Personal: William Franklin's small bay mare strayed (17 June). The Franklins evidently had a slave (or possibly a servant) named Joseph for a period in 1742 (see account with the hatter Charles Moore, at year-end).
Business: BF sponsored his journeyman James Parker as his printing partner in New York (20 Feb). Lewis Evans evidently worked for BF during the year (9 March). The continuing Pennsylvania Assembly of 1741-42 met 4-16 Jan, 17-29 May, and 16-28 August. The assembly paid Franklin £50.0.0 toward printing the laws. The whole charge, £261, was approved, the balance to be paid upon delivery of the books. He was further paid £55.4.6 as clerk and for printing the votes (28 Aug). The new legislature of 1742-43 met 14 Oct to 6 Nov (the meeting was extraordinary, for the fall session normally lasted only two or three days).
C. W. Miller recorded that BF printed 44 imprints (nos. 272-315) in 1742. One was a job printing, seven were government printings, twenty-nine were paid for by others, and seven were published at Franklin's own risk. The job printing was a Notice of Quit-rent Due (12 Feb). For Pennsylvania he published the General Assembly's Message to the Governor (27 May) and The Assembly's Answer to Two Messages (27 August), as well as the Charters and Laws of Pennsylvania, which he had substantially completed by 28 August, but the extra copies of which he did not advertise until 25 August 1743. At the request of the Grand Jury, he printed Samuel Chew's rejoinder (post 20 Aug) to the Duck Creek Monthly Meeting of the Friends. Chew contended that Christians could take arms in self-defense, which many Friends did not believe. Since he agreed with Chew, BF may have printed this at his own risk. BF also printed A Letter from a Gentleman in Philadelphia (post 18 Sept) which attempted to "explain to the rural voters the technicalities in the law covering the tenure of trustees for the Loan Office." For the government of New Jersey he printed the Laws (post 4 Nov), the Votes 4: (post 25 Nov), and Governor Morris' Speech to the Assembly (post 25 Nov).
BF printed a series of eight German items for the United Brethren: Authentische Relation and Authentische Nachricht, 3 Feb 1741/2; Zuverlässige Beschreibung, 3 March; Vierte General-Versamlung, 31 March; Gründliche An-und aufforderung, 15 April; Extract aus Unsers Conferenz-Schreibers ... April 6-7, 20 May; Extract aus des Conferenz-Schreibers ... June 2-3, post-3 June, and Also Sang inhrem Gotte aufm Throne, ante 7 June.
For Count Zinzendorf he printed a series of nine items. The first was a Latin letter, Ludovici a Thürenstein, Epistola ad bonos Pensilvaniae Cives (ante 24 Feb), when he promised an English version by Philip Reading at Oxford would shortly be published. Though the English version was again advertised in the PG on 17 March, it evidently appeared only in the 7 April PG. The second, B. Ludewigs Wahrer Bericht (21 March), was a pamphlet under the name Brother Ludwig. Third, 6 April, BF printed a short catechism, Kurzer Catechismus by Zinzendorf. The fourth, a second edition of the short catechism with Franklin's name on the imprint was, Miller speculated, brought out in the same year by "a printer in Germany" (Miller 310). Etliche zu dieser Zeit nicht unnütze Fragen, a series of answers to John Adam Grubar, was dated 21 April. Zinzendorf published a letter, Oratio (post 26 May), explaining and justifying his name change. On June 12, Zinzendorf replying to Johann Adam Grubar with Letzte Privat-Erklärung für Pennsylvania. To the Lutheran John Philip Boehm, Zinzendorf wrote Aufrichtige Nachricht ans Publicum (9 Sept). After being attacked by a group of New Side Presbyterians in Compendious Extracts, Zinzendorf replied with Diejenigen Anmerkungen (21 Oct), and an English version, The Remarks which the Author of the Compendious Extract (28 Oct). Franklin also printed an English translation of Zinzendorf's My Dear Fellow Traveller (28 Oct).
In addition to the religious imprints by the United Brethren and Count Zinzendorf, Franklin printed eight religious pamphlets for others: The Synod of Philadelphia and New York's An Examination and Refutation of Mr. Gilbert Tennent's Remarks (25 March); John Thomson, The Government of the Church of Christ (March). Samuel Blair, The Doctrine of Predestination (ante 4 May). Some Queries concerning the Operation of the Holy Spirit Answered (21 May?). Alexander Creaghead, A Discourse concerning the Covenants (May). [Rieth Church Controversy], Die Confusion von Tulpehocken (c. 1 Nov). And two imprints that I can not more specifically date: George Gillespy, A Letter to the Reverend Brethren of the Presbytery of New York and A Converse between Two Presbyterians of the Established Church, and Elder and a Preacher (see year-end).
For the Hand in Hand Fire Company, BF published its articles and a list of members (March). Joseph Grover of Jamaica hired him to print an almanac which probably carried tables for the West Indies (c. November). The weekly PG changed, 3 Feb, from a two-column format to a three-column format in order to print more per page. Franklin published an edition of Jonathan Edwards' The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God (29 April), Poor Richard's Almanack (2 Dec), a Pocket Almanack (14 Dec) Balls New Jersey Almanack (14 Dec), and , of course, the PG. The carrier's verses (30 Dec) were full of war news. BF also printed the first volume of an edition of Richardson's Pamela (see year-end), but he did not complete the second volume until 1744.
Activities and Social Life: BF's routines remained the same as in the last several years. He attended Library Company meetings on 11 Jan (b), 8 Feb, 15 March, 12 April, 3 (when he was elected director and was listed first) and 10 May, 14 June, 12 July, 9 Aug (probably), 13 Sept, 11 Oct, 8 Nov, and 13 Dec. He missed the 8 March meeting, along with his good friends Hugh Roberts and Philip Syng; perhaps they had some social obligation in common. He faithfully attended all but two meetings (28 June and 30 Aug) of the Union Fire Company. He was present on 25 Jan, 22 Feb, 29 March, 26 April, 31 May, 26 July, 27 Sept, 25 Oct, 29 Nov, and 27 Dec. The Union Fire Company continued to meet at David Evans, at the sign of the crown in Market Street near the Market (27 May 1731, 28 July 1737, and 18 Jan 1743) through 30 Aug. Then, on 27 Sept, it began meeting at Henry Pratt's tavern, at the sign of the Ship a Ground in Front Street.
Intellectual Interests: BF organized and publicized, 17 March, a project to sponsor Philadelphia botanist John Bartram's collecting trips.
Pennsylvania Politics: The second session of the 1741-42 Pennsylvania assembly met from 4 to 16 Jan; the third session from 17 to 29 May; and the fourth from 16 to 28 Aug. The 1741 petition to the crown signed by 265 prominent Pennsylvanians complained that the Quaker-controlled assembly was not protecting the province. The Privy Council, 18 Jan, referred it to a committee which, 19 Feb, referred the petition to the Board of Trade which discussed it, 9 and 30 March and 1 April. The London Quakers (7 April) asked for more time to reply. On 24 June, the Board heard the Quakers, and issued a report (8 July) criticizing the Pennsylvania assembly and asking Gov. Thomas to tell them what was necessary to put the province in a proper posture of defense. The Board of Trade's report alarmed the Assembly. See 11 May and 8 Sept 1743.
