Personal: On 14 May, BF published A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge (the founding document of the prototype of the American Philosophical Society), in time to take copies on his trip to Boston and New England, mid-May to early July. In Boston, he attended Archibald Spencer's lectures on natural philosophy (including electricity) and meetings of the Saint John's Lodge of Freemasons. He met Cadwallader Colden of New York, presumably in Connecticut. Colden became a favorite intellectual correspondent until the Stamp Act. After returning to Philadelphia in the summer, he began corresponding with William Strahan (10 July), who became BF's closest friend in England during his first agency there, 1757-62. BF's and Deborah's daughter Sarah ("Sally") was born 11 Sept and baptized in Christ Church 27 October. William Franklin continued studying with Alexander Annand at least until December.
Business: The continuing Pennsylvania Assembly of 1742-43 met 3 Jan-3 Feb, 2-4 May, and 1-13 Aug. Franklin was paid the remaining £211.0.0 for printing the complete laws and £154.6.4 as clerk and for printing the votes, etc. (13 Aug). The new legislature of 1743-44 met 14-15 Oct and 14 Nov to 8 Dec.
C. W. Miller recorded BF's printing 27 items (nos. 316-342) in 1743: five (possibly six) government printings, fourteen printings for private individuals or organizations, and eight publishing ventures at his own risk. For Pennsylvania he printed a Bill for the better Regulating the Night Watch (post 11 August), and the Votes (advertised 15 Sept). Pennsylvania probably also paid him to print an Indian Treaty (10 March). For New Jersey he printed the Laws and Governor Morris's speech to the House (both post 10 Dec), and at the request of Andrew Johnston, Speaker, Extracts from the Minutes and Votes of the House of Assembly ... Also the Governor's Speech (post 25 Nov). These were his last jobs as official printer for New Jersey. On 12 Oct, the New Jersey Assembly voted to have William Bradford print their minutes.
For Count Zinzendorf, he printed Every Man's Right to Live, translated from German into English by Olaf Malander, a printer working for BF (26 May); for the Star Fire Company, its Articles (5 July); for Alexander Creaghead two items: his Reasons [for] Receding from the Present Judicatures (post 15 Sept) and A Renewal of the Covenants, National and Solemn League, A Confession of Sins, and Engagement of Duties (11 Nov); for the Baptist Association, A Confession of Faith (post 25 Sept); and for the Union Fire Company, Articles (31 Oct). For others, he printed The Papist's Curses, or a Vindication of the Roman Catholics (3 Nov) and Samuel Finley's Clear Light put out in obscure Darkness (19 Nov).
In addition, five 1743 imprints lack a more specific date: A Dialogue between Two Countrymen who met at Brunswick; William Guthry's A Sermon Preached at Finnick; The Note-Maker Noted ... A Full Answer to Some Notes and Observations Upon the Votes of the House of Assembly ... of New Jersey; an edition of Increase Mather's Soul-Saving Gospel Truths; and for Count Zinzendorf, a catechism translated into Swedish by Olaf Malander (see year-end for all five).
Besides the weekly PG and the "carrier's verses" (c. 30 Dec), Franklin published John Hancock's criticism of Gilbert Tennent (see discussion of debate in 1741 and Miller 263) entitled The Examiner, or Gilbert Against Tennent signed with "Philalethes" (12 May); his own Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge among the British Plantations in America (14 May); Poor Richard's Almanack (10 Nov) and another edition (post 10 Nov); the Pocket Almanack (15 Dec); and volume II of Richardson's Pamela (though dated 1743, not advertised until 11 Oct 1744). Franklin's name also appears with "sold by" on the imprint for the Boston American Magazine (15 Dec).
Activities and Social Life: The routines continued the same as in the past several years. BF missed one meeting of the Library Company directors, 13 June, while visiting New England. At the annual election, 2 May, he is listed second; evidently Thomas Hopkinson had the most votes. No attendance was taken on 12 September, when the meeting lacked a quorum. Franklin attended Library Company directors meetings of 10 Jan, 14 Feb, 14 March, 11 April, 28 April, 2 and 9 May, 11 July, 8 Aug, 10 and 25 Oct, 14 Nov, and 12 Dec. His attendance at the Union Fire Company meetings was uneven. He was present six times (31 Jan, 28 Feb, 25 July, 29 Aug, 31 Oct, and 26 Dec) and absent six (28 March, 25 April, 30 May, 27 June, 26 Sept, and 28 Nov).
