Joseph Priestley Papers

Mss.B.P931

Date: 1771-1803 | Size: 0.5 Linear feet
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Abstract

Correspondence of Joseph Priestley, scientist, Unitarian minister, and republican theorist. The collection includes 41 letters written to John Vaughan, 1791-1800, 5 letters to other correspondents, and manuscripts and photostats of 68 items in the Municipal Library, Warrington, England, on theological issues, the internal development of the United States, the French Revolution and its aftermath, Unitarianism, science, his publications, and American Philosophical Society.

Background note

As scientist, Unitarian controversialist, and proponent of republican values, Joseph Priestley exerted enormous influence in English and American intellectual circles, though his life ended in decline and isolation. Born into middling circumstances in Yorkshire, Priestley was raised by well to do relatives who had fallen under the sway of dissenting doctrine. A promising student, he prepared for the ministry, but as a result of ill health and his unpalatable religious affiliations he was prevented from entering either Oxford or Cambridge, choosing instead to attend the dissenting academy at Daventry.

Receiving his degree in 1755, Priestley discovered that his road into the ministry was hampered by his unorthodox views and unfortunate voice, and while filling a minor pulpit, he found that his first real taste of success came instead in teaching. By 1761, his reputation as an educator had grown to such an extent that he was offered the position of Professor of Languages at the prestigious Warrington Academy, and the next year his life improved further when he was ordained and married Mary Wilkinson, daughter of a Welsh ironmaster. In education as in religion, Priestley's approach was insistently unorthodox. He introduced the study of modern history, law, economics, and social sciences into the standard curriculum, and although he left Warrington in 1767 to return to the more stable income of the ministry, accepting an appointment in Leeds, his reputation as a scholar and scientist had grown enormously. At Leeds, he became acquainted with Benjamin Franklin who encouraged his electrical experimentation, and Priestley's work on light and vision found a wide readership.

By 1773, Priestley had attracted the attention of William Petty, 1st Earl of Shelburne (1737-1805), and was offered a position in the Earl's household as tutor, librarian, and companion. The grandson of the great scientist of the same name, Shelburne was a prominent politician, a future Prime Minister, and a magnanimous patron. Through him, Priestley not only achieved financial security, but gained entrée into the highest of Britain's intellectual, social, and scientific circles. At Bowood, Shelburne's estate, Priestley pursued the implications of a paper he had presented to the Royal Society in 1772, "On Different Kinds of Air," and thus laid the foundation of his international reputation as a chemist. In his book, Experiments and Observations on Different Kinds of Air (1774), he built upon the work of Joseph Black and James Cavendish to identify nine distinct gases, three of which were previously unknown. Most famously, on August 1, 1774, he produced "dephlogisticated air" - oxygen -- by heating red mercuric oxide, demonstrating beyond cavil that air was not an element. In isolating oxygen, Priestley noted its importance in combustion, but clung to a belief in phlogistic theory until the end of his life, becoming, at the end, the last important chemist of that stripe. Ironically, it was his isolation of oxygen, particularly as pursued by Antoine Lavoisier, that became the nail in the phlogistic coffin. His scientific work earned Priestley admission into the French Academy of Sciences in 1772, the St. Petersburg Academy in 1780, and through Franklin, to the American Philosophical Society in 1784.

During the later 1770s, divisions between Priestley and Shelburne deteriorated over Priestley's support for the American cause during the Revolution and over his unorthodox religious views. While the two remained cordial, Priestley left the Shelburne home in 1780 and settled at Birmingham, near his brother-in-law, John Wilkinson. Whereas his scientific work had flourished at Bowood, his religious writings flourished in Birmingham, and he became a leading dissenting voice, assailing the corruptions of the Anglican hierarchy and Trinitarianism, and beginning the enduring association with Unitarianism that he considered his true life's work. At Birmingham he was also drawn into the Lunar Society, an engaging, salon-like group of enlightened minds that included Erasmus Darwin, James Watt, and Matthew Boulton.

The halcyon days in Birmingham, however, were not to last. Priestley's religious and political views conspired to ensure his supreme unpopularity during the shifting political tides of the French Revolutionary era, and he became a lightning rod for the government-inspired backlash against republicanism and "radicalism" of all sorts. The wrath of the mob was turned against him directly during the Birmingham riots of July, 1791, when his house, library, and laboratory were set aflame. Taking refuge with William Vaughan, brother of John and Benjamin, Priestley whisked his children out of the country and in April, 1794, finally abandoned England himself for the United States.

