1731
(rev. 8/10/97)

Personal: BF Joined the Freemasons on 1 February. His friend Nicholas Scull versified the proceedings of a Junto meeting (featuring BF's oration during the meeting) in the spring (c. April). BF drafted the Library Company's "Instrument of Association," 1 July. In June, 1731, Sarah Read, BF's mother-in-law, began boarding with the Franklins at £10 per year. And on 2 July, she moved in with BF and Deborah at 139 Market Street, paying £6 per year to rent the shop previously used by the Thomas Godfreys. Bookbinder Stephen Potts, who had been renting the garret since 1 Nov 1730, began boarding with the Franklins, 21 Dec. The first evidence of BF's friendly relations with his older brother is his advertisement on 21 Dec of a book that James Franklin printed.

Business: On 13 September, BF sponsored his journeyman Thomas Whitmarsh as his printing partner in South Carolina, advancing the printing press and types in return for one-third of the profits over a six-year term. In 1731 Franklin printed thirteen known publications and advertised a fourteenth as in the press, but the ad (1 April) for the fourteenth may have been an April fool's joke. Two imprints were job printing: one, an ad for an auction (29 July) and the other, a subscription receipt form for the Library Company (9 Nov). Some notion of the few job imprints that have survived (and the far fewer that have been catalogued) is that Franklin mentioned, 10 June 1731, that he had already published more than a thousand brief advertisements (P 1:199). To generalize from that statement may be foolish, but it suggests that less than one in one thousand printed advertisements survive from the eighteenth-century's third decade. Two publications were paid for, one by the Friends (9 and 23 Feb) and the poem Batchelors-Hall by George Webb (1 April), the latter an especially beautiful imprint.

Government printing accounted for five imprints. The Pennsylvania assembly of 1730-31 met again from 4 Jan through 6 Feb (Votes advertised 27 May), and 2 through 13 August (Votes advertised 14 Dec). Governor Patrick Gordon issued a proclamation on 20 August. The assembly of 1731-32 met from 14 to 15 Oct, and 22 to 27 Nov (for the Votes, see accounts, 1 Jan 1731/2). If we accept Franklin's own account of money received for printing Pennsylvania imprints, he made £54.1.1 (year-end). Pennsylvania's major printing commission was the paper currency emission of 6 Feb for forty thousand pounds (10 April). In a puzzling sequence, Franklin noted, 3 Feb, that he abated £14.13.0; but he recorded, 1 July, charging £114.13.0 for printing the paper currency; and he recorded being paid £100 on 10 August. He also charged the Loan Office 5p for an advertisment (3 Feb). Finally, Franklin printed three almanacs at his own risk: Thomas Godfrey's regular and sheet almanacs (18 Nov) and John Jerman's American Almanack (18 Nov).

Most important, Franklin continued to edit and print the Pennsylvania Gazette, which gradually became colonial America's most news-worthy paper, though in 1731 the 25-year-old Franklin still could not resist tweaking the authorities (see "Apology for Printers," 10 June). Revealing his interest in statistical approaches to demographics and trade, he compiled, 5 Jan, the information concerning all ships that entered or cleared the major colonial cities. The appearance of the paper gradually improved: the first factotems appeared in the PG on 1 Oct. The increasing success of the Gazette hurt the Mercury: when Bradford advertised on 5 Jan for those in arrears to pay, he noted, "especially those who have left off taking this Paper and gone to others."

Philadelphia experienced a smallpox epidemic during the late winter and early spring of 1730/1. Franklin wrote in favor of inoculation on 4 and 11 March, and wrote a brief essay "On Compassion and Regard for the Sick" on 25 March. Another note on the Philadelphia epidemic ("Where the Small-Pox now violently rages") appeared on 22 April. Then on 8 July, Franklin declared the smallpox epidemic over, making a chilling remark on the value of the slaves who had perished. But smallpox flared up again in the winter (10 Jan 1731/2), though that visitation was comparatively brief and light.

On 15 April, perhaps intending to inspire the Pennsylvania legislature to do likewise, BF featured the rewards that Maryland gave for linen production. On 17 and 24 June, he published "the mortifying News" of the imminent passage of the Molasses Act and subsequently reprinted a host of articles from other colonial and English papers regarding it. Clearly, Franklin considered the act unfair. He also chafed at the English practice of appointing Englishmen to all places of profit in America (27 May). His own advertisements of goods for sale first included Aleppo ink on 8 July and flour of mustard seed on 14 Oct, both staples of his later shop.

Activities: On Friday evenings, Franklin met with the Junto, unless some other activities were pressing. On 4 Jan, he was nominated for membership in the St. Johns Freemasons Lodge, Philadelphia, and joined on 1 Feb. Thereafter, he attended the monthly Masonic meetings, held on the first Monday of the month, and the annual election and celebration on 24 June, St. John the Baptist Day. The Gazette had been hostile to the Masons (8 Dec 1730), but on 13 May Franklin reprinted a positive article about Freemasonry.

BF drew up the Library Company's articles of association on 1 July, appointing the first ten directors, the treasurer, and the secretary, until the first election, to be held the first Monday the following May. After the organizers had secured fifty promissary notes for subscriptions, Joseph Breintnall called the first meeting of the Library Company officers, 8 Nov. They requested the payment of the promised subscriptions on 10 and 29 Nov. Though the directors met at various additional times, they normally convened on the second Monday evening of the month. For the minutes, see the note under 8 Nov. The members of the Library Company, together with their share numbers (and subsequent sales of the same share) are recorded to 1747, after which the minutes are incomplete. Franklin, however, remained a director through 1756. Since he generally received the most votes, he evidently acted as chairman. At first, the cost to join the Library Company was £2. By 14 November 1733, when George Boone joined, it was £2.10s. By 11 June 1734, when James Hamilton joined, it was £3. As the value of the books increased, the cost to join was raised. By 1 March 1739, it was £5; 4 May 1741, £6; 18 Feb 1742/3, £7; 13 Nov 1744, when John Smith joined, £8; 8 May 1747, when Abel James joined, £9; and on 25 Aug 1752, when Daniel Williams joined, admission was £11.

