1735
(rev. 9/17/97)

Personal: BF's brother James Franklin died in Newport, R.I., 4 Feb. BF promptly began aiding his widow Ann, not only by bringing up his nephew James Franklin (who lived with BF from 1737 or earlier to 1748) but also by supplying her with hundreds of copies of his imprints (especially Poor Richard) free (7 Nov 1734). On 4 Feb, in Philadelphia, BF proposed a fire protection society. On 21 Feb, Henry Price in Boston appointed BF Grand Master of the Pennsylvania Masons, the first notice of Franklin other than as a printer/publisher outside of Philadelphia. BF suffered his second pleurisy attack (the first was in 1727) in May, slightly recovered in July, and was ill again until October (his attendance at the Library Company directors' meetings is the best record of his illness; see below, "Personal Routines"). Though BF's physician for his early years is unknown, Whitfield J. Bell, Jr., suggested (in a personal letter, 19 April 1995) that Dr. John Bard, who practiced in Philadelphia until moving to New York in 1746, probably cared for him at this time. During the winter of 1734-5, BF resumed attending Philadelphia's Presbyterian church in order to hear sermons by the Rev. Samuel Hemphill, who emphasized practical morals. When Hemphill's orthodoxy was challenged, 7 April, BF wrote in his defense. On Sunday, 20 April, both the Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton, moderator of the commission, and the Rev. Robert Cross, another conservative member, preached against Hemphill, while the committee was supposedly investigating the charges against him. BF then charged that the investigation was unfair. BF persevered in Hemphill's behalf after it was revealed (4 Sept) that he preached plagiarized sermons.

About 1735, BF proposed in the Junto a system of paid watchmen, not adopted till 1752 (A 86; P 4:327­32).

Personal Routines: Franklin attended Library Company directors' meetings on 13 January, 10 February, 10 March, 14 and 18 April, the election on 5 May, 14 July, 13 October, 10 November, and 8 December. He missed the meetings when sick on 12 May, 9 June, 11 August and 8 September. I use these dates as guides to his probable attendance at the Masonic meetings and the Junto.

Business: Following BF's complaint to Postmaster General Alexander Spotswood that Andrew Bradford would not allow him to send his newspapers by the post, Spotswood directed, 23 Jan 1735, that BF be allowed to do so, postage free. The Pennsylvania Assembly of 1734-35 met from 13 to 25 Jan, 17 to 29 March, 16 to 24 June, and 15 to 20 Sept. The Assembly of 1734-35 met from 14 to 15 Oct.

C. W. Miller recorded twenty imprints for 1735 (nos. 97-117). Five were brief job printings (6 Jan, 23 May, 5 June, 24 Dec, and 11 March 1735/6). Three were government printings: one for Delaware (10 May), one for New Jersey (post 4 May), and one for Pennsylvania (25 Jan 1735/6). Franklin also published a whopping ten titles at his own charge. The Gentleman's Pocket Farrier (3 April) was often called a "Jockey Book" in the accounts (21 July 1735, under Saber). For the Library Company, he printed a second catalogue (14 April). Three pamphlets defended the Rev. Samuel Hamphill (12 June, 18 Sept, and 30 Oct). These three, generally attributed to Samuel Hemphill at the time, imprudently revealed that the author (Franklin) was unorthodox and scorned the common Christian doctrines. The first sold out within two weeks and had a second edition (31 July). Evidently they all had good sales--though Hemphill's opponents won the day. BF also published three almanacs: Jerman's American Almanac (13 Nov), Jacob Taylor's (18 Dec), and his own Poor Richard (7 Nov), probably his most profitable single imprint. Two imprints had second editions (Poor Richard and the first Hemphill tract). His major undertaking remained the weekly Pennsylvania Gazette.

The Pennsylvania Assembly paid Franklin £25.12.6 for the past year's printing (19 Sept). Franklin's shop carried more kinds of goods than ever before. New items included gold and silver leaf (William Morgan, July, and Mr. Hesselius--both in accounts), as well as chocolate (29 May),

Perhaps BF made the crude cut for PG advertisement showing the brand of the horse strayed or stolen from Robert Hopkins (9 Jan).

Pennsylvania Politics: The second session of the 1734-35 Pennsylvania legislature met from 13 to 25 Jan; the third from 17 to 29 March; the fourth from 16 to 24 June; and the fifth from 15 to 20 Sept. The 1735-36 assembly met for the first time, 14 to 15 Oct. Andrew Hamiltons's defense of John Peter Zenger, 4 Aug, confirmed Hamilton's reputation as a spokesman for popular rights and made him famous as a defender of the liberty of the press. William Allen authenticated his own political influence by being elected Philadelphia's mayor (6 Oct). Stanley Katz has noted that Andrew Bradford's Mercury defended Pennsylvania's existing chancery court structure and Benjamin Franklin's Gazette contended for the necessity of a broad legislative basis for chancery. The underlying reason that the Assembly objected to courts of chancery was that the governor was the judge and jury in the court. People feared that Thomas Penn would bring colonists accused of owing quitrents to Penn to a court whose judge and jury was a proprietary appointee. See 18 (b) and 24 Dec 1735 and the introduction to 1736. Though Craig W. Horle, "Andrew Hamilton," 2:435, suggested that Franklin and James Alexander may have been the authors of the pieces on the court in the Gazette, I see no internal or external evidence pointing to Franklin's authorship. The attacks on "Mr. F-----" were aimed at "Mr. Freeman," the pseudonym of the Gazette author who criticized the courts. Freeman may well have been James Alexander, for Freeman knew legal history. The Mercury opponents, however, believed that Freeman was Andrew Hamilton.

