51A Witch Trial at Mount Holly, 22 October 1730 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , October 22, 1730. This hoax is included here on the authority of John Bach McMaster, though no external evidence that Franklin wrote it has been found; all that can be said is that he could have done so. Smyth printed it without questioning ( Writings , ii, 170–2), as have subsequent editors and biographers. Records of the Court of Quarter Sessions of...
52Miscellaneous Business Memoranda, 1731 (Franklin Papers)
MSS : American Philosophical Society Volume 66 of the Franklin Papers in the American Philosophical Society contains approximately 250 miscellaneous business papers and memoranda. A few are undated; most bear dates between 1729 and 1768, but a few items are of an earlier or later year. They range from torn scraps the size of a playing card or even smaller to single or double sheets of quarto...
53Doctrine to be Preached, 1731 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Library of Congress “From time to time,” Franklin wrote in his autobiography, he put down “on Pieces of Paper such Thoughts as occur’d” to him respecting his proposed United Party for Virtue. In 1788 he found one of these slips, containing, he thought, a statement of “the Essentials of every known Religion, and … free of every thing that might shock the Professors of any Religion.” What...
54Extracts from the Gazette, 1731 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 5 to December 28, 1731. In our last we gave our Readers an Account of the Number of Burials in this City for a Year past, by comparing which with the Number of Burials of one Year in Boston, Berlin, Colln, Amsterdam and London, ( See our Gazette No. 64, 77, 78.) a pretty near Judgment may be made of the different Proportions of People in each City....
55Advertisement of Godfrey’s Almanacs, 19 January 1731 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 19, 1730/1. Godfrey’s Almanacks for the Year 1731. Done on a large Sheet of Demi Paper, after the London manner. Containing the Eclipses, Lunations, Judgment of the Weather, the Time of the Sun’s Rising and Setting, Moon’s Rising and Setting, Seven Stars Rising, Southing and Setting, Time of High-water, Fairs, Courts, and Observable Days. With...
56Observations on Reading History, 9 May 1731 (Franklin Papers)
MS Autobiography: Huntington Library That the great Affairs of the World, the Wars, Revolutions, &c. are carried on and effected by Parties. That the View of these Parties is their present general Interest, or what they take to be such. That the different Views of these different Parties, occasion all Confusion. That while a Party is carrying on a general Design, each Man has his particular...
57Apology for Printers, 10 June 1731 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , June 10, 1731. Being frequently censur’d and condemn’d by different Persons for printing Things which they say ought not to be printed, I have sometimes thought it might be necessary to make a standing Apology for my self, and publish it once a Year, to be read upon all Occasions of that Nature. Much Business has hitherto hindered the execution of this...
58From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 19 June 1731 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , 3–5. Yours of May 26, I received with the melancholy news of the death of sister Deavenport, a loss, without doubt, regretted by all that knew her, for she was a good woman. Her friends ought, however, to be comforted that they have enjoyed her so long and that she has passed through the world happily, having never had any extraordinary...
59Articles of Agreement with Thomas Whitmarsh, 13 September 1731 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Land Office, Department of Internal Affairs, Harrisburg, Pa. Articles of Agreement made and indented the Thirteenth Day of September Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and thirty one Between Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania Printer of the one Part and Thomas Whitemarsh of the same place Printer of the other Part, viz. Whereas the said Benjamin...
60A Sea Captain’s Letter, 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Franklin drafted private letters, Gazette essays, and Junto papers in a commonplace book he kept during 1730–38. Those parts of this manuscript book which can be identified and dated are presented at their proper chronological places in the present work. The remaining materials have been assigned the date 1732, the year in which most of the commonplace...
61Standing Queries for the Junto, 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Benjamin Franklin, Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces , ed. Benjamin Vaughan, (London, 1779), pp. 533–6; also draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1727 Franklin “form’d most of my ingenious Acquaintances into a Club for mutual Improvement, which we called the Junto.” An important inspiration for it was the deep influence which Cotton Mather’s...
62Proposals and Queries to be Asked the Junto, 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania That P S and A N be immediately invited into the Junto. That all New Members be qualified by the 4 qualifications and all the old ones take it. That these Queries [be] copied at the beginning of a Book [and] be read distinctly each Meeting [with] a Pause between each while one might fill and drink a Glass of Wine. That if they cannot all be gone thro’...
63On the Providence of God in the Government of the World, 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania When I consider my own Weakness, and the discerning Judgment of those who are to be my Audience, I cannot help blaming my self considerably, for this rash Undertaking of mine, it being a Thing I am altogether ill practis’d in and very much unqualified for; I am especially discouraged when I reflect that you are all my intimate Pot Companions who have...
64Miscellaneous Observations, 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania The great Secret of succeeding in Conversation, is, To admire little, to hear much; allways to distrust our own Reason, and sometimes that of our Friends; never to pretend to Wit, but to make that of others appear as much as possibly we can: to hearken to what is said, and to answer to the purpose. You may first write a Letter that may carry good...
65Extracts from the Gazette, 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 4 to December 28, 1732. ⁂ We have no Entries this Week, the River being full of Ice. [January 4] Lost last Saturday Night, in Market Street, about 40 or 50 s. If the Finder will bring it to the Printer hereof, who will describe the Marks, he shall have 10 s. Reward. [March 30] [ Advertisement ] Choice Flour of Mustard-Seed , in Bottles, very...
66Query to the Casuist: The Case of the Missing Horse, 18 January 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 18, 1731/2. In one of your Papers about two Years since, there was an Account of a Horse which by Mistake was shot in a Field in the Night, by a Man who lay watching for Deer. The Account was accompanied with a Query, Whether the Man ought to pay for the Horse, since it was by Misadventure, and the Horse a Trespasser? The Query, I remember, was...
