Title: Extracts from the Gazette, 1732
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

	⁂ We have no Entries this Week, the River being full of Ice. [January 4]

	Lost last Saturday Night, in Market Street, about 40 or 50s. If the Finder will bring it to the Printer hereof, who will describe the Marks, he shall have 10s. Reward. [March 30]

	  [Advertisement] Choice Flour of Mustard-Seed, in Bottles, very convenient for such as go to Sea; to a little of which if you put hot Water, and stop it up close, you will have strong Mustard, fit to use, in 15 minutes. Sold at the New Printing-Office near the Market, at 1s. per Bot. [April 6]

	  The Subscribers towards a Library in this City, are hereby advertis’d, That Monday the First of May ensuing, is the Day appointed for the Choice of the proper Officers of the Company, for the following Year; and that the Meeting for that Purpose will be at the House of Nicholas Scull in the Market Street, at Two in the Afternoon. Joseph Breintnall
Philad. April 20. 1732. [April 20]

	I do not love to have the Gazette filled with these Controversies about Religion, yet I cannot refuse to insert the following Piece, as it appears to be written in his own Vindication, by a Gentleman who has not been very tenderly used in my Papers. [May 4]

	  Sunday last during Afternoon Service, a Fire broke out in the Brewhouse of Mr. Badcock. All the Congregations broke up in great Surprize; and there was immediately abundance of People present at the Place, yet they could not save the Building. Had it happen’d in the Night time, or had not the Tide been up in the Dock, ’tis thought much more Damage would have been done; for several Houses catch’d at a considerable Distance. The Engines did great Service, and the People were very active: They saved the Dwelling House, but not without damaging the Roof. Some Persons were hurt, tho’ none mortally. [May 4]

	[Advertisement] A likely young Negro Fellow, about 19 or 20 Years of Age, to be disposed of: He is very fit for Labour, being us’d to Plantation Work, and has had the Small-Pox. Enquire of the Printer hereof. [May 11]

	  On Sunday the 28th past, about three Miles from this City, a Clap of Thunder fell upon the House of the Widow Mifflin, struck down part of the Top of the Chimney, and split it down several Feet; tore and shattered the Roof, split a Rafter, and broke it off in two Places: and struck off the Plaistering with part of the Brick Wall in the inside of a lower Room, broke the Window Glass and melted the Lead; another Story lower several Splinters of the Window Frame were broke off, some of the Glass broke, and Lead melted; and a Lad who stood in a Porch near the Window, was struck down, and burnt badly in a Streak about the Breadth of one’s Hand, from the Side of his Face down to the Calf of his Leg; but it no way hurt any part of his Clothes: He is also much hurt by a Fall he received down four or five Steps with his Head on a Pavement. There were four or five Children sitting within the House, near the Place where the Lad stood, that were very much surprized and stunn’d with the Thunder, and almost suffocated with the Smoke and sulphurous Smell that fill’d the Room. [June 1]

[Advertisement] There is now in the Press, and for the universal Benefit of Mankind will speedily be published, a most curious Collection of ESSAYS, to wit,
1. An Essay upon High Nonsense, and Low Nonsense.

2. An Essay upon the Nonsense of the Pulpit; under which Title is included, A Dissertation upon mysterious and incomprehensible Nonsense, with some Allusions to the Fathers; the whole supported by the most modern Authorities, taken from the venerable Dean Swift, and other Reverend Divines of the Age.
3. An Essay upon the Nonsense of the Bar; under which Title is included, by way of Digression, a most learned Dissertation upon the following Words in Dyer, fol. 218. Un de l’ Jury a mange un Pere, & boir un haust de Cervois; proving beyond Contradiction, that whereas it is vulgarly rendered into English, One of the Jury had eat a Pear, and drunk a Draught of Ale; it ought to be rendered, One of the Jury had eat up a Father, and drank a Draught of Hartshorn. Together with some little Animadversions upon Matter dehors, and the inimitable Beauties of an &c. Dedicated to the most incomprehensible Alexander Conundrum, Esq; Barrister at Law.

For Thee I dim these Eyes, and stuff this Head,
With all such Reading as was never read;
For Thee explain a Thing till all Men doubt it,
  And write about it, Goddess, and about it.Dunciad.
By Timothy Scrubb, Gent. who formerly lived in the Cupola of St. Paul’s. [June 1]

[Advertisement] Whereas I am credibly informed, that Alexander Conundrum, Esq; in several Companies both public and private, hath been pleased to give himself strange Airs, in regard to my Character; Now this is to inform the said Alexander, that I intend to be my self personally present in propria persona at the next Court of Common Pleas, to be held for the City and County of Philadelphia, where if he happens, as is customary with him, to behave himself any ways impertinently, viz. by standing up and making any of his surprizing Motions, in a Cause wherein he is altogether unconcerned; or if he pop off any of his unaccountable Speeches, such as to the great Astonishment of his Hearers he uttered in Kent County Court; Then, and in such Case, I say, with the same Freedom he hath used me, I shall take the Liberty of making a few Observations on his Conduct.
But if the said Alexander let me alone, and behave himself modestly, I do assure him I shall carry my self towards him with all the Respect due to a Brother of the Quill.

Timothy Scrubb
[June 1]

The Gazette will come out again on Monday next, and continue to be published on Mondays.
And on the Saturday following will be published Philadelphische Zeitung, or Newspaper in High-Dutch, which will continue to be published on Saturdays once a Fortnight, ready to be delivered at Ten a Clock, to Country Subscribers. Advertisements are taken in by the Printer hereof, or by Mr. Louis Timothee, Language Master, who translates them. [June 15]

	  From New-York, we hear, that on Saturday se’nnight, in the Afternoon, they had there most terrible Thunder and Lightning, but no great Damage done. The same Day we had some very hard Claps in these Parts; and ’tis said, that in Bucks County, one Flash came so near a Lad, as, without hurting him, to melt the Pewter Button off the Wasteband of his Breeches. ’Tis well nothing else thereabouts, was made of Pewter. [June 19]

	  Saturday last, being St. John’s Day, a Grand Lodge of the ancient and honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, was held at the Sun Tavern in Water-street, when, after a handsom Entertainment, the worshipful W. Allen, Esq; was unanimously chosen Grand Master of this Province, for the Year ensuing; who was pleased to appoint Mr. William Pringle Deputy Master. Wardens chosen for the ensuing Year, were Thomas Boude and Benj. Franklin. [June 26]

	  We hear from Allenstown, that on Tuesday last the House of Mr. James Rogers was struck by Lightning. It split down Part of the Chimney, went through the Room where he was sitting with his Children, but without hurting any of them; and entring into the Cellar, fir’d a full Hogshead of Rum which stood under an Arch, and bursting out the Head, the whole Cellar was instantly fill’d with Flames which pour’d out at the Windows. There was several hundred weight of Butter in Tubs, which melted and took fire also; but by the timely Assistance of abundance of People, and the Help of a large Quantity of Water just gathered from the Rain in a Hollow near by, the House was happily preserved. The Loss however was very considerable; for besides what was consum’d by Fire, all the Goods in his Shop or Store were thrown out in Confusion into the Rain and Dirt. ’Tis said that tho’ they fill’d the Cellar with so much Water as to be near a Foot deep, yet, after the Fire was out, it was so hot as not to be tolerable to the Feet and Legs of those who would have gone in. [July 10]

	  To the Surprize of all the Inhabitants on Delaware, who live above Philadelphia, the Water about a Fortnight since, chang’d to a dark dirty Red, so thick that ’tis said the Fish could scarce see to get out of the Way of Boats, and were frequently struck by the Oars. Those who have lived here above these forty Years, say they never saw or heard of the like before. It was accompanied with a Fresh, ’tis true, but not very considerable when compar’d with such as come down almost every Year without such Change of Colour; and ’tis advis’d from Places 40 Mile above the Falls, that they have had no great Rains there. Those who have caused some of the Water to settle, find a Sort of fine brown Earth at the Bottom; but it must be a prodigious Quantity to colour this vast River in such a Manner. The Conjectures of People are various concerning the Cause of it; some imagine an upper Creek, dam’d by Logs, has chang’d its Course and dug a new Bed; others, (hearing from New York, that about the same Time a Flood came down that River from the Mountains, though they had had no Rain, and overflow’d the low Lands, doing great Damage) conceive, that an Earthquake near the Head of both Rivers, has forced out a Quantity of subterraneous Water into them. These however are only Conjectures, Time may possibly make us wiser. In the Interim, we have the Satisfaction to observe, that the River clears sensibly, and we hope will soon recover its wonted purity. [July 10]

	  Thomas Butwell from England, maketh in the newest Fashion, Womens Stays, and Childrens Coats, and maketh crooked Bodies look strait; at the Shop under the New-Printing-Office, where also Men’s Work is done reasonably. [July 17]

	  [Advertisement] Good Live-Geese FEATHERS sold at the Printer’s hereof. [July 31]

	  We hear that one James Hill, has for some Weeks past travell’d about the Country on foot, pretending to be dumb, and made great Profit of the Charity and Credulity of the People. He has with him a Counterfeit Brief, setting forth, that being taken and kept in Slavery seven Years in Turky, he once attempted to make his Escape, for which they barbarously cut out his Tongue, and burnt him in each Arm; and accordingly he shows two grievous Sores in his Arms, which however are artificial; for at Goshen in Chester County, some People suspecting Fraud, threatned him, &c. so much, that they oblig’d him to speak very well, and confess his Roguery, showing them his Trick of shrinking his Tongue into the back of his Mouth, so as to appear as if it was cut away. They, it seems, were too busy to carry him to a Magistrate, it being Harvest Time, and so they gave him his Liberty; and he continues the same Practice, going from House to House; and having pass’d back of Philadelphia, and through North Wales, ’tis suppos’d he intends to make his Progress in the Jerseys. He came from Annapolis, but avoided Newcastle and Chester as well as this City. ’Tis hop’d this publick Notice may put a Stop to his Proceedings, and prevent good-natur’d People from being further impos’d on by him. [August 7]

	  [Advertisement] Richard Clements supposed to live in some Part of Maryland, by applying to the Printer hereof may hear of something to his Advantage. [August 28]

