Personal: Though the satire on Franklin in the 6 Jan AWM was misdirected (for he had not written the piece in question), yet it correctly identified his reputation for irreligion and for political radicalism. From mid-July to c. 10 Sept, BF was in Burlington, NJ, printing its paper currency, using for the first time his newly-devised nature-printing plate technique, reproducing images of leaves. On 15 Oct (a), BF petitioned for and received appointment as clerk of the PA Assembly, no doubt through the influence of his friend and patron, Speaker Andrew Hamilton. The clerk was the record-keeper and unofficial historian of the assembly (15 Oct [c]). It was an important position in colonial America. BF's four-year old son Francis Folger Franklin died, 21 Nov, of smallpox. After his death, BF had the child's portrait painted, probably by his neighbor Samuel Johnson (Sellers, BF 18-23, 316-17). It is the first portrait of any member of the Franklin family.

Business: After BF became the clerk of the assembly, 15 Oct 1736, I give the assembly's specific meeting times as well as some idea of the assembly's business. Since he recorded all the assembly's business, the minutes (Votes and Proceedings) could be regarded as his compositions, but they are readily available, and I cite the modern printed text. The Pennsylvania assembly of 1735-36 met on 12 Jan to 20 Feb, and on 9 to 14 Aug. The assembly paid him £31.0.0 for printing the votes and acts of 1735-36 (14 Aug). The assembly of 1736-37 met on 14 to 16 Oct, and on 6 to 11 Dec.

C. W. Miller recorded twelve imprints that Franklin published in 1736 (nos. 118-29). One was job printing, the annual subscription receipt for the Library Company (3 May). Three were Pennsylvania government printings: the Votes (printed twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays during the sessions of the assembly--see 16 Jan, 26 Feb), the Laws (1 April), and a proclamation (17 Sept). Franklin acted as the printer for three items: a Supplement to Conrad Beissel's Hymns (post 27 April), a political tract by Lewis Morris (30 Dec), and a poem by W[illiam] S[atterthwaite] entitled Mysterious Nothing (year-end).

In addition, BF printed and published four pieces at his own risk. An Indian captivity: Jonathan Dickinson's God's Protecting Providence Man's Surest Help (1 April); another edition (BF had printed one in 1734) of John Tennent's Every Man His Own Doctor (ante 30 Oct); and his two major sources of revenue, Poor Richard's Almanac (11 Nov) and the weekly Pennsylvania Gazette. Franklin may have also gamble on James Logan's Charge to the Grand Inquest of 13 April, or perhaps Logan paid to have it printed.

Activities and Social Life: On 7 Dec, BF organized the Union Fire Company, which agreed to meet thereafter on the last Monday of every month. He continued his normal routines of attending the Junto meetings every Friday night, the Masonic meetings the first Monday night of the month, and the Library Company directors' meetings the second Monday night of the month.

Intellectual Interests: The 8 April PG printed an account of vessels that entered into and cleared out of Philadelphia from 25 March 1735 to 25 March 1736 together with a similar list from Charleston, SC, "which may enable the curious Reader to make a Comparison in some Respects of the Trade of that Place with this." Along with the account, BF also printed the comparable statistics for Philadelphia and for New England in 1730, "by which the Encrease of our Trade may be observed."

Pennsylvania Politics: The 1735-36 assembly met from 12 Jan to 20 Feb, and from 9 to 14 Aug. Responding to petitions against the chancery court, the assembly on 27 Jan resolved that the court violated the charter. The Pennsylvania Gazette argued against the court and the American Weekly Mercury supported it. See the introduction to 1735 and see below 6 (c), 22, 27, and 29 Jan; 3, 18, and 19 Feb; and 2 March 1736. On 5 August, Lieutenant Governor Patrick Gordon died, after having served the province from 22 June 1726 to 5 Aug 1736. James Logan, as President of the Council, acted as governor for the next two years, from 5 Aug 1736 until Gov. George Thomas arrived in Philadelphia on 1 June 1738.

On 23 Sept, the almost­completed Statehouse (designed by Andrew Hamilton, now called Independence Hall) was first used when William Allen, Mayor of Philadelphia for the past year, made the annual feast on his retirement. Finally the assembly had a regular meeting place; hitherto it met in various homes and taverns. The assembly first met in the State House on 14 October. As clerk of the assembly (beginning 15 Oct), BF kept the minutes, recording the assembly's numerous arguments with the governor over finances. BF had already made obvious his disagreement with the governor and the proprietary party in his 1729 pamphlet on paper currency, for BF and the assembly favored a paper currency, though the governor and the proprietary party opposed it. And he had voiced his disagreement with the pacifist Quakers who controlled the assembly in his 6 March 1734 essay urging that a militia be established in Pennsylvania. Nevertheless, with Hamilton's support, he was elected Assembly Clerk. The 1736-37 assembly met from 14 to 16 Oct; adjourned to 2 May 1737; but was recalled by the president and Council on 6 Dec, meeting from 6 to 11 Dec.

