Personal: The 12 Feb AWM criticized BF and the PG for favoring the popular anti-Proprietary party in reporting. He became the official printer for New Jersey on 18 April and remained so until the spring of his partnership with David Hall (16 April 1748). Frances (Read) Croker, Deborah's younger sister, died about 5 April and was buried at Christ Church on 8 April. At the Library Company election on 5 May, BF came in fifth. Several reasons probably account for his apparent loss of popularity. First, he opposed the Quaker position in the assembly and wanted to raise a militia (1 Jan). Second, the Proprietary party blamed him for not printing the governor's reasons for rejecting a bill (25 Jan). Third, the gentlemen among the Library Company members were angry with him for the newspaper note on closing the dancing assembly (1 May). And fourth, some members resented his attempt to clean up the environment by moving the tanners and tanyards from Dock Street.
His nephew James Franklin, who had lived with BF since at least 1737 and had studied, like William Franklin, with Alexander Annand (12 Dec 1739), was apprenticed to BF on 14 November and lived with the Franklins for seven more years. William Franklin continued studying with Alexander Annand.
Business: The Pennsylvania Assembly of 1739-40 met from 31 Dec 1739 to 26 Jan, 27-28 March, 5-15 May, 2-11 July, 28 July-9 Aug, and 25 Aug-3 Sept. As clerk, BF was of course in attendence. The House usually met at 10am, conducted business for two to three hours, and met again at 2pm for two or three hours. For printing the paper currency issue of 10 Aug 1739 (approved 12 May), the assembly paid Franklin £60.18.4 for "Paper, and other Materials for the Paper Money," and £333.6.8 "for printing the Paper Money" (1 Sept). And as Clerk of the House and for printing, he was paid £113.2.0 (3 Sept). The new legislature met 14-16 Oct.
BF announced, 13 Nov, the forthcoming General Magazine and accused Andrew Bradford and John Webbe of stealing his plan for an American magazine. BF's price (9 pence per issue) undercut Bradford's proposed magazine (announced at 12 shillings a year) by 3 pence per issue.
C. W. Miller recorded forty imprints (nos. 186-224) for 1740, making it BF's most productive year, and recently a copy of another imprint, a 1740 edition of Isaac Watts's Psalms of David, surfaced. Three brief job printings were the Proprietors' Quit-Rent notice of 15 February, an arbitration bond (ante 15 May), and an indenture (ante 14 November). BF did two government printings for New Jersey: he printed its paper money bill (post 12 June) and its Votes (post 31 July). He was paid for printing at least six religious tracts: John Thomson's Essay upon Faith of Assurance (10 September); William Dewsbury's Sermon (ante 21 Sept); Ralph Erskine's Gospel Sonnets and The Querists (both 25 Sept); A Letter to Ebenezer Kinnersley (25 Sept); and Job Noble's An Alarm Sounded (see end of year). He also printed, perhaps for Israel Pemberton, Copy of Part of a Letter to David Barclay (post 27 June); and, as anti-Proprietary propaganda, Governor George Thomas's letter to the Board of Trade, My Lords (post 20 October [it most likely appeared in late September 1741). David Evans probably paid him to print a catechism, A Short Plain Help (see end of year). As usual, he printed his own best-selling Poor Richard (16 Nov; ref at 6 Nov) and a pocket version, plus John Jerman's American Almanac and a sheet almanac (all advertised 6 Nov). He also gambled on a school text, A new and Complete Guide to the English Tongue (31 July), and a valuable Collection of Charters ... of Pennsylvania (28 August). Of course he continued the Pennsylvania Gazette, which attained more than three full pages of advertisements on 22 May; and at the end of the year he printed the annual carrier's address (circa 30 December). One aberration, dated 1740 but evidently not completed before 1741, was printed at the "New Printing Office" but not by Franklin, nor was he paid to print it, nor did he bring it out at his own risk. For the anomaly, see Acquila Rose, Poems on Several Occasions (13 August 1741).
The year 1740 was unique in Franklin's printing career for the large number of religious imprints. Not only did he print more religious imprints for others than at any other time, but he also printed more at his own risk. He brought out six (counting two editions of Tennent) by ministers other than Whitefield: Gilbert Tennent's The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry (22 May; 2nd ed., 19 June), Samuel Finley's A Letter to a Friend (5 June), Sir Matthew Hale's Sum of Religion (19 June), Josiah Smith's The Character, Preaching, &c. of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield (3 July), and Isaac Watts's translation of the Psalms (see year-end). He also brought out no less than twelve works by Whitefield. The first was Three Letters from the Rev. Mr. Whitefield (10 April); then came A Letter to a Friend in London (8 May). Volumes of his sermons and journals were advertised on 22 May, and the second volume of his sermons and two more journals appeared on 14 August. BF advertised Whitefield's A letter to Some Church-Members of the Presbyterian Persuasion on 6 November, and a continuation of his American journal was advertised on 27 November. (For an alphabetical listing of all BF's 1740 Whitefield imprints, see the year-end.)
Franklin sponsored Thomas Smith (d. 1752), who had previously worked as a journeyman printer for James Parker in New York and for Franklin in Philadelphia, as his printing partner in Antigua, evidently on 21 January. By 16 April, Franklin identified Smith as of Antiqua in his accounts.
Activities and Social Life: BF's monthly routines consisted of a Junto meeting every Friday night, a Masonic meeting the first Monday night of the month, a Library Company directors' meeting the second Monday night of the month, and a Union Fire Company members' meeting on the last Monday night of every month. Since the minutes of the Union Fire Company tend to be repetitive and are mainly of interest in recording BF's presence or absence, I hereafter print in full only the minutes of the first meeting of the year, and merely record BF's attendence and any changes (e.g., in venue, membership, etc) revealed by the minutes. The Library Company continued to be a favorite interest, with the directors continuing to meet at the Widow Roberts. He attended all fourteen meetings (the normal monthly directors' meetings, the annual election, and the special meeting of 28 May) during 1740. On the other hand, he paid the fines rather than attend the Union Fire Company meetings on all but two occasions, 25 Feb and 25 Aug (since there are no minutes for 27 Oct, he may have attended that meeting). The Union Fire Company continued to meet at David Evans's tavern, at the sign of the crown, in Market Street, near the Market (see 27 May 1731, 15 June 1738, and 18 Jan 1743).
Intellectual Interests: On 7 April, the Library Company moved from the Widow Roberts "to the Upper Room of the Westernmost Office in the State House." When Isaac Greenwood came to Philadelphia to lecture on science, BF proposed that the Library Company lend him its air-pump and let him use a room adjoining the library for his lectures (28 May). BF took in subscriptions for Greenwood and no doubt attended the lectures himself. In the winter of 1740-41, BF began experimenting with the Pennsylvania fireplace (see December). He was selling prototypes of an early version by the winter's end (5 Feb 1741).
International Affairs: In the Pennsylvania Gazette of 15 January, Franklin reprinted news from New York that war had been declared on Spain. And in the paper for 13 February (one day later than Bradford printed the news in the American Weekly Mercury), Franklin printed the actual declaration of war.
Pennsylvania Politics: The third session of the Pennsylvania assembly of 1739-40 met from 31 Dec 1739 to 26 Jan, when the house adjourned to 14 April, but the governor recalled the assembly for 27 March; the fourth session met from 27 to 28 March; the fifth session, from 5 to 15 May, when the house adjourned to 11 Aug, but the governor recalled it for 2 July; the sixth, from 2 to 11 July, when the house adjourned to 18 Aug, but the governor recalled it for 28 July; the seventh, from 28 July to 9 Aug; and the eighth, from 25 Aug to 3 Sept. Despite a petition from a large number of Pennsylvanians (probably including BF) for a military force (1 Jan), the Pennsylvania assembly refused to act (5 Jan, 7 July). Governor George Thomas received instructions that Pennsylvania should raise and equip militia companies to support Admiral Edward Vernon's assault on Cartagena (12 and 14 April, 2 July). But, as the quarrel between Israel Pemberton, Jr., and Gov. Thomas revealed (cf. 23, 28 and 29 Feb), the governor had little power. Speaker Kinsey and the Quaker party controlled the Assembly and refused to support the war effort. On 8 July, the Assembly voted money "for the king's use," but the legislators voted to adjourn rather than complete the bill. Since the legislature would not pay for volunteers, not enough freemen volunteered to raise a substantial army. Consequently Gov. Thomas allowed indentured servants to enlist (16 April, 15 May, 2 July). By this means he raised seven companies of volunteers from Pennsylvania and one from the three lower counties. Speaker Kinsey and the Quaker party claimed that the governor, by enlisting indentured servants, deprived the citizens of their rightful property. The assembly voted £3,000 for the king's use in August if the governor would return the nearly three hundred indentured servants who had joined, But Governor Thomas refused. The assembly complained to England (19 Aug, 2 Sept). In the last days of the assembly of 1739-40 (20 Aug), Gov. Thomas bitterly recommended to the Board of Trade that the Quakers should be forever disqualified as representatives. Finally, the House issued a long diatribe against Gov. Thomas and adjourned without paying him anything for the year.
The first session of the 1740-41 Pennsylvania assembly met from 14 to 16 Oct.
Indian Affairs: The Delawares again came to a treaty in Philadelphia, and the Delaware chief Sassoonan had no complaints, but three months later the Delawares complained that their land had been taken away without compensation. Gov. Thomas reminded them that the sale had been confirmed twice: by the Six Nations in 1736 and by the Delawares in 1737. He also said that there would be a treaty with the Six Nations in 1742 and invited the Delawares to attend. CR 4:432-32, 443-47. Check and put under the dates.
Writings: New Jersey assembly's reply to Governor Morris, 28 April; BF as "Obadiah Plainman" defended "the Meaner Sort," 15 May; "Obadiah Plainman" replied to "Tom Trueman," 29 May; BF's Statement of Editorial Policy, 24 July; General Magazine and Historical Chronicle advertisement accused Andrew Bradford and John Webbe of stealing his plan for the first American magazine, 13 Nov; BF replied to charges of denying Andrew Bradford the use of the mails, 11 Dec; Poor Richard for 1741 (see 6 Nov).
Chronology:
Ante 1 Jan, Thursday, Introduction to The New-Year's Gift, Printed in The New-Year's Gift; or a Pocket Almanack, For the Year 174l. P 2:300-01.
