From Mary Stevenson Hewson (unpublished)
Cheam July 23. 1785
Dear Sir

I have received your kind Letters of the 26th. of June, and 4th. of July for both of which I thank you cordially, but most for that in which you give me such an invitation to America as makes me now feel myself a fool for not accepting, yet when I received it I was struck with the impossibility of being ready to embark in so short a time. You say truly that I never can have so good an opportunity of passing to America; yet, tho’ I miss the opportunity the most favourable, I do not give up my intintion of taking the voyage. In a short time I must determine something for my sons, and when those friends who now oppose my leaving England shall be convinced of the difficulty of putting my boys into the world here they will be compelled to acknowledge I do right in going where better prospects open to me. Your compliment I feel to be a little sarcastic, for I know I often act contrary to my judgment, tho’ not from preswasion. I think for myself indeed, but I want resolution to act, and I am not so easily moved as I am kept from moving. The notion of my going to America is spread among some of my acquaintance, but I have a few friends who would feel too great a shock were I to leave England without my giving them some preparation. Dolly and Mrs. Hewson are those I mean. Dolly is in Norfolk at present, and poor Mrs. Hewson would almost break her heart if all her bairns were to go without her knowledge.

All happiness attend you! Give my Love to your two Grandsons; and when you arrive in America remember me to Mr. and Mrs. Bache and all I know there. I rejoice to think of your being with your daughter and her little family, for I have a high opinion of female tenderness to sooth, and infant chearfulness to enliven. May you my dear, dear Friend long enjoy domestic comfort, and the reward of your publick labours! Believe me ever most gratefully and affectionately yours

Mary Hewson

Addressed: Dr Franklin
Endorsed: Mrs Hewson July 23. 85
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