Indian Affairs: Conrad Weiser learned, about 1 September, that a group of Six Nations chiefs were on their way to Pennsylvania. They were guided to James Logan's home at Stenton where, 28 September, the treaty began. Franklin reported the presence of the Indians in the 7 October Gazette. The treaty continued at the Friends' Great Meeting House in Philadelphia and concluded on 14 October, with the two sides renewing the earlier treaty of friendship, 1732. A Treaty of Friendship held with the Chiefs of the Six Nations at Philadelphia (1737) was the first of a series of Indian treaties printed by Franklin. Then the chiefs met privately with John Penn. He reminded them that they had previously sold all the land along the Susquehanna and asked why they had lately laid claims to those lands. On 11 October the Indians confirmed the sale. The Gazette, 14 October, celebrated Pennsylvania's peaceful Indian policy. At Conrad Weiser's home, 25 October, the chiefs also sold land along the Delaware River below the Kittatinny Hills, and a group of four chiefs warned the Proprietors that the Delaware Indians no longer owned any land and were not to be trusted.

Writings: Statistics on Trade in Colonial Ports, 8 April; Report of a Sea Monster, 29 April; "On Amplification," 17 June; Poor Richard, 11 Nov.

Chronology:

2 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

5 Jan, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

6 Jan, Tuesday, PG printed Joseph Breintnall's poem praising Jacob Taylor's verse. Calendar 386.

6 Jan (b). PG school advertisement by George Brownell, BF's former Boston teacher.

6 Jan, (c). AWM: "A Trueman," replying to R. Freeman's treatise on the Courts of Chancery (24 Dec 1735 PG), sarcastically attacked "pious Mr. F------" and "religious Mr. F-------" for "running violently on the side of the populace." Trueman implied that Freeman was Andrew Hamilton or BF, but BF is unlikely since Freeman had a good knowledge of the chancery court. See DeArmond, Bradford, 97-98. Trueman continued: "I do not conceive it of Consequence to any body whether Mr. B---- was the Author of the Letter in the Mercury of the 18th ult, or not, so I shall not contend with Mr. F---- about it." It is most unlikely that Bradford wrote on the question. For the attribution to James Alexander, see 1735.

Though the piece was "To be continued," the 20 Jan AWM noted that "the remaining Part" of Trueman's answer was "Published in another Manner than was Promis'd" and that it therefore would not appear in the AWM. It appeared as The Remainder of the Observations promised in the Mercury, Evans 3956. Other pamphlets advertised in the N.Y. Gaz. 3 Feb 1735/6 (see below), and in the AWM 2 March 1735/6 (see below) continued the quarrel.

6 Jan (d). BF became 30.

9 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

12 Jan, Monday, Pennsylvania assembly met until 20 Feb, Friday, Votes 3:2295-2356.

12 Jan (b). BF missed meeting of the Library Company directors.

16 Jan, Friday, House ordered: "That the Minutes of this house be published twice every Week, viz. On the Fourth Day and Seventh Day each week." Votes 3: 2301. Thereafter the Votes were supposed to be published every Wednesday and Saturday during the sessions. I suspect that this arrangement was gradually found impractical; see 26 Feb.

16 Jan (b). BF probably attended Junto meeting.

17 Jan, Saturday, House ordered that Thomas Leech, Joseph Harvey, Lawrence Growdon, and James Hamilton "be a Committee to revise these Minutes before they are sent to the Press." Votes 3:2302.

22 Jan, Thursday. PG: First of two-part essay on the Chancery Court; cont. 29 Jan. Cf. 18 Dec (b) 1735; 6 Jan (c), 27.

23 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

27 Jan, Tuesday. Assembly considered several petitions against the Court of Chancery and resolved that "as it is at present established, [it] is contrary to the Charter of Privileges." The Assembly believed that the courts should be authorized by the Assembly, that a court composed of the governor and council would favor the proprietary when it conflicted with the provincial property holders, and that one central court sitting in Philadelphia was comparatively inaccessible. Votes 3:2316; Colonial Records 4:35-38.

29 Jan, Thursday. PG: Second of two-part essay on the chancery court. Concluded that courts should be created and supervised by the Assembly.

30 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

2 Feb, Monday, Probably attended Masonic meeting.

3 Feb, Tuesday. NYGaz: "Just Published": Mr. Truman's Observations on Mr. Freemans Performance against the Court of Chancery in Pennsilvania. Sold by W. Bradford." Cf. 2 March. Evans 4089; no copy known.

