To Cadwallader Colden
Letter: als: New-York Historical Society; enclosure: draft: American Philosophical Society
Philada. Dec. 6. 1753
Dear Sir

I receiv’d your Favour of the 29th past, with some Remarks on my meteorological Paper, for which I thank you, and return some Observations on those Remarks, hoping by this Friendly Intercourse of Sentiments and Objections, some Advantage will arise to the Increase of true Knowledge.

I sent you our Treaty some time since; you will find very little in it: But I have hopes it will introduce a Regulation of our Indian Trade, by the Government taking it in hand, and furnishing the Indians with Goods at the cheapest Rate without aiming at Profit, as is done by the Massachusetts; by which Means I think we must vastly undersell the French, and thereby attach the Indians more firmly to the British Interest.

Mr. Collinson certainly received your Answer to Kastner; I think one of his Letters to me mentions it.

I send you herewith a Copy of my Paper on the Increase of Mankind; the only one I have, so must request you to return it. That on the Air, &c. is what you have already seen. The third mention’d to you by Mr. Collinson, concerning the Germans is scarce worth sending, it will contain nothing new to you.

I congratulate you on L. Halifax’s Approbation of your Conduct in Publick Affairs. From such a Man the Honour is great, and the Satisfaction; But the Approbation of your own Mind is something more valuable in itself, and it is what I doubt not you will always enjoy.

I should like to see Pike’s Book some time or other when you can conveniently send it.

With great Esteem and Respect, I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant

B Franklin

C. Colden Esqr.
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