Personal: Early in January (see 11 Jan), the Franklins moved four buildings down Market Street toward the river, to a house owned by Robert Grace. The lot and the structures on it, now at the site of the present 131 Market Street and 120 and 122 Church Alley, were much larger than their previous home. The Franklins lived here until about 1 January 1748, and the printing office and post office remained at the Grace property until 14 Jan 1752, when Franklin moved the post office. The printing office of Franklin and Hall continued here throughout their partnership, with the 1765 imprints still reading "at the New-Printing-Office, near the Market."
On 15 Feb, BF's home was robbed by William Lloyd. On 7 May, Franklin pledged a subscription to Christ Church, where Deborah and William attended, and where their son Francis Folger Franklin had been baptized (1734) and buried (1736). Franklin probably paid for two seats for Deborah and William. Later, after Sarah was born, he paid for three. He did not attend himself. Beginning 15 May, BF tried to clean up the tan-yards on the Philadelphia docks, but he failed in this environmental issue. On 2 Nov, George Whitefield arrived in Philadelphia. Though Franklin and the English revivalist preacher were theologically worlds apart, BF respected Whitefield's extraordinary efforts in favor of humanitarian causes. In addition, BF realized that printing Whitefield's sermons and journals could be profitable. On New Year's Eve, Franklin made his first documented purchase of an alcoholic beverage--a modest 1s, 6d, worth of beer.
Business: The assembly of 1738-39 met from 1 to 25 Jan; 1 to 19 May; and 6 to 11 August, when Andrew Hamilton, Speaker, gave his farewell speech. Franklin, as clerk of the house and official printer, was paid £77.8.0 (11 Aug). The new assembly of 1739-40 met from 15 to 18 Oct; 19 to 21 Nov; 23 to 28 Nov; and met again on 31 Dec.
C. W. Miller recorded twenty imprints for 1739 (nos. 161-180). Five were job printings, including book labels for the Library Company (ante 3 May), and four were quit-rent notices in English and German for the Proprietors (8 Feb and 25 June). BF printed six government items: a naturalization law (post 1 May); the Pennsylvania Laws through 19 May (26 July); the Pennsylvania currency, enacted 1 May, printed before 10 August 1740; the Votes (which appeared piecemeal during the year); the Delaware currency (enacted 1 Dec; completed before 8 April 1740); and A Bill for the better Raising of Money, delivered by Gov. George Thomas on 25 Jan 1739/40, and printed by Franklin shortly after 12 Feb 1739/40. An unidentified New Jersey assembly member paid him to print a letter to Lewis Morris (post 15 March). He printed a sheet almanac for Captain Spicer Soldier near the year-end (accounts, 3 Jan 1739/40).
On his own venture, he printed The Art of Preaching (10 May) and Elizabeth's Rowe's History of Joseph (26 July), in addition to Poor Richard (22 Nov) and the weekly Pennsylvania Gazette. Finally, he began, by subscription, an extremely successful printing venture, the journals and sermons of George Whitefield (15 Nov). Part of Whitefield's first journal was published by the year-end.
On 12 Oct, Postmaster General Alexander Spotswood forbade BF to allow Bradford's papers to be carried by the post because Bradford had still not settled his accounts.
Activities and Social Life: BF's monthly routines continued the same as in 1736. Franklin attended Library Company directors' meetings on 8 January; 12 February; 9 April; 14 May; 11, 18, and 21 June; 9 July; 13 August (?); 10 September; 8 October; 12 November; and 10 December. He missed the 12 March meeting. At the annual Library Company election, 7 May, BF was again elected a director and again named first. On 18 October, the Library Company received permission to keep its books in a room in the State House (Independence Hall). The State House remained the location of the Library Company until 1772. The Union Fire Company had since its beginning met at the tavern of John Roberts in High Street near the Market (where the annual elections of the Library Company were held from 1734 through 1738), but when Roberts moved to Second Street in 1739, the Union Fire Company began to meet at David Evans's tavern. The last meeting at Roberts's house was on 26 March; the first at David Evans's (at the sign of the Crown in Market Street near the market) was on 30 April. The Library Company continued to meet at John Roberts's tavern, and its 7 May election was held at Roberts's new location. After Roberts died in October, the directors met at the Widow Roberts'.
In contrast to his near perfect attendance at the Library Company directors' meetings, Franklin missed half of the Union Fire Company meetings: he was present on 29 Jan, 26 Feb, 26 March, 25 June, 24 Sept, and 31 Dec; he was absent on 30 April, 28 May, 30 July, 27 Aug, 29 Oct, and 26 Nov.
Politics: The second session of the 1738-39 legislature met from 1 to 24 Jan; the third from 1 to 19 May; and the fourth from 6 to 11 Aug. In the Jan session, Gov. George Thomas argued that the quit-rents should be paid in sterling or its equivalent. Andrew Hamilton and the assembly replied, 19 January, that such payment would tend to undercut the value of the Pennsylvania currency, which would cause the exchange rates to fall and so work against the good of all Pennsylvania, and that the people would not be able to buy land from the proprietor. Thus the matter remained until May, when Speaker Hamilton arranged a compromise: the assembly would make the proprietors "an Allowance (such as shall hereafter be agreed upon by the House) in Consideration of their accepting our Bills of Credit instead of Silver Money" (9 May). The vote was considered so important that for the first time the division was recorded and published in the minutes. The next day (10 May), the details were worked out: the proprietors agreed to accept 16 pence on a shilling, and the assembly agreed to pay the proprietors £1,200 in immediate compensation and an annual stipend of £130 for the next ten years. The governor received £1,000 (date?) and the act passed on 19 May. In an editorial on 7 June, BF celebrated the compromise. Then, 28 June, Richard Peters, the new Land Office Secretary, advertised in the PG that all those in arrears on their quit-rents must pay their debts in October or November. The new, tough policy must have alienated many who had advocated compromising with the proprietors. On 11 Aug, Speaker Andrew Hamilton delivered his farewell speech to the House. The comparatively young William Allen, leader of the Proprietary party in the House, also retired at this time.
Before the fall, rumor had it that war with Spain was about to break out (Colonial Records 4:354-55). The assembly was supposed to provide for the defense of the province, but with the retirement of Andrew Hamilton, the assembly lost its ablest politician. Alan Tully pointed out that after the election of 1 October 1739, "eight of the seventeen assemblymen who had voted for the proprietary quitrent compromise were no longer members" ("King George's War," 176).
John Kinsey, Clerk of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Meeting (and as such the Quaker religious leader), was elected Speaker on 15 October. He dominated the Assembly from that time to his death on 11 May 1750. Gov. Thomas asked the assembly to raise a militia (16 Oct). The Quaker assembly, however, believed that such a law was unnecessary and postponed its consideration (17 Oct) until 1 Jan 1740. The House and Speaker Kinsey argued with Gov. Thomas for the next several years over five major issues: paper money, taxation of the proprietary lands, the need to raise and support a militia, the secret instructions to the governor from the proprietors, and the governor's refusal to reveal his orders and intentions concerning assembly acts. Of these controversies, the military was the most important. The governor's income derived from the excise and from tavern licenses, amounting ordinarily to more than £1,200 yearly (PMHB 10 [1886] 288), and from the assembly's annual grants to the governor. So long as relations between the governor and the assembly were reasonably amicable, the assembly voted an annual salary of £1,000 to the governor. But relations degenerated over the question of the province's defense beginning in 1739, with the advent of the Spanish war (the War of Jenkin's Ear), and the assembly withheld the governor's salary.
