[
{"created_timestamp": "01-01-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0045", "content": "Title: Poor Richard, 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nCourteous Reader,\nThis is the 15th Time I have entertain\u2019d thee with my annual Productions; I hope to thy Profit as well as mine. For besides the astronomical Calculations, and other Things usually contain\u2019d in Almanacks, which have their daily Use indeed while the Year continues, but then become of no Value, I have constantly interspers\u2019d moral Sentences, prudent Maxims, and wise Sayings, many of them containing much good Sense in very few Words, and therefore apt to leave strong and lasting Impressions on the Memory of young Persons, whereby they may receive Benefit as long as they live, when both Almanack and Almanack-maker have been long thrown by and forgotten. If I now and then insert a Joke or two, that seem to have little in them, my Apology is, that such may have their Use, since perhaps for their Sake light airy Minds peruse the rest, and so are struck by somewhat of more Weight and Moment. The Verses on the Heads of the Months are also generally design\u2019d to have the same Tendency. I need not tell thee that not many of them are of my own Making. If thou hast any Judgment in Poetry, thou wilt easily discern the Workman from the Bungler. I know as well as thee, that I am no Poet born; and it is a Trade I never learnt, nor indeed could learn. If I make Verses, \u2019tis in Spight\u2014Of Nature and my Stars, I write. Why then should I give my Readers bad Lines of my own, when good Ones of other People\u2019s are so plenty? \u2019Tis methinks a poor Excuse for the bad Entertainment of Guests, that the Food we set before them, tho\u2019 coarse and ordinary, is of one\u2019s own Raising, off one\u2019s own Plantation, &c. when there is Plenty of what is ten times better, to be had in the Market. On the contrary, I assure ye, my Friends, that I have procur\u2019d the best I could for ye, and much Good may\u2019t do ye.\nI cannot omit this Opportunity of making honourable Mention of the late deceased Ornament and Head of our Profession, Mr. Jacob Taylor, who for upwards of 40 Years (with some few Intermissions only) supply\u2019d the good People of this and the neighbouring Colonies, with the most compleat Ephemeris and most accurate Calculations that have hitherto appear\u2019d in America. He was an ingenious Mathematician, as well as an expert and skilful Astronomer; and moreover, no mean Philosopher, but what is more than all, He was a PIOUS and an HONEST Man. Requiescat in pace.\nI am thy poor Friend, to serve thee,\nR. Saunders\nXI Mon. January hath xxxi days.\nTo show the Strength, and Infamy of Pride,\nBy all \u2019tis follow\u2019d, and by all deny\u2019d.\nWhat Numbers are there, which at once pursue\nPraise, and the Glory to contemn it too?\nTo praise himself Vincenna knows a Shame,\nAnd therefore lays a Stratagem for Fame;\nMakes his Approach in Modesty\u2019s Disguise,\nTo win Applause, and takes it by Surprize.\n   Strive to be the greatest Man in your Country, and you may be disappointed; Strive to be the best, and you may succeed: He may well win the race that runs by himself.\nXII Mon. February hath xviii days.\nSee Wealth and Pow\u2019r! Say, what can be more great?\nNothing\u2014but Merit in a low Estate.\nTo Virtue\u2019s humblest Son let none prefer\nVice, tho\u2019 a Croesus or a Conqueror.\nShall Men, like Figures, pass for high, or base,\nSlight, or important, only by their Place?\nTitles are Marks of honest Men, and Wise;\nThe Fool, or Knave that wears a Title, lies.\n\u2019Tis a strange Forest that has no rotten Wood in\u2019t\n     And a strange Kindred that all are good in\u2019t.\n   None know the unfortunate, and the fortunate do not know themselves.\nI Mon. March hath xxxi days.\nCelestial Patience! How dost thou defeat\nThe Foe\u2019s proud Menace, and elude his Hate?\nWhile Passion takes his Part, betrays our Peace;\nTo Death and Torture swells each slight Disgrace;\nBy not opposing, Thou dost Ill destroy,\nAnd wear thy conquer\u2019d Sorrows into Joy.\n   There\u2019s a time to wink as well as to see.\n   Honest Tom! you may trust him with a house-full of untold Milstones.\n   There is no Man so bad, but he secretly respects the Good.\nII Mon. April hath xxx days.\nReligion\u2019s Force divine is best display\u2019d,\nIn a Desertion of all human Aid:\nTo succour in Extreams is her Delight,\nAnd cheer the Heart when Terror strikes the Sight.\nWe, disbelieving our own Senses, gaze,\nAnd wonder what a Mortal\u2019s Heart can raise,\nTo smile in Anguish, triumph in his Grief,\nAnd comfort those who come to bring Relief.\n  When there\u2019s more Malice shown than Matter:\n  On the Writer falls the satyr.\nIII Mon. May hath xxxi days.\nGirls, mark my Words; and know, for Men of Sense\nYour strongest Charms are native Innocence.\nShun all deceiving Arts; the Heart that\u2019s gain\u2019d\nBy Craft alone, can ne\u2019er be long retain\u2019d.\nArts on the Mind, like Paint upon the Face,\nFright him, that\u2019s worth your Love, from your Embrace.\nIn simple Manners all the Secret lies.\nBe kind and virtuous, you\u2019ll be blest and wise.\n   Courage would fight, but Discretion won\u2019t let him.\n   Delicate Dick! whisper\u2019d the Proclamation.\n   Cornelius ought to be Tacitus.\nIV Mon. June hath xxx days.\nO, form\u2019d Heav\u2019n\u2019s Dictates nobly to rehearse,\nPreacher Divine! accept the grateful Verse.\nThou hast the Power, the harden\u2019d Heart to warm,\nTo grieve, to raise, to terrify, to charm;\nTo fix the Soul on God, to teach the Mind\nTo know the Dignity of Human Kind;\nBy stricter Rules well-govern\u2019d Life to scan,\nAnd practise o\u2019er the Angel in the Man.\n   Pride and the Gout,\nAre seldom cur\u2019d throughout.\n   We are not so sensible of the greatest Health as of the least Sickness.\n   A good Example is the best sermon.\nV Mon. July hath xxxi days.\nMen drop so fast, ere Life\u2019s mid Stage we tread,\nFew know so many Friends alive as dead;\nYet, as immortal, in our uphill Chace,\nWe press coy Fortune with unslacken\u2019d Pace;\nOur ardent Labours for the Toy we seek,\nJoin Night to Day, and Sunday to the Week,\nOur very Joys are anxious, and expire\nBetween Satiety and fierce Desire.\n   A Father\u2019s a Treasure; a Brother\u2019s a Comfort; a Friend is both.\n   Despair ruins some, Presumption many.\nA quiet Conscience sleeps in Thunder,\nBut Rest and Guilt live far asunder.\nVI Mon. August hath xxxi days.\nA decent Competence we fully taste;\nIt strikes our Sense, and gives a constant Feast:\nMore, we perceive by Dint of Thought alone;\nThe Rich must labour to possess their own,\nTo feel their great Abundance; and request\nTheir humble Friends to help them to be blest;\nTo see their Treasures, hear their Glory told,\nAnd aid the wretched Impotence of Gold.\n   He that won\u2019t be counsell\u2019d, can\u2019t be help\u2019d.\n   Craft must be at charge for clothes, but Truth can go naked.\n   Write Injuries in Dust, Benefits in Marble.\nVII Mon. September hath xxx days.\nBut some, great Souls, and touch\u2019d with Warmth divine,\nGive Gold a Price, and teach its Beams to shine;\nAll hoarded Treasures they repute a Load,\nNor think their Wealth their own till well bestow\u2019d.\nGrand Reservoirs of public Happiness,\nThro\u2019 secret Streams diffusively they bless;\nAnd while their Bounties glide conceal\u2019d from View,\nRelieve our Wants, and spare our Blushes too.\n   What is Serving God? \u2019Tis doing Good to Man.\n   What maintains one Vice would bring up two Children.\n   Many have been ruin\u2019d by buying good pennyworths.\nVIII Mon. October hath xxxi days.\nOne to destroy, is Murder by the Law,\nAnd Gibbets keep the lifted Hand in Awe.\nTo murder Thousands, takes a specious Name,\nWar\u2019s glorious Art, and gives immortal Fame.\nO great Alliance! O divine Renown!\nWith Death and Pestilence to share the Crown!\nWhen Men extol a wild Destroyer\u2019s Name,\nEarth\u2019s Builder and Preserver they blaspheme.\n   Better is a little with content than much with contention.\nA Slip of the Foot you may soon recover:\nBut a Slip of the Tongue you may never get over.\n   What signifies your Patience, if you can\u2019t find it when you want it.\n   d. wise, \u00a3 foolish.\nIX Mon. November hath xxx days.\nI envy none their Pageantry and Show;\nI envy none the Gilding of their Woe.\nGive me, indulgent Heav\u2019n, with Mind serene,\nAnd guiltless Heart, to range the Sylvan Scene.\nNo splendid Poverty, no smiling Care,\nNo well bred Hate, or servile Grandeur there.\nThere pleasing Objects useful Thoughts suggest,\nThe Sense is ravish\u2019d, and the Soul is blest,\nOn every Thorn delightful Wisdom grows,\nIn every Rill a sweet Instruction flows.\n   Time enough, always proves little enough.\n   It is wise not to seek a Secret, and Honest not to reveal it.\n   A Mob\u2019s a Monster: Heads enough, but no Brains.\n   The Devil sweetens Poison with Honey.\nX Mon. December hath xxxi days.\nOld Age will come, Disease may come before,\nFifteen is full as mortal as Threescore.\nThy Fortune and thy Charms may soon decay;\nBut grant these Fugitives prolong their Stay;\nTheir Basis totters, their Foundation shakes,\nLife that supports them, in a Moment breaks.\nThen, wrought into the Soul, let Virtue shine,\nThe Ground eternal, as the Work divine.\n   He that cannot bear with other People\u2019s Passions, cannot govern his own.\nHe that by the Plow would thrive,\nHimself must either hold or drive.\nCourts.\nFrom Earth to Heav\u2019n when Justice fled,\nThe Laws decided in her Stead;\nFrom Heav\u2019n to Earth should she return,\nLawyers might beg, and Lawbooks burn.", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "01-04-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0047", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 4 January 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Strahan, William\nSir,\nPhilada. Jany. 4. 1746[,7]\nI wrote a Line to you some days since, via New York, enclosing a Bill of \u00a325 Sterling; the second in a Copy by some other Vessel from that Port; the third you have herein, together with a Bill of \u00a360 Sterling, which I hope will be duly honour\u2019d. My Wife wrote to you per Mesnard for 6 Nelson\u2019s Justice, 6 Dyche\u2019s Dictionary, 12 Cole\u2019s English ditto, 6 Female Fables, 6 Croxall\u2019s Ditto, and Mrs. Rowes Works compleat. If not sent before, please to add them to the within Invoice, and send the whole per first Ship; add also Lemery on Foods, and Dr. Moffet on Health. Please to deliver the enclos\u2019d Procuration to Mr. Acworth with the Bill. The Books you sent per Mesnard turn\u2019d out all right and in good Order, except that the Prayer Books had all wrong Psalms the old Version: I do not know if they will ever sell. The Paper should not have been cut at the Edges, being to be bound in Accompt Books. Our Friends Hall and Read continue well. My Wife joins me in best Respects to Mrs. Strahan and your self: She will write per Seymour, as will Mr. Hall. The Life of Du Renty, charg\u2019d at 6s. per Doz. has Price stitch\u2019d Four pence under the Title Page. Is there not some Mistake in the Charge? I am, Sir, Your obliged humble Servant\nB Franklin\nYour Government sent no Fleet to protect us from the French under D\u2019Anville. But they have been defeated by the Hand of God.\n Addressed: To \u2002Mr Wm Strahan \u2002Printer in Wine Office \u2002Court. \u2002Fleetstreet \u2002London \u2002per Capt. White", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "01-27-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0048", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Darling, 27 January 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Darling, Thomas\nSir\nPhilada. Jan. 27. 1746/7\nI receiv\u2019d yours of the 26th past, which I shall endeavour to answer fully per next Post. In the mean time please to tender my best Respects and Service to good Mr. and Madam Noyes, and the most agreable Ladies their Daughters, with Thanks for the Civility they were pleased to shew me when at Newhaven. We have printed nothing new here lately, except the Enclos\u2019d Pamphlet, which I send, in hope it may afford the Ladies and yourself some Amusement these long cold Winter Evenings. I am, Sir, Your most humble Servant\nB Franklin\n Endorsed: I Received this Letter Feb 12 1746/7", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "02-10-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0049", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Darling, 10 February 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Darling, Thomas\nSir\nPhilada. Feby. 10. 1746/7\nI wrote a Line to you per last Post, which I hope came to hand.\nThe Ingredients of Common Window and Bottle Glass are only Sand and Ashes. The Proportions of each I do not exactly know.\nThe Heat must be very great. Our Glasshouse consumes Twenty-four Hundred Cords of Wood per Annum tho\u2019 it works but Seven Months in the Year. (But the Wood is only of 3 Foot Length, which lessens the Quantity One Fourth.) It is split small and dried well in a Kiln before \u2019tis thrown into the Furnace. The Cutting, Hauling, Splitting and Drying of this Wood, employs a great many Hands, and is the principal Charge; for this Consumption of Wood in Making the necessary Heat furnishes at the same Time great Part of the Ashes that are wanted: An Advantage they have not in England, where they burn Sea Coal, the Ashes of which will make no Glass, nor even Soap.\nThe House and Furnace may cost about a Thousand Pounds of your Money. The Tools a Trifle, being only a few Iron Rods made hollow, with wooden Handles, Sheers &c. The Pots which contain the melted Glass Metal, are made of a particular Clay, which will stand a violent Fire. At first \u2019twas brought from England; \u2019tis now found here. They may be large enough to contain about 100 lb. of Metal.\nThere are no Workmen to be had here. But as several Glasshouses about London have blown out, since the discouraging Act which lays so heavy a Duty on Glass, possibly Hands may be easily procured from thence.\nIt will be adviseable, if you go on with this Affair, to procure a Tract of Land well wooded. 1500 or 1000 Acres may do, seated on or near some navigable Water. By dividing your Land, and cutting suppose a Thirtieth Part of your Wood yearly, suffering it to grow again, you may always be supply\u2019d. And by Means of the navigable Water, carry your Glass to Market cheaper and with less Risque of Breakage.\nIt will not suit me to be concern\u2019d at such a Distance. I heartily wish you Success, and if you need any further Information that I can procure for you, please to command me. My Wife joins with me in presenting our Service to good Mr. and Madam Noyes, to your good Spouse and amiable Sister. I hope little Miss continues well, and am, Sir, Your very humble Servant\nB Franklin\nAddressed: To \u2002Mr Thomas Darling \u2002in \u2002Newhaven \u2002Free \u2002B Franklin\nEndorsed: B Franklens Letter 10 feby 46/7", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "02-01-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0051", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Darling, [February 1747?]\nFrom: Darling, Thomas\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\n[February? 1747]\n1. How many men imployed in the whole?\n2. How many men imediately about the Glass blowing?\n3. How maney feet of Glass Do they make a Day?\n4. How Do they Sell it per foot in their Philedalphia?\n5. What are the Stone they make their furnace of and\n6. Where Do they Git them?\n7. Where are the pots made that Contain the metal?\n8. Who makes them?\n9. Can they be bought amonst you and what a peace?\n10. How Large the furnace and where Does it Stand?\n11. How Do you think workmen are to be hired i.e. glass mongers: are they to be had by the Day and how much their money per Day: if they be or are they to be hiered in as partners?\n12. [How] Maney pots Shall I need per Annum [and] how Long will they Last?\n13. How maney men Shall I Have Need to Send for to England?\n14. How Soon may the furnice be got a going?\n15. What Do you think their furnice Clears per annum?\n16. Where Does their furnice Stand? in what town? how far from Philedalphia?\n17. Whether there be any thing Special to Seperate the Glass from the Sedements?\n18. Why Dont the Iron Grates between the first and Second Chambers melt when the fire is So Extream? Cramer upon Metals.\n19. What the Reason workmen may not be had with you?\n20. When will their Furnace begin to work this Spring: because &c.\n21. What is the Contrivance of their Kiln?\n22. Do they in England Use potashes in m[aking] Glass?\n23. What part of Sand and ashes is Converted into Glass?", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "03-06-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0052", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 6 March 1747\nFrom: Logan, James\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nMy friend B. Franklin,\nStenton March 6. 1747\nI utterly forgot to send thee the N York Paper by my Son who was here this Morning but I now do it with my hearty thanks. I ordered him further to see thee to day and to beg thy Excuse for my desiring thee to send me a List of your Addition of Books to your Library which I did not the least apprehend would be sufficient to fill so much as one Quarter of a sheet of common paper, and indeed I am surpriz\u2019d to hear the number is so considerable since the year 1742 as to require the Press. But for my justification thou may\u2019st remember I had from thee about two years since (I think it was) a written List from thy own hand of the last Addition before. But I own I am grown very forgetful notwithstanding Cicero\u2019s expression (de Senectute) Omnia quae curant senes meminerint. Tho I shall scarce forget that I am thy obliged friend\nJ. Logan", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "03-27-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0054", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Darling, 27 March 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Darling, Thomas\nSir\nPhilada. March 27. 1747\nThere are, I am informed, Six Hands employed in blowing Glass; at first there were but two, who instructed the Rest. The two first Workmen were taken in as Partners by the Person who found Stock, and set up the Business, the others are Servants, therefore there are no Workmen to be engag\u2019d here for you. They work seven Months in the Year, and \u2019tis said make 20 Pounds worth of Glass per Diem. The Furnace is made of Bricks of white Clay, and renew\u2019d every Blast. The old Bricks are Pounded fine and mix\u2019d with fresh Clay to make the new. The Pots are made of Clay found here; they are made by the Workmen, and often fail. Cotton Stone might possibly be of Service. The Furnace is about 12 foot long, 8 wide, 6 high, has no Grate, the Fire being made on its Floor. Cramer\u2019s is a Furnace for Experiments only, therefore small. Its Grate melts not because of the fierce Draught of cold Air continually passing between the Bars. On each Side in the Furnace is a Bench or Bank of the same Materials with the Furnace, on which the Pots of Metal stand, 3 or 4 of a Side. I think the likeliest Way to get good Workmen from England, would be to invite them into Partnership. I suppose the Works might be compleated ready to go on, in a few Months. In England they get Salt by burning Kelp and Fern; they also buy foreign Potash. Our Works are now going, and as you propose to visit them this Spring, you will then have such an Opportunity of Satisfying your self in every Thing you want to know, as makes a more particular Answer to your Queries at this Time unnecessary. The Glasshouse is about 35 Miles beyond this City. I shall be glad to see you here, and am, with Respects to good Mr. Noyes and Family, Sir, Your humble Servant\nB Franklin\nPlease to give the enclos\u2019d with my humble Service, to Mr. President Clap.\n Addressed: To \u2002Mr Thomas Darling \u2002at the Revd Mr Noyes\u2019s in \u2002Newhaven \u2002Free B Franklin\nEndorsed: This Letter Received Apr 4[?] per Thos Darling\u2003\u2003\u2003\u2003\u2003\u2003B: Franklen Letter\u2003\u2003\u2003\u2003\u2003\u2003From Benj B Franklin To Thomas Darling", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "03-28-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0055", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 28 March 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Collinson, Peter\nThis is the earliest surviving letter in which Franklin alludes to his electrical investigations. It introduced the fourth edition of his Experiments and Observations in 1769. That edition, its predecessors and its successor, will be discussed below, under their respective dates of publication. This note is concerned rather with the several manuscript and printed versions of Franklin\u2019s reports of his electrical experiments.\nFranklin\u2019s practice was to keep drafts of his letters to Collinson, from which he made other copies for friends in America. Cadwallader Colden, for example, received several such copies. In the late summer of 1750 Franklin had Lewis Evans copy all his reports on electricity for young James Bowdoin of Massachusetts, who had shown keen interest during his summer visit to Philadelphia. Franklin corrected the 155\u2013page manuscript and forwarded it to Bowdoin, October 25, 1750. Along with Franklin\u2019s notes and corrections, there are marginal headings and notes in another hand, perhaps added from the printed editions. This manuscript belongs to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Boston.