Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 19 December 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Collinson, Peter

Dear Friend
Philada. Dec. 19. 1756
I have now the Pleasure of yours of the 7th and 10th. of September, and have received the old Book of Voyages, the Magazines for August, and Messrs. Hoadly and Wilson on Electricity.
We have hitherto preserv’d a good Agreement with our new Governor; tho’ it seems that some evil Counsellors about him would fain get him into a Quarrel with us; but I hope it will be prevented.

Smith continues still in the Academy; but I imagine will not much longer, unless he mends his Manners greatly; for the Schools decline on his Account: The Number of Scholars at present, that pay, not exceeding 118, tho’ they formerly were 200.
The Air-Pump, &c. turn’d out agreable to Invoice, except, that the Stopcock Handle of one of the brass Hemispheres was wanting, and the 6 lb. of Quicksilver. These should be sent per the first Opportunity, together with Glasses instead of those which were broken, viz. The largest Receiver. The large Globe for weighing Air. The slender Barometer Tube; and the largest of the 3 Cylinders for holding Water in the Fountain Experiment. It would not be amiss to send 3 or 4 Barometer Tubes, such slender Things being very apt to break. And if the large Glass Vessels are not pack’d in separate Boxes, at least there should be Partitions in the Cases they are pack’d in. Since your Workmen are, by your Accounts, as dilatory as they are ingenious, I begin to be much concern’d for the great Trouble we have given you in these Affairs.
I thank you for so readily paying my Drafts in favour of Mr. Strahan and the Society for Encouragement of Arts. The Society sets out on noble Principles, and I hope they may be highly useful to the whole British Dominions and to Mankind.

I am exceedingly obliged to Dr. Wright for the Regard he expresses for me in his Letter to you from Brussels, and for his ingenious little Piece on Thunder. Pray return him my hearty Thanks.
Your honourable Friend’s Observation on what I wrote concerning our Militia Law, I don’t well understand, perhaps because you have not sent the whole. If he doubted the Truth of what I said of the Numbers learning military Discipline under that Law, I send you enclos’d the printed Account or List of the Companies drawn from Secretary Peters’s Account of Charge for issuing Commissions to the several Officers. The Companies consisted, one with another, of at least 100 Men each, and several Companies were added to the Militia after that List was printed. If by “the ill Things he had lately heard from Pensilvania,” he meant some Mischiefs done by the Indians, and therefore could not imagine we were in a better Posture of Defence, let me acquaint you, that if every Man in the Country was a Veteran Soldier, our sparse Manner of Settling on so extended a Frontier, would still subject us to Mischiefs from the Depredations of such an Enemy as the Indians are, who do every thing by Surprize, and lurk about for Opportunities of attacking single Houses, and small weak Neighbourhoods. But all that Pensilvania has suffer’d is charg’d to the Account of our not having a good Militia Law; tho’ Virginia that has such a Law has suffer’d more; and New York, with such a Law and all the King’s and New England Forces to assist her, has not been free from Scalping, besides losing Oswego. One might as justly charge to your Want of a good Militia Law in England, the Highway Robberies and Housebreakings which sometimes fill your Newspapers; and even blame your regular Forces for not preventing them. We have now near 1500 Men on our Frontier, and yet People are sometimes scalp’d between Fort and Fort, and very near the Forts themselves. And if these Soldiers who have Arms continually in their Hands cannot always secure themselves, why should the Mischiefs done to the Farmers occasion a Doubt of the Truth of what I told you of our People’s learning military Discipline under our Militia Law. For the Militia cannot be always under Arms, the Land must be till’d and Business follow’d; every House and Plantation cannot be guarded, and on the Frontier they are Miles distant, and so can afford little Aid to one another: Those Men, posted on the Frontier, are not the Militia, but what we call our Provincial Troops, being regularly inlisted to serve for a Term, and in the Pay of the Province; and do nothing but bear Arms like your Regulars. The Militia follow their respective Callings at home, muster only on certain Days to learn Discipline and are to be ready in Case of Invasion, &c. by any great Force; but are of little Use in hunting Indians; and therefore all the Colonies, in such Wars hire Men for the purpose who are fitter for it, and make it their Business. This Distinction between the Provincial Troops and the Militia of the Colonies, seems not to be understood in England; for even the Lords of Trade in their Report against our Militia Law, appear to have look’d upon them as the same, when they object, “that as our Militia was not oblig’d to march more than three Days out of the Province without their Consent, it might hazard the King’s Troops that should be joined with them.” Whereas if any Expedition is undertaken in the Colonies in Conjunction with the King’s Troops, it is not carried on by the Militia as such, but by listed Men hired expressly for the Service; these are called Provincial Forces, and under as absolute Command till that Service is ended, as the King’s Troops; so that the Inconvenience objected to was not real. However, we are now to have a Militia Law like the other Colonies: The Bill is brought into the House, and I suppose will pass. We shall, as we ought, do all that can reasonably be expected of us, to please as well as serve, our Mother Country.
I am, with sincerest Respect and Affection, Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin


Title: Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on a Conference about Quartering, 20 December 1756
From: Pennsylvania Assembly Committee
To:

Joseph Fox, John Hughes, Franklin, William Masters, and William Allen were appointed a committee to confer with Governor Denny on the quartering impasse. Before they were admitted to the chamber, Denny told the Council “he chose not to enter into any Altercation, nor to refute the many false Relations of Matters of Fact” in the Assembly message of December 19, but he would “insist that Quarters be instantly provided.” He then showed the Council a message to the Assembly which charged it had been “indecent, frivolous, and evasive,” and that beds were needed for 124 soldiers “who lie upon Straw,” and quarters must be made ready for newly arriving recruits. After Denny called in the committee and showed it his message, “Mr. Franklin opened the Conference by making large Professions of the good Disposition of the House for the Army &ca.” The report of the conference was entered in the Council minutes from the Assembly Votes with this comment: “N.B. The Committee’s Report is not agreeable to Truth, and very artfully told, not mentioning several pertinent Matters said by the Governor and the Members of Council; and several offensive, indecent and rude Expressions, used by Mr. Franklin and others of the Committee, being entirely passed over. Upon the whole, there was abundance of Heat, Passion, and Rudeness, on the Part of the Committee.”

[December 20, 1756]
That the Governor having been pleased to appoint this Day at Half after Twelve a Clock for the Conference, they had waited upon him accordingly, and found present Robert Strettell, Benjamin Shoemaker, Richard Peters, John Mifflin, and Benjamin Chew, Esquires, Members of the Governor’s Council.
That the Committee had opened the Conference, by assuring the Governor of the good Dispositions of the House towards the Army, and their Intention that sufficient Quarters should be provided for them; but withal expressed the Concern it gave the House to hear, that his Honour had unnecessarily, as they apprehended, issued orders for Quartering them on private Houses by Force, and contrary to Law.
To which the Governor was pleased to answer, that he was informed the Quarters in the Publick-houses were insufficient; that Beds were wanting for more than One Hundred Men.
The Committee then observed, That it was still the Opinion of the House, that the Publick House-keepers of this City generally were able to provide what was necessary for the Number billeted on them; and if they did not comply with the Law, the Magistrates should do their Duty, and fine them, as the Law directed. That if some of them were too poor, others were more able, and the Proportions should be regulated.
The Governor was pleased to say, it was not his Business to enquire where the Fault lay; it was plain the Soldiers were not well quartered; and they must not suffer.
The Committee then took the Freedom to remind the Governor, that the House could only prepare Laws; they had no Power to execute them. That they had provided a good Law for this Purpose, and the Governor had passed it. That the executive Powers of Government were vested in him. His Honour being pleased to say, It could not be expected of him, to go from House to House to see how the Law was executed; the Committee answered,
That the Complaint being laid before his Honour, Orders might properly issue from him to the Magistrates (who are under his Direction) to enquire into and redress it, by exacting a due Observance of the Law, and enforcing it by levying the Fines.

