151The Drinker’s Dictionary, 13 January 1737 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 13, 1736/7. In his Silence Dogood Letter, No. 12 (see above, I , 39) Franklin listed nineteen terms signifying drunkenness. Fifteen of them, some with slight changes, appear in The Drinker’s Dictionary. This congruity is the principal reason for attributing the piece to Franklin. Nothing more like a Fool than a drunken Man. Poor Richard. ’Tis an...
152Philadelphia Post Office Record Books, 1737–53 (Franklin Papers)
Seven MS record books: American Philosophical Society “In 1737,” Franklin wrote in his autobiography, “Col. Spotswood, late Governor of Virginia, and then Post-master, General, being dissatisfied with the Conduct of his Deputy at Philadelphia, respecting some Negligence in rendering, and Inexactitude of his Accounts, took from him the Commission and offered it to me. I accepted it readily, and...
153[On Freedom of Speech and the Press, 17 November 1737] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , November 17, 1737, and following issues. Duane ( Works , IV , 319–40) and, on his authority, though less certain, Sparks ( Writings , ii, 285–311), printed this long historical essay with its examples drawn mainly from Roman and English history. It is signed “X.” No evidence, internal or external, persuades the present editors that Franklin wrote it.
154[Causes of Earthquakes, 15 and 22 December 1737] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , December 15 and 22, 1737. An earthquake felt in the Middle Colonies on December 7, 1737, was the occasion for publishing these essays. Duane printed them ( Works , IV , 380–91), as did Sparks and Bigelow, but Alfred Owen Aldridge has shown them to be almost verbatim reprints from Chambers’ Cyclopaedia; or, an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences .......
155Poor Richard, 1738 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1738. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1738 ,... By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin, at the New Printing-Office near the Market. (Yale University Library) My good Man set out last Week for Potowmack, to visit an old Stargazer of his Acquaintance, and see about a little Place for us to settle and end our Days on. He left the Copy of his...
156Extracts from the Gazette, 1738 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 3 to December 28, 1738. [ Advertisement ] To accommodate the Publick . There will be a Stage Waggon set out from Trenton to Brunswick, twice a Week and back again, during next Summer. It will be fitted up with Benches and cover’d over so that Passengers may sit easy and dry. And Care will be taken to deliver Goods and Messages safe. Note. The said...
157A Defense of Conduct, 15 February 1738 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , February 15, 1737/8. Dr. Evan Jones, “chymist” at the Golden Paracelsus’ Head in Philadelphia, had a simple-minded apprentice Daniel Rees, who thought he wanted to be a Mason. With several cronies, one a renegade Mason, Jones, thinking to have some agreeable sport, set up a burlesque initiation ceremony, complete with scandalous oath of allegiance to...
158From Benjamin Franklin to Josiah and Abiah Franklin, 13 April 1738 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have your Favour of the 21st of March in which you both seem concern’d lest I have imbib’d some erroneous Opinions. Doubtless I have my Share, and when the natural Weakness and Imperfection of Human Understanding is considered, with the unavoidable Influences of Education, Custom, Books and Company, upon our Ways of thinking, I imagine a Man must...
159From Benjamin Franklin to Josiah Franklin, [May 1738?] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your kind Letter of the 4th of May in answer to mine of April 13. I wrote that of mine with a Design to remove or lessen the Uneasiness you and my Mother appear’d to be under on Account of my Principles; and it gave me great Pleasure when she declar’d in her next to me that she approv’d of my Letter and was now satisfy’d with me....
160Agreement of Directors of Library Company, 22 May 1738 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Massachusetts Historical Society We the Subscribers, Directors of the Library Company for the current Year, do agree to attend all our appointed Meetings, at ½ an Hour past Eight in the Evening until the first Meeting in August inclusive, And from that Time ’till November at Eight in the Evening And from that Time ’till May ensuing at Seven in the Evening, And that for every Failure we...
161From Benjamin Franklin to John Ladd, 12 June 1738 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Historical Society of Haddonfield (N.J.) I send you the Ladies Library and the other two Vols. of Don Quixote. The Homers I have are done by Pope. The Iliads are in 6 Vols. 12mo price 45 s. The Odysseys 5 Vols. 12mo price 37 s. 6 d. I will not part with them till I hear from you. I am Sir Your most humble Servant John Ladd (d. 1770), of Gloucester Co., N.J.; surveyor; justice of...
162Directors of Library Company to John Penn, 8 August 1738 (Franklin Papers)
MS Minute Book: Library Company of Philadelphia The Library Company of Philadelphia beg leave to return their most hearty Thanks for your noble Benefaction of an Air Pump with its costly and curious Apparatus. Useful and necessary as that excellent Invention must be to a Society whose View is the Improvement of Knowledge, we might have been long without this Advantage if your judicious...
163To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Morgan, 5 October 1738 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society If my Manuscripts be not gone before this comes to you; I have one Small Amendment (which happened thro’ too much hast). It is not far from the beginning, where I compare the Heat on Jupiter and the Earth. In Stead of Jupiter near 100 times as large in its Face to the Sun; it should be above 100 times &c. This yet makes my Argument the better. However it matters not...