The annual yearly verses of the printer's boy who delivered the newspapers (c. 30 Dec), which appeared under an elaborate woodcut of the Zodiac, plaintively asked, "The War's begun with Spain--but who will fight?" The carrier's address advocated self-defense and maintained that "Preservation is our eldest Law." That was BF's position, but the Quaker assemblymen disagreed.
Background: England declared war on Spain, 19 October 1739, which continued into the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748). Privateering flourished throughout the war. Also in 1739, George Whitefield came to America and initiated the Great Awakening (30 Oct, 8 Nov).
Indian Affairs: Repeatedly invited, the Shawanee came to Philadelphia and professed their friendship. Logan reminded them of their 1701 agreement to remain friendly and said that they had been listening to French overtures. They claimed they were friends only to the English. Boyd xxx-xxxi; Colonial Records 4: 336-47, 501. What is the date???
Writings: Campaigning for a cleaner, healthier environment, BF led a movement to have tan-yards removed from the Philadelphia docks, 30 Aug and 18 Oct; he no doubt composed the sad report of the deaf-mute who killed his deaf-mute younger brother and himself, 18 Oct; Poor Richard for 1740 (22 Nov).
Chronology:
1 Jan, Monday, House met, according to its adjournment 20 Oct. The session continued through 25 Jan. Votes 3: 2452.
2 Jan, Tuesday, House met at 10am; received Governor Thomas's speech (printed in the PG 11 Jan). "This Province has been for some years the Asylum of the distressed Protestants of the Palatinate, and other parts of Germany, and I believe it may with truth be said that the present flourishing condition of it is in a great measure owing to the Industry of those People; and should any discouragement divert them from coming hither, it may well be apprehended that the value of your Lands will fall, and your Advances to wealth be much slower; for it is not altogether the goodness of the Soil, but the Number and Industry of the People that make a flourishing Country." He called for the erection of a pest-house or hospital to care for the sick that arrived. House met again at 3pm. Adjourned till Thursday. Votes 3: 2452-55; Colonial Records 4: 314-16.
4 Jan, Thursday, House met at 10am. Votes 3: 2455.
5 Jan, Friday, House met at 10 am. Reply to governor's speech engrossed (printed in PG 11 Jan, where it is dated the 3rd). "We are of Opinion with the Governour, that the flourishing Condition of this Province is in part owing to the Importation of Germans and other Forreigners; But we beg leave to say that it is chiefly to be ascribed to the Lenity of our Government, and to the Sobriety and Industry of the first Settlers of this Country, and of the other British Subjects inhabiting the same." Met again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2455-57; Colonial Records 4: 316-17.
5 Jan (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
6 Jan, Saturday, became 33.
6 Jan (b). House met at 10am; debated the paper money bill; adjourned till Monday. Votes 3: 2457.
8 Jan, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 3: 2457-58.
8 Jan (b), BF attended 7 pm meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts', when the air pump was brought to the Library.
9 Jan, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2458.
10 Jan, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2458-59.
11 Jan, Thursday, House met at 10am. "Resolved, That Thomas Leech, William Monington, Abraham Chapman, Joseph Harvey, and Samuel Smith, or any three of them, be Signers of the said Bills." Met again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2459.
11 Jan (b). PG advertised: "BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Printer, is removed from the House he lately dwelt in, four Doors nearer the River, on the same side of the Street." P 2: 236. Repeated 18 and 25 Jan, 1 and 8 Feb. The lot and the structures on it, now at the site of the present 131 Market Street and 120 and 122 Church Alley, belonged to Robert Grace. This larger house, BF's seventh Philadelphia home, had room for a large post office and separated the printing office from the living quarters (Roach 146). BF's later lease with Grace, dated 30 Dec 1745, is extant. P 3: 50-51. The Franklins lived here until approximately 1 January 1748.
12 Jan, Friday, House met at 3pm. Votes 3: 2459.
12 Jan (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
13 Jan, Saturday, House met at 10am. Sent up the paper money bill. Votes 3: 2459-60.
16 Jan, Tuesday, House met at 3pm. Votes 3: 2460.
17 Jan, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Governor Thomas declined to pass the paper money bill. He gave the assembly a copy of his instructions not to pass a paper money bill unless rents due to the proprietors be exempted from the bill. Thomas's message printed in PG 25 Jan & AWM 30 Jan. Votes 3: 2460-63; Colonial Records 4: 318-19.
18 Jan, Thursday, Following the notice of his move, BF gave a long advertisement of his stationary and book shop, concluding "Also very good Chocolate, and coarse and fine Edgings."
18 Jan (b). House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2463.
19 Jan, Friday, House met at 10am. Adopted reply to governor arguing that exemptions of the Proprietor's rents would "tend greatly to the Lessening the Credit of our Paper Money" and therefore rejected the governor's request. Printed in PG 25 Jan & AWM 30 Jan. Votes 3: 2463-65.
19 Jan (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
20 Jan, Saturday, House met at 9am. Received governor's reply (printed in PG 25 Jan & AWM 30 Jan), had conference with the governor (printed in PG 15 Feb), and met again at 2pm. Votes 3: 2465-74.
22 Jan, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 3: 2474.
23 Jan, Tuesday, House met at 10am. Votes 3: 2474.
24 Jan, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 4pm. Adopted address to governor. Votes 2474-76.
25 Jan, Thursday, House met at 10am, received governor's reply, and adjourned to 1 May without passing a paper currency bill. Votes 3: 2476-70. Franklin's note in the PG 15 Feb said: "Shortly after the Conference, the House adjourn'd to the first of May next, that they might have time thoroughly to consider the Amendment proposed, and consult their Constituents thereupon." AWM 22 Feb said the same.
26 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
29 Jan, Monday. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 12. "The Company met at John Roberts except Hugh Roberts, Willm Plumsted, John Dilwin, Edwd. Shippen, Saml Powell, jun, Thos Loyd and Charles Willing. Thomas Lawrence Sign'd the articles. & Benjamin Franklin & Richd Sewell paid 6d each for not Producing their Lists. Samuel Coates Clerk paid to John Armitt the Succeding Clerk 10.16.0."
2 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
6 Feb, Tuesday. At night, "A Fire broke out at the upper End of Front-street, & burnt down three or four Houses in a short Time." PG 8 Feb. The Union Fire Company turned out, and Edward Roberts lost a bucket "at the fire by John Norris's." See 26 Feb and 26 March.
8 Feb, Thursday. Pennsylvania, Quit-Rent Notice. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739). Miller 167. Also in PG of 8 Feb; repeated to 15 March. BF also printed 500 in German (see Miller 168).
9 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
12 Feb, Monday, 7 pm, attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts'.
15 Feb, Thursday, BF's home robbed by William Lloyd, who "pretends to Latin and Greek." PG: 22 Feb; P 2:2367. Roach, 147, suggested that Lloyd may have been employed as a tutor to William Franklin and to James Franklin, Jr., but they were currently studying with Alexander Annand (see 12 Dec). BF was robbed again, cf. 1 Nov 1750.