Politics: The legislature of 1730-31 met for its second session from 4 Jan to 6 Feb; and its third session from 2 to 13 Aug. The Assembly appointed a full-time agent in London, mainly to prevent the repeal of the paper money laws (4-6 Feb). Gordon approved the February reemisssion act. For BF's Americanism and his irritation with Britain's mercantilism and the Navigation acts, see 24 June and 1 July. For a contemporary's report of his Whiggish beliefs, see April. The great leader of the early eighteenth-century Pennsylvania assembly, David Lloyd, died on 5 April. William Allen, who was to become leader of the Proprietary party, was elected to the assembly from Philadelphia County, 1 Oct. The legislature of 1731-32 met from 14 to 15 Oct; it adjourned to 10 Jan, but the governor summoned the assembly for a second session from 22 to 27 Nov.

Indian Affairs: James Logan pointed out to the Council, 16 Aug, that the French claimed lands along the western border of Pennsylvania and other colonies, said that they were attempting to control the Shawnee on the Ohio, and argued that "this Attempt of the French, if attended with Success," will prove destructive to the English colonies. He called for a treaty with the Five Nations, who, he said, had authority over the Shawnee. Thus Logan initiated a new Indian policy by inviting the chiefs of the Six Nations to come to Philadelphia to take charge of Pennsylvania's Indian relations. William Penn had dealt with the Delaware (Lenni Lenapi) Indians, but white settlers had spread into the interior, beyond the traditional bounds of the Delawares. On 10 December, Logan held his first meeting with John Shickellamy, the Six Nations chief in charge of Pennsylvania Indians.

Writings: Franklin's writings during 1732 include "On Compassion and Regard for the Sick," 25 March; "Observations on Reading Hisitory," 9 May; English Offficials for America, 27 May; "Apology for Printers," 10 June; two notes against the Molasses Act, 17 and 24 June (d); the Library Company's "Instrument of Association," 1 July; "Apollo and Daphne," a brief poem, 4 Nov; "Hints on Fairs, 27 Nov; and a series of news note jeuxs d'esprit: 17 and 24 June, 29 July, 23 August, 23 Sept (BF as "Boo bee"), and 14 Oct. One manuscript item is dated 1731: "Doctrine to be Preached." P 1:213; W 179-80.

Chronology:

1 Jan, Friday. Probably attended Junto meeting.

4 Jan Monday. Nominated for membership in St. Johns Lodge, Philadelphia; initiated the following month, Monday, Feb 1. Note: the day (the first Monday of the month) is based on the fact that the St John's Lodge Account Book, Liber B, records the dates of the monthly meetings from St. John's Day, June 24, 1731, to March 5, 1734/5. With a few exceptions (in addition to the extra meeting on St. John's Day, June 24), the lodge met the first Monday of every month. No exceptions were recorded for the second half of 1731; one exception was recorded in 1732 (the lodge met on Thursday, Oct 19, 1732); one exception was recorded in 1733 (the lodge met on Saturday, Sept 29, 1733, rather than on Monday, Oct 1, which was the annual election day).

Analyzing Liber B, the 1730 members of St. John's Lodge appear to have been: 1, William Button, Worshipful Master; 2, William Allen, Grand Master; 3, Christopher Thompson; 4, Thomas Hart, bricklayer, Warden; 5, Samuel Nicholas; 6, John Emerson; 7, Thomas Hart, farmer; 8, Thomas Boude, Secretary/Treasurer; and 9, William Pringle, Deputy Grand Master. See Sachse, Old Masonic Lodges, 1:29. "The seal adopted by these early Brethren was round, with the inscription Friendship Abounds. In the center are two hands with fingers interlaced. Several impressions of this seal, the oldest Masonic seal of America, are in the Library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania." Sachse, Old Masonic Lodges, 1: 17.

4 Jan (b). Pennsylvania House met through 6 Feb. Votes 2040-2099.

5 Jan, Tuesday, BF compiled the information concerning all ships that entered in or cleared out of the major colonial ports and featured it on the front page: "In this Paper we exhibit an Account for one Year, of all the Vessels entered and cleared, from and to what Places, in the Ports of Philadelphia, Amboy, New-York, Rhode-Island, Boston, Salem and New Hampshire, by which the ingenious Reader may make some Judgment of the different Share each Colony possesses of the several Branches of Trade." At the end of these statistics, Franklin reprinted an account of the most recent and best publication on the trade between England and the mainland colonies, Joshua Gee's Trade and Navigation of Great Britain considered.

5 Jan (b). AWM Andrew Bradford advertised for those in arrears to pay for the paper, "especially those who have left off taking this Paper and gone to others."

6 Jan, Wednesday, became 25.

8 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

14 Jan, Thursday, BF noted he printed "for the Assembly this Week Votes [Miller 28], 3 sheets, 3.18.0. Dr. for 100 Quills, 2.0." (Accounts.)

15 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

19 Jan, Tuesday, PG advertised Thomas Godfrey's almanac, with note that Godfrey answered the three math queries proposed in Leeds's Almanack within a half hour after he saw them, "as the Printer hereof can testify," together with a note that Godfrey sent Leeds three queries which he has not yet answered. Godfrey's three queries are published.

22 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

26 Jan, issued four-page PG, mainly filled with Stephen Duck's poetry.

29 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

1 Feb, Monday, 1730/1, initiated into St. John's Lodge, Philadelphia, paying 19p. of the 3£ initiation fee. It was customary to pay the fee on 24 June, St. John's Day. P 1:202­04, 231n. BF was initiated with Henry Pratt. William Button was "Worshipful Master and Thomas Hart, 'Bricklayer in town' [to distinguish him from Thomas Hart, farmer], was one of the Wardens." Sachse, Old Masonic Lodges, 1: 27. The lodge evidently met in 1731 and 1732 at John Hobart's Sun Tavern in Water Street. Huss 1:278; 11 July 1734.