Miscellaneous: Though Francis Hopkinson is famous as an early American musician and composer, it was not hitherto known that his mother or father evidently played an instrument: Franklin billed Thomas Hopkinson 1 shilling on 5 Aug for "Binding a Tune book." (Thomas Jefferson's daughter stayed with Mrs. Hopkinson in Philadelphia in 1783-84.)

Writings: "Afterward," Every Man His Own Doctor, 23 Jan; essay on fire protection, 4 Feb; Socratic dialogue, "A Man of Sense," 11 Feb; Socratic dialogue, "Self-Denial Not the Essence of Virtue," 18 Feb; "Reply to a Piece of Advice," 4 March; "Veridicus" on "a Pertinacious Obstinacy in Opinion," 27 March; "Dialogue between Two Presbyterians" [first Hemphill tract], 10 April; Some Observations [second Hemphill tract], 17 July; A Letter to a Friend [third Hemphill tract], 18 Sept; A Defence [fourth Hemphill tract], 30 Oct; Preface to James Logan's Cato's Moral Distichs, 18 Dec; Poor Richard (7 Nov).

Chronology:

3 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

6 Jan, Monday. Advertisement. Tracts of New Jersey Land in the Rights of Joseph Helby, to be sold by Sikes [no imprint]. Miller 116.

6 Jan (b). BF became 29.

6 Jan (c), probably attended Masonic meeting.

9 Jan, Thursday, BF may have made the crude woodcut for PG advertisement showing the brand of the horse strayed or stolen from Robert Hopkins. Cf. Another crude woodcut 9 Dec 1736.

10 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

13 Jan, Monday, Pennsylvania assembly met through 25 Jan. Votes 2245-57.

13 Jan (b). Attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts. Franklin was asked to print a catalogue. Cf. 14 and 18 April.

16 Jan, Thursday. PG: "Of Conversation" reprinted from London Magazine, June 1734.

17 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

23 Jan, Thursday, BF advertised, "By the Indulgence" of Postmaster General Alexander Spotswood, he was "allow'd to send the Gazettes by the Post, Postage free, to all Parts of the Post-Road from Virginia to New England: So that all Gentlemen and others, living on the Post Roads, may have this Paper sent them by every Post, as usual before the late Obstruction." P 2:131. Repeated 28 Jan and 4 Feb.

23 Jan (b). PG advertised as "Just Published. Every Man his own Doctor, Third Edition (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1734 [1735]). Miller 84. The editors of the Papers speculated that BF's "Afterword" to Every Man his own Doctor, fourth edition (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1736) may have appeared in this edition, dated "1734," but no complete copy of it was available. P 2:155-58. Miller located a complete copy, and dated the afterword 23 Jan 1735, rather than 1736. For BF's fourth edition, see ante 30 Oct 1736.

24 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

25 Jan, Saturday. Pennsylvania assembly appointed William Allen and Thomas Leech to revise the minutes before they were sent to press, and adjourned to 17 March 1734/5. Votes 3:2257.

31 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

3 Feb, Monday, Probably attended Masonic meeting.

4 Feb, Tuesday, brother James Franklin died in Newport. AWM 11 March reported his death; the PG did not. JF's widow, Anne (Smith) Franklin, continued the business. Within two years their son James came to live with BF, and James was apprenticed to BF in 1740, returning to Newport in 1748. From the death of James Franklin to at least 1765, BF supplied Anne Franklin and later his nephew James Franklin, with hundreds of Poor Richard almanacs without charge. From 1748 to 1765, David Hall charged Franklin £62.13.4 for 4,000 Poor Richard almanacs sent to Rhode Island, plus £31.13.4, for 1900 pocket almanacs sent to Rhode Island. BF was giving more than £6 a year to his brother's family. Since he continued that practice for thirty years (1735-1765), he gave the family considerably more than £180.

Reviewing David Hall's bill in 1766, BF noted: "If the Almanacks sent to Rhodeisland are charg'd to me, which indeed I gave away as I us'd to do before the Partnership and never receiv'd any Pay for; then I ought to be allow'd for the Copy of the Almanacks which cost me Money [i.e., he paid for the mathematical portions of the almanacks] besides a good deal of Trouble of my own. [BF wrote the contents of the almanacs through at least 1757.] And to which Copy I still have the Right." P 12:178 & n.8; P 13:90, 111 & n.8. But Franklin had never specified any payment in the partnership agreement for the rights to the serials, neither for the Poor Richard almanacs nor for the Pennsylvania Gazette.

