Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Martin Howard, Junior, 14 May 1765
From: Howard, Martin, Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir-
Newport Rhode Island May 14. 1765.
I had the Honour to write you some time past and mentioned to you the Petition Joseph Harrison Esqr. is possessed of, signed by a few here who wish for a royal Government; As you was engaged in a Project some what similar, I thought it not improper to communicate the Affair to you. The Intelligence I have recieved respecting it, is not very favourable, but I have understood, that your Views with regard to your Province bear the same Aspect, perhaps however by this Time, things may have taken a different Turn.
Doctr. Moffatt sent you under the Care of Mr. Harrison a pamphlet entitled a Letter from Hallifax containing Remarks upon our Governors Rights of Colonies this has produced several Replys, and involved me in a Paper War, wherein I have taken the Side of Mother Country against her Ungrateful Sons. I would send you the Defence of the Hallifax Letter which I lately published, if this Conveyance [were?] more direct, it would give you some Idea of the Unfilial Temper of the Colonists to the Mother Country—the part I have taken has made me not a little obnoxious, and furnishes me with a Plea for what follows. The English prints acquaint Us that it is probable, a Native of each Colony will be appointed Reciever of the Stamp Duties. Should this be the Case, it may possibly fall in your Way, as you are an American, to recommend some person for that purpose. If no other Connection claims the Preference I would ask your Friendship to name me for that office, or any other in the Stamp Office which you may think worth accepting. Doctr. Moffatt writes Mr. Harrison by this Conveyance and mentions the same thing, to him. And I have interested my Friend the Surveyer General Mr. Temple, in the same Business, and I have now only to ask your Pardon for this Freedom.
Party is high at Philadelphia, and it seems every Measure of Decency is renounced by your Antagonists there. If this quarter of the World afforded any thing that could give you Entertainment I would communicate it. Mr. Ward is elected Governor of this Colony for the present Year by a great Majority.
I am with much Respect Sir. Your most Obedient and most humble Servant
Mar Howard Junr.
Doctr. Franklin

Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esqr / L.L.D. / In / London.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 18 May 1765
From: Norris, Isaac
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Friend Benjamin Franklin
Fairhill May 18th. 1765
I received your Favour of the 18th of Febry last with a Pamphlet to vindicate the late Proceedings and the Power of Parliament to make general Colony Laws, for which I return you my Thanks. It is no new Scheme and the War in America has brought it to the Issue we now see and are like to feel both now and hereafter.
In the last Letter I received from Messrs. C & O Hanbury the 21st of Xbr. [December] 1763 They write me “As soon as the Books open thy £10,000 Three per Ct Consolidated Annuities shall be transferred to thy Name by Virtue of thy Power of Attorney to us.” I make no doubt it was done accordingly, and I have made those Gentlemen some Remittances since, but as I have not received any Advices I am at a loss with regard to several Articles of My Account, but must wait ’till they write to me again, for I find They have as little Inclination to Letter-Writing as my Self; however, as Wm. Allen was One Evidence to the Power of Attorney they mention (as above) You were the Other and being upon the Spot may prove it, if by any Accident it was omitted or forgot.
Having met a safe Hand (Wm. Dickenson Now going over with Capt. Budden) who will take the trouble of delivering Baskerville’s two Volumes of Miltons Works, I now send them by him to be neatly bound, As I have a very good Quarto Edition of Milton’s Works printed in 1720 I shall chiefly value Baskerville’s Edition for its Elegancy and Neatness both on the Inside and the Covering. I return you my Thanks for your kind Concern in Relation to my Health; But tho’ I am not reduced to so weak a State of Body nor in so much Pain as I was the greatest Part of last Year, yet I am and probably shall continue fit for little or nothing more than the small Country Amusements I now employ my Time about, and the secession or rather Indolence natural to the decline of Life, both which grow upon me very sencebly. I am your Assured Friend
Isaac Norris

Endorsed: Isaac Norris May 18. 1765


Title: “A Traveller”: News-Writers’ Nonsense, 20 May 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

As Verner W. Crane has pointed out, this article illustrates a practice which Franklin employed in the newspapers again in 1768: the fictitious controversy. On May 10, writing over the signature of “The Spectator” (see above, pp. 123–4), he had commented unfavorably on the veracity and overheated imaginations of the people who supplied small items of information to the newspapers. Here, ten days later, writing as “The Traveller,” he ironically refuted some of his earlier insinuations, while actually corroborating the points which he had made in his first article.

Sir,
[May 20, 1765]
In your Paper of Wednesday last, an ingenious Correspondent that calls himself the Spectator, and dates from Pimlico, under the Guise of Good-Will to the News-Writers, whom he allows to be “an useful Body of Men in this great City,” has, in my Opinion artfully attempted to turn them and their Works into Ridicule; wherein, if he could succeed, great Injury might be done to the Public, as well as to those good People.
Supposing, Sir, that the We hears they give us of this and t’other intended Voyage, or Tour of this and t’other great Personage, were mere Inventions, yet they at least afford us an innocent Amusement while we read, and useful Matter of Conversation when we are disposed to converse. Englishmen, Sir, are too apt to be silent when they have nothing to say; too apt to be sullen when they are silent, and when they are sullen to h—g themselves. But by these We hears we are supplied with abundant Fund of Discourse: We discuss the Motives to such Voyages, the Probability of their being undertaken, and the Practicability of their Execution. Here we can display our Judgment in Politics, our Knowledge of the Interests of Princes, and our Skill in Geography; and (if we have it) shew our Dexterity moreover in Argumentation. In the mean time, the tedious Hour is killed; we go home pleased with the Applauses we have received from others, or at least with those we secretly give to ourselves; we sleep soundly, and live on, to the Comfort of our Families.
But, Sir, I beg leave to say, that all the Articles of News, that seem improbable, are not mere Inventions. Some of them, I can assure you on the Faith of a Traveller, are serious Truths. And here, quitting Mr. Spectator of Pimlico, give me Leave to instance the various numberless Accounts the News-Writers have given us (with so much honest Zeal for the Welfare of Poor Old England!) of the establishing Manufactures in the Colonies to the Prejudice of those of this Kingdom. It is objected by superficial Readers, who yet pretend to some Knowledge of those Countries, that such Establishments are not only improbable but impossible; for that their Sheep have but little Wool, not in the whole sufficient for a Pair of Stockings a Year to each Inhabitant; and that, from the universal Dearness of Labour among them, the working of Iron and other Materials, except in some few coarse Instances, is impracticable to any Advantage. Dear Sir, do not let us suffer ourselves to be amused with such groundless Objections. The very Tails of the American Sheep are so laden with Wool, that each has a Car or Waggon on four little Wheels to support and keep it from trailing on the Ground. Would they caulk their Ships? would they fill their Beds? would they even litter their Horses with Wool, if it was not both plenty and cheap? And what signifies Dearness of Labour, where an English Shilling passes for Five-and-twenty? Their engaging three hundred Silk Throwsters here in one Week for New York was treated as a Fable, because, forsooth, they have “no Silk there to throw.” Those who made this Objection perhaps did not know, that at the same Time the Agents from the King of Spain were at Quebec contracting for 1000 Pieces of Cannon to be made there for the Fortifications of Mexico, with 25,000 Axes for their Industrious Logwood-Cutters; and at New-York engaging an annual Supply of warm Floor-Carpets for their West-India Houses; other Agents from the Emperor of China were at Boston in New-England treating about an Exchange of Raw-Silk for Wool, to be carried on in Chinese Jonks through the Straits of Magellan. And yet all this is as certainly true as the Account, said to be from Quebec, in the Papers of last Week, that the Inhabitants of Canada are making Preparations for a Cod and Whale Fishery this Summer in the Upper Lakes. Ignorant People may object that the Upper Lakes are fresh, and that Cod and Whale are Salt-water Fish: But let them know, Sir, that Cod, like other Fish, when attacked by their Enemies, fly into any Water where they think they can be safest; that Whales, when they have a Mind to eat Cod, pursue them wherever they fly; and that the grand Leap of the Whale in that Chace up the Fall of Niagara is esteemed by all who have seen it, as one of the finest Spectacles in Nature! Really, Sir, the World is grown too incredulous: Pendulum-like, it is ever swinging from one Extream to another. Formerly every Thing printed was believed, because it was in Print: Now Things seem to be disbelieved for just the very same Reason. Wise Men wonder at the present Growth of Infidelity! They should have consider’d, when they taught People to doubt the Authority of News-papers, and the Truth of Predictions in Almanacs, that the next Step might be a Disbelief in the well-vouch’d Accounts of Ghosts and Witches, and Doubts even of the Truth of the A——n Creed.
Thus much I thought it necessary to say in favour of an honest Set of Writers, whose comfortable Living depends on collecting and supplying the Printers with News, at the small Price of Sixpence an Article; and who always show their Regard to Truth, by contradicting such as are wrong in a subsequent Article—for another Six-pence, to the great Satisfaction and Improvement of us Coffee-house Students in History and Politics, and the infinite Advantage of all future Livies, Rapins, Robertsons, Humes, Smollets, and Macaulays, who may be sincerely inclin’d to furnish the World with that rara Avis, a true History. I am, SIR, Your humble Servant
A Traveller.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Hugh Roberts, 20 May 1765
From: Roberts, Hugh
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Friend BF
Philada. 20 of May 1765
Early to morrow Morning I intend for Chester where I have not been since thy departure, and when I consider’d, that was the last place I saw thee, I was spurr’d to Duty and must write. Imprimis, I frequently Visit thy little Family, thy Wife and daughter Sally are well, but not quite settled in the new House. My intended journey to Chester is to accompany my worthy Friend Samuel Neave who embarks from thence to visit his near Relations in England; his great integrity in the course of thirty years, has gain’d the Esteem of every honest Man among us, and tho’ at times his warmth in censuring our Clandestine and prohibited Trade, has not obtain’d the approbation of all, yet with high repute he has gain’d a plentiful Fortune and with that uprightness of heart, that if generally follow’d, would have caused the Characters of our Pennsylvania Traders, to have stood in a much fairer view at present, with our Masters in England; and distinguish’d us from the illicite Traders on the Continent of America; and when I shall hear that you, two of my honest hearted Friends have met, tho on the remotest part of the Globe, ’twill give me joy.
As to our contentious affairs; thine and the Governments Enimies, Enimies to that Truth which includes every Virtue, are in a decline, their Flame is expired, and no more than a feeble offencive Smoke remains, that has not strength enough to convey Fire; and altho’ thy Cool Reasons, delivered with Truth and Energy, appear’d to make little impression on them, they are foil’d nay drubb’d with weapons, shall I say, better adapted to their Genius, and much keener than their Own. So that the false Names of the Dove and the Ewe-in every appearance now show the Vulture and the Wolf—the Notes of the black Smith and All-in-song united, are become feeble, and their Countenances fallen, as if they had no other prospect than to be All-enterred with their, really-dejected Patron—Excuse this Flight.
I somtimes Visit the worthy remains of the Antient Junto, for whom I have a high Esteem, but alas the Political Polemical divisions, have in some measure contributed to lessen that Harmony, we there formerly Enjoy’d.
In a late pamphlet called an Address, the Authors have portray’d a quondam Friend of ours in such strong Lines that no person to whom the Man is known, on this side of the Atlantic, is at a loss, even at first View: yet from any description I could give, thou would be ready to ask who Isse they have pictured with an air of Contempt. He is a person that has been long accustomed to an outward appearance of humility, and under that Cloak carries some pernicious points, which I think he could not do, under any other Mask; And is it not sufficient to give an honest Mind, an high an exalted Idea of Religion and Virtue that some of the most cunning and meanest part of Mankind, deem it the best Skreen for their Conduct? However my Dear Friend, by this time I think many more are convinced of the sincerity of thy Intentions, and tho some weak Politicians and Mad Zealots have not Candour enough to acknowledge it, I hope thou wilt ever stand above the reach of their Malice, and if they should continue to endeavour to depress thee by Calumny; I beleive thy Integer Vita will be thy preservation and Eclipse their Tinsel’d Glory.
When I began to Scribble, ’twas with some reluctance but when once engaged I scarce know when to bid thee Adieu. Thy real Friend
Hugh Roberts
NB a Seal for the Hospital

