Autograph letter signed : Philadelphia, to Peter Collinson 1755 June 26.

Sending him various papers he has written on Whirlwinds and Water Spouts that he believes need not be printed unless he thinks that their publication might "excite the Curiosity of Naturalists, and the Attention of Shipmasters and other Travellers, so as to occasion more accurate Observations of those Phaenomena, and produce more particular Accounts, tending to a thorough Explanation;" sending him "a few Sheets of Paper made of the Asbestos. I am sorry it is so tender. I made some formerly that was much stronger;" requesting that he send two copies of Johnson's Dictionary, one for the Library Company and one for the Academy; sending him "a few more of our Candles which I recommend for your particular Use when you have Occasion to read or write by Night; they give a whiter Flame than that of any other kind of Candle, and the Light is more like Daylight than any other Light I know; besides, they need little or no Snuffing, and grease nothing;" commenting on notes he made on seeing a woodchuck and saying he is trying to answer an inquiry "relating to the Indian names of the Cardinal Numbers;" commenting on the present state of the Assembly and his role; saying "If my being able now and then to influence a Good measure did not keep up my Spirits, I should be ready to swear never to serve again as an Assembly-man, since both Sides expect more from me than they ought, and blame me sometimes for not doing what I am not able to do, as well as for not preventing what was not in my power to prevent. The Assembly ride restive; and the Governor, tho' he spurs with both heels, at the same time reins-in with both hands, so that the Publick Business can never move forward;" discussing Mr. Hazard's scheme for "Settling a new Colony westward of Pensilvania (drawn up to divert the Connecticut Emigrants from their Design of Invading this Province, and to induce them to go where they would be less injurious and more useful)...'" discussing a possible means to repair his broken thermometer; reporting that the Academy is doing well; commenting on Mr. Canton's observations on electricity that supported his own saying "I was afraid of being thought out of my senses;" relating news of the Library Company and of mutual friends.