15 Feb (b). PG advertised: "THE FRENCH TONGUE Compleatly Taught, in the most easy and expeditious Manner; by a Person who has for many Years past taught the same with great Success both in the West-Indies and in London. He may be spoke with every Day at the Post-Office; and waits on Gentlemen and Ladies at their respective Houses, at convenient Hours." P 1:236. Perhaps he was employed by BF at the Post Office.
16 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
22 Feb, Thursday, PG, reprinting from the VaGaz, contained a speech against the tobacco inspection law and a record of the division: "39 Yeas, and 32 Noes." An early example of an assembly's vote being recorded (the names were not published in the PG). Cf. 22 Jan 1726; below, 9 May 1739; and 5 April 1754.
23 Feb, Friday, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
26 Feb, Monday. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 12. (Minutes not dated.) "The Company met at John Roberts except Jos. Paschall, Richd Sewell, Thos Hatten, Wm Plumsted, Wm Cooper, Edwd Shippen, Thos Lloyd, Geo. Emlen, Cha Willing, Thos Lawrence. William Bell and Joseph Turner being chose Members of this Company Signed the Articles. A Motion being made for Increasing the number of our bucketts to four it was ordered the Clerk should give notice accordingly against next meeting. And that all the bucketts shall be painted with a Green colour & that the outside of Every buckett shall be divided into four Equall parts by plain black lines drawn from top to bottom. Edward Roberts having lost a buckett at the fire by John Norris's ordered that another is provided for him if not found in a short time and John Armitt Clerk paid the Company Stock being 11.3.0. unto William Rawls being the next Succeeding Clerk. Adjourned to 6 o'clock as usual."
26 Feb (b). Samuel Preston paid BF £4.10.0 for printing Charles Woolverton, Christ the Eternal Word (1738). See accounts.
30 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
Feb: Franklin received more small pica Caslon type, and thereafter no longer had to use inverted d's and n's for the p and u sorts which he first used on 4 May 1738. Miller, "Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia Type" (1958): 186.
1 March, Thursday. William Cullender paid for a share (no. 80) in the Library Company.
2 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
5 March, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
9 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
12 March, Monday, 7 pm, missed meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts'.
post 15 March Letter to B.G. from One of the Members of the New-Jersey Assembly. [Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739]. Miller 164.
16 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
22 March, Thursday, PG contained news story anecdote of a wedding between an old Dutchwoman and young man who absconded with her money. P 2:237.
23 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
26 March, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 13. 6pm. "The Company met at John Roberts except Samuel Coates, William Parsons, Thomas Hutton, Wm Plumsted, John Dillwyn, Edwd. Shippen, Thos. Lloyd, Geo. Emlen, Chas. Willing, Thos. Lawrence, Joseph Turner. All the members present agreed to add two more Bucketts to the former Number at their own proper Costs. And Wm Rawle paid the Company's Stock being ll.13.6 to Benja. Shoemaker the Succeeding Clerke. Agreed also that the Clerke Provide a Buckett for Edwd. Roberts out of the Common Stock in Lieu of one he lost at the late fire. Then the Company adjourned to the house of David Evans at 6 o'clock at the usual time."
30 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
2 April, Monday, probably attended the Masonic meeting.
6 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
9 April, Monday, 7 pm, attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts'.
12 April, Thursday, PG advertised: "GREAT Variety of MAPS and PRINTS Sold by B. Franklin." P 2: 237. Repeated 19 and 26 April; 3 and 10 May.
13 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
19 April, Thursday, PG advertised: "The Subscribers to the Library in Philadelphia, are hereby advertised, that Monday the Seventh 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 for making the Seventh annual Payment, at the House of John Roberts in Second Street. Joseph Breintnall, Secr." Reprinted 26 April.
20 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
26 April, Thursday. BF received a new set of Caslon fonts, and in this PG he first used Caslon flowers; the following week, 3 May, he first used Caslon long primer. Miller, "Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia Type" (1958): 187. Cf. 4 (b) May 1738. See accounts, ante 26 April 1739 for the probable order.
27 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
30 April, Monday, 6pm. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 14: "The Company met at the house of David Evans except Joseph Paschall, Jno Armitt, Wm Rawle, Benja Franklin, Wm Parsons, Richd Sewell, Wm Plumsted, Edwd Shippen, Loyd Zacharie, Saml Powell, Thos Loyd, Geo Emlin, Chas Willing, Thos Lawrence, Jos. Turner, Wm Bell. Agreed that the Succeeding Clerk give Notice that three New members be added and that Benjamin Shoemaker paid to Hugh Roberts the Succeeding Clerk the Companies Stock 12.5.0. (Thomas Hatton's List Money, 6d.)." Note: This was the third Union Fire Company meeting BF missed; hereafter, he missed many.
1 May, Tuesday, House met and continued through 19 May. Votes 3: 2479.
post 1 May Law of Session [Naturalization Law]. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739); 40173; Miller 175.
2 May, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2479.
ante 3 May, Thursday, Library Co. of Philadelphia, Book Label. Considered the earliest form of label printed (Type A) and dated tentatively between 1739 and 1741. [Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739]; Wolf, PMHB 78 (1954) 6; Miller # 165 noted that BF replaced his original font of long primer used in the label by 3 May 1739.
3 May, Thursday, House met at 10 am; again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2479-80.
4 May, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2480-81.
4 May (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
5 May, Saturday, House met at 10am. Votes 3: 2481.
7 May, Monday, BF subscribed to a fund for refurbishing the interior of Christ Church. P 2: 22728, citing Benjamin Dorr, A Historical Account of Christ Church, Philadelphia [1841], pp. 7172; cf. CSmH 127668, p. 430.
"The pew occupied by Dr. Franklin is evidently the one at present numbered 25, centre aisle. On the ground plan of the Church in 1760 it was numbered 59, and his name appears in the Pew Books of the Church as a renter of three sittings in this pew until the time of his death in 1790. ... In 1790, the year of Dr. Franklin's death, the pew was transferred to his son-in-law, Richard Bache."--PMHB 3 [1879]:230. See 21 Nov 1736 and 30 June 1737. Franklin did not himself attend church; he paid for places for his wife Deborah, son William, and daughter Sarah.
7 May (b). The Library Company, 2 pm, at John Roberts', elected the following: Benjamin Franklin, William Coleman, Thomas Hopkinson, Hugh Roberts, Philip Syng, Alexander Graydon, William Plumsted, Robert Grace, William Allen, and Samuel Rhoads. James Morrris was elected treasurer and the directors reappointed Joseph Breintnall, secretary. Robert Grace was new, replacing Richard Peters.
7 May (c). House met at 3pm. Votes 3: 2481
7 May (d), probably attended the Masonic meeting.
8 May, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2481-82.
9 May, Wednesday, House met at 10am. "Resolved, That this House will make the Proprietaries an Allowance (such as shall hereafter be agreed upon by the House) in Consideration of their accepting our Bills of Credit instead of Silver Money." Votes 3:2482. "Resolved, N.C.D. That the Names of the Members who voted to the Affirmative and Negative of the above Resolve, be distinguished in the Minutes; and they are as follows, viz. For the Affirmative: William Monington, Thomas Leech, William Allen, Job Goodson, Jonathan Robeson, Morris Morris, John Kearsley, Israel Pemberton, Jeremiah Langhorne, Joseph Kirkbride, Abraham Chapman, Benjamin Field, Thomas Marriot, Thomas Canby, James Hamilton, Samuel Smith, and John Wright. For the negative: Edward Warner, John Watson, James Gibbins, Thomas Chandler, Joseph Harvey, John Owen, Thomas Tatnal, William Hughes, and Jeremiah Starr." Votes 3:2482-83. (BF printed these minutes in the 7 June PG, together with the outcome of the bill.)