Priestley and his wife, Mary, settled in the relatively remote town of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, 150 miles west of Philadelphia, initially imaging that he could enjoy the country life and yet travel into the metropolis for intellectual stimulation. Little, however, went as Priestley had planned. His plans of establishing a community at Northumberland devoted to religious and political freedom were unavailing, travel into Philadelphia proved far too difficult, and in his rural remove he was only barely able to continue his scientific research. If it cannot be traced to Birmingham, Priestley's protracted decline began in 1795 and 1796 when he lost his son and wife successively, and thereafter he was never in complete health himself. Furthermore, Priestley was no more immune in the United States than he had been in England to ill political winds. When his friend, Thomas Cooper, was arrested for violating the Alien and Sedition Acts, Priestley was suspected of aiding and abetting, and although his deportation was prevented by the intervention of his friend John Adams, he became a preferred target for the literary quills of Peter Porcupine, William Cobbett. Although Priestley continued to serve in the Unitarian pulpit and wrote on religious matters for several years more, his last scientific work (on the long-abandonded phlogiston) was published in 1796. He died after a brief illness on February 6, 1804, and is buried in the Quaker cemetery in Northumberland.

Scope and content

The Joseph Priestley Papers consists of 46 letters and 70 copies of letters written by the scientist, educator, and Unitarian minister, Joseph Priestley, mostly to the Librarian of the American Philosophical Society, John Vaughan, and Priestley's brother-in-law, John Wilkinson. The focus in these letters is at once personal and intellectual, providing insight into Priestley's financial life, the vicissitudes of his work and political and religious ideas.

The several letters written by Priestley to Vaughan in the years between the Birmingham riots and his emigration to America provide valuable insight into a variety of personal and financial matters (Vaughan held power of attorney for him), cloaked, of course, in the violence of the anti-Republican backlash. Priestley's difficult decision to send first his sons, then himself abroad due to the "increasing bigotry and violence of the High church party" in England are thoroughly chronicled, as are his bitterness against the confluence of "church power," xenophobia, and anti-Republicanism.

Although Priestley's post-emigration letters from Northumberland tend to be more perfunctory, relating primarily to business matters, they provide a useful perspective on his intellectual isolation and on the toll that decades of political controversy had taken upon the man. His dismay at anti-tax hysteria in western Pennsylvania during the Whiskey Rebellion is evident in his lament that "People will chuse to do without government rather than pay so dear for it, and if they really chuse this, they should be left to themselves." Other letters reveal Priestley's frustration at his inability to obtain decent scientific instruments in America - and implicitly, the inability to advance his own research agenda -- and his publications continue to make their mark, particularly in his uneven relationship with the Porcupine, William Cobbett.

The balance of the collection consists of an additional five letters of Priestley, including a fine letter to Dr. [William] Withering (1741-1799), October 27, 1795, discussing Priestley's nostalgia for the comradery of the Lunar Society, his on-going chemical experiments with phlogisticated air, and much more. There are also photostats of 68 letters to and from Priestley's brother-in-law, John Wilkinson (1789-1802), drawn from originals held in the Municipal Library, Warrington, England. These provide particularly valuable insight into Priestley's personal response to the Birmingham riots, and his reactions to the isolated life in Northumberland, and they contain important commentary on Priestley's religious, political, and scientific views from the 1790s until 1802.

Collection Information

Restrictions

Restrictions on Use:

None. Permission to make copies from the Priestley-Wilkinson correspondence granted September, 1981.

Provenance

Photostats from the Municipal Library, Warrington, England, courtesy of the Library through Whitfield J. Bell, 1951.

Preferred citation

Cite as: Joseph Priestley Papers, American Philosophical Society.

Related material

Priestley appears as a correspondent or is mentioned in several other collections at the American Philosophical Society, including in the Benjamin Franklin Papers (eight letters from Johannes Ingenhousz to Franklin, 1774-1782); the John Pershouse Papers (four from John Pershouse to James Pershouse, 1802-1805), and the Richard Price Papers (four from Richard Price to Charles Chauncy and Benjamin Franklin, 1766-1779).

A manuscript copy of Priestley's "Experiments relating to phlogiston and the conversion of water into air," 1783 (32 pp.), is housed separately at 540.1 P931.