6 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

9 Feb, Library Company directors meeting.

13 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

14 Feb, Saturday. Samuel Coates (share no. 67) and Samuel Rhoads (68) paid for their shares in the Library Company.

18 Feb, Wednesday. Gov. Patrick Gordon defended the Pa court of chancery. Votes 3:2338-46.

19 Feb, Thursday. The Assembly replied that the Pa court of chancery was contrary to their charter of privileges. Votes 2347-52.

20 Feb, Friday, Pennsylvania Assembly adjourned to 9 August. Votes 3:2356.

20 Feb (b). BF probably missed Junto meeting.

20 Feb (c). BF copied the MS plan of Independence Hall, 3p. APS. BFPAPERS file 25203.

24 Feb, Tuesday, AWM: The supposed "extract" from Le Vassor's history of Louis XIII actually satirized Andrew Hamilton and James Logan as traitors about to betray the Proprietors' interest in the boundary dispute with Lord Baltimore. The "innocent Queen," Thomas Penn, discovered the plot. Robert Charles was suspected of being the author, but James Logan thought Isaac Norris wrote it with Charles as his accomplice. Wolff 123; De Armond, Bradford 98-101; Horle, "Andrew Hamilton," 2:435. Cf. another French obvious allegory, 10 June.

26 Feb, Thursday. Though the PG was dated "Feb 19. to Feb 25," the local news appeared under the heading "Philadelphia, Feb 26." There Franklin announced that "The Minutes of the last four Days sitting ... will be published the Beginning of next Week." Pennsylvania, Votes and Proceedings (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1736). Miller 113.

27 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

1 March, Monday, Probably attended Masonic meeting.

2 March, Tuesday. AWM: "Speedily to be Published, The Jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery in Pennsylvania, vindicated and asserted; with some Remarks upon Mr. Freeman's late Performance, in Franklin's Gazette." Evans 4088; no copy known. If Mr. Truman's Observations really was "Just Published" on 3 Feb, then this pamphlet cannot be the same publication. It seems surprising, however, that both answer Freeman's writings in the PG.

4 March, Thursday, PG: "Z. Z." (John Webbe?) satirized a translation of Antoine de Courtin's Nouveau Traite de la Civilité." Cf. 24 Feb. In effect, a defense of Hamilton. DeArmond 101.

4 March (b). PG: Henry Flower, "late Postmaster of Pennsylvania," advertised, attempting to collect debts.

5 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

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

11 March, Thursday, 1735/36, Pennsylvania, Proprietaries [Scheme of a Lottery for One Hundred Thousand Acres of Land], 4p [no imprint]. PG advertisement stated that tickets were still available. Miller 115.

12 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

19 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

26 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

1 April, Thursday, PG: John Webbe began a series of essays on government strongly reflecting John Locke. P 2:145-46. For Webbe's authorship, see PG, 28 July 1737. Van Doren, 119; PG 10 June 1736. Webbe's AWM critics called him "Locke, Jr." Reply to first essay in AWM 8 April 1736, p. 1.

Webbe's series is among the numerous newspaper essays and references that refute John Dunn's argument that Locke's Two Treatises of Government was comparatively unknown in America before the mid-eighteenth century. See Dunn, "The Politics of Locke in England and America in the Eighteenth Century," John Locke: Problems and Perspectives, ed. John Yolton [London: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1969]). Cf. BF's gift of Locke's Two Treatises to the Library Company (19 Feb 1733).

1 April (b). PG: "Just Published," Jonathan Dickinson. God's Protecting Providence Man's Surest Help ... The Second Edition. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1736). Miller 119.

1 April (c). PG advertisement for Pennsylvania, Laws of Sessions to Jan 12, 1735-36 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1736). Miller 127.

2 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

5 April, Monday. Probably attended Masonic meeting.

8 April, Thursday, PG printed "an Account of the Number of Vessels Entred and Cleared (and from and for what Ports) at the Custom-House in this City, from March 25, 1735. to March 23, 1736." Franklin adds the last year's entries from Charlestown, SC, "which may enable the curious Reader to make a Comparison in some Respects of the Trade of that Place with this."

At the end, he noted "In the Year 1730 there were but 161 Vessels entred at Philadelphia, and 171 cleared; By which the Encrease of our Trade may be observed." And he also gave the New England figures for 1730. Canon 63; not in W.

8 April (b). AWM: Attack on Webbe's article in 1 April PG.

9 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

12 April, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors. "B. Franklin brought in his Account charging for Advertisements, Receipts, and Catalogues, at several times printed, £6.16.--and giving credit one Year's Payment May 1735 10s. The Account signed Dec 8, 1735, was allowed of and an order drawn on James Morris Treasurer to pay the balence, £6.6." Note that BF printed a catalogue [Miller # 108] within the past year; cf. 18 April 1735.

