Title: Franklin’s Account of His Audience with Hillsborough, 16 January 1771
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Almost exactly three years earlier, on January 20, 1768, Lord Hillsborough had become Secretary of State for the American Colonies. Franklin’s initial attitude toward the new office and the man who filled it had been favorable, but disillusionment had soon set in. Hillsborough had ordered troops to Boston, had opposed total repeal of the Townshend Acts, and until his volte-face at the end of 1769 had blocked the ambitions of the Walpole Company. Although his personal relations with Franklin remained at least polite until the interview described below, the two men were poles apart. When the American called to present his credentials as agent of the Massachusetts House, politeness disappeared.
Franklin’s account of the scene between them does not clarify the Secretary’s position. Hillsborough had been concerned ever since coming to office with regularizing colonial administration, and one of the outstanding irregularities was the agencies. The traditional view of them in Whitehall was clear enough. Although a branch of the legislature, such as the Massachusetts House, might appoint an agent to act for it in a specific matter within its bailiwick, the general rule until recently had been, despite some exceptions, that an agent who acted for the colony at large was appointed by both houses and the governor. This rule had been largely disregarded since 1765, and Hillsborough was attempting to revive it. Dennys DeBerdt, Franklin’s predecessor for Massachusetts, had had his status questioned: he had been chosen to represent the House in working for repeal of the Stamp Act, Hillsborough had suggested, and had no standing once that objective had been achieved. Although DeBerdt had nevertheless been tolerated, Franklin might have guessed that whoever succeeded him on the same basis would not be welcomed with open arms at the American Department.
Massachusetts was rapidly becoming a thorn in the side of administration, and so was Franklin. His letters to America in 1770, favoring nonimportation, had recently appeared in England; and their thinly veiled references to the incompetence of the ministry could scarcely have endeared their author to the minister chiefly concerned. Hillsborough also, whatever he might say, was no friend to the Walpole Company, of which Franklin was a leading promoter; the Earl’s opposition to its schemes was what forced him from office in 1772. He probably did not welcome any development that increased Franklin’s influence, and least of all one that gave the American a claim to be what he said he was, “an Agent for the People” of the most explosive British colony.
Franklin’s account of the interview leaves much unexplained, not only about Hillsborough’s conduct but also about his own. Why did he take the unusual step of presenting his credentials to the Secretary of State, rather than to the secretary of the Board of Trade? Had he really convinced himself that those credentials were valid enough to secure his official acceptance as agent? If so, he showed much less awareness of the governmental position than he had on other occasions. If not, he chose the one method that virtually ensured a confrontation, and so precluded a working relationship based on the kind of unofficial recognition that DeBerdt had had. Neither Franklin nor his constituents in Massachusetts stood to gain, it would seem, from a complete breach; yet he took the initiative in seeking an interview that achieved precisely that. Hillsborough refused to see him again, except for one extraordinary outburst of hospitality in Ireland. A principal channel of communication with the government was consequently closed, and remained so for a year and a half.
All we know about the course of the interview is what Franklin tells us. Hillsborough, he says, received him graciously and even cordially. At the mention of Massachusetts, however, the Earl’s well known courtly manners suddenly evaporated; he turned waspish and showed himself to be a mixture of ignorance, arrogance, and insecurity. The agent’s mild attempts to pacify stopped as his own anger mounted; on leaving he said in effect that the Secretary himself was the barrier to any reconciliation with the colonies. This is the dialogue as Franklin recorded it. He may well have been accurate, or he may not have been. He had a constituency in Massachusetts, it is worth remembering, that had been divided about selecting him because his loyalty to the American cause was suspect; and his account of the interview was intended for that constituency. His situation may have influenced him, consciously or unconsciously, to retouch the picture he was drawing, in order to portray himself as the champion of colonial rights and the Minister as their inveterate enemy.
 Wednesday, Jan. 16. ’71
At the earnest Instance and Request of Mr. Strahan I went this Morning to wait on Lord Hillsborough. The Porter at first deny’d his Lordship, on which I left my Name, and drove off. But before the Coach got out of the Square, the Coachman heard a Call, turn’d, and went back to the Door, when the Porter came and said, His Lordship will see you, Sir. I was shown into the Levee Room, where I found Governor Barnard, who I understand attends there constantly. Several other Gentlemen were there attending, with whom I sat down a few Minutes. When Secretary Pownall came out to us, and said his Lordship desired I would come in.
I was pleas’d with this ready Admission, and Preference, (having sometimes waited 3 or 4 Hours for my Turn) and being pleas’d, I could more easily put on the open chearful Countenance that my Friends advis’d me to wear. His Lordship came towards me, and said “I was dressing in order to go to Court; but hearing that you were at the Door, who are a Man of Business, I determin’d to see you immediately.” I thank’d his Lordship and said that my Business at present was not much, it was only to pay my Respects to his Lordship and to acquaint him with my Appointment by the House of Representatives of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, to be their Agent here, in which Station if I could be of any Service—I was going on to say, to the Publick I should be very happy; but his Lordship whose Countenance chang’d at my naming that Province cut me short, by saying, with something between a Smile and a Sneer,

L H.
I must set you right there, Mr. Franklin, you are not Agent.

B F.
Why; my Lord?

L.H.
You are not appointed.

B.F
I do not understand your Lordship. I have the Appointment in my Pocket.

L.H.
You are mistaken. I have later and better Advices. I have a Letter from Governor Hutchinson. He would not give his Assent to the Bill.

B.F.
There was no Bill, my Lord; it is a Vote of the House.

L.H.
There was a Bill presented to the Governor, for the Purpose of appointing you, and another, one Dr. Lee, I think he is call’d, to which the Governor refus’d his Assent.

B.F.
I cannot understand this, my Lord. I think There must be some Mistake in it. Is your Lordship quite sure that you have such a Letter?

L H.
I will convince you of it directly. Rings the Bell. Mr. Pownall will come in and satisfy you.

B.F.
It is not necessary that I should now detain your Lordship from Dressing. You are going to Court. I will wait on your Lordship another time.

L.H.
No, stay, He will come in immediately. To the Servant. Tell Mr. Pownall I want him. Mr. Pownall comes in.

L.H.
Have not you at hand Govr. Hutchinson’s Letter mentioning his Refusing his Assent to the Bill for appointing Dr. Franklin Agent?

SEC. P.
My Lord?

L H.
Is there not such a Letter?

SEC. P.
No, my Lord. There is a Letter relating to some Bill for payment of Salary to Mr. DeBerdt and I think to some other Agent, to which the Governor had refus’d his Assent.

L H.
And is there nothing in that Letter to the purpose I mention?

SEC. P.
No, my Lord.

B F.
I thought it could not well be, my Lord, as my Letters are by the last Ships and mention no such Thing. Here is an authentic Copy of the Vote of the House appointing me, in which there is no Mention of any Act intended. Will your Lordship please to look at it? (With some seeming Unwillingness he takes it, but does not look into it).

L H.
An Information of this kind is not properly brought to me as Secretary of State. The Board of Trade is the proper Place.

B.F.
I will leave the Paper then with Mr. Pownall, to be—

L.H.
(Hastily) To what End would you leave it with him?

B F.
To be entred on the Minutes of that Board, as usual.

L.H.
(Angrily) It shall not be entred there. No such Paper shall be entred there while I have any thing to do with the Business of that Board. The House of Representatives has no Right to appoint an Agent. We shall take no Notice of any Agents but such as are appointed by Acts of Assembly to which the Governor gives his Assent. We have had Confusion enough already. Here is one Agent appointed by the Council, another by the House of Representatives; Which of these is Agent for the Province? Who are we to hear on Provincial Affairs? An Agent appointed by Act of Assembly we can understand. No other will be attended to for the future, I can assure you.

B.F.
I cannot conceive, my Lord, why the Consent of the Governor should be thought necessary to the Appointment of an Agent for the People. It seems to me, that—

L H.
(With a mix’d Look of Anger and Contempt) I shall not enter into a Dispute with you, Sir, upon this Subject.

B F.
I beg your Lordship’s Pardon. I do not presume to dispute with your Lordship: I would only say, that it seems to me, that every Body of Men, who cannot appear in Person where Business relating to them may be transacted, should have a Right to appear by an Agent; The Concurrence of the Governor does not seem to me necessary. It is the Business of the People that is to be done, he is not one of them, he is himself an Agent.

L H.
Whose Agent is he? (Hastily).

B F.
The King’s, my Lord.

L H.
No such Matter. He is one of the Corporation, by the Province Charter. No Agent can be appointed but by an Act, nor any Act pass without his Assent. Besides, This Proceeding is directly contrary to express Instructions.

B.F.
I did not know there had been such Instructions, I am not concern’d in any Offence against them, and—

L H.
Yes, your Offering such a Paper to be entred is an Offence against them. (Folding it up again, without having read a Word of it.) No such Appointment shall be entred. When I came into the Administration of American Affairs, I found them in great Disorder; By my Firmness they are now something mended; and while I have the Honour to hold the Seals, I shall continue the same Conduct, the same Firmness. I think My Duty to the Master I serve and to the Government of this Nation require it of me. If that Conduct is not approved, They may take my Office from me when they please. I shall make ’em a Bow, and thank ’em. I shall resign with Pleasure. That Gentleman knows it. (Pointing to Mr. Pownall.) But while I continue in it, I shall resolutely persevere in the same firmness. (Spoken with great Warmth, and turning pale in his Discourse, as if he was angry at something or somebody besides the Agent; and of more Importance) Consequence to himself.

