To Jan Ingenhousz (unpublished)
Philada. June 27. 1786.
Dear Friend,

My Time being much taken up with the Business of my present Station, I can now only write a short Letter; but in the Volume of our Transactions, which I send you herewith, you will find a very long Letter which I wrote to you at Sea when on my Passage hither. I inclose some Papers relating to your Affairs with Wharton. The Promise therein made, tho’ repeatedly urg’d by me and by Mr. Vaughan, was never fulfilled. The Father is since stricken with the Palsie, and the Son is in a worse Situation, being as is said, an habitual Drunkard. In short I believe nothing is to be done with him by fair Means, and unless you send a Power of Attorney to sue for Demand, or come yourself, I am afraid you will never get any thing. You are upon the List of Persons nominated to be Members of our Philosophical Society, and will be chosen undoubtedly at the next full Meeting, which perhaps may not be till January next. I have given them the German Edition of your Pieces which you presented to them; and have told them that I have some other Presents from you which I shall deliver as soon as I can put my things in order so as to find them. Except that I am too much encumber’d with Business, I find my self happily situated here, among my numerous Friends, plac’d at the Head of my Country by its unanimous Voice, in the Bosom of my Family, my Offspring to wait on me and nurse me, in a House I built 23 Years since to my Mind. My Malady, the Stone indeed continues but does not grow worse; and human Nature subject to so many more terrible Evils, that I ought to be content with the Share alloted me. I rejoice to hear that the Difference between the Emperor and your Country is accommodated, for I love Peace. You will see in the Treaty we have made with Prussia some Marks of my Endeavours to lessen the Calamities of future Wars. Present my humble Respects, and best Wishes to your good Master, if you think they may not be unacceptable, and believe me ever, with sincere Affection, Your old true Friend and humble Servant

B Franklin

If you send a Power of Attorney, let it be to Mr. Samuel Vaughan junr.
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