This is the first time a division in the Pennsylvania legislature was recorded. (Cf. the Virginia division, 22 Feb; and a second Pennsylvania division, 7 June.) See also J. R. Pole, The Gift of Government (1983) and NEC 22 Jan 1726. Cf. 4 April 1729. Hutson, Pa Politics 63-66.
House met again at 4:30. Votes 3: 2483.
10 May, Thursday, PG advertised as "Just Published," [Robert Dodsley?], The Art of Preaching (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739). Miller 162.
10 May (b). House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Hamilton made speech to governor, conceding first, that the assembly would pay £1200 in bills of credit to the proprietors as compensation for the unpaid arrearages of quitrents, and second, that the assembly would pay £130 annually in bills of credit to the proprietors while the bill continued as a law. Printed in 7 June PG. Votes 3: 2483-84.
11 May, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2484-85.
11 May (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
12 May, Saturday, House met at 10am. Votes 3: 2485.
14 May, Monday, House met at 4pm. Received the governor's message. (Printed in the 7 June PG). Votes 3: 2485-86.
14 May (b), attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts'.
15 May, Tuesday, House met at 9am. Passed reply to governor (printed in the 7 June PG).
15 May (b). "A Petition from a great Number of the Inhabitants of the City of Philadelphia, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth the great Annoyance arising from Slaughter-Houses, Tan-Yards, Skinner Lime-Pits, &c. erected on the publick Dock, and Streets, adjacent; and praying, that for the Convenience and Reputation of the City, and the Health of the Inhabitants, the Erecting of new Tan-Yards, &c. within the City, may be restrained, and that those already made, may be removed within such Term of Years as shall be judged reasonable; ordered to lie on the Table." Votes 3: 2487. Met again at 3pm. Received message from governor (printed in the 7 June PG). Votes 3: 2486-89.
Since BF was the primary spokesman for reform, he probably organized and signed the environmental protest. The suggestion that a clean and unobstructed dock "if open might be of great Use in several respects, and particularly in Case of Fires in that Part of the Town" seems typical of Franklin, both in its criteria of usefulness and the concern with fire-prevention. The practical observation that ridding the dock of tanneries, butcher shops, and other noisome occupations would increase the area's property values is also Franklinian. For the controversy, see 17 May; 8, 9, 10, 16 and 30 Aug; 13 Sept; and 18 (c) Oct.
Discussed by A. Michael McMahon, "Small Matters" and "Smelly Saga."
16 May, Wednesday, House met at 3pm. Approved revised paper currency bill. Votes 3: 2489-90. See 7 June PG for Franklin's editorial note.
17 May, Thursday, House met at 10am. "The Petition of sundry Inhabitants of the City of Philadelphia, relating to Slaughter-houses, Tan-yards, &c. was again read; Ordered, That Notice be given to the Tanners of the said City, that they may attend this House To-morrow Morning, and shew Reason, if any they have, why the Prayer of the Petition should not be granted." Votes 3: 2490. Met again at 3pm when The tanners petitioned for further time. "Ordered, N.C.D. That the Petitioners have a Copy of the Petition, and Time to answer until the next Session of Assembly; and that in the mean time no Person presume to erect, plant or dig any Tan-pits, Lime-holes, or Slaughter-houses, within the City of Philadelphia, on Pain of incurring the Displeasure of this House; and that a Copy of this Order be indorsed on the Copy of the Petition." Votes 3: 2490. See 15 May.
18 May, Friday, House met at 10am. Votes 3: 2491.
18 May (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
19 May, Saturday, House met at 9am. The currency bill and others were approved and signed by Gov. Thomas. Adjourned to 6 August. Votes 3: 2492-94. For the currency bill, see 10 Aug 1740. Pa Statutes 4: 322-26, 344-59.
25 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
26 May, Saturday, at BF's request, Josiah Franklin summarized family history. P 2:229-32.
28 May, Monday, 7pm. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 14. "The Company met at the house of David Evans except Joseph Paschal, Saml Coats, Benja. Shoemaker, Benja. Franklin, Phil Syng, Wm. Parsons, Richd Sewel, James Morris, Thomas Hatton, Edward Roberts, Wm Plumstead, Wm Cooper, Edwd Shippen, Tho Lloyd, Geo Emlen, Cha Willing, and Tho Lawrence. No Business done for want of a Sufficient Number and the Company Stock of 13.1.6. remained in the Hands of Hugh Roberts to be deliver'd to Benja. Franklin. (Wm Rawle's List Money, 6d). Received per me, B. Franklin."
31 May, Thursday, PG printed local news of highwayman. P 2: 237-38.
1 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
4 June, Monday, probably attended the Masonic meeting.
4 June (b). Boston's Ancient and Honourable Artillery Company had its annual election of officers. BF's older brother John, who had moved back from Rhode Island to Boston before 1730, evidently became a member at this meeting. O. A. Roberts, History 2: 9.
7 June, Thursday, PG printed the assembly proceedings upon the paper money bill, including the division and the assemblymen's names (9 May). Finally, the act, a compromise measure favored by Hamilton, had passed, though seven of the eight Chester County representatives voted against Hamilton. Hamilton's support now came primarily from the city. BF editorialized: "The Bill passed; by which all the present Money is to be reprinted and re-emitted for 16 Years, with the additional Sum of 11,110. 5s. half the Interest of which additional Sum will be sufficient to discharge the Allowance to the Proprietors: And the remaining Interest on the whole Sum to be current, being fully sufficient to support the Government without a Tax, no Man can possibly feel the least Inconvenience by that Allowance. Add to this, that all Persons renewing their Mortgages in the Loan-Office, or borrowing Money on this Act, may do it without the usual Fees for drawing the Mortgage, Recording, &c. which are to be paid out of the Interest Money, much to the Ease of Poor People. And the Proprietors agreeing to take our Paper-Money instead of Silver for their Arrearages, &c. at 16d for 1s Sterl. the Credit of the Money is by this Expedient supported and preserved, which is a Matter of the utmost Importance to the whole Province."
Though BF backed Hamilton's compromise measure, the Proprietors' tough attitude in their 28 June proclamation may have surprised him--and probably shocked and disgusted him.
8 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
11 June, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts'.
15 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
18 June, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts' to suggest which books to purchase.
21 June, Thursday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts' to decide upon books to purchase.
21 June (b). PG advertised: " Lately found a Pocket Book, with a Bond and other Papers in it; the Owner applying to the Printer hereof, and paying the Charge of this Advertisement, may hear of it again." P 2: 238. Repeated, 28 June.