Addressed: To / Dr. Benjamin Franklin / at London / per favour of / Samuel Neave
Endorsed: H. Roberts May 20. 1765


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 27 May 1765
From: Wharton, Samuel
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Philada. May 27 1765.
Yesterday I had the Pleasure of receiving your kind Favor of the 13th April, which I just sit down, to acknowledge, As the Packet sails sooner than I expected.
I have been much absent from Home, for two Months past, otherwise I should have regularly wrote you and Owned the Receipt of your several Favors of the 12th January and 15th February and at present, you will be pleased to excuse me, for not answering them particularly; As I am much engaged in Business.
It was with inexpressible Pleasure, your Friends heard of your safe Arrival and Especialy, As They were longer deprived of that Satisfaction, Then They expected; occasioned, by the long Passages of the inward bound Vessels.
I carefully advert to all you are pleased to say, respecting a Restitution for our Indian Losses and am convinced, That you will chearfully do every[thing] in your Power to serve us, In such Manner, As will be most to Our Inter[est.] I am greatly Obliged by the kind Manner, In which, you promise to keep an attentive Eye to Our Interest and That you will with pleasure serve my Partners and self, in the Way, I mentioned in mine of Novr. 23d. And I cannot help flattering myself, If you should fail in obtaining a pecuniary or Land Compensation, You will succeed in the Manner, I presumed to hint to you, in the last mentioned Letter. I am sorry to find, That There are as many Persons, as you mention endeavouring to purchase Old Rights; Some of Them however, are come Away and most of the Others, will follow Them, soon; When I apprehend, it will be the best Time, to apply; But this, you will be the best Judge of.
Your Friends are greatly rewarded, By the particular Notice, you are pleased to take, of the small Indications, of their sincere Friendship and They have the agreable Satisfaction, of hearing, from all the Neighbouring Provinces, That your Enemys are as much despised, for their ungenerous Treatment towards you, As you are revered for your Steady and disinterested Attachment to your Country. Indeed! I must do Our propritary Leaders the Justice, to say, That They are either convinced of the Falsity of their base and repeated Charges against you, or That, They have been so fully exposed, They are afraid of publishing any More; For Now (and Even before, the Packet arrived) We do not hear a sentence, transpire against you.
Those of Us, who have exerted Ourselves, in the Cause of a change from a pro--y to a Royal Goverment, are highly exhilirated, by your last Letters, As They give Us Reason to hope, That, That happy Period is not far distant; For be assured, Until it arrives, Neither Our persons, Rights or properties will be safe, A Spirit of Riot and Licentiousness prevailing, thro’ Our province and particularly in Our Frontier Countys. Insomuch, That I am clearly of Opinion, That if, The regular and well executed Powers of a Kingly Goverment, are not soon exercised, In this distracted province, We shall ’Ere long be involved, in all the Calamitys of Another Indian War; For I am satisfied, The lawless Inhabitants of Cumberland County will massacre all Indians, who enter the interior parts of it, However They may cover Themselves, under the Faith of a feeble Goverment.
Our Friends wrote you fully, respecting the Insurrection in Cumberland County, When a part of the Goods, Our House was sending Out, (As I formerly informed you) To be subservient to the King’s Use, were attacked and destroyed, by a Number of Irish Presbyterians. They have also doubtless, advised you, of the strange Conduct of Our Governor and Attorney Genl. Who just went to Carlisle, saw Col. Armstrong and a few Others of the prop--y Minions—sent three presbyterian Parsons and the Sheriff to Conogocheague, with a Design, as They say, To apprehend the Robbers (who returned, as Every impartial Person would previously determine, without doing any Thing) and Then, without so much, as issuing a Proclamation, or offering a Reward, for the taking Them, They returned to Philadelphia. The Consequence of all Which was, That when the Cumberland County grand Jury met, They dared to violate the Oaths, They had taken and did not find a Bill of Indictment, against any One of Them, notwithstanding the most plain and positive Proofs was adduced. In short, When We consider That almost every Man in the County, has presumed to express Himself most disrespectfully of a Kingly Govement, It is not to be wondered at, If They should unite to save their Relations, from the Halter. I call Them Relations, because you may be convinced, That most of the Grand Jurors, were Relatives to some of the Robbers.
As soon as the Court broke up, all was Jollity and Uproar and They returned huzzaing to the upper parts of the County, rejoicing at their Victory Over Conscience and the Laws of their Country—When a fresh Occasion presented for Them to exercise their regulating Powers.
The Case is briefly as follows.

Mr. Joseph Spear (a Gentleman of fair Character) Obtained a Permission last Winter, from the Commanding Officer at Fort Pitt, To supply that Garrison with What Necessarys, They wanted; Accordingly sometime last Month, He was proceeding with 60 Horse Loads of Goods and got as far with Them, as Fort Loudon. The Evening of their Arrival, there, The Horses were sent to Pasture and the next Morning, the Drivers were stop’d by a party of Fellows all armed and black’d, in their Faces, Who demanded of Them, To Whom the Horses belonged and w[h]ere They were destined to &c. They were answered, That They were Mr. Spear’s and That They were going with Necessarys, to Fort Pitt, in Virtue of the Officer, of that Post’s, Permission. But all this was to no Avail, As Our Law Givers have determined, That No One shall go to Fort Pitt, But such as They admit; Wherefore a Party consisting of a Sarjent and Twelve Soldiers, were ordered to the Grass Ground, To escort the Horses in; But before They got there; The Rioters had cruely whipt the Drivers and burnt all their Pack Saddles and Blankets.
As soon as the Soldiers reached the Grass Ground, They collected the Horses and were driving Them, to Fort Loudon, But the Black Boys told Them, They should not; Wherefore Words ensued between Them and the Soldiers and Then the former, fired upon and killed four, of the Horses, After Which, an Engagement ensued between Them and the Soldiers; In which little Damage was done, save That the Latter wounded One of Them, in the Knee; When the Whole of Them dispersed—But They have collected, in great Numbers, So that Mr. Spear has not been Able to Move any of his Goods.
By some Gentlemen, Who arrived yesterday in Town from Shippensburgh I learn, That They are 700 strong and That They undertake to grant Permissions &c. In short, Every One, But the most prejudiced proprietary Creature, Whose Conscience and Understanding, are not implicitly directed to their Service, Must acknowledge, That We have scarcely, the Appearance of Goverment amongst Us; For could You beleive, That notwithstanding, this additional Instance of the rebellious and tumultuous Behaviour, of that County, Yet Even, not so much, as a Proclamation appears.
I expect Captain Callendar in Town to Day, When I hope to be furnished with the Particulars of their present Behaviour; Which as soon as I am possess’d of, I will carefully transmit to you.
My Partners and Self wrote to you On the 23d January and among other Matters mentioned to you That Mr. Croghan had given Them, the Preference of supplying Him, with What Goods, He wanted for the Kings Use &c. And Therefore We took the Liberty of begging the Favor of you, If not inconvenient to you, To wait for the Payment of the One thousand Pounds Sterling, We had of you and the Interest thereon, Until the Fall. But at the same Time, We requested, you would plainly tell Them, Whether you wanted the Whole, or a Part of it, before that Time and That if you did, They would immediately reamit it.
We are greatly surprised, We have not a Line from you upon the Subject and are therefore, apprehensive, Our Letters must have miscarried; Wherefore I earnestly, in their Behalf, confirm the Above, and request you will be pleased to favor Us, with your Answer, as soon as possible; For it would give us much real Concern, If We could imagine, We had subjected you, to the least Disapointment.
Our City is now agreably divided between Two partys. The One rejoicing, at the Appointment of their valuable and firm Representative, To the Office of Stamp Commissioner—Whilst the Other, speak their Chagrin and Distress, in their very Looks.

