1738
(rev. 2/17/98)

Personal: "C. D." in the 14 Feb AWM accused BF of participating in a mock Masonic initiation (13 June 1737) which resulted in the fatal burning of Daniel Rees, a young apprentice. "C. D." also accused BF of "Blasphemy and Profaneness" and said he ridiculed "religious and sacred Points of Divine Worship." In a PG reply the following day, BF denied any involvement in the mock Masonic initiation. Nevertheless, "C.D." returned to the attack in the 21 Feb AWM. Reprinted in Boston, the articles caused Franklin's parents concern, and they both wrote him on 21 March; BF replied, 13 April. In 1738 Deborah's maid "Catren" was replaced by a maid named Hannah in the winter and spring of 1738 (13 and 19 February, and 22 March). BF's nephew James Franklin, Jr., and BF's son William Franklin had been studying with Theophilus Grew, but on 12 December, they became students of Alexander Annand. It may have been in late Dec that the Franklins moved to a larger house (see 11 Jan 1739).

Business: The Pennsylvania assembly of 1737-38 met 7 to 12 August, 21 August to 2 Sept. BF was paid 38.7.6 as clerk of the house and for printing on 2 Sept. The assembly of 1738-39 met from 14 to 20 Oct (Sundays always excepted).

C. W. Miller recorded 14 imprints (nos. 147-160) for 1738. Five were brief job printings: four for Pennsylvania (21 Feb, English and German; and 23 Nov, English and German); and one for the Philadelphia Common Council (29 April). He was hired to print only three items, one for the Friends (26 Feb 1738/9), one for the Baptists (see end of year), and an anti-slavery tract for Benjamin Lay (though dated 1737 on the title page and therefore included by Miller among the 1737 imprints, it was published a day or two before 24 August 1738). He also completed four Pennsylvania government jobs: the Laws to 7 August; the Votes and Proceedings (see end of year); Gov. George Thomas's Speech to the Assembly, 8 August; and Thomas's Proclamation, 29 August, concerning the Pennsylvania-Maryland boundary dispute.

At BF's own risk, we have only Poor Richard (16 Nov); the sheet almanac (see end of year); the weekly Pennsylvania Gazette; and the Yearly Verses of the Printer's Lad who carrieth about the Pennsylvania Gazette. The carrier's verses, written by Joseph Breintnall, though dated 1 Jan 1739, would have been printed a day or two before (see c. 30 Dec). Franklin's accounts reveal that on 20 Oct he paid T. Grew £1.2s. for almanac copy (no doubt for the mathematical parts of Poor Richard). On 22 June, the PG advertisements amounted to more than two pages for the first time. BF probably bought his third printing press about 1738. He also purchased pica and small pica types made by William Caslon and began using them on 4 May.

On 3 Jan, BF announced an important money-saving change in the Philadelphia Post office: "To prevent the unnecessary Trouble of keeping Accounts, and the Loss that attended delivering Letters on Trust; No Letters will be delivered hereafter to any Person whatever, without the Money immediately paid. Which it's hoped will not be taken amiss." Bradford had previously requested the same, to no avail. Franklin too ran large debt accounts.

Activities and Social Life: BF's monthly routines remained the same as last year. The primary records of his social life continue to be the minutes of the Library Company and the Union Fire Company. In 1738, Franklin attended Library Company directors' meetings on 9 January, 13 February, 13 March, 10 April, 8, 15, and 22 May, 12 June, 10 July, 8 and 14 August, 11 September, 9 October, 13 November, and 11 December. At the annual election, 1 May, the subscribers again chose Franklin first. Since William Coleman had gone on a voyage, the Library Company directors, 11 December, consulted the election results of last May and found that Samuel Rhoads had the next highest number of votes. Rhoads therefore was chosen a director in Coleman's place.

Franklin missed two meetings, 29 May and 30 Oct, of the Union Fire Company, and may have missed the 30 Jan meeting (the absences are not recorded).

Intellectual Interests: Lists of goods exported from various ports, 28 Feb; statistics in port of Charleston, 14 Dec.

Pennsylvania Politics: On 1 June, Lieutenant Governor George Thomas (hereafter called Governor Thomas) arrived in Philadelphia and assumed the governor's office from James Logan, who had occupied it since the death of Patrick Gordon, 5 Aug 1736. Thomas served as governor until ill health caused him to resign. He left for London on 1 June 1747. For an overview of his administration, see Horle 2:63-66. The second session of the assembly of 1737-38 met from 7 to 12 Aug; and the third session from 21 Aug to 2 Sept. The Penns had instructed Gov. George Thomas not to assent to any currency bill that did not state that proprietary quitrents were to be paid in sterling, according to the current rate of exchange. (Unfortunately for Governor Thomas, the main proprietor, Thomas Penn, was there in Pennsylvania, secretly instructing him.) When the assembly presented him with a currency bill (the former Reemitting Act expired 15 Oct 1737, and the bills of credit were gradually disappearing from circulation), he claimed, 1 Sept, that he had insufficient time to consider the bill and vetoed it. Angered by Thomas's veto, the voters turned out in great numbers and reelected the paper money supporters. The first session of the new assembly of 1738-39 met from 14 to 20 Oct.

Indian Affairs: The Delawares visited Philadelphia in October 1738 (see end of month; correct from CR. Colonial Records 4: 307-08; Boyd xxx. PG 1 June.

Writings: "A Defense of Conduct," 15 Feb; News note on the compassion of Capt. Croak, 10 Aug; Poor Richard for 1739, 16 Nov; and a news-note jeu d'esprit on octuplets, 24 Nov; Poor Richard for 1739.

Chronology:

2 Jan, Monday, probably attended the Masonic meeting.

3 Jan, Tuesday, PG: "Post-Office, Philadelphia, Jan. 3, 1737/8. The Northern Post sets out tomorrow Morning for New York, and will continue to go once a Fortnight during the Winter Season. N.B. To prevent the unnecessary Trouble of keeping Accounts, and the Loss that attended delivering Letters on Trust; No Letters will be delivered hereafter to any Person whatever, without the Money immediately paid. Which it's hoped will not be taken amiss." Andrew Bradford had announced the same policy on 21 Oct 1736. Nevertheless, Franklin extended credit, and by November 1742, he was owed £417.2.8. from the post office accounts. P 2:180-81.

6 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

6 Jan, Friday, became 32.

7 Jan, Saturday. Richard Peters paid for his share (no. 76) in the Library Company.

9 Jan, Monday, attended Library Company directors' meeting at John Roberts'.

13 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

20 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

24 Jan, Tuesday. AWM: "J.G." apologized for the printing error made in the Mercury. Evidently Jonas Green was in charge of Bradford's AWM.

27 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

30 Jan, Monday, 6pm. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 7. "The Company met at John Roberts except the five following persons [blank space]. Edward Roberts Clerk paid the Company Stock Received of Thomas Hatton with Seven Shillings the Fines of the Members absent last meeting to George House the succeeding Clerk in all £3.18.6."

31 Jan, Tuesday, PG supported the Maryland tobacco growers' plan to ship tobacco directly to France rather than go through England. Cf. 7 March. See Jacob M. Price, "French Farmers-General," 143-44. I suspect that BF favored the scheme because he resented the Navigation Acts and the resolve contradicted them.

