Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, May 5, 1779

Passy, May 5. 1779

I received my very dear Friend’s Letter of the 9th April, with the Pacquet accompanying it. I leave the whole Management of that Edition 6 in your Hands with great Confidence, as I am sure my Pieces will be improv’d by your Attention to the Matters you mention.— I have sent a little Paper to Dr Ingenhauss, which I have desired him to give to you, or to Dr Priestly for you. 7

Mr Galloway’s Information about my Papers has not been well founded. My Daughter writes me, that after that Gentleman’s Departure, they were brought back to my House at Philadelphia: 8 that the Chest had been indeed broke open, & some of the Papers from the Top were found scattered about the Floor, but these being gathered up, it was thought that very little had been lost. I shall like however to see the Account he has promis’d you.—

I am glad you have taken up the Consideration of the Vis Inertiae: The whole Doctrine of Motion & Rest & Communication of Motion, will I hope, now be cleared of the Obscurities & Difficulties & Contradictions with which it has long been embarrass’d. I thank you much for the Information your Letter contains. M. Villeboisnet never communicated to me the News you mention. What was that Letter of Gov. Franklin?— I thank you also for the Receipt against the Gout; but as I am not sure that it is not itself really a Remedy instead of being a Disease, I let it take its Course.— Believe me ever, my dear Friend, Yours most affectionately

Mr Benjamin Vaughan, Wanstead near London.