4 Feb, Thursday. Ferdinando John Paris named agent for the province. Votes 3: 2093. Noticed by the PG 29 April. He represented the province until the assembly decided it must have its own agent, Richard Partridge, 2 Sept 1740.

5 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

6 Feb, Saturday, Pennsylvania assembly voted £40,000 additional currency, which BF printed (see 10 April and Accounts, 1 July). Votes 2098. Assembly adjourned until Monday, 2 August.

12 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

16 Feb, Tuesday, PG advertised: "The Society of Ancient Britons. In Philadelphia ... will meet on Monday the First of March ensuing, being St. David's Day, at Owen Owen's, the Indian King in Market Street: and from thence proceed to Church, to hear Divine Service and a Sermon, &c. Tickets for the Feast will be ready by the Beginning of next Week to be delivered out at the Place aforesaid. Prince 5s." BF printed 100 "Welsh Tickets" for Dr. Jones. Accounts, 1 March 1731.

19 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

23 Feb, Tuesday, PG: reprinted from a Boston paper, an "Extract from the Life of Dr. Increase Mather." BF commented that the purpose of its Boston reprinting was "to influence the People in the new Election of Representatives, and incline them to chuse the old Members again."

23 Feb (b). Advertised Part One of Alexander Arscot, Some Considerations Relating to the Present State of the Christian Religion (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1731). Miller 33 (mistakenly giving the first advertisement as 9 Feb). The pamphlet was printed for the Friends Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Franklin charged James Logan "For printing Alexander Arscot the first Part 7 sheets at 26s per Sheet, No 600, 9.2.0; For Stitching at 5s per hundred. 1.10.0, For binding a few. See Stephen's Book." Ledger A&B, 39.

26 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

4 March, Thursday, PG printed a note on inoculation: "The Practice of Inoculation for the Small-Pox, begins to grow among us. J. Growdon, Esq; the first Patient of Note that led the Way, is now upon the Recovery, having had none but the most favourable Symptons during the whole Course of the Distemper; which is mentioned to show how groundless all those extravagant Reports are, that have been spread through the Province to the contrary. For an Account of the Method and Usefulness of Inoculation, see our Gazette, # 80" (28 May 1730). Franklin added, "The Country may depend upon it, that there are not more Burials in a Week in this City than we give an Account of." P 1:214. John Duffy, Epidemics 34, citing this note but misdating it 1730 rather than 1730/1, commented that BF was among the "first to support" inoculation in Philadelphia.

5 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

11 March, Thursday: PG reprinted article on smallpox from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.

11 March (b). PG used first factotems (ornamental block into which a capital letter may be inserted). Cf. 30 May 1734.

12 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

19 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

25 March, Thursday. PG: BF's "On Compassion and Regard for the Sick." Canon 53; W 169-71. Cf. 8 and 15 Aug 1751. P 4:148, n.4, observed: "The ideas and words of the first paragraphs of this appeal [8 Aug 1751] appeared earlier in PG March 25, 1731."

26 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

1 April, Thursday. PG advertised as "now in the Press, and will speedily be Published," The Lady Errant Enchanted: A Poem [(Philadelphia: B. Franklin, 1731)]. No further advertisement appeared and no copy is known. Miller 38. Miller suggested that it might be a mock advertisement. The title does not appear in David Foxon, A List of English Verse, 1700-1750.

1 April (b). PG advertised George Webb, Batchelors-Hall (Philadelphia: New Printing Office, 1731). Campbell 32; Evans 3485; Miller 46. For an appreciation of the imprint's aesthetic quality, see Gordon M. Marshall, III, item # 28 in Philadelphia: Three Centuries of American Art (1976), 35-37.

2 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

5 April, Monday. David Lloyd (1656-1731), former Speaker of Pennsylvania's House of Representatives and Chief Justice (since 1717) of the province, died. Obit in 8 April PG says he died on "Monday last"; sketch in Horle 1:490 gives 6 April as date of death.

8 April, Thursday, PG printed a poem in praise of Pennsylvania by "T.Z." (George Webb). Calendar # 182. See David Shields in PMHB (1985) 123. The poem commmended Gov. Patrick Gordon and William Allen.

9 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

10 April, Saturday: Printed paper currency authorized by the act of 6 Feb, billing the assembly on 1 July a total of £114/13/5. Miller 42; Newman, Early 328. Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, 4:197-208. BF worked on printing the paper money for the next two months (see 19 June). On 10 Aug (see accounts), the assembly reported he had been paid £100 for printing "the last Forty Thousand Pounds."

15 April, Thursday, PG noted a subscription in Maryland to reward the production of linen. (P 1:215). Cf. Society of Arts and Manufacturing.

16 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

22 April, PG advertised that the May fair would not be held in Burlington "by reason of the great Mortality in Philadelphia, and other Parts of Pennsylvania, where the Small-Pox now violently rages." P 1:215.

23 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

29 April, PG noted that Ferdinando John Paris had been chosen agent [4 Feb] for Pennsylvania. P 1:215.

30 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

c. April. Nicholas Scull's "Junto" verses are dated "Spring" (evidently 1731, possibly 1732). See N. B. Wainwright, PMHB 73 (1949): 82-84; P 1:177n. Sappenfield 82 pointed out that Scull's verses showed that in the early 1730s, BF was known, "first of all [as] the bold, incisive antiroyalist, and antiproprietary newspaper editor."

1 May, Saturday, 1731, Letter from James Logan. P 1:191-92.

6 May, Thursday, & 13 May, Thursday, PG printed Hugh Meredith's account of Cape Fear, NC.

6 May (b). AWM printed "The Wits and Poets of Pennsylvania," by "E. M." (Elizabeth Magawley). See Calendar 183; and David Shields in PMHB 1985: 99-144. The poem demonstrates that the still comparatively unknown Elizabeth Magawley was an excellent poet.