1 Feb, Wednesday. AWM 7 Feb: "On Wednesday last [1 Feb], at the Court of Oyer and Terminer then sitting here, came on the Trial of Evan Jones, Chymist, for being a Principal concern'd in the Death of D[aniel]. R[ees]. a young Man who had been his Apprentice, and was but just Free, in June last. The Trial begun at nine o'Clock in the Forenoon, and lasted 'till almost Two next Morning. The Jury found him Guilty of Manslaughter; and he was accordingly, at the breaking up of the Sessions, Burnt in the Hand, and order'd to find sufficient Security for his good Behaviour. There was the greatest Throng of People to hear the Trial, which perhaps ever appear'd at any Trial in this Province." AWM, 7 Feb, continued with a thorough account of the trial. References at 13 June 1737.

2 Feb, Thursday. AWM: 7 Feb: "And on Thursday, J[oh]n R[emin]g[to]n, Attorney at Law, and E--- W----, Taylor, were Try'd, for being present at, and concern'd in, the said Affair. The former was found Guilty of Manslaughter; but was Pardon'd. The latter the Jury Acquitted."

3 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

3 Feb (b). "A petition of John Remington, Attorney at Law, delivered to the President, was by him laid before the Board and read, setting forth that the Petitioner was unfortunately deluded and drawn into the idle Diversion of performing the Ceremony of making a free Mason, in Order to which a Sport called Snap Dragon was prepared, at which the Petitioner was persuaded to be present; that unhappily some of the burning Spirit used in this Sport was thrown or spilt on the Breast of one, Daniel Rees, which so burnt or scalded him that in a few days after the said Daniel dyed; That Doctor Evan Jones had been indicted as Principle for the Murder of the said Daniel Rees, & by a Jury of the County was found guilty of Manslaughter; That the Petitioner was also indicted as aiding & abetting the said Evan Jones, and altho' no Evidence did or could appear to prove that the Petitioner had any hand in the throwing or spilling the said Liquor on the Body of the said Daniel, or was privy to any Design or Intention of doing harm to the said Daniel, or to any other Person, yet the same Jury had brought in a Verdict of Manslaughter likewise against the Petitioner, which if put in Execution would tend to the utter Ruin of the Petitioner, his Wife, and two small children, & therefore humbly praying that the President & Council would be pleased to grant him a Pardon; Whereupon the Board are of Opinion that the Petitioner should be pardoned the Manslaughter aforesaid, and the burning in the hand, which by reason thereof he ought to suffer; But it being observed that in the Course of the Tryal a certain wicked & irreligious Paper had been produced & read, which appeared to have been composed by the said Remington, who had made the aforesaid Daniel Rees repeat the same, as part of the form to be gone thro' on initiating him as a free Mason; the Board therefore agreed that the Pardon should be so restricted as that it might not be pleaded in Bar of any Prosecution that should hereafter be commenced against the said Remington on account of the said scandalous Paper." Colonial Records 4: 276-77.

6 Feb, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

7 Feb, Tuesday, PG reported that "Dr. Evans Jones, Chymist, being found guilty of Manslaughter, was accordingly burnt in the Hand. His Tryal lasted 15 Hours." A letter signed "A.B." described the trial. Afterward, BF added: "Two other Persons were arraign'd with Dr. Jones for the same Crime, of whom one [John Remington] was found guilty of Manslaughter, but obtain'd a Pardon; and the other ["E--- W----, Taylor"] was acquitted by the Jury." Sachse, BF 54-58, reprinted A.B.'s letter.

7 Feb (b). AWM reported on the trial of Evan Jones (above, 1 Feb). The report gave a long description of the two mock ceremonial initiations. The same issue also charged that a gang of negro thieves was really a Lodge of Free Masons. The AWM account of the trial was reprinted in the Boston Evening Post, 6 March; the New England Weekly Journal, 7 March; and the Boston News Letter, 9 March. Cf. 21 March.

10 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

13 Feb, Monday, attended Library Company directors' meeting at John Roberts'. Robert Grace was chosen a director in the room of John Sober, who had left on a voyage.

13 Feb (b). Deborah referred to "my maid Hannah" (accounts).

14 Feb, Tuesday. AWM: "C.D." attacked BF, claiming that he was the author who wrote as "A.B." in the last PG: "Mr. Bradford, IT is hard to say, that any Circumstances in a Man's Life, should debar him from making his Complaint when hurt, or showing his Resentment when injured; to strike a Man when he is down, or insult him in distress, is an Act of Cowardice and Cruelty; and surely the Man that would inflict greater Punishment on his fellow Subject than the Laws allow, incline to be Arbitrary and barbarous: For as in the Prosecution and Punishment of Criminals, the Laws of the Land ought to be the Rule, so in reporting or relating a Case try'd, Truth ought inviolably to be observed: He that attempts to break the Fences of either of these shews more Envy and Malice, than Candor or Ingenuity.

"Since the Author of the Paper sign'd A. B. in Mr. Franklin's last Gazette, has taken upon him, to aggravate the Offences committed by Dr. Jones and others, I think myself in Justice obliged, and as an English Subject I have the Right to take Notice of it, being not only present during these Trials he observes upon, but also privy to the Acts that bear any relation thereto; therefore Shall give Mr. Franklin and his Correspondent the naked Truth of the whole, and back my Assertions with undoubled Proofs thereof, if required. Tackerbury, the principal Evidence against Dr. Jones, hath long assumed the Character of one of the Fraternity of Free-Masons, but was expelled the Common Lodge (as is reported) for some scandals in his Behavior (which are too notorious in general) and since his expulsion, has taken upon him to form a separate Lodge, and to initiate and establish Members according to the GENUINE RITES (as he solemnly professed they are) of the said Society; Among many other giddy Heads, he persuaded the unfortunate Deceased into an inordinate fondness of being made a Free-Mason, but not by the Direction or Consent of his Master, as Mr. A. B. is pleased to say; but the unhappy Youth persisted in it against his Master's Threats, and the Intreaties of his Friends, as appear'd by Evidence on the Trial; therefore Mr. Franklin's Correspondent takes more Freedom with the Attorney-General than becomes him, who cannot be guilty of such mean and malevolent Expressions as this Author uses, but his Eloquence and Law is too well known and approved to be blasted by the pitiful Scurrilities or Sneers of that Writer, whose Character when discovered and displayed, will perhaps afford more Instances of Blasphemy and Profaneness, than is contained in that Writing or any other Writing or Words (except his own) known or uttered in Pennsylvania. But since the Offenders have been Tried, and received the Punishment or Mercy the Law allows, nothing but envy and ill-nature could prompt this Author too repeat and aggravate the Crimes beyond Measure, and impudently impeach the Justice of the Court and Jury, nor can I see the justice or reasonableness of his pecuniary, that some of the ridiculous Ceremonies used in the Garden, was in allusion to any sacred Rites, unless to shew how Agreeable such is, to his wonted Air and accustomed Eloquence, in ridiculing those and other religious and sacred Points of Divine Worship.