1 Jan, Tuesday, 1740. The third session of the Pennsylvania assembly of 1739-40 had started on 31 Dec 1739. House met at 10am. "A Petition from a great Number of the Inhabitants of the City of Philadelphia, setting forth the defenceless State of this Province in Case of a general War, and praying that the House would take the same into Consideration, and enter into such Measures for the common Security, as to their Wisdom shall seem meet; was presented to the House, and read; ordered to lie on the Table." Votes 3:2527-28. Since BF was both earlier (6 March 1733/4) and later (Plain Truth 1747) the main proponent of self-defense, he probably organized and signed the petition. The assembly rejected it (5 Jan).
1 Jan (b). J. Clymer to BF. Not in P. Printed in Weems, Life of Franklin (Philadelphia: 1817), 98-101. Parson Weems made up an anecdote concerning Franklin and fire engines; briefly discussed in the biography, v. 2, Chap. 18, "Fireman."
2 Jan, Wednesday, House met at 10am. Appointed committee to reply to governor. Votes 3:2528.
3 Jan, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2528.
4 Jan, Friday, House met at 2pm. Began consideration on a bill governing Philadelphia (see 25 Jan). Votes 3:2528.
4 Jan (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
5 Jan, Saturday, House met at 10am. Adopted a speech refusing to prepare for a possible war (printed in PG 10 Jan) and rejected the petition (1 Jan) "praying that some Measures may be taken for the Defence of the Country." Votes 3:2528-32.
6 Jan, Sunday, became 34.
7 Jan, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 3:2532.
7 Jan (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.
8 Jan, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2532.
9 Jan, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2533-34.
9 Jan (b). Common Council of the City of Philadelphia met in the afternoon, claimed that the Philadelphia bill before the assembly "would be a great Infringement on the Priviledges granted this Corporation by Charter" and petitioned the assembly the following morning against the bill. Minutes of the Common Council 387.
10 Jan, Thursday, House met at 10am and heard the petition of the Common Council against the bill (9 Jan). Met again at 3pm. "The House took into Consideration the present State of the Body of Laws in this Province; and after some Debate thereupon, Ordered, That the Clerk [BF] do search out the former Orders and Proceedings of the House in that Affair, and have them ready to lay before the House." Votes 3:2534.
11 Jan, Friday, House met at 10am. Governor George Thomas again urged the House to prepare for war, claiming that military self-defense was like protecting oneself against burglars (a point previously made in the PG 1740 carrier's address). Thomas: "You yourselves have seen the Necessity of acting in civil affairs as jurymen and Judges, to Convict and Condemn such little Rogues to Death as break into your Houses, and of acting in other Offices where Force must necessarily be used for the preservation of the publick Peace; and are the fruits of your Labour, and the Labour of your Forefathers, reserved only to be given up all at once to His Majesty's Enemies and the Enemies of your Religion and Liberties?" (Printed in PG 15 Jan, where it is dated 10 Jan; also in AWM 22 Jan, dated 10 Jan.) Votes 3:2535-38; Col. Records 4:369.
11 Jan (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
12 Jan, Saturday, House met at 10am. Appointed committee to prepare reply to governor. The same committee as 2 Jan, with the addition of Isaac Norris. Votes 3:2538.
14 Jan, Monday, House met at 10am. Votes 3:2538.
14 Jan (b), attended Library Company directors' meeting at the Widow Roberts.
15 Jan, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2538-39.
15 Jan (b). PG: "New-York, Decemb. 31. Saturday last Capt. Woodward arrived here from Madeira, by whom we have Advice, That War was proclaim'd in England against Spain."
16 Jan, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2539.
17 Jan, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. The Philadelphia bill was "ingrossed for a third Reading." Votes 3:2539-40.
18 Jan, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2540.
18 Jan (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
19 Jan, Saturday, House met at 10am. Assembly's reply to governor downplayed the possibility of danger from the French and Spanish (printed in PG & AWM 22 Jan). The Philadelphia bill passed (see 25 Jan). Votes 3:2540-45.
21 Jan, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 3:2546.
22 Jan, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2546.
22 Jan (b). Common Council met, noted that despite the protest made to the assembly [10 Jan], the house "had passed a Bill, which now Lay before the Governour for his Assent, which Bill if it shoud be passed into a Law, would not only Create great Disquiet & Confusion in Carrying on the Regulations of this City, both in its Buildings, Streets, Wharfs, Landings & Docks, but in its Consequence affect the whole powers of the Corporation & totally defeat the good Ends and Purposes for which the said Charter was granted." The Board resolved to petition the Governor that afternoon at 3pm. Minutes of the Common Council 389. Governor Thomas reported that "as many Gentlemen as my mean Dwelling could contain, were admitted" on the occasion. Votes 3:2561.
23 Jan, Wednesday, House met. Votes 3:2546-47.
24 Jan, Thursday, House met at 10am. Received Governor's long message of 23 Jan (printed in PG & AWM 29 Jan). Met again at 3pm. Appointed committee (same members as 12 Jan) to reply to governor. Votes 3:2547-52.
25 Jan, Friday, House met. In the afternoon, the governor rejected "An Act for the better Raising of Money on the Inhabitants of the City of Philadelphia" with his reasons (printed in the AWM, 12 Feb). Votes 3:2552-54. BF did not print the governor's explanation in the PG. He also did not print it in the record of the Votes 3:2553-54. The governor and the proprietary party objected. The AWM (12 Feb) blamed BF personally for omitting the speech, and the governor (10 May) blamed the assembly for the suppression (Votes 3:2572).
Alan Tully explained that the bill would have placed "all of the effective powers of levying and appropriating money in Philadelphia City in the hands of elected officials. Thomas interpreted this bill--correctly--as an attack on the powers of the city magistrates, many of whom were his political allies" ("King George's War," 192-93, n. 12).
25 Jan (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
post 25 Jan:Pennsylvania. A Bill for the better Raising of Money. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739[/40]). Campbell 129; Evans 4409; Miller 173.
26 Jan, Saturday, House met. Reply to governor approved (printed in PG 29 Jan, in AWM 5 Feb). Adjourned to 14 April, but recalled 27 March. Votes 3:2554-58.
26 Jan (b). William Dewees, Jr., to BF, sending paper. P 2:257.
28 Jan, Monday. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 18. 6pm: "The Company met at the house of David Evans except the 12 following Persons: Joseph Paschall, Samuel Coates, Richard Sewell, Benja. Franklin, Edward Shippen, Lloyd Zachary, Samuel Powell, George Emlen, Charles Willing, Thomas Lawrence, William Bell, and Joseph Turner. The Companies Stock being 19.18.6. was paid by Edward Roberts into the hands of George House. Received per me George House."
1 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
4 Feb, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
7 Feb, Thursday, PG advertised books for sale. Because of the sequence of titles, E. C. Cook suggested (I agree) that BF "put some of his irrepressible levity" in the catalogue: "The Art of Money-Catching, The Duty of Prayer, Cynthia, a Novel, the Republic of Letters, The Life of our blessed Saviour, The Garden of Love, The Ladies' Delight, Man's great Interest."
8 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
11 Feb, Monday, attended Library Company directors' meeting at Widow Roberts. Breintnall reported that Peter Collinson, "having an Opportunity to N. York he had sent the Pamphlets for September inclosed in a Trunk to his Friend James Alexander, Esqr. To forward &c. ... Upon which B. Franklin informed that he had received a Letter from said Alexander, letting him know that P. Collinson had sent to him the said Pamphlets which he would enclose & direct to said Franklikn to save Postage, if he thought well of it. And this was approved of so to be." In his next letter to Collinson, Breintnall said that if the postage had been charged, the company would have had to pay £3.10s. Postmaster BF absorbed the charge.
12 Feb, Tuesday. AWM: Printed King George's Declaration of War against Spain. Evidently Bradford scooped BF with the news; cf. 13 Feb.
12 Feb (b). AWM: a Postscript criticized Franklin's reporting for favoring the popular, anti-proprietary party, claiming that he only occasionally made a "bold Stroke" and then depended on saving himself from censure by his wit. The writer may have objected to BF's use of personae when he charged that BF was "never at a Loss for something to say, nor for some Body to say it for you, when you don't care to appear yourself." Cf. 24 Sept 1730. Actually, the assembly had forbidden BF to print the governor's reasons for rejecting the Philadelphia bill.
"Mr. Bradford,
"By the help of your Mercury, many a young Fellow has found a Way to let his Mistress know his Passion, which he could never have done without. By the same Means many a Man has heard of his Failings, and if he has not reformed his Manners, he has been so careful as to conceal his Faults: Nay some, by your smart Reproofs, have been drove from the Tavern, and others shamed into going to church. We should therefore entertain no Doubt securing your assistance to make our Complaints public, amongst others, were there not something particular in our Case. People generally say there's no such thing Thing as getting one Lawyer to prosecute another nor one Pickpocket to peach a Brother: For the same Reason, say they, you cannot find one Printer, who will Publish the Faults of another. But as we have known many Exceptions to this general Rule, we flatter ourselves you'll make one more, and publish the Inclosed directed to your Brother Franklin. And, indeed, all Things considered, we think 'tis a most civil one, and if need be can prove, by some Solemn Affidavits, that it's very true too. Yet should the Man be angry, let his Wrath fall upon his humble Servants who are ready to answer the charge, and to make proper acknowledgments to you as a Favour done to
Sir your most obedient, A. B. C. D. E. F. &c. &c. &c."
"Mr. Franklin,
"A Few Members of the Corporation of the City of Philadelphia being met to spend a Part of an evening, your printed Copy of the Votes of our Assembly was brought us, as the News of the Day. You'll believe it was very agreeable to us all to see the proceedings of our Honourable Representatives, who think for us, speak for us and act for us. And as we are generally most attentive to what they feel most concerns them, we took Notice of the Dispatch given to the Bill for the better raising money on the Inhabitants of Philadelphia, &c. But as we were pleasing ourselves with seeing the Governor had rejected the Bill, we had at the same time the Mortification to find his Refusal was not met with Satisfaction of the House. And tho' we ought neither to suspect the Wisdom nor the Justice of our honourable Representatives, yet as every Man is fond of judging for himself, we were much surprized to find the Reasons asigned by the Governor for refusing his Assent to that Bill left wholly out of your Print. This Omission seemed the Stranger to us, because it appears by the Votes, that Reasons were sent down by the Governor with the Bill, that those Reasons were received and considered, and thereupon the Message sent from the House to the Governor, printed at large in the Votes, complaining of representing that such a Practice, as assigning Reasons to them &c. Very nearly affected the Rights, Privileges and Freedom of the Assembly &c. Now Mr. Franklin, it is very certain you are Master of your own Press, and 'tis as certain you are Clerk to our Representatives, but neither your being Clerk or Printer can in our Opinion, justify your publishing to the World a Message to the Governor, from that honourable House expressing their Dissatisfaction with his Reasons for, and his manner of refusing his Assent to that Bill, and not publish the Refusal itself; for whether the Reasons Assigned by the Governor be good or bad, or whether the Manner of sending them to the House be right or wrong, yet all this can neither justify nor excuse you for suppressing them. This Suppression you could not think would be agreeable to the Governor who upon that Occasion, as upon all others of the like Kind, must be presumed to speak his Mind, and that with Intent to have it made public, for every Man to use his own Judgment in approving or Disproving the Justice of his proceedings.