In the first session of the assembly for the year, the house and the governor quarreled over diseased immigrants who came into Philadelphia (5, 7, 8, and 16 Jan). Kinsey and the assembly suspended the governor's financial support, arguing that the fees he received from "Fines, Forfeitures, licensing Publick Houses, and other Perquisites of Government" amounted to nearly £1000 annually (16 Jan). Consequently, the governor resolved (18 May) to withhold approval of bills until after the assembly voted his salary. Customarily, provision would have been made for the Governor both at the end of the first session of the new year and at the end of the last session of the assembly for the year. The opposition between Governor George Thomas and the assembly climaxed in the election riot of 1 Oct, resulting in the thorough disgrace of the Proprietary party. On the other hand, the Pennsylvania Quakers were upset with the condemnation of their position in England both by the government and the influential English Friends (8 July). After the election of 1742, both sides had reason for compromise. The proprietors were especially unhappy that the popular rumors of an appeal to England for a Royal government in place of a Proprietary one had dramatically reduced quitrent payments. (Tully, "King George's War" 187-89.) The first session of the 1742-43 Pennsylvania assembly met from 14 Oct to 6 Nov--an extraordinarily long first meeting--because the assembly was investigating the Philadelphia election riot of 1 Oct.
Indian Affairs: One hundred and eighty-eight Indians arrived at Stenton on 28 June, then moved on to Philadelphia on 30 June, where additional Indians joined them. Onondaga chief Canasatego and Governor Thomas primarily conducted the treaty. Canasatego confirmed Pennsylvania's "Walking Purchase." The Indians had come for the rest of the payment for the treaty of 1736, but more important to the English colonists was the attitude of the Six Nations toward the English and the French. Canasatego pledged to support the English. Logan asked Conrad Weiser to ascertain from the Indians the numbers of their fighting men and which ones were loyal to the French and which to the English. The information was sent to Dr. John Fothergill who edited it and brought out a London edition of the treaty. (Boyd xxxii; CR 4:630). Canasatego demanded the governor of Maryland reply to the Six Nations' claim to land illegally settled upon, and he ordered the Delaware Indians to move from the Forks of the Delaware. (The Delawares resented Canasatego's order.) Though the treaty was successful for the English, the Pennsylvania Assembly was angry with Speaker John Kinsey for promising that the major cost of the treaty would be borne by the Assembly (Votes 4:2784-85, 2804-05).
Background: The Philadelpia privateersman Sibbald had two successful voyages (8 April and 21 Dec).
Writings: circa 1742, "I Sing My Plain Country Joan." Poor Richard for 1743.
Chronology:
1 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
4 Jan, Monday, House met through 16 Jan. Votes 4:2714.
4 Jan (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.
5 Jan, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Governor Thomas addressed the assembly on the need for a "Hospital or Pest-House" for those immigrants who arrived in Philadelphia with diseases (AWM 21 Jan and PG 27 Jan). The address continued the political battle which began 22 October, 1741, when the Governor's Council sent down resolutions claiming that the Assembly of 1740 had violated the prerogative power when it refused to pay Doctor Thomas Graeme for his professional visits to "all unhealthy Vessels coming to the Port of Philadelphia." The Council declared "that the present Mortality is chiefly owing to the Conduct of that Assembly, who, in Effect, discharged Doctor Graeme from so necessary a Duty, without even attempting to get his Place supplied by another; and thereby exposed the Health and Lives of the Inhabitants to imminent Danger." Votes 4:2713.
The Governor reminded the assembly that he had recommended the project "to the Assembly of [1738]." He wrote: "I very heartily wish, for the Sake of such Families, Inhabitants of this City, as suffered in the late Mortality by the loss of some who were their chief Support, and will therefore feel it for Years to come, and on Account of the Irish and German Strangers, that it had indeed been done so soon as the Circumstances of the Province did admit of it." He commented that he knew "some look with jealous Eyes upon the yearly Concourse of Germans to this Province." Votes 4:2714-17.
6 Jan, Wednesday, became 36.
6 Jan (b). House met at 10am. Votes 4:2717.
7 Jan, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Responding to the governor's message (21 Jan AWM and 27 Jan PG), the Assembly claimed that when the governor requested a hospital be built in 1738, the government could hardly afford it, yet the Assembly would now consider such a building if the governor would provide them with an estimate of the cost and if they would be allowed time to consult their constituents. The delegates quarreled with the claim that there were bigots among them: "Who they are that look with jealous Eyes on the Germans, the Governor has not been pleased to inform us, nor do we know. Nothing of the kind can justly be attributed to us, or any preceding Assembly, to our Knowledge." Votes 4:2717-19.
8 Jan, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. The governor charged the House with hypocrisy: "You express your Dissatisfaction that the Laws have been executed: that is, I suppose, that sick Passengers were not confined to the Ships. A former Assembly, however, composed of many of the same Members with the present, after the very same Measures taken, as to me, were pleased to tell me in their Address, 'That they had a grateful Sense of my Care putting in Execution the Law for sickly Vessels coming into this Government. ... If I do not stricly adhere to Form, in imputing to you what was done by the two preceding Assemblies, I hope you will excuse me; for as you are, Nine in Ten of you, the same Members, I know not yet how to separate your Actions from your Persons." He accused the Assembly of using his salary. "You have, I confess, been at some unusual Expence, but I cannot call it great, as you do, since Fifteen Hundred Pounds, out of the Twenty-five Hundred said to be expended, has been stopt out of my Support." He added "Either the Memories of some of your Body, who were Members in 1738, must have failed them very much, or their Sentiments of the importation of Foreigners are, for very substantial Reasons, much altered." He implied that since House members have benefitted from the "laboriously industrious people" (Votes 4:2719), they liked immigrants better when they were without jobs. Votes 4:2719-22. Printed in 27 Jan PG and 28 Jan AWM.
8 Jan (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
9 Jan Saturday. Joseph Hatton paid for a share (85) in the Library Company.
11 Jan, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 4:2722.
11 Jan (b), Attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts. Only Israel Pemberton, jr., and Joseph Stretch were absent. James Read was approved.
12 Jan, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2722-23.
13 Jan, Wednesday, House met at 10am. Votes 4:2723.
14 Jan, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2723.
15 Jan, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. The Assembly answered (printed in PG 3 Feb) the Governor's and Council's accusations of negligence (14 Sept 1741). The House claimed that Dr. Graeme's reports were not itemized and did not include the name of the ship or of its captain, making it difficult to assess the truth of his claims, and that there was some question of the authority to which he answered in making his reports. Responding to the Council's accusation that the House left Philadelphia without a doctor to perform the service of examining unhealthy vessels, the representatives noted that when Dr. Graeme made them aware that he wished to end his service, they appointed Doctor Zachary to his place, 22 August 1741. Nonetheless, the House paid Dr. Graeme for "Services done to August, 1741. This shews he did not look upon himself to be discharged at that Time; and this must also have been the sentiments of the Assembly, or they would not have paid his Account for those services." The House answered all seven of the Council's resolves (14 Sept 1741). Votes 4:2723-34.
15 Jan (c), probably attended Junto meeting.
16 Jan, Saturday, House met at 10am. Replied to governor (printed in PG 27 Jan and in the AWM 28 Jan), noting particularly "The Governor, indeed, is pleased to say, that we have stopped Fifteen Hundred Pounds, part of this unusual expence out of his Support: But he may remember, that since his Accession to the Government he hath received divers Sums of Money arising by Fines, Forfeitures, licensing Publick Houses, and other Perquisites of Government, amounting, from the best Judgment we can form, to near One Thousand Pounds per Annum, some of which he hath no Right to, and is double the yearly Sallary some of our former Governors received." The Assembly refused to pay him the usual £1000 or to pay the £400 from the previous year. Adjourned to 17 May. Votes 4:2734-39.
18 Jan, Monday. Privy Council referred the Pennsylvania petition to committee. Acts, PC 3: what page??
20 Jan, Thursday, PG advertised: "JUST came down from the Furnace, a fresh Parcel of IRON FIRE PLACES; to be sold at the Post-Office." P 2:355.