It is diverting enough, To hear them, in broken Sentences, hint, [remainder missing.]
Benjamin Franklin Esqr.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 29 May 1765
From: Parker, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honoured Sir
Burlington, May 29. 1765
As I have never had the Pleasure of one single Line from you, in answer to several I have wrote, I can now say but little, I have made no further Progress in the Accounts yet, than what I mentioned in my last: being obliged to stay at home some Time past: I wrote you all I could, or did, about your Concerns with Dunlap, but having no Answer, am at a Loss to proceed in any Thing, or how far what I have done may be satisfactory: As you doubtless will have many Letters from your Friends, I have the less Occasion to write at all: However, I thought it not amiss to write a few Lines: Mr. Foxcroft being momentarily expected at Philadelphia; I have only to add Compliments, &c. from Your very Humble Servant
James Parker

Addressed: To / Dr. Benjamin Franklin / in / Craven Street / London
Endorsed: Parker May 29 1765


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Heinrich Ehrenfried Luther, May 1765
From: Luther, Heinrich Ehrenfried
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur,
francfort le  Maÿ 1765.
Puisque M. Gmelin, Capt. au Service de Sa Majesté Britannique en Amerique part pour Londres, je l’ai prié de s’y informer aprez vous, et de vous assurer de mes respects, d’autant plus qu’il y a bien des années, que je n’ai rien de vous appris. Je crois en 1751 étoitce pour la derniere fois, vous récommandiez alors à Boston Mr. Joseph Crell, qui vouloit se charger des affaires de la Colonie, il revint aussi ici, et m’apporta au Nom de la Province des Lettres de Récommandation de Mr. Spencer Phips Vice gouverneur, Suivant lesquelles je lui assistois dans Son Entreprise, et Lui ai procuré en 1751. de même qu’en 1752. un petit transport de palatins. L’Année Suivante 1753 j’entretenois avec Mr. Waldo Brigad. Genl. une Correspondance très étenduë, celui-ci envoya Son fils ici, qui jouissoit pendant Six Mois de la table et du Logis gratis chez moi, il obtint aussi un petit transport d’Emigrants, parmis lesquels se trouvoit Mr. le Secretaire Knoechel, qui actuellement est domicilié à Nieuport à L’Isle rouge mais Mr. le Brigad. Genl. Waldo ne se contenta pas de ce transport, et par des faux rapports il se laissa persuader d’envoyer à Muiden [?] en hollande un Navire bien beaucoup plus grand, que le Nombre des Emigrants n’exigeoit. Ceci lui causa beaucoup d’Embarras et l’a mis par dessus dans des frais exorbitants, il voulut alors sans rime et sans raison m’imputer la faute, nous nous brouillames la dessus, et les Dépenses considérables que j’ai eu et fait pendant 3 années, pour la province et pour Mr. Waldo me sont encore duës. Oui je puis bien vous assurrer Monsieur qu’aiant depensé des Sommes pour le Bien de la province, il ne m’a pas encore êté restitué un Liard, pas même les ports de Lettres. Mr. Waldo m’offroit pourtant un Morceau de pays pour ÿ etablir une Colonie, mais il mourut dans cet Intervale, la Guerre survint, et tout resta dans une Crise. Il est malheureux pour moi d’avoir eu à faire à un homme dure et irraisonnable, qui est aussi cause que la province s’est retirée de moi, malgré les bonnes Idées qu’elle m’a toujours fait sentir à L’Egard des grands Services que je Lui ai rendû, et il seroit encore bien plus mal si on vouloit, payer ceux-ci avec ingratitude, d’autant plus que je ne scache qu’il y ait encore des personnes en vie qui se souviennent de moi, et qui peutêtre penseroient à une réconnoissance si on pourroit renouveller l’ancienne Entreprise, mais j’ignore tout a fait de quelle façon et sur quel pié m’y prendre puisque les addresses nécessaires m’y manquent. Ce pourquoi Monsieur je vous prie de m’assister avec vos bons Conseils dans cette Affaire, surtout parce qu’elle a pris Son Origine par vous, ayez aussi la Complaisance de la recommander à l’Occasion à Mrs. les Lords des plantations, cela est peu de Chose pour vous puisque vous occupé auprez de Sa Majesté etle parlement la place de Président de la Province de pensilvanie, et donnez moi S:v:p: les Instructions et Informations necessaires à ce Sujet. Je me flatte Monsieur que vous ne me refuserez pas ce Service comme un ancien bon ami, et comme un anglois raisonnable et génereux, qui ne peut pas régarder de Sang froid qu’un Etranger soit payé avec ingratitude pour toutes Ses peines et travaux, et qu’il lui doit toujours rester Raison à se plaindre d’une pareille Injustice. Vous me ferez l’honneur Monsieur de me répondre par le premier Courier, et de me découvrir vôtre facon de penser. Je vous souhaite une Continuation de la plus parfaite Santé, vous priant de me continuer vôtre Amitié, et d’être persuadé que si je puis vous être utile dans ces quartiers, je serai toujours prêt à vos ordres. Mr. le Capt. Gmelin est domicilié en nouvelle Ecosse, il cherche avec ses Associés à enrôler des Emigrants pour la Colonie, il a besoin de Conseils, je vous le recomande au mieux, et ai l’honneur d’être avec la plus parfaite Estime, Monsieur, Vôtre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur.
Luther
A Monsieur Franklin

Endorsed: Luther’s letter to Dr Franklyn 65


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 2 June 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Kames, Henry Home, Lord

My dear Lord
Cravenstreet, London, June 2. 1765.
I receiv’d with great Pleasure your friendly Letter by Mr. Alexander, which I should have answer’d sooner by some other Conveyance, if I had understood that his Stay here was like to be so long. I value myself extreamly on the Continuance of your Regard, which I hope hereafter better to deserve by more punctual Returns in the Correspondence you honour me with.
You require my History from the time I set Sail for America. I left England about the End of August 1762, in Company with Ten Sail of Merchant Ships under Convoy of a Man of War. We had a pleasant Passage to Madeira, an Island and Colony belonging to Portugal, where we were kindly receiv’d and entertain’d, our Nation being then in high Honour with them, on Account of the Protection it was at that time affording their Mother Country from the united Invasions of France and Spain. ’Tis a fertile Island, and the different Heights and Situations among its Mountains, afford such different Temperaments of Air, that all the Fruits of Northern and Southern Countries are produc’d there, Corn, Grapes, Apples, Peaches, Oranges, Lemons, Plantains, Bananas, &c. Here we furnish’d ourselves with fresh Provisions and Refreshments of all kinds, and after a few Days proceeded on our Voyage, running Southward till we got into the Trade Winds, and then with them Westward till we drew near the Coast of America. The Weather was so favourable, that there were few Days in which we could not visit from Ship to Ship, dining with each other and on board the Man of War, which made the time pass agreably, much more so than when one goes in a single Ship, for this was like travelling in a moving Village, with all one’s Neighbours about one. On the first of November, I arriv’d safe and well at my own House, after an Absence of near Six Years, found my Wife and Daughter well, the latter grown quite a Woman, with many amiable Accomplishments acquir’d in my Absence, and my Friends as hearty and affectionate as ever, with whom my House was fill’d for many Days, to congratulate me on my Return. I had been chosen yearly during my Absence to represent the City of Philadelphia in our Provincial Assembly, and on my Appearance in the House they voted me £3000 Sterling for my Services in England and their Thanks delivered by the Speaker. In February following my Son arriv’d, with my new Daughter, for, with my Consent and Approbation he married soon after I left England, a very agreable West India Lady, with whom he is very happy. I accompanied him into his Government, where he met with the kindest Reception from the People of all Ranks, and has lived with them ever since in the greatest Harmony. A River only parts that Province and ours, and his Residence is within 17 Miles of me, so that we frequently see each other. In the Spring of 1763 I set out on a Tour thro’ all the Northern Colonies, to inspect and regulate the Post Offices in the several Provinces. In this Journey I spent the Summer, travelled about 1600 Miles, and did not get home ’till the Beginning of November. The Assembly sitting thro’ the following Winter, and warm Disputes arising between them and the Governor I became wholly engag’d in public Affairs: For besides my Duty as an Assemblyman, I had another Trust to execute, that of being one of the Commissioners appointed by Law to dispose of the publick Money appropriated to the Raising and Paying an Army to act against the Indians and defend the Frontiers. And then in December we had two Insurrections of the back Inhabitants of our Province, by whom 20 poor Indians were murdered that had from the first Settlement of the Province lived among us and under the Protection of our Government. This gave me a good deal of Employment, for as the Rioters threatned farther Mischief, and their Actions seem’d to be approv’d by an encreasing Party, I wrote a Pamphlet entitled a Narrative, &c. (which I think I sent you,) to strengthen the Hands of our weak Government, by rendring the Proceedings of the Rioters unpopular and odious. This had a good Effect; and afterwards when a great Body of them with Arms march’d towards the Capital in Defiance of the Government, with an avowed Resolution to put to death 140 Indian Converts then under its Protection, I form’d an Association at the Governor’s Request, for his and their Defence, we having no Militia. Near 1000 of the Citizens accordingly took Arms; Governor Penn made my House for some time his Head Quarters, and did every thing by my Advice, so that for about 48 Hours I was a very great Man, as I had been once some Years before in a time of publick Danger; but the fighting Face we put on, and the Reasonings we us’d with the Insurgents (for I went at the Request of the Governor and Council with three others to meet and discourse them) having turn’d them back, and restor’d Quiet to the City, I became a less Man than ever: for I had by these Transactions made myself many Enemies among the Populace; and the Governor (with whose Family our publick Disputes had long plac’d me in an unfriendly Light, and the Services I had lately render’d him not being of the kind that make a Man acceptable) thinking it a favourable Opportunity, join’d the whole Weight of the Proprietary Interest to get me out of the Assembly, which was accordingly effected at the last Election, by a Majority of about 25 in 4000 Voters. The House however, when they met in October, approv’d of the Resolutions taken while I was Speaker, of petitioning the Crown for a Change of Government, and requested me to return to England to prosecute that Petition; which Service I accordingly undertook, and embark’d the Beginning of November last, being accompany’d to the Ship, 16 Miles, by a Cavalcade of three Hundred of my Friends, who fill’d our Sails with their good Wishes, and I arrived in 30 Days at London. Here I have been ever since engag’d in that and other Public Affairs relating to America, which are like to continue some time longer upon my hands; but I promise you, that when I am quit of these, I will engage in no other; and that as soon as I have recover’d the Ease and Leisure I hope for, the Task you require of me, of finishing my Art of Virtue shall be perform’d: In the mean time I must request you would excuse me on this Consideration, that the Powers of the Mind are posess’d by different Men in different Degrees, and that every one cannot, like Lord Kaims, intermix literary Pursuits and important Business, without Prejudice to either.
I send you herewith two or three other Pamphlets of my Writing on our political Affairs during my short Residence in America; but I do not insist on your reading them, for I know you employ all your time to some useful Purpose.
In my Passage to America, I read your excellent Work, the Elements of Criticism, in which I found great Entertainment, much to admire, and nothing to reprove. I only wish’d you had examin’d more fully the Subject of Music, and demonstrated that the Pleasure Artists feel in hearing much of that compos’d in the modern Taste, is not the natural Pleasure arising from Melody or Harmony of Sounds, but of the same kind with the Pleasure we feel on seeing the surprizing Feats of Tumblers and Rope Dancers, who execute difficult Things. For my part, I take this to be really the Case and suppose it the Reason why those who being unpractis’d in Music, and therefore unacquainted with those Difficulties, have little or no Pleasure in hearing this Music. Many Pieces of it are mere Compositions of Tricks. I have sometimes at a Concert attended by a common Audience plac’d myself so as to see all their Faces, and observ’d no Signs of Pleasure in them during the Performance of much that was admir’d by the Performers themselves; while a plain old Scottish Tune, which they disdain’d and could scarcely be prevail’d on to play, gave manifest and general Delight. Give me leave on this Occasion to extend a little the Sense of your Position, That “Melody and Harmony are separately agreable, and in Union delightful;” and to give it as my Opinion, that the Reason why the Scotch Tunes have liv’d so long, and will probably live forever (if they escape being stifled in modern affected Ornament) is merely this, that they are really Compositions of Melody and Harmony united, or rather that their Melody is Harmony. I mean the simple Tunes sung by a single Voice. As this will appear paradoxical I must explain my Meaning. In common Acceptation indeed, only an agreable Succession of Sounds is called Melody, and only the Co-existence of agreeing Sounds, Harmony. But since the Memory is capable of retaining for some Moments a perfect Idea of the Pitch of a past Sound, so as to compare with it the Pitch of a succeeding Sound, and judge truly of their Agreement or Disagreement, there may and does arise from thence a Sense of Harmony between present and past Sounds, equally pleasing with that between two present Sounds. Now the Construction of the old Scotch Tunes is this, that almost every succeeding emphatical Note, is a Third, a Fifth, an Octave, or in short some Note that is in Concord with the preceding Note. Thirds are chiefly used, which are very pleasing Concords. I use the Word emphatical, to distinguish those Notes which have a Stress laid on them in Singing the Tune, from the lighter connecting Notes, that serve merely, like Grammar Articles, to tack the others together. That we have a most perfect Idea of a Sound just past, I might appeal to all acquainted with Music, who know how easy it is to repeat a Sound in the same Pitch with one just heard. In Tuning an Instrument, a good Ear can as easily determine that two Strings are in Unison, by sounding them separately, as by sounding them together; their Disagreement is also as easily, I believe I may say more easily and better distinguish’d, when sounded separately; for when sounded together, tho’ you know by the Beating that one is higher than the other, you cannot tell which it is. Farther, when we consider by whom these ancient Tunes were composed, and how they were first performed, we shall see that such harmonical Succession of Sounds was natural and even necessary in their Construction. They were compos’d by the Minstrels of those days, to be plaid on the Harp accompany’d by the Voice. The Harp was strung with Wire, and had no Contrivance like that in the modern Harpsichord, by which the Sound of a preceding Note could be stopt the Moment a succeeding Note began. To avoid actual Discord it was therefore necessary that the succeeding emphatic Note should be a Chord with the preceding, as their Sounds must exist at the same time. Hence arose that Beauty in those Tunes that has so long pleas’d, and will please for ever, tho’ Men scarce know why. That they were originally compos’d for the Harp, and of the most simple kind, I mean a Harp without any Half Notes but those in the natural Scale, and with no more than two Octaves of Strings from C. to C. I conjecture from another Circumstance, which is, that not one of those Tunes really ancient has a single artificial Half Note in it; and that in Tunes where it was most convenient for the Voice, to use the middle Notes of the Harp, and place the Key in F. there the B. which if used should be a B flat, is always omitted by passing over it with a Third. The Connoisseurs in modern Music will say I have no Taste, but I cannot help adding, that I believe our Ancestors in hearing a good Song, distinctly articulated, sung to one of those Tunes and accompanied by the Harp, felt more real Pleasure than is communicated by the generality of modern Operas, exclusive of that arising from the Scenery and Dancing. Most Tunes of late Composition, not having the natural Harmony united with their Melody, have recourse to the artificial Harmony of a Bass and other accompanying Parts. This Support, in my Opinion, the old Tunes do not need, and are rather confus’d than aided by it. Whoever has heard James Oswald play them on his Violoncello, will be less inclin’d to dispute this with me. I have more than once seen Tears of Pleasure in the Eyes of his Auditors; and yet I think even his Playing those Tunes would please more, if he gave them less modern Ornament.
My Son, when we parted, desired me to present his affectionate Respects to you, Lady Kaims, and your amiable Children; be so good with those to accept mine, and believe me, with sincerest Esteem, My dear Lord, Your Lordship’s most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin
P.S. I do promise myself the Pleasure of seeing you and my other Friends in Scotland before I return to America.
Lord Kaims