Early American History Note

The Joseph Priestley Collection contains a series of original letters (about 40) from this leading scientist and thinker. The letters date to the 1790s. The MOLE entry contains a detailed inventory of the original letters. There is also a box of photostats in a separate box.

Indexing Terms


Genre(s)

  • Business Records and Accounts
  • Legal Records
  • Scientific Correspondence

Personal Name(s)

  • Belsham, Thomas, 1750-1829
  • Cardale, Paul
  • Lindsey, Theophilus
  • Mansell, Judith
  • Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804
  • Vaughan, John, 1756-1841
  • Wilkinson, John, 1789-1802
  • Withering, William, 1741-1799

Subject(s)

  • American Philosophical Society
  • Chemistry -- 18th century
  • Church and State -- Great Britain -- 18th century
  • Cobbett, William, 1763-1835
  • Early National Politics
  • France -- History -- Revolution, 1789-1799
  • Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1789-1820
  • Oxygen
  • Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809
  • Phlogiston
  • Riots -- England -- Birmingham
  • Science and technology
  • Taxation
  • Vaughan, Benjamin, 1751-1835

Collection overview

 Papers
  


Detailed Inventory

 Papers
  
 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to [William Eden, first baron Auckland]
Dec. 18, 17719x7-1/2

Leeds, A.L.S. 2p. (see Priestley papers.) Concerning the appointments made to accompany Cook on his voyages. Refers to Banks.

General physical description: 9x7-1/2

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to the Rev. Mr. [Paul] Cardale
March 23, 17747 3/4" x 12 3/4"

London, A.L.S. 1p. and add. (see his Letters to various persons,no.42) Relative to the [Theological] Repository.

General physical description: 7 3/4" x 12 3/4"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to ---- ----
July 24, 17807 1/4" x 9"

Calne, A.L.S. 3p. (see his Letters to various persons,no.43) Relative to the loan of certain books.

General physical description: 7 1/4" x 9"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to the Rev. Mr. [Thomas] Belsham
April 27, 17897 3/4" x 12 1/2"

London... A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his Letters to various persons,no.44) Urges Mr. Belsham to accept position at the Academy at Hackney. Proposed new translation of the Bible. Contain fine impression of seal.

General physical description: 7 3/4" x 12 1/2"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to the Rev. Mr. [Thomas] Belsham
May 4, 17897 1/4" x 9 1/2"

Birmingham, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his Letters to various persons,no.45) Relative to his decision to accept the place at Hackney. Proposed new translation of the Bible. Contains seal.

General physical description: 7 1/4" x 9 1/2"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to the members of the New Meeting Congregation of Birmingham
Oct. 8, 179110" x 16"

London, Copy of L. 2p. (see his Letters to various persons,no.46) Declines invitation to return to Birmingham to resume his pastorate.

General physical description: 10" x 16"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Oct. 22, 17917 1/2" x 10"

London, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan, No.1) Finances. Progress of Unitarianism in America. Has some prospect of settling at Hackney as successor to Dr. Price.

General physical description: 7 1/2" x 10"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Nov. 15, 17917 3/4" x 10"

London, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see this Letters to John Vaughan, no.2) Finances. Birmingham riots. About to publish Appeal to the public.

General physical description: 7 3/4" x 10"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to [John Vaughan]
Dec. 7, 17917 3/4" x 10"

London, A.L.S. 2p. (see his Letters to John Vaughan, no.3) Finances. Has begun his ministry at Hackney.

General physical description: 7 3/4" x 10"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to Miss J[udith] Mansell
Dec. 27, 17918" x 9 3/4"

Clapton, A.L.S. 2p. (see his Letters to various persons,no.47) Glad his picture was acceptable. Household articles he would like sent to him.

General physical description: 8" x 9 3/4"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Feb. 27, 17927 3/4" x 10"

London, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan, no.4) Finances. Possibility of his settling in America.

General physical description: 7 3/4" x 10"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
June 7, 17927 3/4" x 10"

Clapton, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.5) Finances. Acknowledges Mr. Vaughan's offer to take one of his sons under his wing in America. Politics of England in an unquiet state. French revolution.

General physical description: 7 3/4" x 10"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Feb. 6, 17937 3/4" x 10"

Clapton, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.6) His sons are forced to leave England because of the biogtry and violence of the church party. About 100 families are thinking of settling in Kentucky. He will go to either France or America.

General physical description: 7 3/4" x 10"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to the Rev. Mr. [Theophilus] Lindsey
April 9, 17946 1/4" x 8"

Off Deal, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his letters to various persons,no.48) His departure from England [for America].

