John Borthwick to Benjamin Franklin, September 8, 1770
New York, 8 Septemr. 1770.
Dear Sir,
I used the Freedom to write you a few Lines at two times from Philadelphia.
I have been here for sometime in the high part of the Town and continue to grow better.
I had the pleasure of seeing the Governor his Lady, Mrs. Beache and the young Dr. at Burlington, as I passed, in good health, stayed a few days with Mr. Laurence the Mayor with whom I went and saw Judge Reids Iron Works by which he is no danger of growing too rich. Mr. Beache is at Jamaica. 7
I say nothing of the Transactions here, O homines ad servitudem paratos. 8
As I hope to be well soon, and am determined to remain on this Continent, I must not remain idle, and I now presume on your Goodness to make this Application to you as I apprehend it may be in your power to procure something for me, if Mr. Alexander is in London I hope he will assist. I had wrote for recommendations to Lord D—re but there’s no news of him, 9 and I am told nothing can be done with him without m——y, not in my Power to give. I desire not your immediate Answer, that you may think of it at your Leisure. I shall return to Philadelphia in a few days——the other day a Gentleman here made me a present of a Manuscript entitled “An Examination into the Value of Canada and Guadaloupe with an impartial Account of the latter in answer to a late Pamphlet entitled ‘The Interest of Great Britain’s considerd with regard to her Colonies’ in a Letter to a Gentleman in England.” He says he believes it was not publishd as it contains some curious particulars. I will in a Subsequent Letter send you what he says about Cayenne by which you’ll recollect if you have ever seen it. It is dated “New York 5 January 1761” and contains 86 pages besides an Appendix, and was said to be wrote by one Mr. Kennedy alias Scott. 1 For the meaning of the word alias see P—y Johnson’s Dictionary 1st Edition. 2 I was at Mr. Levisey’s some day’s and had the pleasure of reading your Lucubrations. 3 I forgot to tell you in a former Letter that the Old Duke of Wharton has a Duplicate of the Plan of Philadelphia the same with the one I gave you. 4 I remain with Esteem [ torn ] Your most Obedient
John Borthwick
Direct for me to the care of Mr. Joseph Wharton ju Philadelphia.