To Sir William Herschel (unpublished)
Philad May 18. 1787
Sir,

I received the letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 18th of Feb. past, together with your Catalogue of 1000 new Nebulae and Clusters of Stars, which I immediately communicated to our Philosophical Society, who return their thanks, and congratulate you cordially on your important new Discovery of the two Satellites revolving round the Georgian Planet.

You have wonderfully extended the Power of human Vision, and are daily making us acquainted with Regions of the Universe totally unknown to Mankind in former Ages. Had Fortune plac’d you in this part of America your Progress in these Discoveries might have been still more rapid, as from the more frequent Clearness of our Air, we have near One Third more in the Year of good Observing Days, than there are in England. With great esteem, I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant

B. Franklin

Dr. Herschel.
Addressed: Dr Herschel / at Slough near / Windsor
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