Addressed: To / The Rt. honourable Lord Kaims / one of the Judges, &c / Edinburgh / per favour of / Mr Alexander


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Robertson, 2 June 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Robertson, William

Copy
Reverend and Dear Sir,
London, June 2. 1765
I could not omit this Opportunity by our good Friend Mr. Alexander, of thanking you for your obliging Favour of the Beginning of April, which I should have done sooner, but that I purpos’d to acknowledge at the same time the Receipt of the Diploma, that was daily expected and is not yet come to hand. I suppose, however, that it will now soon appear, as Mr. Strahan is inform’d who brought it, and is now in quest of it. In the mean time I beg you will present my most respectful Thanks to the Gentlemen your Brethren of the College, and accept the same yourself, for the Honour done me in the Regard shown to my Recommendation of Mr. Stiles. I assure you I shall think myself happy in any Opportunity of manifesting the Sense I have of it, and my Respect for your University.
Mr. Alexander tells me, that we may now soon expect to see your new History, which, next to the Pleasure of seeing you yourself, I have long wished for. I hope for both before the Year expires, being with the highest Esteem, Dear Sir,
 Endorsed [in BF’s hand]: Copy Letter of Thanks to Dr Robertson June 2. 65 [In Stiles’s hand:] Newport Nov. 22. 1765 Received by Ezra Stiles This Copy is in Dr. Franklin’s own Hand Writing.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, [before 4 June 1765]
From: Pownall, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[Before June 4, 1765]
Govr. Pownall presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin beggs the honor of his Company to Dinner on Tuesday the 4th of June.
The Favor of an Answer is desired.

Addressed: Craven Street
[In Franklin’s hand on address side:] Steel Pen for Mr. Strahan.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 4 June 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Deborah

My dear Child
London, June 4. 1765
I have now before me your Favours of April 13, 15, 17, 23, May 14, 18, 20. not so many Letters as Dates, some of them having two or three.
As to the Cause concerning the Lot, I have never been in the least uneasy about it, desiring only that Justice might be done, which I do not doubt. I hope Robinson was not long missing after your Letters, as I really have a great Esteem for him.
I could have wished to have been present at the Finishing of the Kitchen, as it is a mere Machine, and being new to you, I think you will scarce know how to work it. The several Contrivances to carry off Steam and Smell and Smoke not being fully explain’d to you. The Oven I suppose was put up by the written Directions in my former Letter. You mention nothing of the Furnace. If that Iron One is not set, let it alone till my Return, when I shall bring a more convenient copper one.
You wonder how I did to travel 72 Miles in a short winter Day, on my Landing in England, and think I must have practis’d Flying. But the Roads here are so good, with Post Chaises and fresh Horses every ten or twelve Miles, that it is no difficult Matter. A Lady that I know has come from Edinburgh to London, being 400 Miles, in three Days and half.
You mention the Payment of the 500 Pounds, but do not say that you have got the Deeds executed. I suppose however that it was done.
I received the two Post Office Letters you sent me. It was not Letters of that Sort alone that I wanted; but all such as were sent to me from any one whomsoever.
I cannot but complain in my Mind of Mr. Smith, that the House is so long unfit for you to get into, the Fences not put up, nor the other necessary Articles got ready. The Well I expected would have been dug in the Winter, or early in the Spring; but I hear nothing of it. You should have garden’d long before the Date of your last, but it seems the Rubbish was not removed.
I am much oblig’d to my good old Friends that did me the Honour to remember me in the unfinish’d Kitchin. I hope soon to drink with them in the Parlour.
I am very thankful to the good Ladies you mention for their friendly Wishes. Present my best Respects to Mrs. Grace and Dear Precious, Mrs. Shewell, Mrs. Masters, Mrs. Galloway and Miss, Mrs. Redman, Mrs. Graeme, Mrs. Thomson, Mrs. Story, Mrs. Bartram, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Hilborne, and all the others you have nam’d to me. My Love also to our Brothers and Sisters and Cousins as if particularly mention’d. I have Deliver’d yours to Mrs. and Miss Stevenson, Mr. and Mrs. Strahan and their Family, Mrs. Empson, Mrs. West, and our Country Cousins. Miss Graham is not come to Town as I have heard.
It rejoices me to learn that you are freer than you us’d to be from the Head Ach and that Pain in your Side. I am likewise in perfect Health. God is very good to us both in many Respects. Let us enjoy his Favours with a thankful and chearful Heart; and, as we can make no direct Return to him, show our Sense of his Goodness to us, by continuing to do Good to our Fellow Creatures, without Regarding the Returns they make us, whether Good or Bad. For they are all his Children, tho’ they may sometimes be our Enemies. The Friendships of this World are changeable, uncertain transitory Things; but his Favour, if we can secure it, is an Inheritance forever.
I am, my dear Debby, Your ever loving Husband,
B Franklin

By Capt. Friend I send a Box. marked BF. It contains some things mention’d in mine to Sally with some fine Worsted, a Sugar Tongs, &c.
P.S. Our Neighbour Swan’s Son came to me in a poor naked Condition, telling me he had been cast away. I gave him my Surtout Coat, and lent him Twenty-six Shillings, which he said his Father would repay if he did not. Enclos’d I send his Note for a Guinea. I would have you ask for it. If paid ’tis well. If not, ’tis no great matter.
By the Packet which sails the 13th, I shall write to most of my Friends. Some Letters I intended last Week via New-York, go by this Vessel.
P.S. July 7. I have wrote to some of my Friends by this Vessel but have not time to copy the Letters for the rest, so shall send them per the Packet which goes on Saturday, and perhaps may arrive first.

