1To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 22 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Not one Word from you yet: No Packet since the December one arrived: But your Friends happily heard of your Arrival in England, by an Article of News brought by a Vessel to New York from Ireland. Otherwise, we should all have been in Pain and Distress about you till this Day: that News arrived 14 Days ago: I wrote you twice or thrice since your Departure...
2To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 31 May–10 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The 22d and 24th Instant, I wrote you per Capt. Haight, inclosing you the 2d of a Bill for £100. Sterling and the first of a Bill from Mr. Hercules Courtenay, Post-Master of Baltimore, for £141 6 s. 11 d. Sterling drawn by Stevenson on Hervey of London, of which this has the 2d inclosed: Mr. Courtenay says it is the whole of the Ballance due from him. I...
3To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 13 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Things here in general are much in the same State as they were in my last, only Mr. Foxcroft being returned from Virginia to Philadelphia; you will doubtless hear from him. I think I told you, I had sent the Bond for the whole I have had of you to Mrs. Franklin. The first of the inclosed Bill I sent per last Packet, I send this lest any Accident attend it....
4To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 1 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By Mrs. Franklin’s Desire, I now send by this Opportunity, two small Kegs of Keskatomas Nuts, one is a Firkin the other a small Quarter Cask: They contain very near a Bushel and a half. I hope they may come safe and sound to your Hands: As I have been now a great while confined by the Gout, I could not go out about them; but as the Second Mate, is a near...
5To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 22 September 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; extract: Public Record Office Yours of July 6. I received Thursday Night last, and the next Day I went down to Philadelphia, by Order from Mr. Foxcroft, so to do, assoon as the Packet came in, as he expected to receive a Draught of a Table of Rates from you; but by yours to him we are directed to make such Table here: There were a Number of Tables of Rates...
6To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 12 July 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I still continue to send you a Line or two on the Presumption you may possibly not have left England before this reaches you, and if you should be set out the Loss of this is not much: As I have little more to say than I have wrote, only that we continue still in the Old Way, rubbing through a World, in which some slide easier then others, but in which none...
7To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 2 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This incloses the 2d Bill for £300 Sterl, the first of which was sent per Packet, who sail’d Thursday last, which I got of Mr. Colden pursuant to a Request of Mr. Foxcroft. I having been one Year in the Service of the Custom-House here, I enquired what Methods I should take to get any Pay, what Information I can get is as follows: A Power of Attorney must...
8To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 18 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This Morning only the January Packet arrived after about 13 Weeks Passage, and tho’ I had not the Pleasure of one Line from you, yet I will once more adventure to write, tho’ uncertain whether it will meet you there or not. Matters of the Post-Office go on as usual. I think I told you the Issue of the Suit against Holt, at New Haven, and the Stopping of the...
9To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 4 March 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [March 4, 1769. Repeats the substance of his letters of February 17 and March 1, printed above. Adds that he has received another bill of exchange from Postmaster Hubbart for £100, drawn by Nathaniel Rogers on a London merchant. The worst of the winter was in February, which is unusual. He hopes his gout will not lose him his place.] For Rogers see BF to...
10To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 28 June 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, June 28, 1769. Encloses two bills of exchange, which he is sending by way of Bristol: one from Tuthill Hubbart of Boston for £122, drawn by Timothy Folger on Moses Allnutt of London, dated June 19; the other from Thomas Vernon, the Newport postmaster, for £15, drawn by John Mawdsley on Messrs. Lane Son & Fraser of London, dated June 16. Also...
11To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 25 April 1768: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, April 25, 1768. Franklin will probably have left before this reaches London. Wrote him a week ago, enclosing some papers (for which see his letter above, April 18); has heard nothing from him since December, but the February packet has not yet arrived. Wishes him a safe and speedy return home.]
12To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 12–13 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Packet being detain’d two or three Days on the following Occasion, tho’ I had wrote four Days ago, all that was then necessary, I could not dispence with writing again; And notwithstanding you will doubtless hear it, if I had not wrote: It pleased God to take our Governor Sir Henry Moore, Bart. out of this World, Yesterday half after 3 o’Clock in the...