The Committee then took Notice, that no Soldiers had yet been billeted on the Taverns in the Suburbs closely adjoining to the City, where there were many very capable of receiving them: That the neighbouring Towns could also accommodate a great Number.
The Governor replied, That the Quarters were demanded in the City, and it was his Duty to see the Orders executed; that if the Inhabitants thought it unequal, or a Hardship, they might apply to Lord Loudoun.
The Committee answered, That it were to be wished the Governor would consider himself somewhat more in his Civil Capacity as Governor of the Province. We expected of him, that he would be the immediate Father and Protector of the People, and if any Orders he received would in their Consequences be grievous to the People, he would represent the Matter properly in our Behalf: That if an Application to Lord Loudoun, to redress any Grievance, was necessary, we conceived it ought to be made not directly, but through the Governor, and that to do otherwise, would be inconsistent with the Respect due to the Governor. That we did request he would accordingly apply for Orders to quarter on the neighbouring Towns any farther Troops that might arrive here, more than our Publick-houses could well accommodate.
The Governor was pleased to say, he would do so when General Webb arrived, for he thought it reasonable.
The Committee desired the Governor would be pleased to inform us, if any further or other Provision ought to be made for Soldiers Quartering, than what was mentioned in the Act of Parliament.
His Honour was pleased to say, that he knew of none; and that he had answered that Point in a Message he intended to send to the House this Day; which Message he held in his Hand.

The Committee then asked, Whether any further Provision ought to be made for Quartering the Officers, than what the Act of Parliament required?
The Governor answered, None that he knew of. But afterwards mentioned something of Money given them in Flanders, by the Name of Slope-Gelt; tho’ he did not explain it, or seem to insist on it.
It was asked, What was to be understood by Quartering being extended farther in Time of War, than in Time of Peace.
The Governor answered, He knew not, unless it was Quartering on private Houses.
The Governor added, That before he left England, Complaint was made, that the Publick-houses at Canterbury were oppressed by too great a Number of Troops quartered on them, when the Invasion was apprehended, and it was proposed in Parliament to make them some Satisfaction by a Sum of Money, but he knew not whether it was done.
The Committee replied, That in that Case the Parliament must have had the Grounds of Complaint laid before them, and been satisfied they were just. That no Complaint had ever been made to the House by our Tavern-keepers, though this same Law had been a Year in Use among us, before it was at this Time again re-enacted. That the House, on the Remonstrance of the Mayor and Aldermen, had required an Account of the Billeting, in order to satisfy themselves whether there was Cause of Complaint, but had not yet obtained it.
The Governor farther said, That in Time of War, and in Cases of Necessity, it was usual in England to quarter Soldiers on private Houses, and instanced Carlisle. That it was done in Scotland, in the Time of late Rebellion, notwithstanding the Law. That the Inhabitants of Westminster, and Newcastle, had at that Time voluntarily offered to quarter a great Number of Soldiers.

It was answered, That in Cases of Necessity, there was no Doubt but the Inhabitants of this Province would chearfully submit to it; but such Necessity did not appear to us; since there was Room enough in the Publick-houses of the Suburbs, and neighbouring Towns, and other Towns in the Province, for much greater Numbers than Quarters had yet been demanded for. That where it was voluntarily offered, Provision might be made to render it easy; but where Force was used, it was very different, as Families might be taken unprovided.
The Governor replied, That the General was the proper Judge of such Necessity; and the General thought it necessary to have the Soldiers quartered near together.
We replied, We were confident the General had no Inclination to oppress any of His Majesty’s good Subjects; but if Necessity warranted Quartering on private Houses by Force, and contrary to Law; and Military Officers were the only Judges of that Necessity, they might say it was necessary to quarter the whole Army, not only in one City, but in one Square, or one Street; and thereby harrass the Inhabitants excessively. That the People of this Province were as good and as loyal Subjects as any in the King’s Dominions, and as well affected to the Soldiery: That we had evinced this by doing more (as we conceived) at our own Expence, for the Army since they arrived in America, than any other Province whatever: That we hoped no Measures would be taken to create Differences between the Soldiery and the People, or to render the King’s Service distasteful to those who had at present an hearty Affection to it: And further, that the Governor would listen to no Insinuations, nor be prevailed on to make any Representations of us to the contrary.
The Governor was pleased to say, He should represent nothing but Facts.
A Report of the Surgeons of the Hospital, that the sick Soldiers in the Taverns were badly accommodated, so that their Lives were in Danger, and the Health of the Inhabitants might be affected by the Spreading of their Distempers, being read by the Secretary;
The Committee mentioned, That an Hospital was ordered at the Province Expence for the Soldiers.
The Governor said, we had done it at last with an ill Grace.
His Honour was then reminded by one of the Committee, That when the Commissioners, on the first Application for an Hospital, had enquired of him what was the Custom in England, in that Particular; he was pleased to answer, It was the Custom for each Town or Corporation where Troops were quartered, to provide a Hospital at the Expence of the Town or City. That the Commissioners therefore, as the Province Money in their Hands began to run low, left that Matter to the Corporation of Philadelphia, who had Money in Bank, more than sufficient for that Purpose. But the Corporation declining it, the House recommended it to the Commissioners, who had ordered it.
The Governor answered, It was the Custom in England, but the Corporations were not obliged to it. Though when they refused it, it was not well taken.
This the Committee report as the Substance of what passed at the Conference, to the best of their Remembrance.


Title: Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on the Governors’ Message, 24 December 1756
From: Pennsylvania Assembly Committee
To:

When the Assembly met on December 21, the day after the acrimonious conference with Governor Denny, it considered the conference minutes and the written message Denny had presented at that time. After some debate, the Assembly expressed its displeasure with Denny’s conduct in a message drafted on the floor of the House: its decent conduct had been slandered by Denny, who had only to enforce laws already passed to resolve the quartering problem, but if exact returns submitted to the House proved the need for more legislation, it would “take proper Measures to supply the Deficiency.” In response Denny demanded such quarters as were furnished in Great Britain in time of war, the details of which were settled neither in law nor in precedent. Franklin and others were appointed on the 22d to consider this message, and two days later they brought in the report printed here.

[December 24, 1756]
The Committee have considered the Governor’s Message of the Twenty-first Instant, and are of Opinion, that in the first Paragraph, where it is said the Governor is glad to find the House have at length agreed to take proper Measures, &c. there is some Appearance of undue Reflection on the House, as if we had delayed or refused to take proper Measures to supply the Deficiency, in case the Publick-houses were not able to provide the Quarters; when the Truth is, That the House were always willing to do it, but were never, nor are yet satisfied that there could be such Deficiency, if the Law was properly executed.
The Committee farther observe, that the second Paragraph seems to insinuate, that notwithstanding His Majesty requires, our Mother Country expects, and Lord Loudoun has demanded, in several Letters laid before us, “that we do provide for all such Charges as arise from furnishing Quarters, and Necessaries allowed in Quarters, by Act of Parliament; in furnishing Carriages, Sloops, and all other necessary Means of Conveyance for His Majesty’s Troops, whenever such Troops be stationed within, or shall be marching through, this Province; and likewise Lodging, and such other Necessaries as are furnished in Quarters in Great-Britain in Time of War;” yet we had taken no Notice of such Expectations and Demands, nor made any Provision accordingly; whereas the Truth is, That both this and the last Assembly provided “for all such Charges as arise from furnishing Quarters, and the Necessaries allowed in Quarters in the Act of Parliament,” by a Bill extending hither that very act, which received the Governor’s Assent: That from the very first Demand the Assembly of this Province provided for furnishing Carriages, and other necessary Means of Conveyance for the King’s Troops, by putting Money into the Hands of Committees, or into the Hands of the Governor and Commissioners for the King’s Use, Part of which has been applied to those Purposes, whenever any Demand has been made for Carriages; and no Account of this Kind was ever refused Payment. A considerable Sum still remains in the Governor and Commissioners Hands, subject to such Demands; and the Supply Bill, now under the Consideration of the House, will make a further Provision: To which we may add, that in the last Sixty Thousand Pound Bill the Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds was subjected to the Orders of Lord Loudoun, for any Part of the Service his Lordship should find necessary, but the House was obliged to strike it out by the Governor’s refusing to pass the Bill for a larger Sum than Thirty Thousand Pounds.
The Committee farther observe, That the Distinction between the Necessaries furnished in Quarters in Time of Peace, and those furnished in Time of War, is not yet understood by the House, nor have they been able to obtain from the Governor any Explanation of it, though they applied to his Honour for such Explanation both by a written Message, and by a Committee appointed expresly to confer with his Honour, “that this Matter might be fully understood.” The House, by extending the Act of Parliament relating to Quarters, have provided for all that they understood to be necessary in that Respect, and for all that the Governor informed them was necessary. His Honour now is pleased to say, the Act of Parliament relates only to a Time of Peace. Whenever he shall be pleased to let us know what further Necessaries are required in Quarters in Time of War, the House will, no Doubt, consider that Matter, and do what shall appear reasonable.
As the Circumstances of the present Time call rather for Action than Altercation, the Committee are of Opinion, the House would do well to make no Answer to the Message in Question, but show their Disposition to Peace by their Silence, and apply themselves diligently to raising the necessary Supplies for His Majesty’s Service, and to perfecting the Militia Bill now under their Consideration. This, their Opinion, however is humbly submitted to the House.