\nCollinson showed Franklin\u2019s letters to friends, read some of them to the Royal Society, and allowed copies to be made. He decided, late in 1750, to publish them, and they appeared in April 1751 with the title Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Made at Philadelphia in America, by Mr. Benjamin Franklin, and Communicated in several Letters to Mr. P. Collinson, of London, F.R.S., a thin pamphlet of 86 numbered pages, which included corrections and additions supplied by Franklin. Twenty more pages of letters, numbered 89\u2013109 and called Supplemental Experiments and Observations \u2026 Part II \u2026, were published in 1753; and another 44 (pp. 111\u201354), entitled New Experiments and Observations \u2026 Part III, appeared in 1754. Parts I and II were reprinted as a second edition in 1754; and all three parts, continuously paged, as a third edition in 1760, 1762, and 1764 respectively. Franklin was in London in 1769, and could supervise personally the publication of the fourth edition. He annotated the original parts of the first three editions with many corrections and additions, and added a number of scientific letters on other subjects. A fifth edition followed in 1774.\nThus five English editions of the Experiments and Observations appeared during Franklin\u2019s lifetime: the first, 1751, with two additional parts, 1753 and 1754; the second, 1754, of Parts I and II only; the third, 1760, with the two additional parts, 1762 and 1764; the fourth, 1769; and the fifth, 1774.\nThe first three editions are similar, but not identical; and the differences, some of which go to the substance of the matter, cannot be explained by the vagaries of eighteenth-century printing offices. The fourth edition shows, naturally, significant differences; and there are only a few variations between the fourth and fifth editions. Since all five printed editions differ from the Bowdoin manuscript, the question arises which version of these six should be printed here.\nIn general, a printed work is the effective and authoritative one, and in Franklin\u2019s case it was the printed editions which established his principles of electricity among the largest number of people. After 1754, however, the question arises, which printed edition? On the other hand, the manuscript reports Franklin sent Collinson, beginning with this letter in the spring of 1747, introduced him to the philosophers of the Royal Society and provided William Watson and other experimenters with hypotheses to test, discuss, and refine. If these manuscripts had survived they would take precedence here over any printed version.\nThe Bowdoin manuscript, though a copy, was supervised and corrected by Franklin. Made in 1750, it antedates the first printed edition of Experiments and Observations. It is also in several instances fuller than any printed version. It is therefore followed here.\nAppreciating, however, the historical and scientific importance of the several printed versions, with their significant changes and corrections, the editors have collated them and indicated the changes between manuscript and printed editions. Footnotes appear as they did in the printed editions, corrections and other emendations have been incorporated in the texts, and though it seemed unnecessary to note changes in spelling, capitalization, punctuation and paragraphing and verbal differences not affecting sense (the editions improved, generally, on the Bowdoin MS ), all changes of substance are indicated, such as differences in singular and plural nouns and verbs.\nTwo additional sources provide important material for annotating these letters. One is a copy of the 1751 edition which Franklin presented to Yale College before 1755. The other is Franklin\u2019s own volume of pamphlets, including the 1751 and 1754 editions. In both of these he made marginal notes and corrections. Both are in the Yale University Library. Citation will be precise as to which copy is meant\u2014the Yale presentation copy, Franklin\u2019s own copy, or any copy of the 1751 or 1754 editions.\nSir,\nPhiladelphia, March 28, 1747\nYour kind present of an electric tube, with directions for using it, has put several of us on making electrical experiments, in which we have observed some particular phaenomena that we look upon to be new. I shall, therefore communicate them to you in my next, though possibly they may not be new to you, as among the numbers daily employed in those experiments on your side the water, \u2019tis probable some one or other has hit on the same observations. For my own part, I never was before engaged in any study that so totally engrossed my attention and my time as this has lately done; for what with making experiments when I can be alone, and repeating them to my Friends and Acquaintance, who, from the novelty of the thing, come continually in crouds to see them, I have, during some months past, had little leisure for any thing else. 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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "04-15-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0057", "content": "Title: The Speech of Miss Polly Baker, 15 April 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nWhen Franklin wrote The Speech of Miss Polly Baker is not now known, though 1746 is a likely date. How a copy found its way to London is also a matter for speculation. All that is certain is that the earliest printing of the piece yet discovered was in a London newspaper, the General Advertiser, of April 15, 1747. Within a week five London papers reprinted it, and by the end of the month it had appeared in a number of provincial papers. Five monthly magazines picked it up\u2014three in London, including the Gentleman\u2019s, one in Edinburgh, and one in Dublin. The English magazines and papers reached America in midsummer. From one of them the Boston Weekly Post-Boy reprinted the Speech on July 20; both the New-York Gazette and the New-York Weekly Journal, each taking it from the Post-Boy, published it on August 3. Finally, on August 11, Franklin\u2019s former journeyman Jonas Green of Annapolis published a somewhat different version in the Maryland Gazette. In an introduction that may have been designed to puff the printer, Green asserted that the Speech had been \u201cpublished in the London and Gentleman\u2019s Magazines for April past, as well as in some other British Papers; but was there printed incorrectly, which I suppose was occasioned by the Mutilation it suffer\u2019d, in passing through the Hands of Transcribers before it reach\u2019d the Press in London: And happening to have a correct Copy of it by me, I cannot think it amiss to give it my Readers, not doubting it\u2019s favourable Reception.\u201d\nIn London the crusading deist Peter Annet included Polly\u2019s defense of her conduct in his Social Bliss Considered, 1749, a work on marriage, fornication, and divorce, which was later reprinted in his Collection of the Tracts of a Certain Free Enquirer. From time to time American newspapers revived the Speech. Probably from Annet or one of the London magazines the Abb\u00e9 Raynal took it for his popular Histoire Philosophique et Politique, 1770. Citing Polly\u2019s case as an example of the severity of New England\u2019s laws, Raynal made changes and additions to suit his purpose. He reduced the humor and amplified the indignation in Polly\u2019s outburst. Delivered \u201cil n\u2019y a pas long-tems,\u201d Raynal asserted, the Speech had had such an effect on every mind that the court absolved Polly from punishment and, \u201cpour comble de triomphe,\u201d one of her judges married her: \u201ctant la voix de la raison est audessus des prestiges de l\u2019\u00e9loquence \u00e9tudi\u00e9e.\u201d The piece was by this time so well known that one of the English translators of Raynal felt justified in omitting it, \u201cas this speech is in the hands of every English reader.\u201d Still other versions appeared in French, one of them in the Courier de l\u2019Europe, printed in London, 1777.\nThus far, however, the authorship of the Speech was unknown, or at least unpublished. Raynal apparently had no suspicion that Polly Baker was not a real person or her case not authentic. How Franklin confessed his authorship Mazzei revealed in 1788.\n\u201cAt the end of 1777 or the beginning of 1778, the Abb\u00e9 Raynal, having gone one evening to visit Dr. Franklin, found Silas Deane at Franklin\u2019s house. \u2018We were just speaking of your work,\u2019 Deane remarked, \u2018and were saying that you had been poorly served by those who gave you information about America and particularly my country.\u2019\n\u201cAs the Abb\u00e9 would not admit this, Deane cited several passages in which there was not a word of truth. Finally they came to speak of the tale of Polly Baker. This subject brought on a most serious dispute since the Abb\u00e9 maintained that he had taken it from an authentic account. Dr. Franklin after having enjoyed listening to the debate for some time, broke his silence and, addressing the Abb\u00e9 Raynal, said, \u2018M. l\u2019Abb\u00e9, I am going to set you straight. When I was young and printed a newspaper, it sometimes happened, when I was short of material to fill my sheet, that I amused myself by making up stories, and that of Polly Baker is one of the number.\u2019\n\u201c\u2018My word,\u2019 replied the Abb\u00e9 Raynal, giving up the argument, \u2018I would rather have included your tales in my book than many other men\u2019s truths.\u2019\u201d\nMazzei may have heard this anecdote from his friend Thomas Jefferson who was fond of telling the same story and who put it on paper in 1818, saying that he had heard it from Franklin himself in Paris\u2014that is, in 1784 or 1785.\nFour other authorities may also be cited on the question of authorship. John Adams, writing to James Warren on April 13, 1783, listed Polly Baker\u2019s Speech as one of Franklin\u2019s many \u201cOutrages to Morality and Decorum.\u201d The Abb\u00e9 Morellet recorded the episode of Franklin and Raynal in his Ana, a systematized commonplace book now in the British Museum. In the posthumous Kehl edition of Voltaire\u2019s works, in a volume published in 1784, appears the statement that Franklin wrote the Speech\u2014the first time this statement is known to have been made in print. And William Franklin told Jonathan Williams, Jr., in 1807 that his father \u201cwrote and printed a Piece called the Speech of Polly Baker, a young Woman supposed to have had several natural Children.\u201d\nThough Miss Baker\u2019s awkward predicament had its humorous side and Franklin presented only that, the plea he wrote for her moved many Europeans to sympathy. Raynal and other French philosophes used her, as they used the Good Quaker and the Noble Savage, as yet another weapon in the arsenal of revolution and reform.\nThe Speech of Miss Polly Baker, before a Court of Judicature, at Connecticut near Boston in New-England; where she was prosecuted the Fifth Time, for having a Bastard Child: Which influenced the Court to dispense with her Punishment, and induced one of her Judges to marry her the next Day.\nMay it please the Honourable Bench to indulge me in a few Words: I am a poor unhappy Woman, who have no Money to fee Lawyers to plead for me, being hard put to it to get a tolerable Living. I shall not trouble your Honours with long Speeches; for I have not the Presumption to expect, that you may, by any Means, be prevailed on to deviate in your Sentence from the Law, in my Favour. All I humbly hope is, That your Honours would charitably move the Governor\u2019s Goodness on my Behalf, that my Fine may be remitted. This is the Fifth Time, Gentlemen, that I have been dragg\u2019d before your Court on the same Account; twice I have paid heavy Fines, and twice have been brought to Publick Punishment, for want of Money to pay those Fines. This may have been agreeable to the Laws, and I don\u2019t dispute it; but since Laws are sometimes unreasonable in themselves, and therefore repealed, and others bear too hard on the Subject in particular Circumstances; and therefore there is left a Power somewhat to dispense with the Execution of them; I take the Liberty to say, That I think this Law, by which I am punished, is both unreasonable in itself, and particularly severe with regard to me, who have always lived an inoffensive Life in the Neighbourhood where I was born, and defy my Enemies (if I have any) to say I ever wrong\u2019d Man, Woman, or Child. Abstracted from the Law, I cannot conceive (may it please your Honours) what the Nature of my Offence is. I have brought Five fine Children into the World, at the Risque of my Life; I have maintain\u2019d them well by my own Industry, without burthening the Township, and would have done it better, if it had not been for the heavy Charges and Fines I have paid. Can it be a Crime (in the Nature of Things I mean) to add to the Number of the King\u2019s Subjects, in a new Country that really wants People? I own it, I should think it a Praise-worthy, rather than a punishable Action. I have debauched no other Woman\u2019s Husband, nor enticed any Youth; these Things I never was charg\u2019d with, nor has any one the least Cause of Complaint against me, unless, perhaps, the Minister, or Justice, because I have had Children without being married, by which they have missed a Wedding Fee. But, can ever this be a Fault of mine? I appeal to your Honours. You are pleased to allow I don\u2019t want Sense; but I must be stupified to the last Degree, not to prefer the Honourable State of Wedlock, to the Condition I have lived in. I always was, and still am willing to enter into it; and doubt not my behaving well in it, having all the Industry, Frugality, Fertility, and Skill in Oeconomy, appertaining to a good Wife\u2019s Character. I defy any Person to say, I ever refused an Offer of that Sort: On the contrary, I readily consented to the only Proposal of Marriage that ever was made me, which was when I was a Virgin; but too easily confiding in the Person\u2019s Sincerity that made it, I unhappily lost my own Honour, by trusting to his; for he got me with Child, and then forsook me: That very Person you all know; he is now become a Magistrate of this Country; and I had Hopes he would have appeared this Day on the Bench, and have endeavoured to moderate the Court in my Favour; then I should have scorn\u2019d to have mention\u2019d it; but I must now complain of it, as unjust and unequal, That my Betrayer and Undoer, the first Cause of all my Faults and Miscarriages (if they must be deemed such) should be advanc\u2019d to Honour and Power in the Government, that punishes my Misfortunes with Stripes and Infamy. I should be told, \u2019tis like, That were there no Act of Assembly in the Case, the Precepts of Religion are violated by my Transgressions. If mine, then, is a religious Offence, leave it to religious Punishments. You have already excluded me from the Comforts of your Church-Communion. Is not that sufficient? You believe I have offended Heaven, and must suffer eternal Fire: Will not that be sufficient? What Need is there, then, of your additional Fines and Whipping? I own, I do not think as you do; for, if I thought what you call a Sin, was really such, I could not presumptuously commit it. But, how can it be believed, that Heaven is angry at my having Children, when to the little done by me towards it, God has been pleased to add his Divine Skill and admirable Workmanship in the Formation of their Bodies, and crown\u2019d it, by furnishing them with rational and immortal Souls. Forgive me, Gentlemen, if I talk a little extravagantly on these Matters; I am no Divine, but if you, Gentlemen, must be making Laws, do not turn natural and useful Actions into Crimes, by your Prohibitions. But take into your wise Consideration, the great and growing Number of Batchelors in the Country, many of whom from the mean Fear of the Expences of a Family, have never sincerely and honourably courted a Woman in their Lives; and by their Manner of Living, leave unproduced (which is little better than Murder) Hundreds of their Posterity to the Thousandth Generation. Is not this a greater Offence against the Publick Good, than mine? Compel them, then, by Law, either to Marriage, or to pay double the Fine of Fornication every Year. What must poor young Women do, whom Custom have forbid to solicit the Men, and who cannot force themselves upon Husbands, when the Laws take no Care to provide them any; and yet severely punish them if they do their Duty without them; the Duty of the first and great Command of Nature, and of Nature\u2019s God, Encrease and Multiply. A Duty, from the steady Performance of which, nothing has been able to deter me; but for its Sake, I have hazarded the Loss of the Publick Esteem, and have frequently endured Publick Disgrace and Punishment; and therefore ought, in my humble Opinion, instead of a Whipping, to have a Statue erected to my Memory.", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "05-01-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0058", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to [William Strahan?], 1 May 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Strahan, William\nDear Sir\nPhilada. May 1. 1747\nThis is only to cover a Bill of Exchange for Eleven Pounds 2s. 2\u00bdd. Sterl. drawn on Richd. Atkinson of Colthouse by Wm. Satterthwaite, and to inform you that we are all well, as I hope this will find you and yours. I am Your most humble Servant\nB Franklin\nThis via New York. Copy with first Bill and Letter of Advice via Boston by the Mermaid Man of War", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "06-01-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0060", "content": "Title: Verses on the Virginia Capitol Fire, 1 June 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nThe capitol at Williamsburg, Virginia, was destroyed by fire on January 30, 1747. Addressing a special session of the General Assembly on April 1, Governor Sir William Gooch plunged directly into the matter: \u201cThe astonishing Fate of the Capitol occasions this meeting, and proves a Loss the more to be deplored, as being apparently the Effect of Malice and Design. I must indeed own it is difficult to comprehend how so flagitious a Crime could be committed, or even imagined, by any rational Creature. But when you have considered that the first Emission of the Smoke through the Shingles, was from an upper retir\u2019d Room, without Chimney or Wainscot; that the Persons who on its first Appearance hasten\u2019d thither to discover the Causes, found all the Inside of the Room in one Blaze, impossible to be extinguished; and that a Fire kindled by Accident could not have made so rapid a Progress; you will be forced to ascribe it to the horrid Machinations of desperate Villains, instigated by infernal Madness.\u201d And he called upon the Assembly, as \u201cthe Fathers of your Country,\u201d to take steps to repair the \u201cRoyal Fabrick.\u201d\nThe Council replied in terms yet more fulsome. Saluting their governor as \u201ca great Instrument under divine Providence, of conveying many Benefits to the Community, over which you so deservedly preside,\u201d they asserted that \u201cthe raging Fire, which consumed the Capitol,\u201d was \u201can awful Incitement to a general Reformation of Manners, the best Expedient for averting the wrathful Indignation of an incensed God \u2026,\u201d and expressed concern lest the religious enthusiasm introduced into Virginia by itinerant preachers should implant \u201ca Spirit more dangerous to the common Welfare, than the furious Element, which laid the Royal Edifice in Ashes.\u201d Finally they congratulated Gooch on his having been recently created baronet.\nGooch expressed his appreciation and thanks for the Council\u2019s concern and congratulations, assuring them that he would \u201coppose the Progress of Heterodoxy and Immorality; and \u2026 promote true Religion and Virtue, the sure Foundation of our present Happiness, and the only Hope of our future Reward.\u201d Neither Council nor Governor said anything more at this time about plans for rebuilding.\nFranklin printed the addresses in the Gazette, May 14. At the same time, amused by the extravagant compliments and irrelevancies, he composed a humorous paraphrase in blank verse, which he sent to James Parker with copies of the original speech, address and answer, and a covering letter. Parker printed them at once in a supplement to his New-York Gazette for June 1. The Maryland Gazette reprinted the verses, which \u201cmade a deal of Laughter\u201d in Annapolis. Parker printed them again in a supplement to the New-York Gazette, May 20, 1751.\nThe verses are ascribed to Franklin on authority of a letter from William Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., in 1807, in which he listed some of his father\u2019s uncollected writings and recalled that \u201cone of them was written in Doggrel Rhime, travesting the Addresses of the Council and Assembly of Virginia to the Governor, on the Burning of an old Court-House, which they pompously stiled the Capitol! \u2026 It must, I think, be between 50 and 60 Years since that Piece was publish\u2019d.\u201d\nMr. Printer,\nIt may entertain the curious and learned Part of your Subscribers, if you give them the following genuine Speech and Address, which, for the Importance of the Subject, Grandeur of Sentiment, and Elegance of Expression, perhaps exceed Any they have hitherto seen. For the Benefit of more common Readers, I have turn\u2019d them, with some Paraphrase, into plain English Verse. I am told by Friends, that my Performance is excellent: But I claim no other Praise than what regards my Rhyme, and my Perspicuity. All the other Beauties I acknowledge, are owing to the Original, whose true Sense I have every where follow\u2019d with a scrupulous Exactness. If envious Critics should observe, that some of my Lines are too short in their Number of Feet, I own it; but then, to make ample Amends, I have given very good Measure in most of the others. I am, Sir, your constant Reader,\nNed Type\n[Here follow The Speech of Sir William Gooch, the Humble Address of the Council, and the Governor\u2019s Answer.]\nThe Speech Versyfied.\nL--D have Mercy on us! \u2014 the Capitol! the Capitol! is burnt down!\nO astonishing Fate! \u2014 which occasions this Meeting in Town.\nAnd this Fate proves a Loss, to be deplored the more,\nThe said Fate being th\u2019 Effect of Malice and Design, to be sure.