13 April, Tuesday, James Logan made a charge to the Grand Inquest; see 22 April for its printing.

15 April, Thursday, John Webbe's 3rd essay on government began with an anticipation of Jefferson's Declaration of Independence: "Freedom is the Birth-right of every Man. We are all born naturally equal." Of course the idea was commonplace: Nathaniel Ames wittly observed in his almanac, "All Men are by Nature equal, / But differ greatly in the Sequal."

16 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

22 April, Thursday, PG advertised "on Monday next will be published," James Logan, The Charge delivered from the Bench to the Grand Inquest (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1736). Miller 123. Advertised as "Just Published" on 6 May.

22 April (b). Meeting of Library Company directors: "Agreed, That the Company's Election on Monday the 3d of May be at this House, and that Benjamin Franklin give Notice thereof in the Gazette."

22 April (c). PG advertisement: "The Subscribers to the Library in Philadelphia are advertised, that Monday the 3d 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 fourth annual Payment, at the House of John Roberts in High-Street. Joseph Breintnall, Secr." P 2:158.

23 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

27 April, Tuesday, Conrad Beissel dated the Supplement to his hymns from "Conestoges den 27 April." Conrad Beissel, Jacobs Kampff-und Ritter-Platz, New collection of 32 German hymns, 28 composed by Beissel. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1736). Arndt & Eck 11; Miller 118.

29 April, Thursday, PG printed news-note hoax on a sea monster. Canon 64; W 262-63.

29 April (b). Joseph King (no. 69) subscribed to the Library Company.

30 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

3 May, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

3 May (b). "At the House of John Roberts the Library Company had a friendly Elections of Directors and Treasurer for the coming Year." Alexander Graydon (share no. 70), James Merrewether (71), and Anthony Morris (72) each paid for a share in the Library Company. Directors were the same as last year: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Cadwalader, Hugh Roberts, Thomas Hopkinson, William Rawle, William Plumstead, Francis Richardson, William Coleman, Philip Syng, and Evan Morgan. Joseph Breintnall, secretary, and James Morris, treasurer, also continued in office.

3 May (c). A Library Company subscription receipt (printed by BF) was filled out to Samuel Coates for his fourth yearly payment of ten shillings, dated 3 May and signed by James Morris. Miller 122.

7 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

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

13 May, Thursday, PG: John Webbe satirized last week's AWM for reporting that "not a soul [was] saved" when a West Indiaman sank. See DeArmond, Bradford 102.

14 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

20 May, Thursday, PG: news note praising the "Diligence, Courage, and Resolution of some active Men" who saved several buildings from fire. P 2:158. Cf. 20 Dec 1733.

20 May (b). PG: Obituary of Henry Flower, one of the oldest and earliest inhabitants, a former postmaster.

21 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

28 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

4 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

7 June, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

10 June, Thursday. AWM: "The Fall of Marshal d'Ancre": another attack on Hamilton (cf. 24 Feb.)

11 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

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

17 June, Thursday, PG: BF burlesqued legal jargon, "On Amplification." P 2:146­48; W 263-66.

17 June (b). PG: BF advertised: "Glaz'd Fulling-Papers and Bonnet-Papers, Sold by the Printer hereof." P 2:159. Now supplied by local paper-makers, BF had expanded the paper stock.

18 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

21 June, Monday, NYG complained that "the Persons [Franklin] appointed by the [New Jersey] Assembly to get the said Bills Printed in the best and cheapest manner ... agreed to have said Bills printed for the Sum of £160 Proclamation Money, whereas another Person would have done it for £100 or less. But such is the effect of Party, Faction and Prejudice. Its no matter, its the Country's Money, and if the Publick cannot afford to pay well, who can? Its proper to serve a Friend when there is an Opportunity." (Rpt. NJ Archives 11: 471.) See below, Mid-July; and 25 March 1737.

This is the first intercolonial complaint about BF. Evidently William Bradford would have printed the money for less, but BF convinced the New Jersey legislature that his new nature printing technique, though more expensive, would be extremely difficult to counterfeit.

24 June, Thursday, St. John the Baptist Day, probably attended Masonic meeting. "On the 24th past, was held in this City a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, when Thomas Hopkinson, Gent. was unanimously chosen Grand Master of this Province for the Year ensuing; who nominated Mr. William Plumstead his Deputy, and Messrs. Joseph Shippen and Henry Prat were nominated and chosen Grand Wardens."--PG, 8 July.

25 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

2 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

5 July, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

9 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

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

Mid-July to c. 10 Sept.

BF in Burlington, printing the N.J. paper currency (act of 13 Aug 1733; it had been given royal approval 4 May 1735 [see above, post 4 May 1735]). The currency used his newly­devised nature­printing plate technique to prevent forgeries. P 2:159; Miller 136; Newman Early 224; Newman, PAPS 1971: 345. See above, 21 June. The currency was not issued until 2 May 1737. It is listed by Newman and Miller under 25 March 1737; I cross-reference it there. If someone else acted as editor of the PG while BF was in New Jersey, perhaps it was John Webbe. Cf. 15 July and the General Magazine. BF must have had at least two presses in order to take one to New Jersey, for the Gazette (except for the last week in July) continued to appear while he was printing paper money in New Jersey.