4 Feb (b). BF proposed fire protection society in PG essay. A 86; P 2:12­15; W 239-42; cf. 7 Dec 1736. It led to the formation of Philadelphia's first fire company. For the Philadelphia fire that inspired BF's thoughts on fire defenses, see 24 April 1730. Discussed by Sappenfield 67-69; Larson, "Benevolent" 201-02.

4 Feb (c). PG printed poem celebrating the scientific achievements of Isaac Greenwood, "Hollisian Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at Cambridge, Occasioned by his late astronomical Lectures." Greenwood had supported Cotton Mather in his advocacy of inoculation during Boston's smallpox epidemic in 1721-22. Franklin knew him in Boston and no doubt saw him in London in 1725 and 1726. BF evidently followed his career with interest and later acted as his agent when Greenwood came to Philadelphia to lecture (5 June 1740). Calendar # 351.

7 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

10 Feb, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts, presenting George Boone's request to be allowed to borrow books for a longer time, since he lived more than fifty miles from town. The directors allowed him to borrow for two weeks longer than could others.

11 Feb, Tuesday, PG: BF's Socratic dialogue "A Man of Sense." A 94; P 2:15­19; W 244-48.

14 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

18 Feb, Tuesday, PG: BF's Socratic dialogue, first read in the Junto, "Self-Denial Not the Essence of Virtue." P 2:19-21; W 242-44.

21 Feb, Friday, Boston Gazette, 24 Feb: in Boston: "On Friday last [Feb 21] was held a Grand Lodge of that Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in King Street [Boston], where Mr. Henry Price, Grand Master of His Majesty's Dominions in North America, Nominated and Appointed his Grand Officers for the year ensuing viz. Andrew Belcher, Esq., Deputy Grand Master; Mr. James Gordon and Mr. Frederick Hamilton, Grand Wardens for this Province; and Mr. Benjamin Franklin, Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Pennsylvania." Reprinted AWM 27 March 1735; not in PG. P 1:375n. The Boston Gazette notice is the first indication of BF's growing intercolonial reputation.

25 Feb, Tuesday, BF advertised "Just imported, another Parcel of Super Fine Crown Soap."

28 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

1 March, Saturday, Delaware Paper-Currency Emission of £12,000: Miller 83; Newman 96. Newman says "Elaborate floral and animal cuts engraved by [Thomas] Leech [PA assemblyman] are on the top." Accounts, 4/9/35: BF was paid 11.10.0 for paper and 50.0.0 for printing the paper money. See 9 April.

3 March, Monday, Probably attended Masonic meeting.

4 March, Tuesday, PG: "Reply to a Piece of Advice." P 2:21-26; W 248-53. See Granger, BF 185.

7 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

10 March, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors.

14 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

17 March, Monday, Pennsylvania assembly met until 29 March. Votes 3:2257-67.

20 March, Thursday. PG: Abstract of the MD Paper Money Act.

21 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

27 March, Thursday, PG: "Veridicus" wrote "On a Pertinacious Obstinacy in Opinion." Canon 88-90; W 253-55.

27 March (b). PG tabulated cargo "imported into the Port of Philadelphia between the 25th of March, 1734 and the 25th of March, 1735."

27 March (c), PG: Report of local theft. P 2:132.

28 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

29 March, Saturday. Saturday, House ordered "That a Hundred Copies of the Laws passed this Session be printed for the Use of the Magistrates and Members of Assembly of this Province. And that One Hundred and Fifty Copies of the Supplement to the Acts for Relief of the Poor, be printed in Octavo, for the Use of the Overseers of the Poor of the respective Townships of this Province, and their Successors." Votes 3:2266. Pennsylvania assembly adjourned to 16 June.

Early April through Sept, BF became Hemphill's "zealous Partisan" in newspaper and pamphlets. A96; P 2:27­33, 37­65, 65­90, 90-126.

3 April, Thursday, PG advertised William Burdon, The Gentleman's Pocket Farrier (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1735) as "Just Published." No copy known. Miller 98.

4 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

5 April (b). House adjourned until 16 June. Votes 3:2267.

post 5 April: Laws of Sessions to March 17 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1735). Miller 92.

post 5 April: Laws of Sessions to March 17 [Poor Laws] (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1735). Miller 93.

7 April, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

7 April (b): The Rev. Jedidiah Andrews brought charges of heterodoxy against the Rev. Samuel Hemphill.

9 April, Wednesday. BF billed Andrew Hamilton, Speaker of the lower three counties (Delaware), "For Printing £12000 at one penny per pound, 50.0.0, For Paper 11 Ream & half at 20/ per Ream, 11.10.0. Paid." See 1 March and accounts.

10 April, Thursday, BF's first piece defending Hemphill appeared in the PG: "Dialogue between Two Presbyterians." A 82; P 2:27-33; W 256-61. Discussed by Aldridge, BF and Nature's God 88-92; Buxbaum 95-96; Christensen; Sappenfield 75-76; Anderson 79-85.

10 April (b). PG noted: "Thursday next a Commission of the Presbyterian Synod meet, to try the Reverend Mr. Hemphill, upon a Charge of Heterodoxy." P 2:132.