	  Some of the Chiefs of the Five (now Six) Nations, as Ambassadors from their Great Council, having been in Town since a few Days after our Honourable Proprietor’s Arrival, a Treaty was entred into with them, in order to renew the ancient Chain of Friendship between them and us; and on Thursday last, at the Great Meeting-House, large Presents were made them on Behalf of our Government, consisting of Blankets, Strouds, Kettles, Guns, Powder, Shot, &c. and in particular, the Proprietor presented six Guns, curiously wrought, and the Stocks japan’d with Gold, the finest that have ever been seen here, to be delivered as a Mark of his Affection, one to the King of each Nation. The oldest Man stood up and made a Speech of Thanks, in behalf of the rest, and they all express’d their Approbation of each Article of the wholesome Advice that was given them, to live in Peace and Unity with their Neighbour Nations, &c. On Saturday they had their last Audience, and took Leave in order to return home. At present they are in Peace with the French, but it seems have sent to forbid their going on with their new Settlement at the Crown Point, and advis’d them to remove thence, least their Proceedings occasion a Rupture. [September 7]

	  [Advertisement] Very good Sealing-Wax sold by the Printer hereof, at Wholesale or Retale. [September 12]

	  On Tuesday the 5th Instant, a small Shock of an Earthquake was felt in this City, about Noon. It was also felt at New-Castle. [September 18]

	  [Advertisement] Whereas some Silver Spoons, about five, much batter’d and bruis’d up together, have been lately offer’d to Sale, and stop’d, as suspected to have been stolen; The Person who has lost them, by applying to the Printer hereof, may hear where they are to be had again. [October 26]

	  It has been so very cold for this Week past, that our River is full of driving Ice, and no Vessels can go up or down, a Thing rarely happening so early in the Year. Many People are ill with violent Colds, and Wood is risen to an excessive Price. [November 23]

	  Last Monday Morning a Woman who had been long given to excessive Drinking, was found dead in a Room by her self, upon the Floor. She could not be persuaded to go to Bed the Night before, but would sit up alone, as was her frequent Custom. The Coroners Inquest ascribe her Death to the too great Quantity of Liquor she took at one Time. Her former Husband had many Times put several Sorts of odious Physick into her Drink, in order to give her an Aversion to it, but in vain; for who ever heard of a Sot reclaim’d? If there are any such they are Miracles. People cannot be too cautious of the first Steps that may lead them to be engaged in a Habit the most invincible and the most pernicious of all others. [December 7]

	  Last Monday se’nnight in the Evening, three Men went into the Indian Prince Tavern, and having call’d for some Liquor, one of them offer’d a new Twenty Shilling Bill to be chang’d for the Reckoning; Mr. R. Brockden, Master of the House, suspecting it to be a Counterfeit, went with it immediately to A. Hamilton, Esq; (under Pretence of going out to get Change) who caused them presently to be apprehended. Upon Examination, two of them appeared innocent, and were discharged; the third, who offer’d to pass the Bill, being ask’d how he came by it, answer’d that he brought Hogs to Town to sell, and had taken it of a Woman unknown in the Market: Upon searching him, two more of the same sort were found in his Pocket-book, all which he said he had taken for Pork. From the Indian Prince he was carried over to another Tavern, where he had put up his Horse, in order to see if he had any Bags wherein more Bills might be found: While the Examination was continuing there, a Woman Stranger in the outer Room was observed to appear somewhat concern’d; upon which she was call’d in, and ask’d, if she knew that Man? she answer’d Yes, he was her Brother; being ask’d if she had any Money about her, the Man was seen to wink at her, and she answer’d, No; but attempting to slide her Hand into her Pocket, they prevented her, and brought the Woman of the House to search her, who found in her Pocket twenty-three 20s. Bills of the same Sort. The Fellow finding the Story of the Hogs would not answer, nor any other Shuffles avail him any thing, betook himself at last to make an ingenuous Confession. He said that one Grindal who arrived this Summer in Capt. Blair from Ireland, got 600 20s. Bills printed there from a Pattern he carried home last Year; that when he came here, he admitted one Watt into the Secret, and gave him a Number of the Bills to pass and exchange in Pennsylvania, while he went into the Jersies on the same Account, altering his Name to Thomson lest a Wife he had married at New-Garden should hear of him; and that they were to meet next Christmass at Philadelphia, and divide the Profits: That Watt had communicated the Thing to him, and given him Twenty-seven Bills to pass, of which he was to have a Share for himself; telling him, to persuade him to it, that it was no Sin, for it would make Money plentier among poor People. He said he had as yet pass’d but one, of which the Change 19s. was found in his Pocket. He could not tell where Grindal might be at this Time in the Jersies, but he inform’d that Watt was at Eastown in Chester County. Officers were immediately dispatch’d in quest of him, who rid all Night, surpriz’d him in his Bed about Day-break, and guarded him to Town. After Examination he was committed to Prison, to keep company with his Friend the Pork-seller, who it seems has brought his Hogs to a fine Market. Tis hoped that by Christmass we shall see Grindal here also, that he may (according to Agreement) share the Profits with ’em. The Bills they have attempted to counterfeit are of the last Impression; the Counterfeits might pass with many People who do not take much Notice, but they have imitated the Paper very ill, that of the new Bills being thick and stiff, and the Counterfeits soft and flimsy. What is most surprizing is, that the Counterfeiters, with all their care and exactness, have entirely omitted numbering their Bills; at least none of those are number’d which are seiz’d. Was this Infatuation, or were they afraid they should not number them right? [December 19]

	  Tuesday last about Noon, a Fire broke out in Chesnut Street, which had like to have done much Damage; but by a timely and vigorous Assistance was extinguished. The Engines did abundance of Service. [December 28]

	  Just Published, FOR 1733: Poor Richard: An Almanack containing the Lunations, Eclipses, Planets Motions and Aspects, Weather, Sun and Moon’s rising and setting, Highwater, &c. besides many pleasant and witty Verses, Jests and Sayings, Author’s Motive of Writing, Prediction of the Death of his friend Mr. Titan Leeds, Moon no Cuckold, Batchelor’s Folly, Parson’s Wine and Baker’s Pudding, Short Visits, Kings and Bears, New Fashions, Game for Kisses, Katherine’s Love, Different Sentiments, Signs of a Tempest, Death a Fisherman, Conjugal Debate, Men and Melons, H. the Prodigal, Breakfast in Bed, Oyster Lawsuit, &c. by Richard Saunders, Philomat. Printed and sold by B. Franklin, Price 3s. 6d. per Dozen. Of whom also may be had Sheet Almanacks at 2s. 6d. [December 28]

Philadelphia: Printed by B. FRANKLIN, at the New Printing-Office near the Market. Price 10s. a Year. Where Advertisements are taken in, and BOOK-BINDING is done reasonably, in the best Manner.


Title: Poor Richard, 1733
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

A successful almanac was a valuable source of income to a provincial printer. Andrew Bradford was printing four and Samuel Keimer one, when Franklin and Meredith opened the New Printing-Office in 1728. Entering this crowded, competitive field, the partners the next year issued Thomas Godfrey’s Pennsylvania Almanack for 1730; and in the fall of 1730 Franklin added to his line John Jerman’s American Almanack, formerly printed by Bradford. In 1732, however, both Godfrey and Jerman took their copy to Bradford, who now prepared to issue five almanacs for 1733, leaving Franklin with none. In these circumstances Franklin hastily compiled the first Poor Richard’s Almanack. It was advertised in the Gazette on December 19, 1732, as “just published.”

Eighteenth-century almanacs followed a common pattern, and the new publication displayed originality in no essential feature—not even in its title, which was probably suggested by Poor Robin’s Almanack, which James Franklin printed at Newport; or in its title-page, which was hardly distinguishable from John Jerman’s. The very name of the imaginary compiler of his almanac Franklin borrowed from an actual astrologer and almanac-maker of seventeenth-century England. Richard Saunders was made to address his readers, as all good philomaths did; and sometimes their almanacs, like his, printed epigrammatic verses, proverbs, and aphorisms, occasionally even clever ones. The scope for originality and enterprise was strictly limited by convention and format, but what scope there was Franklin exploited fully.
In advertising his almanacs Franklin offered enticing previews of their contents. He attracted the attention of his competitors and the public with Swiftian hoaxes, predicting to the very hour and minute when his principal rival Titan Leeds would die, and assuring Jerman’s readers that the stars themselves foretold that their favorite philomath would rejoin the Church of Rome. He retained the public’s interest and won its support by printing a great number of verses, proverbs, and aphorisms, more pointed, humorous, and memorable than those in any other almanac.
Probably none of the verses was original with Franklin; he himself said that most of the proverbs and aphorisms were taken from the wisdom of all ages. But he rarely, if ever, took a line directly from its source, and he never borrowed from his competitors. His relied chiefly on English anthologies, notably James Howell, Lexicon Tetraglotton (London, 1660); Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia (London, 1732), Introductio ad Prudentiam (London, 1726–27), and Introductio ad Sapientiam (London, 1731); George Savile, Lord Halifax, A Character of King Charles the Second: and Political, Moral, and Miscellaneous Thoughts and Reflections (London, 1750); Samuel Richardson’s compilation of “Moral and Instructive Sentiments” as an appendix to Clarissa, 1750–51; and Charles Palmer, A Collection of Select Aphorisms and Maxims (London, 1748). Most of the verses at the heads of the months came from similar compilations, especially Sir John Mennes and James Smith, Wits Recreations (London, 1640); and the anonymous Collection of Epigrams (London, 1735–37). About two-thirds of the sayings and half of the verses have been traced to their sources in one or another of these anthologies. Quite as interesting, for the light it throws on Franklin’s methods of work, is his drawing on a particular source for a single year or for consecutive years. Thus Howell was his principal source from 1734 to 1742, and Fuller’s Gnomologia from 1745 to 1751.
But Richard Saunders was more than a compiler from compilations. He delighted his readers because of the way he carefully selected and skillfully revised the wise sayings and epigrams, eliminating superfluous words, smoothing and balancing awkward phrases, replacing vague and meaningless generalities with his own specific, sharp, and homely terms. In these line-fillers as in formal essays Franklin aimed to be short, clear, and smooth. The following examples illustrate the point:

Halifax:
A great Talker may be a man of Sense, but he cannot be one, who will venture to rely on him.

P.R. 1753:
A great Talker may be no Fool, but he is one that relies on him.

Howell:
The greatest Talkers are the least doers.

