C018/Y01752.json

[
{"created_timestamp": "01-17-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0083", "content": "Title: Pennsylvania Hospital: Law for Regulating the Elections of Managers and Treasurers, 17 January 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin,Crosby, Joshua,Bond, Thomas,Smith, John,Roberts, Hugh\nTo: \nJanuary 17, 1752\nThis document, drafted by Joshua Crosby, Thomas Bond, John Smith, Hugh Roberts, and Franklin, is omitted here for the reason stated above, p. 111; but is printed, with editorial annotation, in Some Account of the Pennsylvania Hospital, May 1754, in the next volume.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "01-20-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0084", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 20 January 1752\nFrom: Belcher, Jonathan\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir\nEliz: Town (NJ) Janua: 20: 1752\nI wrote you a few lines the 18th: of last month telling you of the misfortune that had befell your Electrical Globe. I have however made some use of the rest of the Apparatus and with Mr. Burr\u2019s assistance have been electrifyd several times but at present without any alteration in my Nervous disorder. As Mr. Burr has such another Apparatus as yours and lends it to me I think to go on with the Operation some little time longer. I now return your Apparatus with a great many thanks and am very sorry for the mischance it met with.\nI wish you and Mrs. Franklin happy in the joye of a new year and that you may live to see a long succession of such. I am Sir Your Assured Friend and Servant.\nMr. Franklin per Mrs. Teale", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "01-25-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0086", "content": "Title: Notice to Subscribers, 25 January 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nDie Hoch Teutsche und Englische Zeitung was Franklin\u2019s second attempt at publishing a German newspaper in Philadelphia, and it was only a little less unsuccessful than the first. When Gotthard Armbr\u00fcster\u2019s German paper failed in 1749, Franklin bought the equipment, placed Johann Boehm in charge, and the Philadelphier Teutsche Fama appeared over the joint imprint of Franklin and Boehm from 1749 until the latter\u2019s death in July 1751. Franklin continued the paper under a new title. The Pennsylvania Gazette, Aug. 22, 1751, announced it: \u201cAt the German Printing-Office, in Arch-street, is now printed every Fortnight a Dutch and English Gazette, containing the freshest Advices foreign and domestick, with other entertaining and useful Matters in both Languages, adapted to the Convenience of such as incline to learn either.\u201d Die Hoch Teutsche und Englische Zeitung (alternatively, The High-Dutch and English Gazette) contained commentary and advertisements in both languages, often in parallel columns, \u201cgedruckt und zu finden bey Benjamin Fr\u00e4ncklin, Postmeister, in der Marck-Strasse.\u201d The notice printed below marked the newspaper\u2019s demise\nDiese Englisch- und Teutsche Zeitung, No. 13. endiget sich mit diesem halben Jahr, und wird in Philadelphia nicht l\u00e4nger gedruckt; Eine auf die nemliche Art, wird itzt in Lancaster von guten H\u00e4nden verfertiget, welche unsere Customers ohne einige Unkosten f\u00fcr Post-Geld haben k\u00f6nnen.\nThis English- and Dutch Paper, No. 13. ending the half Year, will be no longer printed in Philadelphia; one of the same kind being now done in Lancaster, by good Hands, which our Customers may have delivered here without Charge of Postage.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "01-01-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0087", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Johnson, [January 1752?]\nFrom: Johnson, Samuel\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nDear Sir\n[January ? 1752]\nI now make my Thankful Acknowledgment for your 2 kind Letters of Decr. 24, and Janry. 8. I have reviewed your most obliging Letters of the Summer before last to which you refer me. There was one of Augst. 23 to which I did not make a particular Reply by reason of my Illness at that time. In that you reasoned I own in a very forceable manner upon the head of Duty. You argued that Ability with Opportunity manifestly pointed out Duty as tho it were [a] Voice from Heaven. This Sir I agree to and therefore have always endeavoured to use what little Ability I have that way in the best manner I could having never been without pupils of one sort or other \u00bd a year at a time and seldom that, for 38 years, and thank God I have the great Satisfaction to see some of them in the first pulpits not only in Connecticut but also in Boston and York and others in some of the first places in the Land. But I am now plainly in the decline of Life, both as to agility of Body and vigour of Mind, and must therefore consider my self as being an emeritus, and unfit for any new Situation in the World or to enter on any New Business especially at such a Distance from my hitherto Sphere of Action and my present Situation where I have as much Duty on my Hands as I am capable of and where my Removal would make too great a Breach to be countervailed by any good I am capable of doing other where for which I have but a Small Chance Left for such Opportunity. So that I must beg my Good Friends at Philadelphia to excuse me, and I pray God they may be directed to a better Choice, and as providence has so unexpectedly provided so worthy a person as Mr. Dove for your other purpose I hope the same Good providence will provide for this. I am not personally acquainted with Mr. Winthrop the professor at Cambridge, but by what I have heard of him perhaps he might do. But I rather think it would be your best way to try if you cannot get some friendly and faithful Gent. at home of good Judgment and Care to inquire and try if some worthy Fellow of one or other of the Universities could not be obtained. Perhaps Mr. Peters or Mr. Dove may know of some Acquaintance of theirs that might be likely dulcius ex ipsis fortibus. Your Son intimated that you had thots of a Voyage home your Self: if you should you might undoubtedly look out a fit person to be had, and you had better do as you can for some time than not be well provided. I could however wish to make you a visit in the Spring if the way were safe, but it seems the Small pox is propagating at N. York, and perhaps you will scarcely be free of it. Mean time you have indeed my Heart with you as tho\u2019 I were ever so much with you in presence, and if there were any good office in my power you might freely command it. I thank you for sending the 2 sheets of my Noetica which are done with much care. I find no defects worth mentioning but what were probably my own. At p. 62. l. 19 there should have been (;) after universal, and l. 21. a (:) after affirmative. On reviewing the former Sheets I observe: a neglect, p. 30. l. 24 r[ead] on account of which, and p. 36. l. 3. there should be a (,) after is. I am very much obliged to you for Short and the Almanac and my wife for hers. I have had 5 parcels of the \u0152conomies and Fisher. I think you told me they were a dollar each parcel, besides that of Havens, who desires you to send him another parcel, and begs you to send one or more of your peices on Electricity published in Eng. By your Sons Account I am much charmed with this and beg if you have a spare Copy to send it me, and as you desire a Copy of my Introduction, since I had many sent me from home I send you \u00bd a Dozen of which with my humble Service to Messrs. Peters and Francis and your Son pray them to accept each a Copy. My Wife and Son with me desire our Service may be acceptable to you and Mrs. Franklin and your Son. I am Sir &c.\nS.J.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "02-03-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0088", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 3 February 1752\nFrom: Belcher, Jonathan\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir\nEliz: Town (NJ) Febr. 3 1752\nThe 20th Ulti I returnd you my thanks for your kind respect in the service of your Electrical Apparatus and which I hope before this is got well to your hands.\nI am again thankfull for your Respect in yours of 25th: January.\nMr. Samuel Smith of Burlington tells me the first time he goes to Philadelphia he will pay you what I am in your debt to September last for your News Paper since which I have not had it tho\u2019 shou\u2019d be glad of it by every Post.\nI am to ask pardon for a fresh trouble I now give you in desiring you to procure for me two Pounds of the Virginia Rattle snake root on which Dr. Tennent who was some time agoe at Philadelphia printed several Dissertations and if you cou\u2019d get me the quantity I have mentiond I shou\u2019d take it very kindly and that we may get the right sort I desire you to advise with the worthy and ingenious Dr. Cadwalader and to whom you will give my best Compliments. If you can answer my Request in this matter I pray it may be Carefully packt up and forwarded by the first Vessel to Boston there Directed to be left with my Kinsman Mr. Ebenezer Holmes for my further Order and whatever may be the Cost and Charge I will thankfully pay when you will please to let me know it and am Sir Your ready Friend and Servant.\nMr. Franklin (post.)", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "02-03-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0089", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Ebenezer Kinnersley, 3 February 1752\nFrom: Kinnersley, Ebenezer\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir,\nI have the following experiments to communicate: I held in one hand a wire, which was fasten\u2019d at the other end to the handle of a pump, in order to try whether the stroke from the prime conductor, through my arms, would be any greater, than when convey\u2019d only to the surface of the earth, but could discover no difference.\nI placed the needle of a compass on the point of a long pin, and holding it in the atmosphere of the prime conductor, at the distance of about three inches, found it to whirl round, like the flyers of a jack, with great rapidity.\nI suspended with silk, a cork ball, about the bigness of a pea, and presented to it, rubbed amber, sealing wax, and sulphur, by each of which it was strongly repelled; then I tried rubbed glass and china, and found that each of these would attract it, until it became electrified again, and then it would be repelled as at first; and while thus repelled by the rubbed glass or china, either of the others when rubbed would attract it. Then I electrified the ball, with the wire of a charged phial, and presented to it rubbed glass (the stopper of a decanter) and a china tea cup, by which it was as strongly repelled, as by the wire; but when I presented either of the other rubbed electrics, it would be strongly attracted, and when I electrified it, by either of these, till it became repelled, it would be attracted by the wire of the phial, but be repelled by its coating.\nThese experiments surprized me very much, and have induced me to infer the following paradoxes.\n1. If a glass globe be placed at one end of a prime conductor, and a sulphur one at the other end, both being equally in good order, and in equal motion, not a spark of fire can be obtain\u2019d from the conductor; but one globe will draw out, as fast as the other gives in.\n2. If a phial be suspended on the conductor, with a chain from its coating to the table, and only one of the globes be made use of at a time, 20 turns of the wheel, for instance, will charge it; after which, so many turns of the other wheel will discharge it; and as many more will charge it again.\n3. The globes being both in motion, each having a separate conductor, with a phial suspended on one of them, and the chain of it fastned to the other, the phial will become charged; one globe charging positively, the other negatively.\n4. The phial being thus charged, hang it in like manner on the other conductor; set both wheels a going again, and the same number of turns that charged it before, will now discharge it; and the same number repeated, will charge it again.\n5. When each globe communicates with the same prime conductor, having a chain hanging from it to the table, one of them, when in motion, (but which I can\u2019t say) will draw fire up through the cushion, and discharge it through the chain; the other will draw it up through the chain, and discharge it through the cushion.\nI should be glad if you would send to my house for my sulphur globe, and the cushion belonging to it, and make the trial; but must caution you not to use chalk on the cushion, some fine powdered sulphur will do better. If, as I expect, you should find the globes to charge the prime conductor differently, I hope you will be able to discover some method of determining which it is that charges positively. I am, &c.\nE. Kinnersley", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "02-17-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0091", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 17 February 1752\nFrom: Belcher, Jonathan\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir\nEliz: Town (NJ) Febr. 17: 1752\nThe last post brought me yours of 11: Currant and in another packet 2 of your papers of 28: of January and 11: February and which I desire may be regularly sent me for the future.\nI am thankfull that you will send to Mr. Ebenezer Holmes by the first Vessel to Boston Two Pounds of the right Virginia rattle snake root not Seneka root as you call it in yours and what ever the Charge may be I will pay when you will please to let me know it. I am Sir Your Assured Friend.\nMr. Franklin (Post)", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "02-17-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0092", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Perkins, 17 February 1752\nFrom: Perkins, John\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir\nFeb. 17th. 1752. Boston\nI received your Bill by the last Post and thank you for it as I do likewise for the Pamphlets last Summer.\nIt was a sincere pleasure to me to see good Dr. Thompson so well defended by his generous Friend Dr. Hamilton. I am much pleas\u2019d with both these Gentlemen\u2019s Performances.\nI beg\u2019d your Plain Truth of Mrs. Mecom a few Weeks since which I had never seen before and about the same Time had the good Fortune to see your Plan of an English School.\nMr. Kennersley was well receiv\u2019d among us by whome I have seen some of your Experiments which were very entertaining. But this new found Element ambresine! I can by no means understand it any more than Magnetism. I imagin it has very important Uses in the World possibly not in our Power to discover. I cant help thinking Sensation and Muscular Motion are at least in part performed by it. Your Rationale on Clouds and Rain appears extreamly probable to me and so that of the Aurora Borealis. As to the Fulmen it is demonstrable that it is the same Thing.\nI made an Observation or two on the Fulmen and the Thundring Sound of it in August last which I would transmit to you if I tho\u2019t you were enough at Leisure.\nWe have had a Cold Winter. The first of January was the sharpest Day when my Glass reach\u2019d, 100 which is three Degrees and a half colder than any since I had it being 7 or 8 Years. It was at 66 on December 30. hor. 8. A.M. at which Time the air began to alter. I should be glad to know how it was with you And (if you have Intelligence) how it was at Virginia or South Carolina and when it began, was at the height, &c. It was by common Report at Hallifax the same Day as with us, at the height.\nThe Small Pox threatens spreading here and some of our People are runing into a Course of Tar-Water as a preparative.\nIf your Doctors have found any benefit by any previous Medicinal management to the common way of Infection I should be glad to know it for the safety of such as are not pleas\u2019d with Inoculation and for the meliorating this too. I believe something may be done in this Matter and would promote Tryals of every Thing likely: Tho\u2019 I differ from my Bretheren in the affair of Diet.\nDear Sir, I had the pleasure to see your Son while he was with us and need say no more of him than to wish you all the Happiness in him that his Genius and Accomplishments seem to me to promise. I hope he got well home. I am Sir Your Obliged Humble Servant\nJohn Perkins\n Addressed: For \u2002Mr. Franklin Post Master \u2002In Philadelphia", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "03-02-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0093", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Ebenezer Kinnersley, 2 March 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Kinnersley, Ebenezer\nSir,\nI thank you for the experiments communicated. I sent immediately for your brimstone globe, in order to make the trials you desired, but found it wanted centers, which I have not time now to supply; but the first leisure I will get it fitted for use, try the experiments, and acquaint you with the result.\nIn the mean time I suspect, that the different attractions and repulsions you observed, proceeded rather from the greater or smaller quantities of the fire you obtained from different bodies, than from its being of a different kind, or having a different direction. In haste I am, &c.\nB. Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "03-02-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0094", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 2 March 1752\nFrom: Bowdoin, James\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir\nBoston March 2d. 1752\nI have received your favour of the 24th. January past, inclosing an Extract from your Letter to Mr. Collinson and Dr. Colden\u2019s Letter to yourself, which I have read with a great deal of pleasure, and am much obliged to you for. Your Extract confirms a correction Mr. Kinnersley made a few days ago of a mistake I was under respecting the polarity given to needles by the electrical fire \u201cthat the end which receives the fire always points north\u201d and \u201cthat the needle being Situated East and West, will not have a polar direction.\u201d You find however the polarity strongest when the needle is shock\u2019d lying North and South; weakest when lying East and West: which makes it probable that the communicated magnetism is less, as the needle varies from a North and South Situation. As to the needle of Capt. Waddel\u2019s Compass; if it\u2019s polarity was reversed by the Lightning, the effect of Lightning and Electricity in regard of that, seems dissimilar: for a magnetic needle in a North and South Situation (as the Compass-needle was) instead of having it\u2019s power reversed or even diminished, would have it confirmed or increased by the electrical fire. But perhaps the Lightning communicated to some nails in the Binocle (where the Compass is placed) the magnetic virtue, which might disturb the Compass. This I have heard was the case; if so, this seeming dissimilarity vanishes. But this remarkable Circumstance (if it took place) I should think would not be omitted in Capt. Waddel\u2019s Account. I am very much pleased, that the Explication I sent you of the crooked direction of Lightning meets with your approbation. As to your Supposition about the Source of Lightning, the luminous appearance of the Sea in the night, and the Similitude between the friction of the particles of Salt and Water as you considered them in their original Separate State, and the friction of the Globe and Cushion, very naturally led you to the Ocean as the grand Source of Lightning. But the activity of Lightning or the electric Element, and the fitness of water to conduct it, together with the Experiments you mention of Salt and Water seem to make against it, and to prepare the way for some other hypothesis. Accordingly you propose a new one, which is very curious, and not so liable I think to objections as the former; but there is not as yet I believe a sufficient variety of Experiments to establish any Theory, tho\u2019 this is the most hopeful of any I have heard of. The Effect which the discharge of your four Glass Jars had upon a fine wire ty\u2019d between two strips of Glass, puts me in mind of one very similar of Lightning, that I observed at New York October 1750, a few days after I left Philadelphia.\nIn company with a number of Gentlemen I went to take a view of the City from the Dutch Church Steeple, in which is a Clock about 20, or 25 feet below the Bell. From the Clock went a wire thro\u2019 two floors to the Clock Hammer near the Bell: the holes in the floors for the wire being about \u00bc of an inch Diameter. We were told that in the Spring of 1750 the Lightning struck the Clock-Hammer, and descended along the wire to the Clock, melting in its way several Spots of the wire from three to nine inches long thro\u2019 one third of its Substance, till coming within a few feet of the lower end it melted the wire quite thro\u2019 in several places, so that it fell down in several pieces; which spots and pieces we saw.\nWhen it got to the End of the wire, it flew off to the hindge of a door, shattered the door and dissipated. In its passage thro\u2019 the holes of the floors it did not do the least damage: which evidences that wire is a good conducter of Lightning (as it is of Electricity) provided it be substantial enough, and might in this case, had it been continued to the Earth, have conducted it without damaging the building. Your information about your Globe raising electrical fire in greater Quantity by means of wire extended from the Cushion to the Earth, will enable me, I hope, to remedy a great inconvenience I have been under to collect the fire with the electrifying Glass I use, which is fixed in a very dry room three Stories from the ground. When you send your Meteorological Observations to Dr. Perkins I hope I shall have the pleasure of seeing them. I heartily congratulate you on your Advancement in public Life, but I hope it will not be the means of diverting your tho\u2019ts from philosophical subjects, which would be a real injury (I speak it without flattery) to the philosophical world. With the greatest respect I am Yours &c.\nP.S. As it may be pleasing to your Brother and Mr. Kennersley to see Dr. Colden\u2019s Letter, I take the Liberty (which I hope you\u2019ll think excusable) to detain it till next post.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "03-07-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0095", "content": "Title: Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 7 March 1752\nFrom: Pennsylvania Assembly\nTo: \nThe Assembly passed a bill to re-emit and continue in currency the existing bills of credit and to issue an additional \u00a340,000 in paper money; and sent it to Governor Hamilton for approval on Feb. 26, 1752. The governor and Council unanimously disapproved, and Hamilton gave their reason in a reply to the Assembly, March 6. The emission of so large a sum, he pointed out, was contrary to British policy and likely to jeopardize any future application by Pennsylvania for permission to issue paper money. John Smith, Franklin, Mahlon Kirkbride, Joseph Gibbons, James Wright, and John Wright were at once appointed to draft an answer to the governor. It is printed here. The governor replied on March 10, refusing assent even to an issue of \u00a320,000, to which sum the proposal had been reduced. \u201cIt is no uncommon Thing,\u201d Hamilton concluded drily, \u201cfor Men to differ in Sentiment: Whenever it happens between different Branches of a Legislature, each Part should be guided by their own Understandings, and the Dictates of their own Consciences. This Rule, I am persuaded, you never swerved from, and therefore must the readier approve of my observing it.\u201d\nMay it please the Governor,\nAs the Bill for striking Forty Thousand Pounds, &c. was agreed upon by the House after a long and very serious Deliberation, we were well assured that the Bill, as then sent up to him, would have tended greatly to the Welfare of this Province, had the Governor been pleased to pass it.\nBut to obviate every Objection, and to demonstrate how far we are from being desirous of \u201cexceeding the Bounds of Moderation,\u201d even at this Time, when our Gold and Silver is in a great Measure exported to Great-Britain, in Return for the Commodities received from thence, and our Trade really languishes for want of an Addition to our Paper Currency, we now present the Bill, with a Deduction from the Sum to be struck, which we hope the Governor will find so much below what our Trade, and Commerce, and the Interest of the Merchants and Manufacturers of Great-Britain, trading to this Province, require, that it cannot fail of meeting his Approbation.\nWe have examined the Votes of the House of Commons for the last Year, and observe, with great Satisfaction, how tenderly and patiently they proceeded against the four \u201cNorthern Colonies,\u201d where the miserable Condition of their Trade, and the Injustice done to the \u201cWidows and Orphans,\u201d as well as the British Merchants, from the excessive Emissions of their Bills of Credit, in Opposition to \u201csome of the Deputies of the Assembly,\u201d and a great Number of Petitions from the most considerable Inhabitants of Rhode-Island, who represented those Emissions as totally unnecessary, and in no Respect wanted, might have induced that Honourable House to have acted with less Reserve.\nBefore such Judges, where the State of our Currency has been repeatedly called for, and examined, we beg Leave to assure the Governor, we have no Apprehensions of Danger, being well assured, that upon the severest Scrutiny it must appear to be the Advantage of the Trade of our Mother Country, in full Proportion to what we can expect or hope to reap among ourselves.\nBy a Message from the Governor to the Assembly in February, 1748, we observe he hoped it would not be thought unreasonable, if he took some Time to get the best Information to enable him to form a right Judgment upon the Bill for making current Twenty Thousand Pounds then before him, and that the Delay might not be attended with any considerable Inconvenience to the People, as there was confessedly at that Time a greater Sum current [Gold and Silver included] than at any Time before. And again, on the 10th of August, 1749, he judged it might be attended with very bad Consequences to the Province to encrease the Quantity of our Currency, whilst a Bill was depending in Parliament for restraining the Issuing the Bills of Credit in the Colonies of America: To all which the then Assembly very prudently submitted, and proceeded no farther upon the Bill.\nBut at this Time, when those Reasons are answered by the great Exportation of our Gold and Silver, and when the Parliament, after so strict an Enquiry, have not found Cause to include us in the Restrictions laid upon the Four Northern Colonies, we hope the Objection to a Re-emission, which by this Bill is continued no longer than six Years beyond the Time limited by the Act in Force, can now have no Weight, when a further Addition, as appears clear to us, is become absolutely necessary, there having been but an inconsiderable Sum added to our Paper Currency for these twenty Years past, tho\u2019, within that Time, the Number of our Inhabitants and our Trade are greatly increased; and therefore, upon reducing the Sum at present desired so very low as we have now done, we trust the Governor will readily oblige us, and our Constituents, by giving his Assent to the Bill.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "03-16-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0096", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Ebenezer Kinnersley, 16 March 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Kinnersley, Ebenezer\nSir,\nHaving brought your brimstone globe to work, I try\u2019d one of the experiments you proposed, and was agreeably surprized to find, that the glass globe being at one end of the conductor, and the sulphur globe at the other end, both globes in motion, no spark could be obtain\u2019d from the conductor, unless when one globe turned slower, or was not in so good order as the other; and then the spark was only in proportion to the difference, so that turning equally, or turning that slowest which work\u2019d best, would again bring the conductor to afford no spark.