B.F.
(Reaching out his Hand for the Paper, which his Lordship returned to him) I beg your Lordship’s Pardon for taking up so much of your time. It is I believe of no great Importance whether the Appointment is acknowledged or not, for I have not the least Conception that an Agent can at present be of any Use, to any of the Colonies. I shall therefore give your Lordship no farther Trouble. Withdrew.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 19 January 1771
From: Williams, Jonathan Sr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honoured Sir
Boston Janry 19th. 1771
I received your kind favour of the 7 and 9 Novr by Which We are [torn] happy to find our Sons and Brother Safe arival and of the kind Reception thay have from you and Good Mrs. Stevensons kind offer of Service to Whom our Respects.
By the next post I Shall Send to Mr. Pease for the Bond you mention and Shall Recover the money as Soon as Possible then Shall Consult in What Way it may be Improv’d per account to advantage. We Shall take pleasure to Incourage your Benevolent Schem the Ship Sails this Day have not time to ad; I have answard your Litters in Regard to the Lottery in Which I Concluded to Risque the two Ticketts and Gave your Account Current Credit for the Balance you Directd. In hast I am Your Dutifull Nephew and Humble Servant
Jona Williams
PS I have not yet been able to Let your House and Believe Shall not untill Spring.
 Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esqr / at Mrs Stevensons in Craven street / London / per


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Life, 24 January 1771: résumé
From: Life, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<Basinghall St., Jan. 24, 1771. Talked with Mr. Jackson on the 21st about the Georgia acts, and agreed to wait on him with Franklin on the 30th. Wants to talk with Franklin first, and if convenient will call on him at noon on Saturday next, the 26th; if inconvenient, please set any time except the 28th.>


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from a Committee of the Library Company of Philadelphia, 25 January 1771
From: Library Company of Philadelphia
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Philadelphia Jany. 25. 1771
We are appointed by the Directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia, to inform you that your Favour of the 7th July 1769 was received and laid before them by Mr. Charles Thomson, but the Confusion, which necessarily arose from the Union of the several Libraries, gave them so much Employ as to put it out of their Power to answer your Letter, so soon as the great Respect they bear to any Thing coming from you, induced them to wish. They concur with you in Opinion of the Propriety of having in some of our Public Libraries all the Transactions of every Philosophical Society in Europe, but before they would venture to send for so expensive a Collection they apprehend it proper to take the Sentiments of the Company upon the Occasion and in order thereto they would be much obliged to you to favour them with The Price of each Set and also of the French Encyclopedia. We have taken the Liberty to send you a Catalogue of Books and to request you would be kind enough to procure them for us and furnish us with your Account, we have not remitted any further Sum, but whenever we are acquainted with the Ballance, it will be sent by the earliest Opportunity. If there are any late publications not mentioned in our List, which you think proper for our Library, we shall be glad you would send them. The Directors are very thankful for the Trouble you have taken in their Service, but are fearful your many other Engagements, will render their further Applications inconvenient, if that should in the least be the Case, they beg you would recommend some Person who will supply the Company in future with Books on the most advantageous Terms. We are with much Respect your obedient humble Servants
Ml. HillegasNicholas WalnR. Strettell Jones
 Addressed: To / Doct: Benjamin Franklin / London per


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly, 29 January 1771
From: Henly, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir:
Tuesday Morn Jan. 29—71
I think myself highly honour’d by your very obliging favour, and return you my sincerest thanks for your improvement of my Electrometer. I shall take the first opportunity to make that addition to my Apparatus, and am well satisfied ’twill remove the objection at once.
I will now beg leave to assure you Sir that if I have been able to produce any Experiments in Electricity, which Dr. Franklin can vouchsafe to bestow the epithet curious upon, my highest ambition, and vanity in that Science is satisfied, and fully so.
Since I wrote last, I have insulated my Jar laying under the bottom of it a pretty long pointed wire, this while the Jar is charging positively, continues to throw off a fine diverging pencil of Rays. When I charge it negatively I place a pointed bent wire in a Cork stuck in the Knob of the Jar wire, which during the charge continues to throw off the pencil in the manner before described. These apperances oblige me when I speak of the Theory of the Leiden phyal, to lay aside the Terms Dr. Franklins Hypothesis &c and always to mention its phenomena as agreeable &c to Dr. Franklins Laws of the Leiden phyal. I beg leave to present the phyal I mention’d, and am Worthy Sir most sincerely yours
W Henly

 Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / with a phyal
Endorsed: Recd. Tuesday Jan. 29—71


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Knox, 29 January 1771
From: Knox, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
New Street Hanover Square 29 Jany 1771
Inclosed I send you the Plan of the Lands in Georgia claimed by Sir Wm. Bakers Representatives which you desired in your Letter which was delivered to me yesterday. I also inclose the several Papers which came with it to my hands as I imagine they may contain some information which you may think useful. I have kept no Copies of them, neither would I give you the trouble of makeing any, for the originals never can be of any use to me, and Copies would be a still more unnecessary incumbrance. I am Sir your very obedient humble Servant
Will: Knox
 Endorsed: Letter to W Knox Esqr  In Answer


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Garrigues, 31 January[?] 1771
From: Garrigues, Isaac
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Jerusalum Coffee House Jany. 31t[?], 1771
I Received your Note of winsday Noon. But you may be assured I never Received your letter in Answer to mine of Sunday Morning or I should not have attemted to have given you Trouble the second time. I likewise wonder much I never received it. I thank you worthy Sir for all favours and have been very uneasy since receiveing the Note Yesterday—as you are pleased to say you are sorry I left Capt. Dalrymple. I assure you Sir I was intirely ignorat of my Station with Respect to my Duty and with all due Respect to your better judement imagine you where also deceived in it. It suits a Young man of 17 or 18 years of Age to goe in that Station when he wants to learn to be a Seaman but its by no means suitable for me for what respect could I have had to have shipt myself in that Station for [torn] Years and such a number of Officers above me indeed for one Voyage it might have done.
I hope Sir you will be so good as to forgive my Troubling you with this Letter as I only write it with a Veiw for you to understand me. I am well assured I did not disgrace your Recommendation as I beleive no Officer in the Ship was better thought of than myself as plainly appeared when I let them know my intentions of Leaving the Ship. I well know Sir that its imposible for you to supply every ones Occasion with Respect to money and you misunderstood my letter if you think it immediately imply’d for you to supply me. I meant my disagreable Situation in Regard to my being out of employ And did not know if it had not been in your power to have got me a birth in another Ship. I whish you Sir health. And I am with the Greatest Respect Your much Obliged and Most Obedient Servant
Isaac Garrigues
 Addressed: To / Dr: Benjamin Franklin / Craven Street / Strand


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 5 February 1771
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Bowdoin, James

Dear Sir,
London, Feb. 5. 1771
I am very sensible of the Honour done me by your House of Representatives, in appointing me their Agent here. It will make me extreamly happy if I can render them any valuable Service. I have had several Conferences with Mr. Bollan on their Affairs: There is a good Understanding between us, which I shall endeavour to cultivate. At present the Cloud that threatned our Charter Liberties seems to be blown over. In Time I hope Harmony will be restored between the two Countries, by leaving us in the full Possession and Enjoyment of our Rights.
It will be a great Pleasure to me if I can be any way useful to your Son while he stays in England; being, with the greatest Esteem and Respect for you and Mrs. Bowdoin, Dear Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin
PS. Inclos’d I send you a Copy of an original Paper of some Curiosity now in my Hands. The first Part, i.e. the Queries, you will find in the Papers pertaining to the Governor’s History: But not the Abstract or State given with them to Mr. Randolph.
The old Spelling is preserv’d in the Copy.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 5 February 1771
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Cooper, Samuel

Dear Sir,
London, Feb. 5. 1771
I have just received your kind Favour of Jan. 1. by Mr. Bowdoin, to whom I should be glad to render any Service here. I wrote to you some Weeks since in Answer to yours of July and November, expressing my Sentiments without the least Reserve in Points that require free Discussion, as I know I can confide in your Prudence not to hurt my Usefulness here by making me more obnoxious than I must necessarily be from that known Attachment to the American Interest which my Duty as well as Inclination demand of me. In the same Confidence I send you the enclos’d Extract from my Journal, containing a late Conference between the Secretary and your Friend, in which you will see a little of his Temper: It is one of the many Instances of his Behaviour and Conduct that have given me the very mean Opinion I entertain of his Abilities and Fitness for his Station. His Character is Conceit, Wrongheadedness, Obstinacy and Passion. Those who would speak most favourably of him, allow all this; they only add, that he is an honest Man, and means well. If that be true, as perhaps it may, I wish him a better Place, where only Honesty and Well-meaning are required, and where his other Qualities can do no harm. Had the War taken place, I have reason to believe he would have been removed. He had, I think, some Apprehensions of it himself at the Time I was with him. I hope, however, that our Affairs will not much longer be perplex’d and embarrass’d by his perverse and senseless Management. I have since heard that his Lordship took great Offence at some of my last Words, which he calls extreamly rude and abusive. He assur’d a Friend of mine, they were equivalent to telling him to his Face that the Colonies could expect neither Favour nor Justice during his Administration. I find he did not mistake me.
It is true, as you have heard, that some of my Letters to America have been echo’d back hither; (but that has not been the Case with any that were written to you). Great Umbrage was taken, but chiefly by Lord H. who was dispos’d before to be angry with me, and therefore the Inconvenience was the less; and whatever the Consequences are of his Displeasure, putting all my Offences together, I must bear them as well as I can. Not but that, if there is to be War between us, I shall do my best to defend my self and annoy my Adversary, little regarding the Story of the Earthen Pot and Brazen Pitcher. One Encouragement I have, the Knowledge that he is not a Whit better lik’d by his Colleagues in the Ministry than he is by me, that he cannot probably continue where he is much longer, and that he can scarce be succeeded by anybody who will not like me the better for his having been at Variance with me.
Pray continue Writing to me as you find Opportunity. Your candid, clear, and well-written Letters, be assured, are of great Use. With the highest Esteem, I am, my dear Friend, Yours most affectionately
B Franklin
Revd. Dr Cooper.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, 5 February 1771
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Cushing, Thomas