"But as all that passed in the Garden to initiate, and the Ceremony of the Snap-Dragon to compleat a Free-Mason, as well as the said Writing, were of the Contrivance of honest Tackerbury, he can best explain their Meaning. However stupid and prophane that Writing is, it did not always seem so harsh to a Free-Mason, for when it was first produced to Mr. F[rankli]n, about 4 Days before the meeting at Snap-Dragon, he was pleased to express his Approbation thereof by a most hearty Laughter, and in friendship desired to have the further perusal of it; which in several Companies he diverted himself with the Reading of, and being informed how D[aniel]. R[eese]. had been initiated in the Garden, he candidly saluted him by the Name of Brother, and to encourage him in it gave him a Sign, as they term it, and congratulated him on being admitted into the Brotherhood, and desired to have Notice to be present at the Diversion of Snap-Dragon; but it seems he was not invited at the Time, but soon after the Misfortune happened, he, to the surprise of his Friends, who at his request had entrusted him with the Writing for his Diversion, went and informed a Magistrate thereof, and appeared as an Evidence upon the same at the Trial, which doubtless conduc'd to the finding a Verdict against one of the Prisoners: How far this Part, acted by an accepted Free-Mason, of the famous Tackerbury's various Exploits, tend to the Honour of the Society, I shall not contend about, with A. B. but leave an indifferent Reader to judge. O Turbidum hominum Genus!

"A. B. asserts, that the Witness proved the whole Transaction, as laid down, beyond the Possibility of a Doubt. If with the same Freedom with that Author, I may be allowed to Observe, This is an Assertion that carries with it more Prejudice than Ingenuity: For I must say, That beyond doubt Tackerbury and Sulevan were the only Witnesses that gave Evidence that Dr. Jones threw the Spirits on D[aniel]. R[eese]. against which Evidence one Witness positively proved, that Tackerbury soon after the Mischief happened, and while he was fled from Justice, confessed, that he, Tackerbury, Jogg'd the Doctor's Elbow, which occasioned the Spirits to be spilt on the Deceased; and two other Witnesses swore, That Tackerbury own'd, that by a Jogg on the Doctor's Elbow, the Mischief happened; And that on the Day the Bill was found by the Grand Jury, Tackerbury, being ask'd how he could Swear so against the Doctor, answered, "What will one not Swear to save his own Neck?" And was it not proved, that Sulevan who also fled from Justice, and who represented the DEVIL in the Action, confessed, soon after the death of D[aniel]. R[eese]. that the Cellar was so dark, he could not tell how or by whom the Spirit was thrown on the Deceased; not one other Witness gives any positive Evidence; But whether there be a possibility of a Doubt in the case, when the Evidence of Tackerbury and Sulevan, thus confronted, is considered, were their Characters fair, I shall not presume to say. But notwithstanding the gross Insinuations against the Jury and Attorney-General, I may justly believe not only the Attorney-General, but the Court and Jury acted according to the dictates of their Consciences.

"As for the Law Cases advanced by A. B. I shall leave the Remarks thereon to be made by some of the Profession; when that is done, perhaps these may be found as Empty, as those lately published and remark'd, and the Authors of both rendered equally contemptible in the Opinion of the Learned; at least he may be thought a little Partial, since he's not pleased to favour the Public with any Argument used in behalf of the Prisoner. In the mean time, I may be allowed to think with the Jury, and all except Franklin's Correspondent, that the throwing the Spirit, was not done with a sedate and deliberate Mind, intending to Hurt, much less with a design to Kill, and may not therefore be attended with the same Consequence as the Case he States. The Mercy of some Men is Cruelty, and the most just Prosecution, Verdict and Judgment must be impeached, and the Persons (after suffering what the Law inflicts) insulted and distressed to Death, if their malignant Spirits and arbitrary Wills are not gratified. For, as A. B. owns he was present during the whole of these Trials, he must needs observe, what indefatigable Pains and uncommon Methods were used by the Prosecutor's Council to challenge and set aside near 100 Freeholders, before a Jury was fixed to his Mind; and now confidently to affirm, that the whole was proved beyond possibility of a Doubt, which if true, the Court and Jury must have Err'd in the Discharge of their Duty; the One in not directing the Party to be found guilty as charged, the Other in bringing in too merciful a Verdict; What manner of Treatment this is to both (omitting the Attorney-General, who is best able to Answer for himself) I submit to the Reader. But I will venture to say, there are several Hundred good man (Spectators of the whole) that will Pronounce with me, that this Writing of A. B.'s, is as inconsistent with the Rules of Charity, common Justice and Humanity, as the impious Writings justly censur'd by the Court and Jury, is with Virtue, Piety and good Manners. "C. D."

For my speculation concerning the identity of C.D., see 21 Feb.

15 Feb, Wednesday, BF's "A Defense of Conduct," in PG, P 2:198-202. BF evidently published the PG a day late in order to print his defense immediately.

17 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

19 Feb, Sunday. Deborah referred to "my maid Hannah" (accounts).

21 Feb, Tuesday. Pennsylvania, Quit-Rent Notice (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1738). Miller 149. Also printed in PG, 21 Feb to 14 March, Tuesday, 1737/8. This was the English language printing; BF also printed 500 of the same notices in German (Miller 150). Advertisement also appeared in AWM.

21 Feb. Tuesday. AWM: Reply to BF's "Defense of Conduct": "AS no other Motive excited me to take notice of A. B.'s Remarks on the Tryal of Dr. Jones and others, but what proceeded from the Principles of Charity and Benevolence; so I could not avoid engaging on the side of Mercy and Justice, in opposition to such as would Advocate for Cruelty and Oppression; and when their virulent Efforts could not prevail to deprive Men of Life, would bid defiance to establish'd Rules, and scorn the ordinary Dispensation of Justice; and vent their Spleen on all concerned in the Administration of Clemency; and shew their earnest endeavors to debar them of Liberty; such an Aribtrary and Malevolent disposition of Mind, in my Opinion (not for the sake of any private Person or Concern, but for the Welfare, Comfort and Security of every one's Life and Liberty) ought to be abhorred, and totally quelled and banished from all Societies: But as we live in a Colony generally noted as well for JUSTICE and MERCY, it's not to be much dreaded that such Malignant (if any are crept amongst us) will find many Adherents, so there's no room to doubt but the Doctor and others will be allowed the protection and privileges due by Law, in Consequence of which, and of the natural Right of Self-preservation, I take the Liberty to rescue myself from the Imputation of throwing false and scandalous Aspersions on any one, as asserted by Mr. F[rankli]n in his last Gazette.

"As I bear not the least ill will to Mr. F[rankli]n, I can but in Charity think he did forget as well what past in Conversation, as he did the Day on which it happened; for on Friday (not Saturday) he met the Company at the Place and on the Account he mentions, and on that Day, Friday, the discourse was had: I think it is almost improbable he should forget the Name Tackerbury, than often mentioned, and said to be the Person that had taken upon him to initiate and persuade the young Man to be a Free-Mason, being one of that Fraternity himself, but neither the Doctor or Re[ese] were such, as the young man well knew, and so it appeared on the Tryal; it's not reasonable nor credible they could pretend to lead him into such perswasion, or that they said so; especially since Tackerbury had long before drawn him into his Snare, and invented the whole Scheme some Months before, as was evidently proved on the said Tryal. Mr. F[rankli]n also forgets the Subject Matter of his Laughter, the Writing or diabolical Oath, as he calls it, was by the Dr. delivered to and read by him, and not by Re[ese], and thereupon he laugh'd as his manner is, and read the same over and over, and at this request the same was entrusted with him in the Manner and for the Purpose as C. D. has observed, which Point as charged by C. D. Mr. F[rankli]n owns, save that after he had communicated and read it to so many, that it grew troublesome, he says he delivered it to a Messenger from the Mayor, who must have been informed of it before; a Circumstance not varying in Substance from what is charged, and therefore cannot be a false Aspersion. But surely if Mr. F[rankli]n had been in Earnest or so Serious upon the Occasion, as he mentions, he would not have contributed to debauch and corrupt the Minds and Manners of so many by publishing and communicating to them a diabolical Writing.