15 July, Thursday, PG: "Z" [John Webbe] presented his autobiography. Cf. 28 July 1737. Cf. 22 July.

15 July (b). PG advertised several scholarly Latin books for sale. P 2:159.

16 July, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

22 July (b). AWM: Reply to and satire upon John Webbe. Cf. 15 July.

23 July, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

29 July, Thursday. PG failed to appear. See 2 Aug.

30 July, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

2 Aug, Monday, after the PG did not appear during the last week of July, Franklin apologized in the 2 Aug issue: "The Printer hopes the irregular Publication of this Paper will be excused a few times by his Town Readers, on consideration of his being at Burlington with the Press, labouring for the publick Good, to make Money more plentiful." P 2: 159. The next PG appeared on Saturday, 7 August; and the following paper returned to the normal day of publication, Thursday, 12 Aug,

2 Aug (b). PG: John Solomon's sonnet and letter in French appeared. PMHB 17 (1893):26.

2 Aug, (c). probably missed Masonic meeting.

5 Aug, Thursday. AWM: "This Morning died here, after a long Indisposition, the Honourable PATRICK GORDON, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor of this Province, and of the Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex upon Delaware."

6 Aug, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

7 Aug, Saturday, PG reprinted an imitation of four poems "On Tobacco" in four styles, devoting a paragraph to the difficulty of assigning authorship to anonymous pieces.

7 Aug (b). PG: obituary of Gov. (i.e., Lt. Gov) Patrick Gordon gave him high praise: "It may be justly said of him, that, during the whole Course of his Administration, the true Interest and Happiness, Prosperity and Welfare of his Majesty's Subjects in these Parts seemed to be his chief Concern and peculiar Care." P 2:159-60. With the death of Gordon, James Logan became the President of the Council until Gov. Thomas arrived in Philadelphia on 1 June 1738.

9 Aug, Monday, Pennsylvania assembly met to 14 August, Saturday. Votes 3:2356-2372.

9 Aug (b). BF missed Library Company directors' meeting at John Roberts; there were insufficient members for a quorum.

12 Aug, Thursday.. AWM: Speech of James Logan to Assembly, 11 Aug.

13 Aug, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

14 Aug, Saturday, Pennsylvania Assembly adjourned. BF was paid £31.0.0 for "printing the Votes and Acts of this Sessions" (Votes 3:2372), and that did not include any slaray as clerk, to which he was elected on 15 Oct..

19 Aug, Thursday. AWM: Speech of A. Hamilton to Logan.

20 Aug, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

27 Aug, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

C.1 Sept, Wednesday. "About the Beginning" of September, Conrad Weiser advised the Council that that a delegation of chiefs of the Six Nations had arrived at Shamokin on Susquehanna on their way to Philadelphia. Weiser was instructed to attend them "and supply them with Necessaries in their Journey hither." Treaty (1737) 3.

3 Sept, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

6 Sept, Monday, probably missed Masonic meeting.

9 Sept, Thursday, Thomas Hopkinson married Mary Johnson at Christ Church. DF probably attended; BF was still in Burlington.

10 Sept, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

10 Sept. BF returned from Burlington (see Mid-July).

13 Sept, Monday, did not attend the Library Company directors' meeting at John Roberts'; there were insufficient members for a quorum.

16 Sept, Thursday, PG advertised: "Lost last Week in removing the Printing Press, and either left on the Wharff at Burlington, or dropt off the Dray between the Waterside and Market in Philadelphia, A Pine Water-tight Trough, containing sundry odd Things beglonging to the Press. Whoever bring it to B. Franklin shall have Five Shillings Reward." (P 2:160.) Ad also in AWM.

17 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

23 Sept, Thursday, Pennsylvania, Proclamation, Sept 17, 1736 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1736). Miller 129. Concerned the PA/MD border dispute. Reprinted in PG.

23 Sept (b). First use of the almost­completed State House (designed by Andrew Hamilton, now called Independence Hall): "Thursday last [23 Sept] William Allen, Esq., Mayor of this City for the Year past, made a Feast for his Citizens at the State House, to which all the Strangers in Town of Note were also invited. Those who are Judges of such Things say that considering the Delicacy of the Viands, the Variety and Excellency of the Wines, the great Number of Guests, and yet the Easiness and Order with which the Whole was conducted, it was the most grand, the most elegant Entertainment that has been made in these parts of America." PG, 30 Sept 1736. P 2:160. BF probably attended.