22 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
25 Jan, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 32: "The Company met at the house of David Evans except Samuel Coates, Benja Shoemaker, Richd Sewell, Wm Plumsted, Jno Dilwyn, Wm Cooper, Edwd Shippen, Saml Powell, Tho Loyd, Cha Willing, Tho Lawrence, Wm Bell, and Jos. Turner. The Companys present Stock being 13.5.6. received from James Morris per Stephen Armitt."
29 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
1 Feb, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
3 Feb, Wednesday, PG changed from two columns per page to three.(Cf. 4 Oct 1739.)
3 Feb (b). PG advertised, [United Brethren]. Authentische Relation von dem Anlass, Fortgang und Schlusse (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Arndt & Eck 34; Campbell 233a; Evans 5082(l); Miller 298. Also [United Brethren]. Authentische Nachricht von der Verhandlung und dem Verlass (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Arndt & Eck 35; Campbell 233b; Evans 5082(2); Miller 299.
5 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
8 Feb, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at Widow Roberts. Hugh Roberts and William Coleman were absent. Memo: On 18 Jan Andrew Hamilton, who bought Mr. Paxton's share, subscribed; and on 22 Jan, Thomas Bond, who purchased Charles Brockden's share, also subscribed.
12 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
12 Feb (b). Advertisement, Notice of Quit-Rent Payments due (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 230; Evans 5030; Miller 272. No copy extant. This imprint was reconstructed from the 24 Feb PG by Hildeburn (followed by Evans and Campbell) as printed by BF in a folio half-sheet.
18 Feb, Thursday. AWM: "On the Nature and Advantages of a Paper Currency." Evidently by John Webbe. Cf. 19 Jan 1743.
18 Feb (b): Thomas Burgess paid for a share (86) in the Library Company.
19 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
19 Feb (b). William Eversley paid for a share (87) in the Library Company.
19 Feb (c). Privy Council referred the Pennsylvania petition to the Board of Trade. Acts, PC 3: what page??
20 Feb, Saturday, sponsored employee James Parker as printing partner in New York. P 2:34145.
22 Feb, Monday. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 33. The Company met at the house of David Evans, with BF present.
Ante 24 Feb. PG: Announced that an English version would shortly be published of Zinzendorf, Ludovici a Thurenstein, Epistola ad bonos Pensilvaniae Cives (Philadelphia: Franklin, [1742]). Campbell 257; Evans 5106; Miller 312. Though the English version was again advertised in the PG on 17 March, it evidently appeared only in the 7 April PG.
24 Feb, Wednesday, PG advertised, "the whole Body of the New Castle Laws": Delaware. Laws of the Government (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 195; Evans 4707; Miller 232. See note in 1741 intro.
26 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
1 March, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
2 March, Tuesday. Joseph Morris paid for a share (88) in the Library Company.
3 March, Wednesday. BF printed detailed news article on a comet seen for the last week in Philadelphia, with citations from William Whiston (Lib Co. Catalogue, 45) and Dr. John Keill's Astronomical Lectures (Lib Co. Catalogue 24).
3 March (b) PG advertised: [United Brethren]. Zuverlassige Beschreibung der Dritten Conferenz (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Arndt & Eck 36; Campbell 233c; Evans 5082(3); Miller 300.
3 March (c). PG: Judge Samuel Chew replied to "a certain scurrilous abusive Paper entitled Some Remarks upon a late Speech Said to be made by Samuel Chew." Also printed in the AWM, 4 March.
4 March, Thursday. AWM: Printed brief note on comet; cf. 3 March (a).
5 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
8 March, Monday. BF, Hugh Roberts, Philip Syng, and Evan Morgan all missed the Library Company meeting at the Widow Roberts. Israel Pemberton reported that those members who had reservations about the charter now declared themselves satisfied.
9 March, Tuesday, BF's receipt to Isaac Harrison for five shillings "in full for the last Years News for the Use of B Franklin" per Lewis Evans. Evidently Lewis Evans signed in lieu of B. Franklin. On the same small piece of paper, Franklin signed that on May 11, 1744, he had received twenty shillings more, "being in full to the 9th of March last." On the verso, there is a notation under B. Franklin of 1.10.0 "to March 1747/" Logan Papers, v. 21, p. 2. PHi. BFPAPERS file 25358.
9 March (b). Board of Trade took up a petition from "divers merchants and other inhabitants of Pa, setting forth the defenceless condition of the said province, occasioned by the opposition of the Quakers." Board 8:10-11. Cf. 7 April, 24 June, 1742; and 11 May 1743.
10 March, Wednesday, PG noted: "We hear that a Subscription is on foot for the Encouragement of Mr. John Bartram, Botanist, to travel thro' the Province of New-York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland, in search of curious Vegetables, Fossils, &c. of all kinds; which 'tis hop'd will meet with Success, he being a Person exceedingly well qualified, for such an Employment. A more particular Account of the Design will be given in our next." P 2:355.
11 March, Thursday. AWM: News of a comet being seen.
12 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
15 March, Monday, attended Library Company directors' meeting at Widow Roberts to consider minor revisions to the charter. The directors agreed to meet next Saturday at the Library Room at 4 to consider several laws "for the good Government and Regulation of the Company."
16 March, Tuesday, Count Zinzendorf to BF, 2p. Printed Budingische Sammlung... 2:860-62. BFPAPERS file 0-1265. Printed in Johann Philip Fresenius, Bewahrte Nachrichten von Herrnhutischen Sachen (Frankfort/Main & Leipzig, 1747-48), III, iii, No. 23, 521-24; also in Budingische Sammlung einiger in die Kirchen Historie einschlagender sonderlich neuren Schriften (Budingen, 1742-44). vol 2, No. 13, 860-62. See Durnbaugh, 331, n.53.
17 March, Wednesday, BF wrote and publicized in PG a project to sponsor the Philadelphia botanist John Bartram's collecting trips for a three-year period. Bartram sent copies to his friends and possible subscribers. Berkeley, Bartram 188-89. Cf. 29 March 1741, 10 March 1742, and 11 June 1743.
19 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
21 March, Sunday, Jacob Weiss to BF, 1p. Printed in Fresenius, Nachrichten, No. 24, pp. 524-25; and in Budingische Sammlung v. 2, no. 14, 862-63. (BFPAPERS file 0-1266 gives date as 22 March.) Durnbaugh 331.
25 March, Thursday, BF printed news note on Benjamin Lay, "the Pythagorean-cynical-christian Philosopher, breaking "a large parcel of valuable China" in the market as a testimony against the vanity of tea-drinking. P 2:357.
25 March (b). PG advertised as "Just Published," John Thomson, The Government of the Church of Christ (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Miller 296. BF charged the Synod £37.13.10 for printing. (See accounts, 31 March and March 1742.)
25 March (c). PG advertised as "Just Published," SYNOD of Philadelphia and New York. An Examination and Refutation of Mr. Gilbert Tennent's Remarks (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Campbell 242; Evans 4946; Miller 295.
25 March (d). Library Company officially chartered. P 2:34548. Joseph Richardson paid for a share (89) in the Library Company.
25 March (f). AWM: Recruiting proclamation for soldiers in English and German. (Neither dated nor signed, but evidently by the governor.) In 31 March PG.
26 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
29 March, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes: The Company met at the house of David Evans, with BF present.
30 March, Board of Trade considered a petition from divers merchants and other inhabitants of Pennsylvania. Board 8:13.
31 March, Wednesday, PG printed German paraphrases of Scripture by the hermit John Kelpius. PMHB 17 (1893):27.
31 March (b). PG advertised as "Just Published," Isaac Watts, Psalms, 13th ed. Evidently not printed by BF.
31 March (c). PG advertised: Zinzendorf, B. Ludewigs Wahrer Bericht (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Arndt-Eck 43. Campbell 256; Evans 5102; Miller 306. Miller, followed by Arndt-Eck, mistakenly said that it was advertised in the 21 March PG.