\nI found also, that the wire of a phial charg\u2019d by the glass globe, attracted a cork ball that had touch\u2019d the wire of a phial charged by the brimstone globe, and vice versa, so that the cork continued to play between the two phials, just as when one phial was charged through the wire, the other through the coating, by the glass globe alone. And two phials charged, the one by the brimstone globe, the other by the glass globe, would be both discharged by bringing their wires together, and shock the person holding the phials.\nFrom these experiments, one may be certain that your 2d, 3d, and 4th proposed experiments, would succeed exactly as you suppose, though I have not tried them, wanting time. I imagine it is the glass globe that charges positively, and the sulphur negatively, for these reasons, 1. Though the sulphur globe seems to work equally well with the glass one, yet it can never occasion so large and distant a spark between my knuckle and the conductor when the sulphur one is working, as when the glass one is used; which, I suppose, is occasioned by this, that bodies of a certain bigness cannot so easily part with a quantity of electrical fluid they have and hold attracted within their substance, as they can receive an additional quantity upon their surface by way of atmosphere. Therefore so much cannot be drawn out of the conductor, as can be thrown on it. 2. I observe that the stream or brush of fire appearing at the end of a wire connected with the conductor, is long, large, and much diverging, when the glass globe is used, and makes a snapping (or rattling) noise: but when the sulphur one is used, it is short, small, and makes a hissing noise; and just the reverse of both happens, when you hold the same wire in your hand, and the globes are work\u2019d alternately: the brush is large, long, diverging and snapping (or rattling) when the sulphur globe is turn\u2019d; short small, and hissing, when the glass globe is turn\u2019d. When the brush is long, large, and much diverging, the body to which it joins, seems to me to be throwing the fire out; and when the contrary appears, it seems to be drinking in. 3. I observe, that when I held my knuckle before the sulphur globe, while turning, the stream of fire between my knuckle and the globe, seems to spread on its surface, as if it flow\u2019d from the fing\u00e9r; on the glass globe \u2019tis otherwise. 4. The cool wind (or what was call\u2019d so) that we used to feel as coming from an electrified point, is much more sensible, when the glass globe is used, than when the sulphur one. But these are hasty thoughts. As to your 5th paradox, it must likewise be true, if the globes are alternately work\u2019d; but if work\u2019d together, the fire will neither come up nor go down by the chain, because one globe will drink it as fast as the other produces it.\nI should be glad to know whether the effects would be contrary, if the glass globe is solid, and the sulphur globe hollow; but I have no means at present of trying.\nIn your journeys, your glass globes meet with accidents, and sulphur ones are heavy and inconvenient. Query. Would not a thin plane of brimstone, cast on a board, serve on occasion as a cushion, while a globe of leather stuff\u2019d (properly mounted) might receive the fire from the sulphur, and charge the conductor positively? Such a globe would be in no danger of breaking. I think I can conceive how it may be done; but have not time to add more than that I am, Yours, &c.\nB. Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "03-16-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0097", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 16 March 1752\nFrom: Bowdoin, James\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir\nBoston March 16. 1752\nAccording to promise in my last, I now return you Dr. Colden\u2019s Letter, for communicating which I am greatly obliged to you. The Dr. dissenting from you, is of opinion, that Sea Clouds are less electrified than Land Clouds, and gives the reasons of his opinion \u201cThat Salt, tho\u2019 an Electric per se, is never raised in Sea-vapours, therefore Sea-Clouds are less electrified than Land Clouds; That all Sulphurs (which mountains especially abound with, from whence Thunder-Gusts are often observed to rise) being Electrics per se, sulphureous vapours are more electrified than Sea-vapours: The conclusions from these reasons might be just, if the Supposition they are form\u2019d upon, was just viz. that vapours &c. are more or less electrified according to the quantity of Electrics per se they contain. But that seems contrary to experience: for Electricity (to instance) is accumulated upon the Conductor without any mixture of the Electrics per se (Glass or Sulphur) which excited it.\nAnother reason the Dr. offers is, that Electricity forwards vegetation, which makes it probable, he supposes that vapours from the Land and Vegetables are more electrified than Sea-vapours: but by the same way of reasoning, it is probable that Land vapours have a mixture of Salt (which the Dr. has denied and justly I believe even of Sea-vapours) for Salt in a suitable proportion, I have heard, promotes vegetation.\nI pretend not to say what vapours are most electrified, but only that these Reasons do not appear to me to support the Dr.\u2019s Opinion. The Doctor hints that he has something in speculation which will be the means of improving all parts of natural philosophy. If he has communicated his Scheme to you, or any new improvement I shall be obliged, provided it be consistent with the Laws of friendship, if you\u2019d favour me with some account of it. I have heard that several Gentlemen have desired you to procure them a number of large glass Jars suitable for electrical experiments; I take the Liberty of adding to your trouble by asking the favour of you to procure half a dozen of them for me, two of them to be coated, and made fit for use, the other 4 I shall get finished here: for which I shall take care to re-imburse you. I am with much esteem Sir Yours &c.\nMr. Benja. Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "03-16-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0098", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 16 March 1752\nFrom: Colden, Cadwallader\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nDear Sir\nColdengham March 16th 1752\nLast fall I acknowleged from New York the favour you did me in sending me a copy of your Electrical experiments. The oftener I read them over the more I am pleased with them and every time discover some thing new which I had not taken notice of at the first reading. In my opinion no set of experiments which I have read lead so directly towards discovering the cause of Electricity as yours do. However I find it difficult to form any conception of this cause which in any degree satisfies my mind. I conceive it to be a most subtile elastic fluid like our air but incomparibly more subtile and more elastic. Vinegar and Vinous spirits are both parts or productions of Fermented liquors. High rectified Spirit is an electric per se. Vinegar is a none Electric or a Conductor, Now I can easily Imagine that Wine or fermented Liquor contains a considerable quantity of this Electrical fluid [and] that Vinegar has lost it all or a great part of it but that the whole or greatest part is seperated with the high spirit and remains with it. But I cannot conceive how or from what cause it proceeds that in proportion as one side of the glass is filled with this elastic fluid the other side is emptied of it and without understanding this no satisfactory account can be given of the Phoenomena of Electricity.\nYou say that Salt is an electric per se. Several pieces of West India Salt will draw the electrical fluid from the electrified viol [vial] and some others will not do it. Some will draw off the Electricity from the viol even when they are fixed in sealing wax. Salts never communicat the Shock but seem to retain the Electrical fluid in themselves and become saturated with it. For by some experiment made in my house a piece of Salt that at first drew of the Electricity would by repeated applications to the Electrical viol become an electric per se. But all Electrical experiments depend so much on particular circumstances that any not so much conversant in them as you are may be easily deceived.\nWe have observed that Woemens flannel under petticots are sometimes deeply charged with the Electrical fluid so as in the Winter time after they are throun off and a non-electric draw slowly over them make a snapping noise as the excited tube does on the approach of a non electric.\nI inclined to have made experiments by filling the viol at several times with the strong acid spirits such as strong spirit or oyl of Vitriol, Sp. of Niter, Aqua fortis and Aq. Regia and at other times with the Alcaline sp. as sp. of Sal Armen [Ammoniac], Hartshorn &c. but I have not sufficient quantities for such purposes.\nI would incline likewise to make experiments on several kinds of Salts as common salt, Niter, Borax, and Ammoniac, of Earths as Bole, Chalk, Clay, Sand, Lime, &c. I am strongly inclined to think that from such like experiments we may learn many usefull things in Medecine and Agriculture. For I suspect that all Fermentations Vegetation and Animal Motion is principally produced by this subtile elastic fluid which I imagine to be the cause of Electricity and is more or less to be found in all bodies strongly, retained by some, and seperating easily from others. When the Viol has been repeatedly charged we find Water raised along the Wine to the outside of the Cork and may not the similar nourishment in plants be raised in such like manner.\nI am so strongly possessed with the Principles of Action in Matter which you have seen that I amuse my self at leisure hours in applying them to the explication of the most general phoenomena of nature and can not easily direct my thoughts to other speculatives. These favourite prepossessions probably may be of advantage to our gaining of knowlege more perhaps than if you and I were both solely attached to one kind of pursuit because one may receive hints from the other which do not naturally arise in the pursuit which only one singly follows. Some gentlemen distinguished by their knowlege in Physical matters in London, Oxford, Leipsic, and Paris have given so favourable an opinion of that litle treatise that I have been induced to revise what was before wrote and to make considerable additions which I expect Mr. Dodsley has by this time printed a Specimen of the sheet I have received this spring. The printer has don his part to recommend it by a good letter and paper. I have indeavour to explain my thoughts more clearly and fully than I did at first. A few copies of it will be printed as it is not adapted to amuse common readers. I cannot expect that my sentiments so contrary to the commonly received notions should suddenly prevail. A French Gent. writes il a bien donn\u00e9 la torture a nos Metaphysiciens but I am confident they will at last.\nI have mentioned this book on account of a proposition advanced in it which perhaps may be of use or serve as a hint for explaining the electrical fire.\nI propose to add to this a copy of an illustration of that proposition because the illustration will not be found in the printed book.\nNo doubt you have seen the Cure of Cancers by the Poke weed published in the Gentns. Magazine. I have lately had a confirmation of this by a Cancer last year cured in a Womans breast. I make no doubt it will generally make a perfect cure of a genuine Cancer from many Accounts. I have heard though not obtained in such an authentic manner as fit to be published and as no cure before this was known but by the cruel method of extirpation and that not allwise a certain cure publication in the Magazine may be of use to many miserable persons. Though this juice gives much pain in the application it is not a caustic but rather such kind of pain as Arum gives without destroying the substance of the flesh. I never heard of any ill consequence from the external use of it where the sick had patience to endure the pain tho it has been frequently used in external applications.\nTo Mr. Franklen\n Endorsed: To Benj. Franklin Relative to Electricity", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "03-25-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0100", "content": "Title: Deed of Settlement of the Philadelphia Contributionship, 25 March 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nIn 1750 Franklin, Philip Syng, and Hugh Roberts had led the Union Fire Company (see above, II, 150) in an abortive effort to raise an insurance fund \u201cto make up the Damage that may Arise by Fire among this Company.\u201d Articles were drafted and discussed; Franklin had them engrossed; and in November they were submitted to the Company and signed. The scheme rested on too narrow a basis, however; it was abandoned almost at once; and nothing more is known about it.\nThe next year the plan was enlarged to include the other fire companies. On July 26, 1751, Franklin submitted a proposal to the Union Company \u201crelating to the consideration of the late scheme for Insurance of Houses \u2026 Requesting that the Company would appoint two of their Members to attend such Persons as may be appointed by the other Several Fire Companies to meet at the Standard in Market Street on the 7th day of the 7th Month [September 7], to Consider such Matters as they may think will Tend Most to the Utility of the Inhabitants in General.\u201d Franklin and Syng were appointed from the Union.\nA broad plan was drafted, probably based on the articles of the London Amicable Contributionship for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire, familiarly known as the Hand-in-Hand Company; and Feb. 4, 1752, a meeting was announced in the Pennsylvania Gazette, summoning the subscribers to the Philadelphia plan to meet \u201cin order to agree on proper measures for carrying the same into execution.\u201d Within two weeks Lewis Evans had engrossed the articles and \u201call persons inclined to subscribe\u201d to the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire, were called on to do so. Each subscriber signed the articles; the first to do so was Governor Hamilton, the second Franklin.\nThe Deed of Settlement called on the subscribers to meet on April 13 to elect directors and a treasurer; and the directors in turn elected Franklin as their president, a post he filled for two years, though he was often absent during his second term. The directors ordered Philip Syng, May 11, 1752, to make a seal for the company, showing \u201cfour Hands united\u201d\u2014whence the insurance company\u2019s familiar Philadelphia name of the Hand-in-Hand; they asked Franklin, May 23, 1752, \u201cto get a sufficient number of Policies printed\u201d; and directed him, Dec. 24, 1753, to print in the Gazette a warning to policy holders that the company would not make good damage to their own houses or stores, \u201cif any such damage arises to such houses or stores, by the breaming of ships at their wharves, or by gunpowder stored in their buildings, contrary to the good and wholesome laws of this province.\u201d Franklin, of course, insured his own property; two of his early policies are numbered 19 and 20.\nDeed of Settlement\nTo ALL TO WHOM THESE Presents SHALL COME; We whose Names are hereunto subscribed and Seals affixed DO severally send greeting. Whereas, the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire hath, where the same has been practised, proved very useful and advantagious to the Publick; Now know Ye, that we the said Subscribers hereunto, as well for our own mutual Security, as for the common Security and Advantage of our Fellow-Citizens and Neighbours, and for the Promoting of so great and public Good as the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire, upon the most equal Terms, and apart from all Views of private or separate Gain or Interest; HAVE of our own Motion offered each to the other, AND have unanimously resolved and agreed, and by these Presents do covenant, promise and agree for ourselves severally and respectively, and for our several and respective Executors, Administrators and Assigns, to form, erect and settle an Office, Society or mutual Contributionship, by the Name, or Stile of the Philadelphia Contributionship, for the Insuring of Houses from Loss by Fire; and to be and continue Contributors unto and equal Sharers in the Losses as well as the Gains and Advantages arising, accruing and happening in and by the same, upon the Terms and according to the Articles and Agreements, and subject to the Provisoes and Conditions herein after mentioned.\nImprimis, That all and every Person and Persons, now subscribing to these Presents by him, her or themselves, or by his, her or their Attorney or Agent, and each and every one who shall hereafter in like Manner subscribe hereunto, or shall at any Time or Times hereafter insure in or with this Society, or be allowed so to do; They, and also their respective Executors, Administrators and Assigns, being allowed to be and continue as Persons insuring in this Society, as herein after is mentioned and provided, shall be taken and deemed as Members thereof to all Intents and Purposes, and shall be concluded by the Covenants and Agreements herein contained and shall have and bear his, her and their proportionable Part and Share of all the Profits and Advantages as well as of all the Losses and Charges arising in and by the same, for and during the respective Terms in his, her or their respective Policies.\n2. Item, That the Direction and Management of this Society, and all the Affairs thereof from Time to Time shall be entrusted with and committed to twelve of the Members thereof, who shall be called the Directors of the Philadelphia Contributionship for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire, and shall have full Power to act and proceed therein, as hereinafter is more particularly provided and expressed. All and every which Directors now chosen and appointed, and hereafter to be chosen and appointed by Vertue and in Pursuance of these Presents, shall not have; and they are hereby expresly debarred from having, receiving or taking, for, upon Account or in Respect of their being Directors, in any Manner whatsoever, any Stipend, Salary, Gratuity or Allowance, or any Benefit, Profit or Advantage whatsoever, other than in common and in Equality with all other the Members of this Society in Proportion to their respective Insurances; and other than and except the Allowances at their Monthly Meetings, or otherwise, as herein after mentioned.\n3. Item, That The Limits of Insurance shall extend Ten Miles round Philadelphia within Pensilvania, and as much further as shall from time to time be agreed upon at the General Meetings of the Society. Provided, that the Proprietor of all Houses, that are two Miles, or any greater Distance, from the Place where the Office shall be kept, shall defray the Charge of the Surveyor\u2019s Journey to survey the Premises, and shall also defray the Charge of the Directors\u2019 Journey to estimate the Loss or Damage, when it shall happen, and the Directors are hereby impowered to deduct the Charges out of the Money due on such Loss.\n4. Item, That the Insurance to be made by this Society shall be for seven Years in one Policy.\n5. Item, That There shall be insured in one Policy but one House and Kitchen, except where two or three or more small Houses stand contiguous together, which do not together exceed the Value of Three hundred Pounds; and except where a Stable or Coach House, or both, stand contiguous on the same Lot of Ground with the Dwelling-house; and in those Cases each Building to be distinctly valued.\n6. Item, That no one House shall be insured in this Society for more than Five hundred Pounds, or such other Sum as by the General Meetings of this Society shall be settled and appointed.\n7. Item, That new, and unfinished Houses may be insured in this Society, when tiled or shingled in; Provided the Sum insured on them doth not exceed two thirds of the Value of such new and unfinished House; and a Clause be inserted in the Policy, that the same shall be void, if it appears that such unfinished House took Fire within. But no wooden Houses built after this present Year, nor any Sugar-house, Brew-house, Bake-house, Still-house, Coopers or Joyners Shop, or other House or Shop wherein any of the Hazardous Trades or Businesses following are carryed on, to wit, Apothecaries, Chemists, Ship-Chandlers, Tallow Chandlers, Stable Keepers, Inn-holders, Malthouses, Oyl and Colour Men, or which are used as Stores for the following hazardous Goods, to wit, Hemp, Flax, Tallow, Pitch, Tar, Turpentine, Hay, Straw and Fodder of all Kinds and Corn unthrasht, shall be insured in this Office on the Terms mentioned in the Table referred to by the 8th Article, but on such Terms only as shall be concluded on by special Agreement with the Directors; And no Policy shall be extended or construed to extend to the Assurance of any Sugar House, Brew-house, Bake-house, Still-house, Coopers or Joyner\u2019s Shop, or other House or Shop wherein any of the hazardous Trades or Businesses abovementioned are carried on, or wherein any large Quantities of the hazardous Goods before enumerated are stored or lodged, unless the same is expresly mentioned in the Policy, and a proportionable Deposit paid.\n8. Item, Every Person insuring shall deposit in the Hands of the Treasurer, as a Pledge for the Performance of his Covenants, a certain Sum for every one hundred Pounds insured, according to the greater or less Hazard of the Building on which the same is insured agreable to the Table hereto annexed; which Deposite Money shall be returned to the Person or Persons so depositing it, his, her or their Executors, Administrators or Assigns, at the Expiration of his, her or their Respective Policies, together with a proportionable Dividend of the Profits in the mean Time, after Deduction of Losses and incident Charges only. Provided and it is hereby agreed, That for the better and more certain adjusting the Accounts of this Society, the said Deposite Money shall be demanded within one Year next after the Expiration of each respective Policy: and in Default thereof, the same deposite Money shall become forfeit, and be sunk to the Benefit of this Society.\nThe Table\nKinds of Buildings to be insured in Philadelphia and ten Miles round within Pensilvania\nRates of Insurance for Seven Years\nContributions to a Loss per Fire, not to exceed\nBrick Houses with nine Inch Party-Walls, carried sixteen Inches above the Roof; projecting at least one Inch beyond the Cornish and Eaves, both Front and Back; with a Door to go out on the Roof, and strong Iron Rails to prevent Falling\nAt fifteen Shillings per Cent Pounds\n  Seven shillings and six Pence per Cent Pounds\nBrick Houses with nine Inch Party Walls\n  At twenty Shills. per Cent.\n  Ten Shillings per Cent\nBrick Houses with nine Inch Party Walls to the Garret Floor, and four Inch Wall Upwards\n  At twenty five Shillings per Cent\n  Twelve Shillings and Six Pence per cent\nBrick Houses, with four Inch Party Walls in any Part below the Garret Floor\n  At thirty Shills. per Cent\n  Fifteen Shillings per Cent\nTimber Houses, or Houses with Plaistered wooden Partition Walls\n  At forty Shillings per Cent\n  Twenty Shillings per Cent\n9. Item, Every Person insuring in this Society, shall pay for each Policy, and other the Services incident thereto, the Sum of Five Shillings; and for the Entry of every Transfer, the Sum of one Shilling and six Pence.\n10. Item, All Persons applying to the Office of this Society for Insurance, shall before the Surveying of his, her or their House or Houses, pay Ten Shillings per Policy, Earnest Money, towards the Charges of such Insurance; which Earnest Money shall be taken in Part of the Charges of the Insurance, in Case the same shall be agreed to be made, and the Policy or Policies thereof to be taken up within three Months then next after: and in Case the said Policies shall not, thro\u2019 the Default or Neglect of the Person or Persons so applying, be taken up within that Time, then for the better keeping up and determining the Accounts of this Society, the said Policies shall from Time to Time be cancelled by the Directors, and the said Earnest Money shall be sunk to the Benefit of this Society. But in case the Directors for the Time being, shall not agree to make the Insurance so applied for, then the Earnest Money paid shall be returned. And as to such old Policies, which shall be directed to be renewed, and shall not be taken up within three Months then next following, the same Policies shall also in such Case be in like Manner cancelled, and the Charge of the Policy and Survey shall be deducted out of the deposite Money of every such old Insurer.\n11. Item, All and every Person and Persons insuring in this Society, shall have one or more Policy or Policies for the same, under the Hands and Seals of three at least of the Directors. All which Insurances shall be esteemed good and valid from the Time the Charges of Insurance and the deposite Money shall be paid, and the Person or Persons insuring having duly signed, sealed and delivered this present Deed of Settlement. All and every such Policies at their respective Expirations, and the returning or accounting for the deposite Money and the mean Profits, shall be delivered up to this Society to be cancelled.\n12. Item, All and every Person or Persons insuring in this Society shall stand and be obliged to pay his, her and their Proportion of all Losses and Charges happening and incurring in and to this Society, and for that Purpose shall sign and execute these Presents: Yet so as no Person or Persons shall be obliged beyond his, her or their deposite Money, to pay a Sum exceeding one half the said Deposite for his, her or their Proportion and Contribution towards the Loss which shall be occasioned by any single Fire that shall happen. A single Fire being understood to be a Fire beginning in one House and damaging or destroying one or more Houses. And if it should ever happen that a Loss occasioned by any single Fire shall amount to more than the Company\u2019s whole Stock; in such Case the several Sufferers insured in this Office shall receive, towards making good their respective Losses a just and proportionable Dividend of the said whole Stock, according to the Sums by them respectively insured.\n13. Item, In Case any Member or Members of this Society shall asign or transfer his, her or their Policies, such Assignment or Transfer shall be brought to the Office to be entered within Four Weeks next after such Assignment or Transfer; and on Default thereof, the Benefit of Insurance shall be lost; Provided NEVERTHELESS, That such Assignment or Transfer may be admitted to be entered after the Expiration of the said Four Weeks, if the Directors shall allow of the same and not otherwise; and in that Case the Benefit of Insurance shall not be lost.\n14. Item, That all and every the Members of this Society, who shall sustain any Loss or Damage by Fire, shall give immediate Notice thereof to the Directors or to the Clerk of this Society at their Office, to the End that the Directors, their Officers, or Agents may view, enquire and examine into the same.\n15. Item, That the Directors for the Time being, shall with all convenient Speed upon all Alarms of Fire, repair to and convene together at some convenient Place, near the Place where the Fire shall be, there to consult and determine upon such Methods as may in such Cases most conduce to the safety of this Society and the Service of the Public.