\nAnd yet \u2019tis hard to comprehend how a Crime of so flagitious a Nature\nShould be committed, or even imagined, by any but an irrational Creature.\nBut when you consider, that the first Emission of Smoke was not from below,\nAnd that Fires kindled by Accident always burn slow,\nAnd not with half the Fury as when they burn on Purpose you know\nYou\u2019ll be forced to ascribe it (with Hearts full of Sadness)\nTo the horrid Machinations of desperate Villains, instigated by infernal Madness.\nGod forbid I should accuse or excuse any without just Foundation,\nYet I may venture to assert \u2014 for our own Reputation,\nThat such superlative Wickedness never entred the Hearts of Virginians, who are the Cream of the British Nation.\nThe Clerks have been examin\u2019d, and clear\u2019d by the May\u2019r,\nYet are willing to be examin\u2019d again by you, and that\u2019s fair.\nAnd will prove in the Face of the Country, if requir\u2019d,\nThat it was not by their Conduct our Capitol was fir\u2019d.\nI must add, to do \u2019em Justice, that the Comfort we have,\nIn enjoying our authentic Registers, which those Clerks did save,\nIs owing to their Activity, Resolution and Diligence,\nTogether with Divine Providence\nAll which would have been in vain, I protest,\nIf the Wind, at the bursting out of the Flames, had not changed from East to Northwest.\nOur Treasury being low, and my Infirmities great,\nI would have kept you prorogu\u2019d till the Revisal of the Laws was compleat;\nBut this Misfortune befalling the Capitol of the Capital of our Nation\nRequire your immediate Care and Assistance for its Instauration.\nTo press you in a Point of such Usefulness manifest,\nWould shew a Diffidence of your sincere Zeal for the public Interest\nFor which you and I always make such a laudable Pother,\nAnd for which we\u2019ve so often applauded one Another.\nThe same public Spirit which within these Walls us\u2019d to direct you all,\nWill determine you (as Fathers of your Country) to apply Means effectual\nFor restoring the Royal Fabric to its former Beauty\nAnd Magnificence, according to your Duty;\nWith the like Apartments, elegant and spacious\nFor all the weighty purposes of Government, so capacious.\nMean time the College and Court of Hustings our Weight may sustain,\nBut pray let us speedily have our Capitol, our important Capitol again.\nThe Council\u2019s Answer.\nWe the King\u2019s best Subjects, the Council of this Dominion,\nAre deeply affected (as is every true Virginian)\nWith the unhappy Occasion of our present Meeting:\n\u2014\u2014 In Troth we have but a sorry Greeting.\nWe are also not a little touch\u2019d (in the Head) with the same Weakness as your Honour\u2019s,\nAnd therefore think this raging Fire which consum\u2019d our Capitol, should incite us to reform our Manners:\nThe best Expedient at present to avert the Indignation divine,\nAnd nobly to express our Gratitude for the Justice, which (temper\u2019d with Mercy) doth shine,\nIn preserving our Records, tho\u2019 Red hot,\nAnd like Brands pluck\u2019d out of the Flames, in which they were going to pot,\nWithout this Expedient we shall be ruin\u2019d quite.\nBesides, This Fire puts us in Mind of New-Light;\nAnd we think it Heav\u2019n\u2019s Judgment on us for tolerating the Presbyterians,\nWhose Forefathers drubb\u2019d ours, about a hundred Year-hence.\nWe therefore resolve to abate a little of our Drinking, Gaming, Cursing and Swearing,\nAnd make up for the rest, by persecuting some itinerant Presbyterian.\nAn active Discharge of our important Trusts, according to your Honour\u2019s Desire,\nIs the wisest Project of Insurance that can be, of the Public Safety, from the Attempts of such as would set it on fire.\n\u2019Tis a Project also for advancing the Honour and Interest of our King and Nation,\nAnd a Project for engaging Heaven\u2019s Protection from Generation to Generation.\nWe take this Opportunity, that we may not be suspected of Malignity,\nTo congratulate you, Sir, on your Promotion to the Baronet\u2019s Dignity;\nA fresh Instance of just Regard to your long and faithful Services, we say,\nBecause from Carthagena your Honour came safe away.\nAnd you lent and sent such great Assistance\n   *One WHOLE Company.\n for reducing Canada.\nThe Baronet\u2019s Reply.\n   The just Sense you express for the Loss of our Capitol, which to be sure was a fatal Mishap,\n   Your affectionate Concern for the Infirmities of my Honour,\n   And Joy at my new Title, of which our good K\u2014g is the Donor,\n   Claim sincere Acknowledgments of Thankfulness,\n   And Gratitude, for this obliging Address.\nAnd, (lest here and hereafter we\u2019re left in the Lurch)\n   To promote true Religion, (I mean our own Church)\n   I\u2019ll heartily concur with you, and lend a few Knocks\n   To suppress these confounding New Light Heterodox.\n   Then if from our Sins, we also refrain,\nPerhaps we may have our Capitol! our dear Capitol! our glorious Royal Capitol again.", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "06-01-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0061", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 1 June 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Strahan, William\nDear Sir\nPhilada. June 1. 1747\nMr. Hall will acquaint you of the Footing we are about to go upon &c. &c. I have only time to acquaint you, that I have sent you several Bills lately, and will speedily remit you whatever shall be due to you after the Receipt of the Parcel of Books some time since wrote for. My best Respects to Mrs. Strahan and Wishes of Happiness to you and all Yours, in which my Wife joins me heartily, is all at present from Your obliged Friend and Servant\nB Franklin\nAdd Feuquiere\u2019s Memoirs of the late War 2 Vols. 8vo. Also Parker\u2019s military Memoirs printed for Austin price 3s. 6d.\nAddressed: To \u2002Mr William Strahan \u2002Printer in Wine-Office Court Fleetstreet \u2002London \u2002Per 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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "06-01-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0062", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 1 June 1747\nFrom: Collinson, Peter\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nRespected friend\nLondn. June 1: 1747\nI shall be pleased to Hear that Mine per Mesnard and Dowers are come safe to your Hands with the books &c. and 4 Transactions all Committed to the Care of Elias Bland to putt up with his Letters. via N York I advised of your Bill on Oliver for \u00a347 5s. 5d. is received and placed to Account.\nInclosed are some proposals. Pray send one to J: Logan.\nI am with Respects thine\nP Collinson\nBooks &c. by Dowers and Mesnard\nDitto by this Ship\nI doubt not but your proprietors fine present of an Electrical aparatas setts you all to Work.\nAddressed: To \u2003Benn. Francklin \u2003These", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "06-23-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0064", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from George Whitefield, 23 June 1747\nFrom: Whitefield, George\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nDear Mr. Franklin\n[Philadel]phia June 23. 1747\nI thank You heartily for Your kind preamble to the Subscription. I only object against its being made publick so as to engage persons in America and Great Britain. I think such a procedure would betray somewhat of meaness of Spirit and of a confidence in Him who hitherto has never left me in extremity, since I think a private subscription among my Friends here and elsewhere would raise as much as I want. The publication of such a subscription would raise I believe more than is sufficient to pay my debts. I seek no such thing. If I can say I owe no man anything but love, I do not desire to save a groat, any more than will serve for a visible fund for the Orphan-house after my decease. [That?] institution I cannot give up. I know it would grieve thousands. Besides I am persuaded the New plantation in South Carolina will more than supply Bethesda with what (as it now subsists) it stands in need of. Need I add that there are several fatherless Children, [torn: whom I] look upon as my own who must then be turned out into a [torn] I cannot bring them to Pensylvania, because I [torn] to [torn] here; and if the Orphan-house should be given up [before?] my departure to my Native Country, America, in all probability, would see me no more. Whilst that stands, I shall have a visible call to visit these parts again. If this reasoning be not sound, let me be indulged in the Orphan-house since it is my darling, and a darling in which my own private interest cannot be concerned. Let it suffice to inform You that if I am helped out of my present embarrassments, I intend troubling no one for the Orphan-house any more. Excuse me from adding anything further. You know how generous minds work. I think it more blessed to give than to receive. But I submit to [torn] once tho\u2019 Lord of all condescended to live [torn] alms. At the same I would be humbled for all im [torn] cies in his service, and committing all my concerns to [His] hands, I subscribe myself Dear Sir Your very affectionate Friend and Servant\nG W.\nWould it not be for a few Trusty Friends to [have?] Copies of the preamble and to agree to call upon such persons as they have most interest with? I depend on my Friends Readiness and dispatch. Bis dat qui cito dat.", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "07-06-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0065", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Turner, 6 July 1747\nFrom: Turner, James\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\n   Mr. Franklyn\n   Sir\nBoston July 6th. 1747\nHerewith I send the Seal which you so long ago Spoke to me for, for Mr. Read. The Occasion of my sending it to you and not directly to him was because that the Seal being very heavy might cause him a great Charge which I thought he might be eased of by my sending it to you as you are Postmaster. I am very Sorry that I disappointed the Gentleman of it so long but it has been my Ill fortune ever Since I have been for my Self to be Involved in a great deal of large Unprofitable Silver Smiths work which was particularly my Case when your Brother Mr. J Franklyn procured me a large Job of Engraveing so that I cou\u2019d not begin on that work till some time after you was last in Town but I hope as I have now Just got these plates ready for the press that I shall be able to mend this fault of keeping work so long, for the future. I have sent with the Seal 2 Impressions from it one on wax taken off by hand the other on a Wafer taken off in Colonel B Pollards Press. The Letters show best on the latter because of its being such a large body of Metal that it chils the Wax before it can enter the Letters, but I think that either of \u2019em are legible enough. Soon after I began to work upon it I found that the Price I mentiond to you was much too little, and that I cou\u2019d not afford to take pains to do it well under at least \u00a33 more, but however depending on the Gentleman\u2019s Generosity I have taken no less pains about it than if I had actually agreed for \u00a315. One thing I must Confess seems sufficient to stop my mouth on this Account viz. my keeping it so long in hand but I think my Self punish\u2019d enough by the Constant falling of our money. But after all I do not demand any more than \u00a312 the Sum I Mentiond to you (tho it was but a guess as I had never done one of this Size and but one great or Small in Steel before) for I always make it my rule to stand strictly to any bargain I make tho I lose by it and \u00a312 I shall account to be the bargain that I made with you about this Seal Unless the Gentleman is Convinc\u2019d that it is worth more and he is willing to allow it so hoping it will give him Satisfaction and resting the price Intirely with him I remain his and Your most Obliged humble Servant\nJames Turner\nP.S. Unless the Gentleman has Money already in Boston he may direct it Either to me or to your Brother Mr. J Franklyn and if you or any Other Gentlemen wants any graveing work done of any Sort I should be glad of an Oppertunity of retrieveing the Credit I may have lost by keeping this and the things I did for you long.\nYours JT\nAddressed: To \u2002Mr. Benj: Fraklyn Postmaster \u2002In \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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "07-13-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0066", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 13 July 1747\nFrom: Logan, James\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nMy friend B. Franklin\nI received this afternoon a Copy of the Proposals for printing another Edition of Universal History of which I had a sight of the first vol: about two or three years since from my Friend Richd Peters, of which notwithstanding I could not approve of some particulars in the Preface which 1 was very sensible were wrong, tho\u2019 I cannot remember at present what they were, yet I very much approve of the design, and should be much pleased with the sight of these 20 volls, tho\u2019 I conceive there must be at least as many more to compleat the work. I should be pleased to know whether R.P. has the whole 9 volls in folio that have been publish\u2019d. But I am of opinion that the Modern History of Europe had as well be omitted, and that they had as good only give what concerns the Asiaticks and Africans. Since these proposals are dated the 30th of May 1746 I admire they should not publish the first till January last. I presume thou hast not yet received any or more than one or two at most. I thank thee for thy new Catalogue but am sorry thy Friend Parker could have no help to range their Library into some tolerable order. Old as I am, now near 73, and much fail\u2019d in all respects, I want to lay out about \u00a3200 Sterling more in Books which I shall do if I am so happy as to see a peace without farther disturbance and I have my Catalogue ready drawn. I should take it as a favour if I could see thee oftner here, for I want to ask divers questions; but shall add no more at present but that I am with great Truth and Reality Thy sincere Friend\nJ. Logan", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "07-16-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0067", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jared Eliot, 16 July 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Eliot, Jared\nDear Sir\nPhilada. July 16. 1747\nI receiv\u2019d your Favour of the 4th Instant. I ought before this Time to have acknowledg\u2019d the Receipt of the Book, which came very safe and in good Order, to hand. We have many Oil Mills in this Province, it being a great Country for Flax. Linseed Oil may now be bought for 3s. per Gallon; sometimes for 2s. 6d: But at New York I have been told it generally holds up at about 8s. Of this you can easily be satisfy\u2019d, it being your Neighbour Government. In your last, you enquir\u2019d about the kind of Land from which our Hemp is rais\u2019d. I am told it must be very rich Land; sometimes they use drain\u2019d Swamps and bank\u2019d Meadows: But the greatest Part of our Hemp is brought from Canistogo which is a large and very rich Tract [of Land] 70 Miles [west] from this City on the Banks of Sasquehanah a large fresh Water River. It is brought down in Waggons. If you should send any of your Steel Saws here for Sale, I should not be wanting where my Recommendation might be of Service. We have had as wet a Summer as has been known here these Thirty Years, so that it was with Difficulty our People got in their Harvest. In some Parts of the Country a great Deal of Hay has been lost, and some Corn mildew\u2019d: but in general the Harvest has been very great. The two preceding Summers (particularly the last,) were excessively dry. I think with you, it might be of Advantage to know what the Seasons are in the Several Parts of the Country. One\u2019s Curiosity in some philosophical Points might also be gratified by it. We have frequently along this North American Coast, Storms from the N East, which blow violently sometimes 3 or 4 Days. Of these I have had a very singular Opinion some years, viz. that tho\u2019 the Coarse of the Wind is from NE. to S.W. yet the Course of the Storm is from S.W to NE. i.e. the Air is in violent Motion in Virginia before it moves in Connecticut, and in Connecticut before it moves at Cape Sable, &c. My Reasons for this Opinion (if the like have not occur\u2019d to you) I will give in my next. I thank you for the curious Facts you have communicated to me relating to Springs. I think with you, that most Springs arise from Rains, Dews, or Ponds, &c. on higher Grounds: Yet possibly some that break out near the Tops of high Hollow Mountains, may proceed from the Abyss, or from Water in the Caverns of the Earth, rarified by its internal Heat, and raised in Vapour, \u2019till the cold Region near the Tops of such Mountains condense the Vapour into Water [again?] which comes forth in Springs and runs down on the outside of the Mountain, as it ascended on the [Inside?]. There is said to be a large Spring near the Top of Teneriffe; and that Mountain was formerly a Volcano, consequently hollow within. Such Springs, if such there be, may properly be call\u2019d Springs of distill\u2019d Water. Now I mention Mountains it occurs to tell you, that the great Apalachian Mountains, which run from York River back of these Colonies to the Bay of Mexico, show in many Places near the highest Parts of them, Strata of Sea Shells, in some Places the Marks of them are in the solid Rocks. \u2019Tis certainly the Wreck of a World we live on! We have Specimens of those Sea shell Rocks broken off near the Tops of those Mountains, brought and deposited in our Library as Curiosities. If you have not seen the like, I\u2019ll send you a Piece. Farther, about Mountains (for Ideas will string themselves like Ropes of Onions) when I was once riding in your Country, Mr. Walker show\u2019d me at a Distance the Bluff Side or End of a Mountain, which appeared striped from top to Bottom, and told me the Stone or Rock of that Mountain was divided by Nature into Pillars; of this I should be glad to have a particular Account from you. I think I was somewhere near Newhaven when I saw it. You made some Mistake when you intended to favour me with some of the new valuable Grass Seed (I think you call\u2019d it Hurd Seed) for what you gave me is grown up, and proves meer Timothy; so I suppose you took it out of a wrong Paper or Parcel.\nI wish your new Law may have the good Effect expected from it, in extricating your Government from the heavy Debt this War has oblig\u2019d them to contract. I am too little acquainted with your particular Circumstances to Judge of the Prudence of such a Law for your Colony with any Degree of Exactness. But to a Friend one may hazard one\u2019s Notions right or wrong. And as you are pleas\u2019d to desire my Thoughts, you shall have \u2019em and welcome. I wish they were better. First, I imagine that the Five Per Cent Duty on Goods imported from your Neighbouring Governments, tho\u2019 paid at first Hand by the Importer, will not upon the whole come out of his Pocket, but be paid in Fact by the Consumer: For the Importer will be sure to sell his Goods as much dearer as to reimburse himself: So that it is only another Mode of Taxing your own People, tho\u2019 perhaps meant to raise Money on your Neighbours. Yet if you can make some of the Goods, heretofore imported, among yourselves, the advanc\u2019d Price of 5 percent may encourage your own Manufacture [torn] and in time make the Importation of such Articles unnecessary, which will be an Advantage. Secondly, I imagine the Law will be difficult to execute, require many Officers to prevent Smugling, in so extended a Coast as yours; and the Charge considerable: And if Smugling is not prevented, the fair Trader will be undersold and ruined. If the Officers are many and busy, there will arise Numbers of vexatious Lawsuits, and Dissensions among your People. Quere whether the Advantages will overballance. Thirdly, if there is any Part of your Produce that you can well spare and would desire to have taken off by your Neighbours in Exchange for something you more want, perhaps they, taking Offence at your selfish Law, may in Return lay such heavy Duties or Discouragements on that Article, as to leave it a Drug on your Hands. As to the Duty on transporting Lumber, (unless in Connecticut Bottoms to the West Indies) I suppose the Design is to raise the Price of such Lumber on your Neighbours, and throw that advanc\u2019d Price into your Treasury: But may not your Neighbours supply themselves elsewhere; or if Numbers of your People have Lumber to dispose of, and want Goods from, or have Debts to, pay to your Neighbours, will they not, (unless you employ Numbers of Officers, to watch all your Creeks, and Landings) run their Lumber, and so defeat the Law; or if the Law is strictly executed, and the Duty discourage the Transportation to your Neighbours, will not all your People that want to dispose of Lumber, be laid at the Mercy of those few Merchants that send it to the W. Indies, who will buy it at their own Price, and make such Pay for it as they think proper. If I had seen the Law, and heard the Reasons that are given for making it, I might have judg\u2019d and talk\u2019d of it more to the purpose. At present I shoot my Bolt pretty much in the Dark: But you can excuse, and make proper Allowances. My best Respects to good Madam Elliot and your Sons; and if it falls in your Way, my Service to the kind hospitable People near the River, whose Name I am sorry I\u2019ve forgot. I am, Dear Sir, [with] the utmost Regard, 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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "07-19-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0068", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 19 July 1747\nFrom: Logan, James\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nMy friend B. Franklin,\nStenton July 19 \u20031747\n   I can scarce ever forgive thee for not shewing me, in now above two years and a half, Dr. Colden\u2019s Answer to my Objections to his Fluxions: For he had good reason to say that either my Memory had fail\u2019d me, or I had read that piece with little attention; the last of which is exactly true, tho\u2019 I remember not now what other business diverted me from it; but some there was: And the whole piece prov\u2019d to me intolerably tedious, for so it truly appears to me at this time. But then he was exceedingly himself to blame, for writing in page 10 at the 2dx+x+1 which ought according to the usual notation to have been wrote \u1e8b+1 and even then with the point on the line itself which in that case is the only common method. I might have overlooked it but as he wrote it, I took no manner of notice of the point. And as himself says, but by a mistake in too much haste I presume I own they more properly might have been mark\u2019d thus \u221a10+0.1 instead of \u221a10+0.1, and it is a mistake to say the [remainder missing].", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "07-21-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0069", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from G. Row[se?], 21 July 1747\nFrom: Rowse, G.