31 March (d). PG advertised [United Brethren]. Vierte General-Versamlung der Kirche Gottes (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Arndt & Eck 34; Campbell 233d; Evans 5082(4); Miller 301.
March. BF printed Hand in Hand Fire Company. Articles of Agreement and List of Members (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Miller 283. See accounts, March 1742.
1 April, Thursday. Board of Trade discussed the military affairs of Pennsylvania with Ferdinando Paris, John Sharpe, and John and Thomas Penn.
2 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
5 April, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
post 6 April, BF printed a short catechism by N. Ludwig Zinzendorf, Kurzer Catechismus (John Bechtel, ed.) (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Arndt & Eck 41; Campbell 235; Evans 4889; Miller 309. Miller noted that BF printed the work in Roman letter set by his journeyman Henry Miller. C. William Miller also determined it was reprinted in Germany: Kurzer Catechismus, reset in fraktur. (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742); Campbell, p. 234 ftn., Evans 4889 ftn., Miller 310. The next year, BF printed Olaf Malander's translation of the text into Swedish (26 May 1743).
7 April, Wednesday. Board of Trade: Board agreed to postpone the consideration of the petition presented on 9 March in order to give the Quakers "a reasonable time to apply to the king in Council." Board 8:14. Cf. 18 Jan, 19 Feb, 9 and 30 March, 1 April, 24 June, 1742; and 11 May 1743.
8 April, Thursday, PG: Library Company advertisement: "The Library Company of Philadelphia, are desired to meet on Monday the third Day of May next, at nine o'Clock in the Morning, at the Library, to receive and accept the Charter granted to the said Company by the Hon. the Proprietaries. At the same time for the better Regulating the Affairs of the Company, it will be propos'd to them to pass the following Laws, viz. [Six laws follow.]
The Company is also desired to take Notice, that the same Day (as by the former Constitutions is appointed) is the Day for the Choice of Directors and Treasurer for the ensuing Year, and for making the Tenth annual Payment. By Order of the Directors. J. Breintnal, Secy."
8 April (b). PG: Report of the successful adventures of the Philadelphia privateersman, Captain John Sibbald.
9 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
12 April, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at Widow Roberts. Hugh Roberts and Israel Pemberton, jr., were absent. See 11 May 1741. On 13 March, William Peters, having purchased the share of Benjamin Eastburn, subscribed.
15 April, Thursday, PG advertised: [United Brethren]. Johann Adam Gruber Grundliche An-und aufforderung An Die (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Arndt & Eck 40; Campbell 255e; Evans 4964=5082(5); Miller 302.
16 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
post 21 April. Zinzendorf, Etliche zu dieser Zeit nicht unnutze Fragen (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Arndt & Eck 45; Campbell 258; Evans 5104; Miller 308. Zinzendorf dated the preface to this series of answers to John Adam Grubar, 21 April.
22 April, Thursday, BF printed obituary note on James Merrewether. P 2:357; W 293; cf. Canon pp. 61, 98. His niece became the first woman member of the Library Company (cf. 10 May).
23 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
26 April, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 33. The Company met at the house of David Evans, with BF present.
29 April, Thursday, PG advertised "Just Published," Jonathan Edwards, The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 241; Evans 4937; Miller 279.
30 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
3 May, Monday, Library Company: Acceptance of the Charter. P2:345-47. General meeting of the members of the Library Company to elect officers: Benjamin Franklin, Evan Morgan, Hugh Roberts, Philip Syng, Joseph Stretch, Thomas Hopkinson, Samuel Rhoads, John Jones, Jr., Samuel Morris, and Jacob Duche, directors. Also Joseph Breintnall and William Coleman, treasurer. John Jones, Jr., Samuel Morris, and Jacob Duche were new directors, replacing William Coleman, Phineas Bond, and Israel Pemberton. William Coleman, who had been the first treasurer (1731 to 1733) replaced James Morris, who served from 1734 to 1742. The same slate of officers was reelected in 1743, 1744, and 1745, though in 1743, BF did not have the most votes. Peter Collinson wrote that he had received William Alexander's bill of exchange for £41 sterling which was paid. This finally concluded the gift of Dr. Sydserfe to the Library Company; see 11 Sept 1738.
3 May (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.
Ante 4 May, Tuesday. Samuel Blair, The Doctrine of Predestination (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742) Campbell 236; Evans 4896; Miller 275. "Mr. Saits, Dutch bookbinder in Chestnut Street" was paid 16 shillings for binding "7 Doz S.B." See accounts, 4 May 1742.
4 May, Tuesday. George Mifflin paid for a share (90) in the Library Company.
7 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
10 May, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Library Room. "Ordered that Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Hopkinson, and William Coleman be a Committee to draw up an Address to the Proprietaries for the Charter, in Pursuance of the unanimous Resolve of the Company the 3rd Instant." At this meeting, the directors admitted the first woman to apply to the Library Company: "Agreed that Elizabeth North Niece & Devisee of James Merrewether (share no 71, 3 May 1736) deceased, be allowed to take out Books, conformable to the Rules of the Company." At the end of the meeting, "The Directors then went to the Widow Roberts to sup, where they remembered their Benefactors."
14 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
17 May, Monday, House met to 29 May. Votes 4:2739.
18 May, Tuesday, House met at 10am. Gov. Thomas's long address (printed in PG 3 June; in AWM 27 May) refuted point-by-point the 16 Jan accusations made by the Assembly. Thomas contested the Assembly's charges of thievery and usurpation of royal power. He granted that he received between 600 and 700 pounds in perquisites per year and ironically added, "And that I may do you some pleasure, I will own to you likewise that I have spent about £1,000 more than ever I received from both Governments [Pennsylvania and Delaware] in supporting the Character of a Governor which I was weak enough to think would be a Reputation to this Government in particular." He also accused the House of rabble-rousing and of sending false depositions with a petition to the King over his enlistment of servants for the militia. "Have the odious Insinuations and bitter Invectives thrown out against me, been of Use to convince the World of your Meekness and Moderation, or have they been for the Reputation of the religious Society of which you call yourselves Members?" Votes 4:2739-49; PA 4th series, 1:779. Met again at 3pm. Votes 4:2749.
19 May, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2749-50.
20 May, Thursday, House met at 10am. Votes 4:2750.
20 May (b). PG advertised, [United Brethren] Extract aus Unsers Conferenz-Schreibers (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Campbell 233f; Evans 5082(6); Miller 303.
21 May, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2750-51.
21 May (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
21 May (c). Some Queries concerning the Operation of the Holy Spirit Answered (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Campbell l65; Evans 4604; Miller 294. See accounts, 21 May.
24 May, Monday, House met at 3pm. Received a message from the Governor, wherein he informed the House that he will "take the Bills you laid before me into Consideration ... when you shall be pleased to remove all undue influence ... by paying me the accustomed Support for the Time past, which you stop'd." Votes 4:2751.
25 May, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2751.
26 May, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2751-52.
26 May (b). Count Zinzendorf formally renounced his rank and title before Gov. Thomas, Dr. Thomas Graeme, William Allen, Tench Francis, James Hamilton, Thomas Lawrence, Dr. Patrick Bard, William Peters, James Read, the Rev. Eneas Ross, the Rev. J. C. Pyrlaeus, John Stephen Benezet, John Sober, Graydon, Samuel McCall, Charles Willing, Benjamin Franklin, and Charles Brockden. Ref: PMHB 6 (1882):150.
post 26 May Wednesday, Franklin printed Zinzendorf's formal renunciation, Oratio [Philadelphia: Franklin, l742]. Campbell 255; Evans 5l07; Miller 314. See 26 May.
