Benjamin Franklin to William Petty, Earl of Shelburne, August 25, 1784

Passy, Aug. 25. 1784.

My Lord,

I have had the Pleasure of seeing Lord Fitzmaurice several Times. 5 I congratulate your Lp. sincerely on your having so promising a Son. He will I am persuaded make a valuable Man, and be a Comfort and Honour to you in your Old Age.

The Bearer, Wm. Temple Franklin, is my Grandson and Secretary. He is to stay in London but a short time, is a good young Man, and will be very sensible of any Civility your Lordship may think fit to show him.

Please to accept the enclos’d Pamphlet, 6 curious for the Subject, a pretended Magnetisme animale, by which a Charlatan has made a great Fortune here in a short time.

With great & sincere Respect, I am, Your Lordship’s most obedient & most humble Servant

B. Franklin

Lord Shelburne