John Whitehurst to Benjamin Franklin, March 18, 1763

Derby 18th Mar: 1763

Dear Sir

It was a matter of great Joy to me, to see an Account in the public papers of your safe Arrival in North America; where I hope you found your family and friends all well.

I sincerly congratulate you Sir, on Mr. Franklins Appointment to the Government of New-Jersey, where I hope he and his Lady are safely arrived.

The bearer Mr. Tunicliff, 2 is a farmer of good Credit, from this neighbourhood. He has lived many years at Langley, a Vilage four Miles from hence. He visits North America with a Veiw of Purchasing two or three thousand Acres of uncultivated land, and bringing his family over to Settle there, having too great a Spirit to comply with the terms which farmers in general are now oblig’d to comply with at this time in England. Viz. of occup[y]ing lands at the Will of the Lord. And therefore is determined to take up his aboad in a Land of greater liberty, and to situate himself so, as to carry on some Trade with the Indians.

In the execution of this plan, I hope Sir, you will be so kind to give my friend and neighbour a little Advice. He is esteem’d an excellent Farmer, and very Active in business: hence, cannot fail of making a Valuable member of Society. I took the liberty of consulting the Governor 3 on this occation before he left England, in regard to the probability of suceeding in such a Scheme, and he gave great incouragement to undertake it.

Doctor Darwin 4 and Mr. Tissington 5 send Complements, are both well. The Doctor I hope will be able to entertain you with some discoverys on Cold next winter. 6

The Parliament has Mr. Harri[s]ons improvem[en]t of Measureing equal time at Sea under their Consideration, and I imagin will give him a hansom reward. 7 And the King has orderd this improvement to be made known to all his foreign Minesters. I suppose with some View of procuring a reward from those several Courts for Mr. Harrison, as well as making the discovery of General Use. This account Taylor White 8 gives me.

Ferments amongest the In’s, and out’s, I think subside apace. The King is determin’d to persevere in every legal step that can be taken for the general good and benefit of his Subjects. Should we live but one seven years, I expect to see a great reformation in the Management of Public affairs.

My Wife desires to joyne me in our most affectionate respects and I am Dear Sir, Your most obedient Humble Servant

J Whitehurst

P.S. With this I [enclose?] you a short sketch of a General Theory of the Earth for your approbation.

Pray sir, do you, [keep] a journal of heat and cold. I imagin I cou’d derive some advantageous discoverys from general observations of this kind with respect to a more general theory of the earth. But Im afraid tis not to be brought about. If any thing of this sort is done amongest Your acquaintance in North America I should be extremely obligd to you for a Coppy and in return will send you an application of more observations in a general theory. 9