7 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

9 May, Sunday. BF composed "Observations on Reading History," proposing to raise "an united Party for Virtue." A91-92; P 1:192-93. Since he noted that candidates for the "Society of the Free and Easy" should have previously performed "the Thirteen Weeks' Examination and Practice of the Virtues as in the before-mention'd Model" of the Art of Virtue, he implied that the "Art of Virtue" had been composed before this date. Cf. 1 July 1733.

13 May, Thursday, BF reprinted positive article concerning Freemasons in the PG from Chambers Dictionary.

13 May (b). PG Advertised: "Monday next [17 May] will be publish'd The laws enacted the last Session of Assembly" (Philadelphia: Franklin and Meredith, 1730[/1]). Miller 27; ad repeated June 3. Except for the PG, this was the last imprint listing Meredith as partner.

14 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

14 May (b). Stephen Potts bound Isaac Norris's copy of Henry Pemberton, A View of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophy (London: Palmer, 1728). Accounts

20 May, Thursday, BF reprinted Richard Lewis's "A Journey from Patapsco to Annapolis." Calendar # 184. The preface is original and may be by BF. See Lemay, Men of Letters 138.

21 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

23 May, Sunday. Sarah (Franklin) Davenport (BF's sister) died in Boston. P 1:lx.

27 May, Thursday PG: BF reprinted Thomas Sheridan's essay on the origin of mankind from the MdG of 4 March 1728/9, which had reprinted it from the Dublin Intelligencer (a periodical by Swift and Sheridan), # 14. It is a minor source for Franklin's "Meditation on a Quart Mug," 19 July 1733.

27 May (b). PG published a satirical note on English officials for America. Canon 55; W 171.

27 May (c). Advertised "Tomorrow will be Publish'd," the Votes and Proceedings for the winter sessions of the Assembly; cf. 14 Dec 1731. No title page extant. Campbell 30; Evans 3463; Miller 43. P 1:216.

28 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

4 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

10 June, Thursday, published "Apology for Printers." P 1:194­99; W 171-77. Sappenfield 70-72. BF had been accused of "abundant Malice against Religion and the Clergy." Cf. 9 Oct 1735. The ship captain who paid BF to print the advertisement cannot be identified because the trade with Barbados was so frequent: e.g., the 3 June Gazette lists one sloop, one brigantine, and three ships as cleared out for Barbados.

11 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

17 June, Thursday, published note against Molasses Act. Canon 55-57; W 177.

17 June (b). Published news note jeu d'esprit on "a certain St-n-c-tt-r." P 1: 217; W 177.

17 June (c). On 17, 19, and 22 June, and 3 Aug, BF recorded a series of different inks in Ledger A&B 376. "Benja. Franklin's Ink," "Joseph Brientnal's Ink," and "Ink of a a very different Sort" were dated 17 June.

18 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

19 June, Saturday, 1731, Letter to Jane (Franklin) Mecom. BF wrote memorably on the uncertainty of "all human affairs." He said that he "intended to have visited you this summer, but printing the paper money here has hindered me near two months [see 6 Feb], and our assembly will sit the 2d of August next, at which time I must not be absent, but I hope to see you this Fall." P 1:200-01.

19 June (b). "Persian Ink made by James Austin." Ledger A&B, 376. Cf. 17 June.

22 June, Tuesday. "Japan Ink," Ledger A&B, 376. Cf. 17 June.

24 June, Thursday, Sachse, BF 19-20, wrote BF was elected Junior Warden of St. John's Lodge of Freemasons at this meeting, but neither Huss, 1:281, nor I can find any evidence for the claim. Franklin paid 2s 6p on this day toward his "quota" at 6p a month. And at the same time he paid the £2.0.1 "remainder" of his £3 entrance fee (P 1:202). John Hobart, Henry Pratt, Thomas Redman, and Mark Joyce paid the remainder of their entrance fees at the same time. Thomas Boude was the Secretary/Treasurer when BF was initiated. Liber B, PHi.

24 June (b). PG reprinted Spectator # 447, a partial source for Franklin's "Art of Virtue" in Part Two of the Autobiography.

24 June (c). BF published a news note jeu d'esprit on "a certain C-n-table" in PG. P 1:217; W 178.

24 June (d). PG noted "the mortifying News" of the imminent passage of the Molasses Act. Cf. 1 July.

25 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

Late June, Sarah Read began boarding with the Franklins at 10£ per year (Accounts: 6 Jan 1731/2.) See also 2 July.

1 July , Thursday, Drafted "Instrument of Association" for Library Company of Philadelphia, "my first Project of a public nature." The Articles of Association" are in the Library Company of Philadelphia; not printed in P. The Library Company was chartered 25 March 1742. A 63, 64; P 2:345­8.

Each subscriber paid forty shillings to join the library and ten shillings a year as an annual contribution for increasing the number of books. "I drew a Sketch of the Plan and Rules that would be necessary, and got a skillful Conveyancer Mr. Charles Brockden to put the Whole in Form of Articles of Agreement to be subscribed." Franklin recalled in 1784 that "when we were about to sign the above-mentioned Articles, which were to be binding on us, our Heirs, etc. for fifty Years, Mr. Brockden, the Scrivener, said to us, 'You are young Men, but it is scarce probable that any of you will live to see the Expiration of the Term fix'd in this Instrument. A Number of us, however, are yet living.'" A74.