Intellectual Interests: Before journeying to New England, Franklin wrote and published A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge Among the British Plantations in America (14 May). Surprisingly, no evidence exists that Franklin showed it to anyone on his trip. In 1744, however, he did start the American Philosophical Society. In Boston, BF attended Archibald Spencer's lectures in natural philosophy which interested him in electricity. On 21 Oct, Friday, at 9pm, a great storm prevented Franklin's intended observation of an eclipse of the moon. But when Franklin received the northern papers, he saw that the eclipse had been observed in Boston and other places to the northeast. He had earlier traced the course of thunderstorms (25 Sept 1734), but he now gathered data on the progress of hurricanes and found that they all moved up from the southeast. His interest in medicine caused him to send a letter to the editor of the Boston American Magazine and Historical Chronicle suggesting that the epidemic sore throat (diphtheria) in Boston was similar to that described by Joseph Pitton de Tornefort in A Voyage into the Levant and wondering if the remedy used by the Greeks on Iona might be effective in Massachusetts (ante September).
Pennsylvania Politics: The second session of the 1742-43 Pennsylvania assembly met from 3 Jan to 3 Feb; the third session from 2 to 4 May; and the fourth from 1 to 13 Aug. A Junto project of about 1735, the Philadelphia nightly watch, finally became a public issue when the grand jury indicted the watch on 6 Jan. The Common Council took it up on 28 Jan; discussed it on 7 and 14 Feb; and asked the assembly to act on 2, 3, and 4 May. The assembly deliberated on the issue, 2 and 11 Aug, ordering BF on the latter date to print a bill and distribute it so that the citizens of Philadelphia could consider it.
The assembly paid Governor Thomas £1500 on 3 Feb (£500 in back salary and £1,000 for the current year) and six bills passed on that date. Subsequently Gov. Thomas appointed Speaker Kinsey Chief Justice (5 April). The Privy Council, 11 May 1743, concerning the 1741 petition to Great Britain of 265 Pennsylvanians against the assembly "for not putting the Province into a State of Defence," concluded that Gov. Thomas should "give his Opinion of what he shall judge necessary for putting the Province into a State or Defence." Reporting this result in the 8 Sept PG, Franklin editorialized: "This we take to be a soft way of closing the Affair, and that it will die; and we earnestly desire the Disputes between the Governor and Assembly may cease, and all former Animosities to be bury'd in Oblivion."
The Philadelphia privateersmen Captain John Sibbald and Commander William Dowell continued their successful exploits against Spanish shipping (4 Jan, 28 April, 6 Oct, and 9 Dec).
The first session of the 1743-44 Pennsylvania assembly met from 14 to 15 Oct; and the second session from 14 Nov to 8 Dec.
Indian Affairs: A skirmish occurred between the Iroquois and Virginia settlers (24, 26 and 27 Jan, 2 Feb, 31 March, and 1 Sept). Conrad Weiser and Richard Peters asked John Kinsey to underwrite the cost of Governor Thomas's expenses to attend a treaty and to provide funds for the customary Indian presents. Kinsey induced the assembly to agree.
Writings: BF wrote as a Moravian on "What is True?" 24 Feb; A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge, 14 May; "An Apology for the Young Man in Goal, and in Shackles, for ravishing an old Woman of 85 at Whitemarsh, who had only one Eye, and that a red one," 15 Sept; "A Letter to the Editor" of the American Magazine and Historical Chronicle for October (ante 1 Sept); Poor Richard for 1744.