\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir\nNorth East July 21st. 1747\nI\u2019m informd of Some Letters from Virginia being directed for your care, if any arrived please send per Enoch Story and if any shoud Soon come to hand please to Order the Post to deliver them at my house which will much oblige Sir Your humble Ser[vant]\nG. Row[se?]\nTo Mr. Franklin\nAddressed: To \u2002Mr. Benjn. Franklin \u2002Postmaster in \u2002Philadelphia \u2002By favour Captn. West", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "07-27-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0071", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Dowse, 27 July 1747\nFrom: Dowse, Joseph\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir\nBoston July 27 1747\nMrs. Steel who got here last week desires me to write you in her behalf, to acknowledge the many kind Acts of Freindship she hath received from you and at the same time to sollicit you to let me or her know what new Matter you had received after her leaving Philadelphia to be displeased with her or her conduct as you Seem to be in a letter she received after she left you. She assures me she is not consious of any thing either said or done and doth with the utmost Sincerity esteem you her freind, and therefore thinks she can fairly chalange your open Answer to this earnest demand. I tell her Im assured from your Character there must have happned some Mistake between you, or some ill minded persons delivered wrong representations or fashoods. To this desire of Mrs. Steel, I would add my own and pray you would be so kind as to comply with her request and let me know, if you please, what hath been the cause of these surmises. Please also let me know whether you have sold her Horse and Chair and what she may be indebted to you which I will with the utmost care see you reimbursd: Your complyance with this request will greatly oblidge Sir Your Most Humble Servant\nJoseph Dowse\nI beleive it would be best to dispose of the Horse &c. assoon as may be for what it will fetch. I can assure you Mrs. Steel speaks of you, and your kindness with the greatest esteem.\n Addressed: To \u2002Mr: Benja Franklin \u2002at \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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "07-28-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0072", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 28 July 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Collinson, Peter\nSir\nPhilada. July 28. 1747\nThe inclosed is a Copy of my last, which went by the Governour\u2019s Vessel: since which we have received, by Mesnard and Ouchterlony, Hill\u2019s Theophrastus, Pemberton\u2019s Dispensatory, Wilson\u2019s Electricity and some other Pamphlets. The Proprietor\u2019s handsome Present of a complete Electrical Apparatus &c. is also come to Hand in good Order, and is put up in the Library; but little has been done with it yet, the Weather having been excessively hot and moist ever since it arrived. The Directors have ordered his very kind Letter to be answered with the Thanks of the Company. I suppose it will be done by this Ship, if her unexpected sudden Departure does not prevent.\nThe necessary Trouble of copying long Letters which perhaps, when they come to your Hands, may contain Nothing new or worth your Reading, so quick is the Progress made with you in Electricity, half discourages me from writing anymore on that Subject. Yet I can not forbear adding a few Observations on Mr. Muschenbroek\u2019s wonderful Bottle. vizt.\n1. The Non-electric, contained in the Bottle, differs, when electrised from a Non-electric electrised out of the Bottle in this; That the Electrical Fire of the latter is accumulated on it\u2019s Surface, and forms an Electrical Atmosphere round it, of considerable Extent; but the Electrical Fire is crouded into the Substance of the former; the Glass confining it.\n2 At the same Time that the Wire and Top of the Bottle &c. is electrised positively or plus, the Bottom of the Bottle is electrised negatively or minus in exact Proportion. i.e. Whatever Quantity of Electrical Fire is thrown in at [the] Top, an equal Quantity goes out of the Bottom. To understand this, Suppose the common Quantity of Electricity in each Part of the Bottle, before the Operation begins, is equal to 20, and at every Stroke of the Tube, suppose a Quantity equal to 1 is thrown in; then after the first Stroke, the Quantity contained in the Wire and upper Part of the Bottle will be 21, in the Bottom 19. After the second, the upper Part will have 22, the lower 18, and so on, till after 20 Strokes, the upper Part will have a Quantity of Electrical Fire equal to 40, the lower none: and then the Operation ends; for no more can be thrown into the upper Part, when no more can be driven out of the lower Part. If you attempt to throw more in, it is spued back thro\u2019 the Wire, or flies out in loud Cracks thro\u2019 the Sides of the Bottle.\n3 The Equilibrium can not be restored in the Bottle by inward Communication, or Contact of the Parts; but it must be done by a Communication form\u2019d without the Bottle, between the Top and Bottom, by some Non-electric touching both at the same Time. In which Case, if the Contact be large especially, it is restored with a Violence and Quickness inexpressible; or touching each alternately, in which Case the Equilibrium is restored by Degrees.\n4 As no more Electrical Fire can be thrown into the Top of the Bottle, when all is driven out of the Bottom. So in a Bottle not yet electrised, none can be thrown into the Top, when none can get out of the Bottom; which happens either when the Bottom is too thick, or when the Bottle is placed on an Electric-per-se. Again, when the Bottle is electrised, but little of the Electrical Fire can be drawn out from the Top, by touching the Wire, unless an equal Quantity can at the same Time get in at the Bottom. Thus place an Electris\u2019d Bottle on clean Glass or dry Wax, and you will not, by touching the Wire, get out the Fire from the Top. Place it on a Non-electric, and touch the Wire, you will get it out in a short Time; but soonest, when you form a direct Communication, as above.\nSo wonderfully are these two States of Electricity, the plus and minus combined and ballanced in this miraculous Bottle! situated and related to each other in a Manner that I can by no Means comprehend! If it were possible that a Bottle should in one Part contain a Quantity of Air strongly comprest, and in another Part a perfect Vacuum; We know the Equilibrium would be instantly restored within. But here we have a Bottle, containing at the same Time a Plenum of Electrical Fire and a Vacuum of the same Fire; and yet the Equilibrium can not be restored between them but by a Communication without! Tho\u2019 the Plenum presses violently to expand, and the hungry Vacuum seems to attract as violently in Order to be filled.\n5 The Shock to the Nerves (or Convulsion rather) is occasioned by the sudden Passing of the Fire thro\u2019 the Body in its Way from the Top to the Bottom of the Bottle. The Fire takes the shortest Course, as Mr. Watson justly observes; but he was mistaken in supposing, that for a person to be shock\u2019d a Communication with the Floor is necessary (see Sequel p. 67, 68, 69). He that holds the Bottle with one Hand, and touches the Wire with the other, will be shockt as much, tho\u2019 his Shoes be dry, or even standing on Wax, as otherwise. And on the Touch of the Wire (or of the Gun Barrel, which is the same Thing) the Fire does not proceed from the touching Finger to the Wire, as he supposes, but from the Wire to the Finger, and passes thro\u2019 the Body to the other Hand, and so into the Bottom of the Bottle. We are all obliged to that Gentleman for Publishing his ingenious Observations. It is likely he has seen these little Mistakes himself before this Time; and therefore it is hardly necessary to shew him what I write: If you should, I hope, he will excuse the Freedom I have taken; it being only in a private Letter; There is also some apparent Contradiction between his No. XLVII and LXII in the Sequel which I need not further point out.\nExperiments confirming the above\nExper. I. Place an electrised Vial on Wax. A small Cork Ball suspended by a dry Silk Thread held in your Hand, and brought near to the Wire, will first be attracted and then repell\u2019d. When in this State of Repellency, sink your Hand, that the Ball may be brought towards the Bottom of the Bottle, it will there be instantly and strongly attracted, \u2019till it has parted with it\u2019s Fire. If the Bottle had an Electrical Atmosphere as well as the Wire, an Electrified Cork would be repell\u2019d from one as well as from the other.\n   Exper. II [fig. 1]. From a bent Wire [(a)] sticking in the Table, let a small Linen Thread [(b)] hang down within half an Inch of the Electrised Vial [(c)]. Touch the Wire of the Vial repeatedly with your Finger; and at every touch you will see the Thread instantly attracted by the Bottle. This is best done with a Vinegar Cruet, or some such belly\u2019d Bottle. As soon as you draw any Fire out from the upper Part, by touching the Wire, the lower Part of the Bottle draws an equal Quantity in by the Thread.\n   Exper. III [fig. 2]. Fix a Wire in the Lead, with which the Bottom of the Bottle is armed [(d)], so as that bending upwards, it\u2019s Ring End may be level with the Top, or Ring End of the Wire in the Cork [(e)], and at 3 or 4 Inches Distance. Then electrise the Bottle, and place it on Wax. If a Cork suspended by a Silk Thread [(f)] hang between these two Wires, it will play incessantly from one to the other, \u2019till the Bottle is no longer electrised. That is, it fetches and carries Fire from the Top to the Bottom of the Bottle till the Equilibrium is restored.\n   Exper. IV [fig. 3]. Place an electricised Vial upon Wax. Take a Wire [(g)] bent in the Form of a C, the Ends at such a Distance when bent, as that the upper may touch the Wire of the Bottle, when the lower touches the Bottom; stick the outer Part to a Piece of Sealing Wax [(h)] which will serve as a Handle. Then apply the lower End to the Bottom of the Bottle, and gradually bring the upper End near the Wire in the Cork: the Consequence is; Spark follows Spark till the Equilibrium is restored. Touch the Top first, and on approaching the Bottom with the other End, you have a constant Stream of Fire from the Wire entering the Bottle. Touch Top and Bottom together, and the Equilibrium will soon be restored but silently and imperceptibly, the Contact being small; the crooked Wire forming the Communication.\n   Exper. V [fig. 4]. Let a Ring of thin Lead or Paper surround the Bottle [(i)], even at some Distance from or above the Bottom: From that Ring let a Wire proceed up till it touch the Wire of the Cork [(k)]. A Bottle, so fixt, can not by any Means be electrised; the Equilibrium is never destroyed. For while the Communication between the upper and lower Parts of the Bottle is continu\u2019d by the outside Wire what is driven out at Bottom is constantly supplied from the Top. Hence a Bottle can not be electrised that is foul or moist on the Outside.\nExper. VI. Place a Man on a Cake of Wax and present him the Wire of the Electrified Vial to touch, you standing on the Floor, and holding it in your Hand. As often as he touches [it] he will be electrified plus, and any one standing on the Floor may draw a Spark from him. The Fire in this Experiment passes out of the Wire into him; and at the same Time out of your Hand into the Bottom of the Bottle.\nExper. VII. Give him the electrified Vial to hold, and do you touch the Wire. As often as you touch it, he will be electrified minus, and may draw a Spark from any one standing on the Floor. The Fire now Passes from the Wire to you, and from him into the Bottom of the Bottle.\nExper. VIII. Lay two Books on two Glasses back towards back, 2 or 3 Inches distant, set the electrified Vial on one, and then touch the Wire; that Book will be electrified minus; the Electrical Fire being drawn out of it by the Bottom of the Bottle. Take off the Bottle, and holding it in your Hand, touch the other Book with the Wire; that Book will be electrified plus; the Fire passing into it from the Wire, and the Bottle at the same Time supplied from your Hand. A suspended small Cork Ball will play between these Books, \u2019till the Equilibrium is restored.\nExper. IX. When a Body is electrised plus it will repel an electrified Feather or small Cork Ball. When minus (or when in [the] common State) it will attract them; but stronger when minus than when in the Common State, the Difference being greater.\nExper. X. Tho\u2019 as in Expert. VI. a Man standing on Wax may be electrised a Number of Times by repeatedly touching the Wire of an electrised Bottle held in the Hand of one standing on the Floor, he receiving the Fire from the Wire each Time; yet holding it in his own Hand, and touching the Wire, tho\u2019 he draws a Strong Spark, and is violently shockt, no Electricity remains in him; the Fire only passing thro\u2019 him from the upper to the lower Part of the Bottle. Observe, before the Shock, to let some one on the Floor touch him, to restore the Equilibrium in his Body; for in taking hold of the Bottom of the Bottle, he sometimes becomes a little electrised minus, which will continue after the Shock, as would also any plus Electricity he might have given him before the Shock. For, restoring an Equilibrium in the Bottle, does not at all affect the Electricity in the Man thro\u2019 whom the Fire passes: that Electricity is neither increased nor diminished.\n   Exper. XI. The Passing of the Electrical Fire from the upper to the lower Part of the Bottle to restore the Equilibrium, is rendered strongly visible by the following pretty Experiment. Take a Book, whose Cover is filletted with Gold; bend a Wire of 8 or 10 Inches long in this Form, slip it on the End of the Cover of the Book, over the Gold line, so as that the Shoulder of it may press on one End of the Gold Line, the Ring up, but leaning towards the other End of the Book. Lay the Book on [a] Glass or Wax; and on the other End of the Gold Line set the Bottle electrised. Then bend the springing Wire, by pressing it with a Stick of Wax, \u2019till it\u2019s Ring approaches the Ring of the Bottle Wire: instantly there is a strong Spark and Stroke, and the whole Line of Gold, which completes the Communication between the Top and Bottom of the Bottle, will appear a vivid Flame, like the sharpest Lightning. The closer the Contact between the Shoulder of the Wire and the Gold at one End of the Line, and between the Bottom of the Bottle and the Gold at the other End, the better the Experiment succeeds. The Room should be darkned. If you would have the whole Filleting round the Cover appear in Fire at once, let the Bottle and Wire touch the Gold in the diagonally opposite Corners.\nThe rest of this Letter on private Affairs.\nTo Peter Collinson Esqr. F. R. S. London", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "07-29-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0074", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 29 July 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Strahan, William\nSir,\nPhilada. July 29. 1747\nYour Favours of March 18 and April 1 are come to Hand with all the Books, &c. mentioned in the invoice, in good Order, and am much obliged to you for your ready Compliance with all my Requests.\nI believe I could have got Subscriptions for 20 Sets of the Universal History, and perhaps more, but unluckily a Ship from Ireland has, since the Receipt of your Letter, brought in 20 Setts compleat, and they are offer\u2019d at a lower Rate than the English Edition can be afforded at, even if I paid but 4s. per vol. I do what I can to lessen the Credit of that piratical Edition, and talk much of the Improvements made in this; but that being to be had entire immediately, and this not until after many Months, weighs a good deal with Some; and others object, that \u2019tis to be apprehended the London Booksellers will either curtail the folio Edition greatly to save Money, or put the Subscribers at last to the Expense of a greater Number of Volumes than 20; seeing the Volumes are much less than those of the Irish Edition, the 3 first of the one containing but little more than the first of the other. If they think fit to venture a Parcel here Hall will do his best to dispose of them, and I will assist him what I can. They may send a Parcel also to Mr. Parker Printer of New York, a very honest punctual Man.\nI am glad all the Bills I sent you have been paid or accepted. You may expect more in a short Time, and after the next Parcel of Books are paid for you will chiefly have to deal with Mr. Hall, into whose Hands I have agreed to put the Shop, &c.\nWith all our best Respects to you and yours, heartily wishing you Health and Happiness, I conclude Your obliged humble Servant\nB. Franklin\nPer Mesnard", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "07-30-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0075", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 30 July 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Colden, Cadwallader\nSir\nPhilada. July 30. 1747\nI receiv\u2019d your Favour of the 26th. which I shall answer at large per next Post. In the mean time please to send me, if you have it with you, my Paper of Observations on Baxter\u2019s Book, which I want to make some present Use of, and have no other Copy.\nMesnard sail\u2019d this Day for London. But here is a Vessel bound to Bristol, which the next Post will reach. In haste I am, Sir Your oblig\u2019d humble Servant\nB Franklin\nP S. Upon farther Enquiry I find that next Post will not reach the Bristol Vessel, she being to sail on Saturday.", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "08-02-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0076", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Cheston, 2 August 1747\nFrom: Cheston, Daniel\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir\nChester Augt. 2d 1747\nI received your Favour of the 23d Ulto With Mr. Thos Fayerweathers order on Mr. Edward Scott in favour of Mr. Jeremiah Osborn Inclosed and Immediately Applyed to Mr. Edwd Scott for the Money who promised Me to pay It before the Return of our Mercury. But being Gone Down to Talbott County am afraid Shall not see him time Enough to Send It per this next return. You may Depend I will Doe Every Thing in my power to Get It as soon as possible and Send It up.\nI am Sir Your Servant to Command\nDanl Cheston\nP S please send me per the post a Corderie and A Latin Clerk\u2019s Introduction.\n Addressed: To \u2002Mr Benj Franklin \u2002In \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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "08-03-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0077", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 3 August 1747\nFrom: Colden, Cadwallader\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nSir\nNew York Aug 3d 1747\nBaxters [book] was gon so much out of my memory that I could not for some time recollect any thing of it. I cannot now recollect whether I sent back your observations on it. If I have not they are among my papers which I carried to the Country and are now there. I can remember that when I lookt into that book I thought that he did not understand the subject on which he treated as appear\u2019d to me from several passages in the book. Assoon as I return home I shall look carefully for the papers you sent but what they were I donot at present remember. Please therefor to assist my memory.\nSome Gentlemen here are desirous to go on Electrical experiments. We hear that you have the whole Apparatus sent over from England. They would purchase the like if they can be made at Philadelphia from what you have sent to you. Please to let me know whether any of your Artists can do it and what may be the price. I am Sir Your most obliged humble servant\nCadwallader Colden\n Addressed: Mr Be[njamin Franklin] Pos[tmaster] The [rest cut off]\nEndorsed: C Colden 1747", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "08-13-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0080", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 13 August 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Colden, Cadwallader\nSir\nPhilada. Augt. 13. 1747\nI am glad the electrical Observations please you. I leave them in your hands another Week. Our Workmen have undertaken the Electrical Apparatus, and I believe will do it extreamly well: It being a new Job they cannot say exactly what their Work will come to, but they will charge reasonably when done, and they find what Time it has taken. I suppose the whole will not exceed ten or twelve Pounds.\nI send you enclos\u2019d the Advertisement of the History of the 5 Nations.