  P.R. 1733:
Great Talkers, little Doers.

Halifax:
Nothing can be humbler than Ambition, when it is so disposed.

  P.R. 1753:
Nothing Humbler than Ambition, when it is about to climb.

Fuller:
The Way to be safe, is never to be secure.

  P.R. 1748:
He that’s secure is not safe.

Though neither the rarest nor typographically the most attractive products of Franklin’s press, Poor Richard’s Almanacks are probably the best known. They sold over 10,000 copies annually for many years, and the name, contents, and format were eagerly and shamelessly imitated and copied until well into the nineteenth century, in England as well as in America. Except the first and third printings of the 1733 almanac, only one copy of each of which is known, and a few other issues of which no more than three copies have been located, each year of Franklin’s authorship is represented by several surviving copies, though many of them are imperfect. Most large collections of Americana have several issues, but none has a complete run. Careful typographical studies of the almanacs will reveal not only the complicated printing history of Franklin’s best-seller but actual practices in his shop and, presumably, among American printers generally.
The almanac for 1733 opened with an address to the reader. This was followed by an explanation of astrological signs, a page of calculations of the planets’ motions for the year, and an explanation of this particular almanac’s format. The months came next, one to a page, each headed by some verse, each with astronomical symbols, weather predictions, and aphorisms intermingled. The almanac ended with a predicttion of eclipses for the year, and the dates of courts, Quaker meetings, and fairs in Pennsylvania and neighboring colonies. A list of the kings of England at the front and one of reigning monarchs at the back, a table of distances, and some more verses composed the remainder of the pamphlet. From this and subsequent almanacs the editors will print Franklin’s addresses to the reader, the verses and aphorisms of each month, some of the explanations, descriptions, and miscellaneous verses; but not the annual calculations, court lists, and statistical information. A comparison of the illustrations of the complete 1733 almanac (pp. 287–310) with the material which follows in letterpress (pp. 311–8) will indicate clearly what parts of each year’s issue will be printed in this edition and how they appear in the original work.

Courteous Reader,
I might in this place attempt to gain thy Favour, by declaring that I write Almanacks with no other View than that of the publick Good; but in this I should not be sincere; and Men are now a-days too wise to be deceiv’d by Pretences how specious soever. The plain Truth of the Matter is, I am excessive poor, and my Wife, good Woman, is, I tell her, excessive proud; she cannot bear, she says, to sit spinning in her Shift of Tow, while I do nothing but gaze at the Stars; and has threatned more than once to burn all my Books and Rattling-Traps (as she calls my Instruments) if I do not make some profitable Use of them for the good of my Family. The Printer has offer’d me some considerable share of the Profits, and I have thus begun to comply with my Dame’s desire.
Indeed this Motive would have had Force enough to have made me publish an Almanack many Years since, had it not been overpower’d by my Regard for my good Friend and Fellow-Student, Mr. Titan Leeds, whose Interest I was extreamly unwilling to hurt: But this Obstacle (I am far from speaking it with Pleasure) is soon to be removed, since inexorable Death, who was never known to respect Merit, has already prepared the mortal Dart, the fatal Sister has already extended her destroying Shears, and that ingenious Man must soon be taken from us. He dies, by my Calculation made at his Request, on Oct. 17. 1733. 3 ho. 29 m. P.M. at the very instant of the ♂ of ☉ and ☿: By his own Calculation he will survive till the 26th of the same Month. This small difference between us we have disputed whenever we have met these 9 Years past; but at length he is inclinable to agree with my Judgment; Which of us is most exact, a little Time will now determine. As therefore these Provinces may not longer expect to see any of his Performances after this Year, I think my self free to take up the Task, and request a share of the publick Encouragement; which I am the more apt to hope for on this Account, that the Buyer of my Almanack may consider himself, not only as purchasing an useful Utensil, but as performing an Act of Charity, to his poor Friend and Servant
R. Saunders

♄ Saturn diseas’d with Age, and left for dead;
Chang’d all his Gold to be involv’d in Lead.
♃ Jove, Juno leaves, and loves to take his Range;

From whom Man learns to love, and loves to change.
♂ is disarmed, and to ♀ gone,
Where Vulcan’s Anvil must be struck upon.
That ☽ Luna’s horn’d, it cannot well be said,
Since I ne’er heard that she was married.

XI Mon. January hath xxxi days.

More nice than wise.
Old Batchelor would have a Wife that’s wise,
Fair, rich, and young, a Maiden for his Bed;
Not proud, nor churlish, but of faultless size;
A Country Houswife in the City bred.
He’s a nice Fool, and long in vain hath staid;
He should bespeak her, there’s none ready made.

Never spare the Parson’s wine, nor the Baker’s pudding.

Visits should be short, like a winters day,
Lest you’re too troublesom hasten away.

A house without woman and Firelight, is like a body without soul or sprite.
Kings and Bears often worry their keepers.
XII Mon. February hath xxviii days.
N. N. of B---s County, pray don’t be angry with poor Richard.
Each Age of Men new Fashions doth invent;
Things which are old, young Men do not esteem:
What pleas’d our Fathers, doth not us content;
What flourish’d then, we out of fashion deem:
And that’s the reason, as I understand,
Why Prodigus did sell his Father’s Land.
Light purse, heavy heart.
He’s a Fool that makes his Doctor his Heir.
Ne’er take a wife till thou hast a house (and a fire) to put her in.

He’s gone, and forgot nothing but to say Farewel—to his creditors.
Love well, whip well.
I Mon. March hath xxxi days.

My Love and I for Kisses play’d,
She would keep stakes, I was content,
But when I won she would be paid;
This made me ask her what she meant:
Quoth she, since you are in this wrangling vein,
Here take your Kisses, give me mine again.
Let my respected friend J. G.
Accept this humble verse of me. viz.
Ingenious, learned, envy’d Youth,
Go on as thou’st began;
Even thy enemies take pride
That thou’rt their countryman.
Hunger never saw bad bread.
II Mon. April hath xxx days.
Kind Katharine to her husband kiss’d these words,
“Mine own sweet Will, how dearly I love thee!”
If true (quoth Will) the World no such affords.
And that its true I durst his warrant be;
For ne’er heard I of Woman good or ill,
But always loved best, her own sweet Will.
Beware of meat twice boil’d, and an old foe reconcil’d.
Great Talkers, little Doers.
A rich rogue, is like a fat hog, who never does good til as dead as a log.
Relation without friendship, friendship without power, power without will, will witho[ut] effect, effect without profit, and profit without vertue, are not worth a farto.

III Mon. May hath xxxi days.
Mirth pleaseth some, to others ’tis offence,
Some commend plain conceit, some profound sense;
Some wish a witty Jest, some dislike that,
And most would have themselves they know not what.
Then he that would please all, and himself too,
Takes more in hand than he is like to do.
Eat to live, and not live to eat.
March windy, and April rainy,
Makes May the pleasantest month of any.
The favour of the Great is no inheritance.
Fools make feasts and wise men eat ’em.
Beware of the young Doctor and the old Barber.
He has chang’d his one ey’d horse for a blind one.
The poor have little, beggars none, the rich too much, enough not one.
IV Mon. June hath xxx days.
“Observe the daily circle of the sun,
And the short year of each revolving moon:
By them thou shalt forsee the following day,
Nor shall a starry night thy hopes betray.
When first the moon appears, if then she shrouds
Her silver crescent, tip’d with sable clouds,
Conclude she bodes a tempest on the main,
And brews for fields impetuous floods of rain.”
After 3 days men grow weary, of a wench, a guest, and weather rainy.
To lengthen thy Life, lessen thy Meals.
The proof of gold is fire, the proof of woman, gold; the proof of man, a woman.
After feasts made, the maker scratches his head.

V Mon. July hath xxxi days.
“Ev’n while the reaper fills his greedy hands,
And binds the golden sheafs in brittle bands:
Oft have I seen a sudden storm arise
From all the warring winds that sweep the skies:
And oft whole sheets descend of slucy rain,
Suck’d by the spungy clouds from off the main;
The lofty skies at once come pouring down,
The promis’d crop and golden labours drown.”
Neither Shame nor Grace yet Bob.
Many estates are spent in the getting,
Since women for tea forsook spinning and knitting.
He that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas.
A fat kitchin, a lean Will.
Distrust and caution are the parents of security.
Tongue double, brings trouble.
VI Mon. August hath xxxi days.
“For us thro’ 12 bright signs Apollo guides
The year, and earth in sev’ral climes divides.
Five girdles bind the skies, the torrid zone
Glows with the passing and repassing sun.
Far on the right and left, th’extreams of heav’n,
To frosts and snows and bitter blasts are giv’n.
Betwixt the midst and these, the Gods assign’d
Two habitable seats for humane kind.”
Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.
He that drinks fast, pays slow.
Great famine when wolves eat wolves.
A good Wife lost is God’s gift lost.
A taught horse, and a woman to teach, and teachers practising what they preach.
He is ill cloth’d, who is bare of Virtue.

VII Mon. September hath xxx days.

Death is a Fisherman, the world we see
His Fish-pond is, and we the Fishes be:
His Net some general Sickness; howe’er he
Is not so kind as other Fishers be;
For if they take one of the smaller Fry,
They throw him in again, he shall not die:
But Death is sure to kill all he can get,
And all is Fish with him that comes to Net.
The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.
Men and Melons are hard to know.
He’s the best physician that knows the worthlessness of the most medicines.
Beware of meat twice boil’d, and an old Foe reconcil’d.
A fine genius in his own country, is like gold in the mine.
There is no little enemy.
VIII Mon. October hath xxxi days.
Time was my spouse and I could not agree,
Striving about superiority:
The text which saith that man and wife are one,
Was the chief argument we stood upon:
She held, they both one woman should become;
I held they should be man, and both but one.
Thus we contended daily, but the strife
Could not be ended, till both were one Wife.
He has lost his Boots but sav’d his spurs.
The old Man has given all to his Son: O fool! to undress thy self before thou art going to bed.
Cheese and salt meat, should be sparingly eat.
Doors and walls are fools paper.