11 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

14 April, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts. B. Franklin, W. Coleman, T. Hopkinson, and J. Breintnall were asked to prepare an address to John Penn. It was to be presented by J. Hamilton, W. Plumstead, W. Rawle, T. Cadwalader, B. Franklin, T. Hopkinson, and J. Breintnall. Agreed that Franklin not print a catalogue until the books sent for had arrived (cf. 13 Jan and 18 April). BF informed the directors that James Logan sent them his kind respects and promised a handsome present of books. "Mr. Logan had already delivered him two folios." The directors sent their thanks.

17 April, Thursday, PG news note on a woman's court. P 2:132; W 261. Cf. War of Sexes in NEC.

17 April (b) to 26 April, Saturday. The commission of the Presbyterian Synod met to consider the Rev. Jedidiah Andrews's charges against the Rev. Samuel Hemphill. BF evidently attended the commission to testify for Hemphill. See 27 April; 22 May; 10 July. P 2:37, 97; Richard Webster; Christensen 430­31; Aldridge, BF and Nature's God; Buxbaum; Klett; Dunn; and Barker.

18 April, Friday, a group of Library Company directors visited the library to open the new trunk of books from Peter Collinson. Franklin probably printed another catalogue of the Library Company books shortly after this date (cf. 13 Jan and 14 April). No copy known. Miller 108.

18 April (b). BF probably attended the commission investigating Hemphill to testify in his behalf.

18 April (c), probably attended Junto meeting.

19 April, Saturday. BF probably attended the commission investigating Hemphill to testify in his behalf.

20 April, Sunday. The Rev. Robert Cross of Jamaica, Long Island, NY, a member of the commission investigating Hamphill, preached The Danger of Perverting the Gospel of Christ, Represented in a Sermon Preach'd Before the Commission of the Synod at Philadelphia, April 20th, 1735 (New York: John Peter Zenger, 1735); not in Evans. Copy: Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia.

20 April (b). The commission's moderator, the Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton (1705-1777), delivered A Sermon Preached Before the Commission of the Synod, April 20th, 1735 (New York: J. P. Zenger, 1735), in effect condemning Hemphill. Evans 3945. Though the date of publication is unknown, it was obviously published later in the year.

Pemberton, minister of the first Presbyterian Church of New York, was the son of Josiah Franklin's minister, Ebenezer Pemberton, Sr., of the Old South. Since Pemberton, Jr., was exactly eleven months older than BF, Franklin must have known him well when the two were children in Boston. Young Pemberton no doubt attended the South Grammar School with Franklin. As I suggested in discussing Franklin's schooling, Pemberton was probably a classmate whom Franklin easily outstripped. But after the death of his father in 1717, Pemberton was supported as a charity boy at Harvard. He graduated in 1721. Shipton 6:535-46.

21 April, Monday. After Pemberton and Cross preached against him, Hemphill decided to read his sermons to the commission. (BF, Some Observations.) 3 pm, Hemphill read his sermon on Rom 8.18. See An Extract of the Minutes of the Synod.

22 April, Tuesday. 9 am, Hemphill read to the commission his sermons on Gal 6.15, and Acts 24.25; and at 3 pm, on Mark 16.16, and Acts 10. 34-35. An Extract.

23 April, Wednesday. At 9 am, Hemphill read to the commisssion his sermon on Ps 41.4, and Eph 3.8. In the afternoon, the commission deliberated, then sent Hemphill the extracts taken from his sermons, and asked him to appear the next morning "and offer anything further that he has to say in his own Defence" (An Extract 6).

24 April, Thursday, at 9 am, Hemphill "had free Liberty to offer any thing in his own Defence, and he with other Gentlemen [primarily, I suppose, Franklin] having said what they thought proper; all Parties were desired to withdraw." Then the commission "proceed[ed] to Judgment" (Extract 6). That afternoon, the commission found him guilty of the first three charges brought against him. (For a discussion, see the biography, vol. 2, chap ).

24 April (b). PG advertised: "The Subscribers to the Library in Philadelphia are advertised, that Monday the 5th of May ensuing, at Two in the Afternoon, is the Time appointed for the Choice of Directors and a Treasurer for the succeeding Year, and for making the third annual Payment, at the House of John Roberts in High-Street. Joseph Breintnal, Sec." P 2:132.

25 April, Friday. In the morning, the commission found Hemphill guilty of the third and fourth articles; that afternoon, he was found guilty of the fifth and sixth articles.

25 April (b). probably attended Junto meeting.

26 April, Saturday. The commissioners unanimously agreed to suspend Hemphill "from all the parts of his Ministerial Office until the next Meeting of our Synod," when the Synod would decide on a course of action (Extract 13).

26 April (b). Breintnall visited the Library Company and found Franklin there. Lib Co Minutes, p. 51.

2 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

Post 4 May, Sunday, New Jersey. An Act for making Forty Thousand Pounds in Bills of Credit [Philadelphia: Franklin, 1735]. Miller 109. Miller noted that the act was probably printed sometime in the fall of 1735 and ascribed it to BF's press on the evidence of the type. BF printed the money in Burlington, NJ, mid-July to c. 10 Sept 1736.