22 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
25 June, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 15. 7pm. "The Company met at the house of David Evans except Jno. Armit, Benj. Shoemaker, Philip Syng, Wm Parsons, Richd Sewell, James Morris, Thos. Hatton, Edwd Roberts, Geo House, Wm Plumsted, Wm Cooper, Edwd Shippen, Samuel Powell junr, Thos Lloyd, Geo Emlen, Cha Willing, Thos Lawrence, Wm Bell, & Joseph Turner. No Business done. Agreed that the next Meeting be at the same Place, at 7 in the Evening. The Company's Stock, being 13.18.6. remained in the Hands of B Franklin, to be deliver'd to Philip Syng. Recd per me, Philip Syng."
25 June (b). Date of the Proprietors Quit-Rent Notice. Appeared as a PG advertisement (28 June) and also separately. [Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739]. Miller 169. Also printed in German: Pennsylvania, Quit-Rent Notice [Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739]. Miller 170. German text in 12 July PG.
Richard Peters, Secretary of the Land Office, advertised that all who were in arrears to the proprietors must pay in October and November or face legal action. As a result of their tough land policies, the proprietors became increasingly unpopular with the Pennsylvania people. Tully, "Proprietary Affairs," 109.
28 June, Thursday. PG: Joseph Rose advertised: "Intending with the Leave of my Master [BF], to collect and print the poetical Writings of my deceas'd Father Aquila Rose, I desire all Persons who are possess'd of any of those Pieces in Manuscript, to bring or send them to me at the New-Printing Office in Market-Street; and I promise to give, in Return for each Manuscript, one of the Printed Collections, as soon as they shall be finished." P 2:238. Repeated, 5 and 12 July; 15 Nov.
29 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
2 July, Monday, probably attended the Masonic meeting.
5 July, Thursday. PG note on 115 descendants of Richard Buffington, about 85, whose "eldest Son, now in the Sixtieth Year of his Age, was the first born of English Descent in this Province." P 2: 239.
6 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
9 July, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Allen's when they changed their bookseller from William Meadows to William Innys.
13 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
14 July, Saturday, BF signed receipt on account of R. Hill; Logan papers, vol. 19, p. 41; PHi.
20 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
25 July 1739-1747: BF's Ledger "D" (Microfilm, roll 1, item 9). All entries have been entered chronologically in accounts. For a description, see introduction to accounts, and P 2: 232-34.
26 July, Thursday, Phineas Bond sent in a testimonial to Dr. John Tennent's Seneca Snake-Root, as used by "Mr. Jussieu, Physician and Professor of Botany to the King" of France. P 2: 239-40. The testimonial is one bit of evidence that Tennent wrote Every Man His Own Doctor.
26 July (b). PG advertised as "Just Published" [Eliza Rowe], The History of Joseph (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739). Miller 178.
26 July (c). PG advertised as "Just Published" Pennsylvania, Laws for Session to May 1 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739). Miller 174.
26 July (d). Joseph Breintnall again wrote William Alexander of Maryland demanding that he pay the debt left to the Library Company by Dr. Sydserfe of Antigua. James Morris, treasurer, signed the letter. Alexander had ignored an earlier letter of 15 May. Library Company minutes 93. See 11 Sept 1738.
27 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
29 July, Sunday, Simon Meredith to BF. P 2: 234.
30 July, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 15. 7pm. "The Company met at the house of David Evans except Joseph Paschall, Benj Shoemaker, Richd Sewell, Edward Roberts, John Dilwyn, Samuel Powell jr, Charles Willing, Wm Bell, John Armitt, Benja. Franklin, Thomas Hatton, Wm Plumsted, Edward Shippen, Geo. Emlen, Thos. Lawrence, Joseph Turner. The Company's Stock being 14.17.6. was paid unto William Parsons the next succeeding Clerk."
2 Aug, Thursday, PG advertised: "A Few Days past was lost, a Magnifying Glass set in a Cup of Wood about the Bigness of a Taylor's Thimble, The finder shall be well rewarded upon bringing or sending it to the Printer." P 2:240.
2 Aug (b). AWM: "An Elegy on John Dommett, Who dy'd at White-Marsh, on the 22nd of July, 1739." Calendar 528. David Shields PMHB 1985: 103 thought the elegy was "probably by Jacob Taylor."
2 Aug (c). John Penn to Gov. Thomas. Advised Thomas to establish a provincial militia because England would shortly declare war against Spain. Root 279.
3 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
6 Aug, Monday, House met. Votes 3:2494.
6 Aug (b), probably attended the Masonic meeting.
7 Aug, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2494-2500.
8 Aug, Wednesday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm. "A Petition ... praying that the Tanners may not be obliged to leave the City, but laid under such Regulations and Restrictions as may effectually remove the Mischiefs complained of. Ordered, That Notice be given to the Tanners of Philadelphia and to some of those who petitioned against them, that they may attend this House To-morrow Morning, at Nine a Clock, in order to be heard in Support of their several Petitions." Votes 3: 2500-01.
9 Aug, Thursday, House met at 9am. "After a full Hearing of both Parties" regarding the tanners, "the further Consideration of that Affair was referred to To-morrow Morning." Votes 3: 2501-02.
9 Aug (b). PG: Another elegy on John Dommett, "the unborn Poet, lately deceased." Calendar 530. David Shields, PMHB:1985: 103, suggested that Joseph Breintnall wrote this poem.
9 Aug (c). Josiah Franklin paid off his mortgage on the house and lot at the southwest corner of Hanover and Union streets. Thwing Index at MHi, citing Suffolk Deeds 36:191. Cf. 28 Jan 1722/3, when he took out the mortgage with Hannah Clarke.
10 Aug, Friday, House met at 9am when the tanners presented their proposal: "A convenient Method for the better regulating of Tan-yards, submitted by the Tanners to the Honourable House of Representatives of the Freemen of the Province of Pennsylvania. Let the Tan-yards be well paved between all the Pits, and wash'd once every Day; let the Watering-pools and Masterings (which are the only Parts that afford offensive Smells) be inclosed on every side, and roofed over, within which Inclosure may be a subterranean Passage to receive the Washings and Filth of the Yard into the Dock or River at High-Water; Let the whole Yard be likewise inclosed on all Sides with some strong close Fence, at least seven or eight Feet high, and every Tanner be obliged every Week to cart off his Tan, Horns, and such offensive Offals." Signed by William Hudson, Jun., Samuel Morris, John Ogden, John Howell, William Smith, and, for John Snowden (who was out of town), the testimony of Samuel Morris and John Howell. Votes 3: 2503-04.
In reply, the House "Resolved, That the City of Philadelphia, being the Place where the Tanners, Skinners, &c. have planted their Fatts, Lime-pits, &c. the Inconveniences arising from those Yards and Pits must be best known there; it is therefore referred to the Mayor and Commonalty of Philadelphia, by an Ordinance for that Purpose, to make such Provision for the Relief of the Petitioners, against the Tanners, Skinners, Butchers, &c. as they shall find to be necessary and consistent with the Powers of their Corporation: And that if it shall appear to them, that the Aid of the Legislature is wanting to compel Obedience to such necessary Orders or Regulations as they shall make in that Behalf, that they apply to the General Assembly of this Province for the Time being for that Purpose. And the Tanners having Proposed to this House certain Regulations for preventing the Inconveniences complained of, arising from their Tan-yards, it is further ordered, That a true Copy of the said Proposals be delivered, with a Copy of this Resolve to the Mayor of Philadelphia for the Time being." Votes 3: 2504. House met again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2504-05.