In 1770 Franklin, in a series of letters to American friends, began a commentary on various aspects of the imperial constitution. The letter below is part of this series. It discusses the current state of the American controversy and prospects for the future, and in the process touches incidentally, but in terms that would have startled an Englishman, on what the status of colonial agents should be—that of “public ministers” representing autonomous states. This was a logical development of the doctrine that the colonial legislatures were coequal with Parliament, but it was a far cry from the realities of 1771. Less than three weeks earlier Franklin had been told by the American Secretary that the Massachusetts House had no agent, and hence that he was legally nonexistent; and he must have known that the weight of law and precedent supported this view. Yet he seems to have been looking forward calmly to the day when he or his successor would be recognized as, in effect, the ambassador from Boston. Was this whistling in the dark? a play for time to keep his constituents quiet? an attempt to win over doubters among them by declaring himself as radical as they were? a hope for the immediate future, or a prescient glimpse of the Commonwealth to be? These are questions that an editor may legitimately raise, but not answer.
 Sir,
London, 5 February, 1771.
Since mine of December 24th, I have been honored by the letter from the Committee, dated December 17th, which, with yours of November 6th, now lies before me.
The doctrine of the right of Parliament to lay taxes on America is now almost generally given up here, and one seldom meets in conversation with any, who continue to assert it. But there are still many, who think that the dignity and honor of Parliament, and of the nation, are so much engaged, as that no formal renunciation of the claim is ever to be expected. We ought to be contented, they say, with a forbearance of any attempt hereafter to exercise such right; and this they would have us rely on as a certainty. Hints are also given, that the duties now subsisting may be gradually withdrawn, as soon as a regard to that dignity will permit it to be decently done, without subjecting government to the contempt of all Europe, as being compelled into measures by the refractoriness of the colonies. How far this may be depended on, no one can say. The presumption rather is, that if, by time, we become so accustomed to these, as to pay them without discontent, no minister will afterwards think of taking them off, but rather be encouraged to add others.
Perhaps there was never an instance of a colony so much and so long persecuted with vehement and malicious abuse, as ours has been, for near two years past, by its enemies here and those who reside in it. The design apparently was, by rendering us odious, as well as contemptible, to prevent all concern for us in the friends of liberty here, when the projects of oppressing us further, and depriving us of our rights by various violent measures, should be carried into execution. Of late, this abuse has abated; the sentiments of a majority of the ministers are, I think, become more favorable towards us; and I have reason to believe, that all those projects are now laid aside. The projectors themselves, too, are, I believe, somewhat diminished in their credit; and it appears not likely that any new schemes of the kind will be listened to, if fresh occasion is not administered from our side the water. It seems, however, too early yet to expect such an attention to our complaints, as would be necessary to obtain an immediate redress of our grievances. A little time is requisite; but no opportunity will be lost by your agents, of stating them where it may be of use, and inculcating the necessity of removing them, for the strength and safety of the empire. And I hope the colony Assemblies will show, by frequently repeated resolves, that they know their rights, and do not lose sight of them. Our growing importance will ere long compel an acknowledgment of them, and establish and secure them to our posterity.
In case of my leaving this country, which I may possibly do in the ensuing summer, I shall put into the hands of Dr. Lee all the papers relating to your affairs, which I have received from you, or from the son of your late agent, Mr. De Berdt. The present American secretary, Lord Hillsborough, has indeed objected to the Assembly’s appointment, and insists that no agent ought to be received or attended to, by government here, who is not appointed by an act of the General Court, to which the governor has given his assent. This doctrine, if he could establish it, would in a manner give to his Lordship the power of appointing, or at least negativing any choice of the House of Representatives and Council, since it would be easy for him to instruct the governor not to assent to the appointment of such and such men, who are obnoxious to him; so that, if the appointment is annual, every agent that valued his post must consider himself as holding it by the favor of his Lordship, and of course too much obliged to him to oppose his measures, however contrary to the interest of the province.
Of what use such agents would be, it is easy to judge; and, although I am assured, that, notwithstanding this fancy of his Lordship, any memorial, petition, or other address from, or in behalf of, the House of Representatives to the King in Council, or to either House of Parliament, would be received from your agent as usual, yet, on this occasion, I cannot but wish, that the public character of a colony agent was better understood and settled, as well as the political relation between the colonists and the mother country.
When they come to be considered in the light of distinct states, as I conceive they really are, possibly their agents may be treated with more respect, and considered more as public ministers. Under the present American administration, they are rather looked on with an evil eye, as obstructers of ministerial measures; and the Secretary would, I imagine, be well pleased to get rid of them, being, as he has sometimes intimated, of opinion that agents are unnecessary, for that, whatever is to be transacted between the assemblies of colonies and the government here, may be done through and by the governor’s letters, and more properly than by any agent whatever. In truth, your late nominations, particularly of Dr. Lee and myself, have not been at all agreeable to his Lordship.
I purpose, however, to draw up a memorial, stating our rights and grievances, and, in the name and behalf of the province, protesting particularly against the late innovations in respect to the military power obtruded on the civil, as well as the other infringements of the charter; and at a proper time, if Mr. Bollan on due consideration approves of it and will join me in it, to present it to his Majesty in Council. Whether speedy redress is or is not the consequence, I imagine it may be of good use to keep alive our claims, and show, that we have not given up the contested points, though we take no violent measures to obtain them.
A notion has been much inculcated here by our enemies, that any farther concession on the part of Great Britain would only serve to increase our demands. I have constantly given it as my opinion, that, if the colonies were restored to the state they were in before the Stamp Act, they would be satisfied, and contend no further. As in this I have been supposed not to know, or not to speak the sentiments of the Americans, I am glad to find the same so fully expressed in the Committee’s letter. It was certainly, as I have often urged, bad policy, when they attempted to heal our differences by repealing part of the duties only; as it is bad surgery to leave splinters in a wound, which must prevent its healing, or in time occasion it to open afresh.
There is no doubt of the intention to make governors and some other officers independent of the people for their support, and that this purpose will be persisted in, if the American revenue is found sufficient to defray the salaries. Many think this so necessary a measure, that, even if there were no such revenue, the money should issue out of the treasury here. But this, I apprehend, would hardly be the case, there being so many demands at home; and the salaries of so many officers in so many colonies would amount to such an immense sum, that probably the burden would be found too great, and the providing for the expense of their own governments to be left to the colonies themselves.
I shall watch every thing that may be moved to the detriment of the province, and use my best endeavours for its service.
No public notice has yet been taken of the inflammatory paper mentioned by the Committee, as stuck up in Boston; and I think the indiscretion of individuals is not now so likely, as it has been of late, to make general impressions to our disadvantage. With the greatest respect, &c.
B. Franklin.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwalader Evans, 10 February 1771
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Evans, Cadwalader

Franklin’s efforts to promote the growing of silk in Pennsylvania were slowly bearing fruit. In 1769 he had urged Dr. Evans to seek help from the province; this suggestion had been laid before the American Philosophical Society, which had duly petitioned the Assembly for financial aid. When the legislature failed to act, the Society raised money by private subscription; the contributors elected twelve managers, Evans among them, who were all members of the Society, and who proceeded to set up the filature, hire a supervisor, and set prices for cocoons. The first reeled silk was displayed at a meeting of the contributors in the autumn of 1770. This sample was dispatched at once to Franklin with a covering letter from Evans, now lost, that asked for expert opinion on its quality. Franklin’s reply is below.
 Dear Doctor,
London, Feb. 10, 1771.
I have not now before me your Letter which came with the Sample of Silk, having put it into the Hands of Mr. Walpole with the Sample, who has promised me full and particular Answers to all your Queries, after the Silk has been thoroughly examined. In the mean time he tells me, the best Sort appears to him to be worth in itself 27 or 28s. a pound; and will fetch that Price when some Imperfections in the Reeling it are remedied. He tells me farther, that the best Eggs are to be had from Valentia in Spain, whence he will procure some for you against the next Year; the Worms from those Eggs being the strongest, healthiest, and producing the finest Silk of any others: And he thinks you should get some Reelers from Italy, which he would likewise undertake to do for you if desired. He is one of the most opulent and noble spirited Merchants of this Kingdom. I shall write to you fully per Osborne, with all the Information I can procure. In the mean time, Please to present my respects to the Gentlemen concern’d in the Affair, and assure them of my best Services. I am, my dear Friend, Yours affectionately,
B. Franklin.
Dr. Cadwr. Evans.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Rhoads, 10 February 1771
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Rhoads, Samuel

Dear Friend,
London, Feb. 10. 1771.
I received your kind Favour of Nov. 9. and am glad to hear of the Welfare of you and yours.
Mentioning to a Friend of mine, Mr. Wooller, an Engineer, your Idea of Paint and Sand, to make Roofs durable and safer from Fire (which I hope you will try, as I think it very likely to succeed) he communicated to me an Account of a new Method of Covering, in the North, that is in some respects similar, may be as durable, but in my Opinion not so safe. Perhaps it may be of Use for Summer-Houses, Barns, Outhouses, or Buildings where no Fire comes (and therefore I send you the Account enclos’d); but I think I should not care to trust it in a Dwelling-House, in a Town, unless the under Side of the Boards was lathed and plaistered between the Rafters, which would add to the Expence: For tho’ the Outside, hardened by the Air, and paved, as it were, by the Sand, Shells, &c. might not readily take fire, the Tar coming thro’ the Seams or Craiks of the Boards might be readily inflamed by a Candle from the Inside, placed carelessly by Servants in a Garret.
The Flatness of this Roof, as well as of those with Copper, lessens a good deal the Areas to be covered, and of course the Expence.
I am glad to hear that you have good Workmen in the Stucco Way, and that it is likely to take place of Wainscot.
In some of the Paris Buildings the Floors are thus formed. The Joists are large and square, and laid with two of their Corners up and down, whereby their sloping Sides afford Butments for intermediate Arches of Brick. Over the whole is laid an Inch or two of Loom, and on that the Tiles of the Floor, which are often sixsquare, and painted. The lower Corner of the Joints is cut off enough to admit of nailing to them the Laths that are to hold the Plaister of the Cieling of the Room beneath. Where there is any Apprehension of Walls spreading by the Weight of such Floor, they are prevented by Bars of Iron, with external SS. This kind of Floor seems safe from Fire: For the Joists in Contact with the Bricks above, and shielded by the Plaister Cieling below, are not very likely to kindle and burn. It likewise prevents in a great degree the Noise of what is doing overhead offending those below. But it is heavy, takes up more Room, requires great Strength of Timber and is I suppose more expensive than Boards. I apprehend those Arches are not generally us’d; but the Tiles are more commonly laid upon rough Boards, and the Joints clos’d with fine Mortar or some kind of Cement.
Plaster Floors are of late coming again into Use here. I know not whether we have the proper Materials in our Province; but I have been told there are Quarries of the kind in Nova Scotia near navigable Water. I send you however an Account of the Method of laying such Floors. Also some Specimens of a new-discover’d Limestone for Mortar that sets under Water, with a Written Account of the Method of managing it. All from my Friend the ingenious Mr. Wooller.
Remember me respectfully and affectionately to Mrs. Rhoads and my dear old Friend Mrs. Paschal. With sincere Esteem, I am, dear Friend Yours most affectionately
B Franklin
I send you also a Pamphlet on the Subject of securing Houses from Fire, tho’ the Method is perhaps impracticable with us.
Saml Rhoads, Esqr


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Sherwood, 12 February 1771
From: Sherwood, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Esteemed Friend
Warnford Court Throgmorton Street 12th. Feby. 1771.

