From Jan Ingenhousz (unpublished)
Vienna May 25th. 1785
Dear friend.

There offers it self this moment an opportunity of sending you a Lettre. Tho there is no time to write you what I have to say, I will only inform you, that I was infinitely rejoiced by recieving a few days ago your long and interesting lettre, for which accept My thanks. Nobody thought you should, at such an age, think of leaving Europe. If I for my self am sorry for it, it is chiefly, because this resolution cuts off at once all hope of seeing you again, which would not have been the case, if I had secured a fortune in your now happy America. I did all what prudently and the fairest prospect of succeding dictated me to doe; and yet far from succeding, I lost what I wanted to acquire. I have begun to write you more but was interrupted. I will however soon write you. I send you by a Court Messanger a copy of the two volumes of my miscellanies in german for the philosophical Society of Philadelphia, where many members will be able to understand it. I send you also a Collection of dissertations of mine on various subjects in a language you understand. There are four copies of them, which you will give to some of your friends in the new world, and one to your Philos. Society. Mr. le Begue, to whom i write allso, will delivre you two copies of the french work dedicated to you, Which must be out now, or the printer must be a great scoundrel to break his word as often as he speeks it. I recieved some american newspapers by Count Windisgratz, but they were of old date. If you have some of a fresher date, I begg to leave them for me. Of all your Philosophical pieces, of which you offer me what I have not, I possess only that on the Aurora boralis. The three others you mention I never saw nor heard of. I am therefore very desirous of having them. You will greately oblige me to Send them as soon as possible, under a Cover directed to me, to the Imperial Ambassadour; as now Courriers goe of very frequently, but as soon as things will be settled between the Emperour and the Dutch, economy Will again take place, and seldom a mensanger will go of. The first Messenger, who will goe from here will carry you the above mentioned books. I hope your Grand Son is got well again. I should like to know, whether he is to stay in France or to settle in America. I think the Sceem of Count Windisgratz is sommewhat of a visionary nature. He possesses good understanding; but not sticking to any thing, he wants clearness and perspicuity. He wonders wildely on confused ideas, and unwilling to accept Ministerial employements, he looks for celebrity by a way, by which he may possibly involve himself in a quarl or lawsuit in the mean time that he endeavours by the same method to prevent law suits. He is for the rest an excellent and benevolent Man. I am very respectfully Your most obedient humble Servant and faithfull friend

J Ingenhousz

Addressed: a Son Excellence / Monsieur Benj. Franklin / Ministre Plenipot. des États unis de / l’Ameriqué / a Passy.
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