Chronology:
3 Jan, Monday, Assembly reconvened; continued through 3 Feb. Votes 4: 2834-35.
3 Jan (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.
3 Jan (c). New York partner James Parker started the New York Weekly Post-Boy.
4 Jan, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2835.
4 Jan (b). PG: News of Captain John Sibbald's and Commander William Dowell's successful raids against Spanish shipping.
5 Jan, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Speaker reported on "his Opinion of the Jurisdiction of the Mayor's Court in the City of Philadelphia. ... The Clerk [BF] reported, that in Obedience to the Order of the House at their last Sitting, he had served the several Magistrates of the City and County of Philadelphia, mentioned in the said Order, with Copies of the Resolve of the House, soon after the House adjourned." The representatives believed that the proprietary party magistrates had not discouraged the rowdies at the election riots, 1 Oct 1742. Votes 4: 2835-42.
5 Jan (b). "On Wednesday the 5th Instant, about Two in the Morning, a Fire broke out in Water-Street, at the Blockmaker's Shop, near the Rose and Crown; and the Chief Buildings thereabouts being Wood, it presently got to such a Head, that tho' no Industry was wanting, it could not be mastered till 6 or 7 Dwelling Houses, besides Stores, &c. were reduced to Ashes. William Clymer, Blockmaker, John Ryan, Merchant, Thomas Say, Sadler, Thomas Ingraham, Tavernkeeper, Robert Hopkins, Baker & others, were burnt out, and the Fire was so sudden, that some of them sav'd but very little, and others none of their Goods, (except Mr. Say, who sav'd almost every thing, by the Diligence of the Fire-Company of which he was a Member.) The Engines and Leather Buckets were of vast Service; a strong Party Wall, with a Battlement above the Roof, contributed very miuch to the Saving of Mr. Till's new House, and consequently the rest of the Row towards Market-Street, the Wind, tho' there was not much being that Way. ----Collections are making for the Sufferers, which we hear amount already to 7 or 8 hundred Pounds; one Gentleman have given 100 Pistoles, and others very considerable Sums." PG 13 Jan. BF helped fight the fire; cf. 27 Jan (c) and 2 Feb (d).
6 Jan, Thursday, became 37.
6 Jan (b). House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Remonstrance of Clement Plumsted, late Mayor, William Allen, Recorder, and Joseph Turner, alderman of Philadelphia. Also, Remonstrance of Abraham Taylor and Septimus Robinson. Votes 4: 2843-50.
6 Jan (c). Grand Jury returned a presentment to the mayor's court condemning the nightly watch. It was conducted "at a great expense and of very little service to the inhabitants." Moreover, the cost was "unequal and grievous to the poorer part of citizens." The grand jury suggested that a smaller sum could build a new watch house and support a regular watch "who for their pay would be more diligent and careful." Statutes at Large 4:514-25, Appendix XV, Section II. Franklin's Junto paper had made these same points about eight years previously; probably he or another member of the Junto was on the Grand Jury. A 101-02. Cf. Introduction; 9 Jan 1745.
7 Jan, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2851.
7 Jan (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
8 Jan, Saturday, House met at 10am. Governor Thomas reminded the assembly that it had paid him nothing for two years. Votes 4: 2851.
10 Jan, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 4: 2852.
10 Jan (b). Attended Library Company directors meeting at Widow Roberts. Joseph Shippen, who had purchased Thomas Clay's share (no. 66, Robert Bolton, 15 Dec 1735; to Thomas Clay, 10 March 1738; to Joseph Shippen, 14 Feb 1742/3); and admitting Thomas Burgess (no. 86, 18 Feb), and Mr. William Eversley (87, 19 Feb).
11 Jan, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. House in effect replied to the governor, if you approve the bills, we'll pay you. Votes 4: 2852-53.
12 Jan, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2853-54.
13 Jan, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2854.
13 Jan (b). PG reported news of fire, with BF's note: "The Engines and Leather buckets were of great service. ... We hear there are several New Companies erecting in Town for mutual Assistance in Case of Fire." P 2:389. Note: BF evidently helped fight the fire; cf. PG 27 Jan.
14 Jan, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2854-55.
14 Jan (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
15 Jan, Saturday, House met at 10am. Votes 4: 2855-56.
17 Jan, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 4: 2856.
18 Jan, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2856.
18 Jan (b). PG: "To be SOLD, A Likely Negro Boy, about 14 Years of Age, fit for Town or Country. Enquire of the Printer." Rep. 27 Jan.
