101A Scolding Wife, 5 July 1733 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , July 5, 1733. In the copy of this issue of the Gazette in the Yale University Library a typographical error in the essay has been corrected in a hand that appears to be Franklin’s. The presumed source of this correction and the style of the essay are the reasons why the editors believe it may have been written by Franklin. ’Tis an old Saying and a true...
102On Ill-Natured Speaking, 12 July 1733 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , July 12, 1733; also draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. To the Printer of the Gazette . ’Tis strange that among Men, who are born for Society and mutual Solace, there should be any who take Pleasure in speaking disagreeable Things to their Acquaintance: But such there are, I assure you, and I should be glad if a little publick Chastisement might be...
103[A Meditation on a Quart Mugg, 19 July 1733] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , July 19, 1733. This essay was first printed by Smyth ( Writings , 11, 198), who considered it a “highly characteristic production.” The present editors, however, believe that the essay is not sufficiently characteristic of Franklin’s style to be attributed to him. No external evidence of authorship has been found and it is therefore omitted here.
104On Literary Style, 2 August 1733 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , August 2, 1733; also draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. To the Printer of the Gazette . There are few Men, of Capacity for making any considerable Figure in Life, who have not frequent Occasion to communicate their Thoughts to others in Writing; if not sometimes publickly as Authors, yet continually in the Management of their private Affairs, both...
105Power of Attorney to Deborah Franklin, 30 August 1733 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society Know all Men by these Presents, That I Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, Printer have constituted, made and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute, make and appoint my trusty and loving Friend [Friend struck out ] Wife Deborah Franklin to be my true and lawful Attorney, for me and in...
106Half-Hour’s Conversation with a Friend, 16 November 1733 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , November 16, 1733. Andrew Hamilton, speaker of the Assembly, recorder of Philadelphia, and a trustee of the Loan Office, was one of the most powerful public figures in Pennsylvania from 1727 until his death in 1741. Resentful and jealous enemies bitterly attacked him in Bradford’s American Weekly Mercury , especially during the campaign of 1733. These...
107Articles of Agreement with Louis Timothée, 26 November 1733 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Articles of Agreement indented [and] made the 26th Day of November Ao. Di. 1733 Between Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia in the Province of Pensilvania Printer of the one Part and Lewis Timothée of the said City Printer (now bound on a Voyage to Charlestown in South Carolina) Of the other Part: Whereas the said BF and LT have determined to...
108[Parents and Boyhood] (Adams Papers)
My Father married Susanna Boylston in October 1734, and on the 19th of October 1735 I was born. As my Parents were both fond of reading, and my father had destined his first born, long before his birth to a public Education I was very early taught to read at home and at a School of Mrs. Belcher the Mother of Deacon Moses Belcher, who lived in the next house on the opposite side of the Road. I...
109Poor Richard, 1734 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1734. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1734 … By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin, at the New Printing-Office near the Market (Yale University Library). Your kind and charitable Assistance last Year, in purchasing so large an Impression of my Almanacks, has made my Circumstances much more easy in the World, and requires my grateful...
110Extracts from the Gazette, 1734 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 8 to December 26, 1734. [ Advertisement ] A Servant Lad’s Time for near Five years to be disposed of, on Reasonable Terms. He is by Trade a Taylor, and can work very well. Enquire of the Printer hereof. [January 30] Saturday last a Marriage was consummated between Wm. Allen, Esq; one of the Principal Merchants of this City; and Mrs. Margaret...
111Agreement between Directors of Library Company and William Parsons, 14 March 1734 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Memorandum of Agreement indented [and] made the Fourteenth Day of March Ao.Di. 1733/4 Between Benjamin Franklin Wm. Rawle Thos. Godfrey Hugh Roberts Anthony Nicholas Thos. Cadwallader John Jones Henry Pratt and Thos. Hopkinson a Committee of Directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia for and on Behalf of the said Company Of the one Part and Wm....
112Sarah Read to Benjamin and Deborah Franklin: Bargain and Sale, 9 April 1734 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society This document and the two which immediately follow record the first transactions in the drawn-out process by which Franklin put together the various parcels of land on the south side of Market Street (also called High Street) between Third and Fourth Streets which became the site of his home. The plot involved here, corresponding to the later No. 318 Market...
113Sarah Read to Benjamin and Deborah Franklin: Release, 10 April 1734 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society; also copy: Office of Recorder of Deeds, Philadelphia This Indenture made the Tenth day of April in the Seventh Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c Annoque Domini One thousand Seven hundred and Thirty Four between Sarah Read of the City of Philadelphia...