Some Years ago there was a dispute between Lord Baltimore and the Penn’s Family, respecting as I understand the Boundaries of the two Provinces. I should be much obliged to thee to be Informed in what Year the Decree was made in that Cause, and the Names of the Parties, and indeed every other particular thou can inform me, relating to this Business, which will oblige Thy respectful Friend
Joseph Sherwood
 Addressed: To / Benjn. Franklyn Esqr. / at Widow Stevenson’s / in Craven Street / Strand.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Katherine French, 18 February 1771
From: French, Katherine
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Sir
Monday 18th Febry. [1771]
Your very valuable opinion is much desired upon the Work I now send for your perusal. A particular friend has requested this favor of me. He says, he thinks, you are not a Stranger to this performance, as it was shewed to you some time ago, in an incompleat state. By a Letter from the late Docr. Greg. Sharpe, which Letter I send you a Copy of, I conclude it must have real merit or should not have been prevailed upon to trouble you with it. Am your obliged and very Humble Servant
Kath. French
 Addressed: To / Docr. Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Katherine French, 26 February 1771
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: French, Katherine

Dear Madam,
Cravenstreet, Feb. 27 [26?], 1770 [1771]
After so full an Opinion in favour of your Friend’s Work from the late learned Dr. Sharpe, my Sentiments of it seem unnecessary, as they can add no Weight. They will appear, however, by my requesting that Five Sets more may be sent me, which I intend as Presents to my Friends the Speakers of so many American Assemblies or Parliaments. These added to the Set you have favour’d me with the Perusal of, will, at the alter’d Rate in the Printed Proposals, amount to Six Guineas, which shall be paid to the Bearer, by Your obliged and most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
I do not recollect that any Part of the Work was shown to me before.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Katherine French, 1 March 1771
From: French, Katherine
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Sir
Friday 1st. March. [1771]
I return you my Thanks for the unquestionable proof you have given of your approbation, of the Work I sent you. I made my friend extremely happy in shewing your Letter to him. When I am in possession of the other 5 sets Will dispatch them to your House. I was unwilling my friend Miss Jennings’s civil acknowledgement of your kind favor, should wait a moment, therefore hope you will forgive the present trouble. Am with the utmost esteem your obliged and very humble Servant
Kath. French
 Addressed: To / Doctor Franklin.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Theodorus Swaine Drage, 2 March 1771
From: Drage, Theodorus Swaine
To: Franklin, Benjamin