Addressed: To / Mrs Franklin / at / Philadelphia / per Capt. Friend.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 8 June 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hall, David

Dear Mr. Hall
London, June 8. 1765
I received yours of Feb. 25. via Londonderry and the Copy, with one of March 15. per Capt. Bingley; I have also yours of April 12. per Packet; for all which I thank you. The Bill for £150 by Rotch & Compy is paid. And I shall write to Mr. Grace as you desire per Friend, who is to sail shortly.
Mrs. Franklin writes me that you are very kind and obliging to her in my Absence; and mentions your Readiness to assist her in the Purchase she has made, which I am pleas’d with, as it lies so convenient to my other Ground. You will please to accept my Thanks, and assure yourself that I shall always be equally ready on all Occasions to show my Regard for your Interest as Opportunities may offer.
Since my last per Packet, which was of April 13. I have taken a good deal of Pains relating to the Stamp Office Affair. The 2s. for each Advertisem’t was not reduc’d to 1s. as intended but slipt in Passing the Bill. I have however some Expectations given me, that it may be alter’d next Sitting, with other Amendments which it is supposed the Bill may be found then to want, as it is now.
I am told also, that we may another Year hope for an Allowance of a Person to strike the Stamps at Philadelphia on all Paper for Newspapers and Almanacks, but this Year it must, it seems, be sent ready struck, and I had some difficulty to prevail that Demi Paper should be sent for Pensilvania Almanacks, it having been concluded to send Foolscap such as is used here; and though I think the Demi is not so good by Six pence a Ream, as ours, you will find it as dear Sterling as we pay Currency.
The Moulds for large Paper for your Gazette, which I desired Mr. Strahan to bespeak, will therefore be sent, that whether we get a Stamp Office there or not, the Paper may be made with you. Since it will be worth while to send it here to be stampt, rather than buy it here at such Rates; and I believe we shall at least get the Charges allow’d, of sending and returning it, and the Duty on Paper not required.
Depend upon my doing every thing in this Affair for the Printers and Papermakers, as zealously as if I were still to be concerned in the Business.
The Number of Newspapers will probably drop a little at first, perhaps a tenth Part, which I am told was observ’d to be the Case here; but they will gradually recover again. The Necessity you must be under of paying Ready Money to the Office, will however be a good reason for not giving Credit for the Papers, and I advise you therefore to require a Year’s Pay beforehand of every Subscriber, and make it a Rule never to send a Paper beyond the Time without a fresh Advance.
You will also undoubtedly raise the Price of the Paper proportionably, and demand ready Money for all Advertisements. By these Means I doubt not but the clear Profits will be as great as ever they have been, considering our prodigious Loss by giving Credit [End of extract].


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 8 June 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Ross, John

Dear Sir,
London, June 8. 1765
If, according to the Custom here, I congratulate you on your having a severe Fit of the Gout, I cannot avoid mixing some Condolance with my Congratulations: For I too have lately had a Visit, or rather a Visitation, from the same Friend (or Enemy) that confin’d me near a Fortnight. And notwithstanding the salutary Effects People talk of, to comfort us under our Pain, I fancy we should both of us willingly hazard being without them, rather than have these Means of procuring them too frequently repeated. I may possibly be, as they tell me, greatly oblig’d to the Gout; but “The Condition of this Obligation, is such” that I cannot heartily say, Thank-ye. I hope however that your slow Recovery prov’d at length a perfect one: And I pray that your establish’d Health may long continue.
The Outrages committed by the Frontier People are really amazing! But Impunity for former Riots has emboldened them. Rising in Arms to destroy Property publick and private, and insulting the King’s Troops and Forts, is going great Lengths indeed! If, in Mr. Chief’s Opinion, our Resolves might be call’d Rebellion What does the Gentleman call this? I can truly say it gives me great Concern. Such Practices throw a Disgrace over our whole Country, that can only be wip’d off by exemplary Punishment of the Actors, which our weak Government cannot or will not inflict. And the People I pity, for their want of Sense. Those who have inflam’d and misled them have a Deal to answer for.
Our Petition, which has been becalm’d for some time, is now getting under Way again, and all Appearances are for us. I hope before Capt. Friend sails, to be able to give you some Account of our Progress. My respectful Compliments to Mrs. Ross, and my Friends the young Ladies, to whom I wish every Felicity. I am, dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
John Ross, Esqr

Extract from Governor F. letter,
June 8th. The Negotiation with the Proprietors is now att an End, and Mr. Jackson and I have set apart next Week to Wait on Lord Halifax. Mr. Greenville Lord Hillsborough &c. in order to forward the Petitions, in which as Yet, I Can Neither see nor hear of any reason to doubt Success.


Title: James Parker: First Report on the Franklin and Hall Account, 14 June 1765
From: Parker, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

In accordance with Franklin’s power of attorney, Nov. 5, 1764 (above, XI, 441–3), James Parker undertook a detailed examination of the financial records of Franklin & Hall well in advance of the expiration of the partnership agreement and the dissolution of the firm, scheduled to take place on Feb. 1, 1766. He began the examination in the latter part of February 1765, spent thirteen days on the task then (above, p. 86), and returned to Philadelphia for three more days of work in June. Although he had by no means examined all the records as yet, he sent Franklin the preliminary report printed here with his letter of June 14 (immediately above), since the power of attorney required him to send such a report in time for Franklin to peruse it at least six months before the expiration of the partnership.
The account is written in two columns on a large sheet of paper, with the entries and totals of transactions that fell into certain general categories grouped together into five sections, or “Articles” as Parker called them. He added in brackets at the end of each section a notation of what records remained to be examined and reported on in that “Article.” It seemed to be his intention to place in the left-hand column of the sheet those sections which showed Franklin’s indebtedness to the firm and in the right-hand column Hall’s. Curiously enough, however, Parker incorrectly transposed the last sections in each column, and he followed the same arrangement in his second preliminary account, Aug. 22, 1765 (below, p. 242). In all the surviving versions of his final account, Feb. 1, 1766, however, he corrected this arrangement and, for the first time, he then numbered the sections in each column in sequence.
To clarify this first account for the reader and to facilitate its comparison with those to follow in this and the next volume, the editors have headed each section with a bracketed identifying symbol: A-1, A-2, and A-3 for the three sections representing Franklin’s indebtedness, and B-1 and B-3 for the two sections given here of the three Parker finally provided to record Hall’s indebtedness. Further to clarify the matter, sections A-3 and B-3 are transferred to their proper positions. For reasons of typographical convenience, the A sections are printed first, followed by the B sections, instead of placing them in parallel columns.
Descriptions of the Franklin & Hall accounts that Parker used for this and later reports, so far as they survive today, will be found above, III, 270–1, 276.

[June 14, 1765]

[A-1]

Account of Monies paid by D. Hall to B. Franklin, from March 1747/8. to March 1. 1765. as per several Receipts in B.F’s own Writing appears, examin’d per J. P
£7849:
7:
4¾

Account of Money paid by D. Hall for Bills of Exchange, sent to England, to B.F. from June 1757. to Feb. 1765. as per D. Hall’s Accounts, exam’d per J P
4776:
19:
6

Account of sundries had in Mr. Hall’s Shop, and Cash lent sundry Times by Mr. Hall, to B.F. as per Accounts examined per J Parker
541:
2:
1

Account of 4000 Poor Richard’s Almanacks sent to Rh: Island, by B.F’s Orders from 1752 to 1761. inclusive, (stiching deducted)
62:
13:
4

Ditto of 1900 Pocket Do sent per same, as per Account, exd [Several Sums of Money paid since to B.F. by D. Hall, to be yet added, but not Time to examine into now]
31:
13:
4

  [A-2]

Account of Money paid by D. Hall for Paper to the several Paper Makers, &c. to March 6. 1765. as per several Receipts and Vouchers appear examd. per J P
4298:
9:
0

Account of Money paid for 163½ lb. of Lampblack from 1749. to June 13. 1765. examd per J P
40:
17:
6

Account of Incidentals paid by D. Hall for the Use of the printing Office, from 1749. to June 13. 1765. as per Account, exam’d per J P [A further Account of Paper since paid for, and sundry Sterling Articles paid for to England, by D.H. not yet examined—are to be added to this Article.]
584:
1:
2½

  [A-3]

Account of Money received by B. Franklin for printing Work, charged in the Leidgers, from Jan. 26. 1748. to Feb. 1765. as examined per J Parker
£219:
18:
11¼

Account of Money received by B. Franklin for Gazette from Jan. 1748. to July 15. 1749. as had his Name affixed, examined per J P
24:
2:
6

Account of Money received by B.F. in Account with Th: Lightfoot, as per his Account in settling with D. Hall for the Gazette
2:
17:
6

  [B-1]

Account of Money received by Dav: Hall, for publick Work, from Nov. 1756 to March 1765. as examined by J Parker
2182:
19:
5½

Account of Money received by D. Hall, for publick Work, from New-Castle, Kent & Sussex. from 1756. to 1764. as Examined per J Parker
242:
16:
8

Account of Money received by D. Hall, for Advertisements paid when brought in in the Gazette, from Jan. 26. 1748. to Feb. 21. 1765. as Examined per J P
3312:
17:
8

Ditto, of Same received from Feb 21. 1765. to June 13. 1765. examd per J P
139:
11:
0

Account of Money received by D. Hall, for single Advertisements, Blanks, and other Work done, in the Office from Jan. 26. 1748. to Feb. 16. 1765. as examined per J P
484:
14:
9

Ditto, of same, from Feb. 16. 1765. to June 13. 1765. exam’d per J P
6:
11:
0

Account of Money received by D. Hall, for printing Work &c. charged in the Leidgers, from Jan. 21. 1748. to Feb. 25. 1765. as examined per J P
2393:
12:
8¼

Ditto. of Same, from Feb. 25. 1765. to June 13. 1765. Examd per J P
370:
13:
6

Account of Money received by D. Hall on Account of the Gazette from July 15. 1749. to March 1. 1765 as in the four Books, examined per J Parker
9683:
15:
4½

Ditto, for same, from March 1. 1765. to June 13. 1765. Exd per J P
581:
11:
4½

Do. An Errata in the first Casting up, of the first, and carried to the End, makes it more
8:
16:
6

Account of Money received by D. Hall for Entrance Money for the Gazette, from 1748. to Feb. 23. 1765. Examined per J Parker
1594:
15:
9

Ditto, from Feb. 23. 1765. to June 10. 1765. exam’d per J P
14:
4:
6

Account of Money received by D. Hall for Gazette, viz:

By James Hunter, Esq.
£72:
9:
2

By Stratton Burton, Snow Hill Post
43:
0:
0

By John Wise, ditto
37:
5:
0

152:
14:
2

Account of Almanacks printed and sold by D. Hall, from 1752. to 1765. inclusive, viz

    Poor Richards 141,257. at 4d. (Stiching deducted)
2213:
0:
8

Pocket ditto 25,735 at 4d.
428:
18:
4

  Jerman’s ditto 5,197. at 3½d. exclusive of Copy paid for and Stiching
69:
11:
9½

Account of Primers printed by D. Hall from 1749. to 1765, being 35, 100, at 2½d.
365:
12:
6

Account of 109 Ream of Blanks and 18 Quire, printed per D.H. as per Account, exd. Paper deducted
482:
18:
6

  [Account of Books and Pamphlets printed and sold in the Time, not yet examined, to be added to this Account]

  [Also some Matters relating to Moore’s Almanacks from N York]

  [No B-2 in this account]

  [B-3]

Account of Books and Stationary left in the Shop, by B.F. at the Time the Partnership began, as exam’d per J P
£681:
1:
0