Anoint a villain and he’ll stab you, stab him and he’l anoint you.
Keep your mouth wet, feet dry.
IX Mon. November hath xxx days.
My neighbour H---y by his pleasing tongue,
Hath won a Girl that’s rich, wise, fair and young;
The Match (he saith) is half concluded, he
Indeed is wondrous willing; but not she.
And reason good, for he has run thro’ all
Almost the story of the Prodigal;
Yet swears he never with the hogs did dine;
That’s true, for none would trust him with their swine.
Where bread is wanting, all’s to be sold.
There is neither honour nor gain, got in dealing with a vil-lain.
The fool hath made a vow, I guess,
Never to let the Fire have peace.
Snowy winter, a plentiful harvest.
Nothing more like a Fool, than a drunken Man.
X Mon. December hath xxxi days.
She that will eat her breakfast in her bed,
And spend the morn in dressing of her head,
And sit at dinner like a maiden bride,
And talk of nothing all day but of pride;
God in his mercy may do much to save her,
But what a case is he in that shall have her.
God works wonders now and then;
Behold! a Lawyer, an honest Man!
He that lives carnally, won’t live eternally.
Innocence is its own Defence.
Time eateth all things, could old Poets say;
The Times are chang’d, our times drink all away.
Never mind it, she’l be sober after the Holidays.

The Benefit of going to Law.
Dedicated to the Counties of K—t and H-n–––rd-n.

    Two Beggars travelling along,
    One blind, the other lame,
    Pick’d up an Oyster on the Way
    To which they both laid claim:
    The Matter rose so high, that they
    Resolv’d to go to Law,
    As often richer Fools have done,
    Who quarrel for a Straw.
    A Lawyer took it strait in hand,
    Who knew his Business was,
    To mind nor one nor t’other side,
    But make the best o’ th’ Cause;
    As always in the Law’s the Case:
    So he his Judgment gave,
    And Lawyer-like he thus resolv’d
    What each of them should have:
    Blind Plaintiff, lame Defendant, share
    The Friendly Laws impartial Care,
    A Shell for him, a Shell for thee,
    The Middle is the Lawyer’s Fee.


Title: Slippery Sidewalks, 11 January 1733
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Mr. Franklin,
Walking the Street on one of these late slippery Mornings, I caught two terrible Falls, which made me, by way of Precaution for the future, get my Shoes frosted before I went home: for I am a stiff old Fellow, and my Joints none of the most pliant. At the Door before which I fell last, stood a Gentleman-like Looby, with a couple of Damsels, who all made themselves wonderful merry with my Misfortune: And had not a good Woman, whose Door I had just passed, come and helped me up, I might for ought I know, have given them an Hour’s Diversion before I found my Legs again. This good Woman, Heaven bless her, had sprinkled Ashes before her Door: I wish her long Life and better Neighbours. I have reason to think the merry People would not have risen so early, and exposed themselves to the Air, that cold Morning, were it not for the sake of enjoying such Entertainments as I afforded them. But they were not alone in the Thing; I saw before I got home, twenty other Gigglers, all employ’d at their Doors in the same Manner. Strange Perverseness of Disposition! to delight in the Mishaps which befal People who have no way disoblig’d us. My Shoes, as I have said, being frosted, I intend the next slippery Time to make a Tour throughout the Town, and take a general List of all the Housekeepers, whom I will divide into three Classes. The humane, kind, compassionate, benevolent Class, I shall easily distinguish by the Ashes at their Doors, as God’s People were distinguish’d in Ægypt by the Sprinkling of their Door-posts. The malicious and ill-natured Class I shall know by their Mirth at every Fall or accidental Slip of the Passengers in the Street. The indifferent, thoughtless Class, are the rest. As every Man that walks upon uneven Ice, hazards at each Step his Limbs; methinks some Honours ought to be decreed those of my first Class, proportionate to what the Romans gave him that sav’d the Life of a Fellow-Citizen: They shall, however, be sure of my Respect and Friendship. With regard to those of my two latter Classes, I am resolved, I will not so much as civilly salute one of them, I will not give one of them the Wall, I will not make Room for any of them at a Fire, nor hand them any Thing at a Table, I will not direct a Customer to one of them, if any of my first Class deal in the same Things: In short, I will be as cross-grain’d towards them as ’tis possible for a good-natur’d old Man to be; who is Your Friend and Reader,
N.N.


Title: Directors of Library Company to Thomas Penn and Reply, 16 May 1733
From: Directors of Library Company
To: Penn, Thomas

Franklin and the Directors of the Library Company had learned that the Proprietor would welcome an address praying his “Countenance and Protection” of their young institution, and on May 14 a committee composed of Franklin, Thomas Hopkinson, William Coleman, and Joseph Breintnall was appointed to draft the address. Next night they presented it, and, although “Some Objections were made to the Style by those who had accustomed themselves to what is called the plain Language,” it was approved. Franklin was one of the five Directors who presented the address to Penn on May 24. “The Proprietor received it with great Civility and Kindness, and was pleased to enquire of the Presenters some things concerning the Library and to assure them of his Encouragement.”

To the Honourable Thomas Penn Esqr. one of the Proprietors of the Province of Pennsylvania
The Humble Address of the Directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia In Behalf of the Company.
May it please your Honour,

May 16th 1733
All the good People of Pennsylvania rejoice in your happy Arrival and Residence in this your Province, and will continue to rejoice in whatever promotes your Prosperity: Among the Rest, the Subscribers to the Library in Philadelphia beg Leave to assure your Honour, that in the same good Affections they are not behind the warmest of their Countrymen.
Your Province of Pennsylvania, Sir, happy in its Climate and Situation, and in the Constitution of its Government, is thought to be no less happy in the Native Genius of its People; prone as it is to Industry, and capable of every kind of Improvement.
But when Colonies are in their Infancy, the Refinements of Life, it seems, cannot be much attended to. To encourage Agriculture, promote Trade, and establish good Laws must be the principal Care of the first Founders; while other Arts and Sciences, less immediately necessary, how excellent and useful soever, are left to the Care and Cultivation of Posterity. Hence it is that neither in this, nor in the neighbouring Provinces, has there yet been made any Provision for a publick generous Education.
With a View of supplying in some Measure this Deficiency for the present among our Selves we have attempted to erect a Common Library in Philadelphia. And when on this Account we address a Son of the great and good, and ever memorable William Penn, we are persuaded than an Endeavour, however small, to propagate Knowledge, and improve the Minds of Men, by rendring useful Science more cheap and easy of Access, will not want his Countenance and Protection.
May your Philadelphia be the future Athens of America: May plenty of her Sons arise, qualified with Learning, Virtue, and Politeness for the most important Offices of Life: And as this must be owing to the Wisdom and Benevolence of your Honourable Family, which gave Being to the Province and its happy Constitution, May every kind of humane Felicity attend the Proprietary House, thro’ all Ages, to the latest Posterity.
  Signed by Order of the Directors
Joseph Breintnall Secry.

Gentlemen,
To which his Honour was pleased to give the following Answer.

I take this Address very kindly; and assure you, I shall always be ready to promote any Undertaking so useful to the Country, as that of erecting a common Library in this City.


Title: Remarks on a South Carolina Currency Scheme, 31 May 1733
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

As there are frequently Things published in the neighbouring Provinces, which to see would be agreeable to my Readers, but being of too great a Length, I have been obliged either to retail ’em Piecemeal, which disjoints or breaks the Connection of Thoughts, or wholly to omit them; I am therefore lately advised to abstract and give the Substance of them, which I shall do for the future, as often as I imagine it may be any way useful or entertaining.

The South Carolina Gazette, of March 24. contains the Beginning of a Discourse upon Paper Currency, which is continued thro’ several other Papers. The Author observes, that the principal Obje[sym]ion against that Currency, is its being so liable to Mutation in its Value: That ’tis now about 30 Years since it first got Footing in the American Plantations; and that altho’ it has been design’d only as a present Expedient in Cases of Exigency, yet no Place where it was once establish’d has found itself afterwards in a Condition to do without it. And since (he says) there arises no Benefit to the Publick from cancelling every seven or ten Years Bills issued on Loan or otherwise because the Circumstances of a Country continuing the same, there is still the same Reason for making more, as at first, and much Clamour and some Expence always attends the Periods: He proposes, a Standing Paper Currency, to continue till the Country finds the Nature of its Trade will afford Silver and Gold, and to prevent its sinking in Value, he would have the Interest be paid in Silver and Gold, and the Bills taken only in Discharge of the Principal.
Remark upon this Scheme.
The Subjects of Trade and Money have always occasioned much Speculation, being in themselves, and especially when considered together, extreamly intricate and hard to be understood. And the Paper Currency being a Thing of great Importance to these Plantations, whatever is wrote to give us farther Light about it, whatever new Methods are proposed, should be received and examined with Candour.
With regard to this new Scheme, which proposes to fix the Value of the Bills by obliging the Borrowers to pay their Interest in Gold and Silver, the following Difficulties seem to arise, which perhaps if the Author himself were here, he might easily obviate.
1. Interest being now at 10 per Cent. in Carolina, if 50,000 proclamation Money (the Sum he mentions) is issued out upon Loan, £5000 Silver and Gold is yearly necessary to discharge the Interest; and only the Surplus of that Sum can be exported by the Merchant. Now allowing that the yearly Demand of so much Plate in the Country, must prevent its Exportation, Yet must not the Planter outbid the Merchant in order to have it? and if he gives 2 or 4 per Cent. in Paper for it, is not that a Raising their Interest to 12 or 14 per Cent. and does it not lessen the Value of their Bills, compar’d with Silver and Gold?
2. If the Merchant wants Silver and Gold, to make Returns, will he not raise the Price of his Goods till he can afford to purchase it? and the Planter being still oblig’d to have it, will not he be still forced to give more Paper for it?
3. If the Interest be all due at one Time of the Year, will not Silver be at that Time higher and Paper lower than at other Times, and so their Currency continually varying in Value, and very uncertain to Strangers?
These Queries, for ought I know may have little in ’em. If they serve to make a Paper Currency any thing more consider’d, and therefore better understood, it is enough.


Title: Receipted Bill to the Proprietors, 25 June 1733
From: Steel, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[June 25, 1733]
The Honourable Proprietor to B. Franklin Dr.