In this long letter, from a man whom Franklin had sponsored for Anglican ordination almost two years before, the writer described his struggle to establish a missionary parish in the piedmont of North Carolina. The letter is in bad condition: the ink is faded, some of the pages are torn or stained, some clearly missing, so that the text as reproduced is at times conjectural and has occasional holes. Its vividness, nevertheless, compensates for its shortcomings. Although Drage was no master of English prose, he knew the neighborhood well after a year and a half in it; and it was a community in trouble and turbulence.
The root of his difficulties as a missionary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel was the church itself. With no bishop nearer than London to ordain clergy and remove the unfit, with no determination of where the right lay to appoint parochial rectors and no effective means of levying taxes for their salaries, the church in North Carolina languished. Its position was further weakened by the great influx of dissenters from the north, which was part of the colony’s sensational growth in population. Drage’s troubles, particularly with a vestry that refused to serve, were shared by many of his fellow clergymen; but he was perhaps singularly unfortunate in his parish, which was huge, controlled by a Presbyterian oligarchy, and almost out of touch with the distant seat of authority at New Bern. The dissenters among his parishioners insisted that they were defending their religious rights, as they had their civil, against British intrusion. He insisted on upholding the position of the Anglicans, for if he failed they would, he was convinced, either emigrate to other colonies or become absorbed into the sects.
He was writing at the height of the Regulator movement, which had its climax less than three months later in the Battle of Alamance. The part of his letter that describes the activities of leading Regulators and their opponents is too badly damaged to be of much value, but other parts explain much of what caused the unrest—the oppressive burdens laid upon the people by a corrupt and self-perpetuating clique of local officeholders. As the battle lines formed, Drage seems to have been caught in the middle. Although he lost no love on rioters, he was acutely aware of their grievances; and he was anxious that Franklin, as a friend of liberty, should also be aware of them.
The Regulator movement in the province collapsed after the Battle of Alamance, but Drage’s own troubles grew worse. He apparently never did get a salary, and for another two years or so lived on the contributions of a few faithful Anglicans. Then he gave up his parish, fruitlessly petitioned the legislature for redress, and moved to South Carolina. There he died in 1774.
 Dear Sir
March 2d. 1771
It is not from a want of a sense of the pleasure and Honour I have had in your long acquaintance and Friendship that I have not wrote since my arival in these parts. I had nothing to tell you but the common Ocurrencies of a voyage, or Inland Journey of near four hundred miles to a Town called Salisbury, a village of about Thirty houses mean in its buildings, but scituated in one of the finest climates in the world, as I have since experienced, Temperate in Summer, the nights always cool, the winter cold very moderate our rains for a day, then succeeds serene fine weather. It is the County Town of Rowan, which is composed of Chiltern and vale, watered with three fine Rivers, the Dan, the Yadkin, and the Catawba and plenty of Streams makes their Course into those Rivers. The Soil fertle and capable with small Industry to produce whatever desired. To what I attribute the fine climate is, there is a large ridge of mountains bounds it North and South and again East and West these mountains are cloathed with woods, and capable of producing the finest vines. This Country as the promised land was originally possessed by the Cananites. It is not my opinion, from spleen, but have the publick authority for it our Governor’s speech to the Assembly in November, when the late Governor Dobbs came over here, he brought a colony from his neighbourhood in Ireland, to be here provided for, they [were] put into Posts, others were made attornies, and the rest to live like soldiers upon free Quarter, you know it was an asylum for Thieves and cheats from the Northward, character was no exception against their being well received by their Countrymen and with those whom were not so there was a conformity in manners, the first setlers lived by the gun so were ferocious in their manners, many Hunters, Volunteers in the late Expeditions, Indrian Traders, and the Group is compleated by the People of Conegocheeke York and Cumberland Countys being I think all arrived here of late years, there hath been many also more civilized People who were circumscribed in their Lands in MaryLand, Virginia, also from Pennsilvania having not room to settle their children, many Germantown Quakers, and from whom the Colony hath some share of Industry. I shall now confine myself to speak of my own Parish of St. Lukes or County of Rowan 180 miles in length and 120 in breadth, which I have visited all over and more than once, and from the variety of People I have conversed, am the best acquainted of any person whatever of the real cause of our disorders here. Mr. Dobs’s Friends, and all the Scotch Irish are clanned in one Settlement together [and] had Interest enough to get the County Town adjacent, but no way a proper place, with respect to the Dimensions of the County, and not recommended by its extraordinary scituation. The Town is also full of them but they chose to have their Tribunal near as the Government of the County was intrusted to them exclusive of all others. They are Dissenters by Profession but of many various Sects, so never had a Teacher amongst them only Itinerant Preachers from the North, four or five in a year, who preach once at a place get collections made return with the money, and leave Political Instructions with the Elders. The last two years there is one setled amongst them in the lower part of the County: a church of England man is an abomination, much more a Parson, but I have got footing as their Rector. It is to be considered that these People are three hundred and odd miles from the Seat of Government, and scarce have three hundred and odd pence to carry them there any one of them. Charles Town is the market they go to so cannot Support the Grievances or Abuses of any particular officers, the officers can attend and one justifies the other. If they are Innocent, the others are Rascals and their Behaviour hath been so Irregular, and inexcusable as it gives a Countenance to what their opponents say. It is not force, the Friction only increases the heat, the cause is known, remove that and the Peace of the Country will be restored and they will become a healthy thriving People. Here is a kind of Police very suitable to the Scituation of the People in these distant parts. The freeholders every Easter monday are to choose twelve persons for a vestry, who are intrusted with the Care of the Church and Poor, but they take Care here, when they are chosen to evade the Law, by not Qualifieing, so starve the Parson and the Poor, by no Provision being made for them. But as these should be chosen out all parts of the County, they would be as the States of the County, to whom the People could make known their Grievances, and they would be a respectable Body, whose representations in either in the Courts, or to the Governor and assembly would be of weight, and the People would be easy under these as their Patrons. This hath been continual in Virginia. Also the Magistrates should be more numerous one in every Fifteen miles, but the case is in one place there is not a Magistrate in ninety, in others [none] who act in forty or Sixty. In the Irish Settlement they are numerous, and in other parts, not but Two who are of the Church of England, and one of them, an honest worthy old man they Indicted for Extortion. The bill was found as to which there could be no Question and the Person who set a foot the Prosecution was of the Grand Jury. When it came the next Court of Assize to be tried the same person was Foreman of the Petty Jury, and there were on that Jury, three others, who had been on the Grand Jury. On a Jurymans making an observation as to these three, they were removed but the Foreman stood, and though the Judge, made it appear that there was no Extortion proved, or any intention of it. The Foreman withdrew his Jury, and returned a verdict that he was not Guilty of the Indictment as to matter and form, there was a duplicity in order to reflect on his Character, and he had about eight or ten pounds costs. The Governor becoming acquainted that the Dissenting magistrates only acted desired of me, as I passed thro the Parish a List of People proper for that office, who were of the Church of England for the consideration of himself and the Council. I executed my trust with care for a New Commission was made out, in which several of the formor Magistrates were left out, but this commission was either purposely left behind by Frohawk and those who returned from Newbern, or concealed here, the same Magistrates sat, made up the County accounts, appointed the Jurys for the assizes, though all the Commissions for the militia officers, were carefully brought. I mention how little Governor or any the authority that is not according to their wish is to be regarded. Only for want of proper Magistrates the People executed their own Judgements, flogged those that stole, from thence took it into their heads to punish any person, whom they thought had offended, from thence they got the name of Regulators, than undertook in [poss?]ies to purge the Country of bad People. Thus from [illegible] than Force was necessary, otherwise these Insurgents could not be brought to Justice. Two partys were formed, both appeared in arms. But Husband’s scheme was to show his Perog[ative?] [torn] as he had got his People down, went freely [torn] Fear and without consulting his People [torn] to the most considerate amongst them [torn], the Governor upon their retreat sent an [torn] under the Stile of a conqueror, which did not [put them into a good?] humour. They observed that Fanning and [torn] Sheriffs and Lawyers, had his Ear, whe [torn] in a slight manner to him with [torn] they found it made little impression, the [torn] representations of those who were the cause of [torn] on, by their unjust oppressions. The Governor is a gentleman [and as a] man of Honour, and veracity, judged the same of thos[e who] assumed the character of such, and was deceived. Husband [had?] engaged with a Lawyer one Nash to give him three hundred and odd pounds to manage the Regulators affairs in the Law, and when he signed the agreement said he shoud pay about a Small part of it, so did not regard the Sum. Nash afterwards sued him and recovered. He than applied to the Regulators to pay their proportions, they said no, it was an agreement, which they were no way privy or assenting to and he must pay it himself, they were so disatisfied with their being seduced to Hilsborough, the Oath they had thro’ his means prematurely engaged in, and some other Conduct, as they were going to Flog him. Thus was he sinking, and they the sensible People and who had Property seeking means to restore the general Peace, but could not persuade themselves, that their Oath was illegal and so could be dispensed with, but had come to an agreement I think generaly, for I was concerned in this Transaction, to pay the Tax for the year 1769, as it was set out what each particular was, and they only excepted to one 4d. they [torn] to much, only they feared the than Sheriff Cole, would [torn] to the Treasury, as he was expensive and hard [torn] houses. They had at that Time as with [torn] opinion of him. Things seemed now [torn], and as these Combinations consist [torn] of People, one who seeks Justice, and the others [torn] from it. It was on the latter only that [torn] chief dependance; But an Accident [torn] are to blaze out again, as the [torn] also [?] the Grand and Petty Juries for the assize [and the?] Quarter Sessions preceding, and some of the Regu[lators] were to be Indicted at that court, and Tried upon their indictments. It was represented that a Set of Justices, who were Creatures of Colonel Fanning, had taken an opertunity when the other Justices were not on the Bench to pack a Jury, if not designed, it was certainly Impolitick. This was Imediately made Known by Circular Letters, all called upon in defence of their Libertys to Hilsborough, and the consequence was a most unjustifiable Riot at Hilsborough. The Ferocious men could be no longer restrained by the advice of the others, and so became their Masters, and thus Husbands became more formidable than before, and the more sober and discreet part are now afraid for themselves if they do not follow the Lead of these Ferocious Men. What was done as to the last assembly, appears to have no effect. Col. Fanning, who cleared himself of the accusations alledged against himself in the house, hath not yet done it in the minds of the People, you have read the State of Frohock, and no Peace will be restored until Fanning retires, and the other with his connections are removed from all Employments [page missing?] but now endeavour to Starve me out. There are nine hundred Families who profess now the Church of England, and about seven Thousand Souls, men, women, and children. They will not make Fifteen hundred, but are in Possession of their Patents, which is not the case with most of the others, so they are the Freeholders. The greatest number of the Magistrates is made out of them, for they take[?] the Qualifications sign the Test, and the members of the County are of them. They soon brow beat the other Magistrates and drove them from the Bench, thus assumed the whole Power. They name the Sheriffs, they also appoint the Grand and Petit Juries for the assize courts. They levy and adjust the County Tax. The Clerk of Sessions and assize is with them, for the offices are executed by two Brothers, but they in reality executed [as one?] man. From this Set have all the oppressions, and [torn] of the county in great part arose. They nominated to the Sherifdom Persons in low circumstance. The Sheriffs would declare the Tax to be more than it was and accordingly collect it which when discovered by the People, two Shillings a head extra, for it is Pole Tax, would tell them to come to Town themselves and bring their receipts they would pay them, forty sixty, or a hundred miles for two Shillings, by this means the Sherriff kept most of what he had. The money was permitted to lie in their hands a year or more after their Sheriffdom was expired, as they could not get in their deficiencys, than was setled by a committee of Justices. This was the Rule for the Treasurers receipt the Public Treasurer. They would yet collect Deficiencys after this, and to the Pocket. And it was observed that the Public moneys were short, yet the Sheriff who was in poor circumstances before, would become possessed of Negros and a trading man. This caused a Jealousy, and would take Dollars of the People at 6s. 6d. and pay them in at 8s. as to others they would spend great part of the money, and what they remitted to the Treasury would be there clipped again, the Sheriffs Securitys would conceal their own effects so it was hard [?] hearted to confine their Persons and they could swear themselves out as Insolvents. In Short, there was not [nought] omitted of oppression and vexation which their Powerful office was capable to inflict. Mr. Macullough, the present [?] Agent for this Province had large tracts of land in this county and the adjoining on which People had setled [illegible]. Many continued on that land and came to an agreement with him, others quitted, and a great Tract is desolate [illegible] to him a large sum of money. This ocasion [torn] move and indeed took away almost the [torn and illegible]. His conduct also added to the [illegible] who[?] was[?] forced[?] to flee by night they could have an [illegible] I[?] declare if he ever came here again he need not give himself the trouble of thinking how he shall [illegible] them. The present Clerk of Session, whose name is Frohawk was his agent and Surveyor. On this scarcity of money more suits commenced amongst the People. The Lawyers took high Fees from the Necessitous to keep off the Evil day. Those that wanted their money were liberal to get the Suit dispatched and often when the Cause was determined the Fees in Court exceeded the Suit. All the Tricks of office were playd, actions brought without the least foundation, in order to ruin People by way of Revenge, Executions retained or Issued ad libitum of the Clerk, no receipts given, and Issued tho satisfied a Second Time. Sheriffs officers furnished with blank writs, fomenting the People one against the other, went to one, told him such a one said this of you, if he would not bring an action of Scandal, returns to the other he succeeds the [page missing?] degree to another became more daring and committed the violencies at Hilsborough. Thus I have given you a fair State of our Grievances here, or the True cause of that confusion which prevails, which the Dissenters endeavour to avail themselves of, as the Friends of Government, but would have joined the rest of the People could they have prevailed with the People to have carried their first demands, to the Subversion of the constitution who aimed at only a Regulation as to the Public officers. And the violences committed, have been committed by the Dissenters principaly, tho represented to the assembly and Government it was by the People of the Church of England, tho they declared publickly while the assembly was Sitting, those up here, that if the Petition which was sent down to set aside the Test, was not complied with they would be worse Regulators than the others, whom they called Fools. They succeeded, and as it was merrily said the Government was become a Leakey Canoe, and they wanted to mend it with Church Leather. Every thing was granted them and they were equaly condescending and formed an act under the name of a Riot act, which intirely vests a Despotick Power in the Governor, and the life of a man is not worth a Button, if they have a mind to Scheme it to take it from him. It is to last but a year, so will not be sent home, and if seen at home would be an Eternal reproach to your Stand for Liberty, and the consequence is it hath only made the Regulating association the Stronger, thro fear. And when the Coroner appointed a Day, amongst the Scotch Irish to come and pay their Tax, These the principal Body of the Dissenters, not one came nigh to him. Husbands was expelled the House, and afterwards arrested and put in Jail for an impudent libel against one of the Judges. After the assembly broke up, he was still confined for want of Bail, a Large Body of People, to the amount of four hundred, with a waggon to every forty men set out, from this County to be joined by a greater number in Orange, and to march to Newburn. Those that went from hence were mostly Dissenters. They were to send Five persons down before them to bail Husbands, and if they did not meet him coming home, they were to go and break the Jail, which is in the same Town with the Governors Palace. This an Instance how little Sincerity there is in these People with respect to the Government, and of what little Efficacy the Proceedings of the late assembly have been towards restoring of the Public Peace. I must mention another anecdote. Frohawk who was Lt. Col. of Militia was to be at a muster of Four Companies of Militia, at the Moravian Town in October. They had formed a design to regulate him, that is Flog him, as they had done Fanning. I heard of it, and on Inquiry found it true. Frohawk got an account of it so did not come. The officers were afraid of a Riot, they desired me to stay as they knew I could Influence the People, also many of the Leading Regulators came early to endeavour to keep Peace, but as Frohawk was not there and the Major mustered them, there was better Order and Decency kept than could possibly be expected from such a Body of People, not the least offence or disturbance, yet when he was at Newburn and the Colonel gave up his Commission, the Governor was such a Stranger to what a light he stood in with respect to the People that he made him Colonel.
This letter comes by two Germans honest Planters here they will shew you their Business and should it be convenient would recommend them to the notice of your Friends. They and those on whose part they come, have not been Regulators, tho many of them have suffered very considerably by the publick officers.
What I have wrote, I do not consider as a Secret, and you have leave to communicate it as you see proper. It is late a Saturday night so must Stop my Pen, and these men go tomorrow Evening. All I can say I am well. May God continue your health is the Sincere wish of your Sincere Friend and oblidged Servant
Theodorus Swaine DrageRector of St. Lukes Parishin the County of Rowanin the Province of NorthCarolina, at Salisbury.
A Letter by the Charles Town Packet directed to the care of Wm. Glen & Son Merchants in Charles Town will come to hand.
 Endorsed: Revd Mr Swaine Drage No. Carolina Salisbury Mar. 2d. 71