13To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 18 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Eight Days ago, I wrote you per Packet, inclosing the 2d Bill from Mr. Courtney of Baltimore, the first of which I sent per Capt. Haight, for £141 6 s . 11 d . Sterling. Last Night I received the inclosed Bill for £10 1 s . 3 d . Sterling from Mr. Vernon of Rhode-Island; he says, it is good, and he is trying to get more for further Remittance. This is all I...
14To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 21 September 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Last Week I accidently met Mr. DeLancey in the Streets: I ask’d him, if he had heard any Thing about the Affair, and he said No. I ask’d him, if he were willing to take the Money? He said Yes. I ask’d him how much it was? and he said £37 principal: which is more than what you mention. However, I will pay it, let it be what it may; On which I told him, I had...
15To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 8 August 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having received yours of the 11th of May, and 8th of June, the 30th of last Month, on my Way towards Burlington, with the Packet and Commission for Land-Waiter at New-York it may be not unnecessary, that I answer as fully as I can. As it was unexpected, and far from my Thoughts, I was the more surprized: It naturally excited me to reflect upon your...
16To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 16 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By this Packet I had not the Pleasure of one Line from you: I am sorry I am so displeasing to you: As I never knew the Gentleman’s Name before, to whom I owe the Place in the Custom House, I could not return him Thanks by Name: therefore only did it to you. Will you be pleased to make my Humble Complements to him, and sincere Thanks for the Favour, which is...
17James Parker: First Report on the Franklin and Hall Account, 14 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Haverford College Library In accordance with Franklin’s power of attorney, Nov. 5, 1764 (above, XI , 441–3), James Parker undertook a detailed examination of the financial records of Franklin & Hall well in advance of the expiration of the partnership agreement and the dissolution of the firm, scheduled to take place on Feb. 1, 1766. He began the examination in the latter part of February...
18To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 April 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [Philadelphia, April 14, 1769. John Foxcroft has summoned him there. Encloses a second bill for £60 13 s. 9 d. , the first of which he had sent from New York on February 13. This Foxcroft had returned to him to send to Franklin. Is in poor health but hopes to recover.]
19To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 10 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society About a Fortnight ago, I wrote you by the Packet in Answer to yours of July 14: Since which this Packet arrived, by whom I had not the Pleasure of one Word: I therein told you, I had gone down to Mr. Foxcroft to Philadelphia, by his Order, to consult about the Table of Rates for the Post-Office, which he expected to receive a Copy of from you, but not...
20To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 5 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of Jan. 10. I just received: am glad to hear you continue well. It is only on Account of Cheapness I would take Scotch Letter: for I confess I always gave the Preference in my Mind to Caslon’s: Last Packet I wrote that I had got a very small Fount of Caslon’s Pica by Chance, so that if Pica were not engaged, I would do without it; but if it is...
21To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 25 April 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Some Hours after I had sent my Letter to the Office to go with this Packet, Mr. Colden’s young Man brought me the inclosed Bill of Exchange for £50 Sterling which he offered me as he had just bought it @ 62½——and it being 2½ per Cent. cheaper than any to be got, I took it drawn this Day, Henry Thompson on Messrs. Pearson & Baillie of Liverpool——on which I...
22To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 1 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society No doubt you will wonder I have not sent you a Power according to my Promise: The Reason is this: Mr. Colden tells me he has a Copy of the Power he sent, Which he would lend me to form one by: and he says he cannot at present recollect where it is, but will search for it, and I being desirous to have it unexceptionable, have waited in hopes he will find it:...
23To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 30 November 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [Woodbridge, N.J., November 30, 1769. Has taken the journey from New York in the hope that it would help his recovery from the gout. Just back from a trip by waggon to Burlington, where the Assembly is sitting, and finds on his return Franklin’s letter of September 9 with its remarks about Mr. Robinson and Parker’s office in the customs. Is resigning that...
24To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker: Bond, 15 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society Know all Men, by these Presents, That I, James Parker of Woodbridge in the County of Middlesex and Province of New Jersey Printer, am Held and firmly bound unto Benjamin Franklin, Esqr. of the City of Philadelphia in the Sum of Three Hundred and fifty Seven Pounds, Sixteen Shillings and one penny , Lawful Money of New...
25To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 5–9 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ever since my last of the 11th Sept. have I been laid up, by the most excruciating Fit of the Gout, that ever I had: and I have now but scarce Ability to write a Line or two. Nothing worthy of Note has happen’d since in Relation to the Post-Office, except that Mr. Babcock has left New-Haven, and I sent a Commission to Mr. Kilby in his Stead, who has given...