1. For printing 5 Sheets at 30s. per Sheet
£ 7
10
–

2. For Paper 5 Ream, and 5/6 of a Ream at 20s.
  5
16
8

3. For Stitching 500 Books, and pasting the Maps at 6s. per Hund.
  1
10
–

4. For cutting the Mapp in Wood
  2
–
–

5. For printing and Paper of the Mapps
  2
11
8

6. For Printing and Paper of 1000 Coats of Arms at 8s. per Hund.
  4
  –
  –

  £23
8
4

Recd. of James Steel Twenty Pounds in part of this Account. B. Franklin
 Endorsed: Receiv’d the Contents of the within Acct. per me June 25. 1733.
B. Franklin

Docketed: Ben Franklin 26th 4 mo. 1733 £23:8:4


Title: [A Meditation on a Quart Mugg, 19 July 1733]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

This essay was first printed by Smyth (Writings, 11, 198), who considered it a “highly characteristic production.” The present editors, however, believe that the essay is not sufficiently characteristic of Franklin’s style to be attributed to him. No external evidence of authorship has been found and it is therefore omitted here.


Title: On Literary Style, 2 August 1733
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

To the Printer of the Gazette.
There are few Men, of Capacity for making any considerable Figure in Life, who have not frequent Occasion to communicate their Thoughts to others in Writing; if not sometimes publickly as Authors, yet continually in the Management of their private Affairs, both of Business and Friendship: and since, when ill-express’d, the most proper Sentiments and justest Reasoning lose much of their native Force and Beauty, it seems to me that there is scarce any Accomplishment more necessary to a Man of Sense, than that of Writing well in his Mother Tongue: But as most other polite Acquirements, make a greater Appearance in a Man’s Character, this however useful, is generally neglected or forgotten.
I believe there is no better Means of learning to write well, than this of attempting to entertain the Publick now and then in one of your Papers. When the Writer conceals himself, he has the Advantage of hearing the Censure both of Friends and Enemies, express’d with more Impartiality. And since, in some degree, it concerns the Credit of the Province, that such Things as are printed be performed tolerably well, mutual Improvement seems to be the Duty of all Lovers of Writing: I shall therefore frankly communicate the Observations I have made or collected on this Subje[sym]ct, and request those of others in Return.

I have thought in general, that whoever would write so as not to displease good Judges, should have particular Regard to these three Things, viz. That his Performance be smooth, clear, and short: For the contrary Qualities are apt to offend, either the Ear, the Understanding, or the Patience.
’Tis an Observation of Dr. Swift, that modern Writers injure the Smoothness of our Tongue, by omitting Vowels wherever it is possible, and joining the harshest Consonants together with only an Apostrophe between; thus for judged, in it self not the smoothest of Words, they say judg’d; for disturbed, disturb’d, &c. It may be added to this, says another, that by changing etb into s, they have shortned one Syllable in a multitude of Words, and have thereby encreased, not only the Hissing, too offensive before, but also the great Number of Monosyllables, of which, without great Difficulty, a smooth Sentence cannot be composed. The Smoothness of a Period is also often Hurt by Parentheses, and therefore the best Writers endeavour to avoid them.
To write clearly, not only the most expressive, but the plainest Words should be chosen. In this, as well as in every other Particular requisite to Clearness, Dr. Tillotson is an excellent Example. The Fondness of some Writers for such Words as carry with them an Air of Learning, renders them unintelligible to more than half their Countrymen. If a Man would that his Writings have an Effect on the Generality of Readers, he had better imitate that Gentleman, who would use no Word in his Works that was not well understood by his Cook-maid.
A too frequent Use of Phrases ought likewise to be avoided by him that would write clearly. They trouble the Language, not only rendring it extreamly difficult to Foreigners, but make the Meaning obscure to a great number of English Readers. Phrases, like learned Words, are seldom used without Affectation; when, with all true Judges, the simplest Stile is the most beautiful.
But supposing the most proper Words and Expressions chosen, the Performance may yet be weak and obscure, if it has not Method. If a Writer would persuade, he should proceed gradually from Things already allow’d, to those from which Assent is yet with-held, and make their Connection manifest. If he would inform, he must advance regularly from Things known to things unknown, distin[sym]ly without Confusion, and the lower he begins the better. It is a common Fault in Writers, to allow their Readers too much Knowledge: They begin with that which should be the Middle, and skipping backwards and forwards, ’tis impossible for any one but he who is perfect in the Subject before, to understand their Work, and such an one has no Occasion to read it. Perhaps a Habit of using good Method, cannot be better acquired, than by learning a little Geometry or Algebra.
Amplification, or the Art of saying Little in Much, should only be allowed to Speakers. If they preach, a Discourse of considerable Length is expected from them, upon every Subject they undertake, and perhaps they are not stock’d with naked Thoughts sufficient to furnish it out. If they plead in the Courts, it is of Use to speak abundance, tho’ they reason little; for the Ignorant in a Jury, can scarcely believe it possible that a Man can talk so much and so long without being in the Right. Let them have the Liberty then, of repeating the same Sentences in other Words; let them put an Adjective to every Substantive, and double every Substantive with a Synonima; for this is more agreeable than hauking, spitting, taking Snuff, or any other Means of concealing Hesitation. Let them multiply Definitions, Comparisons, Similitudes and Examples. Permit them to make a Detail of Causes and Effects, enumerate all the Consequences, and express one Half by Metaphor and Circumlocution: Nay, allow the Preacher to to tell us whatever a Thing is negatively, before he begins to tell us what it is affirmatively; and suffer him to divide and subdivide as far as Two and fiftiethly. All this is not intolerable while it is not written. But when a Discourse is to be bound down upon Paper, and subjected to the calm leisurely Examination of nice Judgment, every Thing that is needless gives Offence; and therefore all should be retrenched, that does not directly conduce to the End design’d. Had this been always done, many large and tiresome Folio’s would have shrunk into Pamphlets, and many a Pamphlet into a single Period. However, tho’ a multitude of Words obscure the Sense, and ’tis necessary to abridge a verbose Author in order to understand him; yet a Writer should take especial Care on the other Hand, that his Brevity doth not hurt his Perspicuity.
After all, if the Author does not intend his Piece for general Reading, he must exactly suit his Stile and Manner to the particular Taste of those he proposes for his Readers. Every one observes, the different Ways of Writing and Expression used by the different Sects of Religion; and can readily enough pronounce, that it is improper to use some of these Stiles in common, or to use the common Stile, when we address some of these Sects in particular.
To conclude, I shall venture to lay it down as a Maxim, That no Piece can properly be called good, and well written, which is void of any Tendency to benefit the Reader, either by improving his Virtue or his Knowledge. This Principle every Writer would do well to have in View, whenever he undertakes to write. All Performances done for meer Ostentation of Parts, are really contemptible; and withal far more subject to the Severity of Criticism, than those more meanly written, wherein the Author appears to have aimed at the Good of others. For when ’tis visible to every one, that a Man writes to show his Wit only, all his Expressions are sifted, and his Sense examined, in the nicest and most ill-natur’d manner; and every one is glad of an Opportunity to mortify him. But, what a vast Destruction would there be of Books, if they were to be saved or condemned on a Tryal by this Rule!
Besides, Pieces meerly humorous, are of all Sorts the hardest to succeed in. If they are not natural, they are stark naught; and there can be no real Humour in an Affectation of Humour.
Perhaps it may be said, that an ill Man is able to write an ill Thing well; that is, having an ill Design, and considering who are to be his Readers, he may use the properest Stile and Arguments to attain his Point. In this Sense, that is best wrote, which is best adapted to the Purpose of the Writer.
I am apprehensive, dear Readers, lest in this Piece, I should be guilty of every Fault I condemn, and deficient in every Thing I recommend; so much easier it is to offer Rules than to practise them. I am sure, however, of this, that I am Your very sincere Friend and Servant.


Title: Half-Hour’s Conversation with a Friend, 16 November 1733
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Andrew Hamilton, speaker of the Assembly, recorder of Philadelphia, and a trustee of the Loan Office, was one of the most powerful public figures in Pennsylvania from 1727 until his death in 1741. Resentful and jealous enemies bitterly attacked him in Bradford’s American Weekly Mercury, especially during the campaign of 1733. These attacks culminated on October 18 in an anonymous charge that his control of the Assembly, the courts, and the Loan Office was sinister and dictatorial. The Gazette printed this defense, which quoted at length Hamilton’s own purported comments on the criticism. The style is familiar, and Franklin had long admired and supported Hamilton, who had helped him get the Assembly’s printing business and other public work, and the article was probably written at least in part by Franklin.