Title: Lewis Ourry to ———, 26 December 1756
From: Ourry, Lewis
To: ——

Sir
Philadelphia Decr. 26th. 1756
By visiting the Quarters of the Men belonging to the first Battallion of the Royal American Regiment with the Mayor, Sheriff, and other Magistrates

I found that
—
—
94 Men laid on Straw

  And that
—
—
73 had nothing to lay on

and not Sufficient quantity of Covering, the Houses on which they are quarter’d not being capable of containing near the number billeted on them, nor conveniences for them.
The rest have good Beds, and Accomodations.
No Quarters fit for Officers.
Nor any provided for the Recruits daily coming in.
Ls. Ourry
  Acting as Qr. Mast. to the firstBattallion of the R. A. Regt.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Bouquet with Memoranda, [26 December 1756]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Bouquet, Henry

After the commissioners agreed at Franklin’s urging to meet all of Colonel Bouquet’s and Lord Loudoun’s demands for quarters, it remained only to decide the details: what quarters and “necessaries” would be provided, how soon, and for how many soldiers? Franklin and Bouquet drew up the points of agreement in accordance with the memoranda printed here, the commissioners acceded, and then Franklin sent Bouquet a note confirming the arrangements. Upon learning of the agreement, Denny wrote Loudoun, hoping it would be “entirely to your Lordship’s Satisfaction,” and Richard Peters was relieved that the “troublesome affair is brought at last to a right issue.”

Sir
Sunday Evening [December 26, 1756]
I have the Pleasure to acquaint you, that every Thing will be provided agreable to the Memorandums made between us this Evening. I have the Honour to be with great Respect, Sir Your most obedient humble Servant
Col Bouquet

[Memoranda]

I
[December 26, 1756]
The Hospital is represented as not capable of holding 100 Sick; it is intended to inoculate those who have not had the small Pox, an additional Building is wanting as near as may be to the Hospital, for such as are Sick of that Distemper, which will be wanted no longer than till that is over.
The Necessaries to be furnished in the Hospital, are mentioned in the List.
The whole Men are to be quartered in Town, and tho’ the Battalion is not full, it is expected to be so by Recruits continually coming in, and Quarters should be ready for them. If the whole Number of Beds cannot be provided by the first of January, at least One Hundred should be provided, filled with soft Hay or Straw or Chaff, and covered with a Blanket, besides the Sheets and Blankets for Covering. The rest in three Weeks after.
The Deficiencies in the present Quarters to be made good before the first of January.

II
Col. Bouquet expects that an Allowance be made for Officers Lodgings, proportion’d to their Rank, as has been usual in Time of War.

Infantry per Month
Florins Pd.
For the Winter

A Colonel
  40.
Major Genl.
975

Lieut. Colonel
  25
Aid de Camp
200

Major
  25

Captain
  15

Lieut.
   6

Adjutant
   9

Ensign
   6

Quarter Master
   9

Chaplain
 7.10

Auditeur
 6.15

Surgeon
   6

Provost.
   5.

The above is extracted from the Convention for the Winter Quarters of the British Troops in the Territories of the United Provinces.
20 Stivers make a Florin
10 Florins and 15 Stivers make 20s. Sterling

Return of Necesaries wanted for the Hospital granted for the Sick of the 1st Battallion of the Royal American Regiment At Philadelphia

III

No. of Men

Beds and Bedding for two Men each
36
}
84

  Ditto – – – – for Single Patients
12

  Pewter Bed Pans – – –
6

  Close Stools – – –
6

  Chamber Potts – – –
50

  Kitchen Utensils

  Copper Kettles for Cooking – – –
6

  Wooden Platters – – –
60

  Wooden Spoons – – –
60

  Pewter Porringers – – –
60

  Pewter Spoons – – –
60

  Tin Saucepans of different Sizes –
20

With a Sufficient Quantity of Candles, Firing, and Utensils
  Candlesticks
  Knives and Forks.


Title: William Denny to the Provincial Commissioners, 29 December 1756
From: Denny, William
To: Provincial Commissioners

Gentlemen,
Philadelphia 29th: December 1756
Mr. Croghan, who has a Deputation from Sir William Johnson to manage Indian Affairs for this Part of the Northern District, has proposed, for the immediate Service of this and the other Colonies, to send one or two Messengers to the Sasquehannah Indians at Otsaningo, and to Teedyuscung at Diahogo, to come to meet him at Harris’s Ferry, where he will endeavour to engage some of the most skilful and discreet of them to go to the several Shawonese and Delaware Tribes of the Ohio Indians, in order to sound their Inclinations with respect to this Province, and if they shall be found well disposed, then to invite them to a Conference in the Spring, at some Place to be left to their Choice. As Money will be wanted for this Service, I recommend it to you to allow a Part out of the Remainder of the Thirty Thousand Pounds to defray the Expences which will accrue by these Messages and the intended Necessaries at Harris’s. This, which requires immediate Dispatch, is, I think, of so much Consequence as to merit a Preference to any other Matters. It is necessary that this Affair should be kept secret. I am Gentlemen, Your very humble Servant,
William Denny.
To the Provincial Commissioners.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Edward and Jane Mecom, 30 December 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Mecom, Edward,Mecom, Jane

Dear Brother and Sister
Philada. Dec. 30. 1756.

You will receive this by the Hand of your Son Benjamin, on whose safe Return from the West Indies I sincerely congratulate you. He has settled Accounts with me, and paid the Ballance honourably. He has also clear’d the old Printing House to himself, and sent it to Boston, where he purposes to set up his Business together with Bookselling, which, considering his Industry and Frugality, I make no doubt will answer. He has good Credit and some Money in England, and I have help’d him by lending him a little more; so that he may expect a Cargo of Books and a Quantity of new Letter in the Spring; and I shall from time to time furnish him with Paper. We all join in Love to you and yours, I am Your Loving Brother
B Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 31 December 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Strahan, William

Dear Sir
Philada. Dec. 31. 1756
This serves only to cover a Bill of Exchange drawn by B. Mecom on you, upon a Supposition that you have receiv’d Bills he sent you from Antigua for about £120 more than the Ballance of your Account. If those Bills are not come to hand or not paid, you need not be at the Trouble of Protesting this Bill; but let it lie in your Hands till you hear farther from me. If those Bills are paid, then please to carry this £100 to my Account. B. Mecom has settled honourably with me, and bought my old Printing-House that he had at Antigua. He wants some new Letter which he now writes for. Lest his Bills abovementioned should fail, I have given him a Draft on my Friend Collinson for Fifty Pounds Sterling which he now sends to you. He purposes to set up in Boston. My Respects affectionately to you and yours, particularly my Son Billy. It gives me great Pleasure to learn by your last that he is become so capable of Business. I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedient Servant
B Franklin
 Addressed: To / Mr Wm Strahan / Printer / London