\nWe are told here, that Gov. Belcher has brought Orders to disband the Forces raised for the Expedition against Canada; you know before this Time whether this is true, and whether the Expedition is postpon\u2019d only, or the Thoughts of it entirely laid aside.\nI am, Sir, with great Respect, Your most humble Servant\nB Franklin\n Addressed: To \u2002The honble. Cadr Colden Esqr \u2002New York \u2002Free B 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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "09-07-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0083", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 7 September 1747\nFrom: Parker, James\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nDear Sir\nNew York. Sept. 7. 1747.\nMr. Whiting came and [paid the] whole last Saturday Evening in Jersey Money, except 5s. in York, of the Pay[ment] for the Postage. I don\u2019t know any Body has any of the Spanish Paper to sell cheap. I believe 5 or 6s. will be the lowest. I know several ask 8s. I can yet gladly spare you 4 or 5 Bales of that I have, having got about 10 Bales yet entire. If you please to order it I will send it by the first Oppertunity. I will make Enquiry if any be to be got else where.\nAs to what relates to the Copper Plate, tis thus; The Engraver is a Silver-Smith. During the Proposing of the Thing I gave him some Silver to make me two Silver Spoons; but he has not done \u2019em yet. I have been at him several Times: but one time he has been sick, another Time his Wife is sick, &c. I tell him we want him to go about the Plate, but I fear he is an idle lazy Fellow. I will try him again this Week, and I think if he don\u2019t go on it, as he is well enough now, we may despair of getting him to do it at all.\nAs my Long-Primer is almost worn out I have had Thoughts of trying to get some new for which I have not seen an easier Way than to send home some Money by the Man of War now going in about 3 Weeks; but know not well the Price, or whom to apply to, or what Quantity will do. I could make up about \u00a312 or 14 Sterl: and I would run my own Risk\u2014but this I will not do without your Advice and Permission.\nI received the Pocket Companion safe, tis well enough. May I ask, if the Young Man\u2019s Companion be almost done?\nI rejoice to hear you all keep your Health: May it continue! Our Son is recovered pretty well but my Wife is poorly, tho\u2019 not with the present Sickness, but one She is pretty much accustomed to.\nWith all our hearty Respects, I remain, Sir Your most obedient Servant,\nJames Parker\nP.S. I send 4 Quire Marble Paper, it cost 3s. 6d. a Quire. A Sheet of a different sort is sent, if you are minded for any of that. Payment for a little more than 1\u00bd Dollar is coming to you; which with the 5s. York Money paid by Mr. Whiting will just clear this Paper.", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "09-21-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0084", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 21 September 1747\nFrom: Parker, James\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nDear Sir\nNew York. Sept. 21. 1747.\nLast Week I accidently met Mr. DeLancey in the Streets: I ask\u2019d him, if he had heard any Thing about the Affair, and he said No. I ask\u2019d him, if he were willing to take the Money? He said Yes. I ask\u2019d him how much it was? and he said \u00a337 principal: which is more than what you mention. However, I will pay it, let it be what it may; On which I told him, I had Money of Yours in my Hands, and expected your Orders to pay it: and he said, It was well. I shall see him, God willing, Wednesday or Thursday.\nI am heartily concerned at your frequent Losses. I will see about sending the Paper the first Boat.\nMr. H. is deprived of his being Councillor, and as he\u2019s out of the Governor\u2019s Favour, \u2019tis suppos\u2019d he will be turn\u2019d out of both his other Places before long.\nThe History of the Rebels will make about 24 Sheets; 8\u00bd are done as you will perceive by what I send you.\nAs to what you say about the Materials I don\u2019t think myself a competent Judge at all of the Prices, &c. I shall therefore rather entirely Submit it to you; tho\u2019 unless you can better imagine it already than I, I am of Opinion, We had best wait till the Expiration of the Time; as we are both uncertain of our Lives so long; and if it please God to call me hence, I have none to leave either the Materials to, or a Desire to leave so much in Debt; you will then be obliged to take \u2019em again: I can then, if I live, give you a List of every Thing and you can set your Price on them.\nThe first Half Sheet of the History of the Rebellion, is of the new Letter, it sets up all the Italick, to about Half a Page more. It is not bottle-ars\u2019d; but is unhappily about a Hair-space shorter than the other, i.e. the Old: so won\u2019t stand in the same Word, but will do in the same page. This Letter will do very well for what Long-primer is in the Spelling-Books, &c.\nI have not got Pay of the Undertakers of the History; but am promis\u2019d some this Week: if tis not done, I must stop yet; for I begin to have less confidence than before: Hynshaw being poor, and t\u2019other I\u2019m afraid not honest.\nI will see about the Marble Paper, &c. with all convenient Speed.\nI was about purchasing a Saw of Mr. Meredith; if you have not already nail\u2019d up the Box, and it is long enough to put the Plate in, I should be glad if you would put that in with the Books. Those sort of Saws are not to be got here.\nI could wish you would send me One Ream of Cartridge Paper Along with the other Things, I not having above 8 Quire of that sort in the House.\nThe Sickness is greatly abated, thank God, tho\u2019 there be a pretty many yet down with it, and some die of it still; By God\u2019s Mercy, we are all well. With all our Respects, &c. remain Sir your most obliged Servant\nJames Parker", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "09-24-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0085", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 24 September 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Colden, Cadwallader\nSir\nPhilada. Sept. 24. 1747\nI have one of your Histories come in among some Books sent me per Mr. Strahan: But Osborne I understand has sent 50 to Mr. Read per Recommendation of Mr. Collinson. I should sell them more readily than he can, I imagine; and he talks of putting them into my hands. Are any of them arriv\u2019d in N York?\nEnclos\u2019d are two Letters for you. No others are yet come to hand; but perhaps we shall find more when the Ship is unloaded; for Mr. Collinson\u2019s Letters are often in Trunks among Goods, &c. I should be glad to know if Mr. Darling, by whom I wrote a Line to you, had my Papers on Electricity. I am, Sir, Your most humble Servant\nB Franklin\n Addressed: To \u2002The honble Cadwalader Colden Esq \u2002New York \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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "10-16-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0090", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Abiah Franklin, 16 October 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Franklin, Abiah\nHonoured Mother,\nPhiladelphia, October 16, 1747\nThis has been a busy day with your daughter and she is gone to bed much fatigued and cannot write.\nI send you inclosed, one of our new almanacks; we print them early, because we send them to many places far distant. I send you also, a moidore inclosed, which please to accept towards chaise hire, that you may ride warm to meetings this winter. Pray tell us, what kind of a sickness you have had in Boston this summer: besides the measles and flux, which have carried off many children, we have lost some grown persons, by what we call the Yellow Fever; though that is almost if not quite over, thanks to God, who has preserved all our family, in perfect health. Here are cousins Coleman, and two Folgers, all well. Your grandaughter is the greatest lover of her book and school, of any child I ever knew, and is very dutiful to her mistress as well as to us. I doubt not but brother Mecom will send the collar as soon as he can conveniently. My love to him, sister, and all the children. 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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "11-17-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0091", "content": "Title: Plain Truth, 17 November 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nDuring the late spring and early summer of 1747 the activity of French and Spanish privateers had been increasing off the Delaware capes, and each week\u2019s newspapers reported some new action. To prevent their learning too much about the river and the defenseless condition of Philadelphia, the Council on July 4 tried to close the Delaware to foreign vessels, even those carrying flags of truce, by forbidding pilots to bring such vessels up the river above Marcus Hook except with special license. This measure was ineffective, however, for New Jersey imposed no similar restriction, and any hostile force might make its own way into the river in small boats. This was clearly demonstrated a few days afterwards when, on July 12, a raiding party of fifteen or twenty armed men from a French privateer actually landed at Edmund Liston\u2019s plantation near Bombay Hook in New Castle County. They seized four slaves, carried off bedding, clothes, and furniture, and forced Liston to lead them to the neighboring plantation of James Hart, whose house they attacked and plundered, wounding Mrs. Hart, and taking a slave and goods to the value of \u00a370. A few days later the same privateer seized the ship Mary off Cape Henlopen; her captain was wounded resisting the boarding party.\nThe alarming news was brought to Philadelphia by express. Rumors multiplied and spread. The landing party at Bombay Hook, for example, was first reported to have numbered one hundred armed men. Spanish prisoners, Negroes, and other desperate characters were said to be plotting to seize a ship\u2019s boat in the harbor and join the enemy at the mouth of the river; and the city watch was given special instructions to prevent them. The Council debated whether to call the Assembly into special session, but the Speaker successfully discouraged the   proposal. With Governor Thomas on his way to England for his health, the Council could only wish that the Proprietor himself might \u201ccome over and undertake the cure.\u201d In this atmosphere of frustration and fear the Assembly convened in its regular session in mid-August.\nThe President of the Council, Anthony Palmer, told the Assembly urgently that he believed the enemy planned to attack Philadelphia in the spring. \u201cThe Terror and Confusion, the Ruin of vast numbers of Families, the Destruction of Trade, the Bloodshed, Cruelty, and other fatal Consequences which must unavoidably attend the plundering or burning this City, are too obvious to need a Description.\u201d The Assembly were unmoved: they approved the Council\u2019s action respecting the Delaware pilots as \u201ca prudent Step,\u201d but thought that nothing practicable could be done to prevent raids like that on Liston\u2019s and expressed the opinion that the enemy\u2019s threats of attack on Philadelphia \u201crather appear to us as so many Bravados than what they either really intended or had the Power to do.\u201d Palmer\u2019s insistence that Philadelphia was defenseless would not only do nothing to avert danger, but would even increase popular apprehension.\nPrivateering continued; interference with shipping increased. William Kelly, passenger on the sloop Elizabeth, bound from Providence to Philadelphia, deposed in Philadelphia on September 21 that he had been taken prisoner a month before off the North Carolina coast by a French privateer from Cap Fran\u00e7ois, which had already taken three English prizes and took three more off the Virginia capes, another fifteen leagues from the Delaware capes, and two in Delaware Bay itself. \u201cFrom the Success which attends our Enemies by Cruizing in our Bay without risque or opposition,\u201d Palmer told the Assembly on October 16, \u201cit may reasonably be expected that they will continue their Depredations in the Spring, and in all likelyhood block up the Trade of this flourishing Colony\u2014a Loss which we apprehend will be sensibly felt by all sorts of People.\u201d But the Assembly remained impervious to appeals and alarms. If any enemy privateers came up the river, they replied, it was the pilots\u2019 fault for bringing them; and as for an attack on Philadelphia, \u201cwe hope there is no Danger.\u201d\nTo all but Quaker pacifists it seemed that something must be done, if not by the Assembly, then by the people. To win over moderate Quakers who, like James Logan, appreciated the obligations of power, Franklin printed in his Gazette of October 22 verses complimentary to Barclay\u2019s Apology and the Quakers (\u201cHis works at least shall make me moderate prove,/ And those who practice what he writes, I\u2019ll love.\u201d), and two weeks later the paper contained a short piece arguing that the Quakers\u2019 doctrine was not \u201cabsolutely against Defensive War.\u201d Meanwhile he composed and published in pamphlet form on November 17 a strongly worded appeal for voluntary action.\nPlain Truth, Franklin remembered in his autobiography, \u201chad a sudden and surprizing Effect.\u201d It was defended, approved, recommended, and explained by citizens, printers, and ministers. He printed 2000 copies; it went into a second edition; it was translated into German; and extracts were reprinted in other colonies. Samuel Smith answered it on behalf of the Quakers, Christopher Saur on behalf of the German pacifists.\nFranklin promised in his pamphlet to submit a plan for a volunteer association for defense. This he did on November 21. Approved first at a meeting of tradesmen and mechanics, then by \u201cthe principal Gentlemen, Merchants and others\u201d of the city, the Association was signed by more than 500 citizens on November 24. Within a few days the number of signatures exceeded 1000. Things were moving at last. The Mayor and Corporation of Philadelphia appealed to the Proprietor in London for \u201ca Number of large Cannon\u201d for a battery, the Council made a similar request, and Secretary Peters told Thomas Penn that small arms were said to be available at the Tower \u201cfor a Trifle.\u201d The city\u2019s merchants petitioned the Admiralty for a man-of-war in Delaware Bay and subscribed \u00a31500 to buy sixteen 28-pounders and some smaller guns in Boston. The Assembly was called into special session on November 23; some 260 citizens, including, it was said, 62 Quakers formerly opposed to even defensive war, petitioned it to protect the city. The Assembly still took no action, and on November 28, in the midst of the crisis, adjourned. Carried along by popular feeling and not knowing what else to do, the Council resolved \u201cto give all due Protection and Encouragement to the Members of the Association, it being the only Method thought on likely to preserve the Lives and Properties of their Fellow-Citizens in case of a Descent.\u201d\nFranklin was intimately involved in all aspects of the Association. The volunteers had to be organized\u2014he suggested how. They had to be trained\u2014the New Printing-Office sold manuals of arms and even \u201cgood Muskets, all well fitted with Bayonets,\u201d belts and cartouche boxes. To pay for fortifying the approaches to Philadelphia Franklin proposed a lottery, and then had to explain how it worked. He even designed the companies\u2019 standards, decorating them with heraldic devices and sentiments of patriotic defiance. Documents recording these activities are printed below; and there are other reflections of Franklin\u2019s involvement in the Association in his letters to Colden and Logan. A chronological outline may be helpful:\nNovember 17, 1747:\nPlain Truth published.\nFranklin addresses meeting at Walton\u2019s schoolhouse.\nThe principal gentlemen approve the Association.\nCitizens begin to sign the Association. See below, p. 205.\n   December 7:\nFranklin addresses Associators at the Court house. See below, p. 225.\nScheme of the Philadelphia Lottery published. See below, p. 220.\nPublic Fast Day proclaimed. See below, p. 226.\nAssociators reviewed; officers elected.\nPublic Fast Day observed.\n   February 8:\nFirst drawing of the Lottery.\n   March 21:\nMeeting of Associator Officers to draft regulations. See below, p. 279.\n   August 17:\nCessation of hostilities proclaimed at Philadelphia.\n   September 10:\nFirst drawing of the Second Philadelphia Lottery. See below, p. 288.\nPeace proclaimed at Philadelphia.\nThe Association was not regarded everywhere with approval or even equanimity. Jealous of his proprietary rights and sensitive to his position in the eyes of the British government, Thomas Penn wrote Lynford Lardner that Franklin\u2019s pamphlet had \u201cdone much mischief,\u201d adding dryly, \u201cI am sure the people of America are too often ready to act in defiance of the Government they live in, without associating themselves for that purpose.\u201d He considered the popular scheme hasty and ill advised, believed it threatened his interests. \u201cThis Association is founded on a Contempt to Government,\u201d he wrote Secretary Richard Peters, \u201cand cannot end in anything but Anarchy and Confusion. The People in general are so fond of what they call Liberty as to fall into Licenciousness, and when they know they may Act \u2026 by Orders of their own Substitutes, in a Body, and a Military manner, and independant of this Government, why should they not Act against it.\u201d To establish \u201ca Military Common Wealth\u201d\u2014which he thought the Association was\u2014within the government of the province seemed to Penn \u201cacting a part little less than Treason.\u201d Franklin\u2019s doctrine, he continued in a subsequent letter, \u201ctho very true in it self, that Obedience to Governers is no more due than Protection to the People [see below, p. 199], yet it is not fit to be always in the heads of the Wild unthinking Multitude. \u2026 He is a dangerous Man and I should be very Glad he inhabited any other Country, as I believe him of a very uneasy Spirit. However as he is a Sort of Tribune of the People, he must be treated with regard.\u201d\nPenn objected particularly to the clause of the Association by which the subscribers bound themselves to obey the laws and regulations of the military council, though the officers received commissions from the Governor\u2019s Council. This, he warned, \u201cis giving the power of the Militia, or calling the People together for their defence, from the King to themselves, and \u2026 I fear will be esteemed greatly Criminal.\u201d The military council was in fact \u201cthe most dangerous part\u201d of the Association, for it usurped \u201cthe King\u2019s power of ordering the Militia, which you know our Kings are very jelous of, and if it should be known to the Ministers, would incline them to look with an Evil Eye over us on all Applications.\u201d It was strange, Penn wrote with irritation, that \u201cpeople cannot walk in a plain path, but when Men set up for refined polititians everything common plain sence dictates, is beneath their notice.\u201d\nLike the members of the Council Secretary Richard Peters had approved the Association; he put it in a good light before the Proprietor, assuring Penn that the Associators\u2019 \u201cConduct hitherto has been remarkably regular and moderate, without any angry Expressions or blustering behaviour.\u201d Their election of their own officers, he explained, \u201cwas look\u2019d upon by the Council only in the nature of a recommendation, the tenor of their Commissions being to receive their Orders from the Governor for the time being according to the rules of war.\u201d Peters even expressed a belief that the Association would promote the proprietary interest by reconciling the Quakers to defense and so save the British Government \u201cthe Trouble, and the Quakers the Shame, of an Act of Parliament to incapacitate them from sitting in Assembly.\u201d But Penn\u2019s disapproval, repeated in letter after letter reaching Philadelphia in the spring of 1748, soon changed Peters\u2019 opinions. Writing to Penn on June 16, he viewed it as his master did, as an illegal combination, expressed a strong abhorrence of it, was apprehensive of its leaders\u2019 intentions, and hinted that it would be used to advance the political interests of those hostile to the proprietary party.\nBut peace was already in prospect; the Association soon dwindled away; and though its leaders, notably Franklin, had won a province-wide fame and influence, they made no use of it in the October elections. \u201cWe are well pleased to find that the Association has had so good an Effect,\u201d Penn informed Peters on August 31, \u201cthat the persons associated have Commissions in the Common Form, and do not act but by Authority from the president and Council, as well as that they have been so ready to attend their Duty when in Times of danger; their readyness to defend their Country is very commendable, and it was with reluctance that we objected to any thing done by persons that in general might intend nothing more than to defend themselves under their legal Commanders, \u2026 We shall ever be wel pleased to encourage preparations for defence, as is our Duty and hope before another War something more regular may be done, and as Peace will very soon be declared that they will become good Friends with those who think differently from them, or at least live quietly with them.\u201d\nPlain Truth, &c.