\n16. Item, That the Directors for the Time being shall with all convenient Expedition after any Loss sustained, settle a Rate of Contribution, and set up the same in their Public Office, and publish the same in the Gazette, or in such other public News-Papers, and in such other Manner as they shall think fit; and such Rates shall be settled and approved by a major Part at least of the Directors at two successive weekly Meetings. And if any Member or Members of this Society shall think him or themselves aggrieved thereby; then He or they may thereupon at any Time or Times within Fourteen Days next after the Publication of such Rate or Rates as aforesaid, inspect the Books and Accounts of the Office and the whole State thereof; and may offer his or their Exceptions with the Reasons thereof to the Directors; and in Case the same shall not be agreed between the Directors and such Member or Members who shall so except; then the same shall stand referred to the next General Meeting for their final Determination. Yet nevertheless it is hereby declared and agreed, that in the mean Time, when such Rate or Rates shall exceed the deposite Money, all and every the Members of this Society shall be obliged to pay into the Hands of the Treasurer his, her and their proportionable Parts and Shares of all and every such Rate and Rates within thirty Days next after such Publication of the same respectively as aforesaid; and in Default of such Payment, He, she and they, and every of them making such Default therein, shall forfeit double the said Rates; and neglecting to pay the said Forfeitures ten Days more, shall or may by the Directors, for the Time being, be excluded, and debarred all Benefit and Advantage of his, her and their Insurance and Insurances respectively, and all Right to the Stock of this Society, and shall notwithstanding be liable to the Payment of the said Rates pursuant to his, her and their Covenants and Engagements in these Presents contained.\n17. Item, Every House that is by Means of Fire destroyed from the First Floor upwards, shall be deemed as demolished; and it shall be lawful for the Directors in such Case, either to order the Money, insured thereon, to be paid within three Months after Notice given of the Loss as aforesaid, or to rebuild the same with all convenient Speed, Guilding, History-Painting and Carving excepted.\n18. Item, That the Directors for the Time being shall make up and report to the General Meeting to be held in April yearly, the General State of the Office and its Accounts, and shall ascertain and report the Dividends of Profits or the Contributions to Losses, which have arisen or been incurred in the preceding Year.\n19. Item, The Net Profits arising by Interest or otherwise shall be divided yearly to every Member in Proportion to his Insurance; for which each Member\u2019s Account shall have Credit in the Society\u2019s Books, to be paid at the Expiration of their Policies.\n20. Item, Contributions to Losses shall likewise be stated yearly, and every Person insuring shall contribute in Proportion to his Insurance according to Article the 12th of these Presents; and every Year\u2019s Account shall commence the twenty fifth Day of March, and end the twenty fifth Day of March following.\n  21. Item, For the better and immediate Forming and Establishing this Society, and providing for and securing the good and regular Management of the Affairs thereof, Twelve of the present Subscribers hereto shall be the first Directors, to wit, Benjamin Franklin, William Coleman, Philip Syng, Samuel Rhodes, Israel Pemberton Junr., John Mifflin, Joseph Morris, Joseph Fox, Jonathan Zane, William Griffitts, Amos Strettell, Hugh Roberts and so shall be and continue Directors of this Society until the Second Munday in April next, and until others shall be duly chosen in their Room; which said present Directors, and all future Directors of this Society, or the major Part of them, shall have Power, and are hereby impowered to provide a Seal for this Society, and to alter the same if they shall see Occasion; and from Time to Time as Need shall be to take a House or Room for an Office within the City of Philadelphia at such Rent or Rents, for such Term or Terms, and under such Covenants as they shall judge meet; and also to appoint one or more Clerks or Book Keepers, Surveyors, Messengers and other Servants, and their respective Fees and Salaries, as Occasion shall require, and as they shall think fit; and to take such Securities from them as they shall think proper and sufficient, for the due Discharge of their respective Trusts, Offices and Places. And they the said Directors shall and may also from Time to Time direct and order the making and giving out Policies; and from time to time, apply, dispose of, place out, take in, secure and improve the Stock of this Society, and the Interest, Profit and Produce thereof, for answering the contingent Charges of this Society, and satisfying all such Losses and Damages as shall or may happen in or to the same; and shall and may also purchase and provide Books for Accounts and all other Things needful and requisite for this Office, and for the Affairs thereof, and the carrying on the same. And the said Directors shall and may and are hereby impowered to suspend, displace or remove all or any of  the Officers and Servants above mentioned, as they shall see Cause; and from time to time to supply and fill up any Vacancy which shall happen on the Death or Removal of them or any of them: so that such displacing be agreed to by the major Part at least of all the Directors. And the said Directors are hereby impowered to do, perform and execute all other Acts, Matters and Things, needful, incident or relating to the Premises, or any of them, which they shall judge fit and reasonable, and which shall be according to the Tenor and true Meaning of the Rules, Orders and Agreements in and by these Presents declared.\n22. Item, That there shall be a General Meeting of the Members of this Society on the second Munday in April in every Year, or oftner, if the Directors for the Time being shall think fit, or any twenty Members insuring to the Value of ten Thousand Pounds or upwards shall require the same. At which General Meetings, all the Members of the Society shall have Right and Liberty to be present. Of which General Meetings, and of the Matters therein intended to be moved, proposed or transacted, Notice shall be given by the Directors at least seven Days before the Times of such Meetings, in the Gazette and otherwise as they shall see fit. Which General Meetings shall be capable of Acting and Managing the Affairs of the Society that shall then come before them; and they shall begin an Hour at least after the Time appointed for Meeting, and shall chuse a Chairman, and after the Choice of a Chairman shall continue for the Space of one Hour at least. And if any Chairman of the said General Meetings shall refuse or neglect to put or offer to the Consideration and Determination of the said General Meetings, any Question or Matter, which shall be then and there proposed, seconded and insisted on; then the General Meeting shall, and they are hereby impowered to chuse another Chairman in the Room of him so refusing or neglecting as aforesaid. And all and every the said General Meetings may, and are hereby declared to have, full Power to consider, treat of and determine of and concerning all or any the Matters and Things relating to this Society, and the Support, Preservation and good Order thereof; and to alter and amend the present Articles, and make any additional Rules or Articles for the better and more orderly and successful or satisfactory management of the Affairs of this Society. At all which Meetings the Determination of a Majority of the Members present, shall be conclusive and binding on the whole Society.\n23. Item, At the General Meeting in April Yearly, twelve Members of this Society shall be chosen by Ballot to be Directors for the Year insuing; and one other of the Members shall also be chosen Treasurer for the insuing Year by Ballot as aforesaid. The Election to begin on the first Day of the Meeting, to be continued by Adjournment, if necessary, as the Directors for the Time being shall appoint. And the Directors shall appoint two of their own Body, and three other Members not Directors to be Judges and Managers of the Election; who shall under their Hands, or under the Hands of the major Part of them, report the Names of the Persons duly elected Directors and Treasurer respectively to the General Meeting; and when the Election is over, the General Meeting may proceed to other Business, and not before.\n24. Item, John Smith shall be the present Treasurer to this Society, and so shall continue until the second Munday in April next, and until another shall be chosen in his Stead: Which Treasurer, and all other future Treasurers of this Society, shall have the Custody of the Cash, Securities and Purchase Deeds belonging to this Society; and shall from Time to Time pay, dispose and deliver the same, according to the Orders and Directions of the Directors or a major Part of them; and shall keep regular and fair Books of Accompt of all Cash, Securities, Deeds, Writings and other Things by him received, or committed to his Custody, and of all Cash, Securities, Deeds, Writings and other Effects by him paid and delivered. And such Treasurer shall, before he enters on his Office, give such Security for the due and faithful Discharge of his Trust, and for accounting for, and delivering up to this Successor in the said Office, all such Moneys, Securities, Deeds and Effects, as shall have come to his Hands or Custody, and which shall not have been paid or delivered by the Order of the Directors, as the Directors shall appoint and require: Which Security the Directors for the Time being are hereby required to see given, before any Treasurer shall enter upon his Office, or before he shall receive the Cash or Effects of the said Society. And if thro\u2019 the Default or Neglect of the Directors, Security is not given by the Treasurer as aforesaid, the Directors shall be accountable for him, and make good to the Society all Damages that may happen for Want thereof, until Security be given as aforesaid. And the Treasurer for the Time being shall have and receive out of the Society\u2019s Stock One per Cent. for all Moneys by him received, and One per Cent. for all Moneys by him paid and no more. And if by Reason of Death, Removal, Disability or Refusal longer to act, it should become necessary to chuse a new Treasurer, within the Year, the Directors shall call a General Meeting for that Purpose.\n25. Item, That the Directors for the Time being, shall meet when, where and as often as they shall think proper, but at least once every Month on the first Tuesday in each Month; and being seven in Number at least, they shall and may enter upon, order, direct and dispatch all such Matters and Things relating to this Office, as shall then lye and come before them; and such their Proceedings shall be esteemed good and valid in all the Affairs and Business of this Society, except in such Cases here mentioned where a greater Number is required. And in Case any of the Directors herein nominated and appointed or hereafter to be elected or appointed, shall happen to dye or remove out of this Province, or shall refuse to act as Director or Directors; or shall for the Space of two Kalendar Months wholly omit and neglect to attend the Affairs and Business of this Society; then and in such Case, the Directors for the Time being, or seven of them at least, all agreeing (regular and timely Notice having been given all) may elect and chuse other and others in the Room and Stead of such who shall dye, remove or refuse or neglect to act as aforesaid; and such Choice being confirmed by a second Meeting or Board of the Directors; the Member or Members so chosen shall be Director or Directors until the next General Election.\n26. Item, That the Directors for the Time being, or the major Part of them, shall and may and are hereby impowered to lend, advance or lay out upon Mortgage of Houses or Lands, such Sum and Sums of Money as from time to time they shall think fit and order; So always, and provided, That upon all such Loans, the Resolutions and Orders of the Directors thereupon, be had and made at two several Monthly Meetings or Boards, of a major Part at least of the Directors; and so that the Titles and Conveyances relating to such Loans be first approved by Counsel learned in the Law; and provided also, That not more than Five hundred Pounds shall be lent on one Security, nor more than half the Value of the mortgaged Premises.\n27. Item, The Orders of a Major Part of the Directors on the Treasurer, shall be complied with by the Treasurer, and shall be good Vouchers to indemnify him for the Payment and Delivery of the Cash and Effects of this Society.\n28. Item, That the Directors of this Society shall always stand and be indemnified and saved harmless by this Society in and for their giving out and signing Policies and all their other lawful Acts, Deeds and Transactions done, performed and executed in Pursuance of and by Vertue of these Presents; And the Stock, Securities and Effects of this Society shall in the first Place be appropriated and applied, and the same is and are hereby declared to be appropriated to exonerate and discharge, indemnify and save harmless, them and every of them of and from all such Costs, Charges, Damages and Expences, which shall or may happen or arise, or which they or any of them shall reasonably expend or be put unto or sustain in, for or concerning the Trusts aforesaid, or any of them, or the Execution or Performance thereof: Nor shall any of the said Directors be answerable for the Defaults, Neglects or Misdoings of the others of them.\n29. Item, That if any Member or Members of this Contributionship shall be hereafter desirous to enlarge his, her or their first Insurances, not to exceed Five hundred Pounds and the Directors shall judge that the House or Houses insured, from Improvements since made, or otherwise, will bear an additional Sum; that then the Accounts shall be made up with such Member or Members, and their old Policy shall be cancelled and a new Policy granted for the entire Sum to be insured.\n30. Item, That a publick Table shall be kept at the Office of all Fees, Salaries and Rewards allowed by this Society; and another publick Table of the yearly Dividends of Profits and Losses, which every Member may peruse and take Notes of at Pleasure.\n31. Item, That the Directors shall have Power to reward, out of the Company\u2019s Stock such as are voluntarily active in dangerous Cases to extinguish Fires.\n32. Item, Altho upon Application made to the Directors for the Insuring any House or Building such House or Building should come under the Description of any of those mentioned in the Table referred to by the 8th Article, or of any other Kind of Buildings mentioned in these Presents: Yet if from its Situation or any other Circumstances, it shall appear to the Directors to be more than commonly hazardous, the Directors for the Time being, shall have, and they are hereby declared to have a discretionary Power, either to enlarge the Deposite Money to be paid for insuring the same, beyond what is herein mentioned, or wholly to refuse the Insuring the same, as they shall judge fit.\nDated the Twenty fifth day of March One thousand seven hundred and fifty two.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "04-23-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0103", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 23 April 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Colden, Cadwallader\nSir\nPhilada. April 23. 1752\nIn considering your Favour of the 16th. past, I recollected my having wrote you Answers to some Queries concerning the Difference between Electrics per se, and Non Electrics, and the Effects of Air in Electrical Experiments, which I apprehend you may not have received. The Date I have forgot.\nWe have been us\u2019d to call those Bodies Electrics per se, which would not conduct the Electric Fluid: We once imagin\u2019d that only such Bodies contain\u2019d that Fluid; afterwards, that they contain\u2019d none of it: But farther Experiments shew\u2019d our Mistakes. It is to be found in all Matter we know of: And the Distinction of Electrics per se, and Non Electrics, should now be dropt as improper; and that of Conductors and Nonconductors assum\u2019d in its Place, as I mention\u2019d in those Answers.\nI do not remember any Experiments by which it appear\u2019d that high rectified Spirit will not conduct; perhaps you have made such. This I know, that Wax, Rosin, Brimstone, and even Glass, commonly reputed Electrics per se, will, when in a Fluid State, conduct pretty well; Glass will do it when only red hot. So that my former Position, that only Metals and Water were Conductors, and other Bodies more or less such as they partook of Metall or Moisture, was too general.\nYour Conception of the Electric Fluid, that it is incomparably more subtil than Air, is undoubtedly just. It pervades dense Matter with the greatest Ease: But it does not seem to mix or incorporate willingly with mere Air, as it does with other Matter. It will not quit common Matter to join with Air. Air obstructs in some degree its Motion. An Electric Atmosphere cannot be communicated at so great a Distance thro\u2019 intervening Air, by far, as thro\u2019 a Vacuum. Who knows then, but there may be, as the Antients thought, a Region of this Fire, above our Atmosphere, prevented by our Air and its own too great Distance for Attraction, from joining our Earth? Perhaps where the Atmosphere is rarest, this Fluid may be densest; and nearer the Earth, where the Atmosphere grows denser, this Fluid may be rarer, yet some of it be low enough to attach itself to our highest Clouds, and thence they becoming electrified may be attracted by and descend towards the Earth, and discharge their Watry Contents together with that Etherial Fire. Perhaps the Aurorae Boreales are Currents of this Fluid in its own Region above our Atmosphere, becoming from their Motion visible. There is no End to Conjectures. As yet we are but Novices in this Branch of Natural Knowledge.\nYou mention several Differences of Salts in your Electrical Experiments. Were they all equally dry? Salt is apt to acquire Moisture from a moist Air, and some Sorts more than others. When perfectly dry\u2019d, by lying before a Fire, or on a Stove, none that I have try\u2019d will conduct, any better than so much Glass.\nNew Flannel, if dry and warm, will draw the Electric Fluid from Non Electrics, as well as that which has been worn.\nI wish you had the Convenience of trying the Experiments you seem to have such Expectations from, upon various kinds of Spirits, Salts, Earths, &c. Frequently, in a Variety of Experiments, tho\u2019 we miss what we expected to find, yet something valuable turns out, something surprizing, and instructing tho\u2019 unthought of.\nI am glad your Piece on the Principles of Action in Matter, with the Explanations, is likely soon to appear. I hope it may be printed correctly. Tracts on uncommon Subjects, when the Author is at a Distance, frequently suffer much in the Press, thro\u2019 the Ignorance of the Workmen. I think my Letters were almost as fairly wrote as Print itself, yet they were publish\u2019d with several Errata that render particular Parts quite unintelligible.\nI thank you for communicating the Illustration of the Theorem concerning Light. It is very curious. But I must own that I am much in the Dark about Light. I am not satisfy\u2019d with the Doctrine that supposes Particles of Matter call\u2019d Light continually driven off from the Sun\u2019s Surface, with a Swiftness so prodigious! Must not the smallest Particle conceivable, have, with such a Motion, a Force exceeding that of a 24 pounder discharg\u2019d from a Cannon? Must not the Sun diminish exceedingly by such a Waste of Matter, and the Planets instead of drawing nearer to him, as some have feared, recede to greater Distances thro\u2019 the lessened Attraction? Yet these Particles with this amazing Motion, will not drive before them or remove the least and lightest Dust they meet with: And the Sun, for aught we know, continues of his ancient Dimensions, and his Attendants move in their ancient Orbits.\nMay not all the Phaenomena of Light be more conveniently solved, by supposing Universal Space filled with a subtle elastic Fluid, which when at rest is not visible, but whose Vibrations affect that fine Sense the Eye, as those of Air do the grosser Organs of the Ear? We do not, in the Case of Sound, imagine that any sonorous Particles are thrown off from a Bell, for Instance, and fly in strait Lines to the Ear; why must we believe that luminous Particles leave the Sun and proceed to the Eye? Some Diamonds, if rubbed, shine in the dark, without losing any Part of their Matter. I can make an electrical Spark as big as the Flame of a Candle, much brighter and therefore visible farther; yet this is Light without Fuel, and I am persuaded no Part of the Electric Fluid flies off in such Case to distant Places, but all goes directly and is to be found in the Place to which I destine it. May not different Degrees of Vibration of the above-suppos\u2019d Universal Medium, occasion the Appearances of different Colours? I think the Electric Fluid is always the same, yet I find that weaker and stronger Sparks differ in Apparent Colour, some white, blue, purple, red; the strongest white, weak ones red. Thus different Degrees of Vibration given to the Air, produce the 7 different Sounds in Music, analagous to the 7 Colours, yet the Medium, Air, is the same.\nIf the Sun is not wasted by Expence of Light, I can easily conceive that he shall otherwise always retain the same Quantity of Matter, tho\u2019 we should suppose him made of Sulphur constantly flaming. The Action of Fire only separates the Particles of Matter, it does not annihilate them. Water by Heat rais\u2019d in Vapour, returns to the Earth in Rain. And if we could collect all the Particles of burning Matter that go off in Smoke, perhaps they might, with the Ashes, weigh as much as the Body before it was fired; and if we could put them into the same Position with regard to each other, the Mass would be the same as before, and might be burnt over again. The Chymists have analys\u2019d Sulphur, and find it compos\u2019d in certain Proportions, of Oil, Salt, and Earth: And having by the Analysis discover\u2019d those Proportions, they can of those Ingredients make Sulphur. So we have only to suppose, that the Parts of the Sun\u2019s Sulphur, separated by Fire, rise into his Atmosphere, there, being freed from the immediate Action of the Fire, they collect into cloudy Masses, and growing by Degrees too heavy to be longer supported, they descend to the Sun, and are burnt over again. Hence the Spots appearing on his Face, which are observ\u2019d to diminish daily in Size, their consuming Edges being of particular Brightness.\n\u2019Tis well we are not, as poor Galileo was, subject to the Inquisition for Philosophical Heresy. My Whispers against the orthodox Doctrine in private Letters, would be dangerous; your Writing and Printing would be highly criminal. As it is, you must expect some Censure, but one Heretic will surely excuse another.\nI am heartily glad to hear more Instances of the Success of the Poke Weed, in the Cure of that horrible Evil to the human Body, a Cancer. You will deserve highly of Mankind for the Communication. But I find in Boston they are at a Loss to know the right Plant, some asserting it is what they call Mechoacan, others other Things. In one of their late Papers, it is publickly requested that a perfect Description may be given of the Plant, its Places of Growth, &c. I have mislaid the Paper, or would send it to you. I tho\u2019t you had describ\u2019d it pretty fully.\nWith great Respect and Esteem, I am, Dear Sir, Your obliged humble Servant\nB Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "04-01-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0104", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Abiah Franklin, [April 1752\u2013May 1752]\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Franklin, Abiah\nHonored Mother,\nPhiladelphia, [April\u2013May, 1752]\nWe received by this post both your letters of April 13th and 20th. The account you give of poor little Biah grieves me, but I still hope the best. However, God\u2019s will must be done. I rejoice that the rest of sister\u2019s children and brother Davenport\u2019s are likely to escape so well, and Mrs. Billings\u2019s.\nEnclosed I send an order for six pistoles, which I believe will be paid on sight. I beg sister to accept four of them, and you the other two. I am your dutiful son,\nB Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "05-14-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0106", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 14 May 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Bowdoin, James\nSir\nPhilada. May 14. 1752\nI deferred answering yours of March 16th in hopes of finding one of the first Edition of Dr. Coldens Pieces, which you seem\u2019d desirous to see. I have not been able to get a compleat one, but enclose you some Sheets which the Dr. sent me when it was in the Press. I endeavoured to understand it, and to that End made a few Remarks enpassant, but I found it quite out of my Reach. The Dr.\u2019s Remarks on my Remarks are in the same Paper; which when you have perus\u2019d please to return me. I send you also a late Letter from the Dr. as it relates to the same Piece.\nI always tho\u2019t it wrong to print private Letters without the Consent of the Writer; but to communicate now and then a philosophical Epistle, to a discrete philosophical Friend, as it tends to mutual Improvement, I do not think it amiss. I am, with great Respect and Esteem Your most humble Servant\nB. Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "05-14-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0107", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 14 May 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Colden, Cadwallader\nSir,\nPhilada. May 14. 1752\nI find Parker has been indiscreet enough, to print a Piece in his Paper, which has brought him into a great deal of Trouble. I cannot conceive how he was prevail\u2019d on to do it, as I know him to be a thorough Believer himself, and averse to every thing that is commonly called Freethinking. He is now much in his Penitentials, and requests me to intercede with you, to procure from the Governor a Nol. Pros. in his Favour, promising to be very circumspect and careful for the future, not to give Offence either in Religion or Politicks, to you or any of your Friends, in which I believe he is very sincere. I have let him know, that I pretend to no Interest with you, and I fear he has behav\u2019d to the Governor and to you in such a Manner as not to deserve your Favour. Therefore I only beg Leave to recommend the poor Man\u2019s Case to your Consideration; and if you could without Inconvenience to your own Character, interest yourself a little in his Behalf, I shall, as I am much concern\u2019d for him, esteem it a very great Obligation. As to the Cause of Religion, I really think it will be best serv\u2019d by Stopping the Prosecution: For if there be any evil Tendency apprehended from the Publication of that Piece, the Trial and Punishment of the Printer will certainly make it 1000 times more publick, such is the Curiosity of Mankind in these Cases. It is besides, an old Thing, has been printed before both in England, and by Andrew Bradford here; but no publick Notice being taken of it, it dy\u2019d and was forgotten, as I believe it would now be, if treated with the same Indifference. I am, with great Respect, Sir, Your most humble Servant\nB Franklin\n Addressed: To \u2002The honble. Cadwalader Colden Esqr \u2002Coldengham \u2002Free \u2002B Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "05-20-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0108", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 20 May 1752\nFrom: Colden, Cadwallader\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nDear Sir\nColdengham May 20th 1752\nI received yours of the 23d of April as I was going on board the sloop in my return home from New York and could not take the pleasure of reading it before I left that place.