5 May, Monday, probably missed Masonic meeting.

5 May (b). Annual election of Library Company directors at John Roberts: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Hopkinson, William Coleman, Thomas Cadwalader, William Rawle, Hugh Roberts, Francis Richardson, Evan Morgan, Philip Syng, and William Plumstead. Also Joseph Breintnall, secretary, and James Morris, treasurer, continued. The new directors, Evan Morgan and William Plumstead, replaced John Jones, Jr., and Thomas Godfrey. The address to John Penn was approved with a few small alterations. Note: PG for 5 June explained that "the Proprietors being out of Town, it was not presented till last Week," and printed the address. P 2:33-34.

9 May, Friday, perhaps missed Junto meeting. (BF ill off and on from May through September.)

ante 10 May, Saturday. Delaware, Laws for Session of Oct 21, 1734 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1735). Miller 100. Not extant. See accounts, 10 May 1735.

Early May to mid-Sept: BF was sick with pleurisy, his left lung suppurated. BF announced his Observations on the Proceedings against Mr. Hemphill on 12 June as in the press but did not publish it until mid-July (see 10 July). BF mentioned in the pamphlet's preface (written evidently in July) that he had been sick and that his "Illness unexpectedly" continued "six or seven weeks" (P 2:38). Later he had a relapse. The Library Company's minutes provide the best indication of his health during these months. BF attended directors' meetings on 5 May, missed 12 May and 9 June; attended 14 July; missed 11 Aug and 8 Sept; and attended 23 Oct. I believe that he would not have missed so many meetings of his favorite and still fledgling project unless he was too sick to attend. The Library Company records suggest that he was extremely ill from about 10 May to October, with a period of partial recovery in July.

12 May, Monday, BF missed Library Company directors' meeting, which failed for lack of a quorum.

16 May, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

17 May, Saturday, BF missed Library Company directors' meeting, which failed for lack of a quorum.

22 May, Thursday. AWM: "Just Published, and Sold by the Printer hereof, An Extract of the Minutes of the Synod, relating to the Affair of the Reverend Mr. Samuel Hemphill" (Philadelphia: Bradford, 1735). Evans 3951. (Microcard says "The unique copy could not be found.") Copy at Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia.

ante 23 May, Job printing: New Jersey. Marriage Surety Bond. Miller 110, dated in manuscript 23 May 1735.

23 May, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

24 May, Saturday, BF missed Library Company directors' meeting.

29 May, Thursday, PG advertised: "All Persons who are indebted to Henry Flower, late Postmaster of Pennsylvania, for Postage of Letters or otherwise, are desired to pay the same to him at the old Coffee-House in Philadelphia." Henry Flower was the postmaster before Andrew Bradford; for Flower's obituary, see 20 May 1736.

29 May (b). PG advertised: "To be Sold, By the Printer hereof, very good Chocolate at 4s.per Pound by the Dozen, and 4s.6d. by the single Pound." P 2:133.

30 May, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

31 May, Saturday, address to John Penn from directors of Library Company presented, with BF absent. P 2:33-34.

2 June, Monday, probably missed Masonic meeting.

5 June, Thursday, news note on possible forthcoming sale of Proprietors' land by lottery. See 7 Aug and see accounts, 18 July.

5 June (b). PG: Address to Library Company to John Penn and reply, also in Minute Book, Library Company of Philadelphia. Delivered to the Proprietor on 31 May. P 2:33-35.

6 June, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

9 June, Monday, BF missed Library Company directors' meeting.

12 June, Thursday, PG advertised: "now in the Press and will speedily be published" [Benjamin Franklin], Some Observations on the Proceedings against the Rev. Mr. Hemphil (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1735). Ford 25; Miller 105. Miller cites it as "just published" in PG for 17 June, but the next PG appeared 19 June; further ads for Some Observations were delayed until 17 July, evidently because of Franklin's illness. P 2:37-65. The accounts reveal that it was published and selling on 10 July. See 17 July. See Aldridge, Nature's God 92-94; Buxbaum 97-104; Sappenfield 76.

13 June, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

16 June, Monday, Pennsylvania assembly met until 24 June. Votes 3:2267-74.

19 June, Thursday, BF printed news note of woman who drank herself to death. P 2:133. See Arner, "Politics and Temperance" 67.

19 June (b). AWM: Advertised "Now in the Press at New-York, Some Observations on the Sentence passed against the Rev. Mr. Hemphill." Ad repeated several times, but pamphlet evidently not published. Cf. P 2:37n.

20 June, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

24 June, Tuesday, Ordered that Thomas Leech and Israel Pemberton revise the Minutes of this Sessions. Pennsylvania Assembly adjourned until 15 Sept. Votes 2274.

24 June (b). St. John the Baptist Day, BF served as Secretary of St. John's Lodge until 1738 (Sachse 3). See 3 July.

27 June, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

3 July, Thursday, PG noted: "Tuesday the 24th past, was held a Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons at the Indian King in Market Street, when James Hamilton, Esq; was chosen Grand Master of this Province for the Year ensuing; who was pleased to appoint Thomas Hopkinson, Gent to be his Deputy, and Messrs. William Plumstead and Joseph Shippen were nominated and chosen Grand Wardens."