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Noble Wimberly Jones, 4 March 1771
From: Jones, Noble Wimberly
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Revered Sir
Savannah 4 March 1771.
I take this oportunity to acquaint you that on the 22d. of last month our Assembly met with the same fate of that in Decr. 1768, the principal cause seemed to be their having Committed the deputy Secretary for refusing to give evidence to a Committee of the House on an information against the deputy surveyor general for taking double fees in his Office which the Governor (like some other of his declarations) said the Assembly had no Right to do. Another reason he gives is A Resolution of the House not to enter on a Tax Bill for the present year the four Southern Parishes not being Represented. I receiv’d a Note from the Governor about or near 12 o Clock at noon when I waited of him, After telling me the cause of sending he recommended an Alteration in those parts of the Journals of the House and desired I would use my influence with the Members for that purpose which I refused not thinking it consistant as Speaker to be consernd in such a matter or message of any kind, and on his urging the affair of Mr. Moodie deputy Secretary I told him it would then appear (if that was struck off the Minets) that the Speaker Issued Warrant without any Authority for so doing. Some Gentlemen of the Council did mention the Governors request to several of the Members and that he would disolve the Assembly unless they did alter the Journals of that week which threat they disdaind, and the House not having any thing before them for that day adjournd to the next morning. But about 8 that evening the Governor Disolv’d us by Proclamation so that the whole business of the Session dropd amongst which were several ready for the Assent some of great consiquence. I trust you have receivd the Bills of Exchange before this two of which I have sent one sett by Capt. Hall which we hear has arrived therefore have not sent the third set. And remain with great esteem and assurance of the late Assembly’s Confidence in your inclinations and abillities Sir Your Most Obedient and Very Humble Servant
N W Jones
This comes by Mr. Ed: Telfair Member Assembly in the year 1768.
 Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / Provincial Agent for / the Province of Georgia, / London / per favour of / Capt. T. Ash by way / Cows


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Grace Williams, 5 March 1771
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Williams, Grace

Dear Cousin,
London, 5 March, 1771.
I received your kind letter by your sons. They are, I assure you, exceeding welcome to me; and they behave with so much prudence, that no two young men could possibly less need the advice you would have me give them. Josiah is very happily employed in his musical pursuits. And as you hinted to me, that it would be agreeable to you, if I employed Jonathan in writing, I requested him to put my accounts in order, which had been much neglected. He undertook it with the utmost cheerfulness and readiness, and executed it with the greatest diligence, making me a complete new set of books, fairly written out and settled in a mercantile manner, which is a great satisfaction to me, and a very considerable service. I mention this, that you may not be in the least uneasy from an apprehension of their visit being burthensome to me; it being, I assure you, quite the contrary.
It has been wonderful to me to see a young man from America, in a place so full of various amusements as London is, as attentive to business, as diligent in it, and keeping as close at home till it was finished, as if it had been for his own profit; and as if he had been at the public diversions so often, as to be tired of them.
I pray God to keep and preserve you, and give you again, in due time, a happy sight of these valuable sons; being Your affectionate uncle,
B. Franklin.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 5 March 1771
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Williams, Jonathan Sr.

Loving Cousin,
London, March 5. 1771
I suppose Jonathan has told you that the Lottery is drawn, and your two new Tickets had the same Success as the former, viz. One £20 Prize, and one Blank. Would you go on any farther?
Josiah is very happy in being under the Tuition of Mr. Stanley, who very kindly undertook him at my Request tho’ he had left off Teaching. Josiah goes constantly too to several Concerts, besides Operas and Oratorios; so that his Thirst for Music is in a Way of being thoroughly satiated. This is his principal Expence; for in all other Respects I never saw two young Men from America more prudent and frugal than he and his Brother are.
Jonathan seems to have an excellent Turn for Business, and to be a perfect Master of Accounts. In the latter he has been of great Use to me, having put all mine in order for me. There is a Proposal from his Uncle of his going to East India as a Writer in the Company’s Service which I wish may take place, as I think if he lives he cannot fail bringing home a Fortune. He had ordered a Cargo of Goods to be sent you for Cousin Wood’s Shop, and had given Expectations of paying ready Money. But one of your Bills being protested, he seem’d [to see?] a Necessity of asking some Credit of the Mer[chants. I] advis’d him to take what was wanting of me, rather than fail in Punctuality to his Word; which is sacred here among all that would maintain a Character in Trade. He did so, and thereby also sav’d the Discount, without putting me to the least Inconvenience, provided the Money is replac’d in Six Months; and I was glad I had it in my Power to accommodate him.
I hope you have before this time got another Tenant for the House, and at the former Rent. However, I would have you go on advancing to my Sister the Amount of it; as I am persuaded she cannot well do without it. She has indeed been very unfortunate in her Children.
I am glad to hear, that as soon as the Weather permits, the Tomb will receive a thorough Repair. Your kind Care in this Matter, will greatly oblige Your affectionate Uncle
B Franklin
Jona Williams Esqr
 Addressed: To / Jonathan Williams Esqr / Mercht / Boston
Endorsed: March 5, 1771


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Noble Wimberly Jones, 7 March 1771: résumé
From: Jones, Noble Wimberly
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<March 7, 1771. Encloses two issues of the Gazette dealing with the dissolution of the Assembly.>


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Crafton, 11 March 1771
From: Crafton, Robert
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Broad Street Buildg., Mar. 11. 1771.
I hope you (as an American) have not caught that epidemical Disorder, that infects our Senators on this Side the Atlantic: Law Makers should not be Law-Breakers! You and I, cum aliis, laid our wise Noddles together, and framed a wise Statute; that we and all other Persons under a certain Predicament therein express’d, should dine every Thursday at the Dog Tavern on Garlick Hill: But O tempora! O mo[res!] if I mistake not, you have been there but once [torn] I shall take the Chair on Thursday, and do hereby en[join?] you, under pain of my greatest Displeasure, to [torn] in Person; and to bring with you some two or three or more young sucking Americans, that reside to the Westward, and do most probably attend your Levees; where indeed I should have been present more than once, but that the Defection of the Philadelphians, has chained me to the Oar for several Weeks past. I am respectfully &c. &c.
Robt. Crafton
 Addressed: Benja. Franklin Esq


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from [Susannah?] Jennings, 20 March 1771
From: Jennings, Susannah
To: Franklin, Benjamin

March 20.—71
Miss Jennings presents Her Compliments to Doctr. Franklin, she has used the permission He gave of shewing the list to Mr. Con way, and the enclosed Abstract of Doctr. Franklins Copy is a list of those kinds which Mr. Conway and self would be glad to have, at the same time Miss Jennings hopes if this Catalogue should appear unreasonably long, that Doctr. Franklin will not scruple to abridge it so far as to make it quite convenient to Him. She returns many Thanks for this and his former favours.
 Addressed: To / Doctr. Franklin / in Craven street / in the Strand


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to [Susannah?] Jennings, 21 March 1771
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Jennings, Susannah

Cravenstreet March 21. [1771]
Immediately on receiving Miss Jennings’ Commands, Dr. F. apply’d to the Box in order to execute them: But to his Surprise found that (thro’ some unaccountable Neglect) only a few of the Parcels contained in it were actually number’d, so that the Numbers in the Catalogue are not of the Use he expected, and it requires a Knowledge of the Seeds themselves to distinguish and pick them out. In this Knowledge Dr. F. is very deficient, and therefore sends the whole Box to Miss Jennings, intreating her to find the Sorts that she and Mr. Conway have chosen, (a Trouble he would have spar’d her if he could) and to take any Quantity of them she pleases. Dr. F. presents his respectful Compliments, and is happy in having any thing that may be acceptable to her and Mr. Conway.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 22 March 1771
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

La Haie 22e. Mars 1771
[Beginning lost:] Monsieur, que vous resterez encore quelque tems en Angleterre. Ayez donc la bonté de m’apprendre si je pourrai encore vous faire tenir cela à Londres, ou si j’en chargerai l’un ou l’autre Capitaine qui fera voile de nos Ports pour Philadelphie. Il y aura aussi un Exemplaire pour la Bibliothêque.
Je finirai, comme j’ai commencé, en parlant de moi. J’ai fini mes précédens engagemens, sans vouloir m’embarquer dans un autre, d’aussi longue haleine, que l’on m’a présenté. J’ai cependant entrepris, pour aussi longtems que cela me conviendroit, l’éducation chez moi de deux jeunes Patriciens d’Amsterdam. Ce que ceux-ci me laissent de loisir, je l’emploie à la traduction françoise d’un bon Ouvrage Anglois, mais de longue haleine, c’est l’Histoire Chronologique du Commerce par Mr. Anderson. Je tâcherai de remédier dans ma traduction, autant qu’il sera possible, au stile un peu long et embarrassé, et à des répétitions, qu’il est bien plus facile de critiquer, qu’il ne devoit l’être au savant Auteur de les éviter en composant. J’y ajouterai des remarques là où je les croirai nécessaires. J’espere d’en venir à bout dans environ deux ans; et comme l’original est dédié à la Société qui travaille avec tant de succés en Angleterre à l’encouragement des Arts, des Manufactures et du Commerce, je voudrois dédier ma Traduction à la Pensilvanie, si vous l’approuvez, Monsieur, afin de pouvoir sans mentir, et sans bassesse, dire des choses agréables et utiles. J’ai l’honneur d’être avec tout l’estime et le respect qui vous sont dûs, Monsieur, Votre trés humble et très obéissant serviteur
Dumas