114Benjamin and Deborah Franklin and John and Frances Croker to Sarah Read: Lease, 11 April 1734 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Morris Duane, Philadelphia, on deposit in Historical Society of Pennsylvania (1957) This Indenture made the Eleventh day of April in the Seventh Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c Annoque Domini One thousand Seven hundred and Thirty Four Between Benjamin Franklyn of the City of...
115From a Reader to the Printer, 11 April 1734 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , April 11, 1734. Tho’ your News-paper is sometimes as empty as those of others, yet I think you have for the most part (tho’ you were once in one particular a sad Offender) had the Modesty to keep it pretty clear of Scandal , a Subject that others delight to wallow in. These People, probably from some Corruption in themselves, and possibly from their own...
116Bill to Thomas Penn, 18 May 1734 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Honorable Thos. Penn Esq. Dr. 1734 May 18. For printing and Paper of 200 Cases at 2 d. per. £1 13 4 For a Supplement to the same 5 Mr. Steel { For 300 Warrants a 1 d. per. 1 5
117Thomas Godfrey to the Printer of the Gazette, 15 August 1734 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , August 15, 1734. The Germans, an industrious and indefatigable People, have been always famous for their Penetration into the more dark and abstruse Parts of Learning, such as border upon Magic not excepted. Of this Nation was the renowned Agrippa, Dr. Faustus, and several others that might be named. Their Skill in the most subtle and mischievous Arts, not...
118Admission of John Mifflin to Library Company, 27 August 1734 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Such of the Directors of the Library Company as approve of John Mifflin’s being admitted a Member are desired to shew their Consent by subscribing their Names hereto B. Franklin Hugh Roberts John Jones Junr Thos. Hopkinson 1734 Fras. Richardson Thos. Cadwalader Wm Rawle Philip Syng Junr Thos Godfrey Wm. Coleman John Mifflin (1715–1759), Quaker merchant;...
119From Benjamin Franklin to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 28 November 1734 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Abstract of the Proceedings … 1871 , pp. 356–7. Right Worshipful Grand Master and Most Worthy and Dear Brethren, We acknowledge your favor of the 23d of October past, and rejoice that the Grand Master (whom God bless) hath so happily recovered from his late indisposition: and we now, glass in hand, drink to the establishment of his...
120From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Price, 28 November 1734 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Abstract of the Proceedings … 1871 , p. 357. I am glad to hear of your recovery. I hoped to have seen you here this Fall, agreeable to the expectation you were so good as to give me; but since sickness has prevented your coming while the weather was moderate, I have no room to flatter myself with a visit from you before the Spring,...
121Poor Richard, 1735 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1735. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1735 ... By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin, at the New Printing-Office near the Market. (Yale University Library) This is the third Time of my appearing in print, hitherto very much to my own Satisfaction, and, I have reason to hope, to the Satisfaction of the Publick also; for the Publick is...
122Extracts from the Gazette, 1735 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 2 to December 30, 1735. [ Advertisement ] Any Township or Neighbourhood in the Country, wanting a School-Master, to teach Reading, Writing, or Arithmetick, may hear of one well qualified by enquiring of the Printer hereof. [January 9] [ Advertisement ] By the Indulgence of the Honourable Col. Spotswood, Post-Master General, the Printer hereof is...
123On Protection of Towns from Fire, 4 February 1735 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , February 4, 1734/5. Being old and lame of my Hands, and thereby uncapable of assisting my Fellow Citizens, when their Houses are on Fire; I must beg them to take in good Part the following Hints on the Subject of Fires. In the first Place, as an Ounce of Prevention is worth a Pound of Cure , I would advise ’em to take Care how they suffer living...
124A Man of Sense, 11 February 1735 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , February 11, 1734/5. Franklin wanted his newspaper to instruct as well as inform, and sometimes published in it, he wrote in the autobiography, “little Pieces of my own which had been first compos’d for Reading in our Junto. Of these are a Socratic Dialogue, tending to prove, that, whatever might be his Parts and Abilities, a vicious Man could not properly...
125Self-Denial Not the Essence of Virtue, 18 February 1735 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , February 18, 1734/5. To the Printer of the Gazette . That Self-Denial is not the Essence of Virtue. It is commonly asserted, that without Self-Denial there is no Virtue, and that the greater the Self-Denial the greater the Virtue. If it were said, that he who cannot deny himself in any Thing he inclines to, tho’ he knows it will be to his Hurt, has not the...
126Reply to a Piece of Advice, 4 March 1735 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , March 4, 1734/5. In your Paper of the 18th past, some Verses were inserted, said to be design’d as a Piece of Advice to a good Friend. As this Piece of Advice, if it had been intended for a particular Friend alone, might have been as well convey’d to him privately; I suppose the Author by getting it publish’d, thinks it may be of Use to great Numbers of...