The library's seal had the following device: "two books open, each encompass'd with glory, or beams of light, between which water streaming from above into an urn below, thence issues at many vents into lesser urns, and motto circumscribing the whole, Communiter bona profundere deum est." BF probably sketched the seal and wrote the motto, which may be translated, "To pour forth benefits for the common good is divine." Franklin used the motto in the 1741 Catalogue of the Library Company, in the book labels of the Company, and in his "Introduction" to a plan for benefiting the New Zealanders, 29 Aug 1771 (P 18:216). Philip Syng made the seal, which is still extant at the Library Company. The articles of association specified the first ten directors, the treasurer, and the secretary. They were to serve until the subscribers' first meeting, the first Monday in May 1732, when the subscribers would elect the directors, treasurer, and secretary. BF appointed the first directors: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Hopkinson, William Parsons, Philip Syng, Thomas Godfrey, Anthony Nicholas, Thomas Cadwalader, John Jones, Jr., Robert Grace, and Isaac Pennington; the treasurer, William Coleman, Jr.; and the secretary, Joseph Breintnall. The articles of association specified that each member after the first fifty must be approved by the directors, sign the articles, and pay the subscription. Articles of Association, LCP.

1 July (b). PG reprinted an article against the bill "for Restraining our Northern Colonies from carrying Horses and Lumber to the Foreign Colonies" from (London) Whitehall Evening Post, 10 April. The reprinting again suggests BF's irritation with the Navigation Acts and Britain's mercantilism. Cf. 24 June.

1 July (c). Pennsylvania. Trustees of the Loan Office, Dr. For 37 1/2 Reams of Paper at 25s, 46.17.6; For Printing and Stitching 75000 Bills at the Rate of 80£ for 88500, 67.15.11, Total 114.13.5. Miller 42; Newman 328. Accounts. Cf. 10 April and 10 Aug.

2 July, Friday, Sarah Read, BF's mother­in­law, moved in at 139 Market Street, renting the shop previously used by the Thomas Godfreys, selling "her well-known Ointment for the ITCH," a "Family Salve or Ointment, for Burns or Scalds," and "several other Sorts of Ointments and Salves as usual" (PG advertisement 19 Aug [P 1:219], 23 Sept and 21 Oct). She paid Franklin £6 per year for rent. She stayed until 1 Nov 1732. (Accounts, 7 July 1731 and 6 Jan 1732.)

5 July, Monday, attended Masonic meeting (P 1:202). Thomas Whitmarsh's entrance fee paid.

8 July, Thursday, Under the dateline Philadelphia, BF remarked: "The Small-pox has now quite left this City. The Number of those that died here of that Distemper, is exactly 288, and no more. 64 of the Number were Negroes; If these may be valued one with another at £30 per Head, the Loss to the City in that Article is near £2000." P 1:217. Historian Susan E. Klepp, Swift Progress, 47, observed: "The actual total from his own weekly accounts of mortality was 308, including 65, not 64, Negro deaths," but the weekly accounts of mortality included all deaths, not just those from smallpox. She also pointed out that in 1752, "Franklin reduced the sum still further, 'The smallpox raging in the town, had carried off near 240 Persons.'" P 4:346.

8 July (b). BF noted: "We thank the Gentleman who sent us the ingenious Criticism on the Word That." BF referred to a criticism upon the two concluding lines in the poem he reprinted on 5 Nov 1730 (see above). The two last lines are: "From Caesar's Court should Cato fawning come, / Be sure that Cato is no Friend to Rome." The poem, first printed in the 2 Nov 1730 New York Gazette (Calendar 164), also appeared in the play "Belcher the Apostate" (NY Public Library). The same manuscript play was published from a copy in the Massachusetts Historical Society as "Boston's First Play," Proc. Mass Hist. Soc. 92 (1980): 117-39, see 121 and 139. The "ingenious Criticism" by Lewis Morris (in some ways the best colonial American literary criticism) focused upon the possible plurisignations of a single word and is in the Robert Morris Manuscripts, Rutgers University Library: "Upon the Word That in the Boston Poem." David Shields discussed it in Oracles of Empire, 103-37.

8 July (c). BF advertised: "ALEPPO INK. For the true staining Black, equal to any Sort of Ink whatever; and far exceeding all other Sorts in the Lastingness of its Colour: So that no Ink is so proper as this for Records, Deeds, and other Writings which ought to endure. Sold at the New Printing-Office. Price 1s. per Bottle. Where also you may have good common Ink." (P 1:217-18.) BF here advertised the results of his experimentation with various inks (see 17 June).

9 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

15 July, Thursday, PG advertised: "A Servant Man's Time for near Three Years, to be disposed of; He is a joiner by Trade, and a very good workman. Enquire of the Printer hereof." Repeated 22 and 29 July.

15 July (b). PG advertisement warned ship captains to deliver letters only to the postmaster (P 1:218).

16 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

23 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

29 July Thursday, News note jeu d'esprit claimed "George is as good as de best." P 1:218-19; W 178.

29 July (b). BF printed 100 advertisements, dated 29 July, of an auction to take place in New Castle County (now Delaware), Sept 9. Miller 34. Earliest extant separate advertisement from his press.

29 July (c), and 5 Aug. AWM: Printed "An Act for the better Securing and Encouraging the Trade of His Majesty's Sugar Colonies in America" (the Molasses Act). Bradford noted on 5 Aug that "The above Act passed the House of Commons but not the House of Lords."

30 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

2 Aug, Monday, Pennsylvania Assembly reconvened and met through 13 Aug. Votes 3: 2099-2124.

2 Aug (b). Attended Masonic meeting.

3 Aug, Tuesday. "B. Franklin's New Ink ... pale when first wrote." Ledger A&B, 376. Cf. 17 June.

6 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

10 Aug, Tuesday, Pennsylvannia assembly reported BF had been paid £100 for printing the paper currency. Votes 3:2114.

13 Aug, Friday, Pennsylvania Assembly dissolved. Votes 3:2124.

13 Aug (b). Probably attended Junto meeting.

16 Aug, Monday. James Logan pointed out to the Council that the French claimed lands along the western border of Pennsylvania and other colonies, said that they were attempting to control the Shawnee on the Ohio, and argued that "this Attempt of the French, if attended with Success," will prove destructive to the English colonies. He moved that "a treaty should be sett on foot with the Five Nations, who have an absolute authority as well over the Shawanese as all our Indians." Logan noted that it had been several years since the Iroquois had visited us, "and no opportunity ought to be lost of cultivating the Friendship which has always subsisted between this Government and them." (PA, ser 1, 1:288).