164To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Morgan, 11 October 1738 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society Please to fasten this to the Manuscript of Philosophy. And if it be gone, be so kind as to inclose it to the Royal Society by another Ship. You will oblige Your Friend and Servant Addressed: Mr Benjamin Franklin Post Master in Philadelphia A Second The additions referred to, written on the back of the letter, were to be attached to the MS mentioned in Morgan’s letter...
165From Benjamin Franklin to Isaac Corin, 22 December 1738 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Please to let the Bearer Stephen Potts have a pair of Leather Breeches, and charge them to the Account of your Friend Isaac Corin’s account with BF appears in Ledger D (see below, p. 232). He inserted an advertisement for a runaway servant in Pa. Gaz. , Sept. 23, 1731. Stephen Potts (d. 1758) was a member of the Junto, a book-binder, bookseller, and in his...
166Poor Richard, 1739 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1739. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1739 ,... By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin, at the New Printing-Office near the Market. (Yale University Library) Encouraged by thy former Generosity, I once more present thee with an Almanack, which is the 7th of my Publication. While thou art putting Pence in my Pocket, and furnishing my Cottage...
167Extracts from the Gazette, 1739 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 4 to December 27, 1739. [ Advertisement ] Benjamin Franklin, Printer, is removed from the House he lately dwelt in, four Doors nearer the River, on the same side of the Street. [January 11] We hear from the Head of Timber-Creek in the Jerseys, That a Woman there has lately had Five Children, all born alive, within the space of 11 Months, by two...
168Subscription to Christ Church, 7 May 1739 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Dorr, A Historical Account of Christ Church, Philadelphia (New York and Philadelphia, 1841), pp. 71–2. Whereas, the Episcopal church of Philadelphia, having been long built, and much out of repair, as well as too small for the convenient seating of the congregation, it was therefore resolved, by two several vestries, in the year seventeen hundred...
169To 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:...
170Ledger D, 1739–47 (Franklin Papers)
MS Account Book: American Philosophical Society Ledger D, like Ledger A & B (see above, I , 172), throws a fitful light on Franklin’s income, especially from his printing business, and contains incidental information, usually trivial but sometimes significant, on the purchases of some 900 of his customers. A tall, narrow book of 400 pages, bound in parchment, Ledger D contains accounts of...
171To 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...
172To 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...
173Poor Richard, 1740 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1740. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1740 ,... By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin, at the New Printing-Office near the Market. (Yale University Library) You may remember that in my first Almanack, published for the Year 1733, I predicted the Death of my dear Friend Titan Leeds, Philomat. to happen that Year on the 17th Day of October, 3...
174Extracts from the Gazette, 1740 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 3 to December 25, 1740. We hear from Georgia by Way of New-York, that the Reverend Mr. Whitefield arrived there in good Health, about the 20th of January; and that he had immediately set 30 Hands to Work about the Orphan House. [February 28] The News of the taking of Porto Bello is confirm’d from all Parts, but the Accounts of the Action are so...
175To 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...
176Note on Closing the Concert Room, 8 May 1740 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette May 8, 1740. Dancing parties and concerts by a musical club, both taking place in a room kept by the dancing-master Robert Bolton, gave pleasure to some of Philadelphia’s wealthier citizens. But to George Whitefield and his enthusiastic followers music and dancing were “devilish diversions” and, as such, should be suppressed. Accordingly his traveling...
177Statement of Editorial Policy, 24 July 1740 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , July 24, 1740. George Whitefield’s doctrine and eloquence had sensational effects throughout the colonies. One of those who resisted him, strongly disapproving his excessive religious emotionalism, was Ebenezer Kinnersley, a Baptist lay preacher in Philadelphia. In a sermon on July 6, 1740, Kinnersley expressed abhorrence of “Enthusiastick Ravings ... that...
178James 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,...
179Advertisement of the General Magazine, 13 November 1740 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , November 13, 1740. The American Weekly Mercury , November 6, 1740, printed a long, ambitious “Plan of an Intended Magazine,” to be called The American Magazine, or A Monthly View of The Political State of the British Colonies . John Webbe, who was to be the editor, probably composed it, though it was signed by Andrew Bradford. Each issue would contain four...
180John 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...
181To 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...
182John 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...
183John 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...
184The Postmaster and the Mercury, 11 December 1740 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , December 11, 1740. The Publick has been entertain’d for these three Weeks past, with angry Papers, written expressly against me, and publish’d in the Mercury . The two first I utterly neglected, as believing that both the Facts therein stated, and the extraordinary Reasonings upon them, might be safely enough left to themselves, without any Animadversion;...
185John 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,...
186Poor Richard, 1741 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1741. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1741 ,... By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin, at the New Printing-Office near the Market. (Yale University Library) This Year there will be but two Eclipses, and those will be of the Sun, the first will happen June the Second Day: The other, November the 27th: Neither of which will be seen in these...
187Introduction to The New-Year’s Gift, 1741 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The New-Year’s Gift; or a Pocket Almanack, For the Year 1741 . Philadelphia Printed and Sold by B. Franklin. (Yale University Library) Franklin printed three almanacs for 1741 in addition to Poor Richard’s and John Jerman’s. One was a single sheet, another was A Pocket Almanack ... Fitted to the Use of Pennsylvania, and the neighbouring Provinces , and the third was The New-Year’s...