"Nor could you believe it would be any Compliment to the Mayor and Commonalty to conceal any Thing, which discovers so fully these Rights and Franchises, which they claim to hold in Truth and for the Use of the Inhabitants of Philadelphia. We considered your present Situation, the Caution with which you usually act in Matters where your Interest is concerned, and tho' we know you can, upon some Occasions, strike a bold Stroke, and then depend upon your Wit to bring you off, yet sure you will never have the Face to pretend any Directions from our Honourable Assembly to warrant, such a Piece of low Craft. On the contrary it ought not to be questioned but you'll receive your Reward from that Honourable Body, whose Wisdom and Justice and Truth &c. must detest such Tricking.
"You have had fair warning, Ben. and have been put in mind the old Proverb, better late than never. You was advised to take shame to your self for some Body's sake, and say it was an Omission, tho' no Body might believe you, and you was desired to be honest at last and publish the Reasons as they came into the House; but all in vain: For it's said you are under a bad Influence, and it was observed of you too, that you're never at a Loss for something to say, nor for some Body to say it for you, when you don't care to appear yourself; and so we presume it was ordered in the present Case, when One of your acquaintances alleged you had dropped the Reason in the and some Body had picked it up. That Story indeed was like to have passed well enough, had not a very plain blunt Fellow declared publickly, that to his certain Knowledge it was all false: For upon the strictest Examination there could no such Thing as Reason be found in the Company.
"But, however that matter stands, you have herewith a true Copy of the Reasons assigned by the Governor for not passing the City Bill, from which (if the Original be mislaid) you may repair your Minutes. In this we do not say we heap Coals of Fire upon Head, we only return you good for evil, and Heavens grant you may make a good Use of this kind Caution from your old Friends, who wish you well tho' they can't at present give you a Place worth 60 or 70 l. a year."
"A. B. C. D. E. F. &c. &c. &c."
After this long introduction attacking Franklin, the Mercury published the governor's reasons (which were based upon the City Council's rights to make laws for Philadelphia) for rejecting the assembly's bill.
Note: Though BF had been following the directions of the House of Representatives in omitting the governor's reasons, he later printed (evidently before 25 March, when the English year officially became 1740) the Philadelphia money bill "Together with the Governor's Reasons for not Passing the same." A Bill for the better raising of Money on the Inhabitants of Philadelphia ([Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739 [1740]). Campbell 129; Evans 4409; Miller 173.
Sappenfield 91-92, called this 12 Feb piece "the first recorded accusation of political opportunism against BF."
13 Feb, Wednesday. PG appeared a day early, carrying news of England's declaration of war (19 October; to be announced 23 October) against Spain.
15 Feb, Friday. Proprietors. Quitrent Notice [(Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740)]. BF advertised a notice dated 15 Feb in the PG of 21 and 28 Feb, and 6 March. Evans mp. 11221; Miller 202. Cf. accounts, 5 Feb 1739/40.
22 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
23 Feb, Saturday. Gov. Thomas reported to the Council that Israel Pemberton, Jr, had attacked him publicly, claiming that Thomas was trying "to overturn the Constitution and reduce the proprietary province to a King's Government." The governor demanded that the Council issue a warrant for Pemberton's arrest. Despite some members' misgivings, the Council did so. Sheriff Septimus Robinson arrested him, but Thomas Griffitts, a Council member, admitted him to bail. Colonial Records 4:389-92. Evidently the governor lacked the support of the Council; perhaps the Council members doubted the legality of their proceedings.
25 Feb, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 19. 6pm. The Company met at the house of David Evans. BF present.
28 Feb, Thursday. Gov Thomas informed the Council he had issued another warrant for Israel Pemberton. Colonial Records 4:392-93.
29 Feb, Friday, Gov. Thomas told the Council that Pemberton was hiding in his (Pemberton's) house in Philadelphia. Sheriff Robinson testified to his ineffectual methods to take Pemberton, for he would not enter Pemberton's house. Thomas said that "he was contented to withdraw the Warrant for the Present and proceed against him in some other way." Colonial Records 4:393. The incident demonstrated the governor's ineffectuality against the Quaker party.
29 Feb (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
3 March, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
7 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
10 March, Monday, attended Library Company directors' meeting at Widow Roberts.
12 March, Wednesday, John Winter advertised "Landskip and Coach-Painting" in PG.
14 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
21 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
23 March, Sunday. Thomas Penn, Philadelphia, to John & Richard Penn: Penn stated his "sovereign ... Contempt for their [Quaker] understandings and the Principles on which they act." He announced his resolve "to regain all the powers our Governors were justly intituled to before Sir William Keith and our faint-hearted Council gave them up" and asked his brothers "to suggest to the Ministry ... the Expulsion of Friends from the Assembly." He did not "desire to exclude them [Quakers] from Offices they can discharge ... but 'tis ridiculous to pretend to hold a Government by the Means of People that will not defend it." Thomas Penn Papers, roll 5, frames 473-475. Cf. 20 Nov 1742, 1 May 1755.
27 March, Thursday, House met, called by governor; adjourned the next day. Votes 3:2558.
27 March (b). BF stated in PG, "Some unforeseen Accidents have a little retarded the Publication of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield's Sermons and Journals: The Work is however in great Forwardness." (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740); Campbell 182a; Evans 4650(I); Miller 222.
28 March, Friday, House met at 10am; adjourned to 5 May. Votes 3:2558-59.
28 March (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
31 March, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 19. "The Company met at the house of David Evans," BF absent.
4 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
7 April, Monday, The librarian, with the assistance of the directors, moved the library and air pump from William Parsons's home "to the Upper Room of the Westernmost Office in the State House, the Use of which was lately granted to the Company by the Assembly."
7 April (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.
8 April, Tuesday. Frances (Read) Croker, Deborah's younger sister, was buried at Christ Church. PMHB 2 (1878):459. The Franklins surely attended.
9 April, Wednesday. Thomas Penn, Philadelphia, to John Penn: "The Sums I have remitted ... will intirely clear us of debt and will make the Remittances ... since January last Year near fifteen Thousand Pounds of our Currency." Thomas Penn Papers, roll 5, frame 481; PHi.
10 April, Thursday; 24 April, Thursday; and 1 May, Thursday. G. Whitefield published three letters in the PG vindicating his saying that "Archbishop Tillotson knew no more of Christianity than Mahomet." They were published together afterward as G. Whitefield, Three Letters (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 183; Evans 4651; Miller 224. At the end of the first letter, BF noted that he had received a letter from Whitefield addressed to the inhabitants of Maryland, Viriginia, North and South Carolina, "which will be inserted in our next." The Rev. Alexander Garden of Charleston, SC, replied with Six Letters to the Rev. Mr. Whitefield (Charleston: Timothy, 1740). Excerpted in Franklin's General Magazine 1 (April 1741):263-65; (May, 1741):300-13; (June, 1741) 391-98. Since Franklin discontinued publication of the General Magazine after the June issue, he did not reprint Garden's last two letters.
10 April (b). Gov. Thomas received instructions from the Secretary of State asking him to invite enlistments for an invasion of the West Indies. PA ser 1, 1:581-83. Cf. 14 April.
11 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
12 April, Saturday. At a Council meeting, Gov. Thomas announced that Pennsylvania was requested to enlist soldiers for attacking the West Indies. Colonial Records 4:395.
14 April, Monday, Governor Thomas published a proclamation asking for enlistments. Printed in the PG & AWM 17 April; in Colonial Records 4:396-97).
Franklin reported that after the reading of the proclamation, "The People express'd their Joy in loud Huzzas; And the Cannon from the Hill, and the Ships in the Harbour, were discharged, while the following Healths were drank ... Plenty of Liquor was given to the Populace; and in the Evening they had a Bonfire on the Hill." PG 17 April.
"The same Day, being applied to by some Servants, who were desirous of enlisting themselves in the King's Service, the Governor, taking some of them by the Hand, let them know, they were freed from their former Masters, and were obliged to serve none but the King: That there was no Difference between himself and them, but that he had better Cloaths, and Money in his Pocket, which he also let them know would be provided for them." Votes 3:2619-20. According to the representatives, the Governor's actions were responsible for a great many servants enlisting to escape their bondage. The governor, however, in his message of 26 Aug, replied that "a great Number of Gentlemen, whose Zeal for the King's Service engaged them to accompany me the whole Afternoon on which the Proclamation was made, will be so just, as to give Evidence of a quite contrary Behaviour." Votes 3:2635. House again contradicted him. Votes 3:2654. Since commissions had not yet arrived, the recruits could not formally enlist. Nevertheless, the servants declared themselves freed from their masters. Alan Tully noted that Gov. Thomas issued "a new proclamation specifying that the giving of one's name as a potential volunteer to a representative of the Governor in confidence did not annul a master's authority" ("King George's War," 177). When??
14 April (b). BF attended Library Company directors' meeting at the Widow Roberts.
15 April, Whitefield, Journals, recorded: "The Commissary ... told me that he could lend me his church no more, because I had not treated the Bishop of London well, in my Answer to his late Pastoral Letter; and also, because I had misquoted and misrepresented Archibishop Tillotson, in a letter published in the last week's Gazette. I told him he had best shew that in public. He replied, the printers would not publish anything for them, and that the press was shut against them. I answered, it was without my knowledge." Cf. below, 8 May.
Tuesday evening, George Whitefield "preach'd to about 8000 on Society Hill."--PG 17 April.
16 April, Wednesday. William Seward, George Whitefield's companion, recorded: "A Friend came in and told us, that some Gentlemen threaten'd to Cane me for having taken away the Keys of the Assembly-Room, Dancing-School, and Musick-Meeting, which the Owner delivered me on my Promise to pay for any Damage he should sustain thereby. --May the Lord strengthen me to carry on this Battle against one of Satan's strongest Holds in this City, --supported in Part too by the Proprietor, whose Father bore a noble Testimony against those Devilish Diversions, --which shews us how dangerous a Snare it is to our Children, to leave them rich in this Worlds Goods, and not rich in Faith." Seward, Journal 6. For the sequence, see 17 April (b), 1, 8 15, 22, and 29 May, and 5 June. Seward was, in effect, Whitefield's public relations coordinator; as such, he may be the first private press agent in modern history.