4 July, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

7 July, Monday, Joseph Morgan to BF. P 2:35-36. Note: James Franklin had printed Morgan; 14 May (h) 1722.

7 July (b), probably missed Masonic meeting.

11 July, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

14 July, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors.

17 July, Thursday, PG advertised as "Just Published," Benjamin Franklin, Some Observations on the Proceedings against the Rev. Mr. Hemphil (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1735). Miller 105. P 2:37-65. The accounts reveal that the piece was published and selling on 10 July. See 12 June for first ad. The present ad repeated 24 July. A second edition advertised on 31 July. For a reply, see A Vindication (14 Aug).

18 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

21 July, Monday. Philadelphia Common Council: "Anthony Nichols Exhibited to this Board an Account amounting to the Sum of £89.11.8 the Charge of a Fire Engine he lately made, desiring this Board would purchase the Same, Which Account is referred to the Examination of Alderman [Samuel] Hassell, Israel Pemberton, Peter Stretch, and James Steel." Minutes 341. Cf. 22 Jan (b) 1733/4; 28 July 1735.

24 July, Thursday, PG: "The Person that borrow'd B. Franklin's Law-Book of this Province, is hereby desired to return it, he having forgot to whom he lent it." P 2:134.

25 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

27 July, Sunday. "Sunday last [27 July] the Rev. Mr. Hemphill, (who was lately suspended by the Commission of the Synod) preached twice to a very numerous Congregation, at the House where the Assembly used to meet." 31 July PG.

28 July, Monday. Philadelphia Common Council. "The Persons appointed to View the Fire Engine, made by Anthony Nichols, do report that they had Viewed the Same, & find that the sd Engine made by Anthony, is very heavy, Unwieldy, & requires much Labour to Work the Same, that some parts are made of wood which ought to have been Brass, & that they conceive that the sd Engine will not last Long." Minutes 343. Cf. 22 Jan (b) 1733/4; and 21 July 1735.

31 July, Thursday, PG: "The first Edition of the Observations on the Proceedings against him being all sold, a Second Edition is in the Press and will speedily be published." Some Observations on the Proceedings against the Rev. Mr. Hemphill, second edition. Miller 106.

31 July (b). PF advertised: "Very Good Coffee sold by the Printer hereof." P 2:134.

1 Aug, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

4 Aug, Monday. John Peter Zenger tried for seditious libel in New York, with Andrew Hamilton defending him. The jury found Zenger not guilty. See Stanley N. Katz, ed.; 17 Nov 1737.

4 Aug (b). Probably missed Masonic meeting.

7 Aug, Thursday, Proprietaries, Scheme of a Lottery for One Hundred Thousand Acres of Land, [no imprint] sale of tickets advertised in PG. Miller 115. Cf. 5 June, above; BF's bill for printing, accounts, 21 July; and below, 11 Dec.

7 Aug (b). AWM: "Just Published," A Treatise against the Deists or Free-Thinkers; proving the Necessity of Revealed Religion. By George Gillespie (Philadelphia: Bradford, 1735). Evans 3906. Implicitly against Hemphill and Franklin.

8 Aug, Friday. Probably missed Junto meeting.

11 Aug, Monday, missed Library Company directors' meeting.

14 Aug, Thursday. AWM: Essay arguing one should not take part in arguments unless he knows all the circumstances--especially in religious disputes. Probably a reply to Franklin's defense of Hemphill.

14 Aug (b). AWM: "There is now in the Press and will speedily be Publish'd, A Vindication of the Reverend Commission of the Synod: In Answer to some Observations on their Proceedings against the Rev. Mr. Hemphill." Repeated, 21 Aug; 28 Aug: "In a few days will be Published"; 4 Sept: "This Day is Published." Evans 3971.

15 Aug, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

21 Aug. AWM: Essay against "Lord Plausible." Perhaps another reply to BF's defense of Hemphill.

22 Aug, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

28 Aug, Thursday. PG: News of French deserters from Mississippi who came to Philadelphia. P 2:134.

28 Aug (b). AWM: "Boston, Aug. 18. These are to give Notice, That shortly will be Publish'd, a Notable Piece, Intitled, The Venal Advocate, Or, The Character of Janus and Proteus display'd, in a Dialogue between Philadelphia and New York. Not in Evans. Probably intended as a contribution to the Hemphill affair; if published, evidently no copy is extant.

29 Aug, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

30 Aug, Saturday. Date at end of BF's Letter to a Friend in the Country. See below, 18 Sept.

1 Sept, Monday, probably missed Masonic meeting.

4 Sept, Thursday, AWM advertised: "This Day is Published," A Vindication of the Reverend Commission of the Synod: In Answer to Some Observations on Their Proceedings. The pamphlet exposed Hemphill's plagiarism. First advertised on 14 Aug. Cf. Franklin's reply, A Defense, 30 Oct.