26To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 25 April 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In my last to you, I acquainted you of my Intention to remove the Press and printing Materials, late B. Mecom’s, to this Place, and of my having shipp’d them accordingly: By a small Pamphlet you will receive from the Governor—you will perceive it done: I am just now finishing it. I then told you, I apprehended, that if you were desirous of doing any thing...
27To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 May 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I have little agreeable to say, and your Time must be much better employ’d than in reading any Thing I can say, I shall the less intrude on you. I imagined you would be on the Return before this: but I heard there was not that Expectation, I wrote you a few Days ago per Capt. Miller. My Son is about embarking, and perhaps may sail before this for London:...
28To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 20 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My last to you was the Beginning of November last, very short, as I was then taken with the Gout in my Hand, and could scarce write at all: I had just then received yours of the Middle of Sept. with the Invoice of the Goods you sent to Mr. Hughes of New-York: I immediately wrote to a Friend at New-York, as I was unable to Stir myself: They arrived just...
29To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 20 February 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The 2d of this Month I wrote you per Capt. Munds, who was then purposing to sail, but for some Reasons known only to the Owners, he is not yet sail’d, tho’ the Letter having been put in his Bag, I cannot get it back and he is expected to sail soon; probably this will come to hand first. In that I sent the first of each of the three Bills, I now send the...
30James Parker: Second Report on the Franklin and Hall Accounts, 22 August 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Haverford College Library August 22, 1765 After James Parker had sent Franklin a first report on his examination of the Franklin & Hall accounts in June (above, pp. 176–82), he went about other business for two months or so and then resumed his examination in the latter part of August. Apparently he did not spend much time at it, for his second report was for the most part merely a...
31To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 23 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My last to you, was per Capt. Lawrence, by whom I received the Stationary: A few Days after he was sail’d I got yours via Philadelphia of Feb. 28. and 12 Days ago I received yours per Packet of March 14. inclosing Capt. Berton’s Bill of Lading for the Letter, which arrived about 6 Days ago: I have executed a Bond agreeable to your Order. I have not received...
32To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 16 December 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, December 16, 1769. Crept back from Woodbridge two days ago, in order to send by packet anything of interest. Mr. Colden has applied for a bill for £200, which was promised him today; but he was disappointed because Mr. Watts, who signs the bills together with Mr. McEvers, was out of town. Will send the bill by Captain Davis, eight or ten days...
33To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 26 December 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [Woodbridge, N.J., December 26, 1769. Had intended this to go by Captain Davis, but he sailed before it reached New York. Has received since then the enclosed bill from Mr. Colden for £200, drawn by Watts and McEvers on Harley & Drummond, “cost 65 per Cent the Exchange at this Time.”] John Drummond (1723–74), of Drummond’s Bank, and the Hon. Thomas Harley...
34To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 12 May 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Before this reaches you, I hope Mr. Foxcroft will be safe arrived with you, as he sail’d from Philadelphia the 20th of last Month. This covers the first of a Set of Bills for £100 Sterling which I purchased here with Money sent me by Mr. Vernon of Rhode-Island, who I have press’d hard for Payment. His Accounts, tho’ kept in Sterling when he sends Cash will...
35To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 8 March 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My last to you was per Packet of the 20th Feb: and Capt. Munds being not yet sail’d, I have now to add. This covers a Bill of £250, Sterling Exchange 67½ so that it rises here, Wats & McEvers on Messrs. Harley & Drummond, dated Feb. 28. 1770. Of this Bill the Sum of £135, this Money, is on Account of B. Mecom’s Books sold at Auction, and £283 15 s. , the...
36To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 22 July 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, July 22, 1769. Repeats the substance of his letter of June 28. Encloses a bill of exchange for £50 from Luke & Prettyjohn, Barbados, drawn on Richard Gosling of London and endorsed by Mrs. Moore of New York; bills are rising and now stand at 72½, and he bought this one for 70. Has received Franklin’s letters by the packet and by Dr. Rush. Captain...
