Benjamin Franklin Papers
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Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-14-02-0157

To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 1 October 1767

From James Parker

ALS: American Philosophical Society

Nyork. Octob 1. 1767

Honoured Sir

No doubt you will wonder I have not sent you a Power according to my Promise:2 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: If he can’t find it, by the next Packet after this, I will get some other.

To-morrow Morning, I set out for New Haven3 therefore write this at a Venture: I purpose to declare all I know truly, and leave the Issue to Providence. The July Packet you will see is come in this Afternoon;4 if I have any Letters or not, I can’t yet say, but she has had now 10 Weeks Passage, and can bring little News.

I don’t know any Thing worthy your Attention to inform you of: I creep along yet, gain Ground a little every Week, and now print between 15 and 16 Quire of News: but the Times are dreadfully dull and hard here indeed. Yet, thank God, I believe I fare as well as some of my Neighbours: I will follow your Counsel, nor cease to Struggle till I either gain the Port, or sink for ever.

We all join in respectful Complements: Whilst I remain Your most obliged Servant

James Parker.

Addressed: For / Dr Benjamin Franklin / Craven Street / London

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

2A power of attorney whereby BF could collect in London Parker’s salary as land waiter in the Customs at New York; see below, pp. 283–4.

3To attend the hearing in the case of the Post Office against John Holt.

4The Duke of Cumberland packet, Captain Bunster, arrived in New York, October 1, after a voyage of between nine and ten weeks. Pa. Gaz., Oct. 8, 1767.

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