Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) to William Smith
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01722 Author/Creator: Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 April 1753 Pagination: 2 p. 33 x 21 cm Order a Copy
Thanks Smith for a copy of his A General Idea of the College of Mirania. Assures him of the quality of the education of Smith's pupils, Col. Martin's sons, at the College and Academy of Philadelphia. Mentions in particular teachers "Mr. Allison" (formerly of Edinburgh and Glasgow) and Theophilus Grew and gives him some particulars of the libraries and his financing of the Academy.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Sir Philada April 19,1753
I received yours of the 11th Instant, with your new Piece on Education, which I shall carefully peruse and give you my Sentiments of it as you desire. [illedgible] next post.
I believe the young Gentlemen, your Pupils, may be entertained and instructed here in Mathematics & Philosophy to Satisfaction. Mr. Allison (who was educated at Edinburgh, or Glasgow) has been long accustomed to teach the latter, and Mr. Grew the former, and I think their Pupils make great Progress. Mr. Allison has the Care of the Latin and Greek School, but as he has now three good Assistants in that School, he can very well afford some Hours every Day for the Instruction of those who are engaged in higher Studies. The Mathematical School is pretty well furnished with Instruments. The English Library is a good one, and we have belonging to it a midling Apparatus for Experimental Philosophy and purpose speedily to compleat it. The Loganian Library. One of the best Collections in America, will shortly be opened; so that neither Books nor Instrimts. will be wanting; and as we are determined always to give good Salaries, we have reason to believe we may have always an Opportunity of choosing good Masters, upon which, indeed, the Success of the whole depends. We are obliged to you for your kind Offers in that Respect.
[2] pect, and when you are Settled in England, we may occasionally make use of your Friendship & Judgment.
Your former Piece I read with great Approbation and Pleasure, and could never conceive what it was that could provoke the Treatment you met with on that Occasion.
If it suits your Conveniency to visit Philadelphia, before your Return to Europe, I shall be extremely glad to see and converse with you here, as well as to correspond with you after your Settlement in England. For an Acquaintance and Communication with Men of Learning, Virtue and Publick Spirit, is one of my greatest Enjoyments.
I do not know whether you ever happen to see the first Proposals I made for the Erecting of this Academy. I send them enclosed. They had (however imperfect) the desired Success, being follow'd by a Subscription of $4000 towards carrying them into Execution. And as we are fond of receiving Advice and are daily improving by Experience, I am in hopes we shall in few Years see a perfect institution.
I am very respectfully Sir,
Your most hum Servt
B Franklin
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