10 Aug (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
10 Aug (c). Pa paper currency emission of £80,000, authorized by 19 May 1739 act. Paper-Currency Emission (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739 [1740]). Statutes 4:344-359; Miller 176; Newman 328. Miller mistakenly identified it as the first nature printing on currency, overlooking Franklin's New Jersey issue of 25 March 1737 [though no example is extant]). Newman 328 noted that the Crown approved the emission on 12 May 1740. It is the earliest extant nature printing on currency.
11 Aug, Saturday, House met at 9am; again at 3. Andrew Hamilton delivered farewell speech to House. (Printed in PG 27 Sept, probably as political propaganda.) Votes 3: 2505-08. "To Benjamin Franklin, as Clerk of this House, and for Printing." 77.8.0. Votes 3: 2509.
13 Aug, Monday, probably attended the Library Company directors' meeting. They approved William Callendar as a member. He paid and subscribed on 1 March 1739/40.
16 Aug, Thursday. AWM: "Last Week the Assembly of this Province gave Notice to the Tanners to appear before them, to offer their Objections to a Petition that Pray'd the Tanners might be removed without the Bounds of this City, and no new Tanyards made in it. Notice was likewise given to some of the Principal Promoters of the said Petition, to appear and defend the Allegations therein set forth. The several Parties appearing, the Tanners, on their Part, Alledged, That the Petition was without Foundation; that the Causes of Complaint ought to be charged to the present disorderly Condition of the Dock, which was a Receptacle for all kinds of filth from a very great part of the Town, and in the upper Parts of it without water sufficient to carry it off; abundance of Necessary-Houses on the Dock, and Communicating with it, were specially urged: It was likewise offer'd to prove, by clear Instances, that it was not truly asserted in that Petition, that the Health of the Inhabitants was affected by Tanyards, and especially it appeared that they did not promote contagious Distempers among us, because that when such Distemper ranged with great violence in this City, the Inhabitants who were in the Neighbourhood of the Tanyards were preserved from it more than in other Parts of the Town. The practice and allowance of Tanyards in the Towns and thick settled Parts of Great-Britain, and especially in one of the Wards of the City of London, and under the Government of the Lord Mayor, was prov'd and own'd. The Practice of New-York, in respect to Tan-Yards, was mentioned as a precedent; but Reasons (that were not disproved) were offer'd why a proceeding of that kind, if it were true, ought not to be a Precedent for us to allow in this Case, and that the Burchers [sic], a Trade that of necessity was much more offensive than Tanning, were allowed in that City for the same reason the Tanners offer'd, because the Situation was Convenient. Some other Things too were offer'd by them, as reply's to the Gentlemen on the other Side; but when the Tann, Horns, Dead Dogs, Country People losing their Dogs, Tanners Dogs biting People, a Dog mangled, an other rescu'd from a Slaughterhouse, and such like, were urg'd before that Hon House as Reasons for Removing the Tanners out of Town, it was then thought necessary by them to reply to what, in their Opinion, was so impertinent to the Point. Many Reasons besides, what are already recollected, were urg'd by them on their own behalf, particularly that Application was made by some of them to the Mayor and Recorder for a Regulation of the Dock and Dock-Street, which Regulation being once made, they concluded to regulate their Yards; and in fine, offer'd such Proposals for the better regulating Tanyards as the House readily agreed to.
Upon the whole, the Petition was Rejected, the Tanners right to follow their Trades within the City, according to their own Proposals asserted, and the Corporation to see that they comply'd with such a Regulation.
For this happy Conclusion of an Affair that was Prosecuted with such Violence, and so immediately threatned the Tanners with the Loss of their Properties, they, no doubt, will ever gratefully express their Acknowledgements to those Worthy Members who stood so firmly for their Liberties, and next them to their Fellow Citizens who Petitioned on their Behalf, and to those too who having sign'd the other Petition, saw at last the Consequences of it, and how far such a Precedent might be made use of to the Destruction of many other Tradesmen, or almost any others, they saw it and generously renouncing an Inadvertant Error, strove with much earnestness to frustrate such a daring attempt on the LIBERTIES OF THE TRADESMEN OF PHILADELPHIA."
BF must have been disgusted with the tanners' appropriation of the language of Whig propaganda.
17 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
20 Aug, Monday: Gov. George Thomas issued proclamation allowing privateers against Spanish shipping. Printed in 23 Aug PG and AWM.
24 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
27 Aug, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 16. 7pm. "The Company met at the house of David Evans except Joseph Paschall, Wm Rawle, Benja Franklin, Thos Hatton, Wm Plumsted, Wm Cooper, Saml Powell, Jr. Geo Emlen, Thos Lawwrence, Jos. Turner, John Armit, Benja. Shoemaker, Richd Sewell Edwd Roberts, John Dilwyn, Edwd Shippen, Thos Lloyd, Cha Willing, Wm Bell. Richard Sewell the next succeeding Clerk being absent it is ordered that Wm Parsons the present Clerk pay Comp Stock being 15.13.6. to him."
30 Aug, Thursday. PG: "On the Tanners." BF refuted the AWM article, 16 Aug, that defended the tanners. Professor A. Michael McMahon wrote me, 12 Sept 1990, saying that he believed BF wrote the article. I replied, 20 Sept 1990, that I agreed: "The summary of the petition is brilliantly done, the refutation of the account in the AWM is absolutely proven by the quotation from the minutes of the House (minutes, of course, that would have been taken by Franklin as Clerk), and the three short paragraphs of conclusion are well--though heatedly--argued." Discussed by A. Michael McMahon, "'Small Matters': Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia, and the 'Progress of Cities,'" PMHB 116 (1992): 157-82, at 168-69.
Professor McMahon had previously written "The Smelly Saga of Dock Street," Philadelphia Inquirer, 31 Oct 1982, pp. 10-12, 24-25.
Cf. 24 Feb. 1748--BF's "Report on a Swamp." Also DeArmond, Bradford, 114.
31 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
Post August. "Thoninonca": "On the 29th of July in the Morning, being the last time Mr. Whitefield preach'd in Moorfields, before he dismiss'd his Audience I made several Marks where the ourtermost of them stood, and the next Morning found the Distance of the farthest Mark from the Rostrum to be 32 Yards, and that of the nearest to it 28. Of the intermediate Distances, I took that which was 30 Yards, and made it the Semidiameter of a Circle, which Circle must be nearly equal to the Space taken up by the Standing Congregation, and contains 2827 square Yards. In a square Yard I fave found that 9 Persons may easily stand; and therefore 2827 Yards square must contain 25,443 People. So great a Number, I believe, none by the pious Mr. Whitefield ever preach'd to!" The editor noted: "Soldiers in close Order stand but 4 in a Yard Square, at which Rate the Circule will contain but 11,388, (perhaps 12,000) Persons: However, our Correspondent's Computation is too high." Gentleman's Magazine 9 (August 1739): 416-417. Franklin no doubt read this passage at the time, and though he may have forgotten it by the time he wrote his description in 1788 of the number of persons who could hear Whitefield, he may well have had some subliminal memory of it. At any rate, the similar passage in the Autobiography, 106-07, was not entirely original.
