Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, January 31, 1757

Jany. 31. 1757

Dear Sir,

The above is a Copy of my last 5 I have now before me your Favour of Sept. 11 6 I shall not fail on every Occasion to recommend you to my Friends on the Book Account 7 I wish I could give you any Hopes of soon receiving your Debt of J. Read 8 Mr. Hall, no doubt, writes you more fully concerning him. It gives me great Pleasure to hear so good an Account of our Son Billy 9 In Return, let me tell you, that our Daughter Sally in indeed a very good Girl, affectionate, dutiful and industrious, has one of the best Hearts, and tho’ not a Wit, is for one of her Years, by no means deficient in Understanding. She already takes off part of her Mother’s Family Cares. This must give you and Mrs. Strahan Pleasure: So that Account is partly ballanced.

Our Assembly talk of sending me to England speedily 1 Then look out sharp, and if a fat old Fellow should come to your Printing House and request a little Smouting, 2 depend upon it, ’tis Your affectionate Friend and humble Servant

B Franklin

PS I enclose B. Mecom’s first Bill for £100 Sterling the 2d and 3d sent before. 3

Mr. Strahan