Mr. Franklin,
As Mr. Bradford was pleased to entertain the Publick with A true Letter to a Friend in the Country, as ’tis called, in his Mercury of the 18th of October last, I desire you will give this Half-hour’s Conversation with a Friend a Place in your Gazette, which may at present serve for an Answer to that Letter. As there is nothing can please every body, so who can tell but this may divert somebody. Sir, Your humble Servant.
To gratify your Curiosity, I shall as far as my Memory will serve me, let you know, as well the Sentiments of the Publick upon the Subject of the Letter published in Mr. Bradford’s Mercury of the 18th of October last, as what pass’d between my self and the Person who is supposed to be chiefly pointed out in that Letter. I have had the Opportunity of hearing the Sentiments of a great many People concerning that Performance. Some say they are persuaded it was not the Author’s Love to his Country induced him to publish those Charges in the Manner he has done, and that it would have been much better to have charged that Man with Particulars, and by Name, and likewise to have subscribed his own, by which the People might at the same Time have known the Criminal and the Accuser; but not having done this, they conclude the whole to be no more than the Effects of some private Resentment. Others, who seem to be very certain against whom all the heavy Charges in that Letter are levelled, and who like the Man no better than the Author does, commend the Letter much, not, they say, that they can agree it is all true, but approve well of that old Saying, Throw Dirt enough, and some will stick; and they add, it never having been answered, such who know nothing of the Matter are the more enclin’d to believe it. These Reports made me desirous to see the Person, who is my particular Friend, against whom it seems generally agreed the true Letter, as ’tis called, was wrote; And meeting with him last Night, I acquainted him with the various Sentiments of the People upon the Subject: He frankly own’d, that from the particular Description of his Employments, no body could doubt but he was the Man pointed at; but said, seeing it was commonly agreed to be wrote by nobody, he thought no body should regard it. Here I put my Friend in mind, that I had often heard him say very hard Things of an ungrateful Man; and forasmuch as the Letter-writer would have it believed that my Friend was under very great Obligations both to the Proprietor and Governor, and being charged with horrid Ingratitude to both, it might not only draw on him their Resentment, but the Censure of others, who might construe his Silence into a Proof of his Guilt. To which he made me the following Answer, as I can remember, and which I think I am bound in point of Friendship and Justice to his Character, to make as publick as the Letter. “Sir, I am very sensible of the Weight of Power in the Hands of a supreme Magistrate, and how it has been made use of in all Ages, and most Countries of any long standing, to destroy the most innocent Men. I am likewise sensible, that that same Power never wants Creatures who are ready to execute Vengeance upon the Heads of those who deserve it least, not always meerly in compliance with the Will of their Superiors, but very frequently because they want his Place or hate his Person. However, I hope no honest Men who understand or have a true Value for that inestimable Blessing of Liberty, which the People here enjoy in a greater Degree than most of their Neighbours, can with just Reason apprehend any Danger from that Quarter of Power. The People of Pennsylvania are too wise to be cheated into an Opinion that a Man is to be destroy’d because his Superiors and a few of their Creatures apprehend that he stands in their Way: No, they know a Man can lose neither Life, Liberty, nor Estate, but by the Judgment of twelve Freemen of Pennsylvania; and being secure of this, and that it is in no Man’s Power to prove that he ever deserted the Interest or Cause of his Country, he can laugh at the impotent Efforts of the Great and Powerful.” But here I interrupted my Friend and put him in mind, that tho’ all he said was most unquestionably true, and that I was pleased to hear him prefer Justice to all Powers and Dependencies whatsoever, yet it did not seem to answer the Charges exhibited against him in the Letter before us: And thereupon he proceeded to the Effect following. “Sir, you know in Law a particular Answer to a general Charge is never required of any Man, and therefore it cannot be expected that I should make a particular Answer to a Number of general Charges, such as, speaking contemptibly (I suppose the polite Author means contemptuously) of the Proprietor, abusing and displacing the Governor, endeavouring to put a Stop to the Proceedings of Government and to the Administration of Justice, Partiality in Lending out Money at the Loan-Office, &c. Now to these I can only make this general Answer, that the Charges are most unjust; and if the worthy Author of that Letter will produce any Person of Credit (but I desire it may be remembred the Author himself is always excepted, for who knows but having once told a Lie he will be so hardy as still to stand to it) that can prove I have wittingly or willingly said or done any Wrong to that honourable Gentleman, or any of his Family, I will in the most publick Manner make such Acknowledgments as all the World shall say are just. Nor have I ever allow’d my self the Freedom with the Propr—r which the Author has seen fit to do, where he (kind Man) cautions that Gentleman neither to be wheedled, nor frightned by the Threats of that dangerous Man; and lest he should faint, for his Encouragement has told him, that all the People will stand by him, and others (no doubt meaning himself) who don’t love Trouble, will be roused. Now whether this be decent Treatment of a Gentleman of the Pro—r’s Character, in supposing him to want Resolution to resent any Injury done him by any Man, but especially by one out of Favour with his Superiors is most certain, and, as the Author says (and without all doubt wishes it were true) hated by all the People, the Truth of which I leave the World to judge of. As to the displacing the Governor, he said, I don’t understand what is meant by that: For, excepting his Majesty, I know none who have a Power to remove him but our Proprietary Family only: and they will bear me Witness, that I never directly nor indirectly made any Application to them for any such Removal; therefore this part of the Charge is utterly false. And as to the Article of Ingratitude, I freely refer the settling the Account of Obligations between the Governor and my self, to his own Honour; and I hope that’s fair. As to my putting a stop to the Proceedings of Justice, &c. it is a dire[sym] Falshood; neither was I the Person, nor any Acquaintance of the Person’s who started those Doubts in the Assembly which gave so great Offence to some folks: yet, whenever the judicious Author shall think fit to enter into that Controversy, I’ll venture to say he needs not doubt being favoured with an Answer. As to my ruling all Courts, managing the Assembly at Pleasure, &c. Tho’ I have seen the Time within these seven Years, and oftner than once, when my little Interest in those Courts and Councils was esteemed of very great Service to somebody, yet I shall at this time make no other Answer, than to say, these Charges so much concern Men of the best Characters for Integrity and Ability in the Government, that I cannot doubt the Charge will at one time or other meet with a Resentment adequate to the Injury done the Persons concern’d. But as to my great Pride and other personal Vices, I shall only say, Lord I have sinned, have Mercy upon me a miserable Sinner!” And then taking up the Letter in his Hand, he merrily said, “Was this fine Letter but stript of all the affected simplicities and disguises the Author has been at the pains to dress it up in (for he used to write in the same stile against Sir William) and put into plain English, methinks it would read pretty much to the following purpose; ‘Loving, Loving, Loving Friends, hear and believe, and then you will see, there is risen up amongst us a dangerous, proud, wicked, witty Fellow, whose Life is inconsistent with your Lives and Liberties, as by the following Instances will to you my dearest Countrymen be most manifest. He speaks contemptibly of the Pr——r, for I my self have heard him swear terribly, that Gentleman was not tall enough to touch the Moon, nor strong enough to remove a Mountain: He abuses the Go——r, and has endeavoured to displace him, for it is commonly reported, that he should say in a certain Place, that his Honour don’t see now so well as when he was but one and twenty; and I my self with these very Eyes of mine, saw him once offer the arm’d Chair to the Pro——r when the Gov——r was present; Now if this was not a plain Attempt to displace his Honour, judge ye. He’s proud and revengeful to the last Degree, for he will not be thankful to his Betters for abusing him; and upon a certain Time publickly exposed me for insinuating he had taken greater Fees in his Office than by Law he was entitled to. He is a great Lawyer, and will not be fool’d out of a good Cause; he is so cunning too, that he will rarely be concerned in a Case but what he believes to be just, he speaks to it with great Zeal, the Court is oblig’d to do right, and often give Judgment for his Client, and thus it is he rules them as he pleases. He has so much Wit as to propose nothing in Assembly but what he thinks reasonable, and so crafty he will always agree with them in what is just, and by these Methods it is that he manages the Whole at Pleasure. Some of us of late never ask his Advice but when We can’t well do without it, which the cunning Rogue knows very well, and for that Reason he is so wayward, that before We can have his Opinion, We are oblig’d to truckle and pretend a mighty regard for his Judgment. When Matters of Government are done without his Advice, he has such a malicious Way of faulting and abusing us who are concerned, that when we blunder, he like the unlucky Boy, upon seeing a Ploughman mount the managed Horse which soon laid the Rider on his Back, laugh’d aloud and cried out, Well fare you, Countryman, you sit well, e faith! This terrible Man has had much Power for these last seven Years, and you shall hear the Use he has made on’t. I’ll assure you what I tell you is true, tho’ no body alive knows it. About six Years ago he eat up your Privileges at a Breakfast; it is but three Years since he made a Dinner of your Liberties; and if you suffer him to live one Year longer, he’ll swallow all your Estates for his Supper. In short, he’s a Witch; for with his Breath he blows Men blind, and with his Wit and Raillery he strikes them dumb: Is this Man fit to live? I pray you good People do, as a Reward for these my Labours, and that this dangerous Man may be pull’d down, for the love of God, do, chuse me to represent you but one Year, and you shall see —o [no?]—Paper-Money, but Russet Shoes enough, And in the mean Time, let me have the Pleasure to hear you confess what a seasonable Discovery I have made of the Danger your Liberties, Privileges and Properties are in. I hope my Word is sufficient Proof for all these Things; and if you presume to doubt the Truth of what I have said, you are no better than the Courts and Assemblies I have been speaking of, that is, a parcel of Idiots, Fools and Miscreants; and what is still worse, I’ll take my Oath on’t, you are sworn Enemies to the Prop——r and G——r.’” And here my Friend said he was weary of talking, and would conclude by begging Pardon for putting a few paw Words in the Mouth of the worthy Author; but at the same time excused himself by saying, That as the Author had taken the Liberty to lie a great deal, he hoped to be forgiven for making him swear a little; which last Sin, he said, in respect to the Peace of a Neighbourhood, was in his Opinion by far the least of the two. And so he ended. And so I conclude with my own best Advice to our Friend the Author of the true Letter. Go on, most excellent Author and Patriot; and having got the Government on your side, spare no Man, who after having been most injuriously treated by you, shall dare to resent, nay, or to deny the Charge, tho’ never so unjust. Tell the People again and again, that nothing but that Humanity and Generosity which is so natural to you, and the tender Regard you have for their Liberties and Privileges, but above all the Love you have for their Properties, could have rous’d you from your beloved Retirement. And for Proof of all this, appeal to the Bricklayer, the Carpenter, the Shipwright, Tanner and Tax-gatherer, who will every one of them be Witnesses of the Truth of what I mean. Sir, your humble Servant.