"I must by leave, and I hope in point of Justice to myself I may be allowed, with Freedom to declare a truth so demonstrable as can be well attested, That Mr. F[rankli]n did Salute the young Man by the Name, give a Sign, and congratulate him upon the Occasion; and signified his desire and design to be present at the then proposed Diversion, as is asserted by C. D. tho' some present either forgot or did not hear all that passed, and therefore C. D.'s Allegations touching these points are not false nor groundless; but if Scandals are to be inferred from thence, they are not to be imputed to him, nor is it probable that the Doctor and Re[ese] should proceed in the Manner set forth by Mr. F[rankli]n, had he expressed his detestation of the Subject as he insinuates.

"But I believe none can think Mr. F[rankli]n in Earnest, when he says he had a respect for the Lad's Father, and thought it was a pity his Son should be imposed on, and therefore he followed the Lad down stairs, etc. when in Truth the Lad went out and Mr. F[rankli]n did not stir from the Room in less than half an hour after, and so no wonder he was gone out of sight:

"But pray, if the kindness he expresses to have for the Father, or the Abhorrence of the Imposition on the Son were real, why did he not (since he had several Days opportunity for it) sooner inform the Magistrate, or advise the Young Man, so as to prevent that Imposition, and the unhappy Consequences that happened in the Cellar? I heartily wish, since he conscended to such an Office at last, that he had done it at first, that his Information might have turned to some good purpose. But his appealing to several who heard him read this prophane Writing, to witness that his Reading was accompanied with Expressions of Detestation, may possibly imply more of Hypocrisy than Sincerity. And I think it more consistent with the part or duty of a good Man, to conceal or destroy so prophane a Writing, than to repeat or publish it to his Neighbours, which in my Opinion shews more of his pleasure in it than detestation of it, since his so doing could not tend to the publick nor private good.

"I should not be dissatisfied nor find fault with Mr. F[rankli]n's endeavors to palliate his own Conduct, did he not unjustly Charge and Reproach that of others; nor would I presume to say, that his hearty Laughter, which he owns, at the relation given him of the Matters, did any wise argue his Approbation of 'em, or that he desired to be present at the Diversion mentioned, since his Witnesses, more tender of his Reputation than himself, have otherwise certified, etc. Altho' I am no Lawyer, yet I must beg leave to think, and my weak Reason tells me, such a Negative Assertion cannot be proved: But as I esteem the Characters of those Gentlemen, I must and do suppose they were hurried to Subscribe, etc. before they had time to consider the Day and Time referred to, or the Nature of a Negative Evidence. But I hope the Parties will soon be brought face to face, and then I doubt not of being rescued from the Imputation insinuated, or doing Mr. F[rankli]n the least injustice. C.D."

Since C.D. was present at the meeting of the auditors (BF, John Danby, and Harmanus Alrihs) with Dr. Evan Jones and John Remington, since C.D. protested that BF's turning over the oath to the authorities betrayed a trust, and since C.D. objected to BF's testimony at the trial, I suspect that C.D. was John Remington, the attorney who wrote the scandalous oath. Dr. Evan Jones also qualified by these criteria and is a possible candidate, though C.D. seems more concerned with the oath than Dr. Jones would have been.

24 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

27 Feb, Monday, 6pm. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 7: "The Company met at John Roberts except George Emlen, Wm Parsons, Wm Cooper, Hugh Roberts, Thomas Lloyd, James Morriss, Edward Shippen, Lloyd Zachary, Chas Willing, Jno. Dilwyn, Thomas Hatton, Samuel Powell. George House paid the Companys Stock into the hands of Willm Plumsted being 4.3.6. Plus 12 shillings for tonight's absences; 4.15.6."

28 Feb, Tuesday, PG printed lists of goods exported from various ports.

3 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

6 March, Monday, probably attended the Masonic meeting.

7 March, Tuesday, PG: Extracts from the Morals of Confucius. Continued, 21 March. A. Owen Aldridge, Dragon, 25, pointed out that the source was The Morals of Confucius (London, 1691), though BF may have reprinted it from another periodical. For a discussion of Franklin and Confucius, see Aldridge, Dragon 25-32. Note that the PG of 21 Feb had advertised "Several Sorts of China Ware" to be sold by Francis Richardson.

7 March (b). AWM claimed that the plan to ship tobacco directly to France would lure trade from Philadelphia and would not really help the Maryland tobacco trade. Cf. 31 Jan.

10 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

13 March, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts'. Phineas Bond (77) paid for a share in the Library Company.

17 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

17 March (b). James Teller (78) paid for a share in the Library Company; sold it to Charles Meredith, 14 July 1741.

21 March, Tuesday. BF's parents, having read the reprinted 7 Feb AWM account and heard of the criticisms of BF, wrote him about his religion and the Freemasons. See 13 April.

21 March, Tuesday. PG: Continuation of "The Morals of Confucius." See 7 March.

21 March (b). PG noted: "The Post will set out for New York on Thursday in the Afternoon, beginning his Weekly Stages."

22 March, Wednesday. Deborah's last reference to "my maid Hannah" (accounts).

24 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

27 March, Monday, 7pm. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 8: "The Company met at John Roberts except Jos. Paschall, Samuel Coats, Jno Armitt, Wm Rawle, Benj Shoemaker, Wm Parsons, Wm Plumsted, Edward Shippen, Lloyd Zachary, Thoms. Loyd, Chas Willing. 11s for absences. And Saml. Powell fin'd for not producing a List, 6d. Wm Plumsted being absent, Rd. Sewell Officiated as Clerk and paid the Company Stock into the hands of Jno. Dilwyn, the Next Succeeding Clerk, being 5.7.6."

30 March Thursday, PG: An essay remarked on "the danger of religious and political parties dedicated to conformity." Interestingly, it attributes the English constitution to chance, "not from any deep previous thought, or originial contrivance, but from the manner and circumstances." Like BF, the author connects the expansion of the colonial population with Britain's trade and manufacture, but his explanation of the causes for the expansion of the colonial population are entirely different. Though an interesting local essay, it is probably not by Franklin; James Logan is a more likely author. Considered and rejected as BF's: see Canon 92-93.

BF, however, agreed with the author's underlying philosophy of history. BF did not explain complicated events in terms of deliberate actions of individuals but instead by chance and a combination of complex factors. As he wrote in the Autobiography: "The best public Measures are therefore seldom adopted from previous Wisdom, but forc'd by the Occasion." A132; See F. A. Hayek, "The Results of Human Action but not of Human Design," in Hayek's Studies in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Chicago: Univ of Chicago Press, 1967) 96-105; and Gordon Wood, "Conspiracy and the Paranoid Style: Causality and Deceit in the Eighteenth Century," WMQ 39 (1982): 401-41.

31 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

3 April, Monday, probably attended the Masonic meeting.

6 April, Thursday, PG: NY writer praised Andrew Hamilton, enclosing The Craftsman, London, Saturday, 21 Jan 1737/8, which BF reprinted.

