11To Benjamin Franklin from Josiah Franklin, 26 May 1739 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , I , 4–5. As to the original of our name there is various opinions; some say that it came from a sort of title of which a book, that you bought when here, gives a lively account. Some think we are of a French extract, which was formerly called Franks; some of a free line; a line free from that vassalage which was common to subjects in days of old:...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Simon Meredith, 29 July 1739 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Please to let my Son Hugh Meredith have the Sum of Eight pounds and place the Same to the Account of your Real Friend And very Humble Servant [ Receipted: ] Receiv’d the above Eight Pounds per me July 30. 1739 [ Receipted: ] Borrowed and receiv’d also of Benjamin Franklin Six pounds more per me £6. —. — Father of BF ’s former partner, Hugh Meredith. See...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Spotswood, 12 October 1739 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , December 11, 1740. The Part which your Predecessor, Mr. Andrew Bradford, has acted with respect to the Post-Office Accompts, is no longer to be born with . The Deputy Post-Masters in Great-Britain account every two Months with the General Post-Office there; and I am obliged every half Year to have the Accounts of the General Post-Office in...
14To Benjamin Franklin from William Dewees, Jr., 26 January 1740 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Sent you Last week 7½ Reemes of Large Printing Paper and 8 Reemes of Brown Ditto and Now Send you by the Same Barrer 12 Ditto of Corse printing which I would have you Place to the Cr. of Yours William Dewees, Jr. ( c. 1712–1777), operated a paper mill in Cresham township on the Wissahickon near Philadelphia after 1736. BF’S accounts with him are in Ledger...
15James Franklin: Indenture of Apprenticeship, 5 November 1740 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form, with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society This Indenture Witnesseth, That James Franklin late of Newport in Rhodeisland, but now of Philadelphia in Pennsilvania Hath put himself, and by these Presents, doth voluntarily, and of his own free Will and Accord, put himself Apprentice to Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia, Printer to learn his Art, Trade,...
16John Webbe: The Detection, 17 November 1740 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The American Weekly Mercury , November 20, 1740. Franklin’s advertisement of the General Magazine , November 13, accused John Webbe, to whom as prospective editor he had revealed his scheme in confidence, of carrying the idea to Bradford in order to get ahead of Franklin and reap the advantage personally. Webbe responded immediately with this defense and countercharge. The second...
17To Benjamin Franklin from George Whitefield, 26 November 1740 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from A Select Collection of Letters of the late George Whitefield, M.A .... (London, 1772), I , 226. I thank you for your letter. You may print my life, as you desire. God willing, I shall correct my two volumes of sermons, and send them the very first opportunity. Pray write to me by every ship, that goes shortly to Charles-Town. I shall embark for England, God...
18John Webbe: Defense Renewed, I, 27 November 1740 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The American Weekly Mercury , November 27, 1740. The principal End proposed by the Plan of a Magazine, lately published in this Paper, was to lay open the Nature of the Constitutions of the several Colonies, and to give a monthly Account of the Alterations made in each, with the Reasons inducing the Legislature for making such Alterations. The Materials, for executing the first...
19John Webbe: Defense Renewed, II, 4 December 1740 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The American Weekly Mercury , December 4, 1740. As it is the indispensible Duty of every Man to defend his Reputation from unjust Calumny, I was, therefore , obliged to step forth to vindicate mine, from the injurious Insinuations in the Gazette . But, notwithstanding the Attempt to destroy my Character, on which my Livelihood entirely depends, I was extremely careful , in my...
20John Webbe: The Postmaster and the Mercury, 18 December 1740 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The American Weekly Mercury , December 18, 1740. A Particular must imagine himself to be of mighty Consequence, when he thinks his private Differences deserve to be decided at the public Tribunal. But when he is dragged there against his Inclination, every one must acknowledge that he has a Right to be heard in his Turn. This was my Case in Respect to the Scandalous Accusation,...