27 May, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Recorded speech to governor (printed separately and distributed with the 3 June PG; see next entry; also printed separately and distributed with the AWM, sometime after 27 May). The House acquitted themselves of the Governor's accusations of rabble-rousing and went on to condemn him again for enlisting servants in the militia. The representatives again remarked on his attempts to curtail their legislative power: "Among other Privileges we at present enjoy, the Assembly have the Right to sit on their own Adjournments; to dispose of the Publick Money; and the People called Quakers have Right, when duly elected, to sit in the Assembly. --All these Privileges, it is plain, from the Tenor of the Governor's Letter to the Lords for Trade and Plantations, he represented as inconsistent with his Majesty's Service; and left no Room to doubt, but that it was thus done to the Intent those Privileges should be taken from us." Votes 4:2752-63.
Post 27 May. Pennsylvania, A Message to the Governor from the Assembly. (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742); Campbell 245; Evans 5034; Miller 292.
28 May, Friday, House met at 10am. The governor responded (printed in PG 3 June) to the House's heightened attacks with a threat not to act on their measures: "I shall keep these, and any orders you shall think fit to present to me, under Advisement, until I see what Resolutions you shall come to for restoring the Publick Peace, Honour and Justice. If you fully do your Duty, nothing shall be wanting on my Part to render them effectual here, and agreeable to our Superiors in England." Met again at 3pm. Votes 4:2763-65.
28 May (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
29 May, Saturday, House met at 9am. The House replied (in PG 3 June.) to the governor: "We have Reason to know there are at this Time very pernicious Attempts on Foot, to deprive the Freemen of this Province of some of the most valuable Privileges they now enjoy. These Attempts we are firmly resolved vigorously to oppose, to the utmost of our Power; and if the Governor shall think fit to join his Assistance, against these mischievous Enterprizes, no Method, in our Opinion, can possibly be taken, which will more contribute to restore the publick Peace, Honour and Justice."
Adjourned to 16 August against the will of the Governor: "That as the Governor's Dislike of the proposed Adjournment arises only from his not having yet prepared an Answer to the former Message of the House, which the House is of Opinion might, if the Governor had thought fit, have been done by this Time ... the House adhere to the Time proposed. Votes 4: 2765-68.
31 May, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 34. The Company met at the house of David Evans, with BF absent.
31 May (b). Alexander Creaghead, A Discourse Concerning the Covenants (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742); Campbell 240; Evans 4924; Miller 278. See accounts, 31 May.
3 June, Thursday. PG: Franklin explained in a note that "This Bill is intended to give, in this Province, the Benefit of a late Act of Parliament for naturalizing foreign Protestants in America, to such Protestant Aliens as are not of the People called Quakers, and yet conscienciously scruple the taking of Oaths; of which sort of People it seems there are many among the Germans. It provides also, that Grants of Lands, &c. Heretofore made by Protestant Aliens, who have died without being naturalized, shall nevertheless be good and available in Law; and such Aliens having purchased Lands, &c. And died seized thereof, intestate; the Lands, &c. are nevertheless confirmed to their Widows, children, &c. In the same manner as if they had been born in this Province."
Edwin Wolf, 2nd, commented: "The distinctive feature of the Act, which admitted Jews as British subjects after seven years' residence in the colonies, was that it omitted the words 'upon the true Faith of a Christian,' and allowed the oath to be made on the Five Books of Moses." Wolf, Jews of Philadelphia 387, n.13. Franklin's note slightly misrepresented the act, probably deliberately. There is no doubt that he approved of admitting persons to citizenship without religious tests, but many persons only wanted to admit protestants to citizenship.
post 3 June. Printed United Brethren, Extract aus Unsers Conferenz-Schreibers ... June 2-3 ([Philadelphia]: Franklin, [1742]). Campbell 233g; Evans 5082 (7); Miller 304.
4 June, Friday, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
Ante 7 June. United Brethren. Also Sang Ihrem Gotte aufm Throne [Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742]. Arndt & Eck 32; Campbell 231; Evans 4875; Miller 297. Miller speculated that this was one of "several Dutch pamphlets" which Zinzendorf paid for, 7 June (accounts).
7 June (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.
10 June, Thursday, PG printed the Assembly's address to proprietors of 22 Oct 1741 asking that Gov. Thomas be replaced, and noted that the answer will be "in our next."
10 June (b). BF printed woodcut engraving to accompany advertisement of Alexander Miller, Peruke-Maker.
11 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
Post 12 June. Zinzendorf dated his reply to Johann Adam Grubar 12 June: Letzte Privat-Erklarung fur Pennsylvania (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Arndt & Eck 46; Campbell 259; Evans 5l05; Miller 311.
14 June, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at Widow Roberts. The address of thanks to the Proprietor drawn up by Franklin and others was read and approved.
17 June, Thursday. PG printed proprietors' answer, dated 2 March 1741/2. The proprietors justified the actions of Gov. Thomas, said that Quakers who could not support the wishes of the government should not accept seats in the house of representatives, and concluded by threatening that if the representatives did not make provisions for the defense, then it would be "done here" in England. Cf. 10 June.
17 June (b): PG: "STRAY'D, about two Months ago, from the Northern Liberties of this City, a small bay Mare, branded IW on the near Shoulder and Buttock. She being but little and barefooted, cannot be supposed to be gone far; therefore if any of the Town-Boys find her and bring her to the Subscriber, they shall, for their Trouble, have the Liberty to ride her when they please, from William Franklin. Philad. June 17. 1742." Repeated 24 June, and 1 July. BF had purchased a horse for his young son. It may be the same horse that was stolen five years later; see 6 Aug 1747. Evidently it strayed from the lot BF owned (31 July 1741)
18 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
21 June, Monday. Duck Creek Monthly meeting demanded Samuel Chew make a public retraction of his publication favoring defensive war or face dismissal. See Post 20 Aug and 18 Oct 1742. Cf. Post 21 Nov 1741.
24 June, Thursday. Board of Trade: "The Board heard what Mr. Bathhurst had to offer in behalf of the said petitioners [on the defenceless condition of Pa, "occasioned by the opposition of the Quakers"], and likewise Mr. Hume Campbell in behalf of the Assembly of Pennsylvania." Board 8:25. Cf. 9 March, 7 April, 8 July, 1742; and 11 May 1743.
25 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
28 June, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 34. "The Company met at the house of David Evans, with BF absent.
3. Ante 29 June. Joseph Morgan, The General Cause of All Hurtful Mistakes, a sermon (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1741). Campbell 203; Evans 4755; Miller 250. Morgan paid for printing 500 copies. Though just dated "1742," the entry is followed by "June 29. D[ebto]r for Edw[ar]ds Sermons." See accounts, Ante 29 June.
2 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
5 July, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
8 July, Thursday, William Bradford (nephew of Andrew Bradford) advertised in the PG that he had set up a new printing office in the house where his father formerly lived and that he intended to publish a weekly newspaper. BF began a series of accounts with William Bradford on 12 June 1742: APS BF85, vol. 66, fol. 78 (in accounts).
8 July (b). William Allen to Thomas Penn: we (the proprietary party) "are resolved to have another tryal ... this next election." He believed that "if we can secure the germans or divide them I believe we shall outnumber them."
8 July (c). Board of Trade: Issued a report criticizing the Pennsylvania Assembly. Board 8:27. For an abstract of the report, see 11 May 1743. Discussed by Wellenreuther, "Political Dilemma" 160; Root 284-86.
9 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
9 July (b). Richard Partridge, London, to John Kinsey. Sent a copy of the Board of Trade's report (8 July) criticizing the Pa assembly. Wellenreuther, "Political Dilemma" 160.