5 Sept, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

8 Sept, Monday, missed meeting of the Library Company directors.

12 Sept, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

15 Sept, Monday. Pennsylvania assembly met until 20 Sept. Votes 3:2278-92.

16 Sept, Tuesday. House voted £145.3.7 for Indian treaties; £29.9.6. Votes 3: 2283, 2284

18 Sept, Thursday, PG advertised: "On Monday next [22 Sept] will be publish'd," [Benjamin Franklin], A Letter to a Friend in the Country, Containing the Substance of a Sermon Preach'd at Philadelphia, in the Congregation of the Rev. Mr. Hemphill, Concerning the Terms of Christian and Ministerial Communion (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1735). Adv. as "Just Published," on 25 Sept. Ford 22; Miller 102. P 2:65-88. See above, 30 Aug. Discussed by Aldridge, Nature's God 94; Buxbaum 105-06; Sappenfield 77. Although the bibliographers all attribute the pamphlet to Franklin, Aldridge and Sappenfield, as well as the editors of the Papers, suggest that he wrote only the preface. Buxbaum, however, finds the "style and tone" of the Letter to be the same as Franklin's other pieces in the Hemphill affair. I agree with Buxbaum and give reasons in the biography for attributing A Letter to Franklin.

18 Sept (b). PG advertised: "There is now in the Press and will speedily be publish'd, A Defense of the Rev. Mr. Hemphill's Observations." See 30 Oct. P 2:65-88. Sappenfield 77.

18 Sept (c). AWM: "On Tuesday last the Honourable John Penn, Esq; one of the Proprietaries of this Province, made a very handsome Entertainment at Mr. Shubert's the London-Coffee-House, for the General Assembly of this Province, he designing to Embark for London in Capt. Boulden: And the next Day for the Gentlemen of the Corporation of this City, on the like Occasion.

19 Sept, Friday, House voted BF £25.12.6. for printing. "Ordered, that John Kinsey, Job Goodson, and Thomas Leech be a Committee to revise thjese Minutes Votes 3:2291, 2292.

19 Sept (b). Perhaps attended Junto meeting.

20 Sept, Saturday. Pennsylvania assembly adjourned.

20 Sept (b). Presbyterian Synod of Philadelphia "ordered, that Mr. Hemphill be notified to appear then [Monday morning] if he sees cause, or has any thing to offer unto them." Minutes of the Presbyterian Church 129.

22 Sept, Monday, Presbyterian Synod noted that Hemphill chose not to appear before them but sent "a disrespectful and contemptuous letter": "To the Rev. Members of the Synod: By way of answer to the Notification which I received Saturday last, I have only to observe, that the dispute between the Synod and me being made publick in the world, which was first begun by the Commission, what I have at present to offer to the Synod, is contained in an Answer to the Vindication of the Reverend Commission now in the Press, and will be speedily published, and that I despise the Synod's claim of Authority. Your humble servant, Samuel Hemphill. Monday morning. P.S. I shall think you'll do me a deal of Honour, if you entirely excommunicate me."

"The Synod, from the Consideration of his Contumacy in his Errors, his Disregard of the Censure of the Commission, and rejecting our Communion, do declare him unqualified for any future Exercise of his Ministry within our Bounds, and that this be intimated to all our Congregations by each respective minister. Approved nemine contradicente."

"The Brethren appointed to justify the Commission against any Complaints from Mr. Hemphill, if he should publish any such, having complied with the Commissions order in that Matter, are desired by the Synod to continue to answer any further Publications of Mr. Hemphill's or his Friends in that Cause, if they shall think it necessary. And it is ordered, that the Charge of it shall be defrayed out of the Fund." Minutes of the Presbyterian Church 130-31.

At the news of Hemphill's dismissal, BF quit the Presbyterian "Congregation, never joining it after, tho' I continu'd many Years my Subscription for the Support of its Ministers" (A97).

25 Sept Thursday. PG: Notice of the departure of John Penn for London. P 2:134.

25 Sept (b). AWM: Political piece defending "I[saac] N[orris]."

26 Sept, Friday, perhaps attended Junto meeting.

1 Oct, Wednesday, Pennsylvania elections. Andrew Hamilton was returned a member from Bucks Co. Votes 3:2293.

2 Oct, Thursday, PG reported election returns.

3 Oct, Friday, perhaps attended Junto meeting.

6 Oct, Monday. "On Monday last [6 Oct] Thomas Lawrence, Esq; made an Elegant Entertainment at the London Coffee-House, for the Gentlemen of the Corporation of this City, and a great Number of other Gentlemen, upon his resigning the Office of Mayor of this City. And The next Day being the Time appointed by the Charter for the annual Election of a Gentleman to supply that Post, William Allen, Esq; was Chosen." 9 Oct AWM.

6 Oct (b). Probably attended Masonic meeting.

10 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

13 Oct, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors.

14 Oct, Tuesday, Pennsylvania Assembly met for two days. Votes 3:2293-95. Andrew Hamilton chosen Speaker.

15 Oct, Wednesday. Assembly adjourned until 12 Jan 1735/6.

16 Oct, Thursday. AWM: Letter prefacing Spectator no. 441 probably attacked BF: "That a little natural Philosophy inclines Men to Atheism; but depth in Philosophy always bring them about to Religion." Cook 87; DeArmond 98; Sappenfield 73.