24 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

28 Sept, Tuesday, to 14 Oct, Thursday, Indian Treaty with Six Nations took place at Stenton and Philadelphia. Colonial Records, 3:511-13, 577, 607. BF printed the treaty the next year (see 14 Oct 1736).

30 Sept, Thursday, PG advertised: "Now in the Press, POOR RICHARD'S ALMANACKS for the Year 1737." Repeated 7, 14, 28 Oct. On 4 Nov, "Next Week will be published." See 11 Nov.

1 Oct, Friday, Pennsylvania elections. Andrew Hamilton elected from Bucks County.

1 Oct (b). Junto meeting probably cancelled.

2 Oct. The Indian treaty reconvened in Philadelphia at the Great Meeting House, "with divers Gentlemen, and a very large Audience that filled the House and its Galleries." Treaty of Friendship 6.

5 Oct, Tuesday. Indians met at Thomas Penn's home. He reminded them of the purchase of the land along the Susquehanna River and asked why they had lately claimed that land. Colonial Records 3: 511-13, 577, 607; PA 1:344-47, 494-98. Boyd xxvi. See 11 Oct.

7 Oct, Thursday, PG reported: "Last Week a Number of Indian Chiefs belonging to the Five Nations, arrived here, and on Saturday a Treaty was held between this Government and them in the Great Meeting House, in order to brighten the Chain of Friendship, clear the Road of Communication, &c. The Speaker among them was prompted by one who sat near him, with a Handful of little Sticks, which served as Memorandums of the Points to be spoken of."

8 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

11 Oct, Monday, probably attended Library Company directors' meeting at John Roberts'; insufficient directors for a quorum. Those attending not named.

11 Oct (b). The Six Nations again released all the land on both sides of the Susquehanna, eastward to the heads of the streams and westward "to the setting of the sun." Boyd xxvi, citing PA 1:494-98.

14 Oct, Thursday, Pennsylvania assembly met until 16 Oct. Chose Andrew Hamilton as Speaker for the third consecutive year and for the eighth time altogether. Votes 3:2373.

14 Oct (b). PG: On Discoveries. P 2:149 rejected it, citing A. Owen Aldridge. The concluding statement probably appealed to Franklin: "What's now discover'd, only serves to show, / That nothing's known, to what is yet to know."

14 Oct (c). PG reported the reaffirmation of Indian relations, celebrating William Penn's policies, "to the preservation of which nothing has contributed more than the practice he set on foot and has since been continued of purchasing their lands before he would suffer them to be taken up by his authority." P 2:160-61. See above, 28 Sept, and, for the printed treaty, 22 Sept 1737.

14 Oct (d). The Indian Treaty concluded. Treaty 12-14.

15 Oct, Friday, BF petitioned for and received appointment as clerk of Assembly. "It was moved, that Joseph Growdon be appointed Clerk to this House for the ensuing Year; and the Question being put, it passed in the Negative. A Petition from Benjamin Franklin was presented to the House, and read, setting forth, That he hath been informed this House have a Disposition to change their Clerk, and if so, he humbly offers his Service to them in that Station; Resolved, That Benjamin Franklin be appointed Clerk to the House of Representatives for the current Year. And he was called in and qualified accordingly." A 84; Votes 3:2373.

Joseph Growdon had been Clerk of the Assembly from 1730 through 1735. Growdon, the son and the brother-in-law of former speakers (Joseph Growdon, 1652-1730; and David Lloyd, 1656-1731) had been clerk since 1730; and he was also Attorney General. He was, however, unsatisfactory to Hamilton and to the Assembly and carried on a feud with the Assemblyman Lawrence Growdon, his older half- rother (Horle, "Lawrence Growdon," 2:402). Joseph Growdon was evidently in debt and failing in health. When he died "greatly indebted" the following year, his son called a meeting of his creditors and sold off his land (28 July 1737).

To be "qualified accordingly" meant that one took the oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration.

The oath of allegiance: "I Benjamin Franklin do sincerely promise and swear, that I will be Faithful and bear true Allegiance to his Majesty King George II. So help me God."

The oath of supremacy: "And I do swear, that I do from my Heart abhor, detest and abjure, as impious and heretical, that damnable Doctrine and Position, that Princes excommunicated or deprived by the Pope, or any Authority of the See of Rome, may be deposed or murdered by their Subjects, or any other whatsoever: And I do declare, that no Foreign Prince, Person, Prelate, State or Potentate, hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction, Power, Superiority, Preheminence or Authority, Ecclesiastical or Spiritual, within this Realm. So help me God."