\nOne so much conversant in examining any particular Phoenomenon or of various Phoenomena arising from the same cause must on every occasion give the pleasure of learning something new to those less conversant in them as often as the first is pleased to answer any objections of the latter or explain the diversities or variations which attend the same phoenomenon in different cases or appearances.\nYour conjecture of the Electric fluid\u2019s taking place in the superior regions of our atmosphere pleases my fancy as it in some measure confirms what I have advanced in the Treatise now in the press viz. That all the Planets in a greater or less degree emit Light and indeed I think that all bodies do. It does not follow that because we do not see the light that none is emitted. Some men can see where others are entirely in the Dark and some Animals as Owls, Batts, &c. see in the Dark and cannot bear so great a degree of Light as is necessary for our Perceptions.\nWhen you shall see that Tract you will have opportunity of Judgeing of the Validity of the reasons I advance for an opinion that Light is a substance or Being essentially distinct from what we commonly call Matter or Body; that they have nothing in common between them except that we consider or conceive both as consisting of Quantity, that is, that in the same space there may be a greater or less quantity of either and that a certain quantity of either may be confined within certain bounds and consequently have some shape or form. Light has no power of attraction though it be attracted by resisting matter.\nThe Vibrations of a Fluid will in no manner explain the Phoenomena of Light as is very expressly pointed out in Sir Isaac Newtone\u2019s optics; for example, Light proceeds allwise in streight lines unless diverted by some other thing. For this reason any opac body placed between the eye and a luminous body intercepts all the light but it does not intercept the sound coming from a sonorous body because Sound is conveyed by the Vibrations of a fluid Medium not by any emission of particles from the sounding body. Again the seperation of the distinct parts of Light which excite in us the different and distinct sensations of colours and which once seperated allwise remain the same prove that these sensations can not be produced by the Vibrations of any Medium supposed to convey the Action of Light from the Luminous body. I am persuaded that a carefull attention to the Phoenomena in Sir Isaacs optics and to his reflections on them will remove all doubt on this head.\nOn this occasion I think it proper to observe to you that in the Treatise before mentioned what Sir Isaac has proved is generally taken for granted and supposed to be known.\nIt may be proper likewise to observe to you that pure Light without any other mixture makes no impression on any other sense except the Sight. That the sense of heat arises from the Action of Light united with the action of some resisting matter. So likewise we have no Idea of fire without the union of resisting matter with Light.\nIn considering all Quantities or Degrees of Action or Force whether in ascending or descending, whether in considering them as continually increasing or continually decreasing, the ratio of comparison must at last come to that of infinity. We have no Idea of the absolute Force of any thing, only of its comparative force\u2014or ratio of its force\u2014to that of some other thing. The force of Different quantities of Light does not arise from the different Velocities (for I suppose all light allwise moves in the same ratio of Velocity Compared with any velocity that can be distinguished by our senses) but from the greater quantity or density of Light in the same Space.\nIf the emission of Light be not continued but by distinct vibrations or pulses and an infinitely thin surface of Light be thrown off in any finite part of time, suppose in a fifth, then there cannot be any finite or determinable diminution of the Light of the Sun or of the Diameter of Light in the sun in any finite time. If the intervals of the vibrations or emissions of infinitely thin Surfaces of Light be in an infinitely small part of time, It may take a hundred or a thousand years to diminish the suns Diameter one Inch. You will find something of these abstracted Speculations in the treatise I mention.\nI have much reason to apprehend the errors of the press when I reflect on the manner the Indian History has been printed: Such gross errors in things obvious to the meanest understanding. Mr. Dodsley promised to get some person of Learning to correct the Press. Perhaps the Diffculties he meets with in this is the reason that the impression was not compleated in the beginning of March though begun in December.\nI shall be exceedingly disapointed if it do not meet with censure. I have laid my account with it Not only with unjust and injurious censure but that many errors may truely be discovered and that it will require much correction. It is impossible to avoid errors in things of this nature more especially in a path not trod in before and where I had no body to assist me to review and examine the work. A Difficulty an author cannot labour under in England.\nI have received a Copy of the Translation of my first piece into High Dutch with Animadversions on it at the end of it printed at Hambourg and Leipsic 1748 but I do not understand one word of them. I find my name often in company with those of very great ones Newtone, Leibnitz, and Wolfius and Leibnitz\u2019s Monades often mentioned a New Doctrine which perhaps you have seen and is of great repute in Germany. The animadversions end\u2014Magnis tamen excidit ausis which being in Latin I understand.\nThe person in the Boston paper who wants a fuller description of the Poke weed or Phytolacca than that given in the Magazine must have but little skill in Botany for I am confident the Discription is sufficient for a Botanist to distinguish it from any other Plant whatsoever. I know that some people have thought that the Pokeweed is Mechoacan but they who think so know litle of Plants.\nTo Mr. Franklen", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "05-21-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0110", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Edward and Jane Mecom, 21 May 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Mecom, Edward,Mecom, Jane\nDear Brother and Sister,\nPhiladelphia, May 21, 1752\nI received yours with the affecting news of our dear good mother\u2019s death. I thank you for your long continued care of her in her old age and sickness. Our distance made it impracticable for us to attend her, but you have supplied all. She has lived a good life, as well as a long one, and is happy.\nSince I sent you the order on Mr. Huske, I have received his account, and find he thinks he has money to receive, and, though I endeavour by this post to convince him he is mistaken, yet possibly he may not be immediately satisfied, so as to pay that order; therefore, lest the delay should be inconvenient to you, I send the six pistoles enclosed. But if the order is paid, give those to brother John, and desire him to credit my account with them. Your affectionate brother,\nB. Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "06-03-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0111", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 3 June 1752\nFrom: Collinson, Peter\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nMy Dear friend\nLond June 3d: 1752\nI have wrote you before possibly you may receive Two Letters by one Ship\u2014for here is Two Just going together and I cannot say whitch had my First. This serves to thank you for your favour of March 20th with the sundry Curious Articles besides. Greewood has been with Mee. I have recommended him to your Proprietor who Desires much to see Him, and does not take it well that Mr. Peters &c. does not recommend all such persons that have been Travellers, that may give Him Informations of the progress of the back settlements, of the French Incroachments and of the Indian Polity. Docr. Mitchell showed Mee a New Mapp of Pensilvania sent over by your Governor. The Doctor is Makeing a New Mapp of all our Colonies for the Board of Trade, Haveing the Assistance of all these Manuscrip Mapps and which are abundance in particular a Mapp sent by an Officer of the York Forces, which much fuller Discribes the Country and Settlements on Mohawk, Oswego and the fork of Susquehanna then your Governers Mapp. Docr. Mitchell gives his Service but his prodegious Engagements as above, prevents his Writeing by these Ships so hopes to be Excused. The post office for whom also he has made a Map is under great Difficulties in Setling its Income from the Colonies, which prevents his Comeing over so soone as was Expected. Pray send Docr. Coldens Letter. He stands very fair of being appointed president of the Council in the absence of the Governer.\nIt was Needless to send the Guinea. I have half a Guinea more in my Hands then will pay my petty Disbursments. Think to return it by Moses Bartram.\nI have sent by Child 2 books on Electricity Lately publishd to you and some more for the Library Company as per Letter.\nMr. Jackson and myself are greatly Entertain\u2019d on your Obs[ervations] on In[crease of] Mankind. I expect Mr. Jackson will write you on It. Your yearly bill &c. is very acceptable.\nIn 2 Weeks the proprietor Thomas expects to be a Father.\nMr. Cave intends to add your New Experiments on Electricity by Way of Supplement to the printed account.\nCandidly take these rude Lines as a mark of the Sincere friendship of Yours\nP Collinson\nPray what becomes of James Logan Library.\n Addressed: To \u2003Benn Franklin \u2002these", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "06-08-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0113", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 8 June 1752\nFrom: Bowdoin, James\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir\nBrooklyn June 8. 1752\nI have read the first Chapter of Dr. Colden\u2019s piece on Gravitation which you was so good as to inclose in yours of the 14th. Ult. and endeavoured to understand it, but with as little Success as yourself. I have ventured notwithstanding to make in the margin a few remarks on several passages, which detach\u2019d from the rest I tho\u2019t I understood; but it is more than probable they are very impertinent when those passages are considered in the relation they stand in to the whole: and in that relation I acknowledge they ought to be consider\u2019d. As to the three principles he endeavours to establish which he says are all agents essentially different from each other and will serve to explain all the phaenomena of Gravitation, I wish for my own sake he had produced more evidence of their existence than he has. As to the first viz. Resisting matter which resists in all directions, but in the conception of which motion ought not to enter; it may easily be allowed him with some limitation: but the other two viz. Self-moving matter which is void of all resistance, and exerts its power only in one direction; And Elastic matter which has neither resistance nor motion, nor exerts any action independent of the other powers, but being the medium of conveying their actions, receives them in one direction and reflects them in all directions; are not easily understood, and require more exemplification than is to be found in the treatise. But allowing these principles to exist, I am unable to explain any phaenomenon of Gravitation by them. I have applied them particularly to the revolutions of the planets round their centre of Gravity: Thus supposing all the planets like the Earth to be resisting matter and impell\u2019d immediately by the self-moving matter, they would only have a direct motion communicated to them; or if the Self-moving matter acted on the elastic matter, and that convey\u2019d it\u2019s action to the planets, the elastic matter would give or convey to them only a direct or rectilinear motion: for tho\u2019 the elastic matter is said to reflect the received action in every direction, that action must be in right lines in every direction, or it would not be the action of the self-moving matter (which is exerted in one direction only and consequently in a right line) communicated, &c.\nBut supposing these principles sufficient (and I ought to suppose them sufficient till I have seen the Drs. Application of them) to solve the phaenomena of Gravitation, it will be necessary for him I conceive in order to have a full conception of the Cause of Gravitation, to enquire by what means those principles had existence; and how they became endowed with their respective powers. This seems an arduous task on mechanical principles. I should be glad to see the remainder of the Drs. piece and the new Edition of it lately published in England (by Mr. Dodsley 4to.) which when you have opportunity I shall take it as a favour if you\u2019d send me.\nThe Drs. Book and Letter I now return, for which I am obliged to you and am most respectfully Sir Yours.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "06-20-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0114", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 20 June 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Strahan, William\nDear Sir\nPhilada. June 20. 1752\nI received yours of Jan. 17. with the two Vols. of Viner, in good Order: but the Ship proving leaky, the Water got into the Box containing poor Sally\u2019s Dressing Glass, by which means the Glue being dissolved, the Frame parted, the Glass dropt out and broke to pieces, and the Wood Work is so twisted and cast out of Shape in drying again, that nothing fits, and the whole is not, in my Opinion worth a farthing; tho\u2019 the Surveyors have valu\u2019d it at \u2153 prime cost. I am thus particular, supposing you insur\u2019d it with the other Goods you then sent, and that possibly something may be recovered towards another.\nHonest David Martin, Rector of our Academy, my principal Antagonist at Chess, is dead, and the few remaining Players here are very indifferent, so that I have now no need of Stamma\u2019s 12s. Pamphlet, and am glad you did not send it.\nBy Mesnard, Sally\u2019s Books came to hand in good Order: But a 4to Bible with Cuts, charg\u2019d in the Invoice, was not in the Trunk: Instead of it, there was a 2d Vol. of Fosters Nat. Religion in boards, which I keep, having the first.\nI am not well enough acquainted with the Booksellers in New England to venture recommending, or advising you to deal with any of them unless for ready Cash. In general, the People there are artful to get into Debt, and pay badly. If I should ever make another Journey thither, I could, when on the Spot, judge better of Persons, and perhaps be of some Service.\nEnclos\u2019d is a Bill of \u00a350 Sterling, drawn by Pole & Howell on Wm. Baker Esqr. Merchant London, with a List of Books for the Library Company. As this is the first Time of their Dealing with you, they will inspect the Invoice pretty curiously, therefore I hope you will be careful to procure the Books as cheap as possible. The Company are unacquainted with some of the Books, so that if the whole should come to more than \u00a350 with Charges of Insurance, &c. they desire you would omit so many as to bring it within that Sum; for their Money comes in but once a Year, and they do not chuse to lie so long in Debt.\nPlease to send me another of Popple\u2019s Maps of North America, large, on Rollers; a Pair of Mrs. Senex\u2019s improv\u2019d Globes, recommended in the Transactions of the Royal Society, (or Neal\u2019s improv\u2019d Globes, if thought better than Senex\u2019s) the best and largest that may be had for (not exceeding) Eight Guineas. And a Concave Mirror or Burning-Glass of about 12 Inches Diameter; with our Account. I send by Mr. Stirling 7 French and 2 English Guineas; and per next Ships shall send you a Bill.\nI am sorry to part with that Gentleman just when we were beginning to be a little acquainted. I wish he had more reason to be satisfied with his Visit to America.\nMy Wife and Children join in Compliments to you and yours, with Dear Sir Your most obliged humble Servant\nB Franklin\n Addressed: To \u2002Mr Wm. Strahan, Printer \u2002London \u2002per favr. of \u2002Mr Stirling", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "07-02-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0115", "content": "Title: Remarks on the Proprietors\u2019 Instructions to Governor Hamilton, 2 July 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin,Pemberton, Israel\nTo: \nThis document, composed by Franklin and Israel Pemberton, is omitted here for the reason stated above, p. 111; but is printed, with editorial annotation, in Some Account of the Pennsylvania Hospital, May 1754, in the next volume.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "07-02-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0116", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Johnson, 2 July 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Johnson, Samuel\nReverend Sir\nPhilada. July 2. 52\nI have sent you via New York 24 of your Books, bound as those I sent you per Post. The Remainder of the 50 are binding in a plainer Manner, and shall be sent as soon as done, and left at Mr. Stuyvesant\u2019s as you order.\nOur Academy, which you so kindly enquire after, goes on well. Since Mr. Martin\u2019s Death, the Latin and Greek School has been under the Care of Mr. Allison a Dissenting Minister, well skilled in those Languages and long practic\u2019d in Teaching: But he refused the Rectorship, or to have any thing to do with the Government of the other Schools. So that remains vacant, and obliges the Trustees to more frequent Visits. We have now several young Gentlemen desirous of entring on the Study of Philosophy, and Lectures are to be opened this Week. Mr. Allison undertakes Logic and Ethics, making your Work his Text, to comment and lecture upon. Mr. Peters, and some other Gentlemen, undertake the other Branches, till we shall be provided with a Rector capable of the whole, who may attend wholly to the Instruction of Youth in these higher Parts of Learning as they come out fitted from the lower Schools. Our Proprietors have lately wrote, that they are extreamly well pleased with the Design, will take our Seminary under their Patronage, give us a Charter, and, as an earnest of their Benevolence Five Hundred Pounds Sterling. And by our opening a Charity School, in which near 100 poor Children are taught Reading, Writing and Arithmetick, with the Rudiments of Religion, we have gain\u2019d the general Good Will of all Sorts of People, from whence Donations and Bequests may be reasonably expected to accrue from time to time. This is our present Situation, and we think it a promising one; especially as the Reputation of our Schools encreases, the Masters being all very capable and diligent, and giving great Satisfaction to all concern\u2019d.\nI have heard of no Exceptions yet made to your Work, nor do I expect any, unless to those Parts that savour of what is called Berkleyanism, which is not well understood here. When any occur, I shall communicate them.\nWith great Esteem and Respect, I am, Dear Sir Your obliged humble Servant\nB Franklin\n Addressed: To \u2002The Revd Dr Saml Johnson \u2002Stratford \u2002Connecticut \u2002Free \u2002B Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "07-02-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0117", "content": "Title: Joshua Crosby to Thomas Hyam and Silvanus Bevan, 2 July 1752\nFrom: Crosby, Joshua\nTo: Hyam, Thomas,Bevan, Silvanus\nThis document, drafted by Franklin and Israel Pemberton, is omitted here for the reason stated above, p. 111; but is printed, with editorial annotation, in Some Account of the Pennsylvania Hospital, May 1754, in the next volume.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "07-07-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0119", "content": "Title: Order of the Mayor and Aldermen Concerning the Constabulary and Watch, 7 July 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nAbout 1735, according to his autobiography, Franklin read a paper to the Junto on the inadequacies of the Philadelphia city watch and proposed a tax-supported permanent watch. Though his scheme was approved by the Junto and its sister clubs, nothing came of it. The conditions Franklin criticized continued to worsen; and in 1743 the Grand Jury presented the watch as ill-organized, poorly managed, and expensive, its charges \u201cUnequal and Grevious to the poorer part of the Citizens\u201d; and asked for a \u201cStated Watch\u201d paid out of taxes. The Philadelphia Council petitioned the Assembly for a law authorizing the changes, but the Assembly took no action. In 1749, reacting to increasing complaints of the citizens, the Grand Jury again presented the \u201cWeakness and Insufficiency\u201d of the watch, and in January 1750 the Council petitioned the Assembly again (Franklin serving on the committee to draft the memorial). A bill was introduced empowering the Philadelphia authorities to light their streets, specify the duties of constables and watchmen, and levy the necessary taxes. The Assembly moved slowly; Governor Hamilton objected to the bill as first passed; and not until February 9, 1751, was it enacted into law. Under this law the mayor, recorder, and aldermen (among whom Franklin was now one) drew up regulations for the town constables and watchmen.\nThe following Orders directing and regulating the Conduct and Duty of the several Constables and Watchmen of the said City now or hereafter to be appointed, in their keeping Watch and Ward within the same City, were made.\nOrdered that the Constables of this City, or so many of them as shall from time to time be agreed upon by the Magistrates and Wardens shall keep Watch and Ward alternately, in such order, as the Magistrates and Wardens shall hereafter direct, from the time of their appointment, during their Continuance in their several offices.\nThat in case of the absence, indisposition, death or Removal of any such Constables his next immediate Successor shall perform his duty for the night, and each of the others in succession following, shall perform their several Duties, as if such Constable had not been named, until he shall return, recover, or a new Constable be appointed in his place.\nThat each Constable shall, on his night of duty, constantly be and attend at the Court House of the said City, from the tenth day of the month called March, to the tenth day of September, from ten a Clock in the Night, until four in the Morning; and from the tenth day of September, to the tenth day of March, from nine a Clock in the night, until six in the Morning, except when he shall be walking his Rounds hereafter mentioned, or be called from thence on some other necessary part of his Duty.\nThat the Constable of the Night shall within half an hour after the time appointed for his Attendance, Call over the Names of the several Watchmen, upon their appearance, deliver each of them his proper staff, kept in the Court House, for that purpose; Send Twelve of them to their appointed Stations hereafter mentioned, and shall retain two for the Service hereafter injoyned; but in Case any one of the said twelve Watchmen be absent when he should repair to his Station, the Constable shall order one of the said two Watchmen to Supply and execute his place and Duty for that night.\nThat such Constable, before one of the Clock shall send the Watchmen hereby ordered to remain with him, alternately, or one of them, in Case the other shall not attend, to all parts of the City, to observe whether the several Watchmen perform their Duties, and shall also afterwards personally go round the several Stations of the Watchmen once a Night, and observe the same; and if any Watchman neglect to meet at the Times appointed as aforesaid, or be found otherwise negligent in his Duty, the Constable shall give Notice thereof on the day following, to at least two of the Wardens.\nThat such Constable shall immediately before the time of Breaking up the Watch, receive at the Court-House from every Watchman on duty that Night, his staff, and Carefully dispose of the same in some Convenient place there, so that it may be ready to be delivered out the Night following, by his Successor, in Manner above prescribed.\nThat such Constable shall on the day next after his night of duty, before the Hour of one, in the afternoon, Deliver to his Successor, the Watch Staff, provided for that purpose, and also the Keys of the Cages &c.\nThat the said Constables, in their Several turns and Courses of Watching, shall use their best endeavours to prevent Fires, Murders, Burglaries, Robberies and other outrages and disorders within the said City; and shall arrest and apprehend all night Walkers, Malefactors and Suspected persons who shall be found wandering and Misbehaving themselves, and shall Carry the Person or Persons, who shall be so apprehended, as soon as conveniently they may, before one or more of the Justices of the Peace, of and for the said City, to be examined and dealt with according to Law.\nOrdered also,\nThat the several Watchmen shall repair to and be at the Court House aforesaid, each Night, from the tenth day of March, to the tenth day of September, at ten a Clock, and from the tenth day of September to the tenth day of March, at nine a Clock, there to receive their staves, and shall afterwards perform the respective duties hereby further enjoined.\nThat one Watchman shall stand at the North-West Corner of Front and Union street, for the first station, who shall from thence go the following rounds, to Wit; Up Front-street, on the East Side, to the first Corner, thence down Water-street, up Pine-street, down second, down Lombard, up front, up Pine, up second, down Spruce, down front-street, to his station.\nThat one Watchman shall stand at the North-West Corner of front and Walnut-street, who shall from thence go the following rounds, to Wit; Up Walnut-street, down second, up Spruce Half way to Third street, thence down Spruce, up front-street to his station.\nThat one Watchman shall stand at the North-West Corner, of Chesnut and Water-street, who shall from thence go the following rounds, to Wit; down Water Street, as Low as Hamilton\u2019s stores, thence up front-street to Market-street, thence down Water-street to his station.\nThat one Watchman shall stand at the North-West Corner of Market and front-street, who shall from thence go the following Rounds, to wit, down front-street, up Chesnut Street, up Second Street, down Market, up front, up Mulberry, down second, down Market Street, to his station.\nThat one Watchman shall stand at the North West Corner of Mulberry and Water street, who shall from thence go the following rounds, to Wit; Up Water Street to Vine Street, thence down front Street to Market-Street, thence Up Water Street, to his Station.\nThat one Watchman shall stand at the North West Corner of Front Street, and Sassafras Street, who shall from thence go the following rounds, to Wit, down front street, up Mulberry, up Second, down Sassafras, up front, up Vine, down Second, down Sassafras Street, to his Station.\nThat one Watchman shall stand at the North West Corner of Mulberry and Second Street, who shall from thence go the following Rounds, to wit; Up Mulberry-Street, up Third Street, up Sassafras, down fourth, down Mulberry, up Third, down Sassafras, down Second-Street, to his Station.\nThat one Watchman shall stand at the North East Corner of Market and Second Street, who shall from thence go the following rounds, to Wit, down Second-Street, up Chesnut-street, up Third, down Market, up Second, up Mulberry, down third, down Market, to his Station.