A substantial letter from Benjamin Franklin to his son William Franklin, written in London on 14 July 1773, discussing the Pratt-Yorke legal opinion on Indian land grants, Franklin's evolving theory of settlers' rights to acquire territory independently of Crown sovereignty, land speculation schemes (particularly the Walpole Company and Retribution Grant), political intrigue with Lord Hillsborough, and personal and family matters. The letter provides critical evidence of Franklin's radical constitutional thinking regarding colonial independence and his involvement in western land speculation.