19 Jan, Wednesday, House met at 10am. "A Petition from John Webbe, setting forth, That he hath bent his Thoughts to investigate into the Nature of Paper-Money, and hopes he has shewn it is not without a rational Foundation, tho' the Contrary has been asserted; and that the Faults it has been accompanied with, have not proceeded from the least Defect in the true Basis, but from a Misapprehension or Neglect of it, and consequently may be avoided for the future, as he thinks will appear on Perusual of the printed Piece annexed to the Petition." Cf. 24 Jan.
Perhaps the piece Webbe referred to was "An Essay towards explaining the Nature of Money in general, and of Paper Money in particular, with a Proposal for obviating the Inconveniences attending the fall in Value of the latter," which appeared in Webbe's American Magazine for March 1741, pp. 82-90. But see also the essay "On the Nature and Advantages of a Paper Currency" in the 18 Feb 1742 AWM.
One might contrast BF, who repeatedly wrote for the public good--and upon paper money--and never asked a reward for his efforts.
House met again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2856-57.
20 Jan, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2857-58.
21 Jan, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2858.
21 Jan (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
22 Jan, Saturday, House met at 9am. Votes 4: 2858-59.
24 Jan, Monday, House met at 3pm. The petition by John Webbe was "referred to further Consideration," thus killing it. Cf. 19 Jan. Votes 4: 2859. Thomas McKee, Indian trader, told Gov. Thomas and the Council of a skirmish between the Virginians and some Indians of the Six Nations. Colonial Records 4:630-33.
25 Jan, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Message from governor concerning Indian affairs. Votes 4: 2859-60. The Council asked Conrad Weiser to go to the Six Nations and reassure them of the friendship of Pennsylvania. Colonial Recoreds 4: 633-35.
26 Jan, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Reply to governor. Votes 4: 2860-61.
26 Jan (b). Gov. Thomas wrote Conrad Weiser concerning the skirmish on the Virginia frontier. Thomas requested that Weiser visit John Shikellamy to say that Pennsylvania wished "the Six Nations would ... endeavour to accomodate the matter with the Governor of Virginia in an amicable way ... I shall be glad to contribute all I can to bring it about." Boyd xxxv.
27 Jan, Thursday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2861-63.
27 Jan (b). PG: Good news story on hostilities between Indians and Virginians on the frontier. The Pennsylvanians, influential neutrals, would attempt to settle the dispute. The ultimate result was the Lancaster treaty (1744).
27 Jan (c). PG ad: "Lost at the late Fire [5 Jan] in Water-Street, two Leather Buckets, marked B. Franklin & Co. Whoever brings them to the Printer hereof, shall be satisfied for their Trouble." P 2: 389. Cf. 5 Jan (b) and 2 Feb (d).
28 Jan, Friday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2863.
28 Jan (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
28 Jan (c). At a common council held for the City of Philadelphia, "The Mayor laid before the Board the presentment of the last Grand Jury of this City in relation to the Conduct of the Watch, in which is set forth that the Watch for some time past has been a great Expence to the Inhabitants, & the Charge thereof Unequal & Grevious to the poorer part of the Citizens, And that a less Sum than what is Yearly Collected on that Account, Raised by an equal Assessment & properly Managed, might in a short time be sufficient to build a Convenient Watch house & Support a Stated Watch, who woud be more diligent & Carefull, & go their hourly rounds in every Ward during the whole Night, & be a much better Security to this City, requesting that the persons in whose power the regulation of the said Watch was invested, would take it into Consideration that the Inhabitants may be no longer Burthen'd with so Considerable an Expence without producing some real Advantages." The Board appointed Mayor William Till, Aldermen Clement Plumsted and Thomas Griffitts, and Councilmen Samuel Powell, Edward Shippen, William Coleman & Thomas Hopkinson, "a Committee to draw up a proper scheme for the better regulation of the Watch, who are to Lay the Same before the next Council." Minutes 418-19.