19 Aug, Thursday. PG: Sarah Read advertised she had moved "from the upper End of High Street to the new Printing-Office" (cf. 2 July). P 1:219.

20 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

20 Aug (b). Proclamation by Gov. Patrick Gordon (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1731) against illegally selling rum to the Indians. Not extant, but printed in PG 26 Aug. Miller 45. BF debited the Province of Pennsylvania £1.5.0 on 27 Aug for printing the proclamation. Accounts.

26 Aug, Thursday. PG printed "Death Rates in Boston." Canon 57.

27 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

3 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

6 Sept, Monday, attended Masonic meeting (P 1:202).

9 Sept, Thursday, BF charged Thomas Whitmarsh £80 for "a printing-house and materials" (accounts). Cf. 13 Sept, below.

10 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

13 Sept, Monday, sponsored journeyman Thomas Whitmarsh as his printing partner in South Carolina, advancing the necessary equipment and materials in return for one­third of the profits, for a six-year term (first of several financial sponsorships that gradually increased his wealth). For the contract, witnessed by William Maugridge and Nicholas Cassell, see P 1: 205­8. Franklin's decision to make partners of apprentices and journeymen whose character, skill, and ethics impressed him was generous and unprecedented. Earlier networks consisted only of family members. Later, when he became deputy postmaster-general for North America, he also made these partners local postmasters, which provided additional income and guaranteed that they would be the first persons in their area to learn the news. Frasca wrote: "That Whitmarsh was contractually bound to print only with Franklin's equipment prevented his own expansion" (243), but it only guaranteed that Franklin would continue to share in his partner's printing profits for the six years of the partnership. During that period, when Whitmarsh, like other later partners, had to replace basic equipment or wanted to expand his business, Franklin bought the additional equipment for him and charged the partnership according to the original agreement.

Besides his first partner Hugh Meredith, partners included Anton Armbruster (P 5: 421; 10: 289; 20: 5; and 12 July 1755), Gotthard Armbruester, Benjamin Franklin Bache, Johannes Boehm, Francis Childs, William Daniell, William Dunlap, Hugh Gaine, William Goddard, Thomas Green, David Hall, Samuel Holland, John Holt, Ann Franklin, James Franklin, Jr., Benjamin Mecom, John Henry Miller, James Parker, Samuel Parker, Thomas Powell, Thomas Smith, William Smith, Elizabeth Timothy, Lewis Timothy, Peter Timothy, and William Weyman. Cf. 9 Sept and 1 Oct. Cf. Accounts, 13 and 28 Oct 1731.

17 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

23 Sept, Thursday, BF printed a self-mocking news note in the PG satirizing himself as a "Boo bee" because on 16 Jan he slipped and one leg fell into a barrel of tar. P 1:219. Cf. 2 July 1730.

24 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

Sept. *** Province of Pennsylvania, Dr. For Votes of last Aug. Session [Miller 43], 5 Sheets, 6.10.0.; For Votes of Oct. 24, November Sessions [Miller 44], <3 Sheets 1/4>, [3-1/2 in left margin], <4.11.0.>; For Votes of January Sessions [Miller 44], 2 Sheets, 2.12.0.; For Laws of Jan 7 Sessions [Miller 41?], 1 Sheet 1/2, 1.17.6. Total £16.15.6. Accounts.

1 Oct, Friday, annual Pennsylvania election. Andrew Hamilton reelected for fifth time from Bucks County. If he had not voted earlier, I believe Franklin voted in this election. He was the colony's official printer, married, a member of the Freemasons, and projector of the Library Company of Philadelphia. He could possibly have been challenged before, but by 1 Oct 1731, he was a solid Philadelphia citizen. The Philadelphia representatives elected were John Kearsley and Israel Pemberton. Cf. 5 Oct.

1 Oct (b), probably attended Junto meeting.

1 Oct (c). Whitmarsh arrived in Charleston on 29 Sept at night, "so our partnership there begins Oct 1, 1731." 28 Oct (accounts).

4 Oct, Monday, attended Masonic meeting (P 1:202).

5 Oct, Tuesday. "On Tuesday last Samuel Hasel, Esq; was chosen Mayor for the City of Philadelphia for the ensuing Year. After the New Mayor was chosen, our former Mayor Thomas Griffiths, Esq; made a very splendid Entertainment, at which were present His Honour our Governor, several Gentlemen of the Council, and most of the Gentlemen of this City." 7 Oct AWM. BF may well have been invited this year; it is unlikely that he would have been invited to such feasts earlier. Cf. 1 Oct.

14 Oct Thursday. PG printed news note jeu d'esprit on bucks "caught by the Horns." P 1:220; W 179.

14 Oct (b). Pennsylvania assembly met and elected Andrew Hamilton Speaker for the third time. The assembly met for two days (14 and 15 Oct), appointed the necessary officers and the key committees, and adjourned until Monday, 10 Jan 1731/2. Votes 2124-26. Governor Patrick Gordon, however, called a special meeting of the legislature to begin 22 Nov.

14 Oct (c). PG: lead essay on temperance dealt with a favorite BF topic, but its religious rhetoric and confusion of subjects (temperance, virtue, frugality) make me believe BF did not write it.

14 Oct (d). Louis Timothee, Franklin's future partner in South Carolina (where he changed his name to Lewis Timothy], advertised that he has settled in Philadelphia "in order to keep a publick French School." P 1:220. Repeated occasionally. Cf. 15 June 1732.

14 Oct (e). PG advertisement for indentured servant: "A Likely Servant Lad's Time for near Seven Years, to be disposed of; He is fit for Town or Country Business. Enquire of the Printer hereof."

14 Oct (f). PG advertised "Choice Flour of Mustard Seed, in Bottles ... Sold at the New Printing Office," the first advertisement for this staple.