7 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

10 April, Monday, attended Library Company directors' meeting at John Roberts'.

13 April, Thursday, BF replied to his parents' letter of 21 March on his religion and on the Freemasons. P 2:202­4.

13 April (b). PG noted: "We hear from Barbadoes, that there are upwards of 3000 Persons down with the Small-Pox, where Inoculation is very much practised and proves very successful."

13 April (c). PG advertised: "Choice Linseed Oyl, To be Sold by William Parsons, in Second-Street, and by the Printer hereof." P 2:210.

13 April (d). AWM writer attacked Hamilton and the 6 April PG essay, mentioning in an aside, you "may as well pretend to persuade us, that Ben Lay is the tallest and straitest Man in America." DeArmond 105-06.

13 April (e). AWM reprinted attack on Free-Masons from the London Craftsman, 21 Jan 1737/8.

13 April (f). AWM advertised furniture: "Enquire of Jonas Green, at Mr. Bradford's Printing-Office." Proves that Green was working for Bradford (not Franklin, as has sometimes been said) at this time.

13 April (g). Israel Pemberton, Jr, paid for a share (79) in the Library Company.

14 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

20 April, Thursday, PG: Benjamin Lay replied to AWM writer of the 13th, defending Hamilton. See DeArmond, Bradford 107.

20 April (b). PG advertised: "The Subscribers to the Library in Philadelphia, are advertised, that Monday the first of May ensuing, at Two in the Afternoon, is the Time appointed for the Company's Choice of Directors and a Treasurer for the succeeding Year, and making the 6th annual Payment, at the House of John Roberts in High-Street. Joseph Breintnall, Secr."

20 April (c). AWM: "Cato, Jr." began a series of three essays. In his first, tediously celebrating liberty and property, he praised the "Descendants of that great and good Man," William Penn, for they will defend the "Rights and Privileges and Liberties" of Pennsylvanians. Proprietary propaganda. Cf. 4 (e) and 25 (b) May, and perhaps 1 June (b).

21 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

24 April, Monday. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 8. "The Company met at John Roberts except Samuel Coates, Wm Plumsted, Benja. Shoemaker, Will Parsons, Thos Hatton, Edward Roberts, Will Plumsted, Jno. Dilwyn, Will Cooper, Edward Shippen, Loyd Zachary, Saml. Powell, Thos. Lloyd, Geo. Emlen, Chas. Willing. Each find a shilling--15s. Richd. Sewell officiated as clerk for Jno. Dilywn & paid the Companys Stock into the hands of Wm Cooper the next Succeeding clerk being 5.7.6. and now 6.2.6. A Fire Hook being presented to Steph Armitt by Thos. Say, & by sd. Armitt to the Union Fire Company. Order'd that sd. Armitt & Hugh Roberts procure a Chain & Rope for sd. Hook & the Charge thereof to be paid out of the Company Stock."

28 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

1 May, Monday, probably missed the Masonic meeting.

1 May (b). Library Company received an air pump from John Penn, together with his letter dated London 31 Jan 1738. See also 4 May.

1 May (c). Library Company elections: Benjamin Franklin, William Coleman, Hugh Roberts, Thomas Hopkinson, Philip Syng, Thomas Cadwalader, William Plumstead, Richard Peters, Alexander Graydon, and William Allen, directors; and James Morris, treasurer. The directors again appointed Joseph Breintnall secretary. Richard Peters and William Allen were new directors, replacing Charles Willing and John Sober. On 11 Dec 1738, because Coleman had sailed for England, Samuel Rhoads, having had the next highest number of votes, replaced Coleman.

4 May, Thursday, An Ordinance relating to the Measuring of Salt, Wheat, etc., (Philadelphia:Franklin, 1738). Miller 159. Also printed in PG. At its 29 April meeting, the Common Council of Philadelphia ordered the ordinance printed. Minutes of the Common Council 374.

4 May (b). PG contains Franklin's first use of Caslon type, pica and small pica, possibly the earliest use of Caslon in America. The small pica lacked enough p and u sorts, obliging Franklin's compositors to substitute inverted d's and n's consistently until the following Feb. Over a four-year period, 1738 to 1742, Franklin made extensive purchases of Caslon (and some non-Caslon) type. Cf. 31 Oct 1734; 26 April 1739; 17 July and 18 Sept 1740; and 2 Sept 1742. Miller, "Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia Type" 186. I speculate that it was about this time that BF purchased his third printing press.

4 May (c). PG essay by "A.B." addressed to "Dear NED" gave an allegory of government, satirizing prerogative. Professor Alan Tully suggested that Robert Charles may be the author. See the rejection of Franklin's authorship in Canon 93-94. For A.B.'s following letters in the series, see 6 July and 12 October 1738; 29 March and 5 April 1739.

4 May (d). PG noted: "Monday last the Library Company of this City had their Yearly Meeting, for the Choice of their Officers, paying their Annual Subscription, &c., when they were acquainted, That the Hon. Proprietary Thomas Penn, Esq; had presented the Company with a large and commodious Lot of Ground, whereon to build an House for their Library; and also that the last Ship from London had brought them a valuable Present from the Hon. John Penn, Esq; consisting of an Air Pump, and other curious Instruments of great Use in the Study of Natural Knowledge. Both which Donations were exceedingly agreeable to the Company, not only with respect to their Value, but as they shew a Disposition in our greatest Men to encourage the Design of Promoting useful Learning in Pennsylvania." P 2: 210.

4 May (e). AWM: "Cato, Jr." attacked Hamilton. See 20 (c) April. Discussed by DeArmond 107-08.

5 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

8 May, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors, together with Mr. Samuel Jenkins who brought the air pump, Thomas Penn, Mr. Freame, Mr. Forbes, Capt. Norris, Mr. Grace, Mr. Willing, and Mr. James Hamilton. The proprietor was engaged, but all the other gentlemen, together with all the directors of the Library Company, the treasurer, and the secretary, met for dinner at Mr. Thomas Mullen's "and enjoyed a facetious agreeable Conversation." "Ordered that B. Franklin, Hugh Roberts, and Alexander Graydon meet at the Library tomorrow in the Afternoon and inspect the condition of the Books, to see which of them want binding and repairing, and to count the whole number belonging to the Library." "Benjamin Franklin, William Coleman, and Richard Peters were appointed to draw up Addresses of Thanks to the honourable the Proprietors." See below, 8 Aug.

11 May, Thursday, PG published a "List of Letters Which have been brought into the Post-Office at Philadelphia since the 21st of March last."

11 May (b). BF advertised "Very good chocolate, Sold by the printer hereof."

12 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

15 May, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts'. "Ordered, that B. Franklin, P. Syng, & H. Roberts get a Frame & Case made with Glass Lights in the Door to receive & preserve the Air Pump with its Appendages, and to look ornamental in the Library Room." Edwin Wolf, 2nd, has stated that "That glass-fronted case survives as the earliest extant example of American-made Palladian architectural furniture." Wolf, "At the Instance of Benjamin Franklin," 6.

18 May, Thursday, PG: John Webbe's article, signed "Z", celebrated Andrew Hamilton and reprinted a London periodical piece praising him. See also DeArmond, Bradford 108-10.

19 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

22 May, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors who agreed to meet at 8:30 pm through Aug, then at 8 pm though Oct, and at 7 pm from Nov through May.