16 April (b). Whitefield recorded: "Preached upon Society Hill twice; in the morning to about six thousand, and in the evening to near eight thousand people." Journals 407.
16 April (c). "By the Governour's Command: Notice is hereby given, to all such as shall be willing to inlist in the important Expedition now on Foot, for attacking and plundering the most valuable Part of the Spanish West-Indies, to repair to the following Gentlemen, and subscribe their Names, till a General Rendezvous shall be ordered at Philadelphia ... The said Gentlemen are strictly enjoined, not to discover any Person's Name, that shall be desirous to have it conceal'd." (The last instruction meant that indentured servants could conceal their names.)
17 April, Thursday, PG advertised: "The Subscribers to the Library in Philadelphia, are hereby advertised, that Monday the fifth 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 eighth annual Payment, at the upper Room of the westermost Office adjoining to the State-House; the use of which was lately granted to the Company by the Provincial Assembly. Joseph Breintnall, Secr."
17 April (b). William Seward: "A Gentleman, Landlord of the House where the [Dancing] Assembly is kept, came and inform'd us, that a great Stir was made about my taking away the Keys; and others told us they had broken open the Door, tho' it was not their Night of meeting." Seward, Journal 7.
17 April (c). Whitefield recorded: "Philadelphia ... I preached to upwards of ten thousand people."
17 April (d). PG: In a "Letter" addressed to "the inhabitants of Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina," Whitefield told of his distress at witnessing the treatment of slaves in his recent trip through the South: "I must inform you, in the Meekness and Gentleness of Christ, that I think God has a quarrel with you for your abuse and cruelty to the poor Negroes." Franklin reprinted it as Letter III in Three Letters from the Reverend Mr. G. Whitefield (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740), Cambell 183; Evans 4651; Miller 224. Alas, Whitefield later bought a South Carolina plantation, worked by slaves, to support his Georgia orphanage.
18 April, Friday, perhaps attended Junto meeting.
Trip to Burlington, NJ, c. 18 to 25 April?
Franklin may have gone to Burlington, NJ, when the New Jersey Assembly began its meeting there on 10 April 1740. Gov. Lewis Morris delivered a blistering speech to the House on Wednesday afternoon, 16 April. On Friday morning, 18 April 1740, the House appointed a committee consisting of "Mr. [Mahlon] Stacy, Col. [Thomas] Farmar, Mr. Richard Smith of Burlington, Mr. [Joseph] Cooper, Mr. [Aaron] Leaming, and Mr. [John] Low" to draw up the reply to the governor's speech. Slightly later the same morning, the House "Ordered, That Benjamin Franklin do print his Excellency's Speech, and the Minutes and Votes of This House." Reference: Votes and Proceedings of the New Jersey Assembly begun and held at Burlington April 10, 1740 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740) 13. Evans 4569; Miller 199.
If Franklin had not already gone to Burlington in an effort to secure the New Jersey printing, he would have journeyed there within a few days in order to make arrangements with the Speaker of the New Jersey Assembly, Col. Andrew Johnston, for the prompt and safe transferral every week of the manuscripts to Philadelphia. C. W. Miller noted that the New Jersey Votes and Proceedings for the spring and summer 1740 sessions "appear to have been printed weekly."
On Friday, 25 April 1740, "Mr. [Mahlon] Stacy Reported from the Committee appointed to draw up an Address to his Excellency, That they had drawn up an Address, which he presented to the House, and the same was read. Ordered to be engrossed" (p. 17). Although nearly all committee addresses were revised and amended in the House (acting as a committee of the whole), before being engrossed (i.e., before the official, fair copy was prepared), this address evidently won the instant and entire approval of the House. In diction, logic, and especially in tone, it is the one superior speech prepared by a committee of the New Jersey legislature during the administration of Governor Morris. Furthermore, by cleverly adopting phrases and clauses from the lambasting speech that Morris delivered on April 16, it completely turned the tables on Morris--thoroughly ridiculing his speech and turning his arguments against him.
Franklin wrote the address, which was presented to Morris on Monday, 28 April. See Canon 94-96. Printed in New Jersey, Votes and Proceedings (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740), 20-23. Campbell 155; Evans 4569; Miller 199. BF remained official printer for New Jersey until 1744 and continued occasionally printing for the colony until he established his partnership with David Hall; 16 April 1748 marked his last printing for New Jersey.
19 April, Saturday. Whitefield recorded: "Preached morning and evening to seven or eight thousand people each time; and I was much rejoiced to see with what order and devotion they constantly attend. Scoffers seem to be at a stand what to say. They mutter in coffee houses, give a curse, drink a bowl of punch, and then cry out against me for not preaching up more morality." Journals 409.
20 April, Sunday, Whitefield preached in Philadelphia "for the Benefit of the Orphan-House."--PG 17 April. "On Sunday last [20 April] the Reverend Mr. Whitefield preached two Sermons on Society Hill, and collected for the Orphans in Georgia, in the Morning 150£L.10s. and in the Evening, when it's computed there were 15,000 Auditors, 83L in all 233£ 10s Currency, which is about 150L Sterling."--PG 24 April. If Franklin was in Philadelphia rather than Burlington, NJ (see c. 18 to 25 April, above), his anecdote of giving the copper, silver, and gold coins on hearing Whitefield speak (A104-05) may have occurred on this Sunday.
Whitefield recorded: "Preached at seven o'clock, with much freedom, to about ten thousand people, and collected £110 sterling for my poor orphans. The people threw in their mites willingly ... Went to church morning and evening, and hear the Commissary preach a sermon upon Justification by Works, from James ii.18. Many people seeing me go in, followed; and numbers of them told me afterwards, the Commissary (though undesignedly) had confirmed them in the truths which I had delivered. In the evening, I preached from the same words, to about fifteen thousand people, and confuted the false doctrinies and many fundamental errors contained in the Commissary's discourse; for he all along took faith to be only an assent to the truths of the Gospel. ... To all these things I endeavoured to answer distinctly. After the sermon, we collected £80 currency, for my children in Georgia."
Quaker John Smith wrote: "Last First Day morning [Sunday, 20 April] before Church time he [Whitefield] preached a sermon on faith in opposition to good works ... And at church (so called) their parson Commings preached up works in opposition to Whitefield, and in the Evening Whitefield again preached in opposition to him; So that those of the black robe sometimes display their different opinions." Kenney, "George Whitefield," 79.
22 April, Tuesday. Whitefield recorded: "Preached both morning and evening to rather larger congregations that I have yet seen on a week-day. There were not less than ten thousand people. ... Many of the negroes were also much affected. This day I bought five thousand acres of land on the forks of the Delaware, and ordered a large house to be built thereon, for the instruction of these poor creatures." Journals 410-11. As it turned out, Whitefield could not afford the school for Afro-Americans and abandoned the project.
24 April, Thursday, PG called for volunteers to join the army "for attacking and plundering the most valuable Part of the Spanish West-Indies." The gentlemen enlisting soldiers "are strictly enjoined, not to discover any Person's Name, that shall be desirous to have it conceal'd."
24 April (b). AWM: Whitefield's preaching to 15,000 on Society Hill last Sunday evening; amount of money raised.
25 April, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.
25 April (b). House of Commons passed act saying that colonial governors were "not to give assent to or pass any act whereby bills of credit may be issued in lieu of money without a clause be inserted in such act declaring that the same shall not take effect until the said act shall be approved by his Majesty, his heirs, or successors." Labaree, Royal Instructions, 1 no. 320; in Leo Stock, 5:49. Cf. 5 Aug.
28 April, Monday. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 20. The Company met at the house of David Evans, BF absent.
1 May, Thursday, PG note on closing the dancing assembly (P 2:284, 25759) led to attacks on BF's reporting by the promotors of the assembly. BF, as "Obadiah Plainman," satirized the dancing assembly leaders. The managers of the assembly were John Inglis, Lynford Lardner, John Wallace, and John Swift, but Richard Peters, now Secretary of the Council, was evidently the leading spokesman for the gentlemen. See Scharf and Westcott, History of Philadelphia, 2:864; and 2 May.
2 May, Friday, William Seward: "Call'd at Mr. Franklin's the Printer's, and met Mr. P[eters] and several other Gentlemen of the [Dancing] Assembly, who accosted me very roughly, concerning a Paragraph I had put in the Papers, alledging it to be false. ... Mr. P[eters] the chief Speaker, was the Person who opposed Mr. Whitefield in the Pulpit, and was formerly a Clergyman, but cast off the Gown for a Secular Employment. --I told him, if he could prove that Jesus Christ, or his Apostles, or the Primitive Christians, approved of these Diversions, I would yield up the Point; but as they could not pretend to do that, I did insist they were as odious in the Sight of GOD, and did as effectually promote the Kingdom of Satan, as any of the Heathen Idolatries. They much insisted that my Paragraph insinuated as if the Gentlemen were convicted of their Error by Mr. Whitefield's preaching, which they abhorr'd. --I told them, I thought no one would construe it so; but if they did, it was an Honour to them, for that I myself was formerly as fond of them as they could be, but, blessed be the Lord, that I was convinced to the contrary." Seward, Journal of a Voyage (London, 1740) 22.
2 May (b). BF probably attended Junto meeting.
5 May, Monday, House met through 15 May. Votes 3:2559.
5 May (b). Annual election at the Library Chamber in the State House: Hugh Roberts, Thomas Hopkinson, William Coleman, Philip Syng, B. Franklin, Phineas Bond, Evan Morgan, Samuel Roads, Israel Pemberton, and Joseph Stretch. Also Joseph Breintnall, secretary, and James Morris, treasurer. Phineas Bond, Evan Morgan, Israel Pemberton, and Joseph Stretch were new, replacing Alexander Graydon, William Plumstead, Robert Grace, and William Allen. BF evidently did not, evidently for the first time (cf. 6 May 1734), win the most votes at a Library Company election. The apparent loss of popularity probably had several causes (see introduction).
5 May (c), probably missed Masonic meeting.
6 May, Tuesday, House met at 10am. Votes 3:2559. Governor Thomas claimed that his giving reasons for refusing to pass the bill was common in the past and that the "Rights, Privileges and Freedom of an Assembly" are not affected by the governor giving reasons for his refusal. He objected to: "your sending a Message to me after an Adjournment, your desiring a Conference when your Adjournment had rendered it impracticable, and the Leaving my Reasons against the Bill out of your printed Votes, tho' your own Message concerning them was inserted." Votes 3:2560-61; PA 4th ser., 1:711.
