultimate success, and voices a remarkable prophecy that, once independant, America will attain greatness by becoming a haven and refuge for those Europeans who revere liberty. "Dear Nephew, I am glad to understand by yours of March 29 that you and your Family continued in good Health & Spirits. You and your Country are engaged in a good Cause, which God will finally crown with Success. Let nothing discourage you. Your son John [John Williams II, 1756-1794, who had been recommended to Franklin by his father] remains at Nantes. His brother will probably find some Business there for him. I suppose he writes to you. I shall be glad to promote his welfare as Opportunity offers.
"I continue amazingly well & hearty for my Age, and hope to live to see the End of these Troubles, and our Country established in Freedom, when it will soon become great & glorious, by being the Asylum of all the Oppressed in Europe, & the Resort of the Wealthy who love Liberty from all Parts of this Continent, to establish themselves & Families among us.....Your affectionate Uncle BFranklin."
Williams letter to Franklin, from Boston on 29 March, which elicited this thoughtful response, reported that "notwithstanding the calamities of human life in general and the state of war this country is in by which we among a number of innocent ones have suffer'd great loss and damage yet we are well in good spirits and choose rather still to suffer than submit to lawless power..." (his letter is presently in the library of the American Philosophical Society). Franklin's letter is published in Franklin, Papers,, ed. William B. Willcox, et al, 24:90-91; Williams' letter to Franklin appears at 23:532-533.
I "HOPE TO LIVE TO SEE...OUR COUNTRY ESTABLISHED IN FREEDOM, WHEN IT WILL SOON BECOME GREAT & GLORIOUS, BY BEING THE ASYLUM OF ALL THE OPPRESSED IN EUROPE, & THE RESORT OF THE WEALTHY WHO LOVE LIBERTY"
An exceptional letter in which Franklin, American envoy to France since December 1776, expresses his confidence in America's revolutionary cause, predicts its ultimate success, and voices a remarkable prophecy that, once independant, America will attain greatness by becoming a haven and refuge for those Europeans who revere liberty. "Dear Nephew, I am glad to understand by yours of March 29 that you and your Family continued in good Health & Spirits. You and your Country are engaged in a good Cause, which God will finally crown with Success. Let nothing discourage you. Your son John [John Williams II, 1756-1794, who had been recommended to Franklin by his father] remains at Nantes. His brother will probably find some Business there for him. I suppose he writes to you. I shall be glad to promote his welfare as Opportunity offers.
"I continue amazingly well & hearty for my Age, and hope to live to see the End of these Troubles, and our Country established in Freedom, when it will soon become great & glorious, by being the Asylum of all the Oppressed in Europe, & the Resort of the Wealthy who love Liberty from all Parts of this Continent, to establish themselves & Families among us.....Your affectionate Uncle BFranklin."
Williams letter to Franklin, from Boston on 29 March, which elicited this thoughtful response, reported that "notwithstanding the calamities of human life in general and the state of war this country is in by which we among a number of innocent ones have suffer'd great loss and damage yet we are well in good spirits and choose rather still to suffer than submit to lawless power..." (his letter is presently in the library of the American Philosophical Society). Franklin's letter is published in Franklin, Papers,, ed. William B. Willcox, et al, 24:90-91; Williams' letter to Franklin appears at 23:532-533.