Lorsque vous voudrez bien, Monsieur, m’honorer d’une réponse, elle me parviendra le plus sûrement sous une enveloppe à l’adresse de Mr. Schlemm, Agent de Sa M[ajesté] Brittannique à Rotterdam, le même par le moyen de qui ce paquet vous sera rendu.
Peut-on avoir à Londres, Monsieur, le Pensylvanian Gazet, dont vous avez eu la bonté de m’envoyer quelques feuilles? En ce cas je vous serai fort obligé de m’indiquer l’adresse de la personne à Londres qui la reçoit et distribue, afin que je puisse lui faire écrire pour me la faire tenir à mesure qu’elle arrivera de là-bas. Autrement je verrai de me la procurer directement de Philadelphie par quelque Négociant de Rotterdam en correspondance avec cette Place, qui souscrive pour moi chez l’Imprimeur et le paye, pour me l’envoyer par paquets [lors]qu’il partira quelque vaisseau pour Rotterdam. C’est une lecture qui [me] feroit grand plaisir, si je pouvois l’obtenir de tems en tems.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Hope, 26 March 1771
From: Hope, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Edinb. 26 March 1771
As formerly you took the trouble of transmitting some letter from a Society at Edinburgh to Mr. John Bartram; I presume to beg you will have the Goodness of transmitting the inclosed.
That Society is now dissolved. I have the honour to be Sir with the greatest respect Your most obedient Servant
John Hope


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 30 March 1771
From: Franklin, Deborah
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear Child
March the 30 1771
I have reseved yours of Jan the 2 and was much plesed to hear that you was well in helth which is a graite pleshur to me to hear. I have bin impashent to hear that Capt. Folner was Cume or Capt. Sparkes that I moute hear from you by sum bodey hough you had seen you.
I had not knone that the packit was to go tell a week longer or I had mis understood by the paper on thisday but this will servef to tell you that I am much as I have [been] for sum time paste but the wather has [been] verey unsetled and a verey uncumforte abel Spring althow a fine winter you know [I] did not yousd to complaine of wather but it hurtes me much now.
Salley come to let me know of the poste was cume Shee had bin oute with Mrs. Foxcrofte and had cote a cold which has given her a sever pain in her tempel which Shee has complaind for sum time paste the air paste has bin [heavy?]. Shee is not up but I hope Shee is better our child is up and cume in to see me as he dus everey morning and to pay his Dutey to his papah and unkill. The other day I shoed his Grandfather our grandfathers it plesed him and wold kiss it. I told him who it was. It was aboute 3 week ago he sat on his mothers lap and looked up to your pickter and sed papah sed qoted [illegible] round O M moley miller his maids name is molley Miller he is verey fond of his Book and as he is walkein a long he stopes to tell the letters on the fine border I muste tell you we had a mape and he was plesd to pinte at the difrend Cullers and we shoed him some plases and it plesed him it was laid a way under the harpsicord he found it and broute it and pinted to it and seme much plesd with it and coles it my pees and allways pules it up him selef. Capt. All cumes as constant as if he was to lame sum thing of him but let me say what I will it donte tell halef. A littel garle came to see him so after sume time he shoed her your pickter and sed papah and then held up his finger and shone to the profeel and sed is more papah and semed plesd for her to look at it. I long for you to see him I muste adue at this time and am your Loveing wife
D Franklin
 Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esqr / Craven Street / London


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 30 March 1771
From: Franklin, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Burln. Mar. 30, 1771
I wrote a few Lines to you by this Packet and enclosed a Letter to L.H. I have several other Letters to write to him by this Opportunity which prevents my writing fully to you. I have just had the Pleasure of hearing from Mr. W. Logan that you were well the first of Janry. his Son having seen you at that Time.
 Addressed: To / Benjn. Franklin, Esqr / Depy. Postmaster General of / N. America / Craven Street / London / Via New York per Packet / On His Majesty’s Service
Opened by W.F.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to [Noble Wimberly Jones?, March? 1771]: fragment; résumé
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Jones, Noble Wimberly

<No place or date, but endorsed “B. Franklin Esq. March or Apl. 1771.” Asks the recipient to accept “a few Seeds from India, that I am told are of curious and useful Plants, and likely to thrive in your Country.”>


Title: William Strahan to William Franklin, 3 April 1771: extract
From: Strahan, William
To: Franklin, William

April 3d. 1771.
Your Father could not stir in this Business as he is not only on bad Terms with Lord Hillsborough, but with the Ministry in general. Besides, his Temper is grown so very reserved, which adds greatly to his natural Inactivity, that there is no getting him to take part in anything.
Of this he is himself so Sensible, that I once heard him at my House propose to Mr. Wharton to strike his name out of the List, as it might be of prejudice to the Undertaking. But all this to yourself. My Sole Motive for writing you thus freely, is to put you upon your Guard, and to induce you to be as circumspect in your Conduct as possible, as it is imagined here, that you entertain the same political Opinions with your Father, and are actuated by the same Motives with regard to Britain and America.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 4 April 1771: résumé
From: Todd, Anthony
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<General Post Office, Thursday, April 4, 1771. An invitation, in the third person, to dinner at four the next day with Mr. Wharton and Major Trent. A bizarre postscript, in Todd’s hand, reads “Salt Fish and Brandy.”>


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 5 April 1771
From: Galloway, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Philada. April 5th. 1771
By Order of the House of Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania, I herewith transmit a Petition to his Majesty respecting the Duties imposed by the late Revenue Act of Parliament, which remain unrepealed. This Petition it is their Desire that you shoud present to his Majesty in the most proper Manner. I am Sir, with great Esteem and Regard your most obedient Servant
Joseph GallowaySpeaker
Benjamin Franklin Esqr.
 Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esquire / in / London
Endorsed: Jos. Galloway Esqr Ap. 5. 71.
Concg. Petition to the King


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Wilson, 14 April 1771
From: Wilson, Alexander
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
College Glasgow, April 14th. 1771
By last post we had a Letter from Mr. Kettleby in Dublin, informing us that he had had a Letter from you inquiring if he could furnish some Fonts of Printing Types for a Printing Office in America, and that in return he had mentioned us and recommended our Types.
I now use the freedom in letting you know that we have just now ready finished Several Fonts of the Smaller Letter, Such as English No. 3d the Same on which Our Friend Mr. Strahan printed Dr. Robertsons history of Charles the 5th. 1200 weight—Pica No. 1 800. hd. [?] on which Guthries history of Scotland was printed by Mr. Hamilton in Falcon Court. Of Pica No. 3d. 400 hd. every way Similar to the Pica so much used in London—Small Pica No. 3d. 800. hd. on which a Book entituled a Tour through Gr. Britain was lately done in London. Burgeois and Brevier the Same as Mr. Strahan uses in his Chronicle. Of the first 400. hd. of the last 800. hd. Also a 400. hd. of Burgeois on a Brevier body fit for News papers &c: If any larger or Smaller than these were to be needed we have them in our Collection.
I have made free in giving you this detail which on account of former Acquaintance I hope youl readily indulge me in. From the long encouragement which we have met with from some worthy friends we have in the Trade in London, we have been induced for some Years past to make considerable improvements in our Letter, and in point of Elegance as well as in the quality of the Metal, and good execution of the Types we doubt not but they would give satisfaction. There are opportunities almost every week to the different Ports in America from Clyde, and we are in the use of Sending out Fonts often; But if they were to be shiped for Liverpool as Mr. Kettleby mentions, they could easily be conveyed there by some of our Coasters.
Our Prices are as follow which on Account of the cheapness of Labour here are considerably below those in London.

Titling Letter above Double Pica -
1s.

Double Pica. Great Primer. English

11d.

Pica - - - - - - - - - -

11 1/2d.

  Small Pica - - - - - - - -
1s.
1d.

  Long Primer - - - - - - -
1s.
5d.

  Small Burgeois - - - - - - -
1s.
9d.

  Brevie - - - - - - - - -
2s.
2d.

  Brevier Burgeois - - - - - -
2s.

  Nonpareil - - - - - - - -
4s.

In case the terms of this Letter be agreeable Your Orders will very much oblige us. Compliments to Our friend Mr. Small when you see him. I ever am with Esteem Sir Your most Obedient Servant
Alex Wilson
 Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / Craven Street / London


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to a Committee of the Library Company of Philadelphia, 16 April 1771
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Library Company of Philadelphia

Gentlemen,
London, April 16. 1771
I received yours of Jan. 25: with a Catalogue of Books to be purchased for the Library Company. The Collection is making with all possible Expedition, but I fear will scarce be ready to go with this Ship. I beg you would not imagine it giving me Trouble when you send me the Commands of the Company. If I can execute them to their Satisfaction, it will, on the contrary, be a very great Pleasure to me: For I have many Reasons to wish well to the Institution.
I hope to send you, with the Books, an Estimate of the Cost of the European Transactions and the French Cyclopedia. I am, very respectfully, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
P.S. Inclos’d is the Lib. Company’s Accompt, as it stands in my Books here.
Messrs. Mich. Hillegas, Nicho. Waln, and R. Strettell Jones


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 20 April 1771
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, William

