To Honorable Benjamin Franklin, ESQ., September 23, 1785

From the original letter at the American Philosophical Society.

New-York Sept 23d, 1785

My Dear Sir

It gives me exceeding great pleasure to have the opportunity of Congratulating you on your return home and to a land of Peace; and to express to you my heart-felt wishes that the remainder of your days may be to you a time of happy ease and rest.

Should fate prolong my life to the extent of yours, it would give me the greatest felicity to have the evening Scene some resemblance of what you now enjoy.

In making you this address, I have an additional pleasure in reflecting that so far as I have hitherto gone I am not conscious of any Circumstance in my own conduct, that should give you one repentant thought for being my Patron and Introducer to America.

It would give me great Pleasure to make a journey to Philadelphia on purpose to see you, but an interesting Affair I have with Congress makes my absence at this time improper.

If you have time to let me know how your health is, I shall be much obliged to you. — I am — Dear Sir, with the sincerest Affection and Respect

Your Obedient Humble Servant

THOMAS PAINE

My address is Mssrs Lawrence and Morris Merchants N York