Coleman was an original Junto member, and Hopkinson joined slightly later.Two other members of the Common Council were also Junto members: William Plumsted was an original member and Samuel Rhoads joined slightly later. Thus four councillors were familiar with Franklin's Junto paper of approximately 1735 on the watch (A 101-02; P 4:327), and the bill was no doubt a version of his plan. Unfortunately, the assembly took no action on it. Cf. 3 and 4 May, 10 Aug 1743; 9 Jan 1744/5; 6 Nov 1749; 8 Jan 1749/50; 9 Feb 1751; 7 July 1752.
29 Jan, Saturday, House met at 10am. Votes 4: 2863. Richard Peters reported to the proprietors that Speaker Kinsey had made a deal with the governor for the payment of his salary and partial arrears in exchange for the passage of a number of bills but that eight firm Quakers opposed it: James Morris, Joseph Trotter, Oswald Peele, Edward Warner, Robert Jones, John Watson, Joseph Shaw, and John Hall. Cited by Tully, "King George's War," 190-91.
31 Jan, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 4: 2863.
31 Jan (b). Articles of the Union Fire Company. P 2: 375-76. "The Company met at Henry Pratt's except William Parsons, James Morris, William Plumsted, Lloyd Zachary. The Company haveing Agreed to & Sign'd new Articles, Chose nine new Members as Follows: Reese Merredith, Samul Neaves, John Bard, Peter Bard, Charles Jones Tanner, Luke Morris, William Logan, Saml Morris Tanner, & Charles Norris. The Company have agreed to get a copy of our Articles and two Lists Printed for Each Member."
Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 45 contains the signatures of the 30 members of the company in 1743, plus sixteen later signatures. The later ones are: Isrl Pemberton, junr, Philip Benezet, Isaac Paschall, Thomas Wharton, W. Grant, Joshua Howell, Jos Wharton, Junr, Samul Purviance, Thomas Hatton, Saml Preston Moore, John Mifflin, Thomas Stretch, Danl Benezet, Joseph Stretch, Wm Fishbourn, Richd Hockley.
1 Feb, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2863-84.
2 Feb, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Voted to pay governor 500£ upon the passage of the several bills before him; voted to pay governor an additional 1,000£ upon the passage of several other bills before him. Votes 4: 2864-65.
2 Feb (b). PG: Further news of the Virginia frontier conflict (cf. 27 Jan, 31 March).
2 Feb (c). PG: "The Town has been twice alarm'd by Fire within this Week past. The first was occasion'd by a foul Chimney which set Fire to the Roof of a Kitchen. The other by boiling or burning Oil for Painting, which flowing over upon the Floor endanger'd the House. Boiling Oil is a wild ungovernable Thing: such Business should never be done within Doors."
2 Feb (d). PG: "Lost at the late Fire [5 Jan], two leater Buckets, marked W. PLUMSTED 7 Co., one Ditto, marked E. SHIPPEN & Co., one ozenbrigs Bag, marked E. SHIPPEN & Co., one ozenbrigs Bag, marked AR & Co., one Ditto, marked WP & Co., two ditto, marked SA & Co., one ditto, marked RS & Co. Whoever brings them or any of them to John Armit, in Front Street, shall be satisfied for their Trouble." Cf. 5 (b) and 27 (c) Jan.
3 Feb, Thursday, House met at 10am. Bills passed by assembly; met again at 3pm. Bills passed by governor. "Ordered, That the Laws now passed be immediately printed, and bound up with the Body of Laws; and that the Minutes be also printed." "Ordered, That the Clerk make a Collection of the Minutes of the House as far back as they have been printed, for the Use of the House; then the House adjourned to [2 May]." Votes 4: 2865-2867. Colonial Records 4: 638. A list of the bills, the governor's salary, and the governor's brief concluding speech appeared in the PG 10 Feb and the AWM, 14 Feb.