188Extracts from the Gazette, 1741 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 1 to December 29, 1741. Our River has been fast some time, And we hear from Lewes, that ’tis all Ice towards the Sea as far as Eye can reach. Tuesday and Wednesday last are thought to have been the coldest Days we have had these many Years. [January 8] Great Quantities of English Half-pence being Imported here, since the falling of our Exchange, to...
189Advertisement in the General Magazine, [16 February 1741] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The General Magazine, and Historical Chronicle, for all the British Plantations in America , I (January 1741), inside cover. (Yale University Library) After the first announcements in November, Franklin and Bradford both hurried to get their magazines into print, each promising in his paper of February 5 that his would be published “next Week.” As it fell out, Bradford’s American...
190An Account of the Export of Provisions from Philadelphia, [16 February 1741] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The General Magazine, and Historical Chronicle, for all the British Plantations in America , I (January 1741), 75. (Yale University Library) Eighteenth-century periodicals contained almost nothing original, and the General Magazine was no exception. The printer extracted news from American and English papers, essays from London journals, and laws, proclamations, treaties, debates,...
191Teague’s Advertisement, 26 February 1741 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , February 26, 1741; also draft: American Philosophical Society. Bradford promised in the Mercury , February 19, that each number of his American Magazine would “contain something more than four Sheets, or an Equivalent to four of such Paper, as the American Mercury is printed on; so that there will be not less than fifty two Sheets published in one Year,...
192To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 6 May 1741 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Harvard College Library (Sparks) I return thee all thy Books with my hearty thanks for thy trouble in favouring me with a sight of them, and am highly pleased there are any in the Province who are so fond of such studies, and at the same time so well furnish’d with Cash as to take them all together in their present Condition at those prices. But as I have some knowledge of the...
193A Short Account of the Library, [13 July 1741] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in A Catalogue of Books belonging to the Library Company of Philadelphia . Philadelphia: Printed by B. Franklin, 1741. (Library Company of Philadelphia) The Directors of the Library Company in 1741 instructed Franklin to print a catalogue of their collection. On July 13 he read them “a Paper containing a Brief Account of the Library, which he said he wrote to fill up a Blank that...
194To Benjamin Franklin from William Coats: Deed, 31 July 1741 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Department of Records, Recorder of Deeds, City of Philadelphia ABSTRACT : William Coats (spelled here “Coates”) of the Northern Liberties of Philadelphia, brickmaker, grants to Benjamin Franklin an irregularly shaped lot in the Northern Liberties (now in Franklin’s possession by virtue of a bargain and sale to him, dated the day before), which lot was formerly in the possession of...
195To Benjamin Franklin from Christopher and Mary Thompson: Deed, 1 August 1741 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Department of Records, Recorder of Deeds, City of Philadelphia Abstract : Christopher Thompson of Philadelphia, bricklayer, and Mary his wife grant to Benjamin Franklin a lot in Philadelphia (now in Franklin’s possession by virtue of a bargain and sale, dated the day before), 22 ft. in breadth east and west and 140 ft. in length north and south, bounded north by Apple Tree Alley,...
196Directors of Library Company to John Penn, 3 August 1741 (Franklin Papers)
MS Minutes: Library Company of Philadelphia Your Present to the Library Company of a curious Microscope and Camera Obscura is received. This fresh Instance of your Generosity and Regard gives the Company a sensible Pleasure; and in their Name and Behalf we return you most hearty Thanks. We hope those Gentlemen who so generously countenanced our Undertaking may never have Occasion to think...
197To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Hancock, 10 August 1741 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Boston Public Library Inclosed you have Coppys of Seven note of hand from Sundry Persons who have Since Run away in my Debt, and I am Told are Gon Towards Philadelphia the Jerseys and Penciliania. I have therefore Taken the Freedom per this Opportunity to ask the Favor of you to make Inquiery after the within named Gentry, and if to be found pray Secure them, or Oblige ’em to pay the...
198To Benjamin Franklin from Gilbert Tennent, 22 September 1741 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; also transcript: Harvard College Library (Sparks) I thank you kindly for your Love in Sending me Some of the remarks and of my Sermons on justification as well as the notice you give me of exceptions made against one passage in it (of which I have wrotte an explication in a letter to Mr. Robert Ishburn). Likewise I thank you kind Sir for your favour in...
199Accounts with William Bradford, Jr., 1741–55 (Franklin Papers)
MS : American Philosophical Society; MS Account Book: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Franklin’s business relations with other printers are suggested by a bill he submitted to the younger William Bradford and by Bradford’s account with him. Franklin’s bill covers the period from October 27, 1741, when he lent Bradford £1 10 s. , to September 22, 1747, when the bill he submitted amounted to...
200Poor Richard, 1742 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1742. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1742 ,... 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 ninth Year of my Endeavours to serve thee in the Capacity of a Calendar-Writer. The Encouragement I have met with must be ascrib’d, in a great Measure, to your Charity,...