Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 12–13 September 1769

From James Parker

ALS: American Philosophical Society

New-York, Sept. 12[–13]. 1769

Honoured Sir

The Packet being detain’d two or three Days on the following Occasion, tho’ I had wrote four Days ago, all that was then necessary, I could not dispence with writing again; And notwithstanding you will doubtless hear it, if I had not wrote: It pleased God to take our Governor Sir Henry Moore, Bart. out of this World, Yesterday half after 3 o’Clock in the Afternoon; he died of a Bloody Flux: and laid a great while very low, tho’ on Monday Morning he seemed better than for some Time before, but it was only a little lightning before Death. He is to be buried this Afternoon. Tis said Old Mr. Colden will administer the Government again, he is at Flushing, but expected here this Day: He is but weakly and infirm, and Judge Horsmanden, the first Councillor lies almost dying also.4 I had the same Flux a Fortnight ago but it is gone off in a Fit of the Gout: so that the manifold Infirmities that accompany me, induces me to think I ought to persevere in laying down the Custom-House Office, which I only Wait to hear from you.

The Government of this Colony is esteemed the most lucrative of any on the Continent, exclusive of Virginia. I Would you had Interest and Inclination to procure it for yourself: A few years in it, would be of more Emolument to you, than any Thing you have yet had. I wish for your own Sake only, that could be the Case; far be it from me, to have any other View in this Wish. And as Wishing is all the Ability I have, I can only add, that I am as ever Your most obliged Servant

James Parker.

Nyork Sept. 13. 1769

Honoured Sir

Yesterday Capt. Tingley arrived after a Passage of near 13 Weeks, by whom I’ve just received yours of June 14: I shall send it along this Day’s Post, as ordered. I had sent my Letter of Yesterday to the Office, before I received yours, and I write this short note purposely to stick into it, if I can find it again. The Governor was buried last Night—Mr. Colden is governor. I am as ever Yours

James Parker

Addressed: For / Dr Benjamin Franklin / Craven-Street / London / per Packet

Endorsed: J. Parker 1769–70

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

4Sir Henry Moore had been appointed to his post in 1765. But governors came and went, while Cadwallader Colden seemed to go on forever. The indomitable old man, who was now eighty, had been lieutenant governor since 1760 and intermittently acting governor; he now resumed this position and retained it until the arrival of Lord Dunmore in October, 1770. Daniel Horsmanden, who was seventy-five, recovered from his illness and continued as chief justice of the province.

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