12 July, Monday. With William Peters, Conrad Weiser, and Lynford Lardner, BF witnessed Lingahonoa's agreement and signature in Philadelphia to Sasoonan's and other Schuylkill Indians' sale of lands a decade ago, 7 September 1732. Pa. Archives ser. 1, 1:344-46.
12 July (b). Attended meeting Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts's.
14 July, Wednesday. Jacob Shoemaker, jun, paid for a share (91) in the Library Company.
16 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
23 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
26 July, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 35. "The Company met at the house of David Evans, with BF present.
30 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
July, Directors of Library Company to Proprietors and Reply. P 2:347-48.
July, BF dated his MS book on heraldry "July 1742," probably the date he acquired it. APS, 24p. BF's interest in heraldry was part of his broader interest in symbols. See Lemay, "BF's American Aesthetics."
2 Aug, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
6 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
9 Aug, Monday, probably attended Library Company directors meeting but there was not a quorum.
12 Aug, Thursday, PG printed letters on the excessively emotional conduct of the Rev. James Davenport. Cf. 2 Sept, and 7 April 1743.
13 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
16 Aug, Monday, House met, continued through 28 Aug. Votes 4:2768-69.
17 Aug, Tuesday, House met at 10am. Governor Thomas rehearsed the representatives' efforts to discredit him to the people of the province, their illegal grant of three thousand pounds to the King, their "secret" petition to the King complaining of his enlistment of servants, etc. He would not consider the bills "until you have restored me ... the usual Allowance for my Trouble and Expence in the Administration of the Government for more than two Years past." Votes 4:2769-81; printed in PG 26 Aug. Met again at 3pm. Votes 4:2781.
18 Aug, Wednesday, House met at 3pm. Votes 4:2781.
19 Aug, Thursday, House met at 10am. Votes 4:2781-82.
20 Aug, Friday, House met at 10am. Demanded that governor act on the bills before it pay him (printed in PG 26 Aug, in AWM 2 Sept). Met again at 3pm. Votes 4:2782-83.
20 Aug (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
Post 20 Aug. Samuel Chew, The Speech delivered to the Grand-Jury, New Castle. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 238; Evans 4930; Miller 276. Chew delivered the speech on 20 Aug. Franklin's friend Jehu Curtis, Speaker of the Delaware assembly, was the jury foreman. Chew criticized the Duck Creek Monthly Meeting for threatening to expel him (21 June); cf. Post 21 Nov 1741.
23 Aug, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 4:2783.
24 Aug, Tuesday, House met at 10am. Received two messages from governor (the first in PG and in AWM 2 Sept). The Governor wrote: "When you shall be pleased to remove all undue Influence, and to restore me to that Right of using my own Judgment, which, as one Branch of the Legislative Body, I am intituled to, by paying me the accustomed Support for the Time past, which you stop'd, for my endeavouring to enforce the King's and the Proprietaries Instructions, I shall have it in my Power to shew by Actions, as well as Words, that I have a very real Regard for the Peace and Happiness of the Province." The second dealt with the Six Nations. Votes 4:2783-85. Met again at 3pm. Votes 4:2785.
25 Aug, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2785-86.
26 Aug, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2786.
26 Aug (b). PG: Count Zinzendorf replied to a pamphlet against him. Cf. 2 Sept AWM.
27 Aug, Friday, House met at 10am. Made a long reply to governor (printed in PG 2 Sept and separately, see next entry). After answering each of his accusations with their own regarding his intentions, the House determined: "If the Governor had shewn that Regard to the Liberties of the People of this Province they had Reason to expect, and had proceeded on the Bills before him, as former Governors have done, he may assure himself we should have made a suitable Provision for him: And since he has not thought fit to come into these Measures, what remains for us to do, is to give the necessary Dispatch to so much of the Publick Business yet undone, which is in our Power, and adjourn to the End of the Year." Votes 4:2786-2803. Met again at 3pm. Votes 4:2803-05.
27 Aug (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
Post 27 Aug. The Assembly's Answer to Two Messages from Gov. Thomas (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742) Evans-Bristol ll83; STE 40284; Miller 291.
28 Aug, Saturday, House met at 10am; again at 2pm. Votes 4:2805. "Paid Benjamin Franklin, towards printing the Laws, 50.0.0. Votes 4:2808. "To Ditto paid Benjamin Franklin, in full of his Account, 50.7.0. Votes 4:2810. "Benjamin Franklin's Account for printing the whole Body of Laws of this Province, and binding the same, amounting to Two Hundred and Sixty-one Pounds, was read and allowed; and ordered, that an Order be drawn and signed by the Speaker, for the Payment of the Ballance of the said Account, upon the Delivery of the Work." Votes 4:2814. See 25 Aug 1743. "To Benjamin Franklin, as Clerk of the House, and for printing the Votes, &c. 55.4.6." Votes 4:2816. "To Ditto [BF], the Ballance of his Account for printing and binding the Body of Laws for the Publick, 211.0.0." Votes 4:2816.
Miller 288 believed that since BF charged the bookbinder Joseph Goodrich 0.8.6 for binding materials for 100 laws on 12 March 1742/3 (accounts), BF did not finish the printing until the spring of 1743. There could, however, have been additional copies that BF sold, in addition to those paid for by the Assembly. I might note that on 13 Sept 1742 BF reported to the Library Company that the Charter and Laws were not yet finished. Since at least five bookbinders bound some copies of the book, it is possible that Franklin finished printing it in 1742 and then distributed the copies paid for by the Pennsylvania Assembly, only advertising the book after he had the remaining copies bound.
30 Aug, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 35. "The Company met at the house of David Evans, with BF absent.
2 Sept, Thursday, PG first used Caslon black letter brevier, thus completing the series of purchases of new Caslon types begun on 4 May 1738. These were the last new types BF purchased before turning over his equipment to his partner David Hall in 1748. Miller, "Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia Type" (1958):187.
2 Sept (b). PG: letter by Rev. David Evans on the Davenport controversy. Cf. 12 Aug, and 7 April 1743.
2 Sept (c). AWM: "Remarks upon Count Zinzendorf's MEMORANDUM, inserted in the PG, Numb. 715" (26 Aug).
3 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
6 Sept, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
9 Sept, Thursday, PG advertised Zinzendorf, Aufrichtige Nachricht Ans Publicum (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Arndt & Eck 42; Campbell 246; Evans 50l3; Miller 305.
10 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
13 Sept, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts. "B. Franklin acquainted his Brethren that the new Law Book which the Assembly employed him in printing, was nearly finished, and that their Honours had ordered him to deposit one of them in the Library."
16 Sept, Thursday, PG ad: "An honest and diligent Person, that is capable of building a good Paper-Mill, and another that understands the Making of Paper, are wanted to undertake and carry on that Business in a neighbouring Colony. Any such Persons that want Employment, will meet with a Person who will give good Encouragement, if they apply to the Printer of this Paper on the 25th Instant." Repeated on 23 Sept (the latter advertisement cited by Eddy and by Hunter). Johan Conrad Shütz, a German papermaker, responded and with a carpenter set up a papermill for William Parks in Williamsburg. Since BF shipped rags to Parks on 30 March 1743 (accounts), the mill was probably ready or nearly ready to produce paper at that date. (Eddy, Account Books 2:102-04; Dard Hunter, Papermaking in Pioneer America, pp. 42-45.) Cf. 25 Sept.
16 Sept (b). PG: Ad signed by a large number of merchants who intended to fix the rate of exchange of Pennsylvania currency against the other standard circulating currencies.
17 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
post 18 Sept. Date on A Letter from a Gentleman in Philadelphia to his friend in the Country (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 244; Evans 4987; Miller 284.