15 Oct (b). Probably attended Junto meeting.

21 Oct, Thursday, PG reprinted "Pulgah to his Daughter Shual," which had appeared in the Universal Spectator, 3 July, and the New England Weekly Journal, 1 Nov. It's a minor source for his bagatelle, "The Ephemera," 20 Sept 1778. See also 11 Dec 1735 for another minor source. A Owen Aldridge discussed both in "The Sources of Franklin's 'The Ephemera,'" New England Quarterly 27 (1954): 388-91.

22 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

29 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

30 Oct, Saturday. BF's accounts reveal that he had established business relations with his brother James. Cf. 21 Dec (b).

1 Nov, Monday, Sarah Read gave up the shop in Franklin's home. The bookbinder Stephen Potts rented it (Accounts, 7 Jan 1731/2).

1 Nov (b). BF missed the monthly Masonic meeting, paying 1s. for absence. (P 1:202 mistakenly has 5 Nov.)

4 Nov, Thursday, BF's brief poem "Apollo and Daphne" appeared in PG. Calendar 195; Canon 57.

5 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

8 Nov, Monday. After BF and the other organizers of the Library Company had secured fifty subscriptions, Joseph Breintnall, Secretary, called the first meeting of the Library Company directors (P 1:209­11) at 5 O'clock, 8 Nov, at the house of Nicholas Scull to take bond of the treasurer William Coleman. Directors: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Hopkinson, William Parsons, Philip Syng, Thomas Godfrey, Anthony Nicholas, Thomas Cadwalader, John Jones, Jr., Robert Grace, and Isaac Penington. Breintnall wrote the notice, and BF sent it by messenger to the ten directors, all of whom attended except Isaac Penington. (PMHB 27 [1903]: 266.) "Benjamin Franklin proposed that the Treasurer should attend one Evening this Week at the same House to begin receiving the Subscription Monies, and that Notice should be timely given to one Third or more of the Subscribers, of such Attendance, that they might bring their Subscriptions and receive of the Treasurer a certificate on Payment, as is directed by the Instrument. And that the Treasurer should attend at the same Place another Evening to receive the Monies of the rest of the Subscribers who lived out of Town or were not so likely to have their Money ready; and that Notice should likewise be given them of the Time of the Treasurer's Attendance. Which Proposals were agreed to by the Directors and Treasurer. And it was the general Opinion that the collecting the Monies should not be delayed, lest the Directors be disappointed in sending it to England this Fall to purchase Books, or that other Disappointments prejudicial to the Library Design, should happen by Delays or Negligence on any Hand." (Minute book, p. 2.)

The early minutes of the Library Company of Philadelphia were gathered together and copied into a minutebook by Francis Hopkinson at the end of the eighteenth century. Since the minutes are chronologically arranged, I have generally not given the date. When possible, I have compared Hopkinson's minute book with the originals. For an interesting slip of Hopkinson's pen, see 31 March 1732. The records are complete through 14 Sept 1747; thereafter, there are numerous gaps. Franklin remained a director until 1757. Since he was going to England, he did not run for director at the annual election in May 1757. On 13 June 1757 (the minutes mistakenly have "July"), Evan Morgan and Samuel Morris reported to the other directors that "they had endeavoured to procure the 'books and Papers belonging to the Library which were lodged with Mr. Franklin but had not yet obtained them." But on 11 July Morgan and Morris noted that they had "received from Deborah Franklin the Company's Books of Records and Minutes with sundry Papers."

9 Nov, Tuesday, BF probably printed the "Subscription Receipts" for the Library Company the day after the first directors' meeting. Miller 39.

10 Nov, Wednesday, Breintnall asked BF to notify the Library Company subscribers that the treasurer, William Coleman, would be at Nicholas Scull's the following evening (Nov 11) from six till nine to receive subscriptions, but the messenger mistakenly told them that night, 10 Nov. The treasurer and secretary, learning of the mistake, attended at Scull's that evening, when the following ten persons paid their forty shillings subscription: Thomas Hopkinson (share no. 2), Robert Grace (share no. 1), Benjamin Franklin (share no. 3), John Jones, Jr. (4), Thomas Godfrey (7), Anthony Nicholas (6), Philip Syng, Jr. (9), Joseph Stretch (8), John Sober (10), and Joseph Breintnall (5). Thomas Cadwalader (11) had paid before leaving the province.

11 Nov, Thursday, Again the treasurer and secretary of the Library Company waited at Scull's for persons to pay their pledges: Joseph Wharton (share no. 12), Richard Stanley (14), Nicholas Reddish (13), John Roberts (19), Charles Read, junr. (20), Evan Morgan (21), Thomas Edwards (22), Samuel Hale (15), David Bush (16), Francis Richardson (17), John Nicholas (18), and Alexander Paxton (23) paid. And John Tomkins sent in his money by proxy. By the eleventh, a total of 24 persons had paid their initial subscriptions. In the subscription book, these shares are entered under 22 Nov.

12 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

18 Nov, Thursday: advertised Godfrey's Almanack for the Year 1732 [(Philadelphia: B. Franklin, 1731)]. No copy known. Miller 35. Also advertised Godfrey's almanac as a sheet rather than as a pamphlet [(Philadelphia: B. Franklin, 1731)]. No copy known. Miller 36.

18 Nov (b). Advertised John Jerman, American Almanack for the Year 1732 [(Philadelphia: B. Franklin, 1732)]. No copy known. Miller 37.

18 Nov (c). PG advertised: "To be Sold, A Likely Negro Wench, about Fifteen Years old, has had the Small-pox, been in the Country above a Year, and talks English. Enquire of the Printer hereof." Repeated 27 Nov and 2 Dec.

19 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

22 Nov, Monday, the Pennsylvania Assembly met, called by the Governor for a special session. The Sugar islands were attacking the flour trade of the northern colonies which would severely affect Pennsylvania, and the French were erecting fortifications near Albany, which meant the Assembly should take up Indian affairs. The assembly met daily through 27 Nov, Saturday, when they adjourned until 10 Jan 1731/2. Votes 3:2126-34.