\nIt is said the wise Italians make this proverbial Remark on our Nation, viz. The English Feel, but they do not SEE. That is, they are sensible of Inconveniencies when they are present, but do not take sufficient Care to prevent them: Their natural Courage makes them too little apprehensive of Danger, so that they are   often surpriz\u2019d by it, unprovided of the proper Means of Security. When \u2019tis too late they are sensible of their Imprudence: After great Fires, they provide Buckets and Engines: After a Pestilence they think of keeping clean their Streets and common Shores: and when a Town has been sack\u2019d by their Enemies, they provide for its Defence, &c. This Kind of After-Wisdom is indeed so common with us, as to occasion the vulgar, tho\u2019 very significant Saying, When the Steed is stolen, you shut the Stable Door.\nBut the more insensible we generally are of publick Danger, and indifferent when warn\u2019d of it, so much the more freely, openly, and earnestly, ought such as apprehend it, to speak their Sentiments; that if possible, those who seem to sleep, may be awaken\u2019d, to think of some Means of Avoiding or Preventing the Mischief before it be too late.\nBelieving therefore that \u2019tis my Duty, I shall honestly speak my Mind in the following Paper.\nWar, at this Time, rages over a great Part of the known World; our News-Papers are Weekly filled with fresh Accounts of the Destruction it every where occasions. Pennsylvania, indeed, situate in the Center of the Colonies, has hitherto enjoy\u2019d profound Repose; and tho\u2019 our Nation is engag\u2019d in a bloody War, with two great and powerful Kingdoms, yet, defended, in a great Degree, from the French on the one Hand by the Northern Provinces, and from the Spaniards on the other by the Southern, at no small Expence to each, our People have, till lately, slept securely in their Habitations.\nThere is no British Colony excepting this, but has made some Kind of Provision for its Defence; many of them have therefore never been attempted by an Enemy; and others that were attack\u2019d, have generally defended themselves with Success. The Length and Difficulty of our Bay and River has been thought so effectual a Security to us, that hitherto no Means have been entered into that might discourage an Attempt upon us, or prevent its succeeding.\nBut whatever Security this might have been while both Country and City were poor, and the Advantage to be expected scarce worth the Hazard of an Attempt, it is now doubted whether we can any longer safely depend upon it. Our Wealth, of late Years much encreas\u2019d, is one strong Temptation, our defenceless State another, to induce an Enemy to attack us; while the Acquaintance they have lately gained with our Bay and River, by Means of the Prisoners and Flags of Truce they have had among us; by Spies which they almost every where maintain, and perhaps from Traitors among ourselves; with the Facility of getting Pilots to conduct them; and the known Absence of Ships of War, during the greatest Part of the Year, from both Virginia and New-York, ever since the War began, render the Appearance of Success to the Enemy far more promising, and therefore highly encrease our Danger.\nThat our Enemies may have Spies abroad, and some even in these Colonies, will not be made much doubt of, when \u2019tis considered, that such has been the Practice of all Nations in all Ages, whenever they were engaged, or intended to engage in War. Of this we have an early Example in the Book of Judges (too too [sic] pertinent to our Case, and therefore I must beg leave a little to enlarge upon it) where we are told, Chap. xviii, v. 2, That the Children of Dan sent of their Family five Men from their Coasts to spie out the Land, and search it, saying, Go, search the Land. These Danites it seems were at this Time not very orthodox in their Religion, and their Spies met with a certain idolatrous Priest of their own Persuasion, v. 3, and they said to him, Who brought thee hither! what makest thou in this Place? and what hast thou here? [would to God no such Priests were to be found among us.] And they said unto him, verse 5, Ask Counsel of God, that we may know whether our Way which we go shall be prosperous? And the Priest said unto them, Go in Peace; before the Lord is your Way wherein you go. [Are there no Priests among us, think you, that might, in the like Case, give an Enemy as good Encouragement? \u2019Tis well known, that we have Numbers of the same Religion with those who of late encouraged the French to invade our Mother-Country.] And they came, Verse 7, to Laish, and saw the People that were therein, how they dwelt CARELESS, after the Manner of the Zidonians, QUIET and SECURE. They thought themselves secure, no doubt; and as they never had been disturbed, vainly imagined they never should. \u2019Tis not unlikely that some might see the Danger they were exposed to by living in that careless Manner; but that if these publickly expressed their Apprehensions, the rest reproached them as timorous Persons, wanting Courage or Confidence in their Gods, who (they might say) had hitherto protected them. But the Spies, Verse 8, returned, and said to their Countrymen, Verse 9, Arise that we may go up against them; for we have seen the Land, and behold it is very good! And are ye still? Be not slothful to go. Verse 10, When ye go, ye shall come unto a People SECURE; [that is, a People that apprehend no Danger, and therefore have made no Provision against it; great Encouragement this!] and to a large Land, and a Place where there is no Want of any Thing. What could they desire more? Accordingly we find, in the following Verses, that Six hundred Men only, appointed with Weapons of War, undertook the Conquest of this large Land; knowing that 600 Men, armed and disciplined, would be an Over-match perhaps for 60,000, unarmed, undisciplined, and off their Guard. And when they went against it, the idolatrous Priest, Verse 17, with his graven Image, and his Ephod, and his Teraphim, and his molten Image, [Plenty of superstitious Trinkets] joined with them, and, no doubt, gave them all the Intelligence and Assistance in his Power; his Heart, as the Text assures us, being glad, perhaps for Reasons more than one. And now, what was the Fate of poor Laish! The 600 Men being arrived, found, as the Spies had reported, a People QUIET and SECURE, Verse 20, 21. And they smote them with the Edge of the Sword, and burnt the City with Fire; and there was no Deliverer, because it was far from Zidon. Not so far from Zidon, however, as Pennsylvania is from Britain; and yet we are, if possible, more careless than the People of Laish! As the Scriptures are given for our Reproof, Instruction and Warning, may we make a due Use of this Example, before it be too late!\nAnd is our Country, any more than our City, altogether free from Danger? Perhaps not. We have, \u2019tis true, had a long Peace with the Indians: But it is a long Peace indeed, as well as a long Lane, that has no Ending. The French know the Power and Importance of the Six Nations, and spare no Artifice, Pains or Expence, to gain them to their Interest. By their Priests they have converted many to their Religion, and these\n   \u2021The Praying Indians.\n have openly espoused their Cause. The rest appear irresolute which Part to take; no Persuasions, tho\u2019 enforced with costly Presents, having yet been able to engage them generally on our Side, tho\u2019 we had numerous Forces on their Borders, ready to second and support them. What then may be expected, now those Forces are, by Orders from the Crown, to be disbanded; when our boasted Expedition is laid aside, thro\u2019 want (as it may appear to them) either of Strength or Courage; when they see that the French, and their Indians, boldly, and with Impunity, ravage the Frontiers of New-York, and scalp the Inhabitants; when those few Indians that engaged with us against the French, are left exposed to their Resentment: When they consider these Things, is there no Danger that, thro\u2019 Disgust at our Usage, joined with Fear of the French Power, and greater Confidence in their Promises and Protection than in ours, they may be wholly gained over by our Enemies, and join in the War against us? If such should be the Case, which God forbid, how soon may the Mischief spread to our Frontier Counties? And what may we expect to be the Consequence, but deserting of Plantations, Ruin, Bloodshed and Confusion!\nPerhaps some in the City, Towns and Plantations near the River, may say to themselves, An Indian War on the Frontiers will not affect us; the Enemy will never come near our Habitations; let those concern\u2019d take Care of themselves. And others who live in the Country, when they are told of the Danger the City is in from Attempts by Sea, may say, What is that to us? The Enemy will be satisfied with the Plunder of the Town, and never think it worth his while to visit our Plantations: Let the Town take care of itself. These are not mere Suppositions, for I have heard some talk in this strange Manner. But are these the Sentiments of true Pennsylvanians, of Fellow-Countrymen, or even of Men that have common Sense or Goodness? Is not the whole Province one Body, united by living under the same Laws, and enjoying the same Priviledges? Are not the People of City and Country connected as Relations both by Blood and Marriage, and in Friendships equally dear? Are they not likewise united in Interest, and mutually useful and necessary to each other? When the Feet are wounded, shall the Head say, It is not me; I will not trouble myself to contrive Relief! Or if the Head is in Danger, shall the Hands say, We are not affected, and therefore will lend no Assistance! No. For so would the Body be easily destroyed: But when all Parts join their Endeavours for its Security, it is often preserved. And such should be the Union between the Country and the Town; and such their mutual Endeavours for the Safety of the Whole. When New-England, a distant Colony, involv\u2019d itself in a grievous Debt to reduce Cape-Breton, we freely gave Four Thousand Pounds for their Relief. And at another Time, remembring that Great Britain, still more distant, groan\u2019d under heavy Taxes in Supporting the War, we threw in our Mite to their Assistance, by a free Gift of Three Thousand Pounds: And shall Country and Town join in helping Strangers (as those comparatively are) and yet refuse to assist each other?\nBut whatever different Opinions we have of our Security in other Respects, our Trade, all seem to agree, is in Danger of being ruin\u2019d in another Year. The great Success of our Enemies, in two different Cruizes this last Summer in our Bay, must give them the greatest Encouragement to repeat more frequently their Visits, the Profit being almost certain, and the Risque next to nothing. Will not the first Effect of this be, an Enhauncing of the Price of all foreign Goods to the Tradesman and Farmer, who use or consume them? For the Rate of Insurance will increase in Proportion to the Hazard of Importing them; and in the same Proportion will the Price of those Goods increase. If the Price of the Tradesman\u2019s Work and the Farmer\u2019s Produce would encrease equally with the Price of foreign Commodities, the Damage would not be so great: But the direct contrary must happen. For the same Hazard, or Rate of Insurance, that raises the Price of what is imported, must be deducted out of, and lower the Price of what is exported. Without this Addition and Deduction, as long as the Enemy cruize at our Capes, and take those Vessels that attempt to go out, as well as those that endeavour to come in, none can afford to trade, and Business must be soon at a Stand. And will not the Consequences be, A discouraging of many of the Vessels that us\u2019d to come from other Places to purchase our Produce, and thereby a Turning of the Trade to Ports that can be entered with less Danger, and capable of furnishing them with the same Commodities, as New-York, &c? A Lessening of Business to every Shopkeeper, together with Multitudes of bad Debts; the high Rate of Goods discouraging the Buyers, and the low Rates of their Labour and Produce rendering them unable to pay for what they had bought: Loss of Employment to the Tradesman, and bad Pay for what little he does: And lastly, Loss of many Inhabitants, who will retire to other Provinces not subject to the like Inconveniencies; whence a Lowering of the Value of Lands, Lots, and Houses.\nThe Enemy, no doubt, have been told, That the People of Pennsylvania are Quakers, and against all Defence, from a Principle of Conscience; this, tho\u2019 true of a Part, and that a small Part only of the Inhabitants, is commonly said of the Whole; and what may make it look probable to Strangers, is, that in Fact, nothing is done by any Part of the People towards their Defence. But to refuse Defending one\u2019s self or one\u2019s Country, is so unusual a Thing among Mankind, that possibly they may not believe it, till by Experience they find, they can come higher and higher up our River, seize our Vessels, land and plunder our Plantations and Villages, and retire with their Booty unmolested. Will not this confirm the Report, and give them the greatest Encouragement to strike one bold Stroke for the City, and for the whole Plunder of the River?\nIt is said by some, that the Expence of a Vessel to guard our Trade, would be very heavy, greater than perhaps all the Enemy can be supposed to take from us at Sea would amount to; and that it would be cheaper for the Government to open an Insurance-Office, and pay all Losses. But is this right Reasoning? I think not: For what the Enemy takes is clear Loss to us, and Gain to him; encreasing his Riches and Strength as much as it diminishes ours, so making the Difference double; whereas the Money paid our own Tradesmen for Building and Fitting out a Vessel of Defence, remains in the Country, and circulates among us; what is paid to the Officers and Seamen that navigate her, is also spent ashore, and soon gets into other Hands; the Farmer receives the Money for her Provisions; and on the whole, nothing is clearly lost to the Country but her Wear and Tear, or so much as she sells for at the End of the War less than her first Cost. This Loss, and a trifling one it is, is all the Inconvenience; But how many and how great are the Conveniencies and Advantages! And should the Enemy, thro\u2019 our Supineness and Neglect to provide for the Defence both of our Trade and Country, be encouraged to attempt this City, and after plundering us of our Goods, either burn it, or put it to Ransom; how great would that Loss be! Besides the Confusion, Terror, and Distress, so many Hundreds of Families would be involv\u2019d in!\nThe Thought of this latter Circumstance so much affects me, that I cannot forbear expatiating somewhat more upon it. You have, my dear Countrymen, and Fellow Citizens, Riches to tempt a considerable Force to unite and attack you, but are under no Ties or Engagements to unite for your Defence. Hence, on the first Alarm, Terror will spread over All; and as no Man can with Certainty depend that another will stand by him, beyond Doubt very many will seek Safety by a speedy Flight. Those that are reputed rich, will flee, thro\u2019 Fear of Torture, to make them produce more than they are able. The Man that has a Wife and Children, will find them hanging on his Neck, beseeching him with Tears to quit the City, and save his Life, to guide and protect them in that Time of general Desolation and Ruin. All will run into Confusion, amidst Cries and Lamentations, and the Hurry and Disorder of Departers, carrying away their Effects. The Few that remain will be unable to resist. Sacking the City will be the first, and Burning it, in all Probability, the last Act of the Enemy. This, I believe, will be the Case, if you have timely Notice. But what must be your Condition, if suddenly surprized, without previous Alarm, perhaps in the Night! Confined to your Houses, you will have nothing to trust to but the Enemy\u2019s Mercy. Your best Fortune will be, to fall under the Power of Commanders of King\u2019s Ships, able to controul the Mariners; and not into the Hands of licentious Privateers. Who can, without the utmost Horror, conceive the Miseries of the Latter! when your Persons, Fortunes, Wives and Daughters, shall be subject to the wanton and unbridled Rage, Rapine and Lust, of Negroes, Molattoes, and others, the vilest and most abandoned of Mankind.\n   *By Accounts, the ragged Crew of the Spanish Privateer that plundered Mr. Liston\u2019s, and another Plantation, a little below Newcastle, was composed of such as these. The Honour and Humanity of their Officers may be judg\u2019d of, by the Treatment they gave poor Capt. Brown, whom they took with Martin\u2019s Ship in Returning from their Cruize. Because he bravely defended himself and Vessel longer than they expected, for which every generous Enemy would have esteem\u2019d him, did they, after he had struck and submitted, barbarously stab and murder him, tho\u2019 on his Knees begging Quarter!\n A dreadful Scene! which some may represent as exaggerated. I think it my Duty to warn you: Judge for yourselves.\n\u2019Tis true, with very little Notice, the Rich may shift for themselves. The Means of speedy Flight are ready in their Hands; and with some previous Care to lodge Money and Effects in distant and secure Places, tho\u2019 they should lose much, yet enough may be left them, and to spare. But most unhappily circumstanced indeed are we, the middling People, the Tradesmen, Shopkeepers, and Farmers of this Province and City! We cannot all fly with our Families; and if we could, how shall we subsist? No; we and they, and what little we have gained by hard Labour and Industry, must bear the Brunt: The Weight of Contributions, extorted by the Enemy (as it is of Taxes among ourselves) must be surely borne by us. Nor can it be avoided as we stand at present; for tho\u2019 we are numerous, we are quite defenceless, having neither Forts, Arms, Union, nor Discipline. And tho\u2019 it were true, that our Trade might be protected at no great Expence, and our Country and our City easily defended, if proper Measures were but taken; yet who shall take these Measures? Who shall pay that Expence? On whom may we fix our Eyes with the least Expectation that they will do any one Thing for our Security? Should we address that wealthy and powerful Body of People, who have ever since the War governed our Elections, and filled almost every Seat in our Assembly; should we intreat them to consider, if not as Friends, at least as Legislators, that Protection is as truly due from the Government to the People, as Obedience from the People to the Government; and that if on account of their religious Scruples, they themselves could do no Act for our Defence, yet they might retire, relinquish their Power for a Season, quit the Helm to freer Hands during the present Tempest, to Hands chosen by their own Interest too, whose Prudence and Moderation, with regard to them, they might safely confide in; secure, from their own native Strength, of resuming again their present Stations, whenever it shall please them: Should we remind them, that the Publick Money, raised from All, belongs to All; that since they have, for their own Ease, and to secure themselves in the quiet Enjoyment of their Religious Principles (and may they long enjoy them) expended such large Sums to oppose Petitions, and engage favourable Representations of their Conduct, if they themselves could by no Means be free to appropriate any Part of the Publick Money for our Defence; yet it would be no more than Justice to spare us a reasonable Sum for that Purpose, which they might easily give to the King\u2019s Use as heretofore, leaving all the Appropriation to others, who would faithfully apply it as we desired: Should we tell them, that tho\u2019 the Treasury be at present empty, it may soon be filled by the outstanding Publick Debts collected; or at least Credit might be had for such a Sum, on a single Vote of the Assembly: That tho\u2019 they themselves may be resigned and easy under this naked, defenceless State of the Country, it is far otherwise with a very great Part of the People; with us, who can have no Confidence that God will protect those that neglect the Use of rational Means for their Security; nor have any Reason to hope, that our Losses, if we should suffer any, may be made up by Collections in our Favour at Home? Should we conjure them by all the Ties of Neighbourhood, Friendship, Justice and Humanity, to consider these Things; and what Distraction, Misery and Confusion, what Desolation and Distress, may possibly be the Effect of their unseasonable Predominancy and Perseverance; yet all would be in vain: For they have already been by great Numbers of the People petitioned in vain. Our late Governor did for Years sollicit, request, and even threaten them in vain. The Council have since twice remonstrated to them in vain. Their religious Prepossessions are unchangeable, their Obstinacy invincible. Is there then the least Hope remaining, that from that Quarter any Thing should arise for our Security?\nAnd is our Prospect better, if we turn our Eyes to the Strength of the opposite Party, those Great and rich Men, Merchants and others, who are ever railing at Quakers for doing what their Principles seem to require, and what in Charity we ought to believe they think their Duty, but take no one Step themselves for the Publick Safety? They have so much Wealth and Influence, if they would use it, that they might easily, by their Endeavours and Example, raise a military Spirit among us, make us fond, studious of, and expert in Martial Discipline, and effect every Thing that is necessary, under God, for our Protection. But Envy seems to have taken Possession of their Hearts, and to have eaten out and destroyed every generous, noble, Publick-spirited Sentiment. Rage at the Disappointment of their little Schemes for Power, gnaws their Souls, and fills them with such cordial Hatred to their Opponents, that every Proposal, by the Execution of which those may receive Benefit as well as themselves, is rejected with Indignation. What, say they, shall we lay out our Money to protect the Trade of Quakers? Shall we fight to defend Quakers? No; Let the Trade perish, and the City burn; let what will happen, we shall never lift a Finger to prevent it. Yet the Quakers have Conscience to plead for their Resolution not to fight, which these Gentlemen have not: Conscience with you, Gentlemen, is on the other Side of the Question: Conscience enjoins it as a Duty on you (and indeed I think it such on every Man) to defend your Country, your Friends, your aged Parents, your Wives, and helpless Children: And yet you resolve not to perform this Duty, but act contrary to your own Consciences, because the Quakers act according to theirs. \u2019Till of late I could scarce believe the Story of him who refused to pump in a sinking Ship, because one on board, whom he hated, would be saved by it as well as himself. But such, it seems, is the Unhappiness of human Nature, that our Passions, when violent, often are too hard for the united Force of Reason, Duty and Religion.