General physical description: 6 1/4" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
June 3, 17946 1/2" x 8"

Sandy Hook, A.L.S. 2p., add. and end. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.7) He and his wife have just arrived at Sandy Hook.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Aug. 1, 17948" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his letters to John Vaughan, no.8) Doubts whether he will have occasion for a house in Philadelphia. Desires to lay a foundation for a Unitarian society. Promotion of science. Opposition to government by the western settlers because of the excise.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Aug. 16, 17948" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p., add. and end. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.9) Plans to settle in Northumberland rather than in Philadelphia.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Aug. 30, 17946 1/2" x 8"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p., add. and end. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.10) Finances. Plans for building a house.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Sept. 17, 17948" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan, no.11) Finances. Enclosures for England.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Nov. 13, 17948" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan, no.12) Finances. Enclosures for England. Mentions Mr. [Thomas?] Cooper.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to [John Vaughan]
Nov. 17, 17946 1/2" x 8"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p. and end. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.13) Finances.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to Mr. [ ] Mckinney
Nov. 21, 17946 1/2" x 8"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his Letters to various persons,no.49) Household articles being sent to him. Mentions [John] Vaughan.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Dec. 10, 17946 1/2" x 8"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.14) Received cider and apples. Pays bill.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Dec. 12, 17946 1/2" x 8"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 4p. (see his Letters to John Vaughan, no.15) Missing furniture. Arrival of Mr. Cooper. The new house.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Dec. 16, 17946 1/2" x 8"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p., add. and end. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.16) Finances. Still no information about the missing furniture.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Dec. 21, 17948" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.17) Mentions Mr. Cooper. Supplies for his experiments.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Jan. 4, 17958" x 10"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.18) Missing household articles. Proposed college of Northumberland. Mentions Mr. Cooper and Mr. [Harry] Toulmin]. Advance in postage rates. Reproduced and printed in part: APS Library Bulletin for 1946,p.80.

General physical description: 8" x 10"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Power of attorney to John Vaughan
Feb. 17, 179512-3/4x8

D.S.: Joseph Priestley. Witnessed: Jonathan Walker and W[illia]m Cook. Certified: Wm.Cook. 1p.and end. (see Joseph Priestley Papers.)

General physical description: 12-3/4x8

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Feb. 22, 17958" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.19) The purchase of a lot in Northumberland.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
May 4, 17956 1/2" x 8"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p., add. and end. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.20) Finances.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
May 6, 17958" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 2p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.21) Finances. Possibility of Benjamin Vaughan's settling in Boston. Wishes to deliver a series of discourses on the evidences of Christianity; asks that he question his friends on the subject, mentioning particularly Dr. Rush.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
June 4, 17956 1/2" x 8"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 2p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.22) Parcels from London. Finances. Proposed visit to Philadelphia.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
June 15, 17956 1/2" x 8"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p., add. and end. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.23) Finances. Proposed visit to Philadelphia.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Aug. 11, 17958" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 2p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.24) One of his pamphlets in press; difficulty in getting his tracts to England; his Answer to Mr. Paine. Finances. The college

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Aug. 13, 17958" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.25) More letters and pamphlets for England. Finances.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Aug. 31, 17958" x 10"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 2p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.26) Finances. Building of his house. The settlement of his sons.

General physical description: 8" x 10"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to Dr. [William] Withering, Birmingham, England
Oct. 27, 179513" x 8"

Northumberland co., A.L.S. 3p. and add., end. Study of the phlogistication of air. Appointed principal of the College of Northumberland. Mentions Lunar society; APS publications.

General physical description: 13" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Oct. 28, 17956 1/2" x 8"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.27) Finances. Inquires about Benjamin Vaughan. Ill health of Mrs. Priestley. An anonymous letter recently received.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Feb. 3, 17966 1/2" x 8"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 2p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.28) Delivery of certain parcels. Has prepared a set of discourses. Mentions Mr. Cooper.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
May 30, 17968" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p., add. and end. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.29) Dr. Barton lent him copy of Bancroft's book on color; expects to try some experiments. Family news.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to [Benjamin Smith] Barton, Philadelphia
June 16, 17968x6-1/4

Northumberland, Photo.of A.L.S. 3p.and add.,end. (see Priestley papers.) Concerning his publication on phlogiston. Botany. Asks for his article on Indian artifacts. Refers to J.Vaughan. From original in Central Library, Salford, England.  Not Found: 3/2011

General physical description: 8x6-1/4

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
July 28, 17968" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p., add. and end. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.30) Scientific instruments.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Aug. 18, 17968" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p., add. and end. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.31) Finances. Packages.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Sept. 22, 17968" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.32) Sends last thing his wife wrote; her fondness for the Vaughan family.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Oct. 29, 17968 1/2" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.33) Letters to be forwarded. His son.

