Peter Collinson to Benjamin Franklin, July 11, 1750

Lond. July 11 1750

My Dear friend

If I catch the Bagg before its taken away its more than I expect. Can only Acknowledge the favour of thine June 1st with Bartram and Hopkinsons. As to thine the Letter I left in the Country, I sent per Next Ship and return’d thy Sons Journal. I shall be Concern’d it Miscarried. 1 I am in hopes it may yett Come to hand but I have so many Affairs, I can’t Keep Coppys of my Letters so cannot saye Exactly by what Ship it Went.

Your proprietor in General approves your Academy Butt thinks it a Little too premature. Shall be glad if the Colony is come to such a Maturity as to support so Beneficial a Work. 2

He Designs to Encourage It. I regret my not Showing Him your List of Instruments, for He Intended if I had not first bespoke them to have Sent them himself. Perhaps when I Show Him the Cost He may Yett Do It.

I must not forget to tell thee all thy Electrical papers and on Thunder gust are come to hand and printing under the Correction of Docr. Fothergill. 3 Tell J. Bartram, the proprietor tells Mee nothing of the Expedition to Erie. I think He ought to Consider His own Welfare which is that of his familys before anybody and I am fully perswaded the proprietor desires nothing to their prejudice nor his own. I think it is a Dangerous Expedition so he is Wise to defer it. 4

It seems Incredible in Latt 52 there should be no Cold to fix a freezing point which is the Reason Bird 5 could make no Thermometers. So tell our Friend Hopkinson. 6

The Trunk with the books &c. I hope will Come safe. I Refer to my other Letters. I am my Dear friend yours

P Collinson