Dear Son,
London, April 20. 1771
It is long since I have heard from you. The last Packet brought me no Letter, and there are two Packets now due. It is supposed that the long easterly Winds have kept them back.
We have had a severe and tedious Winter here. There is not yet the smallest Appearance of Spring. Not a Bud has push’d out, nor a Blade of Grass. The Turnips that us’d to feed the Cattle have been destroy’d by the Frost. The Hay in most Parts of the Country is gone, and the Cattle perishing for Want, the Lambs dying by Thousands, thro’ Cold and scanty Nourishment. Tuesday last I went to dine at our Friend Sir Matthew Featherstone’s thro’ a heavy Storm of Snow. His Windows you know look into the Park. Towards Evening I observ’d the Snow still lying over all the Park, for the Ground was before too cold to thaw it, being itself frozen and Ice in the Canal. You cannot imagine a more winterlike Prospect! Sir M. and Lady F. always enquire kindly of your Welfare: As do Mr. and Mrs. Sargent.
Sir John Pringle has heard from Mr. Bowman of your Kindness to that Gentleman and desires I would present his particular Acknowledgements for the Attention you have paid to his Recommendation.
I send enclos’d my Account against you for Money advanced and paid here since my being in England. There are two Articles, viz. May 2. 1765. Prints £12 10s. 0d.; and July 11. 1769. Books £22 17s. 6d. from which you are to make proper Deductions; as I would not have you charg’d with any Prints you might have given away to our common Friends, but only with what have been sold for your Account. And among the Books were some that I desired you to put into a Booksellers Hands to be sold for my Account. The heaviest Part is the Maintenance and Education of Temple; but that his Friends will not grudge when they see him.
The Ohio Affair seems now near a Conclusion. And if the present Ministry stand a little longer, I think it will be compleated to our Satisfaction. Mr. Wharton has been indefatigable, and I think scarce any one I know besides would have been equal to the Task, so difficult it is to get Business forward here, in which some Party Purpose is not to be served: But he is among them eternally, and leaves no Stone unturn’d. I would, however, advise you not to say any thing of our Prospect of Success, till the Event appears: for many things happen between the Cup and the Lip.
I have attended several Times this Winter upon your Acts of Assembly. The Board are not favourably dispos’d towards your Insolvent Acts, pretending to doubt whether distant Creditors, particularly such as reside in England may not sometimes be injured by them. I have had a good deal of Conversation with Mr. Jackson about them, who remarks that whatever Care the Assembly may, according to my Representation of their Practice, take in examining into the Cases to prevent Injustice, yet upon the Face of the Acts nothing of that Care appears. The Preambles only say that such and such Persons have petitioned and set forth the Hardship of their Imprisonment, but not a Word of the Assembly’s having enquired into the Allegations contained in such Petitions and found them true, not a Word of the general Consent of the principal Creditors, or of any publick Notice given of the Debtor’s Intention to apply for such an Act, all which he thinks should appear in the Preambles, and then those Acts would be subject to less Objection and Difficulty in getting them through the Offices here. I would have you communicate this to the Speaker of the Assembly with my best Respects. I doubt some of those Acts will be repeal’d. Nothing has been done, or is now likely to be done by the Parliament in American Affairs: The House of Commons and the City of London are got into a violent Controversy, that seems at present to engross the publick Attention, and the Session cannot continue much longer.
By this Ship I send the Picture that you left with Meyer. He has never yet finished the Miniatures. The other Pictures I send with it are for my own House, but this you may take to yours.
In the Business I transacted here for Mr. Cha. Read, after paying the Solicitor there remained a Ballance to Mr. Read of £9 19s. 9d. in my Hands, which I requested you to pay him. You never wrote me Word whether [you] had done it or not; so I could not give you Credit for it. If you paid it, so much must be added to the Credit side of your Account. And as it is possible I may have omitted some Articles of Charge against you that you are acquainted with, I rely on your rectifying such Mistakes. This Account takes in nothing previous to [remainder missing]


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 20 April 1771
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Galloway, Joseph

Dear Sir,
London, April 20. 1771
It is an Age since I have heard from you. But the long-continu’d Easterly Winds have kept back all Ships from the Westward, and we have now two Packets due.
Nothing has been handled in Parliament this Session relating to America; and our Friends have thought it best for us not to move any thing relating to our Affairs till a little Time should have worne off the Ill Humour that prevailed with regard to us. They have had enough to do, first with the Disputes about Falkland’s Islands, and now with the City of London concerning the Power of the House to imprison for Contempts. I own I am a little diverted in seeing that Power disputed; since, as you remember, Government here would not allow it to our Assemblies. All the Arguments used against the Claim and Exercise of such a Power in a Provincial Assembly, are now brought out against the House of Commons, who are in my mind full as likely to make an ill Use of it. So that agreable to the Proverb, what was then thought Sauce for the Goose, is now found to be Sauce for the Gander. The general Run of Discourse here is against the Commons; their boundless Claim of unknown Privileges begins to be laught at, and there is not one among them who does not now wish the Question had not been moved; but they know not how to retreat or advance with Honour or Safety. This is another Instance to convince the World of the Weakness of all Government that has not with it the Opinion of the People. And the general Corruption and Servility of Parliament is now so generally seen and known to all the Nation, that it is no longer respected as it used to be. Its Censures are no more regarded than Popes Bulls. It is despis’d for its Venality, and abominated for its Injustice. And yet it is not clear that the People deserve a better Parliament, since they are themselves full as corrupt and venal; witness the Sums they accept for their Votes at almost every Election.
I inclose a Copy of the List of our Acts lately presented to the King in Council by the Proprietary. [In the margin: This is from Memory, and I may mistake in the particular Acts.] I have frequently attended Mr. Jackson (now Counsel to the Board of Trade) upon them, who indeed is very tender of making Objections to them, the Board being always ready to catch at any thing that may countenance a Report of theirs for Repealing. But tho’ I think he will generally report to the Board in favour of those Laws, he has privately mentioned to me some Remarks which I communicate for your Information. The special Acts for the Relief of insolvent Debtors the Board are very jealous of, lest they should sometimes operate to the Prejudice of the Merchants here: The Reasons and Foundations of such Acts should therefore clearly appear in the Preambles; it seeming odd, that after a general Act for the Relief of all Insolvent Debtors whose Debts do not exceed such a Sum, there should be a special Act to relieve James Galbreath for no other Reason, as far as appears on the Face of the Act, but that he was indebted beyond the Sum limited. And in that for John Relfe, it only appears that he represented his having met with Losses, but no Enquiry is mentioned to have been made, and that the Allegations contain’d in his Petition had been verified. I acquainted him with the usual Practice of the House to appoint a Committee to enquire into the Facts, to hear the principal Creditors, &c. &c. and that in the Votes all this would appear: But as I had not the Votes to show him, he said I might thence see the Necessity of expressing all that in the Preambles. By the way, if the Votes and Laws were always immediately sent to your Agent, it would frequently enable him more effectually to support any Act that is called in question. He had also some Doubts about the Power given to Justices of the Peace to put Landlords into Possession in a summary Way, when Tenants are behind in the Payment of Rent, apprehending that such Power might be sometimes misused, by the artful Management of Persons that were in fact not truly Landlords, but desirous of obtaining Possession under that Colour. If this Act should pass here, and you think this Apprehension of his, of some moment; you may consider of some timely Amendment; and therefore I mention it.
It has been some time talked, that your present Governor is expected over here shortly, and that his Brother Richard Penn is appointed to succeed him. With the sincerest Esteem and Affection, I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin
Jos. Galloway Esqr


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Willson Peale, [21 April 1771]
From: Peale, Charles Willson
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[April 21, 1771]
In Compliance with that promise that I had the honor to make you when I was about leaving London, I now assume the Liberty of a Correspondent, in addressing this letter to you. I ever retain a grateful sense of the respect you shewed, and the notice you took of me when in England, marks of respect, of this nature make the strongest impressions on my mind, occasioned perhaps from my particular Circumstance early in life, being deprived of a Father, not born to an affluent fortune, nor connected by family relation to the great, I have hitherto been indebted, for the small rise I have made in the world, to the unsollicited notice and respect, of a Number of Gentlemen who have honored me with their friendship, amongst whom my aspiring ambition would fondly have the honor of Ranking you. Since my return to America the encouragement and Patronage I have met with exceed my most sanguine expectation, not only in Annapolis Maryld. which is my native place but also in Philadelphia I have had considerable business, for which I was very generously rewarded and my vanity much flattered by the general approbation which my performance hath hitherto met with. The people here have a growing taste for the arts, and are becoming more and more fond of encouraging their progress amongst them, I fondly flatter myself they will here find patronage, and an Assylum, when oppression and tyranny shall perhaps banish them from seats where they now flourish. We have for sometime past been confused with the apprehension of a French and Spanish war but late reports have expeled our fears, by assuring us of matters being amicably Settled. Your condescending to make use of a vacant moment in writing to me will greatly oblige Sir your very Humble and most Obedient Servant
C W P


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Empson, 23 April 1771
From: Empson, Elizabeth
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Pool April 23d 1771
I received yours by the last post—and return you a thousand thanks for the money you are so kind as to Alow me which I have Drawn on you for. I am affraid by the Manner and Shortness of your letter that you [are?] displeased with the freedom I have taken [in my writing?] to you. But alass Sir if you [were in my situation?] without friends or money you [would understand?] Me. I should never have solicited your favour for Mr. Empson unless I had thought it was in your power to do it as I know a Change is easily [made] if a person has a Supliant freind to speak [for him?]. I did hope to have fownd that friend [in you,] but tis My Misfortune that tis not in yo[ur power] to do anny thing for us. But perhaps [it] may yet be. I have made so free as [to] send a letter inclosed to you to be so good as to send it when you have an Oportunity. Mr. Empson joines with me in best respects and Manny Thanks. I remain Dear Sir your most oblidged humble Servant
Elizath. Empson
 Addressed: To / Benjn: Franklin Esqr. in / Craven Street on the Strand / London


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 23 April 1771
From: Galloway, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Philada. April 23. 1771
This will be deliverd to you by Mr. Nicholas Biddle, to whom I wish to render acceptable Service, not so much from a personal Acquaintance with him, as from the general Good Character and Esteem he has deservedly acquired among all those who have had any Knowledge or Experience of him. He is warmly recommended to me, as an Active, sensible, prudent, enterprizing young Gentleman. The Merchants Service has hitherto engaged his Attention. But, not content in that Sphere of Action, where his Friends wou’d immediately promote him, ’tis laudable Ambition incites him to pursue some Thing more honourable. The Navy, under the present Prospect of Wars, is the first Object of his Wishes. But shoud the Peace continue his next View is to obtain a Birth in the East-India Company Service. He brings Letters from Several Gentlemen here to others in London. Permit me also to recommend him to your Advice and Assistance, assuring you that I am confident he will never dishonour any Favor he may receive from your Friendship. I am Dear Sir your very Affectionate humble Servant
Jos. Galloway
 Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin Esquire / Deputy Post Master general / of North America / in / Craven Street / London / per Mr. / Nicholas Biddle.