25 May, Thursday, BF advertised a list of books "Just Imported." P 2: 211-12.

25 May (b). AWM: "Cato, Jr." sent in a third essay attacking Hamilton and replying to Webbe. See 20 (c) April. DeArmond 110-11.

26 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

29 May, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 9: "The Company met at John Roberts except Joseph Paschall, Samuel Coates, Wm Rawle, Benja Shoemaker, Benj Franklin, Phil. Syng, Richard Sewall, James Morris, John Dillwyn, Wm Cooper, Edward Shippen, Saml. Powell, George Emlen, Charles Willing. Fourteen members. Wm Cooper Clerk, being absent, he sent the Company Stock being 6.2.6. to the Members Met which was lodg'd in the hands of William Plumstead to be deliver'd Edward Shippen the next Succeeding Clerk." Note: This was the first Union Fire Company meeting BF missed.

May ?, To Josiah Franklin. P 2: 206.

1 June, Thursday, PG noted: "This Morning arrrived in Capt. Arthur from Antigua, The Honourable Col. George Thomas, our Governor, with his Lady and Family, and was received with the universal Acclamations of the People accompanied by a general Discharge of Cannon from the Hill and the Ships in the Harbour." P 2: 212.

1 June (b). AWM: Attack on "Z" (Webbe) and Hamilton, perhaps by "Cato, Jr." DeArmond 111. See 20 (c) April, 4 (e) and 25 (b) May.

2 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

5 June, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

6 June, Tuesday; BF and others: Inquisition. Not in P? PHi, 3p. BFPAPERS file 27885. Inquisition drawn to allow the sheriff, Joseph Breintnall, to seize the property of Edward Nicholas. Signed by BF et al. Cadwalader Collection, McCall section, Legal--N; PHi.

8 June, Thursday, PG & AWM printed George Thomas's proclamation as governor.

9 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

9 June (b). BF sold Conrad Weiser 125 reams of paper to print Johann Conrad Beissel et al., Zionitischer Weyrauchs Hugel (Germantown: C. Sauer, 1739). Arndt and Eck 17; Evans 4466.

Wallace, Conrad Weiser, 103, stated: "When the type was set and the presses were ready ... there was no paper on which to run off the 791 pages of print." BF "controlled all the printing paper and demanded cash. He distrusted queer people. Saur did not have the ready money, and neither did the Solitary. ... So Conrad Weiser, whose credit as he said was good everywhere, undertook the journey to Philadelphia to make the deal." Wallace cited Sachse, The German Sectarians of Pa 1:319, 327.

Neither Sauer nor Franklin nor any other colonial printer had enough type to have 791 pages standing in print. The octavo book would have been printed one form at a time, with no more than thirty-two pages (eight for one inner form, eight for one outer, and perhaps another inner and outer form) in type at one time. Moreover, Franklin did not control the paper production in Pennsylvania. He was comparatively new to the paper-making business. Bradford probably still had greater contacts with the paper-makers (who ultimately controlled local paper-making) than did Franklin. Franklin was now, however, becoming the main purchaser of paper. Of course, most paper used in colonial America was imported.

The account is found in Franklin's shop book under 9 June. Franklin only recorded credit purchases in the shop book and the ledgers. At the same time, Franklin credited Weiser with £20 of the £62.12.6. When Franklin recorded the debt in his Ledger A&B, he did so under the date 9 July 1738 (but that was the date of the recording; the shop book had the date of the sale). See accounts, 9 June, 9 July, 8 Sept 1738, and 5 April 1739.

12 June, Monday, To John Ladd. P 2:206.

12 June (b). Attended meeting of the Library Company directors.

15 June, Thursday, PG advertised: To be SOLD for her Passage, A LIKELY young Woman, well cloathed, can sew and do Houshold Work. Term of Time as you can agree with her. N. B. Her Passage is 8 l. Also a Breeding Negro Woman about 20 Years of Age, can do any Houshold Work. Enquire of the Printer hereof." Repeated 22 (where the "LIKELY Young Woman's" time was changed to three years) and 29 June, 6 July.

16 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

20 June, Tuesday, 1738 to 14 Dec 1743. BF Memorandum of Post Office Accounts. Not in P? APS Bache, 1p. BFPAPERS file 21113.

22 June, Thursday, PG advertisements are well over two pages for first time.

23 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

24 June, Saturday, St. John the Baptist Day, "On Saturday the 24th past. was held at the Indian King in this City, a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted MASONS; when Mr. JOSEPH SHIPPEN was unanimously chosen Grand-Master of this Province, for the Year ensuing; who appointed Mr. Philip Syng, to be his Deputy; and Dr. Thomas Cadwalader, and Mr. Thomas Boude, were nominated and chosen Grand-Wardens."--PG 6 July.

26 June, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 9: "The Company met at John Roberts except the thirteen following: Sam Powell, Charles Willing, Thomas Hatton, Wm Plumsted, Wm Rawle, [BF is crossed out; he was probably late], Benj Shoemaker, Richard Sewel, Philip Syng, George Emlen, Thomas Loyd, Wm Cooper, Edw. Roberts, Wm Parsons and Stephen Armitt. Edward Shippen Clerk paid the Company Stock being 6.16.6 into the hands of Loyd Zachary being the Succeeding Clerk."

3 July, Monday, probably attended the Masonic meeting.

6 July, Thursday. PG: A second letter from "A.B." to "Dear Ned." Not by BF. Cf. 4 May and Canon 93-94.

6 July (b). PG: BF printed an obituary notice of Madam Brownell, wife of his former Boston grammar school teacher: "Yesterday Morning died here, and was the same Day decently interred, Madam BROWNELL, Wife of Mr. George Brownell, a Gentlewoman well known and much respected in New-England and New-York, as well as this Province, for her excellent and happy Method of educating young Ladies; in which useful Employment she had been engag'd many Years." P 2: 213.

6 July (c): PG: "On Saturday the 24th past, was held at the Indian King in this City, a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted MASONS; when Mr. JOSEPH SHIPPEN was unanimously chosen Grand-Master of this Province, for the Year ensuing; who appointed Mr. Philip Syng, to be his Deputy; and Dr. Thomas Cadwalader, and Mr. Thomas Boude, were nominated and chosen Grand-Wardens."

6 July (d). John Kinsey replaced Joseph Growden, Jr. as Attorney General of PA until Oct, 1741, when Kinsey was superseded by Tench Francis. "Kinsey" in Horle.

7 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

10 July, Monday, 8:30 pm, attended meeting of the Library Company directors; a quorum not present.

10 July (b). P. Collinson, London, to John Bartram: "As to the Society that thee Hints att, Had you a Sett of Learned Well Qualified Members to Sett out with It might Draw your Neighbours to correspond with you, Your Library Company I take to be an Essay towards such a Society but to draw Learned strangers to you to teach Sciences requires Salaries & good Encouragement -- and this will require publick as well as proprietary assistance -- which can't be att present complyed with Considering the Infancy of your Colony --" Bartram, Correspondence 93. See above circa September, 1737.

14 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

20 July, Thursday, PG advertised: "TO BE SOLD, A VERY good Taylor, having one Year and Ten Months to serve; fit for either Town or Country Business. And a Servant Lad for Six Years, fit for Country Business. Enquire of the Printer hereof." Repeated 27 July and 3 Aug.