\nThat one Watchman shall stand at the south West Corner of Chesnut and Second Streets, who shall from thence go the following rounds, to Wit; down Chesnut Street, down front Street, up Walnut, up Second, up Chesnut, down Third, down Walnut, up Second Street, to his Station.\nThat one Watchman shall stand at the North West Corner of Chesnut and Third Street, who shall from thence go the following rounds, to Wit; up Third Street, up Market, down fourth, up Chesnut to the State House, thence up Fifth Street, down Market, down fourth, down Chesnut Street, to his Station.\nThat one Watchman shall stand at the North West Corner of Market and Third Streets, who shall from thence go the following rounds, to Wit; up Third Street, up Mulberry as high as Christopher Thompson\u2019s Row, thence return down fourth Street, up Market Street, as high as Fifth Street, thence down Market Street, to his Station.\nThat one Watchman shall stand at the North West Corner of Chesnut and Fourth Streets, who shall from thence go the following rounds, to wit; down Chesnut street on the South Side, then down Third Street, to Charles Willings thence up Walnut, up fourth, up Chesnut, down Fifth, down Walnut, up Fourth Street, to his Station.\nThat each Watchman in his first and Second Rounds, shall examine the Doors of all Dwelling-Houses, Shops, Ware Houses and other Buildings, by gently pushing against them with his Staff, and if they be open, shall acquaint the Owner\u2019s thereof.\nThat each Watchman shall go into all open alleys and Lanes, within the Limits of his rounds.\nThat every Watchman in the Course of each round, shall frequently call the Hour of the Night and Weather, with a Loud and Distinct Voice.\nThat each Watchman after his Several Returns to his Station, shall frequently walk over the two Cross Streets near his Stand, and View them up and down.\nThat every Watchman shall, in the absence of the Constable for the night apprehend all Night Walkers, Malefactors, Rogues, Vagabonds, and disorderly Persons, who they shall find disturbing the publick peace, or shall have just Cause to Suspect of any evil Design and Carry the person or persons so apprehended immediately to the said Constable, to be by him as soon as Conveniently may be taken before one or more Justice or Justices of the Peace for the said City, to be examined and dealt with according to Law, and that the said Watchmen, in case of any fire breaking out, or other great Necessity, shall immediately alarm each other, and the Inhabitants in their respective rounds; which when done, they shall repair to their respective stands, the better to discover any other fire that may happen, as well as to prevent any Burglaries, Robberies, Outrages and disorders and to apprehend any Suspected persons who, in such times of Confusion, may be feloniously Carrying off the goods and Effects of others.\nThat the said Watchmen shall continue in the exercise of their duties aforesaid, from the hours of their Meeting at the Court House, between the tenth day of March and the tenth day of September, until four a Clock; and Between the tenth day of September and the tenth day of March, until Six a Clock in the Morning; at which respective Hours, they shall repair to the Constable of the Night at his station; deliver to him their Staves, and be Discharged.\nPhil: Syng\nRobt: Strettell Mayr.\nHugh Roberts\nTench Francis Recr.\nThomas Crosby\nB Franklin\nJoseph Stretch\nJohn Mifflin\nJacob Cooper\nTho Lawrence\nBenja. Shoemaker", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "08-03-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0122", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Perkins, 3 August 1752\nFrom: Perkins, John\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\n[Sir]\nBoston Augt. 3d. 1752\nThis comes to you on account of Dr. Douglass. He desired me to write to you for what you know of the Number that died of the Inoculation in Philadelphia telling me he design\u2019d to write something on the Small-pox shortly. We shall both be oblig\u2019d to you for a word on this Affair.\nThe chief Particulars of our Visitation you have in the public prints. But the less degree of Mortality than usual in the common way of Infection seems chiefly owing to the purging Method design\u2019d to prevent the secondary Fever A Method first begun and carry\u2019d on in this Town And with Success beyond Expectation. We lost one in 111/6 but had we been experienced in this way at the first coming of the Distemper probably the proportion had been but one in 13 or 14. In the Year 1730 we lost 1 in 9 which is more favourable than ever before with us. The Distemper pretty much the same then as now but some Circumstances not so kind this Time.\nIf there be any particulars which you want please to Signifie what, and I shall send them.\nThe Number of our Inhabitants decreases. On a Strict Inquirie the Overseers of the Poor find but 14,190 Whites and 1,544 Blacks including those Absent on account of the Small pox many of whome \u2019tis probable will never return.\nI pass this Oportunity without any particulars of my old Theme: I believe I have sufficiently tired you and indeed am almost aground for want of Matter. One Thing however I must mention which is that perhaps my last Letters contain\u2019d something that seem\u2019d to militate with your Doctrine of the Origins &c. But my design was only to relate the Phenomena as they appear\u2019d to me. I have receiv\u2019d so much Light and pleasure from your Writings as to prejudice me in Favour of every Thing from your Hand and leave me only Liberty to Observe and a power of dissenting when some great probability might oblige me: And if at any Time that be the Case you will certainly hear of it. I am Sir Your much obliged Humble Servant\nJohn Perkins\n Addressed: For \u2002Mr. Franklin Post-Master \u2002In Philadelphia", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "08-07-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0123", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 7 August 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Strahan, William\nDear Sir\nPhilada. Augt. 7. 1752\nI wrote to you lately per Mesnard, and sent a Bill for \u00a350 Sterling, with a List of Books to be purchased for our Library; a Copy of which I shall send per another Ship that sails in a few Days.\nThis is chiefly to recommend to you Mr. Matthias Harris, a Gentleman of Maryland, and a Friend of mine. As he will be entirely a Stranger in London, your Acquaintance and Advice on any Occasion may be of use to him, and any Civilities you show him shall be esteemed and acknowledged as Favours to Dear Sir, Your obliged humble Servant\t\nB Franklin\n Addressed: To \u2002Mr Wm Strahan \u2002Printer \u2002London \u2002per Mr M. Harris.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "08-08-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0124", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 8 August 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Strahan, William\nDear Sir,\nPhilada. Augt. 8, 1752\nI wrote to you the 20th of June per Mr. Sterling (who I hope is by this Time safe arrived in England) and sent you a Bill of \u00a350 sterling with a List of Books to be procured for our Library. Enclos\u2019d is a Copy, and the 2d Bill.\nI wrote at the same Time for a Pair of Globes of 6, or 8 Guineas Price; a concave Mirror of 12 Inches Diameter and a large Popple\u2019s Mapp; sent you 9 Guineas, and promis\u2019d a Bill per next Ship, which I now accordingly send. It is \u00a320 sterling drawn by Mary Stevens on Alexr. Grant, Esqre. When paid, please to credit my Account with it.\nI have only the 1st vol. of Bower\u2019s History of the Popes. I hear a 2d is publish\u2019d; please to send it bound, dark sprinkled, filleted and letter\u2019d.\nI wrote you a few Days since, recommending to your Notice an old Acquaintance, who is bound Home from Maryland, to obtain holy Orders. His Name Matthias Harris. Any Civilities you show him, as he will be an entire Stranger in London, I shall gratefully acknowledge\u2014only I ought to acquaint you, that he has always had a strong Panchant to the buying of Books, and that some late Misfortunes have rendered it more inconvenient to him to gratify that Taste than it has been heretofore.\nMy Wife, Son and Daughter, desire to be respectfully remember\u2019d to you, Mrs. Strahan and Master Billy. I am, Dear Sir, Your obliged humble Servant\nB Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "08-13-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0125", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Perkins, 13 August 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Perkins, John\nSir,\nPhiladelphia, Aug. 13, 1752\nI received your favour of the 3d instant. Some time last winter I procured from one of our physicians an account of the number of persons inoculated during the five visitations of the small-pox we have had in 22 years; which account I sent to Mr. W[illiam] V[assall], of your town, and have no copy. If I remember right, the number exceeded 800, and the deaths were but 4. I suppose Mr. V[assall] will shew you the account, if he ever received it. Those four were all that our doctors allow to have died of the small-pox by inoculation, though I think there were two more of the inoculated who died of the distemper; but the eruptions appearing soon after the operation, it is supposed they had taken the infection before, in the common way.\nI shall be glad to see what Dr. Douglass may write on the subject. I have a French piece printed at Paris 1724, entitled, Observations sur la Saign\u00e9e du Pied, et sur la Purgation au commencement de la Petite Verole, & Raisons de doubte contre l\u2019Inoculation. A letter of the doctor\u2019s is mentioned in it. If he or you have it not, and desire to see it, I\u2019ll send it. Please to favour me with the particulars of your purging method, to prevent the secondary fever.\nI am indebted for your preceding letter, but business sometimes obliges one to postpone philosophical amusements. Whatever I have wrote of that kind, are really, as they are entitled, but Conjectures and Suppositions; which ought always to give place, when careful observation militates against them. I own I have too strong a penchant to the building of hypotheses; they indulge my natural indolence: I wish I had more of your patience and accuracy in making observations, on which, alone, true Philosophy can be founded. And, I assure you, nothing can be more obliging to me, than your kind communication of those you make, however they may disagree with my pre-conceived notions.\nI am sorry to hear that the number of your inhabitants decreases. I some time since, wrote a small paper of Thoughts on the peopling of Countries, which, if I can find, I will send you, to obtain your sentiments. The favourable opinion you express of my writings, may, you see, occasion you more trouble than you expected from, Sir, Yours, &c.\nB.F.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "08-15-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0126", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 15 August 1752\nFrom: Collinson, Peter\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nLond Augt. 15: 1752\nI had the pleasure of my Dear friend Letter of June 19th: It gives Mee concern for find my Letters Miscarried, for I writ both by Neat Ship and by Mesnard and I keep no Coppys. Indeed what I write generally in a Hurry does not deserve It but there was some things my Friends may be glad to know. In particular there was J. Bartrams Orders and Letters of advice of the Two silver Watches Inclosed in thy Letter which I Deliverd at the Coffeehouse and saw putt in the Bagg.\nOur friend Jackson is prepareing his Observation and remarks on thy Curious paper which I will send by first Ship as Here is several to sail this autumn.\nIt Delights Mee to hear that the Academy goes on so finely. The Proprietors have strong Inclinations to Encourage and support It which must prove of universal Bennefit in every Capacity publick and private.\nThe Books are getting ready but I am afraid not time enough to Come by this Ship. A few books I send for the L:C: Voltair will please thee.\nThe Map was very acceptable but pray how happend the place not to be Marked where the State House stands which is a fine Ornamental Building.\nOur papers are full of Electrical Experiments. Thou sees a Little Electrical Hint give at Philadelphia has stimulated all Europe. I have not yet got a french Translation. Expect it soone.\nIn some of my Spring Letters I took some Notice of Mr. Peters Sermon. Is that come to hand?\nBy Moses Bartram sent parcell Books who I hope is come safe.\nMr. Greenwood has been several times with Mee is a pretty Intelligent young Man. He has promissed to take Care of this pacquet.\nBy my Friend J. Bartrams Letter of June 17th I hope he has recoverd the Cold that was so severe. I cannot answer his Letter by this Occation. His Clocks &c. will come in the Trunk of books.\nNow my Dear friend Farewell\nP Collinson\nPlease to tell J: Bartram that Govr. Shirley has paid for his Seeds. Pray tell J: Bartram to send Mee a Book of his Medicina Britannice for Doc Linnaeus in Sweeden and one for my self.\n Addressed: To \u2002Ben Franklin \u2002Esqr \u2002Pensilvania", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "08-17-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0127", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from George Whitefield, 17 August 1752\nFrom: Whitefield, George\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nDear Mr. F[ranklin],\nLondon, Aug. 17, 1752\nInclosed you have a letter for Mr. R\u2014. I hope that promotion will do him no hurt. May God help him to make a stand against vice and prophaneness, and to exert his utmost efforts in promoting true religion and virtue! This is the whole of man. I find that you grow more and more famous in the learned world. As you have made a pretty considerable progress in the mysteries of electricity, I would now humbly recommend to your diligent unprejudiced pursuit and study the mystery of the new-birth. It is a most important, interesting study, and when mastered, will richly answer and repay you for all your pains. One at whose bar we are shortly to appear, hath solemnly declared, that without it, \u201cwe cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.\u201d You will excuse this freedom. I must have aliquid Christi in all my letters. I am yet a willing pilgrim for his great name sake, and I trust a blessing attends my poor feeble labours. To the giver of every good gift be all the glory. My respects await your whole self, and all enquiring friends, and hoping to see you yet once more in this land of the dying, I subscribe myself, dear Sir, Your very affectionate friend, and obliged servant,\nG.W.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "08-19-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0128", "content": "Title: Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on the State of the Currency, 19 August 1752\nFrom: Pennsylvania Assembly Committee\nTo: \nOn March 11 the Assembly resumed consideration of Governor Hamilton\u2019s refusal to assent to a bill for striking \u00a320,000 in paper currency (see above, p. 272); they then ordered that Evan Morgan, Franklin, Richard Walker, George Ashbridge, James Wright, and John Wright \u201cbe a Committee to enquire into the State of our Paper Currency, our foreign and domestick Trade; and the Number of People within this Province, and report thereon to the next Sitting of Assembly.\u201d The committee made its report August 19; and three days later it was referred to the next Assembly for consideration. It was taken up on January 17, 1753, and the House adopted certain resolutions upon it (see below, 496).\nAugust 19, 1752\nIn Obedience to the Order of the House, your Committee have enquired into the State and Circumstances of the Paper Currency of this Province, our foreign and domestick Trade, Numbers of People, &c. and do find,\nThat in the Year 1723, the first Experiment of Paper Money was made in Pennsylvania, by striking and emitting on Loan, upon real Securities, the Sum of Fifteen Thousand Pounds. And the ill Consequences apprehended by some, as necessarily attending such a Currency, not appearing, but on the contrary great and manifest Advantages to the Publick immediately ensuing, the Government were induced to pass another Act the same Year, for issuing a farther Sum of Thirty Thousand Pounds.\nExperience demonstrating more and more the Benefit arising from this Currency to the Province, by the Encrease of Trade and People, and Improvement of Lands, and the Sum of Forty-five Thousand Pounds not being found sufficient for the Occasions of Commerce, the General Assembly did, in the Year 1729, strike and emit a farther Sum of Thirty Thousand Pounds, and in 1739 a small additional Sum, with which, the whole Currency then amounted to Eighty Thousand Pounds; and there has since been no Addition, except the Sum of Five Thousand Pounds, struck for the King\u2019s Use in 1746, great Part of which is already sunk by yearly Quota\u2019s of Five Hundred Pounds out of the Excise, as by Law directed.\nThat the Sum of Eighty Thousand Pounds, emitted on Loan, and now current, is, by Law, to continue entire not quite four Years longer, when it must begin to sink, in the Proportion of One Sixth Part per Annum, so that in six Years the whole may be sunk and destroyed; and the Province will then be left without any Currency, except that precarious One of Silver, which cannot be depended on, being continually wanted to ship Home, as Returns, to pay for the Manufactures of Great-Britain.\nThat in 1723, and for some Years before, the Trade of this Province languished for want of a Medium; Building and Planting were discouraged, and the Inhabitants in City and Country rather diminished than increased. This is not only consistent with the Knowledge of some of your Committee, who well remember the distressed Circumstances of the People at that Time, that many Tradesmen and others left the Country, and that a great Number of Houses were vacant and untenanted in the City: But the swift Declension of our Trade appears from the Custom-house Entries, where we find, that the Vessels cleared from the Port of Philadelphia in the Year 1721 were 130, in 1722 but 110, and in 1723 only 85.\nFrom that Period both the City and Country have flourished and encreased in a most suprizing Manner. The Encrease of the City appears even to the Eye of every common Observer, the Number of new Buildings much exceeding the Old. It appears also by comparing the Bills of Mortality: For in the Year 1722, the Burials in Philadelphia, of all Ages, Sects and Colours, amounted to no more than 188, an exact Account being for that Year published monthly. Of the preceding and next following Years we find no Account; but from November 20, 1729, to November 19, 1730, the Burials were 244; and from November 18, 1731, to November 16, 1732, they were 254, notwithstanding that in the intermediate Year, the Small-pox raging in the Town, had alone carried off near 240 Persons, and swell\u2019d the Bill for that Year to 490. From hence to 1738, no Account is come to our Hands; but from December 25, 1738, to December 25, 1744, the Burials amounted to 3179, which being, at a Medium, 454 per Annum, shews the great Increase of Inhabitants to that Time; and since 1744, the Encrease is thought rather to have exceeded in Proportion.\nYour Committee have endeavoured to procure from the yearly Tax Books, Accounts of the Number of taxable Inhabitants in the Counties of this Province for several Years, since the first striking of Paper Money; and tho\u2019 the Accounts they have obtained are not so perfect as could be wished (some of those Books being lost or mislaid) yet they find sufficient to show that a very great Addition has been made, viz. In the City and County of Philadelphia, it appears that there were in the Year 1720 but 1995 Taxables; in the Year 1740 they amounted to 4850; and in the Year 1751 they were 7100.\nFor the County of Bucks we have only obtained an Account of the present Number of Taxables, which amounts to 3012, exclusive of the Moravians at Bethlehem, whose Numbers are unknown: But inasmuch as there were few or no Settlements above Durham before 1723, and that there are now so many as to be formed into a new County by this Assembly; and the Lower Settlements are grown much thicker, not only by natural Encrease, but by Addition of People from Ireland and Germany, it is not doubted but that County may have increased in equal Proportion with the County of Philadelphia.\nFrom the Tax Books of Chester County we learn, that in the Year 1732 their Taxables amounted to 2157, in 1737 they were 2532, in 1742 they were 3007, in 1747 they were 3444, and this present Year, 1752, they amount to 3951; which shows that County to have nearly doubled itself in the last twenty Years. And tho\u2019 we have no Accounts of their Number in 1723, the first Year of Paper Money, yet it is known, that their Encrease was so great between that Time and the Year 1729, as to occasion a Division of the County, their Frontier Settlements being then erected into a new County, by the Name of Lancaster.\nOf the Number of Taxables in the County of Lancaster, we have no earlier Account than that for the Year 1738, which amounted to 2560: Since that Time Lancaster County has so encreased and extended its Settlements as to bear a double Division, two new Counties, York and Cumberland, being about three Years since taken out of it; and yet the Account of Taxables in Lancaster County this present Year, amounts to 3977, of which 311 live in the fine Town of Lancaster, a Town not much more than twenty Years old.\nThe County of York (taken, as is said before, out of Lancaster) had in 1749 Taxables 1466, in 1750 they were 1798, and in 1751 they amounted to 2043, which shews an Encrease of near one Third in two Years.\nThe County of Cumberland had, when separated from Lancaster, in 1749, but 807 Taxables; in 1751 they amounted to 1134, which is an Encrease yet greater than that of York County.\nThat the Trade of this Province has likewise greatly increased since the first striking of Paper Money, appears from the Custom-House Accounts of Vessels cleared from the Port of Philadelphia, which, as we have said before, were, in the Year 1723, no more than 85; but in 1730 they amounted to 171; in 1735 they were 212; and from August 1749, to this present August 1752, being three Years, they amount to 1210, which at a Medium is 403 per Annum, being near 5 now for 1 in the year 1723.\nThat our Consumption of the Manufactures of our Mother Country has proportionably increased, appears from the same Accounts. Since in the Year 1723 we had but two Ships from London; whereas between the 18th of August 1748, and this present Date, they amount to Thirty-seven, which make on an Average nine Ships per Annum, who have generally come full of Goods, besides many others from the Out-ports of Britain not reckoned.\nThis increasing Consumption of Goods from England (exclusive of Linen, &c. from Scotland and Ireland) appears more particularly by an authentick Account from J. Oxenford, Inspector General of the Customs, as laid before the Parliament in 1748, where we find that the whole Exports to Pennsylvania,\nSterling.\nIn 1723 amounted but to\n  In 1730 they amounted to\n  In 1737 they were\n  In 1742 they were\n  In 1747 they were\nsince which we have no Account, but it is well known that within these five Years the English Trade is greatly augmented.\nOur Domestick or Inland Trade is so connected with and dependent on our foreign Commerce, as that it is difficult to distinguish, or obtain any separate Account of it: But that it must have increas\u2019d proportionably with the People, is easy to conceive; that our Indian Trade particularly is extended many hundred Miles farther Westward, to numerous, new and strange Nations, is well known; and that the Number of Waggons employ\u2019d in exchanging and conveying Commodities from one Part of the Province to another, has been very greatly augmented within these few Years, is a Matter of common and general Observation.\nFurnishing the Country with a Medium of Trade, and of a Kind that could not, to any Purpose, be exported, as it facilitated mutual Commerce, lessened our Taxes by the Interest it produced, and made it more easy for every one to obtain ready Pay for his Labour, Produce or Goods (a Medium so evidently wanted at the Time Paper Money was first issued) has doubtless been one great Means of the subsequent Encrease of our Trade and People, by inducing Strangers to come and settle among us. But your Committee conceive, that the Manner of issuing this Medium contributed no less to those happy Effects than the Medium itself. It was by the Laws directed to be emitted on Loan, in Sums of Twelve Pounds Ten Shillings, and upwards, not exceeding One Hundred Pounds to one Person, for a long Term, on easy Interest, and payable in yearly Quota\u2019s; which put it in the Power of many to purchase Lands, and make Plantations (the Loan-Office enabling them to pay the Purchase so easily) and thereby to acquire Estates to themselves, and to support and bring up Families; but who, without that Assistance, would probably have continued longer in a single State, and as Labourers for others, or have quitted the Country in Search of better Fortune. This easy Means of acquiring landed Estates to themselves, has, we suppose, been one principal Encouragement to the great Removal hither, of People from Ireland and Germany, where they were only, and could scarce ever expect to be other than Tenants. And that happy Contrivance in our Money Laws, by which the yearly Quota\u2019s are, as fast as paid in, re-emitted to other Borrowers, makes the same Quantity of Currency serviceable in their Turns to a much greater Number of People; thereby lessening the Necessity and Demand for striking great additional Sums, which, if carried to Excess, might depreciate the Value of the Currency.\nYet had this easy Method of obtaining Money for the Purchase and Improvement of Lands, kept Pace, as it ought to have done, with the growing Numbers of People, your Committee conceive, that our Encrease, great as it is, would probably have been much greater: For during many Years past, thro\u2019 the Smallness of the Sum to be from Time to Time re-emitted, not only those admitted to borrow were obliged to be content with small Proportions, but many who could give ample Security, have been delay\u2019d and disappointed. Even at this present Time, tho\u2019 Applications by failing of Success have been so much discouraged, we are informed there are no less than 1000 Appliers on the List, who wait their Turn to be supplied. And within these ten Years, a vast Multitude of our Inhabitants have, to procure Settlements, wandered away to other Places.\nThat it should be easy for the industrious Poor to obtain Lands, and acquire Property in a Country, may indeed be chargeable with one Inconvenience, to wit, That it keeps up the Price of Labour, and makes it more difficult for the old Settler to procure working Hands, the Labourers very soon setting up for themselves: (And accordingly we find, that tho\u2019 perhaps not less than 30,000 Labourers have been imported into this Province within these twenty Years, Labour continues as dear as ever.) Yet this Inconvenience is perhaps more than ballanced by the rising Value of his Lands, occasion\u2019d by Encrease of People; and to the Publick in General, Numbers of substantial Inhabitants have been always reckon\u2019d an Advantage. In fine, by rendering the Means of purchasing Land easy to the Poor, the Dominions of the Crown are strengthen\u2019d and extended; the Proprietaries dispose of their Wilderness Territory; and the British Nation secures the Benefit of its Manufactures, and increases the Demand for them: For so long as Land can be easily procur\u2019d for Settlements between the Atlantick and Pacifick Oceans, so long will Labour be dear in America; and while Labour continues dear, we can never rival the Artificers, or interfere with the Trade of our Mother Country.