127Dialogue between Two Presbyterians, 10 April 1735 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , April 10, 1735. Franklin was deeply involved in 1735 in the controversy about the Reverend Mr. Samuel Hemphill. Ordained in Ireland, coming with recommendations from the Presbytery of Strabane, Hemphill was received by the Synod of Philadelphia, September 21, 1734. In Ireland a charge of unorthodoxy had been made against him, but was found to be...
128Library Company to John Penn and Reply, [31 May 1735] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , June 5, 1735; also MS Minute Book, Library Company of Philadelphia. The Directors of the Library Company on October 14, 1734, named Franklin and William Coleman to draft an address to John Penn, recently arrived from England. Coleman prepared it, and submitted it to the Directors on October 21, but consideration was postponed until the spring of 1735, when...
129To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Morgan, 7 July 1735 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Sir, I have long expected to See the new Edition of The Temp. Inter. If it Sell like that which you last printed of mine, you may print many; for they are all gone and people enquire for more, and none to be had. I Sent, as you desired, the places marked in the Margin, where the Additions Should be Set. Have you the Manuscript of Additions, It refers to the...
130Observations on the Proceedings against Mr. Hemphill, [17 July 1735] (Franklin Papers)
Some Observations on the Proceedings against The Rev. Mr. Hemphill; with a Vindication of his Sermons. The Second Edition. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin. 1735. (Yale University Library) The Commission of the Synod of Philadelphia appointed to hear Jedediah Andrews’ charges against Samuel Hemphill met April 17. The evidence consisted of the testimony of witnesses and Hemphill’s...
131A Letter to a Friend in the Country, [25 September 1735] (Franklin Papers)
A Letter to a Friend in the Country, Containing the Substance of a Sermon Preach’d at Philadelphia, in the Congregation of The Rev. Mr. Hemphill, Concerning the Terms of Christian and Ministerial Communion. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin at the New Printing-Office near the Market. 1735. (Yale University Library) The Pennsylvania Gazette advertised September 18 that this sermon...
132A Defense of Mr. Hemphill’s Observations, [30 October 1735] (Franklin Papers)
A Defence Of the Rev. Mr. Hemphill’s Observations: or, an Answer to the Vindication of the Reverend Commission. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin at the New Printing-Office near the Market. 1735. (Boston Public Library) Franklin’s Observations on the Proceedings against the Rev. Mr. Hemphill (see above, pp. 37–65) was answered by A Vindication of the Reverend Commission of the...
133[Of the Usefulness of Mathematics, 30 October 1735] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , October 30, 1735. First reprinted by Duane ( Works , IV , 377) and later by William Temple Franklin, Sparks, and Bigelow, but not by Smyth, this essay is omitted here for lack of evidence of Franklin’s authorship. See above, I , 170. Julius F. Sachse asserted, without indicating authority or evidence, that it was originally delivered by Franklin before the...
134Shop Book, 1735–39 (Franklin Papers)
MS Account Book: American Philosophical Society The Shop Book is a manuscript volume and business record like the Journal (see above, I , 172). It covers the period from November 14, 1735, to August 3, 1739, with the number of entries falling off sharply after 1736. The cover bears, in addition to doodlings, the words “Shop Book 1738” and the name of Deborah Franklin; Benjamin Franklin’s name...
135Advice to a Pretty Creature and Replies, 20 and 27 November 1735 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , November 20 and 27, 1735. Mr. Franklin, Pray let the prettiest Creature in this Place know, (by publishing this) That if it was not for her Affectation, she would be absolutely irresistible. The little Epistle in our last, has produced no less than six, which follow in the order we receiv’d ’em. Mr. Franklin, I cannot conceive who your Correspondent means...
136[Of True Happiness, 20 November 1735] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , November 20, 1735 Reprinted by Duane twice with minor variations ( Works , IV , 350–2, 372–4), and later by William Temple Franklin, Sparks, and Bigelow but not by Smyth, this essay is omitted here for the reasons explained above, I , 170.
137[On Human Vanity, 11 December 1735] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , December 11, 1735. Duane printed this essay ( Works , IV , 346–50), but later editors have not followed his lead. Except for a completely rewritten first paragraph and minor verbal changes this piece first appeared in The Free-Thinker : or, Essays of Wit and Humour , April 24, 1719, as Alfred Owen Aldridge has shown in “The Sources of Franklin’s ‘The...