1754 June 17. Cash paid to D. Hall, by B. Franklin on Account, exd
86:
4:
11

1758 June A Bill of Exchange return’d by B.F. to D.H.
162:
10:
0

  Account of a Ballance due to B.F. on Thomas Chalkley’s Books, as per Account, in the Leidger, pag. 326. examin’d per J P.
15:
15:
10

  [Account of the Paper supplied the Office by B.F. before D. Hall began to take himself of the Paper-Makers, not yet examined into, but to be done hereafter and the Half thereof belongs to this Article]

Memorandum, It appears by the News-Book, that D. Hall received pay for the Gazette, only from July 15 1749, and by B. Franklin’s Receipts after that Time, so much is implied: His first Receipt is dated March 20. 1749/50, for £51 1s. 0d. received for the Gazette, since July 15 last, and there are fourteen Receipts all of them expressing the same Words, in Mr. F.’s own Hand-Writing, the last of which is dated Feb. 11. 1750/1, for £29 11s. 6d.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 15 June 1765
From: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Sir
June 15, 1765
I am heartily glad you made up the quarrel without coming to blows; and as we hope to find you peaceable and happy, we all promise ourselves much pleasure in spending this day in Craven street.
To my mortal day I shall remain Your dutiful and affectionate
M. Stevenson


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from “A Merchant in Philadelphia” [Charles Thomson], 19 June 1765
From: Thomson, Charles
To: Franklin, Benjamin

That this letter was addressed to Franklin and that he was responsible for its printing in London seem virtually certain: the surviving leaf of the manuscript is found among his papers, and two editorial emendations, now almost indecipherable, appear to be in his hand. Identification of the writer is less definite, but he was probably Charles Thomson. The handwriting of the seriously defaced leaf of the manuscript (two pages), while not beyond question Thomson’s, resembles his much more closely than it does that of any other of Franklin’s Philadelphia correspondents of this period. The style and substance of the letter are compatible with this suggestion of Thomson’s authorship.
The entire letter is reprinted as it appeared in the London Chronicle, with the beginning and end of the surviving manuscript portion indicated here in notes. Two passages in the manuscript were carefully struck out and do not appear in the printed text; these are supplied in notes and the emendations are indicated.

A Letter from a Merchant in Philadelphia, to his Correspondent in London, dated June 19.
Dear Sir,
The Act of Parliament, imposing a Stamp duty on the American Colonies, is just published among us, and occasions very great uneasiness. It is not the bearing a part in the general defence, that gives the alarm; that the Colonies have done, and are ready, when occasion requires, to do again; but the being deprived of those rights, those distinguishing and invaluable rights of Britons, of being governed by laws of their own making; and, at the same time, the being subjected to arbitrary unconstitutional courts; these are what they cannot easily acquiesce in.
The argument, that the Colonies are virtually represented in Parliament, is rather an insult on our reason, than convincing our judgment; nor of greater weight are the inferences drawn, that because the copyholders and some large trading towns in England send no representatives to Parliament, and yet are bound by the laws of Parliament, therefore the Colonies ought to submit. The unequal representation in Great Britain has long been complained of as a grievance, and therefore ought not to be used as an argument against our liberty. We are not copyholders nor crown tenants, but freeholders, yet have we no right to a voice in the choice of those who claim the power to make laws for us. But even to this might we submit, were we not taught, and forced by severe partial laws, to consider ourselves distinct from the inhabitants of Great Britain. We are crampt in our trade by plantation bonds, restrained in our manufactures by cruel and partial edicts; and while labouring under a load of debt, incurred by our generous efforts in conjunction with the British forces for the enlargement of the British empire, now loaded with a new tax, and that enforced by ways subversive of English liberty.
Heretofore we have been used to speak of England as our mother country, children have been taught by their parents to revere and love its constitution, and to risque every thing in defence and support of it; the restrictions from time to time imposed, were submitted to and born, while we solaced ourselves with the thoughts of enjoying the most substantial rights of English freemen. But when those impositions are urged as arguments for laying on us still greater, when burdens are multiplied, and decrees passed, which hardly leave us the colour of freedom, we cannot be silent.

That the Colonies have borne a great deal before they complained, must be allowed, when we consider the several restrictions laid upon them. No one Colony can supply another with wool, or any woollen goods manufactured in it. The number of hatters must be restrained, so that they cannot work up the furs they take at their doors; nay a hat, though manufactured in England, cannot be sent for sale out of the Province, much less shipped to any foreign market. The iron we dig from our mountains, we have just the liberty to make into bars, but farther we must not go: we must neither slit it nor plate it, nor must we convert it to steel, though ’tis a truth well known, that we cannot have steel from England fit for use. Nay, though England admits of steel being imported from Germany, she will not suffer it to be made in her Colonies. Nor is our trade by sea less cramped. No longer can we be admitted to supply Lisbon, or any Spanish port with our lumber; or Ireland with our lumber and iron.
   This latter grievance was remedied last Session.
 We are shut out from the benefit of being carriers for neutral ports, because before our vessels are allowed to leave the port, bonds must be given, that any thing taken aboard must be carried immediately to some English port, and there certain duties paid. Nay, to such extravagant lengths are some things carried, it is not sufficient to pay the duties here when the goods arrive; in some instances (as in the case of wines imported from Lisbon) we are obliged to carry the goods to England, there unload them, and then reship them to America; as if it were not enough to levy a tax, without doing it in the most expensive manner. I dare venture to say, the charge of sending the vessel to England is as much to the owner, as the duty paid for the wine, and this without any benefit to England. And, as if all that went before was only an earnest of what was to come, an Edict is soon to take place, ruinous to some individuals, and destructive of the liberty of all. The paper mills, nursed with care and brought to so great perfection in this province, must now fall; at the same time the business and trade of the Printers is ruined: and, to convince us we are no longer freemen, all offences against these Acts of Parliament (except felonies) are now determinable by an arbitrary court of Admiralty. We are not surprised, that after this, a bill should be brought in to quarter soldiers on private houses, at the discretion of the officers: the same policy dictated both, and I am apprehensive the one will not go down without the other, and neither, I am afraid, without causing some convulsions.
We are really in a distressed situation at present; our debts multiplying, and no way to pay them. Our paper currency will soon be gone, and in a short time all the hard money on the Continent will not suffice to pay the taxes laid upon us. Bankruptcies are daily following bankruptcies. Suits are multiplying to an immense degree. Numberless plantations exposed to sale, and few or no buyers. You know the state to which Boston was reduced upon calling in their paper currency. And then they had no load of debt, no heavy taxes to struggle with. What must it be then where all these unite? In Virginia, I am informed, a great part of the moveable property (especially in the back counties) is under execution to pay the taxes already laid by their own laws, how then will it be when the Stamps take place?
Our frontiers are still in confusion, the Virginians have joined our people, and both seemed determined to admit no intercourse with the Indians—The people of Augusta fell upon a party of ten Cherokees who were coming down to the Governor, and killed eight of them, the other two fled, and in their way home butchered a family. So that a foundation is laid for another war. The road to Pittsburg is beset by parties of our people, who declare their resolutions not to suffer any goods to go up to the Indians. I informed you before of their having seized and destroyed a quantity of goods belonging to Baynton Wharton &c. and some of the persons concerned being taken up and carried to fort Loudon, of the country people surrounding the fort and demanding the prisoners, and of the officers surrendering them upon their giving bail to appear at the next court—At the court they accordingly appeared, but the grand Jury, who were all summoned out of Conegogigne, found no bill against them, and of consequence they were dismissed. Since that time one Speer, a sutler, having provided sundry necessaries for the officers at Pittsburg and the intermediate posts, wrote to the Commanding officer, who sent him a serjeant and 12 men as an escort. In confidence of this guard, he takes sundry goods to trade with the Indians, and arrives safe at fort Loudon. The pack-horse drivers (there not being room in the fort) went to lodge at a farmhouse about two miles from the fort; there the people, who had dodged them all the way, surround the house, seize the drivers, tye them up and whip them, and kill some of the horses. Some who escape fly to the fort, the serjeant and his party issue out to the others relief; by this time the countrymen have disappeared. The soldiers seize the farmer, carry him with them to the fort; on their way they are intercepted by a party of countrymen, some shot are exchanged, and one of the countrymen dangerously wounded. Since that, there is a report that the goods were, after leaving Fort Loudon, intercepted or carried off. Such is the present state of our affairs, and where they will end God only knows.
Those who before would have heartily joined to have composed the confusions on the frontiers now dissatisfied with the measures pursued in Great Britain, look on them with less concern.
But I have already tired you, and possibly disobliged you with the freedom of this; should that be the case, impute it to my zeal for liberty, and dread of the dangers which seem to threaten us; for this I hope you will never admit a doubt, that no one can esteem or regard you more than, &c.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 24 June 1765
From: Wharton, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear friend Benjamin Franklin
Philada: June 24. 1765
I wrote thee per Capt. Robinson on the 15th Instant to which please to refer.
And as I sett out with a resolotion to inform thee of every material Occurrance which hapn’d during thy Absence; Occasions my troubling thee with these few Lines; I doubt not that several of thy Friends have inform’d thee of the Uneasiness, which the Act of Parliament relative to the Stamp duties Create, not only on Account of the Mode pursued whereby our Assemblies are render’d little better then Corporations but that Part, whereby the Judge of the Admiralty is Capable of determining a matter of Property, heretofore only to be Assertained by a trial by Jury; and thereby depriving Us, of one of the most Essential priviledges of An Englishman;
I yesterday read a Letter sent by the Speaker of the House of Assembly for Boston Government to the Speaker of our House, wherein is decently Intimated their sentiments of the Act, And Proposes a Meeting of a Committee from each Assembly on the Continent, on the 3d of October at New York, in Order Jointly to draw Up an Address to his Majesty, in dutifull and Loyall terms, setting the Matter forth in its proper light, as well as to represent the state of our Colonies, trade &c. to the Parliament;

Which we hope will have a proper effect, As its much more Consistent, then the Method pursued by Virginia;
Our House being Adjournd to Septem they cannot Meet ’till that time, unless the Governor sees cause to call them; wherefore its intended to summon the Members who reside in Philada Bucks and Chester Counties in a few days, that they may give their sentiments relative to the Measure, from whence an Answer may be form’d and sent to the Boston Assembly; for Altho’ the Members cannot form themselves into a House, yet if those of three Counties shall Conclude on any Step, it can scarse be doubted but the Assembly in their Septem sitting will confirm it; I remain thy Assurd friend
Tho Wharton

Addressed: For / Benjamin Franklin / Esqr. / Deputy Post Master General / of North America / In / Craven Street / London
Endorsed: Mr T. Wharton June 24. 1765


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Neate, 27 June 1765
From: Neate, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

St. Mary-hill 27th. June 1765.
Mr. Wm. Neate presents his Compliments to Mr. Benjn Franklin and Mrs. Stevenson, and will do himself the pleasure of sending his Carriage to convey them to Richmond on Saturday next.
NB. The Carriage will be in Craven Street at any Hour they shall appoint.

