From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 7 July 1765
To David Hall
ALS: The Reverend John H. Wo Rhein, Jr., Seaford, Delaware (1964)
London, July 7. 1765
Dear Mr Hall,
The Bearer Mr. John Martin, is a Compostor, and goes with the Approbation of his Father and Friends to America.5 He would be glad to work with you if you can employ him. If not, I do, at the Request of his Father, desire you would favour him with your Advice, and put him in the Way of obtaining Employment at some other House. He seems a sensible young Man, and I doubt not will be grateful for any Civilities you may show him.
I shall write you fully on other Affairs by this Ship or by the Pacquet, and therefore here only add that I am as ever Yours affectionately
B Franklin
Addressed: To / Mr David Hall / Printer / Philadelphia / Per / Mr J. Martin
Endorsed: Mr. Franklin July 7. 1765.
Stoughton6
5. The editors have been unable to identify further this young man, and no surviving letter from Hall to BF mentions his arrival in Philadelphia. Hall’s pessimism regarding the future of the printing business because of the Stamp Act, very apparent in his letters of this summer and fall, suggests that he would have been most reluctant to take on an additional employee.
6. Not identified.