In a second message to the assembly, Governor Thomas again urged the House to consider the defenseless state of the province, citing Ezekiel 33:6: "But if the Watchman see the Sword come and blow not the Trumpet, and the People be not warned, If the Sword come and take any Person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity, but his Blood will I require at the Watchman's hand." Votes 3:2562-63; PA 4th series, 1:713. The House met again at 3pm and appointed two committees to reply to the governor. Votes 3:2563-64.
7 May, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2564.
7 May (b). Whitefield in Philadelphia recorded: "I was received with great joy by my kind host, Mr. Benezet, and many other friends. ... I went and heard Mr. Jones, the Baptist minister, who preached the truth as it is in Jesus. He is the only preacher that I know of in Philadelphia, who speaks feelingly and with authority. The poor people are much refreshed by him, and I trust the Lord will bless him more and more."
8 May, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. The House replied to the governor's speech on the Philadelphia bill. Votes 3:2565-68.
8 May (b). PG advertised, "In a short time will be published," George Whitefield, A Letter to a Friend in London (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 180; Evans 4643; Miller 220. Advertised as "Just Published," PG 22 May.
8 May (c). PG: Note on Closing the Concert Room, printed with BF's explanation: "Yet, as the Publication ... will obviate a groundless Report ... that Mr. Whitefield had engag'd all the Printers not to print any Thing against him, lest his Doctrine and practice should be expos'd, and the People undeceiv'd; I shall therefore print it as I received it." Cf. above, 15 April. P 2:257-59.
8 May (d). AWM: After giving news of Whitefield, the report continued: "Those who are disposed to send Provisions or Money, to the Orphan House, may send it to the House of Mr. [John Stephen] Benezet, Merchant, in Second street." When visiting Philadelphia, Whitefield stayed at Benezet's home till Benezet moved to Germantown in 1743. A106.
8 May (e). Whitefield recorded: "Preached at eleven, to six or seven thousand people ... At five in the evening I preached again, but to a rather larger audience."
9 May, Friday, House met at 10am. Replied briefly to the governor's speech urging defense; and again did nothing. Met again at 3pm. Votes 3:2568-70.
9 May (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
10 May, Saturday, House met in the morning; again at 3pm. Governor Thomas again condemned the House's procedure and said, "It seems to me very unreasonable, that the Assembly's Messages, in Answer to the Governor's should be printed, without printing those to which they were Answers." He also gave his answer to the "Reasons offered by the House in Support of the City Levy Bill." And he further briefly replied to their doing nothing about defense. Votes 3:2570-78.
10 May (b). Whitefield recorded: Philadelphia, "I preached twice, and to larger congregations than ever."
11 May, Sunday. Whitefield recorded: "Preached to about fifteen thousand people in the morning." The Commissary preached against Whitefield. "After he had done, I preached my farewell sermon to very near twenty thousand hearers. Though the Commissary's sermon was chiefly of personal reflections, I thought it not proper to render railing for railing. However, I considered it my duty, in an especial manner to recommend the Messrs. Tennents and their associates, being most worthy preachers of our Lord Jesus. ... I never saw a more general awakening in any place. Religion is all the talk."
12 May, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 3:2578.
12 May (b), attended Library Company directors' meeting. John Winter charged £3.10s for "painting, varnishing & gilding the Air-Pump Case." Robert Strettel approved as a member (but he apparently never joined).
12 May (c). Newman 328 says that the Crown approved the currency issue of 10 Aug 1739 on 12 May. Cf. Newman 328 and Miller 176. Recheck.
13 May, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 4pm. Votes 3:2578-79.
14 May, Wednesday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm. Sent message to governor in support of the Philadelphia bill. Votes 3:2579-86.
ante 15 May. [Arbitration Bond] Know by all Men by these Presents (Philadelphia: [Franklin, 1740]). Miller # 195. Filled out on 15 May.
15 May, Thursday, House met at 9am. Governor again rejected the Philadelphia bill. The assembly said that the enlistment of soldiers "ought not (in our Opinion) to be understood to give Power to enlist Servants, without the Assent of their Masters." But if servants were nevertheless enlisted, the masters should seek legal redress. Votes 3:2586-87. Adjourned to Sept 11, but recalled by the governor on 2 July.
15 May (b). PG: BF as "Obadiah Plainman" defends "the Meaner Sort." Canon 96-101; W 275-78. Franklin was probably influenced by the attitudes of Nathaniel Gardner; cf. Gardner's "Another Dialogue" (22 Jan 1721/2).
15 May (c). PG: "A Likely young Negroe Fellow to be disposed of, fit for either Town or Country, Enquire of the Printer."
15 May (d). AWM: Good recruiting propaganda for the expedition to the West Indies under Admiral Vernon.
22 May, Thursday, PG advertised: "Monday next [26 May] will be delivered to the Subscribers, two Volumes of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield's Works; viz. One of Sermons and one of Journals. The other Volumes being near finish'd will be ready in a short Time. ... As many People, during the Printing of the Books, have sent in their Names, or subscribed, without paying the first Subscription Money; and as the whole Number of Names far exceeds the Number of Books printed; those Subscribers who have paid, or who bring the Money in their Hands, will have the Preference." These were probably the most successful subscription books published in colonial America--and no doubt the most successful large books that Franklin published. They could not, of course, compare with the ten thousand copies of Poor Richard that he was selling annually, but Whitefield's Sermons and Journals in four small duodecimo volumes were books of considerable size, whereas Poor Richard was a pamphlet. James N. Green, "BF as Publisher and Bookseller," 102, commented, "They were the most successful books Franklin ever published."
George Whitefield, Journal of a Voyage 1740. 2nd Edition of 1st section of GW's Journal, Vol 1. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 179; Evans mp. 40225; Miller 218.
22 May (b). PG advertised as "Just Published," Gilbert Tennent, The Danger of An Unconverted Ministry [First Edition]. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740); Campbell 168; Evans 4609; Miller 210.
22 May (c). PG advertised as "Now in the Press and will speedily be published, A Letter from the Rev. Mr. Whitefield to the Religious Societies lately form'd in England and Wales.
22 May (d). AWM: Tom Truman to Obadiah Plainman. "Trueman" may have been Richard Peters; cf. 2 May.
23 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
26 May, Monday, "We hear from French-Creek in Chester County, that on Monday last [26 May] Mr. Robert Grace, a Gentleman of this City, was married to Mrs. Rebecca Nutt, an agreeable young Lady, with a Fortune of Ten Thousand Pounds."--PG 29 May. BF and DF probably attended.
26 May (b), Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 20. "The Company met at the house of David Evans," with BF absent.
28 May, Wednesday,: "At a Meeting of the Directors Present, Israel Pemberton Jnr., I. Stretch, W. Coleman, B. Franklin, P. Syng, E. Morgan, S. Rhoads, & Ph. Bond to consider a Request made by B. Franklin in Behalf of Isaac Greenwood Professor of the Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, that they will lend him their Air-Pump, & allow him the Use of the Outer-Room adjoining to the Library, there to exhibit Mathematical & Philosophical Lectures & Experiments. The Directors willing to encourage so useful a Design, agreed to grant the said Request for such a Time as will be sufficient for going thro' one Course of Experiments and Lectures." BF performed the same services for Archibald Spencer when he came to Philadelphia in 1744 (26 April), taking in advertisements at the post office and arranging for him to use the Library Company's room in the State House. Cf. 5 June.
29 May, Thursday, PG: BF as "Obadiah Plainman" replied to "Tom Trueman." Canon 101-02; W 278-83.
30 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
2 June, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
5 June, Thursday, PG advertised Isaac Greenwood's course of philosophical lectures. "The Gentlemen who has subscribed ... are desired to meet in the Chamber adjoining to the Library at the State House, on Tuesday next, about 9oClock in the Morning ... And such Gentlemen who are willing to attend a Course at other Times, in the same Place, are desired to leave their Names at the Post Office in Philadelphia, where the Conditions thereof may be seen, and Subscriptions taken in." Cf. 27 May. Lemay, Kinnersley 48-49, pointed out that Greenwood, like Spencer later, included electricity in his lectures.
5 June (b). PG advertised as "Just Published," Samuel Finley, A Letter to a Friend (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 146; Evans 4509; Miller 189.
5 June (c). AWM poem: "To Mr. Obadiah Plainman and Mr. Thomas Truman." " Plainman and Truman cease your hate, / Such vain Disputes forgoe, / Your impotence and thin debate, / Let not the Publick know." Plus two more quatrains. Calendar 566.
6 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
9 June, Monday, attended Library Company directors' meeting at the Widow Roberts. The directors ordered Franklin to print a complete catalogue of the books. Cf. 11 Aug.
12 June, Thursday, PG announced death of Alexander Spotswood, Postmaster General of America. P 2:287. Spotswood was succeeded by Head Lynch (1700-1743) who died on 6 June 1743. Elliot Benger was appointed Postmaster General on 18 Aug 1743. Cf. 25 and 26 April (b) 1744.
12 June (b). PG printed notice of the religious behavior of the people; "No books are in Request but those of Piety and Devotion; and instead of idle Songs and Ballads, the People are every where entertaining themselves with Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs. All which, under God, is owing to the successful Labours of the Reverend Mr. Whitefield." P 2:287-88; W 283.
Post 12 June. New Jersey assembly voted to print the paper money bill for future consideration. New Jersey, Paper-Money Bill (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Evans mp. 40204; Miller 198.
13 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
19 June, Thursday, PG advertised as "Just Published," Sir Matthew Hale, Sum Of Religion and Hymns (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 148; Evans 4524, Miller 192.
19 June (b). PG advertised as "Just Published," the second edition of Gilbert Tennent, The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 169; Evans 4610; Miller 211.
20 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
25 June, Wednesday. Officers, commissions, and further instructions to Gov. Thomas arrived in Philadelphia. Consequently, he called a meeting of the assembly for 2 July.
27 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
post 27 June. BF printed Israel Pemberton, Copy of Part of a Letter to David Barclay [Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740]. Campbell 157; Evans mp. 40253; Miller 201. Israel Pemberton expressed, 1 May, to Barclay his fear of war with France. Barclay reassured him, but he recommended, 27 June, that the Philadelphia Quakers "pay Caesar his Due, and ... let the Government do therewith as they judge best for the Good of the Country." Franklin may have printed this small broadside (which, in effect, urged that the Quakers in the assembly to vote money for a militia) at his own expense.
30 June, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 21. The Company met at the house of David Evans, with BF absent.