Addressed: To / Benjn Franklin Esqr / Craven Street


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 28 June 1765
From: Galloway, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir,
Philada. June 28. 1765
Permit me to introduce to your Acquaintance Mr. John Williams, a gentleman recommended to me from London, who lately came over to this Place on Business of the Treasury by order of the Ministry. An Acquaintance with him I apprehend will be so full a recommendation that I need add nothing in his Favor. Believe me very Sincerely your Affectionate humble Servant,
Jos. Galloway


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Alexander Dick, 5 July 1765
From: Dick, Sir Alexander
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir,
Prestonfield, July 5th. 65.
It was not till the other day I had the pleasure of receiving your Letter of June the 2d by our freind Mr. Alexander, who had traversd England in his way here. So soon as he arrivd, I communicated the contents to my freind Mr. Swinton, who as well as I have reason to own ourselves extremly oblidgd to you, for the Information you are pleasd to give. He bids me again Inform you, that he will take it as a very great addition to the favor already done him, if you will please transmit the Letter and Memorandum to your Son, for his answer which will probably clear up the whole affair. I find by Mr. Swinton, that he suspects Nevil has acted without any manner of Rights. At the same time I beg you will transmit my own and all my familys best Respects to the Governor your son. You may depend on my very best offices to serve the young gentleman your freind, Mr. Bard. I shall certainly endeavor to find him out the first time I go to town, and when you have any of your young freinds to come to this University, I can with great pleasure recommend them to board with that excellent man Mr. Blacklock, who is married to a motherly Carefull, neat woman and can entertain Eight young gentlemen. He is the wonderfull blind Poet of our Country who has wrote so surprisingly well, he takes care to improve their Morals, by his Admonitions, also their Languages and their turn for society by his agreeable Lively conversation,. In the Evening after their Studies. His Lodgings and Board I hear are extremly proper and he has fixd his allowance of Ten pounds a quarter for each. Doctor Robertson is mightily pleasd with him. As are all our bretheren of the Colledge of Physicians. They will be extremly lucky who can get in before he is filld up. There were two, he tells me fixd last week with him—one of which is the Governor of St. Christophers only son, who you are perhaps acquainted with, an excellent young man. (he is extremly attentive to him) so that he has now only six places empty, which I wish it may [be the] good fortune of some of your young frein[ds to] get before the Colleges begin next winter.
I ever am Dear Sir upon every occasion (with Lady Dick and my Eldest Daughters Compliments to your self and family) Your most affectionate freind and most obedient humble Servant.
Alexander Dick
PS. I Inoculated my son and three little Daughters the 20th of last May, for the small Pox: and they have all emergd very happily. Count Carburi Dr. Pringles and I believe your most agreable and ingenious friend was here yesterday and we drank all your healths.

Addressed: To / Doctor Benjamin Franklin / at his House in Craven street / London
Endorsed: Dick

[Also on the address page in Franklin’s hand:]
Aut Cesar aut nullus
Ou bien, ou rièn.
Win the Horse or lose the Saddle
Neck or nothing
A golden Chain or a wooden Leg.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to [John Chalmers?], 6 July 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Chalmers, John

Sir
Londn. Craven Street July 6th. 1765
I have been many Years Acquainted with the Revd. Mr. Mather Byles, of Whom you tell me some Acct. is desired, He is a Native of New England, Descended of the Ancient Mather family of which there have been two Doctor’s in Divinity both Famous in that Country for their Learning and Piety, Viz Dr. Increase Mather and Dr. Cotton Mather; the former President of Harvard Colledge at Cambidge; there Mr. Byles was Educated at that College where he Distinguishd himself by a close application of his studies, took the Usual Degrees, and is now one of Its Visitors, or Superintendants, he is a Pastor of a Congregational Church in Boston the Capital of New-England the principals or Doctrines of those Churches are the same with those of the Church of Scotland, except what relates to Church Govermt. He is a Gentleman of Superior Parts and Learning an Eloquent preacher, and on many accounts an Honour to his Country. I am Sir Your most Humble Servant
Benjamin Franklin
Copy


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hopkinson, 6 July 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hopkinson, Mary

Dear Madam,
London, July 6. 1765
Agreable to your Request when I last had the Pleasure of seeing you, I did, soon after my Arrival here, begin an Enquiry after your Family. My Friend, Mr. Burrow, Vice President of the Royal Society, kindly undertook to assist me in it, than whom there could not be a fitter Person, as he delights in such Disquisitions, and being moreover a considerable Law-Officer, viz. Master of the Crown-Office in the King’s Bench, he could readily obtain Access to the Records and Places where the Enquiry should be made. The Bundle of Papers herewith sent, being read in order, will show you the Progress and Success of it; on which I congratulate you; and desiring to be kindly remember’d to all your Children, I remain, Dear Madam, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
Mrs Hopkinson


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 7 July 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hall, David

Dear Mr Hall,
London, July 7. 1765
The Bearer Mr. John Martin, is a Compostor, and goes with the Approbation of his Father and Friends to America. He would be glad to work with you if you can employ him. If not, I do, at the Request of his Father, desire you would favour him with your Advice, and put him in the Way of obtaining Employment at some other House. He seems a sensible young Man, and I doubt not will be grateful for any Civilities you may show him.
I shall write you fully on other Affairs by this Ship or by the Pacquet, and therefore here only add that I am as ever Yours affectionately
B Franklin

Addressed: To / Mr David Hall / Printer / Philadelphia / Per / Mr J. Martin
Endorsed: Mr. Franklin July 7. 1765.
Stoughton


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Rhoads, 8 July 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Rhoads, Samuel

Dear Friend
London July 8th 1765
I have before me your Favour of May 20th. wherein you mention that you had not heard from me, which I, a little wonder at, as I wrote to you the 14th. of February, and find that Letters to some other Friends of the same date were got to hand.
I congratulate you on Your Retirement, and your being able to divert yourself with farming; ’tis an inexhaustible Source of perpetual Amusement. Your Country Seat is of a more secure kind then that in the Assembly: and I hope not so much in the Power of the Mob to jostle you out of. I say hope, for after what we have Lately heard of your Mobs, one cannot say that any Property or Possesion is Safe certainly.
I am much oblig’d to you for Spurring our Friends in their Correspondance. They have not been Wanting.
The Malice of our Adversaries I am well acquainted with, but hitherto it has been Harmless; all their Arrows shot against us, have been like those that Rabelais speaks of which were headed with Butter harden’d in the Sun. As Long as I have known the World I have observ’d that Wrong is always growing more Wrong, till there is no bearing it, and that Right however oppos’d, comes right at last.

The Change so much wish’d for and now become so necessary must sooner or later take Place, and I think it Near at hand, whatever may be given out to the Contrary.
The Tax [remainder of the paragraph missing.]
I have prophesied to them here, that they will by these Acts, Lose more in Trade then they Can Get in Taxes.
There was a Bill Brought in with a Clause to impower Military Officers to quarter Soldeirs on Private Houses. This if it had passed we apprehended might be used to awe us and as an Instrument of Oppression upon Ocasion, and therefore we opposed it Vigorously. I think I may Value myself on having a considerable Part in getting this Clause struck out, and another put in that may Occasionally save our Province a great Deal of Money.
As to the House, I am sencible I give you a great Deal of Trouble, and I doubt not your Care to get it finish’d, but it seems to me that the Workmen have been unkind to keep Mrs. Franklin so Long unsettled.
My best Respects to good Mrs. Rhoads, your Son and Daughter, with Thanks for their Remembrance of me. I am, Dear Friend Yours affectionately
B Franklin
PS. I should be glad to receive from you a particular Description of the Disposition of Fences, Pump, etc. [illegible] Mrs. Franklin’s Account of [remainder missing.]

Addressed: To / Samuel Rhoads Esqr / Philadelphia / via New York / per Packet / Free / B Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 11 July 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Thomson, Charles

Dear Friend
London July 11th: 1765
I am extreemly obliged by your kind Letters of Aprill 12th. and 14th. and thank you for the Intelligence they Contain.
The Outrages continueally commited by those misguided people, will doubtless tend to Convince all the Considerate on your side of the Water of the Weakness of our present Government and the Necessity of a Change. I am sure it will contribute towards hastening that Change here so that upon the whole, Good will be brought out of Evil: but yet I Greive to hear of such horrid Disorders.
The Letters and Accounts boasted of from the Proprietor of his being Sure of retaining the Government, as well as those of the Sums offered for it which the People will be obliged to pay, &c. are all idle Tales, fit only for Knaves to propagate and Fools to believe.
A Little Time will dissipate all the smoke they can raise to conceal the real State of Things. The unsettled State of the Ministry ever since the Parliament rose, has stop’d all Proceeding in Publick Affairs and ours amongst the Rest; but Change being now made we shall immidiately proceed, and with the Greater Chearfulness as some we had reason to Doubt of are removed, and some perticular Friends are put in Place.
What you mention of the Lower Counties is undoubtedly right. Had they ever sent their Laws home as they ought to have done, that iniquitous one of priority of Payment to Reseidents would undoubtedly have been Repeald. But the End of all these things is neigh, at Least it seems to be so.
The spicking of the Guns was an audacious Peice of Villainy, by whomsoever done, it Shows the Necessity of a regular enclos’d Place of Defence, with a Constant Guard to take Care of what belongs to it, which, when the Country can afford it, will I hope be provided.
Depend upon it my good Neighbour, I took every Step in my Power, to prevent the Passing of the Stamp Act; no body could be more concern’d in Interest than my self to oppose it, sincerely and Heartily. But the Tide was, too strong against us. The Nation was provok’d by American Claims of Independance, and all Parties join’d in resolveing by this Act to Settle the Point.
We might as well have hinder’d the Suns setting. That we could not do. But since ’tis down, my Friend, and it may be long before it rises again, Let us make as good a Night of it as we can. We may still Light Candles. Frugallity and Industry will go a great way towards indemnifying us. Idleness and Pride Tax with a heavier Hand then Kings and Parliaments; If we can get rid of the former we may easily bear the Latter.
My best Respects to Mrs. Thompson. Adieu my Dear Friend and beleive me ever Yours affectionately
B Franklin
Excuse my Man John’s miserable Clerkship.