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from [Elizabeth Hubbart], [c. December 1756]
From: Hubbart, Elizabeth
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear Papa
[c. December 1756]
Now for the Story I promised in my last; and I wish I had the nack of teling it in such a maner, as to afford you as many Hearty Laugh’s, as I have had on the Occation. You must know then, that Littel mischievous Urching Cupid, has got a mighty odd whim in his Head, he has new strung his Bow, and let fly one of his Keenest Arrows directly ame’d; at the Heart of an Old Man (our Speaker Mr. Hubbards Father) in his Eighty first Year, he Buryed his Wife about a Month ago, and has been for many years as Blind as a Beatel, yet nothing would do but he must have another Wife, well he imediately set about recolecting what Beauties he h[a]d formily seen; and giving my Mama the preferance, the Parson was set to woork to feel her Palts (no mischeif going forward but the Parson and the Deavel have a finger in the Pye you know) but they being very much Indisposed he was Obliged to think again, and after severiel Vain attempts, he at last thought of a Lady he had great hopes of! and as soon as Boux Phebus’s Nap was out, he sent for his Granson, and told him to go to the Lady, and be sure to make a low Bow and say Madam, and give his Love to her; and tell her if She would favour him with a Visset, the Chorrote should wate on her, but by no means to forget to make a low Bow, and say Madam, and I beleive he gave him a Copper to Quicken his Memory, for the arrent was so well done that the Lady wated on him in a few hours, when after a littel Conversation he was told she was going, he roas and by the help of a Servant, and his Hands Pawing about like a Cat a drowning he found the Lady Clasped her in his Arms; and they say almost stifeled her with Kisses, he beg’d She would retier with him to the Chamber, where we must leave them an hour or two—well the Lady is come down, and would you think it, they say her Capp, Hankercheif, and Apron, are very much Discompose’d. However the Preliminaries are all setteled, and they agreed to be Published the next day! the young Rogues say to prevent a greater discovery, but I beleive it was only to prevent his Hanging him self in his Garter, or some such Fattal accident, for he sent for his Son that Night, and desiered he might be put on the Clarks Book as early as possible the next Morning. His Son invain indeavoured to perswade him to defer it a littel, told him every Boy in the street was talking of it, and he thought in deacencey to his Mother’s Memory he might Stay a littel longer, beg’d he would Consider on it if it was but for one Week. He indeed Acknowledged it was too soon, but then he desiered him to Consider (now you must imagine him ringing up his Face, like a Child that has lost its Sugar Teat) that he should lose a World of Happiness with the Lady in that Time, and a Week was an Age, with a good deal more such stuf, and that Tomorrow must, and should be the Day. And so it was, the Minit they ware out Published the Parson Joyn’d their Hands, the Coulars ware display’d, and the Gun’s Fire’d, and after a Dance in the Evining, the Lambs were lade in Bed. Now I think I have given you a very perticular Account of this Courtship, and Weding, but however light we pretend to make of this affair, it may have sad Consiqunces, and from this Success of Cupids he may intirely forget us, Unless you can think of Some Stratigem to prevent it.
Adiue And beleive me with the highest Esteem and affection Dear Sir

    [Signature torn off]

PS I had forgot to tell you he has an Estate of 10000 Pounds sterling, and besides the agrement he has promised to give the Lady a thousand Pounds O[ld] Tenor every ten Years he shall Live with her, and he is but Eighty one.


Title: Queries on Frontier Settlement and Defense, 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Duane states that “we find the following notes made immediately upon his [Franklin’s] appointment to the command” in Northampton County (Jan. 5, 1756), but the present editors know of no reason for assigning such a precise date. The calm tone of the queries suggests long-range planning rather than emergency; perhaps Franklin drew them up for one of the many meetings of the provincial commissioners in the sixteen months between Nov. 27, 1755, and his departure for England, April 4, 1757. During that time countless now forgotten plans for defense must have been proposed only to be discarded for equally numerous and also forgotten reasons. One such scheme, outlined in Pa. Gaz., March 25, 1756, proposed a law banding farmers together in groups of “ten, twelve, or fourteen” in order that some men always be available for guard duty while others tilled the fields. Also recommended were communal arrangements modeled on Moravian practices, small fortifications, and arms supplied by the province. Whatever their specific relevance, the considerations here printed help to point up Franklin’s concern and responsibility for frontier settlement and defense during the Indian wars of 1755–57.

[1756]
Considerations to be taken:
What number of men?
Should the post be fortified, and in what manner?
How long to be continued there?
Could they not be partly employed in raising their own provisions?
Could they have some lots of land assigned them for their encouragement?
What their pay? and from what funds?
How much the annual expense?
Is it certain that the late method of giving rewards for apprehending rioters will be effectual?
To whom does the land belong?


Title: Anonymous: Musings near a Cool Spring, 1756
From: Anonymous
To:

Unsigned and undated, these verses have been copied into a Scrap Volume compiled by Pierre Eugène du Simitière. The latest event specifically mentioned is the building of Fort Allen in January 1756 (above, VI, 362–7), and the absence of any direct mention of Franklin’s English mission implies a date earlier than the summer of 1757 and presumably even before the decision of the Assembly to send him to England (Feb. 3, 1757). Probably the verses were written during his period of great popularity in the spring and summer of 1756. Richard Peters admitted to Thomas Penn in April that “even two thirds of the church are gone off … in favor of him and his Politicks,” and later described the escort given Franklin by the militia officers on his departure for Virginia (March 19) by saying that they had acted “as if he had been a member of the Royal Family or Majesty itself.” Franklin explained the situation to Collinson more simply. “The People happen to love me,” he wrote. “Perhaps that’s my Fault.” The unknown author of these verses was clearly one of those who loved him.

[1756?]
Musing near a Cool Spring

“A wit’s a feather and a cheif’s a rod
An honest man’s, the noblest work of God.” Pope

Dear patriot muse that honest man behold
Record his Acts in characters of gold.

Who plann’d the Scheme the Associates to unite?
Who wrote plain truth to bring that scheme to light?
Who bid Yon Academick structure rise?
“Behold the Man!” each lisping babe replies.
Who schemed Yon Hospital for the helpless poor?
And op’d to charitable use each folding door.
Our Countrys cause, what senator defends?
Void of all partial, or all private ends.
Who to his publick trust has firmly stood?
And built Fort Allen for his Countrys good.
Who form’d a Law our Forces to unite?
And diegn’d to execute that Law aright.
Who found out means our Treasury to supply?
Who would not suffer publick faith to die?

Who was the Man brave Braddock, did record?
“The only man that with him keep his word.”

‘Twas He, whose name, the good and just will sound,
While patriot deeds on faithful records stand.

Great thy reward for all thy Labours done,
And at the great Tribunal will be known.
There will thy Genius other worlds survey,
And there adore the glorious God of day.
There Bacon Newton will our F——lin greet.
And place him in his Electrisic seat.
‘Ore Uurope, Asia, Africk’s, science’d Fame,
The Royal Medal will exalt thy name;
Transfer the Palm by thy great genius won
And proudly own America’s great son.
If then thy sphere, to Electerise above,
Dart me one ray in pitty and in love
Oh! send thy influence, if permitted, send,
To guide my soul to my beloved Friend.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 1 January 1757
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Collinson, Peter

Dear Friend
Philada. Jan. 1. 1757
I wrote you yesterday a Line or two enclosing the second of a Set of Bills for £120 Sterling, drawn on Mr. William Anderson, Merchant, London, by Robert Lloyd, of Maryland I now send the first of the same Set. On the 27th past I drew on you for £50 Sterling in favour of Benjamin Mecom, which I doubt not will meet with due Honour I wish you and yours many happy New Years, being, Dear Friend Yours affectionately
B F


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 1 January 1757
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Strahan, William

Dear Sir
Philada. Jany. 1. 1757
I wrote you a Line or two yesterday, enclosing B. Mecom’s 2d Bill for £100 Sterling drawn on you upon Presumption that you had received some Bills he had sent you, amounting to about £120 more than the Ballance of his Account. He has settled honourably with me, and bought the old Printing House he had at Antigua, which he has sent to Boston, where he purposes to set up his Business among his Friends and Relations; and has wrote to you to purchase him two new Founts, one of Long Primer and one of Pica, for which I have furnish’d him with a Bill on Mr. Collinson for £50 lest you should not have receiv’d his Money. I now send B. Mecom’s third Bill. If you are not in Cash for him, you need not be at the Charge or Trouble of Protesting it, but only acquaint me. If you are, carry it to the Credit of my Account. I wish you and yours many happy New Years, being, with great Esteem and Affection, Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
Mr. Strahan
 Addressed: To / Mr. William Strahan / Printer / London


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Elizabeth Hubbart, 13 January 1757
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hubbart, Elizabeth