21 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

27 July, Thursday, PG noted: "We have the Pleasure of acquainting the World, that the famous Chinese or Tartarian Plant, called Gin seng, is now discovered in this Province, near Sasquehannah: From whence several whole Plants with a Quantity of the Root, have been lately sent to Town, and it appears to agree most exactly with the Description given of it in Chambers's Dictionary, and Pere du Halde's Account of China. The Virtues ascrib'd to this Plant are wonderful." P 2: 214.

John Bartram discovered the plants. See Bartram, Correspondence 106. Aldridge, Dragon, 57.

28 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

31 July, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 10: "The Company met at John Roberts except Samuel Coats, Wm Rawle, Benj. Shoemaker, Hugh Roberts, Phillip Syng, Wm Parsons, Richard Sewell, Thomas Hatton, Wm Plumsted, John Dillwyn, Wm Cooper, Edward Shippen, Thomas Lloyd, George Emlen, and Charles Willing. Benjamin Franklin paid 6d for want of his List. Lloyd Zachard, Clerk paid the Company stock being 7.11.0. into the hands of Samuel Powell Jun, being Succeeding Clerk."

4 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

7 Aug, Monday, House met; continued through 12 Aug. Votes 3: 2404.

7 Aug (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.

8 Aug, Tuesday. House met at 10am. Governor Thomas made first speech. Votes 3: 2406. Printed in PG and AWM 17 Aug.

8 Aug (b). Library Company Directors drafted letter of thanks to John Penn for the air pump. P 2:207.

9 Aug, Wednesday, House met at 9am. Votes 3: 2406-07.

10 Aug, Thursday, BF printed news note on the compassion of Captain Croak. Canon 94; W 274.

10 Aug (b). House met at 9am; met again 3pm. Replied to governor. Votes 3: 2407-10. Speech printed in PG and AWM 17 Aug.

11 Aug, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2410-12.

11 Aug (b), probably attended Junto meeting.

12 Aug, Saturday. House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Adjourned to 21 Aug. Votes 3: 2412-13.

14 Aug, Monday, 8:30 pm attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts. Approved the letter of thanks to John Penn of 8 Aug.

17 Aug, Thursday, PG carried Governor George Thomas, The Speech to the Assembly, Aug 8, 1738 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1738). Miller 158.

18 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

21 Aug, Monday, House met; continued through 2 Sept. Votes 3: 2413.

22 Aug, Tuesday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2413-14.

23 Aug, Wednesday, House met at 10 am. Votes 3: 2314-15.

24 Aug, Thursday, PG, "Just Published," Benjamin Lay, All Slave-Keepers that keep the Innocent in Bondage (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1737 [sic]). Miller 134. Advertised as "Next Week Will be published" on 17 Aug. The Pennsylvania Quakers disapproved of the book and disowned Lay in a PG advertisement, 16 Nov 1738.

On 3 May 1787, Franklin "spoke in high terms against negro Slavery, & said he printed a book 40 years ago written by Ben. Lay against it, which, tho' confused, contained just thoughts & good sense, but in bad order." Benjamin Rush, Conversations with BF. PMHB 29 (1905):25.

24 Aug (b). House met at 9am; again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2415-16.

25 Aug, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2416-17.

25 Aug (b), probably attended Junto meeting.

26 Aug, Saturday, House met at 9am. Votes 3: 2417-18.

28 Aug, Monday, House met in the afternoon. Votes 3: 2418.

28 Aug (b), Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 10. 7pm. "The Company met at John Roberts except John Armitt, Wm Rawle, Hugh Roberts, Wm Parsons, Richd Sewell, James Morris, Thomas Hatton, Wm Plumsted, Edward Shippen, Geo. Emlen, Cha. Willing. Paid 6d each for not producing their Lists: Samuel Coats, Benj. Franklin, Tho Lloyd. Samuel Powel Junr Clerk paid the Company's Stock being 8.7.6. into the Hands of Thomas Lloyd being the Succeeding Clerk.

29 Aug, Tuesday, House met at 9am. Received news from Governor George Thomas of an order of the King in Council, 25 May, commanding compliance with a temporary agreement between the proprietaries of Pennsylvania and the proprietary of Maryland. Governor's proclamation of this date printed in PG 7 Sept. House met again at 2pm. Adjourned to 31 Aug. Votes 3:2418-20. The proclamation probably released the Maryland frontiersman Thomas Cresap. Pennsylvania, Proclamation, Aug 29, 1738, Relating to Pa-Md Boundary Dispute (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1738). Miller 157.

31 Aug, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2420-2426.

1 Sept, Friday, House met at 9am. Received governor's speech putting off action on the currency bill (printed in PG 14 Sept). Met again at 3pm. Votes 3:, 2416-29.

1 Sept (b), probably attended Junto meeting.

2 Sept, Saturday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm. Governor made parting speech to assembly (printed in PG 14 Sept). Votes 3: 2429-33. "Paid Doctor Baird, and James Hamilton, for their Attendance on the Press, during the Printing the last Paper Bills, and omitted charging before" 10.0.0. Votes 3: 2435. "Paid the Printer and Signers of the Fifteen Thousand Pounds and the first Thirty Thousand Pounds Paper Bills" 333.05.0. Votes 3: 2436. "To Benjamin Franklin, as Clerk of this House, and for Printing" 38.7.6. Votes 3: 2441. The House also paid "David Evans, for entertaining Sheick Sedi" 20.12.11; and "Robert Moore, for Ditto," 16.9.4. Votes 3: 2442.

post 2 Sept, Pennsylvania, Laws to Session of Aug 7, 1738; (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1738). Miller 155.

post 2 Sept (b). Pennsylvania, Votes and Proceedings (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1737 [and 1738]). Miller 138.

4 Sept, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

8 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

11 Sept, Monday, though "tardy," BF attended 8 pm meeting of the Library Company directors. Cf. 22 May above. Dr. Walter Sydserfe of Antigua gave the money (£58.6.8 Pennsylvania currency) owed him by William Alexander of Maryland to the Library Company. When Alexander came to Philadelphia, 2 Oct 1738, he renewed the bond, promising to pay £34.6.3 in sterling "on or before the 2d day of April next with Interest." Sydserf's letter of 18 June 1738 was entered in the minutes. Though the library Company minutes clearly say "Dr. Walter Sydserfe," his original letter to the directors of the Library Company of 9 April 1739 seems to be signed "S. Nab. Sydserfe." For the bequest, see 9 Oct, 9 Dec 1738; 26 July 1739; 8 Sept 1740; 9 March (b), 11 May, 8 June, 14 Sept, and 9 Nov 1741; and 3 May 1742.

15 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

16 Sept, Saturday, BF to Jane (Franklin) Mecom. Not in P. 3p. BFPapers file 28914. "Sent to us by Harlan Greene from the So. Carolina Hist. Soc." For addenda.

22 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

25 Sept, Monday ["24 Sept" in minutes]. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 11. "The Company met at John Roberts except Jos. Paschall, Jno. Armitt, Wm Rawle, Hugh Roberts, Richd Sewall, James Morris, Thomas Hatton, Will Plumsted, John Dillwyn, Willm Cooper, Edw Shippen, Saml. Powell, Junr., George Emlen, and Charles Willing. Thomas Lloyd Clerk paid the Companys Stock being 8.18.6. in the hands of George Emlen the next Succeeding Clerk."