\nAll which is humbly submitted to the House, by\nBenjamin Franklin,\nEvan Morgan,\nRichard Walker,\nPeter Worrall.\nGeorge Ashbridge,", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "08-26-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0129", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 26 August 1752\nFrom: Strahan, William\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nDear Sir\nLondon August 26. 1752\nI was favoured with yours of June 20, inclosing a Bill for \u00a350 for the Library Company of Philadelphia, which is paid, and an Order for some Books from them, which I have sent as on the preceding Leaf, amounting to \u00a348 9s. 0d. So that I remain indebted to them .\u00a31 11s. 0d. I have sent every thing that could be procured, except Catesby\u2019s Carolina Coloured, which as it is a very dear Book, (no less than \u00a318) and consequently much exceeded the \u00a350, (which you desire me not to do) I have omitted. Savary is publishing in Numbers, but I fancy the Society would rather have it all at once, and not peacemale. Please let me know by your next. I am very much obliged to you for your kind Recommendation, and hope the Prices are such as will give Satisfaction. I am sure they are as low as can be afforded. If there are any Mistakes, they shall be rectified next Occasion. Mean time, with my Complements to the Society, I remain Dear Sir Your obliged and obedient Servant\nWill: Strahan\n Addressed: To \u2002Mr Franklin at \u2002Philadelphia \u2002By the Peak Bay \u2002Captain Stirling \u2002Q.D.C.\nInvoice of Books for the Library Company of Philadelphia shipt on board the Peak Bay Captain Stirling August 22. 1752\nTravels of Alexr. Drummond Esq. (not yet published)\nNeale\u2019s Uranographia Britannica (can\u2019t find it)\nSavary\u2019s Dictionary of Trade (publishing in Numbers)\nBlair\u2019s New Tables of Chronology (not published yet)\nArgument of Divine Legation fairly Stated\nAlston\u2019s Critical Observations on Shakespear\nGregorian and Julian Calendars expld by Hawkins\nEpistle to the Earl of Orrery, by Henry Jones\nHume\u2019s Enquiry concerning Morals\n\u2014\u2014 Political Discourses\nTucker\u2019s Essay on the Trade of Britain and France\nThe Agreeable Medley\nConsiderations on Proposals for Relief of the Poor\nA Letter to the Author of these Considerations (out of print)\nHistory of Debts and Taxes from 1688 to 1752 3 parts\nThe Value of a Child\nDinsdale\u2019s Isocrates\nOppian\u2019s Haleuticks translated\nMably\u2019s Observations on the Romans\nRevolutions of Genoa 3 vol.\nTheory and Practise of Commerce, by Kippas 2 vol.\nLord Somers\u2019s Collection of Tracts, 4to., 12 vols.\nLowman\u2019s Dissertation on the Hebrew Government\nSimpson\u2019s Conic Sections, English (never translated)\nGrove\u2019s Moral Philosophy, 2 vol.\nKing\u2019s Origin of Evil, with Law\u2019s Notes\nBohours Art of Logic and Rhetorick\n\u2014\u2014\u2014 Ingenious Thoughts of the Fathers\nArbuthnot\u2019s Rules of Diet 8 vo.\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 Miscellaneous Works, 2 vol. 12mo.\nD\u2019Argens Philosophy of Common Sense\nBrownrig\u2019s Method of making Common Salt\nFeuquiere\u2019s Memoirs 2 vol. 8vo.\nGibson\u2019s Method of Dieting Horses\nPilot\u2019s Theory of Working Ships\nTurnbull\u2019s System of Universal Law, 2 vol.\nCheneaux\u2019s true French Master\nEmanuel Bowen\u2019s Complete Atlas, coloured\nCrito, a Dialogue on Beauty (out of print)\nObservations on the English Language\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 on the Practice of a Justice of Peace\nRolt\u2019s Conduct of the Powers in Europe, 4 vol.\n\u2014\u2014 Memoirs of the Earl of Crawford (not published)\nBurlamaqui\u2019s Principles of Natural Law\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 of Politick Law\nOrations of Demosthenes\nModern Story Teller 2 vol.\nBrown\u2019s Essay on the Characteristics\nNew Designs for convenient Farm-houses\nPringle on the Diseases of the Army\nBolingbroke\u2019s Letters on the Study of History 2v.\nWinstanley\u2019s New Form of Self-Examination\nMiddleton\u2019s Miscellaneous Works 4 vol.\nTreatise on the Teeth by A. Tolver\nNecessity of an able bodied Watch\nVoltaire\u2019s Elements of Newtonian Philosophy\nHippocrates on Air, Water, Situation, &c.\nHalley\u2019s Astronomical Tables\nFoster\u2019s Discourses on Natural Religion, 2d vol.\nManningham\u2019s Complete Treatise of Mines\nEugenia, a Trajedy, by Mr. Francis\nThe Complete Juryman\nChurchill\u2019s Voyages Volumes 7th and 8th\nLife of Boerhaave\nSmith\u2019s Compendious Division\nCatesby\u2019s Carolina, 2 vol. coloured, (will cost \u00a318)\nTreatise concerning the Militia\nRambler, 6 vols. (wrote by Mr. Samuel Johnson Author of the New English Dictionary)\nPolite Epistolary Correspondence\nAyscough on the Eye and Spectacles\nHill\u2019s Review of the Works of the Royal Society\nPortuguese Grammar\nAyre\u2019s Life of Pope, 2 vol.\nCampbell\u2019s Lives of the Admirals 4 vol.\nSpirit of the Laws, 2 vol.\nDu fresnoy\u2019s Art of Painting, by Dryden\nWoodward\u2019s Natural History of Fossils\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 the Earth\nKeil\u2019s Examination of Burnet\u2019s Theory\nLetters concerning Mythology\nTurnbull\u2019s Classical Dictionary, 2 vol.\nGuthrie\u2019s Character of an Orator\n\u2014\u2014 Morals of Cicero\nCambray on Eloquence\nBaxter\u2019s Appendix to his Enquiry into the H[uman] Soul\nDe Pile\u2019s Art of Painting\nBanier\u2019s Mythology, 4 vol.\nCondamine\u2019s Figure of the Earth determined\nLeland\u2019s Divine Authority of O. and N. Test. asserted\nClark\u2019s Origin of Evil, 2 vol.\nHayes\u2019s Negociator\u2019s Magazine\nLex Parliamentaria\nMemoirs of the Royal Academy of Surgery at Paris 2 vol.\nSir William Petty\u2019s Essays (not to be had)\nEssays on the Emprovement of Time (out of print)\nPolygraphic Dictionary, 2 vol.\nFontenelle on Oracles\nSolomon Lowe\u2019s Arithmetic\nSheridan\u2019s Persius\nPlott\u2019s Natural History of Oxfordshire and Staffordsh. 2 vol.\nChaucer\u2019s Works, 3 vol.\nShort\u2019s Observations on the Bills of Mortality\nLeCat\u2019s Physical Essay on the Senses\nCleghorn\u2019s Observations on Diseases of Minorca\nNewton\u2019s Milton 8vo. 2 vol.\nHill\u2019s History of the Materia Medica 4to\nOliver\u2019s Essay on Warm-bathing (out of print)\nHolmes\u2019s Geography\nSalmon\u2019s Geographical Grammar\nPhilosophical Letters upon Physiognomies\nDeLairesse\u2019s Art of Painting (not to be had)\nTrunk and Matt\nFreight, Primage, &c.\nInsurance of \u00a350 @ 2s. 10d. per Cent and Policy", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "09-01-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0130", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 1 September 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Strahan, William\nDear Sir,\nPhilada. Sept. 1. 1752\nThis is only to enclose a second Bill for \u00a320 Sterling, drawn on Alexr Grant Esqr per Mrs. Mary Stevens. I am, Yours affectionately\nB Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "09-14-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0132", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Edward and Jane Mecom, 14 September 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Mecom, Edward,Mecom, Jane\nDear Brother and Sister\nPhilada. Sept. 14. 1752, ns.\nBenny sail\u2019d from hence this Day two Weeks, and left our Capes the Sunday following. They are seldom above 3 Weeks on the Voyage to Antigua.\nThat Island is reckoned one of the healthiest in the West Indies. My late Partner there enjoy\u2019d perfect Health for four Years, till he grew careless and got to sitting up late in Taverns, which I have caution\u2019d Benny to avoid, and have given him all other necessary Advice I could think of relating both to his Health and Conduct, and hope for the best.\nHe will find the Business settled to his Hand, a Newspaper establish\u2019d, no other Printing-house to interfere with him or beat down his Prices, which are much higher than we get on the Continent. He has the Place on the same Terms with his Predecessor, who I understand cleared 5 or 600 Pistoles during the 4 Years he lived there.\nI have recommended him to some Gentlemen of Note, for their Patronage and Advice.\nMr. Parker, tho\u2019 he look\u2019d on Benny as one of his best Hands, readily consented to his going on the first Mentioning of it. I told him Benny must make him Satisfaction for his Time. He said he would leave that to be settled by me; and Benny as readily agreed with me to pay Mr. Parker as much as would hire a good Journeyman in his Room. He came handsomely provided with Apparel, and I believe Mr. Parker has in every respect done his Duty by him; and in this Affair has really acted a generous Part; therefore I hope if Benny succeeds in the World he will make Mr. Parker a Return beyond what he has promis\u2019d. I suppose you will not think it amiss to write Mr. and Mrs. Parker a Line or two of Thanks; for notwithstanding some little Misunderstandings, they have on the whole been very kind to Benny.\nWe have Vessels very frequently going from this Port to Antigua. You have some too from your Port. What Letters you send this way, I\u2019ll take Care to forward.\nAntigua is the Seat of Government for all the Leeward Islands, to wit, St. Christophers, Nevis, and Montserrat. Benny will have the Business of all those Islands, there being no other Printer.\nAfter all, having taken care to do what appears to us to be for the best, we must submit to God\u2019s Providence, which orders all things really for the best.\nWhile Benny was here, and since, our Assembly was sitting, which took up my Time, that I could not before write you so fully.\nWith Love to your Children, I am, Dear Brother and Sister, Your affectionate Brother\nB Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "09-27-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0133", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 27 September 1752\nFrom: Collinson, Peter\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nMy Dear Friend\nIn thine of June 19 mention is made of not receiveing a Letter which is a disappoinment to mee who keeps no Coppys. I always am carefull to Carry Letters my Self so how it should happen can\u2019t say and I took particular care to write by Mesnard because of the books and Johns Watches and I saw it putt in the bagg. That Two should miscarry I cannot comprehend and I always Inclose John Bartrams in thine for more Certainty. It gives Mee unspeakable Joye to heare your Seminary of Learning has so promissing an aspect. Pray Lett Mee hear from Time to Time. I wish my Little offices has been of any Service. Your Electrical Observations came safe and packquet Deliverd to Mr. Jackson. His acknowledgement went by the Vessel that Sail\u2019d before this. I put it my Self into the Letter Box.\nI am much Obliged for the pretty Mapp. There wants a good one of your Capital. I lent the Curious Account of your Births and Burials &c. to a Curious friend and it can\u2019t be found which gives Mee Concern. Pray send another.\nAll Europe is in Agitation on Verifying Electrical Experiments on points. All commends the Thought of the Inventor. More I dare not Saye least I offend Chast Ears.\nI writt by Jo: Greenwood who I hope is arrived safe and sent books &c.\nAll Admire our Friend Peters Sermon. I wish my Dear Friend you\u2019l oblige the Ingenious part of Mankind with a publick View of your Observations &c. on the Increase of Mankind. I don\u2019t find anyone has hit it off so well. This very short commendation may be allow\u2019d Mee without offence. The Bagg waits takeing away so must conclude with my best wishes for thy preservation and am thy Affectionate friend\nP Collinson\nI have many things to say but time wont permit the Ship going sooner then I Expected.\n Addressed: To \u2002Benn Franklin Esqr \u2002Philadelphia", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "10-19-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0135", "content": "Title: The Kite Experiment, 19 October 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nFranklin was the first scientist to propose that the identity of lightning and electricity could be proved experimentally, but he was not the first to suggest that identity, nor even the first to perform the experiment. For many years pioneer electricians had noted the similarity between electrical discharges and lightning, and in 1746 John Freke in England and Johann Heinrich Winkler in Germany separately advanced the idea of identity and suggested theories to account for it. Franklin\u2019s later adversary the Abb\u00e9 Nollet wrote to the same effect in 1748. Franklin and his Philadelphia collaborators, working independently, also observed the similarities, and in his letter of April 29, 1749, to John Mitchell on thundergusts he took as the basis for his entire discussion the hypothesis that clouds are electrically charged. In the \u201cminutes\u201d he kept of his experiments he listed under the date of November 7, 1749, twelve particulars in which \u201celectrical fluid agrees with lightning,\u201d and noted further that \u201cthe electrical fluid is attracted by points,\u201d but that it was not yet known whether this property was also in lightning. \u201cBut since they agree in all other particulars wherein we can already compare them, is it not probable they agree likewise in this? Let the experiment be made.\u201d\nHowever obvious the suggestion of such an experiment may now seem, no one had made it before. Herein lies Franklin\u2019s principal claim to priority in this great discovery. A test of lightning required the prior discoveries embodied in the \u201cdoctrine of points,\u201d of which he was the undisputed author, and the knowledge he had gained of the role of grounding in electrical experiments. It was the pointed metal rod, with its peculiar effectiveness in electrical discharge, which both led to the suggestion and facilitated the experiment.\nIn the following March Franklin, writing to Collinson, suggested that pointed rods, instead of the usual round balls of wood or metal, be placed on the tops of weathervanes and masts, and that they would draw the electrical fire \u201cout of a cloud silently,\u201d thereby preserving buildings and ships from being struck by lightning. He repeated the suggestion in July 1750 in his \u201cOpinions and Conjectures,\u201d with the important addition that a wire be run down from the rod to the ground or water, and he then proposed the \u201csentry-box\u201d experiment. This was the first public suggestion of an experiment to prove the identity of lightning and electricity.\nAccording to Joseph Priestley, who almost certainly received his information directly from Franklin about fifteen years later, he did not perform the experiment himself at once because he believed a tower or spire would be needed to reach high enough to attract the electrical charge from a thunder cloud, and there was no structure in Philadelphia he deemed adequate for the purpose. Presumably he was waiting until Christ Church steeple, then in the early discussion stage, should be erected. English scientists, who could have read Franklin\u2019s proposal when it was published in Experiments and Observations in April 1751, apparently failed to recognize its significance. But about a year later, in the spring of 1752, when a translation had been published in Paris, the French reaction was very different. Delor, \u201cmaster of experimental philosophy,\u201d repeated most of Franklin\u2019s experiments before the King, and then in May Dalibard, Franklin\u2019s translator, and Delor each set up apparatus which performed successfully the \u201cPhiladelphia experiment\u201d of drawing electricity from a thunder cloud. Word of these achievements awoke the English electricians, and during the summer of 1752 the experiment was repeated several times in England as well as in France and Germany.\nAt some time during 1751 or 1752 Franklin got the idea that he could send his conductor high enough by means of a kite, and that if it were flown during a thunder shower, the wet string might serve to bring the electrical charge down within reach. When the idea first came to him and just when he carried it out cannot be established with absolute certainty. Priestley wrote that the famous experiment with kite and key took place during June 1752, and the present editors believe there is no good reason to doubt the correctness of this date. If so, then Franklin performed his experiment before he learned of what Dalibard and Delor had done in France.\nAlmost never during these years did Franklin report a particular electrical experiment until some time had elapsed and this affair seems to have been no exception. Word of Dalibard\u2019s and Delor\u2019s successes reached Philadelphia toward the end of August and the Pennsylvania Gazette of August 27 carried a short account reprinted from the May issue of the London Magazine. During September Franklin erected a lightning rod on his own house, ingeniously equipping it with bells that would ring when the wire became charged and thus notify him when the atmosphere above the house was electrified. Then at last, on October 19, he printed in the Gazette a brief statement about the kite experiment with instructions for repeating it. The text of this statement, transmitted to Collinson, was read to the Royal Society on December 21. Neither in this paper nor at any later time did Franklin\u2014or Priestley on his behalf\u2014ever claim priority in carrying out the experiment he had been the first to propose.\nThe same October 19 issue of the Gazette also announced that Poor Richard for 1753 was then \u201cIn the Press, and speedily will be published\u201d; in that almanac Franklin printed for the first time precise instructions for the erection of lightning rods for the protection of buildings. The sequence of events in this somewhat complicated chain may be clarified by the following chronology:\nApril 29:\nFranklin to Mitchell on thundergusts, discusses the electrical charge in clouds.\nNovember 7:\nFranklin\u2019s \u201cMinutes\u201d list points of similarity of lightning and electricity and call for experiment to prove their identity.\n[March 2]:\nFranklin to Collinson suggests protection of buildings and ships by pointed rods.\nJuly 29:\n\u201cOpinions and Conjectures\u201d repeats substance of next above with proposal for grounding of rods; suggests \u201csentry-box\u201d experiment; further discusses similarity of lightning and electricity.\nApril:\nExperiments and Observations published in London, containing above documents of April 29, 1749, and July 29, 1750.\nJune 6:\nWatson reviews Franklin\u2019s treatise before Royal Society but ignores suggestions for lightning rods and \u201csentry-box\u201d experiment.\nFebruary:\nExperiments and Observations translated and published in Paris.\nMay 10:\nDalibard\u2019s assistant successfully carries out Franklin\u2019s proposed experiment at Marly, France.\nMay 18:\nDelor repeats the experiment in Paris. Other repetitions during following summer in France.\nMay 20 and 26:\nFrench reports on Dalibard and Delor experiments sent to England.\n[June]:\nGentleman\u2019s Magazine and London Magazine issues for May both print translations of the French reports.\nJune:\nAccording to Priestley, Franklin performs the kite experiment in Philadelphia.\nJuly\u2013August:\nCanton, Wilson, and Bevis separately repeat the French experiments in England.\nAugust 27:\nPennsylvania Gazette reprints the French report of May 26 from London Magazine.\nSeptember:\nFranklin erects a lightning rod with bell attachment on his house.\nOctober 19:\nPennsylvania Gazette prints Franklin\u2019s statement of the kite experiment and states that Poor Richard (containing lightning-rod instructions) is now in press.\nDecember 21:\nFranklin\u2019s statement of kite experiment read to Royal Society.\nUnfortunately, Franklin\u2019s statement of the kite experiment has not been found in his own handwriting. Two text versions survive: that printed in the Pennsylvania Gazette of October 19, 1752, reprinted below; and a copy in the hand of Peter Collinson, now in the Royal Society. Aside from unimportant variations in paragraphing, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation, the Collinson copy differs from the Gazette version in several respects: (1) It is headed \u201cFrom Benn: Franklin Esqr To P Collinson\u201d and is dated \u201cPhiladelphia Octo: 1: 1752.\u201d (2) At the end, following the words \u201ccompleatly demonstrated,\u201d Collinson skipped the equivalent of about three lines, then added in two lines: \u201cSee his Kite Experiment\u201d and \u201cto be printed with the rest.\u201d These lines were later struck out. (3) In the intervening space and running on to the right of the two canceled lines appears the following insertion not in Collinson\u2019s hand, but in one which is strikingly like that of William Watson: \u201cI was pleased to hear of the Success of my experiments in France, and that they there begin to Erect points on their buildings. Wee had before placed them upon our Academy and Statehouse Spires.\u201d (4) The paper is endorsed in the hand of a Royal Society clerk: \u201cLetter of Benjamin Franklin Esq to Mr. Peter Collinson F.R.S. concerning an Electrical Kite. Read at R.S. 21 Decemb. 1752. Ph. Trans. XLVII. p. 565.\u201d\nThese text differences present several puzzles. The heading and date (item 1) have led several writers to believe that the text which follows is an extract of a letter from Franklin to Collinson of October 1, written more than two weeks before the statement was printed in the Gazette. In that case the Gazette text would be an extract from this earlier letter to Collinson. This is possible, but it leaves unexplained Franklin\u2019s undated letter to Collinson, assigned below (p. 376) to the latter part of October, in which he wrote that he was sending, among other items, \u201cmy kite experiment in the Pennsylvania Gazette.\u201d If what he had printed in the Gazette was indeed a passage from a letter already sent to Collinson, there would seem to have been no need to send him another copy of it. Conceivably, Collinson\u2019s pen slipped when he wrote \u201cOcto: 1,\u201d as it occasionally did in referring to other Franklin letters, and he should have written \u201c19,\u201d \u201c21,\u201d or \u201c31,\u201d in which case he might have been copying the Gazette statement enclosed in Franklin\u2019s later letter. Subsequent correspondence between the two men does not clarify the point.\nThe canceled addendum at the bottom (item 2) seems to have been intended as an instruction to a printer. Possibly Collinson first meant this paper for the printer of the 1753 Supplement of Experiments and Observations, and then decided to submit this copy to the Royal Society instead. But the question remains unexplained why he should have written \u201cSee his Kite Experiment,\u201d when this document itself is the kite experiment, and is the only account of it we have in Franklin\u2019s own words. The endorsement (item 4) presents no problem. The fact that the paper is lodged in the Royal Society makes it clear that this endorsement was added later for filing purposes after it had been printed in the Philosophical Transactions.\nThis leaves for consideration item 3, the short paragraph added to Collinson\u2019s paper which mentions the French experiments and the erection of \u201cpoints\u201d in France and Philadelphia. The facts that it is written in a different hand from Collinson\u2019s and that it is clearly an addition have not been considered by previous commentators. The paragraph has been taken as evidence that lightning rods were erected on the Academy building and the State House (Independence Hall) before October 1, 1752. The words are doubtless Franklin\u2019s, though they have not been traced with certainty to any surviving document of his. If they were in fact part of a letter of October 1 to Collinson which also contained the original text of the statement on the kite experiment, then they must have been added to Collinson\u2019s copy by someone else, probably Watson, who saw the original letter and thought this passage more important than Collinson had done. Or the paragraph may have been part of the later undated letter, probably of late October (the full text of which may not have been printed in the 1753 Supplement), with which Franklin enclosed the item on the kite experiment from the Gazette. Whatever the source, the paragraph must have been written by about November 1, 1752, in order for it to be read to the Royal Society as part of the report on the kite experiment on December 21 and printed as such in the Philosophical Transactions. The probable date for the erection of the two Philadelphia lightning rods is not materially affected in any case. The problem of the source of this added paragraph is not resolved by any printed version of Franklin\u2019s account. The Philosophical Transactions printed the text from Collinson\u2019s copy. The Gentleman\u2019s Magazine and London Magazine and the 1753 Supplement to Experiments and Observations also printed the report, but all three followed the dating and text of the Gazette version, not the Collinson copy.\nIt will be noticed that Franklin\u2019s paper is not really an account of the kite experiment, but rather a brief statement that the experiment had taken place, followed by instructions as to how it could be successfully repeated. Franklin never, so far as is known, wrote out a narrative of his experience. The most detailed account that has survived is that which Joseph Priestley inserted in 1767 in his History of Electricity. There is every reason to believe that he learned the details directly from Franklin, who was in London at the time Priestley wrote the book. Franklin encouraged him to undertake the work and Priestley acknowledged in his preface the information Watson, Franklin, and Canton had supplied him. The account of the kite experiment, as Priestley wrote it about fifteen years after the event, may err in some details through faulty memory on Franklin\u2019s part or misunderstanding on the Englishman\u2019s, but it is probably correct in all major respects. In any case, since it is the nearest thing we have to a contemporary, first-hand account of one of the most famous episodes in Franklin\u2019s career, it is reprinted here directly following Franklin\u2019s statement.\nI. Franklin\u2019s Statement\nPhiladelphia, October 19\nAs frequent Mention is made in the News Papers from Europe, of the Success of the Philadelphia Experiment for drawing the Electric Fire from Clouds by Means of pointed Rods of Iron erected on high Buildings, &c. it may be agreeable to the Curious to be inform\u2019d, that the same Experiment has succeeded in Philadelphia, tho\u2019 made in a different and more easy Manner, which any one may try, as follows.\nMake a small Cross of two light Strips of Cedar, the Arms so long as to reach to the four Corners of a large thin Silk Handkerchief when extended; tie the Corners of the Handkerchief to the Extremities of the Cross, so you have the Body of a Kite; which being properly accommodated with a Tail, Loop and String, will rise in the Air, like those made of Paper; but this being of Silk is fitter to bear the Wet and Wind of a Thunder Gust without tearing. To the Top of the upright Stick of the Cross is to be fixed a very sharp pointed Wire, rising a Foot or more above the Wood. To the End of the Twine, next the Hand, is to be tied a silk Ribbon, and where the Twine and the silk join, a Key may be fastened. This Kite is to be raised when a Thunder Gust appears to be coming on, and the Person who holds the String must stand within a Door, or Window, or under some Cover, so that the Silk Ribbon may not be wet; and Care must be taken that the Twine does not touch the Frame of the Door or Window. As soon as any of the Thunder Clouds come over the Kite, the pointed Wire will draw the Electric Fire from them, and the Kite, with all the Twine, will be electrified, and the loose Filaments of the Twine will stand out every Way, and be attracted by an approaching Finger. And when the Rain has wet the Kite and Twine, so that it can conduct the Electric Fire freely, you will find it stream out plentifully from the Key on the Approach of your Knuckle. At this Key the Phial may be charg\u2019d; and from Electric Fire thus obtain\u2019d, Spirits may be kindled, and all the other Electric Experiments be perform\u2019d, which are usually done by the Help of a rubbed Glass Globe or Tube; and thereby the Sameness of the Electric Matter with that of Lightning compleatly demonstrated.