37To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 17 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This covers one of a Set of Bills of Exchange, which I just received from Mr. Hubbart of Boston, for £60 13 s . 9 d . Sterling on John Blackburn, Esq. London: The first of this Set I sent down to Mr. Foxcroft, who is gone to Virginia, and I apprehend he will send it to you, but very probably this will come to your Hand first, and of this I have advised him,...
38To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 4 January 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am yet here about the Jersey Laws: I sent up to New York 8 Days ago, a Letter for you with the first of the inclosed Bill of Exchange for £200, Wats and Mc Evers on Harley and Drummond which I had of Mr. Colden: but the Weather has been so extreme severe, that I have not learnt whether it could be sent by a Merchantship, or by this Packet; but lest that...
39To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 8 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Not having the Pleasure of one Line from you for several Vessels; I have the less to write you. I am afraid we shall have bad Work with Mr. Chew, who now says, you promised to allow him for a Rider he hired to Hartford, in 1755 and 1756: but it is Strange when he was with me in Philadelphia in 1764, that he never mentioned it at that Time. Holt’s Account...
40To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 24 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Altho’ it be many Months since I have had the Pleasure of one Line from you, yet as I have some Room to think you are not on the Return home now, as all your Friends expected, I will once more scribble to a few Lines more to ask, How you do? At the same time, it may not be displeasing to receive Word, that your Son being gone to Albany, as you will see in...
41To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 August 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, August 14, 1769. Repeats the substance of his letter of August 12, and encloses the second of Hubbart’s £200 bill.]
42To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 24 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By Capt. Miller, who sail’d but this Morning, I sent you my Power of Attorney, and Certificate, which I hope you will receive safe; Capt. Miller, and his Mate are the Evidences, so they can prove it there: I am told you have all that is necessary in Order to receive any Thing that is due and that its paid Quarterly. If any Thing farther is necessary, I will...
43To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 12 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this Dr. Nicholas Falck, is an Inhabitant of this City, and is a Person of a general fair Character:–It is said, he having made some remarkable Discoveries in the Mathematicks and other Sciences, goes to London in order to communicate them to Advantage, and being some Acquaintance of mine, I have presumed to recommend him thus to your Notice:...
44To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 24 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society All yours of April 14. May 23. and June 12. I received within a few Days of each other: I congratulate you, on the Renewal of your Commission. Thank you for all your kind Advice, and as Mr. Foxcroft has since appointed Mr. Babcock at New Haven, I am glad my Sentiments tallied with both yours. I have received the Chronicles by the two last Packets from Mr....
45To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 24 December 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As no Packet has arrived here these two Months, nor any other Vessels lately from England, we have not had the Pleasure to hear from you since Sept. last. My last to you was per Capt. Eff. Lawrence by whom I told you the Issue of the Trial of the Office vers. Holt, was by the Auditors at New Haven, so far adjudged in Holt’s Favour, that he was to pay the...
46To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 29 June 1768: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [Dated June 29, 1768, this is virtually a duplicate of Parker’s letter of May 14.]
47To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 30 January 1768[–13 February 1768] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society About 8 Days ago, I wrote per Halifax Packet, and this going so soon after, I shall not be very tedious. Only must beg one Thing in Relation to Mr. Strahan: Mr. Holt has told some, that he never sent to Strahan for any Books, and that those you paid Mr. Strahan for me, was sent for by me only, and that he never was or could be answerable for any of them but...
48To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 30 May 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You were so good a while ago, to Mention that if I chose to resign the Custom House Business you would not be displeased. While I had the Ability to do what I was taught was my Duty, I patiently Submitted to any Unpopularity or Odium that might unjustly be thrown upon me. But the Commissioners at Boston seem continually to be forming new Orders and...
49To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 29 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This incloses the first of a Bill for £300 Sterl. I got this Day of Mr. Colden, at the Request of Mr. Foxcroft. It also incloses a Copy of a Letter I received from Mr. Ingersoll from New-Haven, and a Copy of an Account Mr. Holt last Week exhibited to the Auditors there, where he went in order to finish that Affair: but at Mr. Ingersols Request it was put...
50To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 30 October 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York October 30, 1769. Is recovering after six weeks from the worst fit of gout he has ever had. Pain is gone, but he is so weak he can scarcely stand; “so have only Patience and Flannel.” Has heard nothing from Franklin, and nothing has happened in the Post Office since he last wrote.]