67From the Casuist: The Case of the Missing Horse, 25 January 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 25, 1731/2; also draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. To the Query, propos’d to the Casuist in the last Gazette, I have received two Answers, from different Hands, each of which subscribes himself The Casuist. As their Opinions are different, ’twill perhaps be more satisfactory to the Querist if I insert them both. My Opinion, which is...
68The Palatines’ Appeal, 15 February 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , February 15, 1731/2. Being desired the Week before last, to render into good English an imperfect Translation of the Letter from some Palatines to the Rev. Mr. Weys, I took the Pains to alter the Form of it entirely, and put it in the most advantageous Dress I could, with a View of inserting it afterwards in my Gazette: But before the Time of Publishing,...
69From Benjamin Franklin to Library Company Subscribers, 25 March 1732 (Franklin Papers)
MS Minute Book: Library Company of Philadelphia The Directors, in Town, met with the Treasurer and Secretary at Nicholas Scull’s, as was agreed at last Meeting, B. Franklin having sent a Messenger about with printed Notes in these Words Vizt. “Sir. Next Saturday Evening Attendance will be given at N. Scull’s, to receive the Money subscribed to the Library, of those who have not yet paid; when...
70Query to the Casuist: A Case of Conscience, 26 June 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , June 26, 1732; also draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. I am puzzled with a certain Case of Conscience, which I would gladly have well solved; and if the acute Gentleman who has sometimes in your Paper assum’d the Name of Casuist , would undertake the Discussion, it will exceedingly oblige, Your Friend and Reader, &c. The Case is this; Suppose A...
71From the Casuist: A Case of Conscience, 3 July 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , July 3, 1732; also draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The Case of Conscience propos’d to me in you last Gazette, does not require much Consideration to give an Answer. It should seem that the Proposer of that Case, is either no Christian, or a very ill instructed one; otherwise he might easily have learnt his Duty from these positive Laws of...
72Anti-Casuist: A Case of Conscience, [3 July 1732] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Anti Casuist says: I allow the Heighnousness of the Crime, &c. Whether I am a Christian or a Man of Reason, I am not unjustifiable in doing it, from these Considerations. If my Wife commits Adultery with him, she thereby dissolves the Bond of Marriage between her and me, and makes us two separate and single Persons. The Laws of every Country and even...
73Anthony Afterwit, 10 July 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , July 10, 1732; also draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. I am an honest Tradesman, who never meant Harm to any Body. My Affairs went on smoothly while a Batchelor; but of late I have met with some Difficulties, of which I take the Freedom to give you an Account. About the Time I first address’d my present Spouse, her Father gave out in Speeches, that...
74Celia Single, 24 July 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , July 24, 1732; also draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. I must needs tell you, that some of the Things you print do more Harm than Good; particularly I think so of my Neighbour the Tradesman’s Letter in one of your late Papers, which has broken the Peace of several Families, by causing Difference between Men and their Wives: I shall give you here...
75Alice Addertongue, 12 September 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , September 12, 1732; also draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. I was highly pleased with your last Week’s Paper upon Scandal , as the uncommon Doctrine therein preach’d is agreeable both to my Principles and Practice, and as it was published very seasonably to reprove the Impertinence of a Writer in the foregoing Thursdays Mercury , who at the...
76Reply to a Complaining Reader, 9 November 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , November 9, 1732. As you sometimes take upon you to correct the Publick, you ought in your Turn patiently to receive publick Correction. My Quarrel against you is, your Practice of publishing under the Notion of News, old Transactions which I suppose you hope we have forgot. For Instance, in your Numb. 669, you tell us from London of July 20. That the...
77On Colds, 30 November 1732 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , November 30, 1732. From all Parts of this Province, and even from Maryland, People complain of Colds, which are become more general than can be remember’d in these Parts before. Some ascribe this Distemper to the sudden Change of Weather into hard Frost, which we had about the middle of November; but others believe it contagious, and think ’tis...
78Poor Richard, 1733 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1733. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1733, … By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin, at the New Printing-Office near the Market. (Reprinted from the copy of the first impression in the Rosenbach Foundation. A copy of the third impression is in Historical Society of Pennsylvania.) A successful almanac was a valuable source of income to a...
79Extracts from the Gazette, 1733 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 4 to December 31, 1733 Yesterday, being Market Day, Watt who was concern’d in the Counterfeit Money, as mentioned in one of our late Papers, receiv’d part of his Punishment, being whipt, pilloried and cropt. He behaved so as to touch the Compassion of the Mob, and they did not fling at him (as was expected) neither Snow-balls nor any Thing else. We...
80Slippery Sidewalks, 11 January 1733 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 11, 1732/3. Walking the Street on one of these late slippery Mornings, I caught two terrible Falls, which made me, by way of Precaution for the future, get my Shoes frosted before I went home: for I am a stiff old Fellow, and my Joints none of the most pliant. At the Door before which I fell last, stood a Gentleman-like Looby, with a couple of...
81Remarks on a South Carolina Currency Scheme, 31 May 1733 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , May 31, 1733. As there are frequently Things published in the neighbouring Provinces, which to see would be agreeable to my Readers, but being of too great a Length, I have been obliged either to retail ’em Piecemeal, which disjoints or breaks the Connection of Thoughts, or wholly to omit them; I am therefore lately advised to abstract and give the...
82A 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...
83On 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...
84[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.
85On 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...
86Power 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...
87Half-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...
88Articles 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...
89Poor 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...
90Extracts 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...
91Benjamin 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...
92Bill 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
93From 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...
94From 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,...
95Poor 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...
96Extracts 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...
97On 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...
98A 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...
99Self-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...
100Reply 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...