22 Nov (b). The list of shares in the Library Company records that Joseph Wharton (share no. 12) paid his subscription to the Library Company. He sold it to John Read on 16 Aug 1733, who sold it to Jonathan Evans on 25 Aug 1752. Nicholas Reddish (share no.13) sold his share to William Crosthwaite, 17 Nov 1739; Richard Standley (14); Samuel Hale (15) sold his share to Christian Grassold, 18 April 1745; David Bush (16); Francis Richardson (17); John Nichols (18); John Roberts (19); Charles Read, Jr. (20); Evan Morgan (21); Thomas Edwards (22), who sold his share to Robert Greenway, 5 June 1736; and Alexander Paxton (23), who sold his share to Andrew Hamilton [jr.], 18 Jan 1741. In the minutes, all of the above except the last two (Edwards and Paxton) are recorded as members on 11 Nov (see above).

24 Nov, Wednesday, William Maugridge and Nicholas Cassell recorded Franklin's partnership with Thomas Whitmarsh, which they had witnessed on 13 Sept. P 1:208.

26 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

27 Nov, Saturday, PG appeared on Saturday, rather than Thursday, 25 Nov, and reprinted the Governor's address explaining his reasons for calling the Assembly into a special session. Assembly adjourned to 10 Jan. Votes 3:2134.

27 Nov (b). "Hints on Fairs" by Franklin. Canon 57. About this time, BF drafted a "Petition to the Pennsylvania Assembly regarding Fairs." P 1:211-12.

29 Nov, Monday, BF sent notices to remaining Library subscribers to come to Owen Owens to pay their subscriptions. Minute book, p. 4. Rees Lloyd (share no. 24) paid his subscription.

2 Dec, Thursday, PG reverted from four pages to two pages.

3 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

6 Dec, Monday, attended Masonic meeting (P 1:202).

10 Dec, Friday. James Logan had invited the chiefs of the Six Nations to come to Philadelphia to take charge of Pennsylvania's Indian relations. He did so because the former Pennsylvania policy of dealing with the Delaware Indians (the Lenni Lenapi) did not take into account the Indian tribes in the West and because the Five Nations were the greatest Indian power. The chiefs sent John Shickellamy, who was in charge of Indian relations in Pennsylvania. He appeared with his translator, Conrad Weiser, in Philadelphia. The French had extended their influence to the Ohio, and Logan wrote John Penn that the Five Nations were "our only Security against the French in case of a Rupture" (Paul A. W. Wallace, Conrad Weiser 44). See 15 Dec.

10 Dec (b), probably attended Junto meeting.

10 Dec (c). In the King's name, the Board of Trade issued instructions to the colonies that no duties or other taxes could be laid on slaves or convicts shipped to America. Royal Instructions to British Colonial Governors 1670-1776, ed. Leonard W. Labaree, 2 vols. (1935; rpt. New York: Octagon Books, 1967), 2:673-74, # 939. Cited the act of 1717, 4 Geo.I, c.11.

Franklin's resentment of the policy appeared in his reprinting from Virginia (26 June 1732) and from Massachusetts (3 July) reports of the King's instructions against taxing slaves or felons imported into the colonies. Cf. Background, 1717; 14 Feb 1721; 5 Dec 1746; 17 Feb 1746/7; 19 Aug 1749; 19 Jan, 11 April, and 9 May 1751; and 5 May 1774.

13 Dec, Monday, attended meeting of Library Company directors at Nicholas Scull's. Franklin said he would ask Charles Brockden what he would charge for drawing up an instrument of partnership in the Library Company and whether he would accept a certificate towards it.

14 Dec, Tuesday, PG covered from 2 Dec, Thursday, to 14 Dec, Tuesday, and appeared in a rare three-page issue, leaving the fourth page blank.

14 Dec (b). PG advertised Votes and Proceedings for the "Three last Sessions" (now including the Aug session); cf. 27 May 1731. No title page extant. Miller 43. P 1:221.

14 Dec (c). [Province of Pennsylvania, Dr.], Votes 9 Sheets [Miller 43], at 26/, 11.14.0. Accounts.

14 Dec (d). Benjamin Eastburn (share # 25) paid his subscription to the Library Company.

15 December, Wednesday. Logan wrote Weiser that the Shawanese Indians who had returned from Canada to their town on the Ohio had erected a French flag at their town. He asked Weiser to bring up the matter when the chiefs of the Five Nations came to Philadelphia. Wallace, Weiser 47. See 18 Aug 1732.

17 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

21 Dec, Tuesday, Stephen Potts began boarding with the Franklins (Accounts, 7 Jan 1731/2).

21 Dec (b). BF advertised James Franklin's printing of Robert Barclay's An Apology for the True Christian Divinity (Newport RI: James Franklin, 1729). Evans 3129. For the brothers' business relations, see 30 Oct.

24 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

31 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

A BF writing dated 1731: "Doctrine to be Preached." P 1:213; W 179-80.

1731. Sometime during the year, Henry Brooke probably showed BF a mock petition that the Rev. William Becket of Lewis, DE, addressed to him, asking to subscribe to the PG. (MS Am .0165, Hist Society of Pa., p. 35).

1731. Josiah Franklin. Autograph. APS. BFPAPERS file # 27485.

1731. Province of Pennsylvania, Dr. Total 37.5.7. Contra, Cr. For Cash in Full, 37.5.7. Contra, Cr. For Cash in full, 16.15.6. [The latter is the total for the Sept accounts]. Accounts. According to my reckoning, printing accounts recorded on 1 and 14 Jan totaled £38.9.6, for the year total of £55.5.0, but I accept Franklin's figure of £54.1.1.

ca. 1731. Articles of Faith. 1p. NIC. Cf. BF to Brillon before 20 April 1781. BFPAPERS file # 13150.