The oath of Abjuration: "I Benjamin Franklin do truly and sincerely acknowledge, profess, testify and declare, in my Conscience, before God and the World, that our Sovereign Lord King George II is lawful and rightful King of this Realm, and all other the Dominions and Countries thereunto belonging. And I do solemnly and sincerely declare, that I do believe in my Conscience that the Person pretended to be the Prince of Wales, during the Life of the Late King James II and since his Decease pretending to be, and taking upon himself the Stile and Title of King of England, by the Name of James III or of Scotland by the Name of James VIII or the Stile and Title of King of Great Britain, hath not any Right or Title whatsoever to the Crown of this Realm, or any other the Dominions thereunto belonging. And I do Renounce, Refuse and Abjure any Allegiance or Obedience to him; and I do swear, that I will bear Faith and true Allegiance to his Majesty King George II, and him will Defend to the utmost of my Power against all traiterous Conspiracies and Attempts whatsoever, which shall be made against his Person, Crown or Dignity. And I will do my utmost Endeavours to disclose and make known to his Majesty and his Successors, all Treasons and Traiterous Conspiracies which I shall know to be against him or any of them. And I do faithfully promise, to the utmost of my Power, to support, maintain and defend the Succession of the Crown against him the said James, and all other Persons whatsoever; which Succcession by an Act entitled, An Act for the further Limitation of the Crown, and better Securing the Rights and Liberties of the Subject, is and stands limited to the late Princess Sophia, Electress and Dutchess Dowager of Hanover, and the Heirs of her Body, being Protestants. And all these Things I do plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear, according to the express Words by me spoken, and according to the plain and common Sense and Understanding of the said Words; without any Equivocation, mental Evasion, or secret Reservation whatsoever. And I do make this Recognition, Acknowledgment, Abjuration, Renunciation and Promise, heartily, willingly and truly, upon the true Faith of a Christian. So help me God."

Source: Giles Jacob, A New Law Dictionary (London: E. and R. Nutt and R. Gosling, 1729), substituting George II for George I.

15 Oct (b). Ordered, That Job Goodson, and Thomas Leech, Members of this House, call for and receive of Joseph Growdon, late Clerk of the Assembly, all such Papers or other Things as belong to the Publick, and are remaining in his Hands as late Clerk to the House of Representatives of this Province, and deliver the same to the present Clerk, to be kept and preserv'd among the Journals, &c. of this House." Votes 3:2372. [The clerk of the assembly served as its unofficial historian.]

15 Oct (c). House met after the morning session at three pm. Votes 3:2374-75.

15 oct (d). BF probably attended Junto meeting.

16 Oct, Saturday, House met at 9am, and, after business, met again at 3pm. "Ordered, That the Minutes of this House be printed; and that John Kinsey, John Kearsley, Job Goodson, and Thomas Leech, be a Committee to revise them before they are put to the Press." Votes 3:2378-79. Adjourned to 2 May, 1737; the governor, however, called the House back on 6 Dec. Votes 3: 2375-79.

21 Oct, Thursday, PG mentioned a party assembled "to assist in Husking Indian Corn."

22 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

25 Oct, Monday. At Conrad Weiser's home, Tulpehocken, ten chiefs of the Six Nations extended the land sold to the Delaware River below the Kittatinny Hills and agreed to sell no lands in Pennsylvania to anyone but the proprietors or their deputies. Four chiefs of the Six Nations warned the proprietors that the Delawares had no land of their own and none to sell. Boyd xxvii.

29 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

ante 30 Oct. Printed [John Tennent], Every Man his own Doctor, 4th Edition, Reprint of BF's "1734" Third Edition. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1736). Miller 120. BF's afterword (cf. P 2: 155-58) originally appeared in the "1734" edition (actually 23 Jan 1735). Though no advertisement for the 1736 edition appeared until 27 Oct 1737, BF sold a copy on 30 Oct (accounts).

1 Nov, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

5 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

8 Nov, Monday, attended Library Company directors' meeting at John Roberts.

11 Nov, Thursday, PG advertised Poor Richard's Almanac for 1737 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1736). Miller 121. P 2:161, 164n. Cf. 30 Sept. It contains the earliest extant example of BF's nature printing, the leaf of a rattlesnake herb (i.e., the common goldenrod leaf).

12 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

19 Nov, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.

21 Nov, Sunday, son Francis Folger died of smallpox (A 83; P 2:154) and was buried in Christ Church burial ground. Franklin no doubt wrote his epitaph: "FRANCIS F. / Son of Benjamin & Deborah / FRANKLIN / Deceased Nov. 21, 1736 / aged 4 Years, 1 Mon. & 1 Day. / The DELIGHT of all that knew him." Facsimile in P. L. Ford, Many-Sided 39. See obituary, 30 Dec.

Sometime within the next year, Franklin had his son's portrait painted--the first known portrait of any member of the immediate Franklin family. For Franklin to have paid for the portrait in 1737, when he was just beginning to have some extra funds, testifies to his love for "Franky," his interest in portraiture, and, perhaps, his consideration for Deborah's love for Franky (and perhaps for her resentment of William Franklin, whose portrait was not painted until years later when he was an adult in England).