Dear Bess
Philada. Jan. 13. 1757
Your Story is well told and entertaining Only let me admonish you of a small tho’ common Fault of Story-tellers. You should not have introduc’d it by telling me how comical it was, especially a Post before you sent the Story it self: For when the Expectation is rais’d too high, ’tis a Disadvantage to the Thing expected.
But let us not be merely entertain’d by the Tale; let us draw a small Moral from it. Old Age, we see, is subject to Love and its Follies as well as Youth: All old People have been young; and when they were so, they laugh’d, as we do, at the Amours of Age. They imagin’d, ’tis like, that the Case would never be theirs. Let us spare ’em, then; lest the same Case should one day be ours. I see you begin to laugh already at my ranking myself among the Young! But you, my Girl, when you arrive at Fifty, will think no more of being old, than does Your affectionate Uncle
B Franklin
My Love to your good Mama, and to Suky, with my Thanks for her Care of you in your Illness. Tell her I now forgive her for selling her Good Luck
Miss Betsy Hubbard


Title: Memorandum on Allowances for Officers’ Quarters, 20 January 1757
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Jan. 20. 1757.
The Commissioners voted to allow the Officers of the King’s Forces, instead of Quarters
Quarters were demanded of the City of Philadelphia for a Number of Officers of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Americans and one Independent Company.
Billets were accordingly delivered out by the Mayor, on the Inns and other Publick Houses of the City, for the Number of Officers required.
The Officers express’d some Dissatisfaction with the Quarters assigned, as not being convenient or suitable to their respective Ranks. Private Gentlemen were dispos’d to take a Number of the Officers and accommodate them gratis in their own Houses; but the Officers to whom it was mention’d, declin’d accepting such Quarters as it would be laying themselves under an Obligation for a Matter to which they had an undoubted Right.
The Provincial Commissioners being inform’d of the Dissatisfaction of the Officers with their Quarters, and desirous that they should be agreably accommodated, propos’d to give Money in Lieu of Quarters, that every Officer might provide himself with such as he should approve of.

The Sums they propos’d to allow were
Per Week

For a Colonel’s Quarters
£1
0
0

For a Lieut. Colonel’s Do.

19
0

For a Major’s Do.

16
0

For a Captain’s Do.

9
–

For a Lieut.’s or Ensign’s Do.

6
–

For a Surgeon or Chaplain’s Do.

6
–

For a Quarter-master or Adjutant’s Do.

6
–

It was thought convenient Lodgings with Firing, and the other Necessaries in Quarters, (Provision only excepted) might easily be had in the City at these Rates. This Proposal was some Weeks since by the Commissioners laid before the Governor for his Approbation, and by him, communicated to the Officers. They have not yet express’d their Acceptance or Refusal of the Offer.
B Franklin
 Endorsed: Officers Quarters &c.


Title: Timothy Horsfield to the Provincial Commissioners, 21 January 1757
From: Horsfield, Timothy
To: Provincial Commissioners

Messrs. Franklin Fox Hughes &ca. &ca.
Gentlemen
Bethlehem Jany. 21st. 1757.
The last week Jo Peeby and Lewis Montour Came here and produced His Honour the Governour’s Pass to go to the Indian Countrey, requireing all Persons to Assist them with Such Necessary’s they Stood in need of to prosecute their Journey In Obedience to His Honour I Accordingly help’t them to Every thing they requird of Me, as per the Brethrens Account Mr. Edmonds will Lay before you Just, as they Sat out, Jo Peeby came to Me, with the Indian Man Nickodemas, who lives over the Watter, and Said I have Bought a Hors of this Man for £6 and you must Send it to Philadelphia to the Gentlemen they will keep it for Me, and I Desire you will Write for the Money and pay it to Nickodemus. I thought it a Very Odd Affair, but did not think proper to find any fault with him, But Answerd him I will Write to the Gentlemen and when the Cash comes, I Shall pay him After About Two Months plague and trouble With the Savage Wretch G. Hays We are at Last (thank god) got rid of him, he went the Other day, as he tould me to Diaougo to fetch is Wifes Children; I have sent you G. Clows’s Account. But am Sorrey I had not time to get it put into English, Not knowing of Mr. Edmonds going but a Litle before he Sat out. The Poor Indian John Smalling Alias Lucas Deceasd last Week, he Was Very Penitent and as one of the Brethren that Visited him Informed me, he Departed with Much Assureance of his going to rest, his Wife, is amongst Our Indians In B[ethlehe]m.
[The rest of the letter missing.]


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Waring, 24 January 1757
From: Waring, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Jan. 24. 1757.
I trouble You with this [to inform you of?] the Death of a worthy Clergyman the [Reverend Henry?] Wheatley, Lecturer of St. Leonard Shoreditch, [who named?] me the Sole Executor of his last Will, by which [he leaves?] a Legacy to some of his Relations now (if alive) at Philadelphia in the following words: “I give and bequeath to Benjamin Franklin Esq. of Philadelphia in Pensilvania One hundred Pounds Sterling in Trust for John Cole Grandson of my late Brother John Wheatley of the same Place, and the elder Son of James Hunter which he has by the Mother of the said John Cole Daughter of my said Brother John Wheatley to be paid to them for their Use equally at the Discretion and Judgement of the said Mr. Franklin.”.
Mr. Henry Wheatley died on the Sixth Day of Last may, of which I had sent You earlier Advice, but that being a Clergyman and consequently but little connected with mercantile Affairs, the last Ships saild before I was apprized of it, and I was the less sollicetous to write to You About this Legacy till I cou’d be pretty certain that I should be able to honour Your Draught. I am advised to desire the favour of You to send over a Letter of Attorney to Your Correspondent here to impower him to receive this Legacy and to give a proper Discharge for the same This I am told is the legal and consequently the most safe way, and, if You approve of it shou’d be glad it were observed. Shou’d the Legatee John Cole, or all James Hunters Sons by John Coles Mother, have been dead before Mr. Wheatley, in Such Case I presume that the Legacy lapses and reverts to the Residuary Legatee, whose Name is John Rittermaster: I shall be glad of the favour of a Line from You on this Subject by the first Opportunity, and am Sir Your most humble Servant
Jn. Waring

[I know you are?] pleased with every Opportunity of doing [Good; for that?] Reason tis needless for me: Worthy Sir, to [relate to you?] what follows. I am a member of a Society [usually known?] by the Name of the Associates of the late [Dr. Bray, a?] Gentleman whose Memory ought to be dear [to all preser?]vers of piety in the Brittish Plantations [in America. The ob?]jects of our Attention as a Society are the [Instruct?]ion, and Conversion of the Negroes in the Plantations to Christianity and founding parochial Libraries for the Use of the Clergy in England and America: We shall be much obliged to You if You will favour Us with Your Sentiments on the first Design, and let us know how and by what means those poor ignorant people may be most effectualy instructed whether the parochial Clergy do take any pains with them and what Helps and Assistances they may want to enable them to diffuse the knowledge of our Religion among them? As the Lately imported Negroes are Strangers to our Language, Little Good I fear can be done with them, but might Not the black Children born in the Province be taught to read and instructed in the Principles of Christian Morality, and if the planters woud permit them, pray What Sum Sterling, per Annum wou’d be a suitable Salary for a Sober honest Master? Some few Years ago a pious Clergyman in Wales set on foot a Scheme of itinerant Schoolmasters; who after residing three Six or nine Months in one place, and teaching persons of all Ages to read, who came to them, removed to another, and did the Like there, by this means Six or Seven thousand persons (Young and old) for some Years past have been annualy taught to read and instructed in religious knowlege. Might not some Such Scheme be set on foot in Your province for the Service of the blacks? The Associates beg the favour of You to consult with the worthy Commissary and some of the other Clergy in the Neighbourhood and favour Us with the Result of Your Deliberations. One word more Both Planters and Slaves, I am told have mistaken Notions concerning [four or five lines missing] might have a very good effect upon their [morals?] and make them more faithful and honest in their Masters Service, and Such of them only, from time to time, admitted to baptism as came recommended by their Masters for their good behaviour, or who shewed by the general tenour of their Conduct that they had right Notions of Religion. I fear I have tired Your patience, but when we converse at this Distance, it is necessary to say all that occurs upon the Subject, because there may Not be an Opportunity soon of sending a Supplement. Our fund at present is but Small, however I hope by the blessing of God we shall be able to furnish those worthy Clergymen who engage with zeal in this truly Christian Design with religious Books and tracts to enable them more effectualy to carry it on and perhaps also with some useful Books towards forming a parochial Library for the Use of themselves and Successors: We shall be very thankful to You or them for any Informations which may be of Service. Letters upon this Subject directed to mee in Wood Street Spitalfields London shall be duely laid before the Associates and punctualy answered. I am once More Sir Your most humble Servant
Jn. Waring

 Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esq, / at Philadelphia / in Pensilvania / America


Title: Provincial Commissioners to William Denny, 25 January 1757
From: Provincial Commissioners
To: Denny, William

Sir:
Philada. Jany. 25th 1757.
The ammunition and other Things applied for by Captain Calender, and allowed by the Commissioners, are sent up some time since, except three Drums which were not then to be had, but will be sent per the first Opportunity. With this your Honour will receive an Account of the quantity of Ammunition sent,and thereby can judge whether more will be necessary, and how much, on Account of the Detachments sent to reinforce Colonel Armstrong.
On Perusal of the Return of the Persons appointed to inspect the Beef, we are of opinion that, if your Honour thinks fit, strict and positive Orders be sent to the Officers to keep the Men to the Provincial Allowance: at the same Time acquainting them, that if they allow more it shall be stopt out of the Officers Pay. It is very possible that the Beef may be not equal as they say to “some such” as Philadelphia Market affords; but of that prime Beef the Quantity in this Province is small, and too dear even for middling People to purchase, only the richer sort are able to buy it, and the whole Quantity of that Kind rais’d in the Province would in our opinion be insufficient to feed half Col. Armstrong’s Battallion, and therefore we think they ought not to expect it. What is now prepared for them is equal to any they us’d to have, and they never before complain’d of the Quality of it.
As to the Drying of Beef and Pork, the Design must be to make the same Quantity of Nourishment lighter of Carriage for Marching or Ranging Parties. We therefore approve of it, and request your Honour would be pleased to give Directions to Col. Armstrong to cause a Quantity to be weigh’d out of the Casks, an Account taken of such Weight, the whole to be dry’d, and again weigh’d when thoroughly dry; and then distributed occassionally in Weights proportion’d to the Loss by Drying, for example, if one Fourth of the whole Weight be lost, then three Quarters of a Pound is to be given out instead of a Pound, and so in whatever other Proportion the Loss of Weight may be. For what is lost is only in the Watery part, the Nourishing Part all remaining after the Drying.
We send your Honour an Account of the Blankets that have been delivered to that Battalion, by which it will appear they have been more than fully supplied. When they return’d from Kittanning, the Demand was for 300 supposed to be lost; they were immediately sent. Then 60 more were demanded, Those also were sent. Now 40 more are required, these are not sent. Because we find by our Accounts they cannot be wanted, unless the Men have been suffered to sell them: In which case we think the Officers should see them supplied at their or the men’s Expence.
We are preparing an Account of the Provissions that Battalion has consumed, by which your Honour will perceive that we have some Reason to be disatisfied with the Conduct of the Officers in that Respect. We know not what Col. Armstrong means by the sundry Instances of our taking Umbrage at his Conduct, and shall enter into no Disputes with him, having on many Accounts a Respect for him and his Officers. But this we must remark, that for the Defence of their County all the Men, Arms and Ammunition have been allowed that they could desire; that the Officers were appointed as well as the Men taken into pay from among themselves; that the Contractors were reputable Inhabitants of their own County, with whom we had no connection; that we have no interest directly nor indirectly in the Contract; that the Provisions being bought in their County the Money of course center’d among them; that we have endeavoured on all occasions to have that Batalion well supplied in the same Manner, and on the same Terms with the other Troops of the Province; but so it happens that tho’ we have given satisfaction every where else, we are perpetually teiz’d with Complaints from that Quarter, and from thence only No Officers of that Battalion that we know of are waiting in Town for the Settlement of their Accounts: The Accounts of the others we shall settle as fast as possible. We are, with the utmost Respect your Honours Most obedient Humble Servants

Wm. Masters,
John Mifflin,

B. Franklin,
Jos. Fox,

To the Honourable Wm. Denny Esqr.

An Account of Blankets sent to the W. Side of Sasqua. [Susquehanna] at diff[erent] times.

                1755,

                Dec. 23,

                George Croghan had 16Pieces which make240 Blankets,

                1756,

                June 24,

                Col. Armstrong had  3
                Pieces which make
                45   ”

                July 10,

                Col. Armstrong had  3Pieces which make 45   ”

                Aug. 31,

                Col. Armstrong had  3Pieces which make 45   ”

                Sept. 28,

                Col. Armstrong had 15Pieces (20 in a P’e)300   ”

                Decr. 8,

                Col. Armstrong had 4Pieces (15 in a P’e) 60   ”

                Besides which, George Stevensoncharges for Steel,
                 40   ”

                  Total,
                775

Dec. 16, Sent by Andrew Cox, one Box of Medicines, for the Use of Col. A’s Battalion
Jan. 5, Sent by Robt Amos, 850 Pounds of Lead, 400 Pounds Powder, 1000 Flints, 4 Water Engines, 17 Brass-kettles, 4 Hour Glasses, 6 Tin and 2 Horn Lanthorns, which were delivered to Col. Armstrong.


Title: Pennsylvania Assembly: Remonstrance to William Denny, [26 January 1757]
From: Pennsylvania Assembly
To: Denny, William

On Nov. 24, 1756, at the Assembly’s request, Governor Denny had submitted an estimate of military expenses in the province for the coming year totaling over £127,000, and on December 15 the House resolved that £100,000 “be granted to His Majesty for the Service of the current Year.” After several days’ discussion, it was determined to tax “all Estates, real and personal,” at rates which would raise the amount in one year “according to the Method and Way of raising County Rates and Levies.” The concern for method of taxing reflected difficulties experienced under the £60,000 act of November 1755 in making fair and efficient property assessments and collections, a problem compounded if the Proprietors’ estates were to be assessed and taxed under the new bill. On December 23, the Assembly rejected a proposal to let citizens submit lists of their taxable property, and resolved that one person be elected in each township to assist the constable in making returns of taxable property. The next day the House appointed Franklin and others to bring in an appropriate bill, and designated one member from each county except Northampton to provide tax lists of his constituents, paying particular attention to delinquencies. The Assembly then ajourned for the holidays.
The committee presented the £100,000 supply bill, as the measure came to be called, on Jan. 5, 1757, and after discussion, amendment, and recommitment, submitted an altered bill on the 12th, but the Assembly rejected the “Mode of taxing” proposed. The next day, the House received a petition from Chester County which complained of the “unjust Returns commonly made” and urged that three freeholders be chosen in each township to make tax returns. A week earlier the Philadelphia County tax commissioners had complained of the time consumed in hearing appeals for tax abatements and the vexation of seizing the property of tax delinquents; under such circumstances these commissioners petitioned to be relieved of office if the Assembly passed a new and heavier tax to be assessed and collected in the same manner as that of November 1755. After five days’ debate the House again rejected a motion to let taxpayers list their “several Particulars to be taxed,” made two more alterations in the bill, and finally passed it on Jan. 22, 1757.

Three days later, a committee of the Council designated to propose amendments consistent with the Proprietors’ instructions reported that the bill was so “repugnant” that proper amendments would necessitate “almost a new Bill,” and proposed instead that Denny return the bill noting its general departure from the instructions (previously laid before the House for its guidance) and urging passage of a bill the governor could sign Such a message was sent, and after a petty quarrel over its meaning and a review of earlier documents about the tax dispute, the Assembly adopted the Remonstrance printed below which its members, marching through the streets of Philadelphia (“to Alarm everybody with the Sight and Occasion”), delivered en masse to Denny on January 28.

