1Articles of Agreement with James Parker, 20 February 1742 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society Articles of Agreement indented made the twentieth Day of February in the year of our Lord, One Thousand seven Hundred and Forty-One, Between Benjamin Franklin, of the City of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania Printer, of the One Part, and James Parker of the said City, Printer, of the other Part: Whereas the said Benjamin Franklin, and James...
2To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 7 September 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Whiting came and [paid the] whole last Saturday Evening in Jersey Money, except 5 s. in York, of the Pay[ment] for the Postage. I don’t know any Body has any of the Spanish Paper to sell cheap. I believe 5 or 6 s. will be the lowest. I know several ask 8 s. I can yet gladly spare you 4 or 5 Bales of that I have, having got about 10 Bales yet entire. If...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 27 October 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Both yours of the 20th and 25th I received late last Night: I shall endeavour now to answer to both, as well as I can. With Respect to Mr. Strahan: Tho’ I wrote to him a while ago, that I would see he was paid, if he would wait a little longer; I told him the Case and that I was in hopes to get it of Mr. Holt, but if he fail’d, I would at last see it paid:...
6To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 23 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When you embarked at Chester, I purposed to return that Night, but I could not: However, I got to Philadelphia next Day before Noon: I immediately applied to Dunlap’s Affair, as McCleave had arrived before me: I found all the Security Dunlap had was McCleave’s Bond, and McCleave could give no other Security. So I at last took his McCleave’s Bond for £44 15 s...
7To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In Hopes you have received a Letter from me since your Leaving us, which I sent inclosed in one to Mr. Strahan, from New York, per a Merchant Ship, I now attempt a Second to you: I therein told you, I had taken Dunlap’s Deed to you according to your Instructions, and taken McCleave’s Bond for the Money he proposed on that Score. I was returned from...
8To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 22 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society About seven Days ago, hearing one Capt. Kid was about to sail for London from New-York, and the Packet by whom this is design’d to go not being come in then; I wrote you, at the same Time sent a Packet of News-papers, being the four last of the Pensylvania Gazette wherein was some Pieces wrote concerning your Remarks on the Protest. That Packet with the...
9To 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...
10To 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...
11To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 29 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I have never had the Pleasure of one single Line from you, in answer to several I have wrote, I can now say but little, I have made no further Progress in the Accounts yet, than what I mentioned in my last: being obliged to stay at home some Time past: I wrote you all I could, or did, about your Concerns with Dunlap, but having no Answer, am at a Loss to...
12To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed you will have as far a general State of the Accounts, as I could hitherto get done: by the Dates’ thereof, you will see part of them were done the latter End of February last, and some part just now: I have been at them this Spell but three Days, and my Business will not permit me to stay longer this Time: but as soon as ever it will permit, I will...
13James 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...
14To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker: Bond, 1 August 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society Know all Men by these Presents, That I, James Parker of the Township of Woodbridge, in East New Jersey Printer am held and firmly bound unto Benjamin Franklin, Esq. of the City of Philadelphia in the Sum of One Hundred and Thirty One Pounds four Shillings lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid to the said...
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...
16James 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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 6 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This Moment yours of Sept. 17. I received, and as the Packet is tho’t will be discharged immediately, tho’ I have the Gout in my right Hand, the first Fit I have had since I been here, I venture to write a few Lines. The dreadful Commotions in this Country now, you will doubtless hear from abler Hands: I have almost done the Book I am about here: I have not...
20To 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...
21To 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...
22To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 23 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Some Time ago, I wrote requesting you to send me a Fount of Pica and one of Long-Primer. If this be not too late I would counter order the Pica only for this Reason: The Low Dutch Congregation here, are about having part of their Time of Worship to be English, and so got the Psalms turn’d into Verse in English to suit their Dutch Tunes: for which purpose,...
23To 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...
24To 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...
25To 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...
26To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker: Bond, 15 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society Know all Men by these Presents, That I James Parker of the City of New-York, Printer, am Held and firmly bound unto Benjamin Franklin, of the City of Philadelphia Esqr in the Sum of Two Hundred and Thirty-One Pounds , Current Money of Great Britain To be paid to the said Benjamin Franklin or to his certain Attorney,...
27To 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...
28To 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:...
29To 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....
30To 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...
31To 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....
32To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 27 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho’ it is but 4 Days since I wrote per Packet, yet this Opportunity offering I send again, with this Day’s Paper, tho’ there is Nothing of Importance in it: Nor any Thing of private Intelligence, than that we are much as we were: nor have I had Time since my last to see about any Thing wrote about in my last: but as the Packet is to go next Monday I shall...
33To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 1 September 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having wrote twice since 8 Days ago, I have not any Thing material to write now only that I have not been able yet to execute a proper Power: Indeed, the chief Reason is for some Weeks past, I have had the Gout wandering from Limb to Limb, and tho’ none so very violent as to lay me quite up, yet so much, that I have no sooner Ease in one Part, than I have...
34To 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:...
35James Parker: Power of Attorney, 16 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society Know ALL Men by these Presents, That I James Parker, Land-Waiter in his Majesty’s Customs at New-York, in America, have made, ordained and constituted, and by these Presents, do make, ordain and constitute Benjamin Franklin, Esqr. of Craven-Street, in the City of London, and Kingdom of Great Britain my true and lawful Attorney, for me and in my Name, and...
36To 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...
37To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 24 November 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society No Packet having arrived here lately, that of August from England being the last, and this Opportunity being near I must scribble a few Lines to you. I sent you, per Capt. Miller, a Power to get any Wages that may be due to me. My last to you was per the Duke Packet, immediately after my Return from New-Haven: since which Mr. Ingersol has wrote Mr. Foxcroft...
38To 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...
39To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 21 January 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since the New-Year I wrote you per Capt. Farquhar in a Merchantman: This being the first Packet we have had this three Months. I have very little extraordinary to inform you of, further than my last. Only I continue to creep along Slowly. You will see I have altered the Day of my Paper back to Monday, and the Hartford Rider is suppress’d. The Commissioners...
40To 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...
41To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 25 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of the 2d and 12th of December, per Packet, I received, and observe the Contents of it: I shall be obliged to enlarge in this to be as particular as I can about the New-Haven Affair, and the Hartford Rider. Before I was directed up to New-Haven as Evidence I did not dream that Holt would stand that Trial as he did: Upon my Qualification, I declared to...
42To 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...
43To 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.]
44To 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:...
45To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 15 May 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This comes with my unhappy Son. How far he may be an Object of your Regard, is left entirely to your own Discretion. I have Nothing else to say in his Favour, but wish he may Merit some of your Good Will, which is all with our best Regards, from Your most obliged Servant Addressed: For / Benjamin Franklin, Esqr. / Craven-Street / London / per S.F: Parker
46To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 17 June 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of April 16, with Mr. Strahan’s Memorandum about Holt, I received per Packet. It is a bad Stroke for me, as I never had or received the Books, that I have been made to pay for, and shall never have any other Satisfaction for them. But I will not complain any more: I have now been sufficiently used to such Matters. It is possible, by the Time you...
47To 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.]
48To 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...
49To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 10 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho’ I have not had the Pleasure of one Line from you for many Months past yet I will write a Word or two. Mrs. Franklin I hear expects you in the August Packet, but your Son, who is gone to Albany just now, told me he hardly expected you. I have not heard a Word from my unhappy Son, whether he be dead or alive, tho’ I heard the Vessel he went in arrived...
50To 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...