To Deborah Franklin
LS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society
[c. April 7, 1759]

[First part missing] By the same I shall write to dear Precious, Cousin Debby, and some other Friends. I have now only to let you know what I have sent in these Ships. There are two or 3 Boxes; Mr. Neate shipt them, but I know not on board which Ship, as he has not sent me the Bills of Lading. They were shipt on board [the] Cornelia Capt. Smith two Boxes and a Leaden Case, mark’d BF No 1. 2. 3. The Contents are

A Parmesan Cheese, at 20d. per Pound cost
[I believe this is put in a Box by itself, tho' £7: 10: 6
first cover'd with a Lead Case: If so there
are 3 Boxes]
In the square Box.
Norden's Egypt, 2 Vols. Folio, for Mr. Wright 4: 4: 0
A small Book of Husbandry, and
for Do. 0: 6: 0
Madam Maintenon's Letters
New System of Husbandry, Fol. for Mr.
Galloway 1: 15: 0
Pamphlets for Mr. Norris and Mr. Galloway
about [illegible] 1: 1: 0
Cruels for Sally 0: 16: 10½
Shoes 2 Pair for Debby Franklin 1: 5: 6
Pins and Needles for Ditto 0: 17:
Piece of rich Tabby for Do. at 9s. per yard
about 6: 15: 0
Persian Lining for Do. 12 yards at 2s. 1: 4: 0
Gloves for Do. 1: 4: 0
Court Plaster for Sally 0: 1: 0
2 Gilt Silver Cups, fit for nothing but to give
Drams in to Indian Kings: They were 0: 18: 8
struck off to me unexpectedly at an Auction
A Candle Screen to save Debby's Eyes 0: 7: 6
Milton for I. Norris Esqr. 0: 16: 0
Some Colliflour and Brocoliseed
In the long Box
1 lb. Sealing Wax for I. Norris Esqr. 0: 7: 6
Arnold on Music for C. Cash 2 vols. 0: 5: 6
Female Conduct for Sally, from her Brother 0: 4: 6
2 Pieces of Ticks 4: 0: 0
1 Piece of rich Pink and Green ¾ Sattin
strip'd Lutestring, 15 Yards at 9s. Newest 6: 15: 0
Fashion for Sally
A Sponge for BF. put it in his Room 0: 1: 0
A Barometer and a Thermometer for Mr.
Hughes: 3: 7: 6
Thermometer for C. Norris, Esqr. about 17s.
but have mislaid the Acct 0: 17: 0
[In margin, bf hand:] It is 18
Ditto for James Wright 1: 11: 6
2 Canvas Patterns in a Marble Case 0: 6: 9
Newton's Milton for B.F. put it in his Room 0: 16:
Reading Glass and Labels for Mrs. Franklin 0: 15: 0

The Reading Glass is set in Silver and Tortoise Shell; the Pattern pretty and I imagine the Glass may suit your Eyes: If not, you can present it to some Friend.

God be with you, my dear Child, and give us once more a happy Meeting. My Love to my dear Sally; for whose Recovery I am very thankful. My Duty to Mother, and Love to all our Relations and Friends. I am Your ever loving Husband

B Franklin

Per Pacquet I shall write to the Speaker, Mr. Galloway and Mr. Hughes. p.s. April 11. I have now time to answer the rest of your Letters. I received no Gammons by Bolitho, and suppose they are to come by Cuzzins. All that I had before are gone; they were much admired: I have still a Piece of one of the Pieces of Beef from which we now and then get a Bit. I never receiv’d any Cranberry’s from Boston. I think the old Present of Buckskins or best Buckskin Gloves would be acceptable to your Birmingham Friends. I wish you had sent some of them. I forwarded your Letter but have not since heard from them. My Love to Cousin Spofford: I forwarded her Letter in to the Country when I first came to England, but have forgot how or where it was directed. I received your Letter by Mr. North. I should have ask’d him to dine here with Capt. Bolitho, but found there was some Difference between them. I lament the Death of our Friend Mifflin! by all outward Appearances, one might have expected a long Life for a Man of his Constitution and Temperance, but there is no Dependance on Appearances. I have receiv’d the State of Mr. Smith’s Account. There are some Mistakes in it, which I shall endeavour to get rectify’d when I see Mr. [remainder missing].
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