Title: Articles of Agreement with Louis Timothée, 26 November 1733
From: Franklin, Benjamin,Timothée, Louis
To:

[November 26, 1733]
Articles of Agreement indented [and] made the 26th Day of November Ao. Di. 1733 Between Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia in the Province of Pensilvania Printer of the one Part and Lewis Timothée of the said City Printer (now bound on a Voyage to Charlestown in South Carolina) Of the other Part: Whereas the said BF and LT have determined to enter into a Copartnership for the Carrying on the Business of Printing in Charles Town aforesaid, It is therefore covenanted, granted and agreed by and between the said Parties to these Presents and the said BF and LT do mutually covenant and agree each with the other of these each to each with the Heirs Executors and Administrators of the other of them in Manner following, That is to say, That they the said Benjamin Franklin and LT shall be Partners in carrying on the Trade and Business of Printing in Charlestown aforesaid for and during the Term of 6 Years from the Day on which the said L shall be put in Possession of a Printing Press, Types and Materials in the Town of Charlestown in S. Carol. provided by BF if they the said B and L shall so long live. That the said BF shall be at the sole Charge and Expence of providing a Printing Press with all its necessary Appurtenances together with 400 Weight of Letters (if the said L shall require so great a Quantity) and shall cause the same to be delivered into the possession of the said LT in Charlestown aforesaid. That the Business and working part of Printing and of Disposing of the Work printed shall be under the Care, Management and Direction of and performed by the said LT or at his Expence. That all Charges for Paper, Ink, Balls, Tympans, Wool, Oil and other Things necessary to printing, Together with the Charge of all common and necessary Repairs of the Press and its Appurtenances and also the Charge of Rent for a Shop and for so much Room as is necessary to be used in the management of the Business of Printing aforesaid shall be divided into 3 equal Parts, 2 of which said Parts shall be disbursed [defrayed written above] by and paid as due from the said LT; And the remaining 3rd Part shall be defrayed and allowed to be paid as due from the said BF and deducted out of the Income next herein after mentioned. That all Money received or to be received for printing or for any Thing done or to be done relating to the Business of printing aforesaid by the said LT, either as Gratuity, Premium, Reward or Salary from the Government or from Others shall be divided into 3 equal Parts, 2 of which said Parts the said LT shall have for his Care, Management and Performance aforesaid, and the said BF shall have the remaining 3rd Part thereof. That for the regular transacting the Affairs in Copartnership aforesaid the said LT shall keep fair and exact Books of Accounts of and concerning all Work done and sold by him and of all his Receipts and Disbursments relating to the Business of Printing in Copartnership aforesaid, with the Day, Month and Year of each Entry and submit the same to the View of the said BF, his lawful Attorney, Executors or Administrators as often as thereunto required And that all the Accounts of the Copartners in Copartnership aforesaid shall be drawn out Fair comunicated to each other and settled once a Year during the Copartnership aforesaid or oftner if either of them the said Copartners shall require it. And that upon such Settlement the said LT shall remit the Part by this Agreement belonging to the said  BF in such Wares or Merchandizes or in Bills of Exchange or in Money as the said B shall direct by Letter or Order under his Hand on board such Vessell and to such Port as the [said] B shall also require by Letter or Order as aforesaid at the proper Risque of the said B. That the said LT shall not work with any other printing Materials than those belonging to the said BF nor follow any other Business but Printing during the Continuance of the Copartnership aforesaid, occasional Merchandize excepted. That the Loss by bad Debts shall be divided and sustained by both Parties in the same Proportion as the Money ought to have been divided by this Agreement if it had been received. That neither of the said Parties shall reap any Benefit or Advantage by Survivorship if the other of them shall depart this Life before the Expiration of the said Term of 6 Years as aforesaid. But that if the said LT shall depart this Life before the Expiration of the said Term his Executors or Administrators shall deliver up the Press, Types and all other Materials of printing which have been provided by the said BF or at his Charge to the said B, his certain Attorney, Executors or Administrators upon Demand in good Order and Condition (allowing for the usual Wear and Decay of such things) as also the Share of Money, Effects and Debts belonging to the said B by this Agreement. Provided nevertheless That if PT, Son of the said LT, shall be capable of carrying on and will carry on the Business of Printing aforesaid as it ought to be carried on and shall also give sufficient Security for his complying with and performing all Things relating thereto which by this Agreement the said LT ought to have done had he lived, It shall be in the Power of the said PT to keep and improve the Materials of Printing so provided by the said BF as aforesaid until the Term of Copartnership aforesaid is expired, Any thing herein before contained to the Contrary notwithstanding. But if the said P shall relinquish this Agreement and shall be unwilling to continue the Copartnership hereby made, Then he shall not work at the Business of printing at all in the province of Carolina aforesaid until the Term of Copartnership aforesaid be compleatly expired. And if the said BF shall depart this Life before the Expiration of the Term of Copartnership aforesaid the said LT shall continue the Business nevertheless, paying and remitting the Part by this Agreement belonging to the said BF unto the Executors, Administrators or Assigns of the said B or as they shall direct, they performing all parts of this Agreement to the said L which he the said B ought to have done if he had lived. And that at the Expiration of the Term of 6 Years aforesaid the said L or his Son P shall have the preference of purchasing the said printing Press, Materials and Types, if they shall be so disposed, at their present Value, allowing only what shall be adjudged a reasonable Abatement for the Wear of such Things in the Time they have been used. But if the said L nor P shall not be enclined to purchase them at that Price they shall transport or cause to be transported to and delivered at Philadelphia the said printing Press, Materials and Types at their own proper Risque and Charges, to the said BF, his Executors, Administrators or Assigns, and if any unusual Damage by bad usuage or Negligence shall have happened to them they the said L or P shall make it good but if any Damage shall happen to the said Printing Press, Types, and Materials by some unavoidable Accident, the Loss shall be divided and sustained by both Parties in the same Manner as the Loss by bad Debts is by this Agreement to be divided and sustained. Provided Nevertheless that if the printing Press, Materials and Types which the said B provides shall be consumed and destroyed by Fire or otherwise rendred unfit for Use before the said LT shall have them in possession, then the Loss thereby shall be wholly sustain’d by the said BF, and the Copartnership hereby made shall be disolved and abolished, Unless the said B be willing to continue it, and provide another Press and Types as aforesaid and send them at his own Risque to Charlestown aforesaid to be there delivered to the said LT, any thing herein before contained to the Contrary in any wise Notwithstanding. In Witness &c.
 Endorsed: Articles of Agreemt. between Printers abt. carrying their Trade viz int. B. Franklin and L. Timothee.


Title: Sarah Read to Benjamin and Deborah Franklin: Bargain and Sale, 9 April 1734
From: Read, Sarah
To: Franklin, Benjamin,Franklin, Deborah

This document and the two which immediately follow record the first transactions in the drawn-out process by which Franklin put together the various parcels of land on the south side of Market Street (also called High Street) between Third and Fourth Streets which became the site of his home. The plot involved here, corresponding to the later No. 318 Market Street, was granted by William Penn to Henry Hayes, April 7, 1707. It was 33 ft. broad and 306 deep and lay between a lot on the west which Penn had granted to Samuel Carpenter and others in 1705 and one on the east he had granted to William Boulding in 1706, parts of both of which Franklin later acquired. Hayes sold the eastern half of his lot (16½ ft.) to William Davis, April 12, 1711, and on May 24 of the same year Davis transferred it to John Read, carpenter, father of Franklin’s future wife, Deborah. By two documents dated December 10 and 11, 1716, Hayes sold the western half (16½ ft.) to John Read, and, because Davis’ transfer of the eastern half to Read had been insufficient in legal form, Hayes confirmed Read’s possession by an instrument dated December 12, 1716.
On February 18, 1723/4, John Read mortgaged the entire property to the Trustees of the General Loan Office for £56 5s. in bills of credit of the first Pennsylvania issue (see above, p. 139) with surety in double the amount of the loan. He died September 2 of the same year without having paid the loan; in time the Trustees brought an action in the Court of Common Pleas for the default against his administratrix and widow, Sarah Read, and secured execution on the property for £115 1s. 1d., representing principal, interest, and damages. At the sheriff’s auction sale which followed, Sarah Read bought the property in for £354 and received a sheriff’s deed dated September 3, 1729. She now had clear title to what had been her husband’s land, on each half of which there apparently stood at the time a small house near the street.
On April 9–11, 1734, Mrs. Read entered into a series of transactions with her son John and her two sons-in-law and daughters, Benjamin and Deborah Franklin and John and Frances Croker, by which she transferred title to the western half-lot and its dwelling house to John Read, Junior, and title to the eastern half-lot and its dwelling house in equal undivided half-interest to the Franklins and Crokers, but received back from the latter couples a lease for 99 years or life at the nominal annual rental of “one Pepper corn only if demanded.” The first two documents here printed record the transfer of one half-interest to the Franklins; similar documents, not here printed, conveyed the other half-interest to the Crokers. These indentures follow the cumbersome form of conveyancing commonly used in England in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. An indenture of “bargain and sale,” leasing the property for a specific term, often one year, placed the lessee in actual possession, as permitted by the Statute of Uses of 1535. The lessor, who now had only a reversionary interest, could sign, ostensibly on the next day, an indenture of “release,” which operated at common law to convey that interest, and with it the freehold, to the lessee. This procedure of “lease and release,” awkward as it seems today, became popular because it avoided the costly medieval requirement of livery of seisin.
The third document here printed, dated April 11, 1734, is a lease from the Franklins and Crokers to Mrs. Read restoring to her the life use of their half-lot and dwelling house.

[April 9, 1734]
This Indenture made the Ninth day of April in the Seventh Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c Annoque Domini One thousand Seven hundred and Thirty Four BETWEEN Sarah Read of the City of Philadelphia Widow of the one part and Benjamin Franklyn of the same Place Printer and Deborah his Wife of the other part WITNESSETH That the said Sarah Read in Consideration of Five Shillings to her paid by the said Benjamin Franklyn and Deborah his Wife HATH Bargained and Sold and by these Presents DOTH Bargain and Sell unto the said Benjamin Franklyn and Deborah his Wife One full Equal and undivided half part the whole into two Equal parts to be divided of ALL THAT Messuage or Tenement and Lott of Land thereto belonging Scituate on the South side of High Street in the City of Philadelphia aforesaid Containing in Breadth Sixteen Foot and a half and in Length Three hundred and Six foot bounded Northward with the said High Street Eastward with a Lott late of William Boulding deceased Southward with the Ends of Chesnutt Street Lotts and Westward with a Messuage and Lott now or late of the said Sarah Read Together with all and Singular the Buildings Improvements Rights Members Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging and the Revertion and Revertions Remainder and Remainders Rents Issues and Profits thereof TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said One full Equal and undivided half part the whole in two Equal parts to be divided of the said Messuage or Tenement Lott of Land and Premisses hereby Bargained and Sold with their and every of their Appurtenances unto the said Benjamin Franklyn and Deborah his Wife their Executors Administrators and Assigns from the day next before the day of the date hereof for and during and unto the full End and Term of one whole Year from thence next Ensuing and fully to be compleat and Ended YEILDING AND PAYING therefore the Rent of a Pepper corn only if demanded at the End of the said Term To the Intent that by virtue of these Presents and of the Statute made for transferring Uses into Possession the said Benjamin Franklyn and Deborah his Wife may be in the Actual Possession of all and Singular the Premisses with the Appurtenances and thereby be Enabled to Accept a Grant and Release thereof and of the Revertion and Inheritance thereof to them and their Heirs to the only proper Use and Behoof of them their Heirs and Assigns for Ever. In Witness whereof the Parties to these Presents have hereunto Sett their Hands and Seals the day and Year First above written.
Sarah Read [Seal]
  Sealed and Delivered in the Presence of Us  John Jones junr  Thos. Hopkinson 1734
 Endorsed: Lease for a Year Read to Franklyn et ux
Datd April 9th 1734.