\nII. Priestley\u2019s Account\nTo demonstrate, in the completest manner possible, the sameness of the electric fluid with the matter of lightning, Dr. Franklin, astonishing as it must have appeared, contrived actually to bring lightning from the heavens, by means of an electrical kite, which he raised when a storm of thunder was perceived to be coming on. This kite had a pointed wire fixed upon it, by which it drew the lightning from the clouds. This lightning descended by the hempen string, and was received by a key tied to the extremity of it; that part of the string which was held in the hand being of silk, that the electric virtue might stop when it came to the key. He found that the string would conduct electricity even when nearly dry, but that when it was wet, it would conduct it quite freely; so that it would stream out plentifully from the key, at the approach of a person\u2019s finger.\nAt this key he charged phials, and from electric fire thus obtained, he kindled spirits, and performed all other electrical experiments which are usually exhibited by an excited globe or tube.\nAs every circumstance relating to so capital a discovery as this (the greatest, perhaps, that has been made in the whole compass of philosophy, since the time of Sir Isaac Newton) cannot but give pleasure to all my readers, I shall endeavour to gratify them with the communication of a few particulars which I have from the best authority.\nThe Doctor, after having published his method of verifying his hypothesis concerning the sameness of electricity with the matter of lightning, was waiting for the erection of a spire in Philadelphia to carry his views into execution; not imagining that a pointed rod, of a moderate height, could answer the purpose; when it occurred to him, that, by means of a common kite, he could have a readier and better access to the regions of thunder than by any spire whatever. Preparing, therefore, a large silk handkerchief, and two cross sticks, of a proper length, on which to extend it; he took the opportunity of the first approaching thunder storm to take a walk into a field, in which there was a shed convenient for his purpose. But dreading the ridicule which too commonly attends unsuccessful attempts in science, he communicated his intended experiment to no body but his son, who assisted him in raising the kite.\nThe kite being raised, a considerable time elapsed before there was any appearance of its being electrified. One very promising cloud had passed over it without any effect; when, at length, just as he was beginning to despair of his contrivance, he observed some loose threads of the hempen string to stand erect, and to avoid one another, just as if they had been suspended on a common conductor. Struck with this promising appearance, he immediately presented his knucle to the key, and (let the reader judge of the exquisite pleasure he must have felt at that moment) the discovery was complete. He perceived a very evident electric spark. Others succeeded, even before the string was wet, so as to put the matter past all dispute, and when the rain had wet the string, he collected electric fire very copiously. This happened in June 1752, a month after the electricians in France had verified the same theory, but before he heard of any thing they had done.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "10-23-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0136", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Perkins, 23 October 1752\nFrom: Perkins, John\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir\nBoston Octobr. 23d 1752\nIn the Inclos\u2019d you have all I have to say of that Matter. It prov\u2019d longer than I expected so that I was forced to ad a Cover to it. I confess it looks like a Dispute but that is quite contrary to my Intention. The Sincerity of Friendship and Esteem were my motives nor do I doubt your scrupling the goodness of the Intention. However I must confess I cannot tell exactly how far I was acted by hopes of better Information in discovering the whole Foundation of My Opinion, which indeed is but an Opinion, as I am very much at a loss about the validity of the Reasons. I have not been able to differ from you in Sentiment concerning any thing else in Your Suppositions. In the present Case I lye open to Conviction and shall be the gainer when inform\u2019d. If I am right you will know that without my adding any more. Too much said on a meerly Speculative matter is but a Robbery commited on practical Knowledge. Perhaps I am too much pleas\u2019d with these dry Notions. However by this you will see that I think it unreasonable to give you more trouble about them than your Leisure and Inclination may prompt you to. I am Sir Your oblidged Humble [Servant]\nJohn Perkins\nPostscript. On the 21t Instant early in the morning died Dr. W. Douglas of an Apoplectic Fit. He left a large Estate and one Child which he acknowledged as his own Son; but has not adopted him, nor after deligent Search do we yet hear of any Will.\n Addressed: For \u2002Mr. Franklin Post-Master \u2002Philadelphia\nEndorsed: Dr Perkins\n[Enclosure]\nSir\nSince my last I consider\u2019d that as I had begun with the reasons of my Dissatisfaction about the ascent of Water in Spouts You would not be unwilling to hear the Whole I have to say and then you will know what I rely upon.\nWhat occasion\u2019d my thinking all Spouts descend is that I found some did certainly do so. A difficulty appeard concerning the ascent of so heavy a Body as Water by any Force I was apprised of as probably sufficient. And above all a view of Mr. Stuarts Portraits of Spouts in Phil. Trans.\nSome Observations on these last will include the chief Part of my Difficulties.\nMr. Stuart has given us the Figures of a Number observ\u2019d by him in the Mediterranean All with some Particulars which make for my Opinion, if well drawn.\nThe great Spattering which relators mention in the Water where the Spout descends And which appears in all his Draughts I conceive to be occasiond by Drops descending very thick And large into the Place.\nOn the place of this Spattering arises the Appearance of a Bush into the Center of which the Spout comes down. This Bush I take to be form\u2019d by a Spray made by the force of these Drops which being uncommonly Large and descending with unusual Force by a Stream of Wind descending from the Cloud with Them increases the height of the Spray which Wind being repulsed by the Surface of the Waters rebounds and Spreads; by the first raising the Spray higher than otherwise it would goe; and by the last making the Top of the Bush appear to bend outwards (i.e.) the Cloud of Spray is forced off from the Trunk of the Spout and falls backward.\nThe Bush dos the same where there is no appearance of a Spout reaching it And is depress\u2019d in the middle where the Spout is expected. This I imagin to be from numerous Drops of the Spout falling into it together with the Wind I mention by their descent which bent back the rising Spray in the Center.\nThis Circumstance of the Bush bending outwards at the Top seems not to agree with what I call a Direct Whirlwind but consistent with the revers\u2019d: For a Direct one would sweep the Bush inwards; if in that Case any thing of a Bush would appear.\nThe Pillar of water as they call it from its likeness I suppose to be only the End of the Spout immers\u2019d in the Bush a little blaken\u2019d by this additional Cloud and perhaps appears to the Eye beyond its real bigness by a refraction in the Bush and which Refraction may be the cause of the appearance of Seperation betwixt the part in the Bush and that above it. The part in the Bush is Cylindrical as \u2019tis above (i.e.) the bigness the Same from the Top of the Bush to the Water. Instead of this Shape, in Case of a Whirlwind it must have been Pyramidal.\nAnother Thing remarkable is the Curve in some of them. This is easy to conceive in Case of descending Parcels of Drops through various winds, at least till the Cloud condenses so fast as to come down as it were Uno rivo: But it is harder to me to conceive it in the ascent of Water that it should be convey\u2019d along, Secure of not leaking or often droping through the under Side in the prone part. And Should the water be convey\u2019d So Swiftly and with such force up into the Cloud as to prevent this, it would by a natural disposition to move on in a present Direction presently Straiten the Curve raising the Shoulder very Swiftly till lost in the Cloud.\nOver every one of Stuart\u2019s Figures I see a Cloud: I suppose his Clouds were first, and then the Spout; I dont know whether it be so with all Spouts, but Suppose it is. Now if Whirlwinds carry\u2019d up the Water I Should expect them in fair weather but not under a Cloud; as is observable of whirlwinds. They come in fair Weather, not under the Shade of a Cloud, nor in the Night since Shade cools the Air. But on the contrary violent Winds often descend from the Clouds; Strong Gusts which occupy Small Spaces; and from the higher Regions extensive Hurricanes &c.\nAnother Thing is the appearance of the Spout coming from the Cloud. This I cant account for on the notion of a Direct Spout. But in the real descending one it is easy. I take it that the Cloud begins first of all to pour out drops at that particular Spot or Foramen. And when that current of Drops increases So as to force down wind and vapour the Spout becomes so far as that goes Opaque. I take it that no Clouds drop Spouts but such as make very fast and happen to condense in a particular Spot which perhaps is coldest and gives a determination downwards so as to make a passage through the Subjacent Atmosphear.\nIf Spouts ascend it is to carry up the warm rarified Air below, to let down all and any that is colder above: And if so they must carry it through the Cloud they go into (for that is cold and dense I imagin) perhaps far into the high Region making a wonderfull appearance at a convenient Distance to Observe it, by the Swift rise of a body of vapour above the region of the Clouds. But as this has never been Observ\u2019d in any Age, if it be supposable thats all.\nI cannot learn by Mariners that any Wind blows towards a Spout more than any other way but it blows towards a Whirlwind to a large Distance round.\nI Suppose there has been no Instance of the water of a Spout being Salt when comeing across any vessel at Sea. I Suppose too that there have been no Salt Rains. These would make the Case clear.\nI suppose it is from some unhappy Effects of these Dangerous Creatures of Nature that Sailors have a universal dread on them of breaking in their Decks should they come across them.\nI imagin Spouts in cold Seasons as Gordon\u2019s in the Downs prove the descent.\nQuere Whether there is not always more or less Cloud first where a Spout appears.\nWhether they are not generally on the Borders of Trade-Winds And whether this is for or against me.\nWhether there be any credible Account of a Whirlwind carrying up all the Water in a Pool or Small Pond. And when Shoal and the Banks low a Strong Gust might be Supposed to blow it all out.\nWhether a Violent Tornado of a Small Extent and other Sudden and Strong Gusts be not Winds from Above descending nearly perpendicular. And whether many that are call\u2019d Whirl-Winds at Sea are any other than these, and so might be call\u2019d Air Spouts, if they were Objects of Sight.\nI overlook\u2019d in its proper Place Stuart\u2019s No. 11 which is curious for its Inequalitys, And in particular the Approach to breaking which if it would not be too tedious I would have observed a little upon in my own way as I think this would argue against the Ascent &c. but I must pass it not only for the reason mention\u2019d but want of Room, besides.\nAs to Mr. Stuarts Ocular demonstration of the Ascent in his Great perpendicular Spout the only one it appear\u2019d in I say as to this what I have written Supposes him mistaken Which yet I am far from asserting.\nThe Force of an Airy Vortex having less Influence on the Solid Drops of Water than on the interspers\u2019d cloudy Vapours makes the last whirl round Swifter tho it descend Slower. And this might easily deceive without great Care the most unprejudiced Person.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "10-24-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0137", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 24 October 1752\nFrom: Colden, Cadwallader\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nDear Sir\nColdengham Octr 24th 1752\nI now send back to you Wilson on Electricity for the use of which I am much obliged. My youngest son the only one I  have with me hopes to be able to make Electrical experiments tollerably well. Mr. Wilson I think is on the true scent of the cause of Electricity though it be plain he is not sufficiently informed of the nature of that elastic fluid which he calls \u00c6ther to be able sufficiently to account for the Phaenomena. In my Opinion some more perfect knowledge of the Air than we have is likewise necessary and the cause of the cohesion of the parts of bodies which last has been lately the subject of my Meditations. No tollerable account of this so far as I know has been given by any Philosopher and if this can be accounted for from my Principles it will go a great way to confirm them. I hope to let you see something on this head. At present I shall only mention one Theorem viz. That the parts or particles of Bodies are at a great distance from each other in the ratio of their bulk. To prove this it is supposed that the solid particles of inert Matter are impenetrable by light or that Light cannot be in the same space with matter. Then since light freely passes through pellucid bodies in streight lines and in all directions with a very small diminution of its quantity, the distance between the particles of pellucid bodies must be very great in proportion to their bulk if the prodigious number of those particls be considered which must be in a pellucid body of any bulk. This may be easily conceived by placeing a number of points in any order and considering how they must stop the progress of light in many directions. Again the number of particles in the same quantity of space in several bodies is as their Specific Gravities. Now considering the difference of Specific Gravity of pellucid bodies and of any other opac body that it does not arise to a great degree the parts of all bodies must be at a great distance from each other in proportion to their bulk. Sir Isaac Newtone accounts for the cohesion of the parts of bodies from the stronger attraction in litle bodies than in great bodies but if this were the cause the parts of bodies must run together into mutual contact if some other power do not keep them seperated. What I call \u00c6ther is essentially different from Mr. Wilson\u2019s \u00c6ther and from that Elastic fluid which I think produces Electrical phaenomena. Sir Isaac Newtone was far from having clear conceptions of what I call \u00c6ther though he perceived from the Phaenomena that some such medium must necessarly exist between the several bodies in the Universe and within them between their component parts.\nI have at last got the remarks on the First causes of Action in Matter well translated by Mr. Hartwick a Lutheran Minister who is well acquainted with the German systems of Philosophy and thereby more capable of making a good Translation. I have likewise drawn up an answer to the remarks which I expect may assist you to form a better conception of my principles and of the truth of them than what you have allready seen. I now send both the remarks and Answer to Mr. Alexander and I shall desire him to transmit them to you if he do not think it necessary to alter any thing in the Answer. In the mean time I send you the original remarks in the German language that you may the better judge of the Translation when you shall see it.\nThe remarks and Answer are chiefly on the Metaphysical parts of my System. The same subject is treated in Dr. Johnson\u2019s Noetica but in a very different manner. I hope from your Friendship that you will give me your sentiments without reserve and I beg that you will take some pains because I have some distant prospect of being able to explain the phaenomena of Electricity from my Principles with your assistance. If this can be don I am perswaded that the greatest improvement will thereby be made in the most usefull parts of Physics. I conceive that Fermentations of all sorts arise from Electricity and that the life and vegetation of Animals and Vegetables arise from Fermentation. If so the knowlege of Electricity must give great light in Medecine and Agriculture. For this reason I will gladly take pains to remove any difficulties you may have in receiving or conceiving these Principles. I have not as yet heard that the Principles of Action in Matter is published though I had the first sheet sent me in January last.\nP.S. This having lain by me some days for an Opportunity to send it I have in that time seen in the News papers the Account of the Electrical Kite. I hope a more perfect and particular account of it will be published in a manner to preserve it better and to give it more Credit than it can obtain from a common News paper. I wish you would attempt some experiments to know whether the Electrical fluid can be drawn from fermenting liquors or Mixtures. I propose to try but what may fail with me may succeed with you, you have such sagacity in contriving proper experiments for any purpose you have in view. The Clouds before a Thundergust and after in the time of it appear to be in a violent intestine motion or fermentation.\nTo Mr. Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "10-01-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0138", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, [October 1752]\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Collinson, Peter\n[October, 1752]\nAs you tell me our friend Cave is about to add some later experiments to my pamphlet, with the Errata, I send a coppy of a letter from Dr. Colden which may help to fill a few pages; also my kite experiment in the Pennsylvania Gazette: to which I have nothing new to add, except the following experiment towards discovering more of the qualities of the electric fluid. From the prime conductor, hang a bullet by a wire hook; under the bullet, at half an inch distance, place a bright piece of silver to receive the sparks; then let the wheel be turned, and in a few minutes (if the repeated sparks continually strike in the same spot) the silver will receive a blue stain, near the colour of a watch spring. A bright piece of iron will also be spotted, but not with that colour: it rather seems to be corroded. On gold, brass, or tin, I have not perceived that it makes any impression. But the spots on the silver or iron will be the same, whether the bullet be lead, brass, gold, or silver. On a silver bullet there will also appear a small spot, as well as in the plate below it.\nOne Mr. Watts promised in the Magazine, to write something on electricity; I have not yet seen it advertised.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "11-11-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0139", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Mercer, 11 November 1752\nFrom: Mercer, William\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir,\nNew-Brunswick, November 11, 1752\nI am favoured with your letter of the 2d instant, and shall, with pleasure, comply with your request, in describing (as well as my memory serves me) the water-spout I saw at Antigua; and shall think this, or any other service I can do, well repaid, if it contributes to your satisfaction in so curious a disquisition.\nI had often seen water-spouts at a distance, and heard many strange stories of them, but never knew any thing satisfactory of their nature or cause, until that which I saw at Antigua; which convinced me that a water-spout is a whirlwind, which becomes visible in all its dimensions by the water it carries up with it.\nThere appeared, not far from the mouth of the harbour of St. John\u2019s, two or three water-spouts, one of which took its course up the harbour. Its progressive motion was slow and unequal, not in a strait line, but, as it were, by jerks or starts. When just by the wharff I stood about 100 yards from it. There appeared in the water a circle of about twenty yards diameter, which, to me, had a dreadful, though pleasing appearance. The water in this circle was violently agitated, being whisked about, and carried up into the air with great rapidity and noise, and reflected a lustre, as if the sun shined bright on that spot, which was more conspicuous, as there appeared a dark circle around it. When it made the shore, it carried up with the same violence shingles, staves,\n   *I suppose shingles, staves, timber, and other lumber, might be lying in quantities on the wharff, for sale, as brought from the Northern colonies. B.F.\n large pieces of the roofs of houses, &c. and one small wooden house it lifted entire from the foundation on which it stood, and carried it to the distance of fourteen feet, where it settled without breaking or oversetting; and, what is remarkable, though the whirlwind moved from West to East, the house moved from East to West. Two or three Negroes and a white woman, were killed by the fall of timber, which it carried up into the air, and dropt again. After passing through the town, I believe it was soon dissipated; for, except tearing a large limb from a tree, and part of the cover of a sugar-work near the town, I do not remember any farther damage done by it. I conclude, wishing you success in your enquiry, and am, &c.\nW.M.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "11-16-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0140", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 16 November 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Strahan, William\nDear Sir\nPhilada. Nov. 16. 1752\nYour Favours of Augt. 26. with the Books for the Library Company, &c. came safe to hand; and all turn out right; excepting that D\u2019Argens Philosophy of Common Sense is not come, but another thing of his instead of it. The Life of Boerhave sent is an old and small Book; what we intended was a new Life lately published in (I think) 4 Vols. 8vo. Condamine\u2019s Figure of the Earth, is not come; but Maupertuis\u2019s instead of it, which we had before; And instead of Chaucer\u2019s whole Works, in his old original English; only the Canterbury tales moderniz\u2019d, are come. These too, we had before, or we should keep them; tho\u2019 I think they are imperfect Books, and two of the Volumes intermix\u2019d with each other in the Binding. We are very well pleas\u2019d that you omitted Catesby\u2019s Carolina, and we shall, as you judg\u2019d, chuse rather to have Savery entire, than in Numbers.\nThe Sconce came out very well, and is a very handsome one. The Mirrour and Globes also came out well; but we think Mrs. Senex has impos\u2019d on us in the Price of the Globes, there being 2 pair in this Town of the same Size and the same Prints, both bought at the same Shop, for 6 Guineas the pair. Please to speak to her about it.\nI suppose you have receiv\u2019d a \u00a320 Bill from me since Augt. 26. the Date of your Account. I shall take Care speedily to remit the Ballance.\nOur Compliments to Mrs. Strahan, Master Billy, and to Mr. Sterling. I am, with great Esteem and Affection, Dear Sir, Your obliged humble Servant\nB Franklin\nDo the Globemakers ever cover old Globes with new Prints? I have a Pair of Senex\u2019s the same with these, but they having stood long uncover\u2019d in a smoaky Room, are now scarce legible: The Balls and Frames &c. as good as ever.\n Addressed: To \u2002Mr Wm Strahan \u2002Printer \u2002London \u2002Per Myrtilla Capt. Budden", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "11-18-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0141", "content": "Title: Petition of the Merchants of Philadelphia to the King, [18 November 1752?]\nFrom: Merchants of Philadelphia\nTo: George III, King of Great Britain and Ireland\nIn 1745 Arthur Dobbs, long an advocate of a search for a northwest passage, prompted Parliament to offer a prize of \u00a320,000 to any subject of the King who, in an English vessel, should sail from Hudson Bay to the South Sea. He then, in 1746\u201347, sponsored an expedition. Two accounts of it were published\u2014one by Henry Ellis, later governor of Georgia, in 1748; and the other by Charles Swaine, \u201cthe Clerk of the California,\u201d in 1748\u201349. In 1750 Swaine was living in Chester-town, Md., and he got a permit from Governor Samuel Ogle to undertake another northwest exploration. With Ogle\u2019s recommendation and encouragement of several Maryland merchants, Swaine secured the support of Franklin and some Philadelphia merchants. The latter formed a company, raised \u00a31500 among themselves and in Maryland, New York, and Boston, to buy a vessel\u2014the Argo, 60 tons. Franklin tried to get information for them about previous New England voyages in the sub-Arctic. The sponsors hoped the sailing would be in 1752, but it was delayed until the spring of 1753. The objects of the expedition were three-fold: scientific (to find the passage and explore the Labrador coast), commercial (to open trade and promote fisheries), and political (to cultivate the friendship of the natives \u201cand make them serviceable in a political Way\u201d).\nMeanwhile, one of the subscribers, Rev. James Sterling, parson, planter, poet, and playwright of Kent Co., Md., who had gone to England to solicit a political appointment, gave away their plans. Several London merchants quickly formed a company of their own, and petitioned the government for a monopoly of the Labrador trade. They pressed their aim in spite of the Hudson\u2019s Bay Company\u2019s opposition to it as an infringement of its charter rights, and the fact that the Board of Trade disapproved monopolistic grants on principle.\nAlarmed for their project, the Philadelphians in turn, in the fall of 1752, petitioned against a monopoly for the Londoners. Their petition is printed here. William Allen sent it, with supporting papers, to Thomas Penn November 18; it arrived December 15 and Penn so advised the president of the Board of Trade the next day. On December 17 he presented it to the Council, in session to consider the London application. It was referred to a committee, then to the Board of Trade. Penn engaged a lawyer for the Philadelphians, apparently, from the endorsement on the petition, Ferdinand John Paris, former agent for Pennsylvania. Finally, the attorney general and the solicitor general gave their opinion that the Hudson\u2019s Bay Company\u2019s charter precluded an exclusive grant of the Labrador trade, and the London application was denied.\nMeanwhile, the Argo sailed from Philadelphia March 4, 1753, stopping at Cape Cod and Portsmouth for provisions and to complete her crew of 15, and headed for the Arctic April 15. Turned back by heavy ice in Hudson Bay, Captain Swaine carried out the orders to explore and map the coast of Labrador, and took soundings off its banks. Swaine complained afterwards that the commercial interests interfered with the scientific aspects of the voyage. The Argo returned to Philadelphia November 11, and a brief but specific account appeared in the Gazette on November 15. The subscribers voted Swaine \u201ca very handsome Present.