May it please your Honour,
[January 26, 1757]
The Representatives of the Freemen of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, do hereby humbly remonstrate to your Honour,
That the Proprietaries professed Willingness to be taxed, mentioned by your Honour in your Message of Tuesday last, can be intended only to amuse and deceive their Superiors; since they have in their Instructions excepted all their Quitrents, located unimproved Lands, Purchase Money at Interest, and in short so much of their vast Estate, as to reduce their Tax, as far as appears to us, below that of a common Farmer or Tradesman.

That though the Proprietaries Instructions are by no Means Laws in this Province, we have so far complied with them, as to confine the Sum given to be raised in one Year. And had we complied with them in the other Particulars, the Raising any Thing near the Sum required by the present Exigencies of the Province, would be absolutely impossible.
That the apparent Necessity of so large a Sum for His Majesty’s Service, and the Defence of this His Province, founded upon the Governor’s own Estimate, has obliged us to an Effort beyond our Strength, being assured that Hundreds of Families must be distressed to pay this Tax.
That we have, in the due Exercise of our just Rights by the Royal and Provincial Charters, and the Laws of this Province, and as an English Representative Body, framed this Bill, consistent with those Rights.
That the Bill is agreeable to Justice and Equity with regard to the Proprietaries, and is not repugnant to the Laws of our Mother Country, but as nearly agreeable thereto as our different Circumstances will permit, nor is it contrary to any Royal Instruction whatever.
That great as the Sum is, and hard for this People to pay, we freely offer it to our Gracious King for His Service, and the Defence of this His Colony from His Majesty’s Enemies.
That the Proprietaries refusing to permit us to grant Money to the Crown, in this Time of War and imminent Danger to the Province, unless we will consent thus to exempt their Estates from the Tax, we conceive to be injurious to the Interests of the Crown, and tyrannical with Regard to the People.
That we do farther humbly conceive, neither the Proprietaries, nor any other Power on Earth, ought to interfere between us and our Sovereign, either to modify or refuse our Free Gifts and Grants for His Majesty’s Service.
That though the Governor may be under Obligations to the Proprietaries, we conceive he is under greater to the Crown, and to the People he is appointed to govern; to promote the Service of the former, preserve the Rights of the latter, and protect them from their cruel Enemies.
We do therefore, in the Name of our most Gracious Sovereign, and in Behalf of the distressed People we represent, unanimously DEMAND it of the Governor, as our Right, that he give his Assent to the Bill we now present him, for granting to His Majesty One Hundred Thousand Pounds for the Defence of this Province (and, as it is a Money Bill, without Alteration or Amendment, any Instructions whatsoever from the Proprietaries notwithstanding) as he will answer to the Crown for all the Consequences of his Refusal at his Peril.


Title: Pennsylvania Assembly: Appointment of Franklin as Agent to Go to England, and His acceptance, [28 January 1757–3 February 1757]
From: Pennsylvania Assembly
To: Franklin, Benjamin

The sequence of events resulting in the appointment of Franklin as agent to represent the Assembly in England in its disputes over the instruction on the taxation of proprietary estates and related grievances is indicated by the following extracts from the Assembly Journals. The Remonstrance of January 26 (see immediately above) was delivered to Governor Denny on the morning of the 28th; the House took his answer into consideration that afternoon and promptly adopted the resolution printed first below. The next morning it chose Speaker Norris and Franklin as its representatives. While they were considering the request, the Assembly, acting “by special Order,” passed a new £100,000 supply bill, exempting proprietary estates from taxation, February 3, and then called upon Norris and Franklin for their decisions. Then followed the actions which produced a momentous change in Franklin’s career.

[January 28, 1757]
Resolved, N.C.D.
That a Commissioner, or Commissioners, be appointed to go Home to England, in Behalf of the People of this Province, to solicit a Removal of the Grievances we labour under by Reason of Proprietary Instructions, &c.

[January 29, 1757]
Resolved, N.C.D.
That Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Franklin, be requested to go Home to England, as Commissioners, to solicit the Removal of our Grievances, occasioned by Proprietary Instructions, &c. And being accordingly requested thereto by the House, they desired some Time to consider thereof.

[February 3, 1757]
Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Franklin, being called upon by the House, to declare whether they would comply with the Request of the House in going Home to England, to solicit a Redress of our Grievances; …
Mr. Franklin said, “That he esteemed the Nomination by the House to that Service as an high Honour, but that he thought, if the Speaker could be prevailed on to undertake it, his long Experience in our publick Affairs, and great Knowledge and Abilities, would render the Addition of another unnecessary: That he held himself however in the Disposition of the House, and was ready to go whenever they should think fit to require his Service.”
Resolved,
That the unanimous Thanks of this House to Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Franklin, for their ready Compliance with the Request of the House, be entered on the Minutes.

Resolved,
That this House will make Provision for defraying the Expence that may attend their Voyage, and the Solicitation of the Affairs of the Province in England; and that Mr. Franklin do first go over.
Resolved,
That Benjamin Franklin, Esq; be, and he is hereby appointed Agent of this Province, to solicit and transact the Affairs thereof in Great-Britain.


Title: Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on the Easton Conference, 29 January 1757
From: Pennsylvania Assembly Committee
To:

The serious charges of land fraud made at the Easton Indian Conference, November 1756, made certain that its minutes would receive careful attention. The Assembly asked for a copy, Nov. 24, 1756, and Governor Denny transmitted it a week later. On December 14, he appointed a Council committee to investigate the charges, and on Jan. 25, 1757, surveyor Nicholas Scull (above, I, 177 n), who had been present at the Walking Purchase confirmation of 1737, stated before the Council that the walk was “fairly performed” and he knew of no charges of fraud made at that time. Perhaps to counteract this statement, the four commissioners who had been present at the Easton conference made the report printed below, which the Assembly ordered printed along with the minutes of the conference. They were for sale in Philadelphia by March 10, 1757.

January 29, 1757
We the Committee appointed to attend the Governor at the Conferences with the Indians at Easton, in November last, have perused the Copy of those Conferences, drawn up and signed by the Secretary, and laid before the House;
And as we apprehend it of Importance to the Province, that the Complaints made by the Indians, whether justly founded or not, should be fully represented, and their Sense of them understood, we think it necessary to observe to the House, that we conceive the Warmth and Earnestness with which they insisted on the Wrongs that had been done them in the Purchases of Land, are much too faintly expressed in this Account of the Conference. That we were not present at the palliating Hearsay Accounts of the Walking Purchase, said to be given the Governor by Mr. Weiser, and Mr. Peters, on the Fourteenth of November; tho, by the concluding Paragraphs under that Date, it may seem as if we were: But we well remember, that the Transaction of that Walk was at Easton universally given up as unfair, and not to be defended, even from the Accounts of some of our own People who were present at the Walking; even the Secretary, though he did say, that he believed Satisfaction was afterwards made the Indians, and that this was the only Instance in which any Foundation of Complaint had ever been given them, yet this he allowed was (in his own Words) unworthy of any Government. We would farther observe, that when Teedyuscung claimed the Lands, even those on which the Conferences were held, no Objection was made, that neither he, nor any with him, had any Right to them; nor did we ever understand his Reason for not accepting Satisfaction to be as represented in the second Paragraph under November 17, for that “the People to whom the Land belonged were absent;” but for that many of them were absent, and those who were absent had not impowered him to act for them in that Matter; but he would endeavour to bring them in the Spring.
The Offer of the Commissioners to furnish the Means of making the Indians immediate Satisfaction, not being fully related, we think it necessary to add, that the Reasons we gave the Governor for that Offer, were, 1. The Absence and great Distance of the Proprietaries, who being the sole Purchasers of Land from the Indians in this Province, ought, if the Indians were injured in such Purchases, alone to make the Satisfaction; but their Agents here had not the necessary Powers. 2. For that Promises [such being proposed] of enquiring into Indian Complaints, and doing them Right hereafter, had been so often made in other Governments, and so little observed, we imagined they could be of no Weight, and would rather be looked upon as a Denial of Justice; and therefore, we thought it better, as their Demands are seldom very high, to make them immediate Reparation for the Injuries they supposed they had received, and we would furnish the Goods, and risk the Proprietaries repaying their Value to the Province. The Secretary then told us, that he thought our Proposal very considerate and well-judged; that he was sure the Proprietaries would think themselves obliged to us, and repay the Money with Thanks: The Offer was accordingly made, but not accepted for the Reasons abovementioned. We then waited upon the Governor in a Body, and acquainted his Honour, That as we had made the Offer in Behalf of the Province, not from an Opinion that the Province ought to be at such Expence, but from the apparent immediate Necessity of the Thing, and on Account of the Proprietaries Absence as aforesaid; so now, since the final Settlement of the Indians Claims was postponed to the Spring, and there would be sufficient Time to write to the Proprietaries, and obtain their Orders to their Agents for the Payment of such Sums as should be found necessary, we looked on ourselves and the Province as totally disengaged from that Offer, and expected that the Proprietaries would be wrote to accordingly.