3 Sept, Monday, probably attended the Masonic meeting.
7 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
10 Sept, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors at John Roberts'.
13 Sept, Thursday. AWM: On Tanners, replying to BF of 30 Aug. For the sequence of arguments, see 15 May.
14 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
21 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
24 Sept, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 16. 7pm. "The Company met at the house of David Evans except John Armitt, Edward Roberts, Geo House, Will Plumsted, John Dilwyn, Will Cooper, Edward Shippen, Lloyd Zachary, Thos Lloyd, Geo Emlen, Cha Willing, Thos Lawrence, and Jos. Turner. Will Rawle paid 6d List Money, and Thos Lloyd find for Neglect of puting up a List 6d, which he is to pay the Next Succeeding Clerk. The Companys present Stock being 16.13. paid by Richd Sewell into the hands of James Morriss."
27 Sept, Thursday, PG printed Andrew Hamilton's farewell speech as speaker and representative. See 11 Aug.
28 Sept, Friday, "Anthony Morris, Esq; late Mayor, made a Grand Feast for his Citizens on Friday last, at which a great Number of Gentlemen were entertained, in the most handsome Manner."--PG 4 Oct. By this time, BF was probably normally invited to such occasions.
28 Sept (b), Junto meeting probably cancelled.
1 Oct, Monday, the annual election held, with Andrew Hamilton no longer running for office.
1 Oct (b). Masonic meeting no doubt arranged for a different date.
4 Oct, Thursday, the size of the PG was reduced to a quarto, but on 3 Feb 1742, it again became a folio. Franklin may have cut the provincial coat of arms which he added to the paper beginning 4 Oct 1739. Cf. C. S. Brigham, Journals and Journeyman 42; cf. PG 30 May 1734; 13 March 1730/1.
4 Oct (b). PG advertised: "This Gazette Numb. 564 begins the 11th Year since its first Publication; And whereas some Persons have taken it from the Beginning, and others for 7 or 8 Years, without paying me one Farthing, I do hereby give Notice to all who are upwards of one Year in Arrear, that if they do not make speedy Payment, I shall discontinue the Papers to them, and take some proper Method of Recovering my Money. B. Franklin.
"N.B. No new Subscriber will be taken in for the future without Payment for the first half Year advanc'd." P 2:240.
4 Oct (c) AWM: Reported the actual number of votes received by the representatives of the counties of Philadelphia, Chester, and Bucks.
5 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
7 Oct, Sunday. The date of Poor Richard's preface for 1740. For its publication, see 17 Nov.
8 Oct, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors. William Parsons asked that the directors raise his salary or take the books from his house and appoint another librarian.
12 Oct, Friday. Because Andrew Bradford still had not settled his post office accounts with Postmaster General Alexander Spotswood, Spotswood forbade Franklin to allow Andrew Bradford free use of the post for his letters and newspapers. P 2: 235-36.
12 Oct (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
15 Oct, Monday, House met; John Kinsey chosen Speaker "by a considerable Majority"--PG 18 Oct. Votes 3: 2510-11. As the clerk of the Philadelphia Yearly meeting and the Speaker of the assembly, Kinsey was both the religious and the political head of the Quakers.
16 Oct, Tuesday, House met at 10am. "Resolved, That Benjamin Franklin be Clerk of this House for the current Year." Stephen Potts, doorkeeper. Votes 3: 2511. Met again at 3pm. Governor Thomas warned of war with Spain and France, "a bloody and destructive War is likely to ensue." He urged the assembly to provide for defense. "The Miseries of a City sack'd, or a Province ravaged, are more easily imagined than described; and, if attended to, must influence every Lover even of his own Family, to defend that Part of it, which from Sex or Age must depend upon him for Protection from the Insolence and Wickedness of licentious Invaders." Votes 3: 2512-13; Colonial Records 4: 354. Speech printed in PG 18 Oct & AWM 25 Oct.
17 Oct, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Voted to defer any action on the governor's message. Votes 3: 2513. The deferral printed in PG 18 Oct & AWM 25 Oct.
18 Oct, Thursday, House met at 10am. "A Petition from sundry Persons in Behalf of themselves, and a considerable Number of others, being the Library Company of Philadelphia, was presented to the House, and read, praying (for the better Security of their Books from Fire) Leave to deposite them in a Room over one of the Offices of the State-House, till such Time as the Publick have Occasion to use the same." Votes 3: 2514. (The Library Company minutes of 12 Nov reveal that BF drew up the petition.) Governor Thomas sent down a message chastising the assembly for taking no measures for defense. "It has always been esteemed an Instance of great Wisdom in Governments to see Danger at a Distance, & make a timely Provision against it." Votes 3: 2514. Colonial Records 355-56. Franklin evidently delayed the printing of the PG of 18 Oct so that he could include the governor's message; also printed in AWM 25 Oct.
"Ordered, That Thomas Leech, Isaac Norris, Israel Pemberton, and John Kearsley, be a Committee to revise the Minutes of this House, before they are published." "Resolved, That the Library Company of Philadelphia have Leave to deposite their Books in a Room of one of the Offices of the State-house, according to the Prayer of their Petition." Votes 3: 2515. (Note: The Library Company's books remained there until 1772.) Then the assembly adjourned to 31 Dec, though the governor recalled them for a special session on 19 Nov.
18 Oct (b). BF reported local news: "We hear from Macanja in Bucks County, that last Week two Brothers, the youngest about 10 Years of Age, and the eldest about 18, both of them deaf and dumb, went out into the Woods together, where the eldest cut the Throat of the youngest." P 2:240-41. What a world of misery the report conveys.
18 Oct (c). Postscript to the PG contained BF's refutation of the tanners' arguments. For the sequence of arguments, see 15 May (b).
19 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
19 Oct, Friday, Great Britain declared war on Spain.
26 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
29 Oct, Monday. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 17. 6pm. "The Company met at the house of David Evans except Joseph Paschall, Wm Rawle, Hugh Roberts, Benj. Franklin, Wm Parsons, Richd Sewell, Stephen Armitt, Edward Roberts, Geo House, Wm Plumsted, Wm Cooper, Edward Shippen, Saml. Powell, Tho Lloyd, Geo Emlen, Chareles Willing, Tho Lawrence, Wm Bell, Joseph Turner. The Companys present Stock being 17.7.0 paid by James Morris into the hands of Stephen Armitt.
30 Oct, Tuesday. George Whitefield landed at Lewes (now Delaware), "about evening." Whitefield, Journals 338.
31 Oct, Wednesday. Whitefield preached at 2 at Lewes. Set out for Philadelphia about 5. Journals 340.
1 Nov, Thursday, PG reprinted Gov. George Thomas's speech to the three lower counties of 23 Oct, recommending that New Castle and Lewes be fortified. Also in AWM 8 Nov. Consequently "An Act providing for the better Security and Defence of the Town of Lewes in the County of Sussex" passed.
2 Nov, Friday, George Whitefield arrived at Philadelphia before 11pm, on his first visit there. A103; P 2: 241. Whitefield, Journals 341.
2 Nov (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
8 Nov, Thursday, PG announced that Whitefield had arrived at Lewes Town, Delaware, "where he preached [31 Oct]; in this City [Philadelphia] on Friday Night [2 Nov]; on Sunday [4 Nov], and every Day since he has preach'd in the Church [Christ Church]: And on Monday [12 Nov] he designs (God willing) to set out for New York, and return hither the Week after, and then proceed by Land thro' Maryland, Virginia and Carolina to Georgia." P 2: 241.