General physical description: 8 1/2" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Nov. 3, 17968" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p. and add. Mutilated (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.34) Finances.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to Miss Judith Mansell
Jan. 25, 17977 1/2" x 9"

Philadelphia, A.L.S. 4p., add. (see his Letters to various persons,no.50) Death of his wife.

General physical description: 7 1/2" x 9"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Jan. 21, 17986 1/2" x 8"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 2p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.35) Letters to be forwarded. Mentions Benjamin Vaughan, and the deaths of several persons.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Sept. 27, 17988" x 9 3/4"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.36) Mr. Vaughan's difficulties. Finances. Possibility of his son's settling in France.

General physical description: 8" x 9 3/4"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to Dr. [Andrew] Ross, Philadelphia
Dec. 6, 17989-3/4x8

Northumberland, A.L.S. 3p.and add.,end. (see Priestley papers.) Hopes the voyage will help him. Concerning his future plans. Current events in Europe and Egypt.

General physical description: 9-3/4x8

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Dec. 20, [1798]8" x 9 3/4"

A.L. 3p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.37) Packages from London; orders for books, lead, amber, etc. Mentions [William] Cobbett.

General physical description: 8" x 9 3/4"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
March 21, 17998" x 9 3/4"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.38) Glasses and other instruments for scientific experiments; damages in transportation. Mr. Vaughan's difficulties. Printed in part: APS Library Bulletin for 1946, p.79.

General physical description: 8" x 9 3/4"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
April 11, 17998" x 9 3/4"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.39) Is glad that Mr. Vaughan's affairs are better. Order for gold, silver, and platinum for experiments. Mentions Mr. Cooper.

General physical description: 8" x 9 3/4"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
Dec. 12, 17998" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 2p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.40) Finances. Comments on "Porcupine."

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan
July 7, 18008" x 13"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 1p. and add. (see his Letters to John Vaughan,no.41) Encloses parcels for various persons. Arrival of his son, Joseph.

General physical description: 8" x 13"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to John Vaughan, Philadelphia
Nov. 21, 180113-1/2x8-1/4

North[umberland], A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. Concerning Woodhouse. Thought he would have received a package of books.

General physical description: 13-1/2x8-1/4

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to the Rev. Mr. [Theophilus] Lindsey
Dec. 19, 18017 3/4" x 12 3/4"

Northumberland, A.L.S. 4p., add. Seal. (see his Letters to various persons,no.51) Rejoices at return of peace; American politics. His health. Slowness of receiving books from England.

General physical description: 7 3/4" x 12 3/4"

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to [Thomas Belsham]
March 16, 180311x8-1/2

Philadelphia, Typed L. 1p. Copy. (see Priestley papers.) Orders books for A.P.S.as John Vaughan requested. For request,see J.Vaughan to Priestley; March 8,1803 (in APS.Jounral...Corres.Sec. 1789-1823,p.41) Presented by E.F.Belding;10/11/62.  Not Found: 3/2011

General physical description: 11x8-1/2

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
Letter to the Rev. Mr. [Theophilus] Lindsey
Aug. 27, 18037 3/4" x 12 1/4"

North[umberlan]d, A.L.S. 4p., add. (see his Letters to various persons,no.52) The war and European politics. His health; his writings. Contains also a copy of Priestley's bookplate.

General physical description: 7 3/4" x 12 1/4"

B P931b Barton, Benjamin Smith, 1766-1815.
[Notes on the eulogium on Joseph Priestley to be delivered before the American philosophical society]
[1804] 1 volume(s) volume 1

[6p.] Photostat of manuscript. See Early minutes of the Society under dates of Feb. 17, 24, 1804. These notes were found by Mrs. J. R. Delafield among a group of Barton's papers in her possession. The photostat was presented to the Society in January, 1938.

 Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804.
B P931.1 Photocopy Correspondence with John Wilkinson
1789-1802 

Photostats of A.L.S's etc. 68 pieces. From originals in Municipal Library, Warrington, England. Table of contents with collection.