Benjamin Franklin,
Joseph Fox,

William Masters,
John Hughes.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 31 January 1757
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Strahan, William

Dear Sir,
Jany. 31. 1757
The above is a Copy of my last I have now before me your Favour of Sept. 11 I shall not fail on every Occasion to recommend you to my Friends on the Book Account I wish I could give you any Hopes of soon receiving your Debt of J. Read Mr. Hall, no doubt, writes you more fully concerning him. It gives me great Pleasure to hear so good an Account of our Son Billy In Return, let me tell you, that our Daughter Sally in indeed a very good Girl, affectionate, dutiful and industrious, has one of the best Hearts, and tho’ not a Wit, is for one of her Years, by no means deficient in Understanding. She already takes off part of her Mother’s Family Cares. This must give you and Mrs. Strahan Pleasure: So that Account is partly ballanced.
Our Assembly talk of sending me to England speedily Then look out sharp, and if a fat old Fellow should come to your Printing House and request a little Smouting, depend upon it, ’tis Your affectionate Friend and humble Servant
B Franklin
PS I enclose B. Mecom’s first Bill for £100 Sterling the 2d and 3d sent before.
Mr. Strahan


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Charles, 1 February 1757
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Charles, Robert

Sir
Feb. 1. 1757.
I receiv’d your several Favours of August 14. Sept. 18 Sept. 22. and Oct. 16. By this Ship you will receive a Box containing sundry Copies of our last Years Votes, to which are added as you advised, the Accounts of the Expenditure of the £55,000 and the subsequent £30000 also the Papers relating to the Employing foreign Officers. There is also in the Box an authenticated Copy of our late Bill for granting £100,000 to the King’s Use, and of the Vote appointing yourself and Mr. Patridge Agents, under the great Seal, with all the late Messages, &c. You will see in the Votes a Copy of the Proprietary Instructions in which a Money Bill is made for us by the Proprietary, sitting in his Closet at 1000 Leagues Distance. The Governor laid before us an Estimate of the necessary Expence for defending this Province one Year, amounting to £125,000. We knew our Inability to bear the raising so great a Sum in so short a time; We deducted the least necessary Articles and reduc’d it to £100,000 which we granted, and sent up the Bill. Not that we thought this Province capable of Paying such a Tax yearly or anything like near it; but believing it necessary to exert ourselves at this Time in an extraordinary Manner to save the Country from total Ruin by the Enemy. The Governor, (to use his own polite Word) REJECTS it. Your English Kings I think are complaisant enough in such Cases to say, They will advise upon it. We have no Remedy here, but must obey the Instruction, by which we are so confin’d as to the Time of Raising, the Property to be tax’d, the Valuation of that Property and the Sum per Pound to be Tax’d on the Valuation that tis demonstrably impossible by such a Law to raise one Quarter of the Money absolutely necessary to defend us. So ¾ths of our Troops must be disbanded and the Country exposed to the Mercy of our Enemies; rather than the least tittle of a Proprietary Instruction should be deviated from! I forbear to enlarge because the House have unanimously desired your Friend Mr. Norris and my self to go home immediately to assist their Agents in getting these Matters settled. He has not yet determined, but if he goes, you will by him be fully informed of every thing, and my going will not in my Opinion be necessary: If he declines it, I may possibly soon have the Pleasure of seeing you. I am, with great Respect, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
Mr. Charles


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Partridge, 1 February 1757
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Partridge, Richard

Sir
[February 1, 1757]
It is long since I had any of your Favours. I should now have wrote you a long Letter, but that the House have desired the Speaker and myself to go immediately home in order to get our Differences with the Proprietaries Settled some way or other, and tis probable that one of us will soon have the Pleasure of seeing and conferring with you fully on all our Affairs. A Box goes in this Ship directed to Mr. Charles, in which are all our late Papers and your Appointment as Agent under the great Seal, &c. I am very respectfully, Sir, Your most humble Servant
BF
Mr. Patridge


Title: Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 9 February 1757
From: Pennsylvania Assembly
To: Denny, William

Under the quartering act of Dec. 8, 1756, public-house keepers were required to accommodate soldiers billeted on them for 4d. per diem, a rate at which they lost money though they were subject to fines for refusing billets. They petitioned the Assembly for relief on Jan. 3, 1757, and eight days later Franklin and others were appointed to bring in a bill to render “the Burden of quartering Soldiers more equal on the Publick Houses of this Province.” Reported on January 18, amended three days later, and passed on the 24th, the bill provided for an additional payment of 4d. per diem to innkeepers for each soldier quartered on them, to be sunk by a further tax of 2d. per gallon on all liquor sold at public houses in the province. On February 3 Governor Denny proposed five amendments, four of which the Assembly promptly agreed to. They sent the bill back to him, but Denny responded on the 7th with a message insisting that the tax be extended to all liquor sold in the province; otherwise the innkeepers, far from being relieved, would be further distressed by the loss of business caused by the discriminatory tax against them. Franklin and John Hughes drafted the reply printed below which was reported on February 8 and sent to Denny the next day.

May it please your Honour,
[February 9, 1757]
By our late Law, extending several Sections of the Act of Parliament, intituled, “An Act for punishing Mutiny and Desertion, and for the better Payment of the Army and their Quarters,” all the Publick-houses in this Province were subjected to the Billeting of Soldiers quartered within the same; and had the Circumstances of His Majesty’s Service admitted of their being quartered equitably and proportionably on all those Houses, the Bill we presented to your Honour would not have appeared to us necessary. But since it has been thought fit, that the whole Number quartered in the Province, should be billeted in Philadelphia, and the Publick Housekeepers throughout the rest of the Province bear no Part of the Burden, this Bill was intended to render it more equal among them all; not to take it from them, and lay it upon the People, which would be the Case, should your Honour’s proposed Amendment be acceded to; for if the Excise be made general, the Price must rise proportionally on the Commodity excised, and the Farmers and labouring People, who chiefly buy it of the Retailers, and consume it at their Harvests, and other Labour, must pay the Addition.
But the Publick-Housekeepers, who sell for the most Part by small Measure, and receive at the Rate of Ten Shillings per Gallon for Rum that perhaps costs them not more than Three Shillings, may, we think, afford to pay Two-pence a Gallon above the present general Excise of Four-pence, without any great Inconveniency; since the other Retailers, who are confined to sell by no less Measure than a Quart, cannot interfere with them in that most profitable Part of their Business.
We would beg Leave farther to observe, That at present the Soldiers billeted on the Publick-houses at Philadelphia, amount, on an Average, to about four for each House; and that the Expence of furnishing Quarters, and Necessaries in Quarters to each Man, at Four-pence per Diem, will in Three Months for four Men amount to Six Pounds; this the Publick-houses are at present supposed to be burdened with; but the Addition to their Excise, by the proposed Bill, would in few Instances exceed Thirty Shillings, and they would be repaid the Six Pounds. We conceive therefore, that the Payment of Thirty Shillings in a Year, could not occasion the Loss of a great Share of their Business, when the Payment or Expence of Six Pounds has no such Effect. And that dividing equally among the whole Number of Publick-houses, a Burden which at present lies wholly on a Part only, must, in the Nature of Things, make it lighter on that Part.
Whether the Fund proposed will be sufficient, we cannot say, as both its Produce, and the Continuance of the Soldiers here, are uncertain. If it should fall short, a future additional Provision may be made, when it shall be thought necessary. We therefore offer the Bill again to the Governor for his Assent: If he shall, upon Consideration of the Reasons above given, think fit to wave his Amendment, the Bill may afford those People some immediate Relief: If not, Affairs of greater Importance will not at present admit of our spending more Time about it.