\nThus unfortunately are we circumstanc\u2019d at this Time, my dear Countrymen and Fellow-Citizens; we, I mean, the middling People, the Farmers, Shopkeepers and Tradesmen of this City and Country. Thro\u2019 the Dissensions of our Leaders, thro\u2019 mistaken Principles of Religion, join\u2019d with a Love of Worldly Power, on the one Hand; thro\u2019 Pride, Envy and implacable Resentment on the other; our Lives, our Families and little Fortunes, dear to us as any Great Man\u2019s can be to him, are to remain continually expos\u2019d to Destruction, from an enterprizing, cruel, now well-inform\u2019d, and by Success encourag\u2019d Enemy. It seems as if Heaven, justly displeas\u2019d at our growing Wickedness, and determin\u2019d to punish\n   *When God determined to punish his chosen People, the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, who, tho\u2019 Breakers of his other Laws, were scrupulous Observers of that One which required keeping holy the Sabbath Day; he suffered even the strict Observation of that Command to be their Ruin: For Pompey observing that they then obstinately refused to fight, made a general Assault on that Day, took the Town, and butcher\u2019d them with as little Mercy as he found Resistance. Josephus.\n this once favour\u2019d Land, had suffered our Chiefs to engage in these foolish and mischievous Contentions, for little Posts and paltry Distinctions, that our Hands might be bound up, our Understandings darkned and misled, and every Means of our Security neglected. It seems as if our greatest Men, our Cives nobilissimi\n   \u2021Conjuravere cives nobilissimi Patriam incendere; Gallorum Gentem, infestissimam nomini Romano, ad Bellum arcessunt. Cat. in Salust.\n of both Parties, had sworn the Ruin of the Country, and invited the French, our most inveterate Enemy, to destroy it. Where then shall we seek for Succour and Protection? The Government we are immediately under denies it to us; and if the Enemy comes, we are far from Zidon, and there is no Deliverer near. Our Case indeed is dangerously bad; but perhaps there is yet a Remedy, if we have but the Prudence and the Spirit to apply it.\nIf this now flourishing City, and greatly improving Colony, is destroy\u2019d and ruin\u2019d, it will not be for want of Numbers of Inhabitants able to bear Arms in its Defence. \u2019Tis computed that we have at least (exclusive of the Quakers) 60,000 Fighting Men, acquainted with Fire-Arms, many of them Hunters and Marksmen, hardy and bold. All we want is Order, Discipline, and a few Cannon. At present we are like the separate Filaments of Flax before the Thread is form\u2019d, without Strength because without Connection; but Union would make us strong and even formidable: Tho\u2019 the Great should neither help nor join us; tho\u2019 they should even oppose our Uniting, from some mean Views of their own, yet, if we resolve upon it, and it please God to inspire us with the necessary Prudence and Vigour, it may be effected. Great Numbers of our People are of British Race, and tho\u2019 the fierce fighting Animals of those happy Islands, are said to abate their native Fire and Intrepidity, when removed to a Foreign Clime, yet with the People \u2019tis not so; Our Neighbours of New-England afford the World a convincing Proof, that Britons, tho\u2019 a Hundred Years transplanted, and to the remotest Part of the Earth, may yet retain, even to the third and fourth Descent, that Zeal for the Publick Good, that military Prowess, and that undaunted Spirit, which has in every Age distinguished their Nation. What Numbers have we likewise of those brave People, whose Fathers in the last Age made so glorious a Stand for our Religion and Liberties, when invaded by a powerful French Army, join\u2019d by Irish Catholicks, under a bigotted Popish King! Let the memorable Siege of Londonderry, and the signal Actions of the Iniskillingers, by which the Heart of that Prince\u2019s Schemes was broken, be perpetual Testimonies of the Courage and Conduct of those noble Warriors! Nor are there wanting amongst us, Thousands of that Warlike Nation, whose Sons have ever since the Time of Caesar maintained the Character he gave their Fathers, of joining the most obstinate Courage to all the other military Virtues. I mean the brave and steady Germans. Numbers of whom have actually borne Arms in the Service of their respective Princes; and if they fought well for their Tyrants and Oppressors, would they refuse to unite with us in Defence of their newly acquired and most precious Liberty and Property? Were this Union form\u2019d, were we once united, thoroughly arm\u2019d and disciplin\u2019d, was every Thing in our Power done for our Security, as far as human Means and Foresight could provide, we might then, with more Propriety, humbly ask the Assistance of Heaven, and a Blessing on our lawful Endeavours. The very Fame of our Strength and Readiness would be a Means of Discouraging our Enemies; for \u2019tis a wise and true Saying, that One Sword often keeps another in the Scabbard. The Way to secure Peace is to be prepared for War. They that are on their Guard, and appear ready to receive their Adversaries, are in much less Danger of being attack\u2019d, than the supine, secure and negligent. We have yet a Winter before us, which may afford a good and almost sufficient Opportunity for this, if we seize and improve it with a becoming Vigour. And if the Hints contained in this Paper are so happy as to meet with a suitable Disposition of Mind in his Countrymen and Fellow Citizens, the Writer of it will, in a few Days, lay before them a Form of an Association for the Purposes herein mentioned, together with a practicable Scheme for raising the Money necessary for the Defence of our Trade, City, and Country, without laying a Burthen on any Man.\nMay the God of Wisdom, Strength and Power, the Lord of the Armies of Israel, inspire us with Prudence in this Time of Danger; take away from us all the Seeds of Contention and Division, and unite the Hearts and Counsels of all of us, of whatever Sect or Nation, in one Bond of Peace, Brotherly Love, and generous Publick Spirit; May he give us Strength and Resolution to amend our Lives, and remove from among us every Thing that is displeasing to him; afford us his most gracious Protection, confound the Designs of our Enemies, and give Peace in all our Borders, is the sincere Prayer of\nA Tradesman of 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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "11-27-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0093", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 27 November 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Colden, Cadwallader\nSir\nPhilada. Nov. 27. 1747\nThe violent Party Spirit that appears in all the Votes &c. of your Assembly, seems to me extreamly unseasonable as well as unjust, and to threaten Mischief not only to your selves but to your Neighbours. It begins to be plain, that the French may reap great Advantages from your Divisions: God grant they may be as blind to their own Interest, and as negligent of it, as the English are of theirs. It must be inconvenient to you to remove your Family, but more so to you and them, to live under continual Apprehensions and Alarms. I shall be glad to hear you are all in a Place of Safety.\nTho\u2019 Plain Truth bore somewhat hard on both Parties here, it has had the Happiness not to give much Offence to either. It has wonderfully spirited us up to defend our selves and Country, to which End great Numbers are entring into an Association, of which I send you a Copy enclos\u2019d. We are likewise setting on foot a Lottery to raise \u00a33000 for erecting a Battery of Cannon below the City. We have petition\u2019d the Proprietor to send us some from England, and have order\u2019d our Correspondents to send us over a Parcel, if the Application to the Proprietor fails. But lest by any Accident they should miscarry, I am desired to write to you, and desire your Opinion, whether if our Government should apply to Governor Clinton, to borrow a few of your spare Cannon, till we could be supply\u2019d, such Application might probably meet with Success. Pray excuse the Effects of Haste in this Letter. I am, Sir, with the greatest Respect, Your most obliged humble Servant\nB Franklin\n Addressed: To \u2002The honble Cadwallader Colden Esq \u2002New York \u2002Free B 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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "11-28-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0094", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 28 November 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Strahan, William\nSir\nPhilada. Nov. 28. 1747\nI received your Favour of June 11. per Capt. Tiffin, with the Books, &c. all in good Order. Mr. Parks, who drew the Bill on Guidart & Sons, is surpriz\u2019d at their Protesting it, they having, as he says, large Effects of his in their Hands: He will speedily renew that Bill. Enclos\u2019d I send you a Bill on Xr. Kilby Esqr, for \u00a319.7.1\u00bd Sterling, which I hope will be readily paid: And you may soon expect other Bills from me for larger Sums. What Books will be wanted for the Shop hereafter, Mr. Hall will write for: I shall send for no more, unless for myself or a Friend. I must desire you to send per first Opportunity the Maps formerly wrote for, viz. Popple\u2019s large One of North America pasted on Rollers; Ditto bound in a Book: and 8 or 10 other Maps of equal Size if to be had; they are for the long Gallery and the Assembly Room in the Statehouse. If none so large are to be got, let Prospects of Cities, Buildings, &c. be pasted round them, to make them as large. I want also Folard\u2019s Polybius, in French; it is 6 Vols. 4to. printed at Paris, and costs about 3 Guineas. My best Respects to good Mrs. Strahan; I know not but in another Year, I may have the Pleasure of seeing you both in London. Please to deliver the Enclos\u2019d to Mr. Acworth: I know not where to direct to him. I am, dear Sir, Your most obliged humble Servant\nB Franklin\n Addressed: To \u2002Mr Wm Strahan \u2002Printer in Wine Office Court Fleetstreet \u2002London \u2002Per favr of Mr Wallace in the Widow", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "12-03-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0096", "content": "Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 3 December 1747\nFrom: Logan, James\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nMy Friend B. Franklin,\n3 December, 1747\nI have expected to see thee here for several weeks, according to my son\u2019s information, with Euclid\u2019s title-page printed, and my Mattaire\u2019s Lives of the Stephenses; but it is probable thy thoughts of thy new excellent project have in some measure diverted thee, to which I most heartily wish all possible success; of which, notwithstanding, I have some doubts, partly for want of arms for some of the common people, who may be willing to enlist, and for want of will in many others, as well of the Dutch as of our people, and both these for want of a militia act to compel them. Ever since I have had the power of thinking, I have clearly seen that government without arms is an inconsistency. Our Friends spare no pains to get and accumulate estates, and are yet against defending them, though these very estates are in a great measure the sole cause of their being invaded, as I showed to our Yearly Meeting, last September was six years, in a paper thou then printed. But I request to be informed, as soon as thou hast any leisure, what measures are proposed to furnish small arms, powder, and ball to those in the country; and particularly what measures are taken to defend our river, especially at the Red Bank, on the Jersey side, and on our own, where there ought not to be less than forty guns, from six to twelve pounders. What gunners are to be depended on?\nThy project of a lottery to clear \u00a33,000 is excellent, and I hope it will be speedily filled; nor shall I be wanting. But thou wilt answer all these questions and much more, if thou wilt visit me here, as on First day, to dine with me, and thou wilt exceedingly oblige thy very loving friend,\nJames Logan", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "12-07-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0098", "content": "Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 7 December 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: Logan, James\nSir,\nMonday Noon [December 7, 1747]\nI am heartily glad you approve of our proceedings. We shall have arms for the poor in the spring, and a number of battering cannon. The place for the batteries is not yet fixed; but it is generally thought that near Red Bank will be most suitable, as the enemy must there have natural difficulties to struggle with, besides the channel being narrow. The Dutch are as hearty as the English. \u201cPlain Truth\u201d and the \u201cAssociation\u201d are in their language, and their parsons encourage them. It is proposed to breed gunners by forming an artillery club, to go down weekly to the battery and exercise the great guns. The best engineers against Cape Breton were of such a club, tradesmen and shopkeepers of Boston. I was with them at the Castle at their exercise in 1743.\nI have not time to write larger nor to wait on you till next week. In general all goes well, and there is a surprising unanimity in all ranks. Near eight hundred have signed the Association, and more are signing hourly. One company of Dutch is complete. I am with great respect, Sir, &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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "12-07-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0099", "content": "Title: Address to the Associators, 7 December 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nThe Associators\u2014almost 600 in number\u2014assembled with their arms at the court house on December 7 for their first meeting. Secretary Richard Peters, at the order of the President and Council, informed them that their \u201cProceedings are not disapprov\u2019d by the Government,\u201d and assured them that commissions would be \u201creadily granted\u201d to the officers chosen in accordance with the Association articles. Franklin made proposals for dividing the city into districts and companies and for conducting the forthcoming election of officers, both of which the Associators approved. Among his manuscripts are two sheets\u2014hitherto separated\u2014fragments of his paper read on this occasion.\nGentlemen\n[December 7, 1747]\nThe second Article of the Association we have entred into, is this, That we will before the said Day, that is, before the first Day of January next, form ourselves into Companies consisting of such as are situated most conveniently for meeting together. But as the Manner of forming ourselves into Companies is not particularly express\u2019d, I am now to acquaint you what previous Steps have been taken to that purpose. As the Association was sign\u2019d promiscuously by Persons dwelling in all Parts of the Town, and it was difficult as their Names stood, to sort them into their respective Neighbourhoods, two Inhabitants of each Ward were called together, to consider of the properest Means of dividing the Associators into Companies according to the Article. After some Consideration they agreed to go round their respective Wards, and take down the Names of the Associators of each Ward in separate Lists, by which Lists they might see whether there were a Number of Members in each Ward sufficient to form a Company. When the Lists were brought in, it appear\u2019d that some Wards contain\u2019d Associators more than sufficient for a [missing]\nThe first Company to the southward, is Dock Ward Company, and contains, &c.\n(read em all)\nMulberry Ward being very large is divided into two Companies, and as our German Brethren who are as hearty and as forward as [any of] us, have desired to be by themselves, [one] of those Companies is accordingly German, [and the] other English.\nIf you approve of these Divisions, Gentlemen, I will deliver Lists of each Company, to some among you who will undertake to call you to[gether wh]en the Time comes for chusing your Officers, w[hich] by the Articles is the first Day of January next. In the mean time, if each Company shall think fit to meet by itself one Evening in a Week or oftner, to improve in the Exercise of Arms, those who have the Lists will look out for and provide convenient Rooms in different Parts of the Town to accommodate the several Companies. By these private Meetings and Exercises, we shall not only improve in the Discipline, but become acquainted with each other, and so be better able to judge, when the Day of Election comes, who among us are fittest to be our Officers.\nTis hoped all will endeavour to have their Arms and Ammunition ready by that Day, according to the Articles, and as our Numbers are daily encreasing, I do not doubt but you will then be able to make a noble Appearance. [Remainder missing.]", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "12-09-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0100", "content": "Title: Proclamation for a General Fast, 9 December 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nThe minutes of the Governor\u2019s Council of December 8, 1747, record that that body, \u201ctaking into Consideration the State of the War in general, the Sickness that lately rag\u2019d over this City and the Province, the probability of our Enemies making a Descent on the City, and the Calamitous Situation of our Frontiers,\u201d in order to awaken the inhabitants to \u201ca just Sense of their Condition,\u201d appointed Abraham Taylor and Thomas Hopkinson to draft a suitable proclamation for a general fast. Their draft was submitted the following day, it was read and approved, and the Council ordered that it be engrossed and published on December 10 \u201cforenoon at the Court House with the usual Solemnity.\u201d\nIn this bare recital Franklin\u2019s name is not mentioned and no suggestion made as to where Taylor and Hopkinson might have turned for a model. Franklin\u2019s autobiography supplies the deficiency. His activity in the Association, he relates, won him the confidence of the members of the Council, and they consulted him in matters of importance to the Association. \u201cCalling in the Aid of Religion, I propos\u2019d to them the Proclaiming a Fast, to promote Reformation, and implore the Blessing of Heaven on our Undertaking. They embrac\u2019d the Motion, but as it was the first Fast ever thought of in the Province, the Secretary had no Precedent from which to draw the Proclamation. My Education in New England, where a Fast is proclaim\u2019d every Year, was here of some Advantage. I drew it in the accustomed Stile, it was translated into German, printed in both Languages and divulg\u2019d thro\u2019 the Province.\u201d\n[December 9, 1747]\nBy the Honourable the President and Council of theProvince of Pennsylvania,A Proclamation For a General Fast.\nForasmuch as it is the Duty of Mankind, on all suitable Occasions, to acknowledge their Dependance on the Divine Being, to give Thanks for the Mercies received, and no less to deprecate his Judgments, and humbly pray for his Protection: And as the Calamities of a bloody War, in which our Nation is now engaged, seem every Year more nearly to approach us, and the Expedition form\u2019d for the Security of these Plantations, hath been laid aside: As the Inhabitants of this Province and City have been sorely visited with mortal Sickness in the Summer past, and there is just Reason to fear, that unless we humble ourselves before the Lord, and amend our Ways, we may be chastised with yet heavier Judgments: We have therefore thought fit, on due Consideration thereof, to appoint Thursday, the seventh Day of January next, to be observed throughout this Province as a Day of Fasting and Prayer; exhorting all, both Ministers and People, to observe the same with becoming Seriousness and Attention, and to join with one Accord in the most humble and fervent Supplications, That Almighty God would mercifully interpose, and still the Rage of War among the Nations, and put a Stop to the Effusion of Christian Blood: That he would preserve and bless our Gracious King, guide his Councils, and give him Victory over his Enemies, to the Establishing a speedy and lasting Peace: That he would bless, prosper and preserve all the British Colonies, and particularly, that he would take this Province under his Protection, confound the Designs and defeat the Attempts of its Enemies, and unite our Hearts, and strengthen our Hands in every Undertaking that may be for the Publick Good, and for our Defence and Security in this Time of Danger: That he would graciously please to bless the succeeding Year with Health, Peace and Plenty, and enable us to make a right Use of his late afflicting Hand, in a sincere and thorough Reformation of our Lives and Manners, to which the Ministers of all religious Societies are desired earnestly to exhort their People. And it is recommended to all Persons to abstain from servile Labour on the said Day.\nGiven at Philadelphia, under the Great Seal of the said Province, the Ninth Day of December, in the Twenty-first Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George II. by the Grace of God, of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Annoq; Domini, 1747.