2 July, Wednesday, House met, recalled by governor; continued through 11 July. Gov. Thomas asked for money to prosecute the war (printed as Postscript to PG of 3 July and in AWM dated 3 July). He would turn away servants from Pennsylvania and other provinces who had come to enlist as soldiers if "a sufficient Bounty be immediately given for the Encouragement of Freeman" to enlist. Votes 3:2587-92. The 17 July PG published the assembly's proceedings for 2 through 11 July on raising money and men for the expedition against Cartagena.
3 July, Thursday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2592-93.
3 July (b). PG advertised as "Just Published," Josiah Smith, A Sermon of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 163; Evans 4601; Miller 209.
3 July (c). PG advertised, "SENEKA Rattlesnake Root to be sold at the Post-Office in Philadelphia, with Directions how to use it in the Pleurisy, &c."
4 July, Friday, House met at 10am. Adjourned to Monday. Votes 3:2593.
4 July (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
6 July, Sunday. Preaching in Philadelphia's Baptist Church, Ebenezer Kinnersley denounced excessive emotional zeal, leading to a hearing before a synod and his dismissal. Cf. 24 July, 14 and 28 Aug, 11 and 25 Sept, and 2 Oct. Lemay, Ebenezer Kinnersley 19-35.
7 July, Monday, House met at 10am. Rejected the governor's request for money to prosecute the war. "We have ever esteemed it our Duty to pay Tribute to Caesar, and yield Obedience to the Powers God hath set over us, so far as our conscientious Perswasions will permit; but we cannot preserve good Consciences, and come into the Levying of Money, and appropriating it to the Uses recommended to us in the Governor's Speech, because it is repugnant to the religious Principles professed by the greater Number of the present Assembly, who are of the People called Quakers." Votes 3:2593-94.
7 July (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.
8 July, Tuesday, House met at 10am. Governor requested they appropriate money for the use of the crown. Met again at 3pm and tentatively voted "a Sum of Money for the Use of the Crown." The vote was a tie, with Speaker Kinsey voting in its favor, but he was responsible for adjourning the Assembly, 11 July, thereby guaranteeing no action on the vote. Votes 3:2594. Since the government was enlisting servants as well as freemen, the assembly members believed that the money they raised should be sufficient to repay the masters for the loss of the servants. That amount of money would be considerable--but it was an amount that the assembly could not yet know.
9 July, Wednesday, House met at 3pm. Governor Thomas urged speedy action. Votes 3:2595. Governor's Proclamation concerning raising troops (printed in PG 10 Oct).
10 July, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2595.
11 July, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm; and again (a rare third meeting in a day) at 6pm. The House took no action, adjourning to 18 Aug, thereby abandoning its vote of 8 July. The governor, however, recalled the legislature on 28 July. Votes 3:2595-97.
11 July (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
14 July, Monday, attended Library Company directors' meeting.
17 July, Thursday, PG first used Caslon brevier type. At the same time, BF may have purchased his Caslon English type, though he did not use it in the Gazette until 18 Sept 1740. Cf. 4 May (b) 1738. Perhaps at this time, but definitely within a year, "Franklin added fonts of Caslon great primer and paragon, a smaller quantity of Caslon double pica, and an assortment of Caslon titling letter--two line long primer, two line pica, and French canon. His two line double pica and fine line pica, acquired about the same time, are for some unexplainable reason non-Caslon." Miller, "BF's Philadelphia Type" (1958):187.
18 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
18 July (b). South Carolina Gazette: "We hear by a private Letter from Philadelphia, that one Mr. Bolton, who formerly kept a a Dancing School, Ball, Assembly, Concert Room &c. there, being convicted that such a Practice was contrary to the Gospel of Christ, has lately set up a School for teaching Children to read, &c. and that upon his giving Notice that he would teach Negroes also, had in 23 Days no less than 53 Black Scholars. For this he was sent for and arraign'd in Court, as a Breaker of the Negro Law, but on making his Defence was dismiss'd. And the next Day order'd by the Foreman of the Grand Jury to continue his School without Interruption."
24 July, Thursday, BF printed "A Letter from Ebenezer Kinnersley to a Friend in the Country" as a postscript to PG (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 152; Evans 4542; Miller 196. Cf. 6 July and its references.
24 July (b). PG: BF's Statement of Editorial Policy, Postscript, p. 1:P 2:259-261; W 283-85.
25 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
28 July, Monday. Recalled again by the governor, the House met to 9 Aug. Votes 3:2597.
28 July (b), Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 22. "The Company met at the house of David Evans," with BF absent.
29 July, Tuesday, House met at 10am. Governor Thomas said he had raised seven companies of volunteers and emphasized the immediate necessity for funds. Speech in AWM 7 Aug. Votes 3:2597-2600.
30 July, Wednesday, House met at 3pm. Votes 3:2600.
31 July, Thursday, House met at 9am and refused to vote money until the servants who had joined the army were returned to the masters. Speech printed in AWM 7 Aug. Votes 3:2600. Met again at 3pm.
31 July (b). According to Richard Peters, Speaker Kinsey told Gov. Thomas that if the servants were not released, the assembly would petition the throne about the violation of English rights and property. Peters also reported that the assembly was hiring New York attorneys Joseph Murray and William Smith to come to Philadelphia to prosecute the captains who had enlisted the servants. Peters to Thomas Penn, 31 July; Peters Letterbook, PHi.
31 July (c). PG advertised: "Printed and Sold by B. Franklin." [A New and Complete Guide to the English Tongue] (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 154; Evans 4566; Miller 197. No copy known.
Post 31 July. New Jersey, Votes and Proceedings (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 155; Evans 4569; Miller 199. Miller notes that the Votes appear to have been printed weekly. The session ended 31 July.
July, 1740. Poem [by Joseph Breintnall] on Wild Raspberries in BF's hand with leaf impressions, 2p. LCP. Printed in Kenneth Silverman, Colonial American Poetry (NY: Hafner, 1968) 375-76.
1 Aug, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2604-05.
1 Aug (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
2 Aug, Saturday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Governor Thomas sent down strong message censuring the House for its hypocrisy and inaction. Printed in PG 7 Aug; in AWM 7 & 14 Aug. Votes 3:2605-11.
4 Aug, Monday, House met at 10am; again at 4pm. Asked again that servants be commanded to return. Votes 3:2611-12.
4 Aug (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.
5 Aug, Tuesday, House met at 10am and received another message from Governor Thomas urging action. Votes 3:2612-15.
5 Aug (b). Board of Trade issued instructions to Gov. George Thomas and other colonial governors not to pass any paper currency bills without a suspending clause. Labaree, Royal Instructions 1: no. 320. Cf. 25 April, 1740; 28 Aug; 3, 4, 5 Sept, 1753.
6 Aug, Wednesday, House met at 3pm. Thomas Penn sent message to House saying that quit-rents owed the proprietor could be put off until "after making due Provision for his Majesty's Forces." Printed in PG 7 Aug; in AWM 14 Aug. Votes 3:2615-16.
7 Aug, Thursday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm. Received a petition from a considerable number of merchants and other Philadelphians asking the House to comply with the King's request. "a Petition from divers Merchants & others inhabitants of ... Philadelphia ... presented by their Recorder [Andrew Hamilton]": asked for funds to prosecute the war, saying "We most sincerly wish that the inlisting of Servants had been timely prevented, which was very much in your Power to have done by .... giving a Bounty to encourage Freemen." Printed in AWM 14 Aug. (Cf. Hamilton's petition 4 June 1741.) The message to the House from the Council was also printed in the same AWM. Votes 3:2616-17. It's surprising that Franklin did not print the petition. Perhaps he was already thoroughly identified with it, so that his printing of it would have been regarded as unfair by the Quakers.
8 Aug, Friday, House met at 10am. Sent a long message to the governor. Printed in PG 14 Aug; in AWM 4 Sept. Votes 3:2617-27. Met again at 2pm; sent a message to the proprietor. Printed in PG 14 Aug. Votes 3:2627-29.
8 Aug (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
9 Aug, Saturday, House met at 9am; again at 2pm. Received address from Proprietor Thomas Penn. Four members of the Governor's Council attended the House and expressed their concern that the "King's Instructions are not yet complied with by the House." Votes 3:2630. Finally the House approved three thousand pounds Pennsylvania currency for the King's use, "Provided" that the money not be paid "until all the Servants now enlisted in the King's Service, within this Province, be returned to their respective Masters, free of all Charges." The House also approved a resolution: "That the Taking and Detaining of great Numbers of bought Servants from their Masters within this Province, under Pretence of enlisting them in the King's Service, is an unjust Invasion of the Properties of their Masters, a Discouragement to the Trade of importing white Servants, and a great Hurt and Grievance to the Inhabitants of the said Province" and appointed a committee to draw up a petition to the King, "praying Redress of the said Grievance." Printed in the PG 14 Aug. The House then adjourned to 25 Aug, despite the governor's protest that he needed time "to answer their late long Message." Votes 3:2630-31. Since the troops had already been raised and since it would require an additional several months (time that the governor did not have) to carry out the assembly's wishes, the assembly's demands were impractical. Gov. Thomas vetoed the grant. The troops departed a month later; see 18 Sept (b) and (c).
11 Aug, Monday, attended Library Company directors' meeting at the Widow Roberts. "Ordered that W. Coleman, H. Roberts, T. Hopkinson, & B. Franklin be a Committee to make & compleat a Catalogue of the Books belonging to the Library." Cf. 9 June.
14 Aug, Thursday, George Whitefield, Sermons, Vol II. BF announced in PG, that he would deliver second Vol of Sermons and Journals on "Monday next [i.e., Aug 18]." (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740); Campbell 182b; Evans 4650(2); Miller 223.
14 Aug (b). PG: George Whitefield, A Continuation of Rev. Mr. Whitefield's Journal. Vol II. "On Monday next the two last Volumes of the Reverend Mr. Whitefield's Works will be ready to be deliver'd to the Subscribers." (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 175a-b; Evans 4633; Miller 215.
14 Aug (c). PG: Seven members of a nine-member committee advertised that the Rev. Jenkin Jones had not maligned Kinnersley. Cf. 6 July.
15 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
22 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
25 Aug, Monday, House met as agreed. Votes 3:2631-32.
25 Aug (b), Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 22. "The Company met at the house of David Evans, with BF present. The Company ordered 54 new buckets from Obadiah Eldrige [Eldridge]."
26 Aug, Tuesday, House met at 10am; Governor Thomas replied to House, defending himself and censuring them. (Cf. 14 April.) Votes 3:2632-38.