Mr. Thomson

Addressed: To / Mr Charles Thomson / Mercht / Philadelphia / via New York / per Packet / Free  B Franklin
Endorsed: Letter from B. Franklin 11 July 1765Benj Franklin 11 July 1765


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Bessborough, 13 July 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Bessborough, William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of

Cravenstreet July 13. 65.
Mr. Franklin begs Leave to present his dutiful Respects, and his Congratulations to Lord Bessborough on his Return to the Post-Office. Would have waited on his Lordship, but that he is confined with a little Fit of the Gout.
Mr. F. has just receiv’d from America the enclos’d very late Indian Treaty, by which a general Peace was establish’d with the Western Nations on the Ohio, and a Passage granted us thro’ their Country to the Ilinois on the Missisipi. As this is perhaps the first Account of that important Transaction, it may be agreeable to the Ministry to be acquainted with it: Mr. F. therefore sends it that his Lordship may communicate it if he thinks proper.

Endorsed: Benjamin Franklin Esqr July 1765 Conway southern Province america in the Province


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 July 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Deborah

My dear Child,
London, July 13. 1765.
I had the great Pleasure of hearing from you and Sally last Night per Packet. I cannot now answer every particular of your Letters, having many to write that are to go per this Days Mail: but will per next Opportunity. Mrs. Stevenson bids me tell Sally that the striped Gown I have sent her will wash; but it must be with a light hand in a cold Lather.
I am glad to hear of Capt. Robinson’s Arrival, and it gives me Pleasure that so many of my Friends honour’d our new Dining Room with their Company. You tell me only of a Fault they found with the House, that it was too little; and not a Word of any thing they lik’d in it: Nor how the Kitchin Chimneys perform; so I suppose you spare me some Mortification, which is kind. I wonder you put up the Oven without Mr. Roberts’s Advice, as I think you told me he had my old Letter of Directions. But I can add no more, only that I am very well and in good Spirits. My Love to all. Your affectionate Husband
B Franklin
PS. I wrote you largely per Capt. Friend, and sent a Case marked B F. with a number of Particulars.

Addressed: To / Mrs Franklin / at / Philadelphia / via New York / per Packet / Free  B Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Smith, Wright and Gray, 13 July 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Smith, Wright & Gray

Gentlemen,
Cravenstreet July 13. 1765
Inclos’d I send you three Bills of Exchange, White on Bacon, for Five Hundred Pounds Sterling. They are different Bills, tho’ on the same Paper. Please to present them for Acceptance—and enter them in my Book.
Send me per Mrs. Stevenson the Bearer Thirty Guineas, of which two in Silver. I am, Your most obedient humble Servant
B. Franklin

Addressed: To / Messrs Wright Smith & Grey / Bankers / Lombard street


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 18 [July] 1765
From: Galloway, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Philada. June [July] 18. 1765
Since the Receipt of yours by the Packet, I was favor’d with yours by Capt. Robinson. I Thank you for the Case of the D. of Athol, which is a curious one, and also for the still more curious Reasons of Mr. Pownal for refusing the Govt. of this Province. They appear to me very just and sensible, and must do real Honor to that Gentleman, as they manifest an Integrity not very Common in our Day.
In Return permit me to present you with the Inclosed Resolves of the Lower House of Assembly of Virginia on the Stamp Act, and the Right of the Brittish Legislature toward Forming that Law. After they were passed, The Governor by some Means procured from the Clerk the Original Minutes of the House tore them out, and instantly Dissolved the Assembly. They were However Published in the Mary Land Gazzettee from which this Copy is taken, as I coud not procure one of them to send you. I cannot describe to you, the indefatigable Industry that have been and are constantly taking by the Prop--y Party and Men in Power here to prevail on the People to give every Kind of Opposition to the Execution of this Law. To incense their Minds against the King Lords and Commons, and to alienate their Affections from the Mother Country. It is no uncommon thing to hear the Judges of the Courts of Justice from the first to the most Inferiour, in the Presence of the attending Populace, to Treat the whole Parliament with the most irreverent Abuse. Scarcely any thing, is too Bad to be said of the Ministry, and that worthy Nobleman Lord Bute is openly cursed whenever his Name is mentioned. These things are truly Alarming to our Friends and the Discreet and sensible part of the People, as it is Evident they tend with great rapidity to create in the Minds of the Populace and weaker part of Mankind a Spirit of Riot and Rebellion, which will be hereafter Quelled with great Difficulty, if ever Quelled at all.
It is already become Dangerous to Espouse the Conduct of the Parliament in some parts of America, in any Degree, as the Resolves before mentioned prove. And I fear will in a very short Time become so in this Province. For almost every Pen and Tongue are employ’d against them, while not a word scarcly is offerd on their side. And yet I have thoughts of Endeavouring to state the Conduct of the Mother Country with regard to her Colonies in a true Light, and endeavour, if possible to Check the growing Mischiefs —By Proving the reasonableness of our being Taxed—The Opportunity the Crown afforded the Colonies of Taxing themselves in the Manner which they contend they ought to be Assessed—Their repeated refusals—The necessity there is, as well for our own as, the safety of the Mother Country, that the Crown (in whose Hands is constitutionally Lodged the Powers of War and Peace, and of the Protection of the people) shoud have some certainty of receiving the Supplies when necessary—That if we are aggrieved, the Imprudence and Folly of pursuing the present rash and wicked Measures for obtaining a redress—and the Fatal Consequences which must attend them—And by Pointing out the Better Mode, a decent and discreet Application to the Crown and Parliament such as shall Correspond with the Professions we make of being a faithful and Loyal People. Some Thing of this Nature I have thought might give the People a different Turn or at least prevent the Contagion of Rebellion from spreading irrecoverably far.
The Hopes your last Letters gave us of a Change give us great Joy—And the Expectation of seeing you in a Station superiour to the Malice of your unrelenting Enemies adds beyond Measure to that Pleasure. We are afraid of nothing but your want of Inclination to accept of it. Which we Pray may not be the Case.
I heartily thank you for the pains you have taken in setting aside the intended Applications for the Delaware Islands and for your Intentions to Serve the Petitioners, in procuring a Confirmation of their Right. Shoud any Expence Attend it a Draught on me shall be duly Honord. I am Dear friend with the greatest sincerity your most Affectionate and Obliged
Jos. Galloway
Benja. Franklin Esq


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 18 July 1765
From: Todd, Anthony
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Genl. Post Office 18 July 1765
Mr. Todd presents his Compliments to Mr. Franklin and acquaints him that Lord Bessborough and Lord Grantham meet at the Office on Friday at noon to open their Patent.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 26 July 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, William

Franklin’s letter is known only by this extract quoted in a letter from William Franklin to Charles Thomson, October 3, 1765. The New Jersey governor introduced the passage in these words: “As a farther proof that my father had no hand in the Stamp Act, I will give you an extract of a letter I received from him this morning, dated July 26th, viz:”

[July 26, 1765]
No public business can go on till the ministry is established; we have, however, so many friends among the ins, that we think of endeavoring, if they continue, to get a repeal of the Stamp Act. No endeavor of mine shall be wanting, but I have not much hopes, such things once done are seldom given up.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hopkinson, 26 July 1765
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hopkinson, Mary

Dear Madam,
London July 26 1765
I wrote you pretty fully per Capt. Friend concerning your Family. I now send you the Extract of the Church Register, in which you will find the Names of your Father and Uncle.
My Love to your Children. I am Madam, Your assured Friend and most obedient Servant
B Franklin
To Mrs. Hopkinson Philadelphia


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 28 July 1765
From: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Sir
Rochester July 28. 1765
During the short stay my mother made here I could not find time to write a letter, therefore I hop’d my verbal acknowledgments would be accepted, yet I did not intend my pen should neglect it’s duty. I really am much oblig’d to you for the trouble you took to gratify me, and notwithstanding the frequency of my obligations to you I always have great pleasure in acknowledging them. I thank you too for the pleasure you gave my mother, tho I fear the fatigue of the journey, and the vexation of not being on time was paying too dear. However, as her health is not injur’d all is well now. Pray tell her the parcel came safe. She must excuse having any body’s acknowledgements for anything, because nob[od]y knows I am writing; I stole away from company, for I have a pleasure in holding an imaginary conversation with you tho I have nothing in my head worth imparting. Perhaps were I to set about it I could ask you some questions, for that is easily done, but I know you have not leisure to answer them, therefore a mere chit chat letter will suit you best at present. As I am so happy to know you concern yourself about my health I must inform you that I am quite well; my mother fancied I was not when she first saw me but I believe she alter’d her opinion the next day; if she did not, tell her I am the best judge. Give my duty to her; and believe me to be with the truest esteem Dear Sir Your affectionate humble Servant
M Stevenson

Addressed: To / Dr Franklin / Craven Street / in the / Strand


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, August 1765
From: Franklin, Deborah
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear Child
August the  1765
Mr. Hall Coled to let me know that a vesill was to saile to Bristol this day I donte love to let a vesill go with ought letting you nought we air well. I had wrote so far when our good friend Mr. Rhodes come in and then Mr. whortons Eldeste Son thay stayd a while and talked of you and seemed well plesed as I gave them your letter to me Dated May 11 and June 8. Mr. Rhodes ses you never give him two letters for one but he is thankfull for aney as he knows you have much writeing to doe. I have be gun a letter or rather Jurnal to you which I shall send by the packit I am very glad that you doe approve of my purchous and when it shall pleas God to restore you to your one [own] house I think you will be verey much plesd at the look of it as it dos make a fine Squair and an equil spaise on each sid your house and at this time your man Gorge is a leveling of it and it look much better then when I firste Come into it which was in may that is I stayd in Mr. Foxcroftes house till he Come that is we dresed vitels and slep thair and muefed by degrees to our one [own] house. Salley is well and sendes her Duty shee is to dine to day at mr. Rosses in Cumpany with Tom Bond and wife and Buckridg Simes and wife who is Even Morgons Dafter. I tell you this to excues her to you for not writeing to day. Mr. Foxcroft and our Nabor thomson is gon to Virjoney to gather. Our nabors and friends air all well we have had a verey drey time as ever I knew sens I Can remember but a verey fine and plentey full Harves blesed be god for his goodnes. I saw Brother and Sister on tusday night thay was well thair Dafter and another Child is with them so thay air prittey full at this time. Billey Hunter is well and dines with me every Sunday all mouste he grows finely and I hope is a good Boy. Be plesd to make my Compleymentes to Good mrs. and Miss Stephenson with thankes for thair Cair of you to Mr. Strahans whole famely. My Brother is returnd from N york he desiered me to give his love to you I pray god bles you and give my [you] Suckses and send you home to you friends in his one time I am as ever you re afeckshonat wife
D Franklin

Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esq / in / Craven Street / London / Via Bristol / By Capt. Harkies / Q.D.C.