17 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

24 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

30 Oct, Thursday, PG advertised as "Just Published," BF's fourth Hemphill tract, A Defense of the Rev. Mr. Hemphill's Observations. Miller 101. P 2:89-126. Discussed by Christensen 432; Aldridge, Nature's God 94-97; Buxbaum 107-09; Sappenfield 77-79.

30 Oct (b). [Of the Usefulness of Mathematics], printed in PG. P 2:126-27, rejected as not by BF.

30 Oct (c). PG 6 Nov: "Thursday last [30 Oct] being the Anniversary of His Majesty's Birth Day, the same was solemnly observed here. An elegant Entertainment was made by our Honourable Proprietor, for the Principal Gentlemen, Merchants, &c. of this City, at which all the Loyal Healths were drank under the Discharge of Cannon, and the Day concluded with the usual Demonstrations of Joy." P 2:135.

30 Oct (d) AWM: "There is now in the Press [Jonathan Dickinson], Remarks upon a Pamphlet, entitled, A Letter to a Friend in the Country, containing the Substance of a Sermon preached at Philadelphia, in the Congregation of the Rev. Mr. Hemphill." (Philadelphia: Bradford, 1735). Evans 3897. Repeated, 6, 13 and 20 Nov; as "This Day is Published," 4 Dec. A reply to A Letter, (22 Sept).

31 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

3 Nov, Monday, Probably attended Masonic meeting.

6 Nov, Thursday, PG: "Jacob Taylor's, John Jerman's, and Poor Richard's ALMANACKS are now in the Press, and will speedily be published and sold by the Printer hereof." Repeated, 13 Nov.

7 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

10 Nov, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors.

14 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

20 Nov, Thursday, PG: BF's "Pretty Creature." Cf. 27 Nov.

20 Nov (b). PG advertised: "Just Published, John Jerman's ALMANACK for the year 1736." Miller 107. Miller cites 27 Nov as first appearance of "Just Published" advertisement.

21 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

23 Nov, Sunday, [Of True Happiness], printed in PG, P 2:128.

27 Nov: PG: "Advice to a Pretty Creature and Replies." P 2:128-29; W 261-62.

28 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

1 Dec, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

4 Dec, Thursday, PG advertised as "Just Published" Poor Richard for 1736. Miller 103. Miller cites first "Just Published" ad as 11 Dec. R. Newcomb identified the poem of 8 lines on women's tongues as from Wits Recreation, Ep. no. 489. Cf. Calendar 390.

4 Dec(b). AWM on court of chancery.

5 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

8 Dec, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors.

11 Dec, Thursday, PG: [On Human Vanity]. Rejected by P 2:129-30. A. Owen Aldridge, "The Sources of Franklin's 'The Ephemera,'" NEQ 27 (1954): 388-91, pointed out that the piece was not by BF, but that he echoed it years later. See 20 Sept 1778. For another minor source of "The Ephemera," see 21 Oct 1731.

11 Dec (b). Proprietaries. Scheme of a Lottery for One Hundred Thousand Acres of Land. (no imprint), A PG ad announced that drafts of the lots could be seen in the Surveyor General's office and that tickets were being prepared. Miller 115. Cf. 7 Aug.

12 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

15 Dec, Monday. Robert Bolton paid for a share (no. 66) in the Library Company; transferred it to Thomas Clay, 10 March 1738, who in turn sold it to Joseph Shippen, 14 Feb 1742.

18 Dec, Thursday, PG: "Just Published," James Logan's translation of Cato's Moral Distichs, with BF's preface. P 2:130­31. Miller 99.

18 Dec (b). AWM: Compared the courts of chancery in New York and in Pennsylvania, defending the latter. Cf. 24 Dec (c) PG.

18 Dec (c). AWM: "There is now in the Press [Obadiah Jenkins], Remarks upon the Defence of the Rev. Mr. Hamphill's Observations" (Philadelphia: Bradford, 1735). Evans 3917. Ad repeated 23 and 30 Dec; as "Just Published," 6 Jan. A reply to BF's Defense (30 Oct).

19 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

24 Dec, Wednesday, PG: Jacob Taylor, An Almanack, "Just Published." (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1735). No copy known. Miller 117.

24 Dec (b). Pa., Proprietaries. Quit-rent advertisement ascribed to BF's press on evidence of type. Miller 114. Also printed in PG 24 Dec, 6 to 29 Jan 1735/6.

24 Dec (c). PG: "R. Freeman" to the Freemen of PA, opposing a chancery court. Reply to AWM of 18 Dec (b). Cf. 6, 22, 27 and 29 Jan 1735/6. DeArmond 97.

26 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

Two otherwise undated 1735 imprints: 1. Poor Richard's Almanack for the Year 1736, second edition, late in Dec 1735. Miller 104. 2. New Jersey, Know all Men by these Presents, Marriage Surety Bond. [no imprint]. Miller ascribed it to BF's press on evidence of type. Miller 111.