28 Aug, Thursday, House met at 10am. Votes 3:2638.
28 Aug (b). PG advertised: A Collection of Charters ... Relating to ... Pa (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 142; Evans 4583; Miller 203. See Karu, Intellectual World, no. 28.
Hampton L. Carson wrote "Neither the engrossed original nor the certified copy from the Public Records of the Chancery in England disclose any subdivisions of the document [the Charter of Pennsylvania]. ... Benjamin Franklin, with his usual good sense, has subdivided it in intelligible and attractive form in his official publication in 1752 of the Votes of the House of Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania. Judicial opinions in their references since that time have generally followed this arrangement." PMHB 43 (1919):313. Franklin imposed divisions upon the charter in this printing, pp. 1-9; the 1752 printing, pp. xviii-xxiv, has the same divisions.
28 Aug (b). AWM advertised that Ebenezer Kinnersley's Second Letter (Philadelphia: Bradford, 1740) would be published "Next Wednesday," and the 4 Sept AWM announced it was "Just Published." Evans 4537.
29 Aug, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2638.
29 Aug (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
30 Aug, Saturday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm. Votes 3:2638-39.
1 Sept, Monday, House met at 10am. Votes 3:2639. "Paid Benjamin Franklin, for Paper, and other Materials for the Paper Money, 60.18.4." "Paid Benjamin Franklin for printing the Paper Money, 333.6.8." "Paid Thomas Leech for making and cutting the Stamps for Ditto [paper money]. 25.0.0." Votes 3:2641. "To Indian Treaties, allowed by the House last Year, amounting to 292.13.6." Votes 3:2644. "By Ditto [cash] paid for printing 300 Advertisements, containing the Heads of the said [Excise] Act." 3.5.0. Votes 3:2645. Note: accounts submitted 29 Aug; reported in minutes, 1 Sept. Cf. 12 Aug. The payment to Thomas Leech identifies the well-known Pennsylvania politician as the engraver not only of the cuts on the Pennsylvania paper currency issue of 10 Aug 1739, but also of the floral and animal cuts on all Delaware issues from 1 March 1734 through 1760. Newman 96, where the name "Leech" is given as the artist; personal letter, Newman to Lemay, 10 Jan 1994.
1 Sept (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.
2 Sept, Tuesday, House met at 9am. Long reply to the governor. Votes 3:2648-59. Met again at 3pm. Petition to the King signed by Speaker. "Resolved, That the present Agent for this Province at the Court of Great Britain be changed. Resolved, That Richard Partridge, Esq; be appointed Agent for this Province, at the Court of Great-Britain, in the Room of Ferdinando John Paris, Esq." Votes 3:2659-60.
The appointment of Richard Partridge as assembly agent was one more signal of an end to the comparatively good relations that had existed among the proprietors, the governor, the council, and the assembly. F. J. Paris had represented them all since 4 Feb 1731, but now the assembly wanted its own agent--not someone identified with the proprietors and the proprietary party. Cf. 26 Nov (b) 1741 for Partridge's purloining Gov. Thomas's letter to the Board of Trade and sending it to the assembly.
Since the former servants had departed for Cartagena before the petition could be presented to the king, the petition was impractical, and the new agent Richard Partridge never presented it. Wolff, Colonial Agency, 99-100.
3 Sept, Wednesday, House met at 8am; adjourned to 3pm. Declined to contribute anything further to the support of the governor this year. Adjourned to 30 Sept. Votes 3:1660-61. "To Benjamin Franklin, as Clerk of the House, and for Printing, 113.2.0." Votes 3:2662.
post 3 Sept Pennsylvania. Votes and Proceedings, 1739/40 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1739). Campbell 137; Evans 4411; Miller 177.
5 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
8 Sept, Monday, attended Library Company directors' meeting at the Widow Roberts. George Emlen, Jr., subscribed for his father's share. "Ordered, That James Morris, Thomas Hopkinson, & William Coleman wait on Mr. Allen & acquaint him that the Company desire William Alexander's Bond may be sued if it is not yet paid." For Alexander's bond, see 11 Sept 1738.
11 Sept Thursday. PG: "Shortly will be published" and never mentioned thereafter by that title in the PG: Some Remarks on Mr. Ebenezer Kinnersley's Two Letters to his Friend in the Country; together with a full Vindication of the Rev, Mr. Jones, Pastor, and the Committee of the Church under his Care. For the revised version of the title, see 25 Sept.
12 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
18 Sept, Thursday, PG first used Caslon English type. Cf. 17 July 1740 and 4 May 1738.
18 Sept (b). PG: "The seven Companies raised in this Province, are all embark'd; and 'tis said the Transports will fall down in a few Days. The Companies are all full, and the Men chearful and in good Heart. They were review'd by his Honour the Governor before they went on board, and perform'd their Exercise to Admiration."
18 Sept (c). AWM: "The latter End of last Week and the beginning of this, under the Personal Review of the Governor, Seven Companies of Troops raised here, Enmbark'd for the West-Indies, with such an Alacrity and Chearfulness as was scarce ever seen in the like number of new Levies before, to the great Concern and Amazement of some who had persuaded themselves, that the Expedition was Chimerical; and to the Pleasure and Satisfaction of all that had the Wellfare and Honour of the British Nation at Heart. It is remarkable these are the first Levies ever made in this flourishing Province: And that Hon Gentlemen who had the Conduct of the Affair, met with all the difficulties in the Execution of it, which the Art and Power of a weighty Body of People could lay in His way. It is no uncommon thing in these depraved Times to see Governors, for the sake of Power and Riches, abide the Reproaches and Clamours of the Representative Body of a People, and undergo the Pain and Anxiety of answering their Complaints at home. But for a Gentleman in that Station contrary to his own Interest, intirely unconcerned in any Power to be derived from it, merely from the dictates of Duty, Loyalty and Zeal for the Safety and Honour of our Mother Country and all its Dependants, bravely to encounter these Hardships, and in spight of them, without the expected Assistance of the Legislature, fulfill his Royal Masters Commands, is an Instance of Judgment, Resolution and Spirit that cannot be parallel'd in the Plantations. More, much more might be truly said upon the Occasion (but in the Place perhaps it will be esteemed Flattery) less could not without the highest Injustice to a deserving Character."
"*The eighth Company being raised in the Lower Counties, they embark at New-Castle."
18 Sept (d). John Thomson, An Essay upon Faith of Assurance (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Evans mp. 40214; Miller 213. BF charged Rev. John Thomson £18.2.4 for printing 1000 of his books on assurance (accounts, 18 Sept 1740).
19 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
ante 21 Sept, Sunday, William Dewsbury, A Sermon on the Important Doctrine of Regeneration (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 144; Evans 4501; Miller 186. BF sold copies on 21 Sept (see accounts).
25 Sept, Thursday, PG advertised as in press: The Querists, printed in the Year M,DCC,XL. [Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740]. Campbell 158; Evans 4586; Miller 206
25 Sept, Thursday, PG announced for publication "On Saturday next": A Letter to Mr. Ebenezer Kinnersley from his Friend in the Country (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740); Campbell 152; Evans 4542; Miller 196. Note: not extant; in 2 Oct PG as "Just Published."
25 Sept, Thursday, PG advertised Ralph Erskine, Gospel Sonnets (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 145; Evans 4506; Miller 187.
26 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
29 Sept, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 23. "The Company met at the house of David Evans," with BF absent.
1 Oct, Wednesday, annual elections in Pennsylvania. Essentially the same persons reelected, thus the electorate vindicated the assembly's intransigent stand. The voters by and large evidently agreed that government, by enlisting servants, violated citizens' property rights.
1 Oct (b). For Gov. Thomas's attempt to oust the Quaker party, see 25 July 1741.
2 Oct, Thursday. AWM: Printed election results, giving the actual numbers of votes from Philadelphia County. The PG merely gave the names of the winners.
3 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
6 Oct, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
10 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
13 Oct, Monday, attended Company directors' meeting at the Widow Roberts.
14 Oct, Tuesday. Assembly convenes. Elected John Kinsey Speaker "by a large Majority of Voices." Votes 3:2663.
15 Oct, Wednesday. House met at 10am. "Resolved, That Benjamin Franklin be appointed Clerk to this House for the ensuing Year." Stephen Potts, door-keeper. Met again at 4pm. Votes 3:2663-64.
16 Oct, Thursday, House met at 10am. Appointed Richard Partridge, agent; a committee of correspondence; and a committee of grievances. Met again at 3pm. "Ordered, that Thomas Leech, Isaac Norris, and Israel Pemberton, be a Committee to revise the Minuters before they are printed." Adjourned to 5 Jan, 1740/1. Votes 3:2664-65.
16 Oct (b). PG: "Just Published" The Querists, an Extract of Sundry Passages. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740); Campbell 158; Evans 4586; Miller 206.
16 Oct (c). AWM: "Just Published," Ebenezer Kinnersley, A Letter to the Rev. Mr. Jenkin Jones (Philadelphia: Bradford, 1740). Evans 4538. Not extant.
17 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
post 20 October. Gov. George Thomas, [Letter to the Board of Trade] My Lords ([Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740 or 1741]), dated 20 Oct 1740. Miller 212. Gov. Thomas said that he had tried to convince the leaders to elect persons who would vote to prosecute the war but that his efforts backfired. He felt that he had failed with the Quakers and asked to be replaced. "Starve him into Compliance, or into Silence, is the common Language both of the Assembly and People here, when a Governor refuses his Assent to a Bill." Thomas complained that in the past year, the assembly had paid only half his salary and that the members "give out that they will stop the Whole for the Time to come" until he complies with their wishes. Because Thomas's expressions were so strong, the letter was published as anti-proprietary party propaganda, probably shortly before the 1741 election. The Pennsylvania agent, Richard Partridge, secured a copy in London and sent it to Pennsylvania. Wolff 95.
24 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
27 Oct, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 23. No minutes for October.
30 Oct, Thursday. "On Thursday last being his Majesty's Birth Day, the Governor and Council, Mayor and Alderman of this City, with most of the principal Inhabitants, according to annual Custom, dined at the PROPRIETORS, where an elegant Entertainment was provided for them on two Tables of Thirty Coverts each." AWM 6 Nov.
31 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
3 Nov, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
ante 5 Nov. [Apprenticeship Bond] This Indenture (Philadelphia: Franklin, [1740]). Campbell 140; Miller 193. Filled out on 5 Nov.
5 Nov, Wednesday, Nephew James Franklin was officially apprenticed to BF. See Miller # 193 (just above). The apprenticeship bond was signed by James Franklin, Christopher Thompson, and Richard Ferguson. For the next seven years, young James Franklin (now age 10) lived with BF's family. P 2:2613.