\nAnthony Palmer, President\nBy Order of the Honourable the President andCouncil, Richard Peters, Secretary.\nGod Save the King.", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "12-22-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0101", "content": "Title: The Manner of Drawing a Public Lottery, 22 December 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nThis explanation is an integral part of the proposals for a lottery (see above, p. 220). Franklin very likely composed it, though there is no proof that he did.\nAn Account of the Manner of Drawinga Publick Lottery.\nSuppose a Lottery to consist of Ten Thousand Tickets; as the present Philadelphia Lottery does. Before the Tickets are sold, they are numbered from 1 to 10,000, each Ticket having its Number. These Tickets remain in the Hands of the Purchasers, and \u2019tis by them a Claim is made to the Prizes that shall happen to come up in the Drawing against their respective Numbers.\nTo prevent any Fraud in altering of Numbers, the Tickets are indented, and other Measures taken.\nFor the Drawing, two round Boxes, or hollow Wheels, are prepar\u2019d, being about three Foot Diameter, and 6 or 8 Inches deep, each having a little Door near one Side. These Wheels are put on Axeltrees, and hung in the Manner of a Grindstone, so as to be easily turn\u2019d round by a Handle. In one of them are put 10,000 little pieces of Paper, all of a Size, number\u2019d from 1 to 10000, as the sold Tickets were, each Piece having its Number; these are closely roll\u2019d up and ty\u2019d with Thread, each by itself, so that by turning the Wheel many Times round, they may be all mix\u2019d together, and it becomes impossible to know where among them any particular Number lies. In the other Wheel are likewise put 10,000 little Pieces of Paper of equal Size, roll\u2019d up and ty\u2019d in the same Manner each by itself: These are not number\u2019d; but in Two of them (in the Philadelphia Lottery) will be wrote Five Hundred Pounds; in Three of them will be wrote Three Hundred Pounds; in Five of them will be wrote Two Hundred Pounds; in Ten of them will be wrote One Hundred Pounds; in Twenty of them will be wrote Fifty Pounds; in Forty of them, Twenty Five Pounds; in Eighty of them, Fifteen Pounds; in One Hundred of them, Ten Pounds; in Five Hundred and two of them, Five Pounds; and in Two Thousand and Eighty of them, Three Pounds; the rest have nothing wrote in them, but are called the Blanks.\nThe Cutting, Rolling up, and putting in the Papers into the Boxes or Wheels, is to be done in Publick; Notice being beforehand given of the Day, that any concern\u2019d may be present, and be satisfied that all the Numbers are put into one Wheel, and all the Prizes with the Blanks into the other, as they ought to be. The Managers besides have taken an Oath for the faithful Performance of their Trust, and a Committee of the Corporation are to inspect the Whole. Then the Wheels are shut and seal\u2019d, and lock\u2019d in a strong Chest, having several different Locks, the Keys of which to be kept by different Managers \u2019till the Day of Drawing.\nOn that Day the Chest is opened, and the Wheels taken out in publick View, and the Seals taken off. Then the Wheels being whirl\u2019d round, \u2019till the Company is satisfy\u2019d that the Papers in both Wheels are sufficiently mix\u2019d, a little Boy standing high by the Wheel in View of all, puts his Hand into that Wheel that contains the 10,000 numbered Papers, takes out one of them, and gives it to a Manager, or one of the Corporation Inspectors, who cuts the Thread, opens it, and reads the Number aloud, and hands it to the others, that they may see it has been rightly read. Then another little Boy, standing by the Wheel containing the Blanks and Prizes, puts his Hand into that, and takes out one of the Pieces of Paper, gives it to a Manager, or inspector, who opens it, &c. If it proves a Prize, whatever Prize it is, it belongs to the Number just before drawn; and whoever has the Ticket with that Number, claims the said Prize; if it is a Blank, the Ticket of that Number claims nothing. Sworn Clerks are present, who enter down the Lot of every Number before another is drawn, and the Numbers, with their Lots, are filed together, to prevent any Mistakes, or to rectify such if they should happen to be made. After Drawing a few Tickets, the Wheels are turned again, to keep the Papers continually mixing. And thus the Numbers being in one Wheel, the Lots in the other, all mixed; as \u2019tis impossible to know what Number one Boy will lay his Hand on and take out of the one, or what Lot the other will take out of the other Wheel, so \u2019tis impossible to know, \u2019till drawn, what Fortune any Ticket will have; and in this consists the Fairness of the Lottery.\nThe first drawn Number claims Fifty Pounds, and the last drawn Number One Hundred Pounds, besides the Prize that may happen to be drawn against them.\nAs the Drawing cannot be finished in one Day, but will require several; every Evening the Wheels are to be secur\u2019d in the Chest, as aforementioned.", "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": 1747},
{"created_timestamp": "01-06-1747", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-03-02-0102", "content": "Title: Extracts from the Gazette, 1747\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nExtracts from The Pennsylvania Gazette have been printed for each of the years that Franklin personally conducted his printing office (see above, I, 164). With the establishment of the partnership of Franklin and Hall on January 1, 1748, however, the latter took over the daily oversight of the office, though Franklin, of course, from time to time contributed both original essays and excerpts from private letters containing news of general interest. The extracts for 1747 are, therefore, the last group of unsigned miscellaneous items that will be printed at the end of the year in this work.\nPhiladelphia, Feb. 3. 1746\u20137.\nTo be Lett for Three Years, A Bakehouse, with two ovens, very well situate for carrying on said Trade, being some years standing, and has continual Employ, by loaf bread, bisket baking, and for dinner baking (fixed) fit for any person to go on with said business the first day\u2019s entrance. Likewise to be sold or hired, two bolting-mills and chests, with all necessaries whatever for carrying on the business of loaf bread and bisket baking, with two servant lads time, brought up to said business. Any person inclining to purchase, may enter into said business one month after the day of agreement. For further information, enquire of Benjamin Franklin. [February 3]\n\t[Advertisement ] A Refiner and Hammerman is wanted for a Forge in the Government of New-York. One who is a good Workman, and can be well recommended, will have good Encouragement. Enquire of the Printer hereof. [February 24]\n\t   A Gentleman who came from Georgia, informs us, that the Reverend Mr. George Whitefield is safe arrived there. [March 16]\n[Advertisement ] Lately imported, and to be sold by B. Franklin, Bibles of various Sizes, from large Folio, down to the smallest Pocket Bibles; Ditto in 2 Vols. Testaments, Common Prayers, Confessions of Faith, large and small, Independent Whig, Willwood\u2019s Glimpse of Glory, Rutherford\u2019s Letters, Brown on Prayer, Ditto\u2019s Christ the Way, &c. Boston\u2019s Fourfold State of Man, Gray\u2019s Works, complete, Willison\u2019s Sacramental Catechism, Flavell\u2019s Husbandry Spiritualized, Shephard\u2019s Sound Believer, Bunyan\u2019s Holy War, Ditto\u2019s Sighs from Hell, Ditto\u2019s Grace Abounding, Practice of Piety, Dilworth\u2019s Spelling-Books, Brown\u2019s Ditto, Play-Book for Children, Vincent on Judgment, Dyer\u2019s Golden Chain, Life of Monsieur De Renty; Cocker\u2019s Arithmetick, &c. &c. Also most Sorts of School Books, Latin, French and Dutch. Likewise Navigation Books.\nWith Psalters, Primmers, Paper, Sealing Wax, Ink-powder, and all Sorts of Stationary Ware. [April 9]\nPhiladelphia, May 7. 1747.\nDeserted from Captain John Diemer\u2019s company of foot, now lying at Albany, the following men, viz. [Here follow 17 names.]\nWhoever takes up and secures any of the said deserters, and gives information to the Subscriber, at the Post-Office, Philadelphia, or to the said Capt. Diemer, so that they may be brought to his company, shall have Three Pounds reward for each.W. Franklin[May 7]\nPhiladelphia, May 21. 1747.\nStrayed from off the commons of Philadelphia, a white horse, low in flesh, long sided, long switch tail, pretty well set, of middling heighth, unshod, is a cart horse, and has a heavy, lubberly trott. Whoever finds him, and brings him to the printer hereof, shall have Ten Shillings reward, when, by his directions, deliver\u2019d to the owner in Philadelphia. [May 21]\n\t   Friday last the Reverend Mr. Whitefield came to Town, and preached twice on Sunday, and once on Monday, at the New-Building. [June 4]\n\t   Monday last, in the Afternoon, the Governor, with his Lady and Daughter, embarked for London, on board the Greyhound, Capt. Budden: They were respectfully attended to the Wharff by the Corporation, the Grand Jury, and the principal Gentlemen and Ladies of the City. [June 4]\nPhiladelphia, June 4. 1747.\nWhoever will discover to the printer hereof any effects belonging, or debts due, to the estate of Captain John Spence, late a merchant in this city, deceased, shall receive Twenty per Cent. or a fifth part of such effects and debts, immediately on the recovery thereof. [June 4]\nPhiladelphia, June 18. 1747.\nLost between Germantown and Philadelphia, the 8th instant, a silver watch, the maker\u2019s name Tomlinson, London; with two seals, one silver, with a coat of arms; the other bathmetal, with glass faces, a crown on one side, and King William\u2019s and Queen Mary\u2019s heads in one on the other. Whoever brings it to the printer hereof, shall have Forty Shillings reward. [June 18]\n\t   We hear that several People have died suddenly within these few Days, by drinking cold Water too greedily while they were hot. [July 9]\nPhiladelphia, July 8. 1747.\nLost last night, a large pair of plain Silver Buckles, mark\u2019d GPY. Whoever brings them to the printer hereof, shall receive Ten Shillings reward, and no questions ask\u2019d. Silversmiths and others are desired to take notice of this Advertisement, and stop them if offer\u2019d to sale. [July 9]\nPhiladelphia, August 6. 1747.\nStolen or stray\u2019d last Night, out of B. Franklin\u2019s pasture, near this city, a likely young sorrel Horse, about 14 hands high, with silver Mane and Tail, four white feet, a blaze in his face, no brand, a large belly, and is in good case, paces well, but trots sometimes, very small ears, and is shod all round. Also a small bay horse, without shoes, low in flesh, long dark tail and mane. Whoever brings them to the subscriber, shall have Forty Shillings reward for the first, and Ten Shillings for the other: If stolen, and the thief detected, so that he may be brought to justice, Five Pounds, with reasonable charges, paid by B. Franklin[August 6]\n[Advertisement ] Just imported, and sold by B. Franklin, The Circle of the Sciences, &c. In Three Volumes.\nVol. I. An easy Introduction to the English Language; or, a pretty Spelling-book for little Masters and Misses.\nVol. II. An easy Introduction to the English Language; or, a Compendious Grammar for the Use of Young Gentlemen, Ladies, and Foreigners.\nVol. III. An easy Spelling-Dictionary of the English Language, on a new Plan; for the Use of Young Gentlemen, Ladies, and Foreigners.\nAlso The Child\u2019s Guide to Polite Learning; or a natural, plain and easy Spelling-Book and Grammar of the English Tongue. By Way of Question and Answer; To which is prefixed, A short Historical Account of Language in general, for the Perusal of such as are more advanc\u2019d in Years.\nLikewise the following Books for Children. Tom Thumb\u2019s Play-Book. Tommy Thumb\u2019s Song-Book. A Christmass-Box for Masters and Misses. The Trifle or gilded Toy, To humour every Girl and Boy. The Child\u2019s New-Years-Gift, or a Collection of chaste and significant Riddles. Nancy Cock\u2019s Riddle Book: With Proverbial Precepts on Education. Nancy Cock\u2019s Song-Book, for all little Misses and Masters. The Child\u2019s Entertainer: Being a New Collection of Riddles, upon the most familiar Subjects. The Child\u2019s Delight; or little Master and Misses instructive and diverting Companion. The Child\u2019s New Play-Thing: Being a Spelling-Book intended to make the Learning to Read, a Diversion instead of a Task, &c. &c. [September 3]\nPhiladelphia, Sept. 3. 1747.\nJohn Murphy having declined riding post to Maryland, gives notice, that he is ready to serve gentlemen as a messenger or express to any part of this or the neighbouring provinces; for which purpose he keeps good horses in readiness, and will perform what he undertakes with the utmost diligence and dispatch, giving security for his honesty, where required.\nN.B. Said Murphy has lost a light-colour\u2019d great-coat with the cape patched; the person that has found it, is desired to bring it to him at the Seven Stars, in Elbow lane, and they shall have Five shillings reward. [September 3]\n\t   The same Day [Monday, September 14] the Rev. Mr. Whitefield set out from this Place for Maryland, in his Way to Georgia: During his Stay here, he preached frequently at the New-Building to very large and attentive Auditories. [September 17]\nMonday next will be published, and sold by B. Franklin, Poor Richard Improved; And Half as big again as heretofore: Being an Almanack and Ephemeris of the Motions of the Sun and Moon; the true Places and Aspects of the Planets; the Rising and Setting of the Sun; and the Rising, Setting and Southing, of the Moon, for the Bissextile Year 1748. Containing also, The Lunations, Conjunctions, Eclipses, Judgment of the Weather, rising and setting of the Planets, Length of Days and Nights, Fairs, Courts, Roads, &c. Together with useful Tables, Chronological Observations, and entertaining Remarks. Fitted to the Latitude of Forty Degrees, and a Meridian of near five Hours West from London; but may, without sensible Error, serve all the Northern Colonies.\nContaining moreover, Verses on the Death of Jacob Taylor. Particular Account of the Winter in Hudson\u2019s Bay. Table of Interest. Luke\u2019s Dying Request. Great and small Robbers. The Systems compared. Faith and Reason. A good Rule for Preserving Health. Three great Destroyers, Plague, Famine and Hero. Heathens dying. Poetical Strokes on Sir Isaac Newton. Education. Life, wherein it consists. Oliver Cromwell, Richard, and Julius Cesar. Fight at Lahogue. Verses on Warren, Anson and Boscawen. Use of Reading. What is the Chief Female Charm. A Philosophic Thought. Remark on Addison\u2019s Death and Writings. A spinning Empress. The true Hero, who. Remarks of Strada, a Spanish Historian, and the Duke of Parma. The good Wife. Difficulty of driving black Hogs in the Dark. Battle of Hochstet. Muskitoes, useful Remarks on them. Art of succeeding in Conversation. The amiable Doctress. Vigo. Observations on the Birth-day of the Founder of this Province. The Man of Taste. On Sir Walter Raleigh. English explained by Greek. Locke, the famous John, Esq; Of Parties. Benefits of Winter. The good Husband. Account of Niagara Falls, the greatest Cataract in the World. Story of the Emperor\u2019s Daughter, &c. &c. &c. With many other Matters (useful and entertaining) too many to mention here.\nJacob Taylor\u2019s Testimony in Favour of Poor Richard\u2019s Almanack.\nThey have a Right to write who understand\nThe Skill profest, the Theme they have in Hand;\nAll useful Arts in true Professors shine,\nAnd just Applause, Poor Richard, shall be thine;\nFor equal Justice must return thy Due,\nThy Words good Sense, thy Numbers pure and true.\nVide Taylor\u2019s Almanack, 1745.\nWhere likewise may be had, just published, Moore\u2019s American Country Almanack, For the Year 1748. [September 17]\n\t   [Advertisement] If Timothy Wastle, barber, of Barnard castle, in the county of Durham, Old England, will come to the Post-office, Philadelphia, he will hear of something to his advantage. [September 24]\n\t   Just published, and to be sold by the Printer hereof, The Pocket Almanack, For the Year 1748. Of whom may be also had, The Votes of the last Sessions of the Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania. [November 5]\nPhiladelphia, November 5. 1747.\nAll Persons indebted to the Printer hereof for a Year\u2019s Gazette, or more, are desired to pay. [November 5]\nPhiladelphia, November 5. 1747.\nLent some time ago, but forgot to whom, by Thomas Godfrey, of this city, Gravesend, 2 vols. Newton\u2019s Opticks, and a pair of round pliers: And left some where a Quarto blue paper book, containing about two sheets, having in one end of it Doctor Hally\u2019s Numbers and Radixes of the Planets; at the other end, a collection of about 100 observations of the Moon from Flamsted. Whoever has any of the above, is desired to return them. [November 5]\n\t   Last night came to Town some Indians from Ohio, a Branch of the Missisippi, all Warriors, and among them one Captain, on a Visit to this Government, about some particular Affairs relating to the War betwixt the English and French in those Parts. [November 12]\n\t   The Indians from Ohio, now here, who are Deputies from a mix\u2019d Body of Indians, collected from all the neighbouring Nations, and consisting of about 500 fighting Men, settled near the Head of that River, and the South Side of Lake Erie, have acquainted the Government, that the French did last Spring send them a Hatchet with Presents, as an Invitation to join in the War against the English; that to prevent any of their People accepting of the same, they immediately declared War against the French, and had already commenced Hostilities: To keep them firm in their Friendship to the English, a considerable Sum is now given them in Goods, and a Quantity likewise sent by them to a small neighbouring Nation in Alliance with them. [November 19]\n\t   Last Saturday Evening a great Number of the Inhabitants of this City met at Mr. Walton\u2019s School-House in Arch-street, when a Form of an Association for our common Security and Defence against the Enemy was consider\u2019d and agreed to. On Monday following, the same was laid before a great Meeting of the principal Gentlemen, Merchants and others, at Roberts\u2019s Coffee-House, where after due Deliberation, it was unanimously approv\u2019d of, and another Meeting appointed to be the next Day following at the New-Building, in Order to begin Signing. Accordingly on Tuesday Evening upwards of Five Hundred Men of all Ranks subscribed their Names; and as the Subscription is still going on briskly in all Parts of the Town, \u2019tis not doubted but that in a few Days the Number will exceed a Thousand, in this City only, exclusive of the neighbouring Towns and Country. \u2019Tis hop\u2019d the same laudable Spirit will spread itself throughout the Province; it being certain that we have Numbers more than sufficient, to defeat (with the Blessing of God) any Enterprize our Enemies can be suppos\u2019d to form against us: All we wanted was Union and Discipline. The Form of the Association will be printed in our next; as also the Scheme of a Lottery for raising a Sum of Money for the general Service. [November 26]\n\t   The Scheme of the Lottery for raising a Sum of money for the Publick Service, will be published on Saturday next, and may be had gratis on calling for [it] at the Post-Office. [December 3]\nPhiladelphia, November 12. 1747.\nThis is to give Notice, That George Heap, in Third-street, between Arch-street and Market-street, makes Cartouch-boxes, Sword Belts and Scabbards, after the best and neatest manner. [December 3]\nOn Monday Afternoon a great Body of the Associators met with their Arms at the State-House, and from thence marched down to the Court-House, in Market-Street, where they agreed to the proposed Divisions of the City into Companies. His Honour the President, and several of the Gentlemen of the Council being present, the Secretary, by Order, acquainted the Associators, That their Proceedings were not disapproved by the Government; and that the Officers they should chuse, in Pursuance of their Articles, would readily obtain Commissions. \u2019Tis not doubted but on the first of January, the Day of Election, there will be a very full Appearance of the Associated in this City, all Hands being busy in providing Arms, putting them in Order, and improving themselves in military Discipline.\nAnd Yesterday the Reverend Mr. Jenny preach\u2019d an excellent Sermon on the Lawfulness of Self-Defence, and of Associating for that Purpose, to a very considerable Auditory; in the Church of England. [December 12]\nPhiladelphia, December 10. 1747.\n[Advertisement] Dropt from a watch, last Wednesday se\u2019nnight, a red Cornelian seal, set in gold, with part of a steel chain, on which it hung, the impression [of] a Homer\u2019s head. Whoever brings it to the printer hereof, shall have 5 shillings reward. [December 12]\n\t   \u2042The Northern Post begins his Fortnight\u2019s Stage this Afternoon at Three o\u2019Clock, during which Time this Paper will be published on Tuesdays. [December 15]\nPhiladelphia, December 22. 1747.\nTickets in the Philadelphia Lottery, are sold by William Allen, Joshua Maddox, William Masters, Samuel M\u2019Call, senior, Edward Shippen, Thomas Leech, Charles Willing, John Kearsley, William Clymer, senior, Thomas Lawrence, junior, William Coleman, and Thomas Hopkinson, at their respective Dwellings; and by B. Franklin, at the Post-Office. [December 22]\n\t   Thursday last the Reverend Mr. Gilbert Tennent preached an excellent Sermon in the New-Building, on the Lawfulness of War, and on the Usefulness of the Association, into which great Numbers of the Inhabitants of this Province have lately enter\u2019d, and are still entering. [December 29]\nPhiladelphia: Printed by B. Franklin, Post-Master, at the New-Printing-Office, near the Market.", "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": 1747}
]