Sellers, BF in Portraiture, 13-23, suggested that the possible artists included Gustavus Hesselius, John Winter, or Samuel Johnson. Sellers thought Johnson the probable painter.

22 Nov, Monday. Boston Gazette: "We hear from Philadelphia that the Small Pox prevails very much there, and that for preventing its spreading in the Natural Way, they Inoculate with great success." Quoted in Duffy, Epidemics 34. Cf. 19 Sept 1737.

24 Nov, Wednesday. Climaxing the Maryland-Pennsylvania boundary war, Pennsylvania forces set fire to Captain Thomas Cresap's house and took him prisoner. Kenneth P. Bailey, Thomas Cresap 48, 273-73. Cf. 27 Nov 1736 and 18 Aug 1737.

25 Nov, Thursday, BF advertised a list of books imported, including Henry Care's English Liberties. P 2:161-62.

26 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

27 Nov, Saturday. In Philadelphia, a crowd assembled to see Thomas Cresap, "The Maryland Monster," taken through the streets in a cage. Asked his opinion of Philadelphia, he replied "Damnit ... this is one of the Prettyest Towns in Maryland." Bailey, Cresap 52. Cf. 24 Nov.

27 Nov (b). First record of Lewis Evans in BF's accounts. Evans evidently worked for BF from before 24 June 1741 until after 1744. See L. H. Gipson, Lewis Evans 3; P 12:64n; 16:134-35; 20:383-84; and 21:247. See also accounts, this date; and see below, 21 Jan 1743/4; 23 Nov 1744; 3 Jan 1754.

3 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

6 Dec, Monday, Pennsylvania House of Representatives met in accordance with writs issued by the President and Council because of attacks by Marylanders upon Pennsylvania's border. Votes 3:2379. Met through 11 Dec, Saturday.

6 Dec (b). Probably attended Masonic meeting.

7 Dec, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 2pm. Votes 3:2381.

7 Dec (b). Union Fire Company, Philadelphia's first, formally organized by BF, who drew up its articles (A 86; P 2:150­3). The members agreed to meet the last Monday of every month (article 5). Cf. 4 Feb 1734/5.

8 Dec, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 2pm. Votes 3:2381-82.

9 Dec, Thursday, House met at 2pm. Votes 3:2383.

9 Dec (b). PG advertisement of John Goodwin, shop-keeper, "at the sign of the SUGAR-LOAF" contains woodcut of a sugar-loaf. BF may have made it; cf. his earlier cut (9 Jan 1734/5) of a brand on a horse.

9 Dec (c). PG advertised for the return of "a very large Kersey Great-Coat burnt almost through in one or two Places, with the Edge of a Taylor's Goose in making it." P 2:162. Could it have been BF's? Cf. The preface (The Way to Wealth) to Poor Richard, 1757.

10 Dec, Friday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm, Votes 3:2383.

10 Dec (b). BF probably attended Junto meeting.

11 Dec, Saturday, House met at 9am and approved petition against Maryland (in the PA-MD boundary dispute) to the King. Adjourned to 2 May 1737. Votes 3: 2383-84.

13 Dec, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors; decided that B. Franklin print a number of copies of the company's constitution, that each subscriber may have one, and "our friends a few."

17 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

23 Dec, Thursday. Charles Willing (no. 73) paid for a Library Company share.

24 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

27 Dec, Monday, probably attended Union Fire Company meeting; see above, 7 Dec.

29 Dec, Wednesday, "the Weather being very cold and clear, we had a fair and surprizing Appearance of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Twilight. It was more red and luminous than that which we saw here about Six Years ago [PG 29 Oct. 1730; P 1:382]: insomuch that People in the Southern Parts of the Town, imagin'd there was some House on Fire near the North End; and some ran to assist in extinguishing it." Then BF quoted an account of the aurora borealis from Philosophical Transactions # 347. --PG 6 Jan 1737, where BF mistakenly dated the event last "Thursday Evening," but corrected the date to Wednesday on 20 Jan 1737. P 2:185-86.

30 Dec, Thursday, "On the Death of His Son" appeared in PG as an editorial in favor of innoculation. P 2:154. See 21 Nov.

30 Dec (b). Lewis Morris, Observations on Reasons given by Mr. Hamilton's Advisors in a Letter to a Friend. [no imprint], [Philadelphia: Franklin, 1736]. Miller 124. Franklin also printed this in the PG 30 Dec 1736, continued 6 Jan 1737.

31 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

One Franklin 1736 imprint lacks a more specific date: [William Satterthwaite], Mysterious Nothing, a poem, (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1736). Miller 125. No copy extant. Not advertised in PG. Satterthwaite paid BF the remaining ten shillings owed for printing the poem on 16 August 1737. Joshua Francis Fisher, 74-76; William W. H. Davis. Cf. P 3:126.