138Preface to Cato’s Moral Distichs, [18 December 1735] (Franklin Papers)
Cato’s Moral Distichs Englished in Couplets. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin, 1735. Pp. iii–iv. (Yale University Library) The Printer to the Reader . The Manuscript Copy of this Translation of Cato’s Moral Distichs , happened into my Hands some Time since, and being my self extreamly pleased with it, I thought it might be no less acceptable to the Publick; and therefore...
139Poor Richard, 1736 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1736. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1736 , ... By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin, at the New Printing-Office near the Market. (Yale University Library) Your kind Acceptance of my former Labours, has encouraged me to continue writing, tho’ the general Approbation you have been so good as to favour me with, has excited the Envy of some,...
140Afterword to Every Man His Own Doctor, 1736 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in [John Tennent], Every Man his own Doctor: or, The Poor Planter’s Physician .... The Fourth Edition. Philadelphia: printed and Sold by B. Franklin, near the Market, M,DCC,XXXVI. (Historical Society of Pennsylvania) In 1734 Franklin reprinted John Tennent’s Every Man his own Doctor , which had been published earlier that year in a “second edition” in Williamsburg, Va. Franklin may...
141Extracts from the Gazette, 1736 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 6 to December 30, 1736. [ Advertisement ] This is to certify, that I Robert Jesson, late Merchant of Philadelphia, having been afflicted with a Dropsey, insomuch that my Life was despaired of, am now effectualy cured by an Elixir which Mr. Edward Jones of this City, Gent. has the Secret of making. In Gratitude for the Favour, and for the Benefit of...
142[On Government, 1 and 8 April 1736] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , April 1 and 8, 1736. The first two essays of an untitled series on government which ran in the Gazette from April 1 to June 10, 1736, were reprinted by Duane ( Works , IV , 340–6) in the apparent belief that Franklin wrote them. Sparks also included the two essays ( Works , ii, 278–84), but pointed out that he had no reason for assuming that Franklin was...
143On Amplification, 17 June 1736 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , June 17, 1736. Amplification, or the Art of saying Little in Much , seems to be principally studied by the Gentlemen Retainers to the Law. ’Tis highly useful when they are to speak at the Bar; for by its Help, they talk a great while, and appear to say a great deal, when they have really very little to say. But ’tis principally us’d in Deeds and every...
144[On Discoveries, 14 October 1736] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , October 14, 1736. Reprinted by Duane ( Works , IV , 374–7) and later by William Temple Franklin, Sparks, and Bigelow, but not by Smyth (see above, I , 170), this essay, as Alfred Owen Aldridge has shown, originally appeared in The Prompter , a London literary periodical, June 11, 1736. It was reprinted, without the opening paragraph and with other...
145[The Waste of Life, 18 November 1736] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , November 18, 1736. First printed by Duane ( Works , IV , 367–70) and later by William Temple Franklin, Sparks, and Bigelow, but not by Smyth, this essay is omitted here for the reasons given above, I, 170.
146Articles of the Union Fire Company, 7 December 1736 (Franklin Papers)
MS Minute Book, Union Fire Company: Library Company of Philadelphia The seventh Day of December , in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and thirty six, WE whose Names are hereunto subscribed, reposing special Confidence in each others Friendship, Do, for the better preserving our Goods and Effects from Fire, mutually agree in Manner following, That is to say . 1. That we will each...
147On the Death of His Son, 30 December 1736 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , December 30, 1736. Understanding ’tis a current Report, that my Son Francis, who died lately of the Small Pox, had it by Inoculation; and being desired to satisfy the Publick in that Particular; inasmuch as some People are, by that Report (join’d with others of the like kind, and perhaps equally groundless) deter’d from having that Operation perform’d on...
148Poor Richard, 1737 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1737. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1737 ,... By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin, at the New Printing-Office near the Market. (Yale University Library) This is the fifth Time I have appear’d in Publick, chalking out the future Year for my honest Countrymen, and foretelling what shall, and what may, and what may not come to pass; in...
149From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 1737 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Harvard College Library (Sparks) Having read the Chapter on Moral Good or Virtue, with all the Attention I am Capable of, amidst the many little Cares that Continually infest me, I shall, as the Author Condescends to desire, give my Opinion of it, and that with all Sincerity and Freedom, neither apprehending the Imputation of Flattery on the one hand, nor that of Ill Manners on the...
150Extracts from the Gazette, 1737 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 6 to December 29, 1737. Thursday Evening last [ should be Wednesday, Dec. 29], the Weather being very cold and clear, we had a fair and surprizing Appearance of the Aurora Borealis , or Northern Twilight . It was more red and luminous than that which we saw here about Six Years ago: Insomuch that People in the Southern Parts of the Town, imagin’d...