9 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
12 Nov, Monday, Library Company minutes: "At a monthly meeting at (the widow of) John Roberts ... there was some Discourse concerning moving our Books and Air-pump in a short Time from Wm. Parsons's House, to a Room in one of the vacant Offices belonging to the State House; the Use of which was lately granted the Company by the Assembly, upon a petition of the Directors, drawn up by B. Franklin."
15 Nov, Thursday, PG noted: "On Thursday last, the Rev. Mr. Whitefield began to preach from the Court-House-Gallery in this City, about six at Night, to near 6000 People before him in the Street, who stood in an awful Silence to hear him; and this continued every Night, 'till Sunday. On Monday he set out for New-York, and was to preach at Burlington in his Way going, and in Bucks County coming back. Before he returns to England he designs (God willing) to preach the Gospel in every Province in America, belonging to the English. On Monday the 26th he intends to set out for Annapolis." P 2:242.
15 Nov (b). BF in PG advertisement solicited subscriptions to print a four-volume edition of Whitefield's sermons and journals. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739). Miller 180. P 2:242-43. Cf. 22 May 1740.
16 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
17 Nov, Saturday. PG, 15 Nov, advertised: "On Saturday next [17 Nov] will be published, Poor Richard's Almanack, for the Year 1740" (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739). Miller 163. Advertised as "Just Published" in PG, 22 Nov. At about the same time, BF no doubt printed his Sheet Almanack for the Year 1740 [Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739]. Miller 179. Not extant.
17 Nov, William Crosthwaite, who had purchased Nicholas Reddish's share in the Library Company, subscribed.
19 Nov, Monday, 1739 to April 20, 1764, Peter Franklin, Ledger, 145p. APS Bache. BFPAPERS FILE 21179. Examine.
19 Nov, Monday, House met, called by a special Writ of the governor. Votes 3: 2515.
20 Nov, Tuesday, House met at 10am. Governor George Thomas laid before them a message from the Board of Trade regarding the paper money bill. Met again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2515-19.
21 Nov, Wednesday, House met at 3pm, approved an address to the governor, and adjourned to Friday. Votes 3: 2519-20.
23 Nov, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 4pm. Votes 3: 2520.
23 Nov (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
24 Nov, Saturday, House met at 10am. Approved "An ACCOUNT of the several Acts passed in the Province of Pennsylvania, for creating or issuing Paper Bills" and also approved "An ACCOUNT of the several Rates of Gold and Silver Coin" in Pennsylvania currency from 1700 to 1739. Met again at 3pm. Votes 3: 2520-25.
26 Nov, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 3: 2525.
26 Nov (b), Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 17. 6pm. "The Company met at the house of David Evans except Joseph Paschall, Saml Coates, Hugh Roberts, Benja. Franklin, Richd Sewell, Edward Roberts, Geo House, Will Plumsted, John Dillwyn, Willm Cooper, Edwd Shippen, Lloyd Zachary, Saml Powell, Thomas Lloyd, George Emlin, Charles Willing, Thomas Lawrence, William Bell, and Joseph Turner. William Parsons List not pasted up in due order, he paid 6d. The Companies stock being 18.6.6 was paid by Stephen Armitt into the hands of Thomas Hatton."
27 Nov, Tuesday, House met at 2pm. Received governor's request to revise its two reports. Votes 3: 2525-26.
28 Nov, Wednesday, House met at 11am. Defended its two reports and the governor accepted them. Adjourned to 31 Dec. Votes 3: 2526-27.
28 Nov (b). Whitefield recorded: "Notice had been given that I should preach my farewell sermon in the afternoon. But the church, (though as large as most of our London churches), being not large enough to contain a fourth part of the people, we adjourned to the fields, and I preached for an hour-and-a-half from a balcony, to upwards of ten thousand hearers, who were very attentive and much affected. ... one of the Printers [BF]" said he had already received 200 subscriptions for Whitefield's journals and sermons. Journals 359-60.
29 Nov, Thursday, PG & AWM printed news of George Whitefield. P 2: 244.
29 Nov (b). AWM: Noted the departure of Robert and Henrietta [Gordon] Charles, together with Agatha Harriet Gordon, with Capt. Wright for England. For Charles, see 24 Feb 1736.
30 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
1 Dec, Saturday, printed £6,000 of Delaware paper currency, authorized by an act of 1739. On 8 April 1740, BF was paid £50 for the printing and £8/7/0 for the paper, ink, box, etc. (Accounts.) Campbell 752; Miller 161. Newman 96 noted that the bills were similar to the 1 March 1734 issue and with identical cuts.
3 Dec, Monday, probably attended the Masonic meeting.
6 Dec, Thursday, PG printed news of George Whitefield. P 2: 244.
7 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
10 Dec, Monday, attended meeting of the Library Company directors at the Widow Roberts.
12 Dec. Wednesday, Alexander Annand's bill for schooling James and William Franklin ran from 12 Dec 1738 to 12 Dec 1739. William Franklin continued with Annand from 12 Dec 1739 to Dec 1743. P 2:388.
13 Dec, Thursday, PG printed "The Conduct and Doctrine of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield vindicated from the Aspersions and malicious Invectives of his Enemies."
14 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
21 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
27 Dec, Thursday, BF noted in PG: Thursday last died, Mrs. DORCAS BRADFORD, Wife of Mr. Andrew Bradford, Printer; and on Saturday Evening was decently interred. Her Death is much lamented by all that knew her." P 2: 245. Nice note by BF on the death of his rival's wife.
28 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
c. 30 Dec, Monday, [Joseph Breintnall], The Yearly Verses of the Printer's Lad Jan 1, 1740 (Philadelphia: Franklin, [1739]). Bristol 1152; Evans mp. 40269; Miller 172.
31 Dec, Monday, House met. Votes 3: 2527.
31 Dec (b), Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 18. 6pm. "The Company met at the house of David Evans except John Armitt, Philip Syng, Richard Sewell, James Morris, William Plumsted, William Cooper, Edward Shippen, Samuell Powell, Junr., George Emlen, Charles Willing, Thomas Lawrence, William Bell, and Joseph Turner. The Companies Stock being 19.5.6. was paid by Thomas Hatton into the hands of Edward Roberts."
31 Dec (c). BF purchased 1s, 6p worth of beer from John Sheubart. Perhaps BF entertained guests that New Year's Eve. Sheubart sold other beverages, including wine, but this appears to be Sheubart's only charge against Franklin. It is BF's first documented liquor purchase. Accounts.
c. 1739-1756. BF: Directions for the Air Pump. 3p. DLC. BFPAPERS file 24393.
[1739?] PA Assembly: Bill re credit of paper money. Draft, 9p. PHi. BFPAPERS file 9708.
[1739?] Joseph Morgan to Royal Society. Mentions BF. APS Film # 460, # 77. Material relative to the APS.
One Franklin 1739 imprint lacks a more specific date: New Jersey, Laws
to Session (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739). Campbell 131; Evans 4392;
Miller 166.
Additions / Revisions: "Post August" added, 2/11/98.