Beginning in August 1788 when Franklin had returned to Philadelphia, the author says he will not be able to utilize his papers as much as he had expected, since many were lost in the recent Revolutionary War.
Dimulai pada Agustus 1788 ketika Franklin telah kembali ke Philadelphia, ia mengatakan ia tidak akan dapat mengerjakan paper-papernya sebanyak dia harapkan, karena banyak yang hilang dalam Perang Revolusi baru-baru ini.