6 Nov, Thursday, PG: George Whitefield, A Letter to Church-Members. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 181; Evans 4646; Miller 221.
6 Nov, Thursday, PG: at the Philadelphia fair [16 Nov], there would be available a Sheet Almanack for the Year 1741 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 139; Evans 4511; Miller 208. Not extant.
6 Nov (b). PG: at the Philadelphia fair [16 Nov], John Jerman, The American Almanack for the Year 1741 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 150; Evans 4535; Miller 194.
6 Nov (c). PG: at the Philadelphia fair [16 Nov], BF's Poor Richard Almanack for the Year 1741 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740); Campbell 162; Evans 4513; Miller 191. Sappenfield 101 speculated that some BF's sayings for 1741 were influenced by the controversy with Webbe and Bradford.
6 Nov (d). PG: at the Philadelphia fair [16 Nov], BF's Pocket Almanack for the Year 1741 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 161; Evans 4512; Miller 190. This was the first of BF's pocket almanacs.
6 Nov (e). In a long essay, AWM announced forthcoming publication (March 1741) of The American Magazine for 12s per year Pennsylvania currency.
7 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
8 Nov, Saturday. Whitefield reached Philadelphia about 8pm. Journals 489.
9 Nov, Sunday, Whitefield preached for the first time in the unfinished "New Building," the nondenominational meeting house erected after local ministers closed their pulpits to Whitefield. "100 Feet long and 70 broad. The Roof is ready to put on, and the Whole in a short Time, we hope, will be finish'd." PG and AWM 13 Nov.
Whitefield recorded: "Preached at eleven in the morning, to several thousands, in a house built for that purpose since my departure from Philadelphia. It is a hundred feet long, and seventy feet broad. A large gallery is to be erected all round it. Both in the morning and the evening, God's glory filled the house. It was never preached in before. The roof is not yet up, but the people raised a convenient pulpit, and boarded the bottom." Celebrated the conversion of Charles Brockden, who "has been very zealous to propagate his deistical, I could almost say atheistical principles." 490.
Franklin noted this passage and commented that deist and atheist "are diametrically opposite and not near of kin, as Mr. Whitefield seems to suppose where (in his Journal) he tells us, Mr. B[rockden] was a Deist, I had almost said an Atheist. That is, Chalk, I had almost said Charcoal" (16 October 1746).
10 Nov, Monday, attended Library Company directors' meeting at the Widow Roberts. Isaiah Warner, who had purchased John Syng's share, subscribed.
10 Nov (b). Whitefield recorded: "Preached morning and afternoon to very large congregations."
13 Nov, Thursday, PG: BF advertised his announced forthcoming General Magazine and Historical Chronicle (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740); Campbell 200a-f; Evans 4722; Miller 239.
BF undercut Bradford's 12p a copy by charging 9p and accused Andrew Bradford and John Webbe of stealing his plan for the first American magazine (P 2: 26369, 27083). BF repeated the advertisement until 11 Dec.
14 Nov, Friday. Trustees (not including BF) bought the property for the "New Building": The Trustees for the use of the building were George Whitefield, William Seward, Samuel Hazard, Robert Eastbourne, Charles Brockden, James Read, Thomas Noble, Edward Evans, and John Stephen Benezet. In addition, four trustees held the land and the building: Edmond Wooley, John Coates, John Howell, William Price. U of Pa Archives; Cheyney 24. Rothermund, Layman's Progress, 147. BF and Henry Antes became trustees as the result of an election (DATE??) after the deaths of William Seward and Thomas Noble. [When did they die?] Rothermund, 147, citing Moravian Archives (Bethlehem, Pa), box Pennsylvania Controversies. Cheyney 24n says that there was no basis for BF's statement (A118) that he was a trustee of the New Building.
14 Nov (b). probably attended Junto meeting.
15 Nov. Saturday. Whitefield in Philadelphia: "Preached twice every day this week, in the new house, one morning excepted, when I preached in Mr. C's [Archibald Cummings's Christ Church?] meeting-house, on account of the snow." Journals 491.
16 Nov. Sunday. Whitefield in Philadelphia: "Preached, both morning and evening, and collected both times about £105 sterling for the orphans." Journals 494. The following day he left Philadelphia.
17 Nov, Monday, John Webbe: The Detection. P 2:265. Printed in the 20 Nov AWM. Cf. 27 Nov. and 4 Dec. Discussed by Sappenfield 94-95.
21 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
24 Nov, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 23. "The Company met at the house of David Evans," with BF absent.
26 Nov, Wednesday, George Whitefield to BF, reprinted from A Select Collection of Letters of the late George Whitefield, M.A....(London, 1772), I, 226; P 2:269-70.
27 Nov, Thursday, PG Philadelphia news: "The Rev. Mr. Whitefield having taken up 5000 Acres of Land on the Forks of Delaware, in the Province of Pennsylvania, in order to erect a Negroe School there, and to settle a Town thereon with his Friends; all Persons who please to contribute to the said School, may pay their Contributions to Mr. Benezet, Merchant, in Philadelphia, Mr. Noble at New-York, Mr. Gilbert Tennent, in New-Brunswick, or the Printer of this Paper."
27 Nov (b). PG advertised as "Just Published," George Whitefield, Continuation of Journal from a few Days after his Arrival at Georgia to his second return thither from Pennsylvania (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 177; Evans 4636; Miller 217.
27 Nov (c). AWM: John Webbe: Defense Renewed, Cf. 20 Nov and 4 Dec. P 2:270-73.
28 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
1 Dec, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
4 Dec, Thursday, PG printed Whitefield's letter concerning the building erected for him to preach in: "The House is intended for publick Worship, and a Charity School: None but orthodox experimental Ministers are to preach in it, and such are to have free Liberty, of whatever Denomination." Cf. A 87-88.
4 Dec (b). AWM: John Webbe charged that BF would not let the postcarriers take Bradford's papers. Cf. 20 Nov, 11 Dec.
5 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
8 Dec, Monday, attended Library Company directors' meeting at Widow Roberts. "Agreed that B. Franklin get made a Dozen of Sheep skin Covers or Cases for Folio Books to be put on them when they are lent out."
11 Dec, Thursday, PG: "The Postmaster and the Mercury." P 2:275-76. BF replied to 4 Dec charges of denying Andrew Bradford use of mails. Cf. 5 Oct 1737. Discussed by Sappenfield 97.
12 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
18 Dec, Thursday. PG and AWM: Poem on George Whitefield's preaching at the New Building. Calendar 582, 584.
18 Dec. (b). AWM Postscript: John Webbe: The Postmaster and the Mercury. P 2: 277-81.
19 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
26 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
29 Dec, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 23-24: "The Company met at the house of David Evans," with BF absent. George House dropped his membership in the company.
c. Dec, designed Pennsylvania fireplace ("Franklin stove"), in winter of 174041 (P 2: 419, say the winter of 173940, but the editors evidently miscount "four Winters past"). By 5 Feb 1741, he was advertising an early version for sale. If he had invented the improved stove the previous winter, he would have been selling it in Oct, Nov, and Dec of this winter--rather than at the end of the winter.
c. 1740-57? BF. List of eleven Books. MB, 1p. BFPAPERS file 25893.
c. 1740. "Constant Reader, A.B." to BF, 3p. APS. Hays. BFPAPERS file 14984. Letter satirizing some ministers but concluding with a religious turn. Transcription read at BFPAPERS. Not especially well-written. Not by BF.
c. 1740. Thomas Penn to T. Jackson, 4p. PU. BFPapers file 23816. Hays 4:480. (incomplete trans. at DLC. file 12851).
Three Franklin 1740 imprints lack a more specific date:
1. David Evans, A Short Plain Help for Parents. Second Edition (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Evans mp. 11220; Miller 188. Reprinting of 1732 edition (Miller 51) which Evans paid for (accounts date??).
2. Job Noble, An Alarm Sounded (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 156; Evans 4581; Miller 200.
3. Isaac Watts, tr.The Psalms of David... The Thirteenth Edition (Philadelphia: Franklin: 1740). See Keith Arbour, "Corrigendum to Miller: Benjamin Franklin's 1740 Edition of Watts's Psalms of David," PBSA 90 (1996):497-501.
Five Franklin imprints from the 1740s lack a more specific date:
1. Sir Matthew Hale, The Sum of Religion Sold by Benjamin Lay, Philadelphia. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 174-). Bristol 1083; Evans mp. 40411; Miller 181.
2. Mrs. Janet Hamilton, An Account of the Particular Soliloquies and Covenant Engagement [no imprint]. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 174-). Miller 182.
3. Library Co. of Philadelphia. Book Labels. Philadelphia: Franklin, 174-).PMHB LXXVIII (1954), 6 (Types B,C,D), Miller 183.
4. Bills of Lading Shipped in good Order and well-conditioned. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 174-). Campbell 477; Miller 184.
5. Some Necessary Precautions [no imprint]. Set of caveats for voters. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 174-); Evans-Bristol 11219; Miller 185.
An alphabetical list of BF's 1740 Whitefield imprints:
A Brief and General Account of the First Part of his Life. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 174; Evans 4626; Miller 214. Though chronologically first, this was probably printed near the end of the 1740.
Continuation of Journal during the Time he was detained in England by the Embargo. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 175a-b.; Evans 4633; Miller 215. Advertised 14 Aug.
Continuation of Journal during the Time he was ... in England (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Miller 215a. Same as Miller 215, but with a rubricated title page.
Continuation of Journal from Embarking after the Embargo to Arrival at Savannah (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 176; Evans 4634; Miller 216. Probably printed shortly after 14 Aug; a second impression of Miller 215.
Continuation of Journal from Georgia to his Second Return thither from Pennsylvania (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 177; Evans 4636; Miller 217. Advertised 27 Nov.
Journal of a Voyage from Gibraltar to Georgia (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 179; Miller 218. Advertised 22 May.
Journal of a Voyage from London to Gibraltar (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 178; Evans 4630; Evans-Bristol 1116; Miller 219. Advertised 22 May.
A Letter to a Friend in London (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 180; Evans 4643; Miller 220. Advertised 8 May.
A Letter to some Church-Members of the Presbyterian Persuasion. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 181; Evans 4646; Miller 221. Advertised 6 Nov.
Sermons. Volume I. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 182a; Evans 4650(1); Miller 222. Advertised 22 May.
Sermons. Volume II. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1740). Campbell 182b; Evans 4650(2); Miller 223. Advertised 14 Aug.
Three Letters from the Rev. Mr. Whitefield (Philadelphia: Franklin,
1740). Campbell 183; Evans 4651; Miller 224. See 10 April.