\u201d\nBut the real mission\u2014a northwest passage\u2014had not been accomplished, and the Argo set out again in the spring of 1754. It met with even less success than it had before: several of the party, against the captain\u2019s orders, went searching for mines of precious metals and were killed by Eskimos; then the rest would not proceed, and Swaine had to return. He reached Philadelphia October 20, and presented to the Library Company almost the only tangible records of his voyage\u2014some tools and Eskimo parkas.\nWhen he sailed north in 1754 Swaine had left the journals and charts of his first voyage with Franklin for safekeeping, enjoining him to show them to no one. He must have reclaimed them, since his Probability of a Northwest Passage contains the portion of his journal from August 2 to September 20, 1753. The original papers, however, have not been found.\n[November 18? 1752]\nTo THE Kings MOST Excellent Majesty\nThe Petition or Memorial of the Merchants of Philadelphia and North America against a Patent applied for by certain Merchants of London for an exclusive right of Trade to New Britain or Labrador\nIn most humble manner shews\nThat it being apparent, that New Britain, or Labrador, is not within the Limits of the Hudsons Bay Companys Charter, a Design hath been formed, by Your Petitioners, and other Merchants in North America, to improve, and carry, the Trade to New Britain, into a compleat Execution; The design was formed, in the latter part of the Year One Thousand Seven hundred and Fifty One, to be prosecuted at the Opening of the Spring One Thousand Seven hundred and Fifty Two, but, from the extream hard Winter, and uncommon, long Continuance, of the severe Weather, it was thought impracticable, to make suitable Preparations, and fit out, time enough to accomplish their Designs, that Season, therefore, they deferred it, untill the Spring One Thousand Seven hundred and Fifty three; not apprehensive that this delay, which necessity obliged them to, shou\u2019d make them liable to be Supplanted, in such their laudable Design, as they must be, if the said Patent, for an exclusive right to Trade to those Parts, is granted.\nThat such Patent was never proposed to be applied for, or the Trade thought of, by those, who now make Application for the said Patent, until sometime after Your Petitioners had formed, and made some Progress, in such their Scheme, of carrying this Trade into Execution, as abovesaid; and untill those Gentlemen were let into Your Petitioners said Scheme and Designs, by a Person from these Parts, to whom the same had been communicated in Confidence, and who pretended to be a zealous Promoter thereof here, and well knew, that a Considerable Sum of Money was Subscribing (which is now actually Subscribed) and due Preparations making, by Your Petitioners, for entering upon the said Proposed Trade, and other Discoverys, of the utmost Importance, this next ensuing Spring; and which Trade, Your Petitioners proposed to carry on, as a free and open Trade, to all Your Majestys Subjects, and not to apply for a Monopoly, or exclusive right of Trade, for themselves, against others;\nThat, as Your Petitioners humbly conceive, this Trade cannot, even be carried on, to due effect, by the People of England, exclusive of the Americans, and much less so, by a Private Company;\nYour Petitioners, therefore, humbly hope that the Patent, applied for, will not be granted; but that they, and all other Your Majestys Subjects, shall be left free, to pursue the said Trade, to their great and common Benefit and Advantage.\nAnd Your Petitioners will ever Pray &ca.\nCommittee\nWill: Allen\nSamuel Mccall Senr\nB: Franklin\nJohn Stamper\nCharles Stedman\nJohn Mifflin\nWm Coleman Treasurer\n Endorsed: 21. Decr. 1752 Reference of the Petition of the Merchts of Philadelphia and North America praying that No Grant may pass for an Exclusive Right to trade to New Britain or Labrador, from the Lords of the Commtee. of Councill to the Lords Comrs. for Trade and Plantas.\n\u2003Paris.\n[In another hand:]\nTrade Labrador\n\u2003Order of the Lords of the Comittee of Council dated the 21. Decr. 1752. referring to this Board a Petition of the Merchants of Philadelphia and No. America praying that no Grant of an exclusive Trade to Labrador, may pass.\nReced Decr. 26. 1752.\nRead Janry. 16. 1753.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "11-30-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0142", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Edward and Jane Mecom, 30 November 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Mecom, Edward,Mecom, Jane\nDear Brother and Sister,\nPhiladelphia, November 30, 1752\nI congratulate you on the news of Benny\u2019s arrival, for whom I had been some time in pain.\nThat you may know the whole state of his mind and his affairs, and by that means be better able to advise him, I send you all the letters I have received from or concerning him. I fear I have been too forward in cracking the shell, and producing the chick to the air before its time.\nWe are at present all well, thanks to God, and hope you and yours are so. I am Your affectionate brother,\nB Franklin\nP.S. In my opinion, if Benny can but be prevailed on to behave steadily, he may make his fortune there. And without some share of steadiness and perseverance, he can succeed no where. Please to return me the letters.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "12-08-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0143", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, 8 December 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Franklin, John\nDear Brother\nPhilada. Dec. 8. 1752\nReflecting yesterday on your Desire to have a flexible Catheter, a Thought struck into my Mind how one might possibly be made: And lest you should not readily conceive it by any Description of mine, I went immediately to the Silversmith\u2019s, and gave Directions for making one, (sitting by \u2019till it was finish\u2019d), that it might be ready for this Post. But now it is done I have some Apprehensions that it may be too large to be easy: if so, a Silversmith can easily make it less, by turning [written above: twisting] it on a smaller Wire, and putting a smaller Pipe to the End, if the Pipe be really necessary. This Machine may either be cover\u2019d with a small fine Gut first clean\u2019d and soak\u2019d a Night in a Solution of Alum and Salt in Water, then rubb\u2019d dry which will preserve it longer from Putrefaction: then wet again, and drawn on, and ty\u2019d to the Pipes at each End where little Hollows are made for the Thread to bind in and the Surface greas\u2019d: Or perhaps it may be used without the Gut, having only a little Tallow rubb\u2019d over it, to smooth it and fill the Joints. I think it is as flexible as could be expected in a thing of the kind, and I imagine will readily comply with the Turns of the Passage, yet has Stiffness enough to be protruded; if not, the enclos\u2019d Wire may be us\u2019d to stiffen the hinder Part of the Pipe while the fore Part is push\u2019d forward; and as it proceeds the Wire may be gradually withdrawn. The Tube is of such a Nature, that when you have Occasion to withdraw [it] its Diameter will lessen, whereby it will move more easily. It is also a kind of Scrue, and may be both withrawn and introduc\u2019d by turning. Experience is necessary for the right using of all new Tools or Instruments, and that will perhaps suggest some Improvements to this Instrument as well as better direct the Manner of Using it.\nI have read Whytt on Lime Water. You desire my Thoughts on what he says. But what can I say? He relates Facts and Experiments; and they must be allow\u2019d good, if not contradicted by other Facts and Experiments. May not one guess by holding Lime Water some time in one\u2019s Mouth, whether it is likely to injure the Bladder?\nI know not what to advise, either as to the Injection, or the Operation. I can only pray God to direct you for the best, and to grant Success.\nI am, my dear Brother Yours most affectionately\nB Franklin\nI find Whytt\u2019s Experiments are approv\u2019d and recommended by Dr. Mead.\n Addressed: To \u2002Mr John Franklin \u2002Boston \u2002Free \u2002B Franklin\nEndorsed: Br Benj Dec 8 1752", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "12-19-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0144", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jared Eliot, 19 December 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Eliot, Jared\nDear Sir,\nPhiladelphia, Dec. 19, 1752\nI received your affectionate letter of the 1st. and am surprised to find that my letters do not of late get to your hand. I do not keep copies, but I remember well, that in one I acknowledged the receipt of the select transactions, and in another I complained of the long delay of your fourth Essay, and desired that if Mr. Green would not do it, you would send it to me, and it should be despatched in a trice. To this I own I have long wondered that there came no answer; but now the reason appears you never received it. I am not indeed the most punctual of correspondents, but am however less negligent than I have of late appeared to you to be. To converse in this manner with my friends is one of my greatest pleasures; but much business does sometimes interfere and occasion delays, which makes me more ready to excuse others, as I have frequent occasion to be excused. At present however, I am not to be blamed, but some defect in the conveyance, which I cannot now guess at; but to prevent the miscarriage of this, I send it under cover to Dr. Johnson, and request him to forward it by some safe hand, for having exchanged many letters lately with that gentleman on occasion of my printing his book, and not observing any of them to miscarry, I have reason to expect this will at least get safe as far as Stratford. By the way, are you not a letter in debt to our friend Bartram? If not I fear a long one of his to you, enclosed in one of mine has miscarried also.\nOur friend Mr. Jackson wrote to me last year, for an account of the number of Palatines imported here within ten years, which I accordingly sent him, and accompanyed it with a sheet or two on the subject of peopling of countries, propagation of mankind, &c. in answer to which I have lately received a long and curious letter from him, which I will send for your perusal together with my paper, as soon as I find it can be done without danger of being lost.\nIn the mean time, I send you a meterological paper of mine, wrote in order to digest and methodise a few of my own thoughts, and to procure the corrections of my Friends, I beg your sentiments and criticisms, on such parts as you find wrong; and if you can give me any light into the nature of those meteors we commonly call falling stars, pray do; for I am extremely at a loss to know what to think of them. Also any thing that has come to your knowledge of the nature and effects of whirl-winds and water-spouts; concerning which I have seen only imperfect accounts.\nI know you will be pleased to hear that our Academy flourishes, and therefore I inform you that we have now upwards of 300 scholars in all the schools. Our Hospital too, goes on very well, and does much good. We have this day been opening our cargo of choice Drugs and Medicines from London, that cost us \u00a3112 sterling; and find all in good order. I must not omit to acquaint you with one other instance of the public spirit of this people. A person who had been in the last expedition to discover a north-west passage, being fully persuaded from some observations he made, and notices he obtained there, that such a passage there probably is, wrote to me from Maryland, requesting I would endeavor to procure subscriptions here for another attempt. It is accordingly done; \u00a31000 is raised for the purpose, and a vessel is actually fitting for him to proceed in early in the Spring. If you have any queries to make concerning that Country, its Productions, &c. or would have any particular observations made there; write them, and I will send them by our captain who is an ingenious and observing man.\nDid you receive the votes of our last years Assembly, which I sent you, as I think; but am not very certain. I know I intended it.\nAnd now my paper will only afford me room to add, that I have not received more pleasure and satisfaction from any correspondence I maintain, than from that you have favoured me with; which I hope will never again meet such interruption, as I am, with sincere esteem and affection, dear Sir, your obliged friend and servant,\nB Franklin", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "12-20-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0145", "content": "Title: William Watson to the Royal Society, 20 December 1752\nFrom: Watson, William\nTo: Royal Society\nGentlemen,\nLincoln\u2019s-Inn-Fields, Dec. 20, 1752\nAfter the communications, which we have received from several of our correspondents in different parts of the continent, acquainting us with the success of their experiments last summer, in endeavouring to extract the electricity from the atmosphere during a thunder-storm, in consequence of Mr. Franklin\u2019s hypothesis, it may be thought extraordinary, that no accounts have been yet laid before you, of our success here from the same experiments. That no want of attention, therefore, may be attributed to those here, who have been hitherto conversant in these inquiries, I thought proper to apprise you, that, though several members of the Royal Society, as well as myself, did, upon the first advices from France, prepare and set up the necessary apparatus for this purpose, we were defeated in our expectations, from the uncommon coolness and dampness of the air here, during the whole summer. We had only at London one thunderstorm; viz. on July 20; and then the thunder was accompanied with rain; so that, by wetting the apparatus, the electricity was dissipated too soon to be perceived upon touching those parts of the apparatus, which served to conduct it. This, I say, in general prevented our verifying Mr. Franklin\u2019s hypothesis: but our worthy brother Mr. Canton was more fortunate. I take the liberty, therefore, of laying before you an extract of a letter, which I received from that gentleman, dated from Spital-square, July 21, 1752.\n\u201cI had yesterday, about five in the afternoon, an opportunity of trying Mr. Franklin\u2019s experiment of extracting the electrical fire from the clouds; and succeeded, by means of a tin tube, between three and four feet in length, fixed to the top of a glass one, of about eighteen inches. To the upper end of the tin tube, which was not so high as a stack of chimnies on the same house, I fastened three needles with some wire; and to the lower end was solder\u2019d a tin cover to keep the rain from the glass tube, which was set upright in a block of wood. I attended this apparatus as soon after the thunder began as possible, but did not find it in the least electrified, till between the third and fourth clap; when applying my knuckle to the edge of the cover, I felt and heard an electrical spark; and approaching it a second time, I received the spark at the distance of about half an inch, and saw it distinctly. This I repeated four or five times in the space of a minute; but the sparks grew weaker and weaker; and in less than two minutes the tin tube did not appear to be electrised at all. The rain continued during the thunder, but was considerably abated at the time of making the experiment.\u201d Thus far Mr. Canton.\nMr. Wilson likewise of the Society, to whom we are much obliged for the trouble he has taken in these pursuits, had an opportunity of verifying Mr. Franklin\u2019s hypothesis. He informed me, by a letter from near Chelmsford in Essex, dated Aug. 12, 1752. that, on that day about noon, he perceived several electrical snaps, during, or rather at the end of, a thunder-storm, from no other apparatus than an iron curtain-rod, one end of which he put into the neck of a glass phial, and held this phial in his hand. To the other end of the iron he fasten\u2019d three needles with some silk. This phial, supporting the rod, he held in one hand, and drew snaps from the rod with a finger of his other. This experiment was not made upon any eminence, but in the garden of a gentleman, at whose house he then was.\nDr. Bevis observed, at Mr. Cave\u2019s at St. John\u2019s gate, nearly the same phaenomena as Mr. Canton, of which an account has been already laid before the public.\nTrifling as the effects here mention\u2019d are, when compared with those, which we have received from Paris and Berlin, they are the only ones, that the last summer here has produced; and as they were made by persons worthy of credit, they tend to establish the authenticity of those transmitted from our correspondents.\nI flatter myself, that this short account of these matters will not be disagreeable to you; and am, with the most profound respect, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble servant,\nW. Watson", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "01-01-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-04-02-0147", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 1752\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Collinson, Peter\n   Of Franklin\u2019s magic square James Ferguson wrote that it went \u201cfar    beyond any thing of the kind I ever saw before; and the magic circle (which is the first of the kind I ever heard of, or perhaps any one besides) is still more surprising.\u201d There are two descriptions of the circle, basically similar, but different in important respects: one is Franklin\u2019s letter to Collinson of about 1752, printed as Letter XXVII in Experiments and Observations, 1769; the other survives as a draft in the American Philosophical Society, and, revised and expanded, in a letter to John Canton, May 29, 1765. Both descriptions are printed here, the second in the revised version of the letter to Canton.\nI\nSir,\nI am glad the perusal of the magical squares afforded you any amusement. I now send you the magical circle.\nIts properties, besides those mentioned in my former, are these.\nHalf the number in any radial row, added with half the central number, make 180, equal to the number of degrees in a semicircle.\nAlso half the numbers in any one of the concentric circles, taken either above or below the horizontal double line, with half the central number, make 180.\nAnd if any four adjoining numbers, standing nearly in a square, be taken from any part, and added with half the central number, they make 180.\nThere are, moreover, included four other sets of circular spaces, excentric with respect to the first, each of these sets containing five spaces. The centers of the circles that bound them, are at A, B, C, and D. Each set, for the more easy distinguishing them from the first, are drawn with a different colour\u2019d ink, red, blue, green, and yellow.\n   *In the plate they are distinguished by dashed or dotted lines, as different as the engraver could well make them.\nThese sets of excentric circular spaces intersect those of the concentric, and each other; and yet the numbers contained in each of the twenty excentric spaces, taken all around, make, with the central number, the same sum as those in each of the 8 concentric, viz. 360. The halves, also of those drawn from the centers A and C, taken above or below the double horizontal line, and of those drawn from centers B and D, taken to the right or left of the vertical line, do, with half the central number, make just 180.\nIt may be observed, that there is not one of the numbers but what belongs at least to two of the different circular spaces; some to three, some to four, some to five; and yet they are all so placed as never to break the required number 360, in any of the 28 circular spaces within the primitive circle.\nThese interwoven circles make so perplexed an appearance, that it is not easy for the eye to trace every circle of numbers one would examine, through all the maze of circles intersected by it; but if you fix one foot of the compasses in either of the centers, and extend the other to any number in the circle you would examine belonging to that center, the moving foot will point the others out, by passing round over all the numbers of that circle successively. I am, &c.\nB.F.\nII\n[Extract of a letter to John Canton, May 29, 1765]\nIt is compos\u2019d of a Series of Numbers from 12 to 75 inclusive, divided in 8 concentric Circles of Numbers, and rang\u2019d in 8 Radii of Numbers, with the Number 12 in the Center, which Number, like the Center, is common to all the Circles and to all the Radii.\nThe Numbers are so dispos\u2019d, as that all the Numbers in any one of the Circles, added together, make, with the central Number, just 360, the Number of Degrees in a Circle.\nThe Numbers in each Radius also, with the central Number, make just 360.\nAlso Half of any of the said 8 Circles, taken above or under the horizontal double Line with Half the Central Number, make 180, or half the Degrees in a Circle. So likewise do the Numbers in each Half Radius, with half the Central Number.\n   There are moreover included 4 other Sets of concentric Circles, 5 in each Set, the several Sets distinguish\u2019d by Green, Yellow, Red, and Blue Ink, and each Set drawn round a Center of the same Colour. These Sets of Circles intersect the first 8 and each   other; and the Numbers contain\u2019d in each of these 20 Circles, do also, with the Central Number, make 360. Their Halves also, taken above or under the horizontal Line, do, with half the central Number, make 180.\nObserve, That there is no one of the Numbers but what belongs to at least two different Circles, some to three, some to four, and some to five; and yet all so plac\u2019d (with the central Number which belongs to all) as never to break the requir\u2019d Number 360 in any one of the 28 Circles.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "05-20-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Washington/02-01-02-0020", "content": "Title: From George Washington to William Fauntleroy, 20 May 1752\nFrom: Washington, George\nTo: Fauntleroy, William\nSir\nI shou\u2019d have been down long before this but my business in Frederick detain\u2019d me somewhat longer than I expected and imediately upon my return from thence I was taken with a Violent Pleurisie which has reduced me very low but purpose as soon as I recover my strength to wait on Miss Betcy, in hopes of a revocation of the former, cruel sentence, and see if I can meet with \u27e8any alter\u27e9ation in my favour. I have inclos\u2019d a letter to her which i shou\u2019d be much obligd to you for the dilivery of it. I have nothing to add but my best respects to your good Lady and Family and that I am Sir Yr most Obedient Hble Servt\nG. Washington", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "06-10-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Washington/02-01-02-0021", "content": "Title: From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 10 June 1752\nFrom: Washington, George\nTo: Dinwiddie, Robert\nHonble Sir\nKing George Coty June 10th 1752\nBeing impatient to know Colo. Fitzhugh\u2019s result; I went to Maryland as I returned Home He is willing to accept of the Adjutancy of the Northern Neck, if he can obtain it on the terms he proposes; which he hardly expects will be granted Him: The inclosed is his Letter, wherein I believe he inform\u2019s of his intention. He told Me, he would, when conveniency admitted, build a House in Virginia, at which he should sometimes reside. If I could have the Honour of obtaining that, in case Colo. Fitzhugh does not, or either of the other two; should take the greatest pleasure in punctually obeying from time, to time, your Honours commands; and by a strict observance of my Duty, render myself worthy of the trust reposed in Me: I am sensible my best endeavours will not be wanting, and doubt not, but by a constant application to fit myself for the Office, coud I presume Your Honour had not in view a more deserving Person I flatter myself I should meet with the approbation of the Gentlemen of the Council I am Yr Honours most Obt & very Hble Sert\nG: Washington", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "07-29-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Washington/02-01-02-0023", "content": "Title: To George Washington from George Mason, 29 July 1752\nFrom: Mason, George\nTo: Washington, George\nSir\nDogues N\u27e8e\u27e9ck Ju\u27e8ly 29, 1752\u27e9\nI came Home \u27e8mutilated\u27e9 Yesterday, when I re\u27e8mutilated\u27e9 Me with the time of Yr Brother \u27e8mutilated\u27e9 neral, & desiring my Attendance. I am very sorry it did not come to \u27e8mutilated\u27e9 Hands sooner; had I known it in \u27e8mutilated\u27e9 I wou\u2019d by no means have refused the last peice of Respect to the Memory of a Gentleman, for whom, when alive, I had a sincere Regard.\nI most heartily condole You on the Loss of so worthy a Brother & Friend & am Sir Yr most hble Sert\nGeorge Mas\u27e8on\u27e9", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "12-13-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Washington/02-01-02-0024", "content": "Title: Commission as adjutant for southern district, 13 December 1752 [letter not found]\nFrom: Dinwiddie, Robert\nTo: Washington, George\nDocument not found: commission as adjutant for southern district, Williamsburg, 13 Dec. 1752. For background to this document, see GW to Dinwiddie, 10 June 1752, n.2. On 6 Nov. 1752, some months after Lawrence Washington\u2019s death, the governor and council \u201cfinding by Experience the Insufficiency of one [adjutant], fully to discharge a Business of so much Importance,\u201d created four military districts and appointed an adjutant for each: Thomas Bentley for the frontier, William Fitzhugh for the Northern Neck and Eastern Shore, George Muse for the Middle Neck (between the Rappahannock and James rivers), and GW for the Southern District. GW\u2019s commission as adjutant for the Southern District has not been located, but an entry in the Spotsylvania County Order Book for 10 Feb. 1753 states that \u201cGeorge Washington Esqr produced a Commission Under the hand and Seal of the Honble Robert Dinwiddie Esqr his Majesties Lieutenant Governor and Commander in chief of this colony, Dated the thirteenth day of December 1752 to be Major and Adjutant of the Militia, horse and foot, in the Countys of Princess Ann, Norfolk, Nansemond, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry, Brunswick, Prince George, Dinwiddie, Chesterfield, Amelia, & Cumberland, & took the oaths Appointed by law, & Signed Abjuration oath & repeated & Signed the test\u201d (Spotsylvania County Order Book, 1749\u201355, p. 284, Vi Microfilm). His new post brought GW the title of major and a yearly stipend of \u00a3100.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752},
{"created_timestamp": "01-01-1752", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Washington/02-01-02-0025", "content": "Title: To George Washington from Robert Jackson, 1752\nFrom: Jackson, Robert\nTo: Washington, George\nDr Sir\nLast Night your Servt carried over what things were left also the last loaf of Double refind Sugar in my possession, if coarse single Refined will do for second rate gentry who may visit you as a Planter you may have 20 ct more. Your acct shall be transcribed as soon as possible from the beginning\u2014but it so happens that my present Aid-du-Campe is a little intoxicated & incapable of Duty. You need not be anxious about the payment that will be left to your own convenience\u2014I shall at all times take a peculiar pleasure in doing any thing that can oblige you\u2014the intimacy long supported between your worthy Father & late Brother will I hope be revived in you & in some degree atone for their loss their acquaintance wth some others Dead were the greatest pleasure & Happiness\u2014I was ever blessed with. I am wth sincere wishes for yr prosperity Dr Sr, Yr most obedt Hble Servt\nRob. Jackson\nSince writing the above the Gout has seized me in the right wrist\u2014can hardly hold the pen.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1752}
]