Title: Sarah Read to Benjamin and Deborah Franklin: Release, 10 April 1734
From: Read, Sarah
To: Franklin, Benjamin,Franklin, Deborah

[April 10, 1734]
This Indenture made the Tenth day of April in the Seventh Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c Annoque Domini One thousand Seven hundred and Thirty Four between Sarah Read of the City of Philadelphia Widow of the one part and Benjamin Franklyn of the same Place Printer and Deborah his Wife which said Deborah is one of the Daughters of the said Sarah Read of the other part Witnesseth That the said Sarah Read for and in Consideration of the Natural Love and Affection which she hath and beareth unto the said Deborah Franklyn and for her better Preferment and Advancement in the World and also in Consideration of Five Shillings to her the said Sarah Read in hand Paid by the said Benjamin Franklyn at or before the Sealing or delivery of these Presents the Receipt whereof She doth hereby Acknowledge hath Given Granted Aliened Enfeoffed and Confirmed and by these Presents doth Give Grant Alien Enfeoff and Confirm unto the said Benjamin Franklyn and Deborah his Wife in their Actual Possession now being by Virture of a Bargain and Sale to them thereof made for one whole Year by Indenture bearing date the day next before the day of the date of these Presents and by Force of the Statute made for transferring Uses into Possession and to their Heirs and Assigns One full Equal and undivided half part the whole in two equal parts to be divided of all that Messuage or Tenement and Lott of Land thereto belonging Scituate on the South side of High Street in the City of Philadelphia aforesaid Containing in breadth Sixteen Foot and a half and in Length Three hundred and Six Feet bounded Northward with the said High Street Eastward with a Lott late of William Boulding deceased Southward with the Ends of Chesnutt Street Lotts and Westward with a Messuage and Lott now or late of the said Sarah Read Together with all and Singular the Buildings Improvements Rights Members Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging and the Revertion and Revertions Remainder and Remainders Rents Issues and Profits thereof and all the Estate Right Title Interest Property Claim and demand whatsoever of her the said Sarah Read of in and to the same to have and to hold the said One full Equal and undivided half part the whole in two Equal parts to be divided of the said Messuage or Tenement Lott of Land and Premisses hereby granted or mentioned to be granted with their and every of their Appurtenances unto the said Benjamin Franklyn and Deborah his Wife their Heirs and Assigns for Ever To the only proper Use and Behoof of the said Benjamin Franklyn and Deborah his Wife their Heirs and Assigns for Ever And the said Sarah Read doth for herself her Heirs Executors and Administrators Covenant Promise and Grant to and with the said Benjamin Franklyn and Deborah his Wife their Heirs and Assigns That the said Benjamin Franklyn and Deborah his Wife their Heirs and Assigns shall and lawfully may from time to time and at all times hereafter Peaceably and Quietly have hold Use Occupy Possess and Enjoy the said Moiety or half part of the said Messuage or Tenement Lott and Premisses with the Appurtenances hereby granted without any Lett Suit Trouble Hindrance or Interruption whatsoever of her the said Sarah Read her Heirs Executors or Administrators or any Person or Persons claiming or to claim by from or under her And that She the said Sarah Read her Heirs Executors or Administrators Shall and will at any time or times hereafter upon the Request and at the Costs and Charges in the Law of the said Benjamin Franklyn and Deborah his Wife their Heirs or Assigns make do and Execute or cause to be made done and Executed all and every such further or other lawful Act or Acts Deed or Deeds Conveyances and Assurances in the Law for the further better more Perfect and absolute Granting Releasing and confirming the said Moiety or half part of the said Messuage or Tenement and Lott of Land and Premisses herein granted with the Appurtenances unto the said Benjamin Franklyn and Deborah his Wife their Heirs and Assigns for Ever as by the said Benjamin Franklyn and Deborah his Wife their Heirs or Assigns or his or their Counsil learned in the Law shall be devised or advised and required In Witness whereof the parties to these Presents have hereunto sett their Hands and Seals the day and Year first above written.
Sarah Read [Seal]
  Sealed and Delivered in the Presence of Us  John Jones junr  Thos. Hopkinson 1734

Endorsed: Deed of Gift from Sarah Read to Benjamin Franklyn and his Wife of ½ a Messuage &c. in High Street
Dat 10 Apl 1734

Also Endorsed: Memorandum the 14th Day of February Ao. Di. 1757 Before me Charles Brockden One of the Justices of the Peace &c. personally appeared Sarah Read within named [and did Acknowledge] the within written Indenture to be her Deed and desired that the Same may be Recorded as her Act In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand and Seal the Day and Year aforesaid.
C. Brockden [Seal]

RECORDED in the Office for Recording of Deeds for the City and County of Philadelphia in Book H vol. 7. p. 433 &c. the 21st of February Ao. Di. 1757, As Witnesseth my Hand and Seal of my Office.
C. Brockden Recr.
Acd. 14 Feb. 57 C B


Title: From a Reader to the Printer, 11 April 1734
From:
To: Franklin, Benjamin

  The following I have just now received exactly as I here give it.
  Mr. Franklin,
Tho’ your News-paper is sometimes as empty as those of others, yet I think you have for the most part (tho’ you were once in one particular a sad Offender) had the Modesty to keep it pretty clear of Scandal, a Subject that others delight to wallow in. These People, probably from some Corruption in themselves, and possibly from their own Stench, seem to think every thing around them tainted: But that they may see their own Picture, and learn to know what they are doing weekly, pray let your Paper hold the following Glass to them, and as they like the Figure they may proceed for the future; others, however, will find by it what Judgment to make of them. It is a Performance of the immortal Mr. Addison, who to his own and the lasting Honour of the English Nation, labour’d hard, and sometimes with Success, to reform the Follies and Vices of his Country. You may leave out that part of the third Paragraph from the third Line to the End, as foreign to the Subject. Yours, &c.


Title: Bill to Thomas Penn, 18 May 1734
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Penn, Thomas

Honorable Thos. Penn Esq. Dr.

1734

May 18.

For printing and Paper of 200 Cases at 2d. per.
£1
  13
  4

For a Supplement to the same

  5

Mr. Steel
{
For 300 Warrants a 1d. per.
  1
  5

6 quire Paper a 1s. 3d.

  7
  6

For binding a Book

  10

For 2 Sermons

  3

Augt.

For printing zoo Bonds at 1d.

  16
  8

Paper 4 quire a 12d.

  4

For printing 1000 Bonds and Warrants at 1d. each
  4
  3
  4

Paper 20 quire at 1s. a quire
  1

For Large Advertisements

  10

Ditto in Gazette

  5

Oct. 20

For a Sheet Pasteboard

  9

For Dutch Advts

  5

  11
  8
  7

For the Gazette 2 Years
  1

For binding Catesby’s Birds and gilding
  1
  10

D[itt]o A. Arscot

  2
  6

For a Book of Constitutions

  6

  [£14
  7s.
  1d.]


Title: Thomas Godfrey to the Printer of the Gazette, 15 August 1734
From: Godfrey, Thomas
To: Printer of the Gazette

Mr. Franklin,
The Germans, an industrious and indefatigable People, have been always famous for their Penetration into the more dark and abstruse Parts of Learning, such as border upon Magic not excepted. Of this Nation was the renowned Agrippa, Dr. Faustus, and several others that might be named. Their Skill in the most subtle and mischievous Arts, not being at all doubted of by their Enemies, who by frequent Experience have been made too sensible of it, I admire that any Prince in Europe has the Courage to engage in War with them. I have been formerly told of a certain Virtuoso of that Country, then living, who made himself a Gun (under a particular Configuration of the Heavenly Bodies) which had this wonderful Property, That if walking in the Woods at any Time without it, he happened to see a Deer, or any other Creature that fled from him, he could go home and fire his Piece up the Chimney, when the Shot, by an inevitable Necessity, would proceed directly to the Game, at whatever Distance, and kill it dead. Such a Philosopher as this (I thought) could never fail of Encouragement and Promotion; but it seems throughout the late long Peace he has been neglected. I, who am in my Heart on the Side of the Emperor, was afraid lest so useful a Marksman might be dead: But, to my great Satisfaction, I perceive by an Article of News in Mr. Bradford’s Paper of the first Instant, that he is still living, and prefer’d to the Post of Gunner of the important Fortress of Philipsburgh; For no one but he could have kill’d the Duke of Berwick, upon the Rhine, and the Duke of Savoy in Italy, Countries so vastly distant, both with the same Shot. I am Yours, &c.
T.G.

P.S. It were to be wish’d the Public had been informed how long the King of Sardinia surviv’d the Duke of Savoy: For he it seems is also kill’d with a Cannon Shot, doubtless by the same Gunner.


Title: Admission of John Mifflin to Library Company, 27 August 1734
From: Directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia
To:

27th of Augst. 1734
Such of the Directors of the Library Company as approve of John Mifflin’s being admitted a Member are desired to shew their Consent by subscribing their Names hereto

B. Franklin
Hugh Roberts

John Jones Junr
Thos. Hopkinson 1734

Fras. Richardson
Thos. Cadwalader

Wm Rawle
Philip Syng Junr

Thos Godfrey
Wm. Coleman


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Price, 28 November 1734
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Price, Henry

Dear Brother Price,
Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1734
I am glad to hear of your recovery. I hoped to have seen you here this Fall, agreeable to the expectation you were so good as to give me; but since sickness has prevented your coming while the weather was moderate, I have no room to flatter myself with a visit from you before the Spring, when a deputation of the Brethren here will have an opportunity of showing how much they esteem you. I beg leave to recommend their request to you, and to inform you, that some false and rebel Brethren, who are foreigners, being about to set up a distinct Lodge in opposition to the old and true Brethren here, pretending to make Masons for a bowl of punch, and the Craft is like to come into disesteem among us unless the true Brethren are countenanced and distinguished by some such special authority as herein desired. I entreat, therefore, that whatever you shall think proper to do therein may be sent by the next post, if possible, or the next following. I am, Your affectionate Brother and humble Servant
B. Franklin, G.M. Pennsylvania

P.S. If more of the Constitutions are wanted among you, please hint it to me.

 Addressed: To Mr. Henry Price At the Brazen Head Boston, N. E.