20 Sept, Monday, Jacob Spicer to BF. P2:349-50.
Ante 23 Sept. To the Freeholders of the Province of Pennsylvania. [Philadelphia: Bradford, 1742]. Evans 5075. Questioned why the minutes and especially the accounts of the last session of assembly had not been published. See BF's reply, next.
23 Sept, Thursday, PG: BF's "Card to the Public." P 2:350-51. BF answered that the minutes were little "enquired after" and that he was trying first to finish the Collection of all the Laws of Pennsylvania.
23 Sept (b). PG advertised as "Just Published," Isaac Watts, Hymns and Spiritual Songs Fifteenth Ed. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 253; Evans 5087; Evans-Bristol 1163; STE 40266; Miller 266. Ad repeated for next several papers; Miller noted the one on 14 Oct. See Miller for an explanation of the 1741 date.
Post 23 Sept. Votes and Proceedings (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 219; Evans 4785; Miller 257.
24 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
25 September, Franklin and William Parks evidently interviewed the paper makers and carpenters. Cf. 16 Sept.
27 Sept, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 35-6. "The Company met at Henry Pratt's with BF present. Hugh Roberts paid out 4.10.0. for: To Anthony Nicholas for 24 Firehooks, 2.15.6; To Joshua Ash for 24 poles at 6d, 0.12.0; to hauling the poles, 0.1.0; To Charles Brockden[?] for shaving 24 poles and fixing the firehooks, 6d; To Samuel Johnson for painting the poles, 0.10.0; To John Rouse for stamping the hooks, 0.3.6.
1 Oct, Friday, annual election. In Philadelphia, the voters "were violently assaulted by a great Number of Seamen, collected from several Ships in this Port, armed with Clubs, and other dangerous Weapons; who with great Fury drove many from the Place of Election, beating and wounding great Numbers of the Freemen, to the Peril of their Lives, not sparing those few good Magistrates who used their Endeavours to preserve the Peace, and suppress the Rioters." Votes 4:2819-20. See especially Votes 4:2828-30. The use of the sailors and the resulting riot disgraced the proprietary party.
1 Oct (b). Richard Peters wrote to the Proprietors that a band of sailors attacked the crowd assembled at the Court house, knocking down all the persons they encountered. Then the sailors dispersed, only to reappear to attack "500 Dutch and others, knock'd all down that were upon the stairs and laid ab't 'em in the most shocking manner eye ever beheld." But the Germans rallied, charged the sailors, and routed them. (Thayer, 18-19.)
Peters wrote concerning Susanna Wright: "Could any one believe that Susy cou'd act so unbecoming and unfemale a part as to be employ'd in copying such infamous stuff [a political letter sent to every Presbyterian congregation in the county] and to take her stand as she did at Lancasr in the upper room in a publick House and to have a ladder erected to the window and there distribute lies and tickets all the day of the Eleccion?"--Peters Letter Book, 17 Nov. 1742. (Tully, "Ethnicity," 498-99.) For the election riot, see Cohen and Parsons.
1 Oct (c), Junto meeting probably cancelled.
4 Oct, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
7 Oct, Thursday, PG, after recording the election results, reported: "At this Election there was a greater Number of Votes, in all the Counties of this Province, than have appear'd for several Years past: And (except in Bucks County) the Majority in favour of the old Assembly was extraordinary. In Lancaster County the highest Number for the new Candidates was 362, the old had 1480: In Chester the highest for the new was 99, the old 961: In Philadelphia County the highest for the new was 336, the old 1790." BF gave an excellent news report of the election day fights. P 2:363-64.
8 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
11 Oct, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at Widow Roberts. Since some of the glasses of the air pump had been broken but no one knew how or why, it was ordered, "That B. Franklin, T. Hopkinson, and S. Rhoads, have the Care & Management of the Air pump & what belongs to it, & the keeping the Key of the Press."
14 Oct, Thursday. Assembly convened. Unanimously elected John Kinsey, Speaker. Votes 4:2817. Remained in session until 6 Nov.
15 Oct, Friday, House met at 10am. Waited on the Governor at 12pm, at which time the speaker made "the usual Petitions" and the Governor responded with an uncharacteristic addition: "I have never hitherto invaded any of your Privileges. Those you have now mentioned seem essentially necessary to the Being of an Assembly; and you may be assured, that all such as you have a just Right to, shall be maintained by me inviolably." Votes 4:2818.
The House returned to their chamber and "Resolved, That Benjamin Franklin be Clerk of this House for the ensuing Year." Votes 4:2818-19. Met again at 3pm. "Ordered, That Thomas Leech, Isaac Norris, and Israel Pemberton, be a Committee to revise the Minutes before they are printed." Votes 4:2819.
15 Oct (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
16 Oct, Saturday, House met at 10am. Votes 4:2819. Petition from Philadelphia citizens complaining of being attacked on election day by sailors.
17 Oct, Sunday. R. Peters to Thomas Penn: "Samuel Blunston's Lies about your favouring a Militia with no other design than to use it for ejecting poor People out of their Possessions have put the People of Lancaster Co into such a Ferment" .... The political campaign letter was presumably composed by Susanna Wright and Blunston. Peters Letter Book, 1741-43, 28r-32v, 34r, PHi. L&L, Samuel Blunston, 2:228.
18 Oct, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 4:2820.
19 Oct, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2820.
20 Oct, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2821.
21 Oct, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2822.
21 Oct (b). PG advertised: N. Ludwig Zinzendorf. Diejenigen Anmerkungen (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Arndt & Eck 44; Evans 5l03; Miller 307. A reply to Compendious Extracts. For an English version, see 28 Oct.
22 Oct, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2822.
22 Oct (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
23 Oct, Saturday, House met at 10am. Votes 4:2823.
25 Oct, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 4:2823.
25 Oct (b), Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 36. The Company met at Henry Pratt with BF present. "The Company met propos'd to buy a Bill of Exchange of Twelve pounds sterling to send to London per first Ship to purchase a Fire Engine and Lloyd Zachary, Wm Parsons, & Hugh Roberts agreed to inform the absent Members thereof."
26 Oct, Tuesday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2823.
27 Oct, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2824.
28 Oct, Thursday, House met at 10am. Votes 4:2824.
28 Oct (b). PG advertised as "Lately Published in" German and shortly to be published in English, N. Ludwig Zinzendorf. The Remarks which the Author of the Compendious Extracts, etc. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 260; Evans 5l08; Miller 315. See above, 21 Oct. Franklin also printed an English translation of Zinzendorf's My Dear Fellow Traveller (28 Oct).
28 Oct (c). PG: Zinzendorf, My dear Fellow Traveler (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Campbell l53; Evans 4564; Miller 313. David Sisholtz advertised it in the PG along with a group of other Moravian pamphlets.
29 Oct, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2824-25.
29 Oct (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
30 Oct, Saturday, House met at 10am. Asked governor to have supreme court investigate the election day riots. Commended the actions of Thomas Lawrence, Thomas Griffitts, Samuel Preston, Anthony Morris, and Ralph Asheton for their efforts during the riots.
1 Nov, Monday, House met at 3pm.
1 Nov (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.
C. 1 Nov. Die Confusion Von Tulpehocken (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Arndt & Eck 33; Campbell 239; Evans 4919; Miller 277. Miller cited Ledger D, p. 324, as containing an account with Zinzendorf, dated 1 Nov 1742; but I do not find this reference among Zinzendorf's accounts.
2 Nov, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Address to governor described the attacks on the voters on 1 Oct, finding fault with the actions of the mayor (Clement Plumstead) and especially of the recorder (William Allen). Votes 4:2827-30.
