ALS signed “B. Franklin,” one page, 7.25 x 7.75, circa 1759-62. Handwritten letter, evidently to noted London publisher William Strahan, regarding a new "Work of Commerce." In full: "I have perus'd the Parts of the work you put into my Hands of the new Work on Commerce, &c, and must own myself extremely pleas'd with it. The Author appears to me to put a more laborious It is a most valuable Collection of Facts that which I should think every one in Britain, Ireland & the Colonies who has anything to do with Publick affairs, or is desirous of understanding that very interesting Subject, would gladly be possessed of. The Author appears to me, not a mere laborious Compiler, but to have collected with good Judgment; & his own Sentiments where he gives them are, I think, generally just. It would be a Miracle if in so large a Work there should not be some Mistakes; and some I think conceive there are, which the Author seems to have been almost unavoidably led into by the general Current of Commercial Writers. The Language too, I think, requires a little filing & polishing, for the Readers of this Age grow delicate." In fine condition, with trimmed edges and professional repairs to fold separations. Accompanied by a custom-made quarter-leather presentation folder.
The specific published work to which Franklin is referring is nigh impossible to identify, based on the generalities with which he appraises it. The Franklin Papers identify the recipient of the letter as William Strahan based on Franklin's cordial greeting and closing, which are both consistent with the manner in which he addressed Strahan in the two men's voluminous correspondence. Franklin and Strahan had been corresponding since at least 1752, and would continue as correspondents and friends for the remainder of their lives, with a brief interruption of relations during the American Revolution. At that time, with Strahan serving as a member of Parliament, Franklin penned Strahan a famous unsent letter, part: 'You are a Member of Parliament, and one of that Majority which has doomed my Country to Destruction…You and I were long Friends: You are now my Enemy.'
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