29 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

30 Sept, Saturday, "Thomas Griffitts, Esq; late Mayor, made a Grand Feast for his Citizens on Saturday last, at which a great Number of Gentlemen were entertain'd, in the most handsome Manner."--PG 5 Oct.

2 Oct, Monday, annual election. Andrew Hamilton elected from Bucks County. The riots and tumults at the election caused the representatives to draw up a bill "Regulating the Choice of Inspectors at Future Elections," which Governor Thomas approved on 19 May 1739. PA 4th ser., 1:683.

post 2 Oct. J. Bartram to Paul Dudley?: "B. franklin was one who presented me with the boston Gazette num 975 [for 2 Oct] wherein I observed remarks [on] the stramonium by the Medical Society of Boston with thair observations on the qualities of it which is very agreeable to the frequent informations I have met with." Bartram Correspondence 106.

5 Oct, Thursday, Joseph Morgan to BF. P 2:208.

6 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

9 Oct, Monday, attended 8 pm meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts. BF and R. Peters to write a letter of thanks to Dr. Walter Sydserfe of Antiqua for his present. Cf. 11 Sept.

11 Oct, Wednesday, Joseph Morgan to BF. P 2:208-9.

12 October, Thursday. PG contains a third letter from "A.B." to "Dear Ned." Not by BF. Cf. 4 May and Canon 93-94.

13 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

14 Oct, Saturday, House met. Andrew Hamilton chosen Speaker "by a Majority of Voices." Votes 3: 2442.

16 Oct, Monday, House met at 10am. Hamilton made a speech of acceptance. "Resolved, That Benjamin Franklin be appointed Clerk to this House for the ensuing Year. And he was called in and qualified accordingly." House adjourned to "next Fourth Day." Votes 3:2443-45.

18 Oct, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 4pm. Considered accounts regarding the state house. Votes 3: 2445.

19 Oct, Thursday, House met at 2pm. Votes 3: 2445-46.

20 Oct, Friday, House met at 9am. Settled the accounts regarding the state house with Andrew Hamilton. Met again at 3pm. "Ordered, That William Allen, John Kinsey, Thomas Leech, and John Kearsley, be a Committee to revise the Minutes before they are committed to the Press." Adjourned to 1 Jan. Votes 3: 2446-52.

20 Oct (b), probably attended Junto meeting.

27 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

30 Oct, Monday [31 Oct in Minutes]. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 11. "The Company met at John Roberts except Benj. Franklin, Phil. Syng, Rich Sewell, Tho Hatton, Wm Plumstead, John Dillwyn, Edward Shippen, Sam. Powell, Tho Lloyd, Cha Willing. George Emlen Clerk paid the Compa Stock being 9.14.0. to Charles Willing the next Succeeding Clerk." Note: This is the second meeting BF missed.

Oct. Sassoonan, an aged Delaware chief, and a number of Delawares came to Philadelphia and received gifts. Colonial Records 4: 307-08; Boyd xxx.

3 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

6 Nov, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

10 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

13 Nov, Monday, attended 7 pm meeting of the Library Company directors.

16 Nov, Thursday, PG advertised as "Just Published," Poor Richard's Almanack for the Year 1739 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1738). Miller 147.

16 Nov (b). PG advertised: "Lost some Months since, a Mourning Ring, on which was inscrib'd the late Governor's Name [Patrick Gordon]. Whoever brings it to the Printer hereof, shall have Twenty Shillings for their Trouble." Repeated 24 and 30 Nov.

17 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

23 Nov, Thursday. Pennsylvania. Notice calling for Payment of Consideration Money [Philadelphia: Franklin, 1738]. Miller 151. The notice demanded compliance with Land Office procedure. BF also printed 200 copies of this same advertisement in German; Miller 152.

24 Nov, Friday, PG contained news note jeu d'esprit on octuplets. Canon 94; W 275.

24 Nov (b). PG advertised: "A Small manuscript Treatise, upon the Dry Gripes, was lately dropt and lost in one of the Streets of this City. Any Person bringing it to the Printer hereof, will very much oblige the Owner, and shall be handsomely rewarded."

Evidently this was Thomas Cadwalader's An Essay on the West-India Dry Gripes which Franklin published in 1745 (2 May).

24 Nov (c), probably attended Junto meeting.

27 Nov, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 11: "The Company met at John Roberts except R. Sewell, George House, Wm Cooper, E. Shippen, Saml Powell, Tho. Lloyd, George Emlen. H. Roberts paid 6d for not producing List. Chas. Willing Clerk paid the Companys Stock being 10.4.6. to Jos. Paschal the Succeeding Clerk."

1 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

4 Dec, Monday, probably attended the Masonic meeting.

8 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

9 Dec, Saturday. Since BF and Richard Peters had not yet written a letter of thanks to Dr. Sydserf for his gift to the Library Company, and since a ship was about to leave for Antigua, Joseph Breintnall wrote the letter. Library Company minutes, 82-83. Cf. 11 Sept.

11 Dec, Monday, attended 7 pm meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts. Since William Coleman had gone on a voyage, the election minutes of last May were consulted and Samuel Rhoads had the next highest number of votes. He was therefore chosen a director.

Joseph Breintnall added: "The Library Affair has hitherto been many ways fortunate. The books sent for to England have always come safe and without Damage; very few of the Books have been lost or carelessly defaced; a good agreement has for the most part subsisted in the Company, and all the Officers have proved faithfull in their several Trusts, as far as hath yet been discovered; the Library has received Benefactions from several Gentlemen and well-wishers; and increases in its Reputation. And not one Subscriber is deceased (that I have heard of) except Joseph Growdon who died the 22nd of May last."

"I have presumed to make this Note without Direction, because I think it will not be disapproved of, and may prove useful. Another seven years, as successful as the foregoing must shew the Library Company in a very flourishing Condition, and to be more publickly known and esteemed."

12 Dec, Tuesday. James and William Franklin started studying with Alexander Annand. P 3:388.

14 Dec, Thursday, PG printed statistics on port of Charleston for 1 Nov 1737 to 1 Nov 1738.

15 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

22 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

22 Dec (b). BF wrote note to Isaac Corin to let Stephen Potts have a pair of Leather Breeches, charging them to BF. P 2:209.

25 Dec, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 12. "The Company met at John Roberts except Hugh Roberts, Richard Sewell, George House, & Thomas Lloyd. When Three-fourths of the Company agreed to augment their Number to Thirty. In Pursuance whereof Thomas Lawrence, William Bell, & Joseph Turner were unanimously chosen into the Company who are to subscribe the original articles entered in this Book. Joseph Paschall Clerk paid unto Saml. Coats the next succeeding Clerk the whole Stock being 10.11.0."

28 Dec, Thursday, possible date of Lewis Timothy's death. He was buried on 30 Dec. His widow Elizabeth Timothy continued the printing business and the South Carolina Gazette. Their son Peter Timothy, who was probably a teen-ager, was already a printer. Only one year of the partnership agreement between Louis Timothy and BF remained. At its expiration, Elizabeth Timothy "was able to purchase of me the Printing-House, and establish her Son in it." A96; H. Cohen, South Carolina Gazette 241.

29 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

c. 30 Dec, [Joseph Breintnall], The Yearly Verses of the Printer's Lad. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1738). Miller 154.

One Franklin 1738 imprint lacks a specific date: God Acknowledged, by Benjamin Keach (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1738). Miller 148. Miller suggested that the Baptists Association of Philadelphia commissioned the sermon.