3 Nov, Wednesday, House met at 3pm. Votes 4:2830-31.
4 Nov, Thursday, House met at 3pm. Votes 4:2831.
4 Nov (b). PG printed friendly messages between Governor Thomas and the Delaware assembly.
post 4 Nov. New Jersey, Laws for Sessions to Nov 4, 1741. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 247; Evans 5014; Miller 285.
5 Nov, Friday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2831.
5 Nov (b) probably attended Junto meeting.
6 Nov, Saturday, House met at 9am. Governor said that the Mayor's Court is responsible for maintaining order in the city. House asked that Clement Plumsted, late Mayor; William Allen, present recorder; Joseph Turner, alderman; Abraham Taylor, JP; and Septimus Robinson, JP, to appear at the assembly's next meeting to justify their conduct. "Resolved, That this House will at their next Sitting hear the Defence of the said Magistrates against the Charges aforesaid, if they shall desire it; and will also examine any Witnesses they shall think fit to produce in their Vindication. And it is Ordered, That the Clerk [Benjamin Franklin] of this House do forthwith serve them with Copies of the foregoing Resolve."
Adjourned to 3 Jan. Votes 4:2832-35.
8 Nov, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts.
11 Nov, Thursday, PG advertised "will be speedily published," Benjamin Franklin, A Pocket Almanack for the Year 1743 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1743). Campbell 250; Evans 4955; Miller 280. Repeated 18 and 25 Nov; as published, 21 Dec.
11 Nov (b) PG advertised as "will be speedily published," Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack for the Year 1743 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 251; Evans 4956; Miller 281. Repeated 18 and 25 Nov; as "Just Published," 2 Dec. BF was late with Poor Richard this year.
11 Nov (c). PG advertised as "Now in the Press," William Ball, The New-Jersey Almanack for the Year 1743. Campbell 234; Evans 4885; Miller 274. Repeated 18 and 25 Nov. "Just published" on 14 Dec.
11 Nov (d). PG advertised "New Iron Fire-Places, large and small." P 2:364.
12 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
17 Nov, Wednesday. Gov. Thomas to John Penn: "The [Quaker] party here is too obstinate to be convinced or reformed by any thing that has or can come from the Lords of Trade or from the King, Himself; and as the leaders have long since laid aside all shame or regard for character, they would sacrifice the Proprietors, the province or their own Society to justify the dictates of their unbounded malice. These sons of humility expect a submission from all others, and though they talk of peace, it is very far from their hearts and I fear is not to be obtained with licking the dust off their feet." Penn Official Corres, PHi. Osgood 4:63-64.
17 Nov (b). R. Peters to Proprietors: Joseph Turner and John Sober, both proprietary partisans, were told they "should speak to the Ship Wrights & the Journeymen & that a number of these many of whom had votes should be got to attend on the Day of Election in order to thicken the appearance for the choice of Inspectors & to be ready if wantd to support the Trial for the Stairs." Quoted in Hohwald 82.
In effect Peters acknowledged that the Proprietary party arranged for the sailors to attack the voters on 1 Oct. Cf. PMHB 28:40.
19 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
20 Nov, Saturday. William Allen to Thomas Penn: "Except they [Quakers] Receive some Check from England I see no Possibility of having Peace or any Order in Government restored in the Province." Cf. 23 March 1740; 1 May 1755.
20 Nov (b). John Reynell to David Flexner. When the rioting sailors were brought to court, Mayor Plumstead released them with a warning and a fine of 20s each. Reynell letter book, PHi. Hohwald 78.
24 Nov, Wednesday. Andrew Bradford, BF's rival printer, died. His wife Cornelia continued the American Weekly Mercury until 1746.
25 Nov, Thursday. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg arrived in Philadelphia. Muhlenberg, Journals 65.
post 25 Nov. New Jersey, Minutes and Votes (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 248; Evans 5015; Miller 286.
post 25 Nov. Gov. Lewis Morris, Speech ... to the Assembly (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 273; Evans 5254; Miller 287. Advertised in PG 31 March 1743.
26 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
29 Nov, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 37. The Company met at Henry Pratt's with BF present. "The Company Present agreed to send to London for a Fire Engine of L12 sterling value & the Company's Stock at Present being insufficient, Benj. Franklin, John Armitt, John Dilwyn, Philip Syng, Stephen Armit, James Morris, Samuell Coates & William Bell each of them Lent the Company 5s & James Morris is added to the Committee formerly appointed and they are to Purchase a Bill of Excha of L13 sterling to be sent over for that Purpose."
c. Nov. Joseph Grover, Almanack for the Year 1743 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742?). Miller 273.
2 Dec, Thursday. William Bradford, nephew of Andrew Bradford, began the Pennsylvania Journal (hereafter PJ). Cf. 24 Nov.
2 Dec (b). AWM published with black border. Cornelia Bradford apologized for the omission of the last week's AWM because of the death of Andrew Bradford, 24 Nov., and announced she was continuing to print. Black borders continued on the paper through 4 Jan.
3 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
6 Dec, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
8 Dec, Wednesday. Postscript to PG of 8 Dec. contained a letter from Rev. David Evans attacking Gilbert Tennent and one from the Rev. Samuel Finley defending Tennent.
10 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
13 Dec, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts. "B. Franklin informed that John Bartram had presented some Stones, in which were Shells, & Impressions of Shell fish. ... B. Franklin acquainted the Directors that being lately at Stenton Mr. Logan expressed a Desire of seeing the Company's Charter & their Laws; & the Directors consented the Book should be sent him, belonging to the Library, in which the said Charter & Laws were recorded. ... Thomas Hopkinson informed that he with Mr. Franklin and Mr. Rhoads, had inspected the Air pump & its Apparatus, & taken an Account of the Glasses, &c. which he had ready to shew."
17 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
21 Dec, Tuesday. PG: Report that the Philadelphia privateersmen Captain John Sibbald and Commander William Dowell had taken Spanish prizes worth at least £90,000.
22 Dec, Wednesday. First entry in BF's Receipt Book, 1742-64, APS. Hays 3:555. P2:351-52. For a description, see accounts, introduction to 1742.
24 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
27 Dec, Monday. Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 35: "The Company met at Henry Pratt's except the following persons: Phillip Syng, William Parsons, William Plumsted, Edward Shippen, Saml Powell, Jun, George Emlin, William Bell, and Jos Turner. Joseph Turner for Neglecting to Serve as Clerk in his Turn is fin'd 5s which with the money paid into his hands makes 18.12.0, which money is now left in his hands. ... being desired by the Company to write to England for a fire Engine. One of the largest size thats made for Carrying between two persons, without wheels, a Suction pipe of Leather pipes."
C. 30 Dec. The Yearly Verses of the Printer's Lad, Jan l, l743 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 276; Evans 5274; Miller 290.
31 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
Three Franklin 1742 imprints lack a more specific date:
1. George Gillespy, A Letter to the Reverend Brethren of the Presbytery of New York (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 243; Evans 4520; Miller 282.
2. Samuel Richardson. Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded. Volume I, 5th Edition (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742). Campbell 304; Evans 5486; Evans-Bristol ll86; Miller 293. Cf. 11 Oct 1744.
3. A Converse between Two Presbyterians of the Established Church, an Elder and a Preacher. Philadelphia: B. Franklin, 1743. Not in Miller or Evans; copy at AAS.
About 1742, writes song "I Sing my Plain Country Joan." P 2: 35254; W 293-94. VD BF 148.
ca. 1742, supposedly wrote two Masonic songs, 5p. Printed: Mr. N***, Apologie pour l'Ordredes Francs-Macons. BFPAPERS file 0-1782. I see no reason to attribute these to BF.
1742: The Franklins evidently had a servant or slave named Joseph for
a period in 1742 (account with the hatter Charles Moore, dated only 1742).