Note: On 5 Dec 1746, the Board of Trade recommended that the first of the six bills be disallowed: "An Act imposing a Duty on Persons convicted of heinous Crimes, brought into this Province, and not warranted by the Laws of Great-Britain, and to prevent poor and impotent Persons being imported into the same." In rejecting this bill the Board added the sarcastic note that infuriated BF and inspired his "Rattlesnakes for Felons" hoax: "Tends to prevent the introducing of such Persons into his Majesty's Province of Pennsylvania, who, either as Servants, or in any other industrious Capacity, might be of Public Utility, in the Improvement and well Peopling of the said Province." PA, 1: 721. See 9 May 1751 and Hayes.
7 Feb, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
7 Feb (b). At a Common Council held for the City of Philadelphia, "The Committee Appointed at the last Council to Draw up a scheme for the better regulation of the Watch of this City, now make report that they had Drawn a Scheme for that purpose, & now laid the same before the Board, Which was Approved of by the Board. It appearing to the Board that the Scheme now produced by the Committee cannot as yet be put in practice, the Board was of Opinion that some proper Measures shoud be taken to regulate the Watch for the present, & the Same is left to the Consideration of the next Council." Minutes 420-21.
11 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
14 Feb, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts. Joseph Morris (88, 2 March) was allowed to join.
14 Feb (b). At a Common Council held for the City of Philadelphia, "It was the Unanimous Opinion of the Board that the Obtaining a Stated Watch would be the most Effectual Method, And it is the Opinion of this Board that Application be made to the Assembly at their next meeting, for Leave to bring in a Bill for Erecting a Stated Watch." Mayor William Till, Alderman Clement Plumsted and Thomas Griffitts, and Councilmen Samuel Powell, Jun., Edward Shippen, William Coleman, and Thomas Hopkinson, "are appointed a Committee to prepare a Bill for that purpose." Cf. 28 Jan (c).
14 Feb (c). Provincial Council approved Peters' appointment as Provincial Secretary and Clerk of the Provincial Council, replacing Patrick Baird.
18 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
24 Feb, Thursday, PG: BF wrote as Moravian on "What is True?" Canon 104-06; no W. Cf. 8 March.
25 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
28 Feb, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 39. The Company met at Henry Pratt's with BF present.
1 March, Tuesday. AWM: Isaiah Warner announced he would henceforth publish the AWM (with Cornelia Bradford). On 18 Oct 1744, Cornelia Bradford became the sole publisher, remaining so until the paper ceased publication, sometime after 22 May 1746.
4 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
7 March, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
8 March, Tuesday. PJ: "Mr. Franklin, Sir, I find that several Persons in Town and especially such as are fond of the Moravians, are unwilling to believe any of them to be the Author of that Enigmatical remark, on the Extract published from Mr. Wesley's Journal, concerning them in your Gazette No. 741. But rather suppose it to be a Satyr of your own upon them, especially since some of the Moravians do now disclaim it: And as I cannot but believe your are guiltless in the case, I am Willing to give you a publick opportunity of wipeing away such an Aspersion from your Character, by letting you know what is surmis'd concerning you. Yours, &c. A. C." BF did not reply. See 24 Feb.
10 March, Thursday, PG advertised The Treaty held with the Indians of the Six Nations at Philadelphia, July 1742 (Philadelphia: Franklin, l743). Miller 337. The second Indian treaty printed by BF. Unlike the first (22 Sept 1737), this may have been printed by Franklin at his own risk. It was reprinted in London, and reprinted in facsimile in 1938.
11 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
14 March, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts. Joseph Richardson (share no. 89, 25 March) was approved as a member.
18 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
21 March, Monday, PG advertised "Just Published" John Hancock, The Examiner. (Philadelphia: Franklin, l743). Campbell 271; Evans 5201; Miller 327.
25 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
28 March, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 39. The Company met at Henry Pratt's, BF absent.
31 March, Thursday, PG: "Lately Published": New Jersey, Governor Lewis Morris, The Speech to the Assembly ... on Dissolving of Them (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742). Campbell 273; Evans 5254; Miller 287.
31 March (b). PG: Of the Virginia frontier skirmishes, Franklin hoped that "by the prudent interposition and mediation of this and the neighboring governments, a war may be prevented between those nations and Virginia."
ca. 1 April 1743. BF: Draft of Postal regulation regarding distribution of mail, 2p. APS. BFPAPERS file 8247.
1 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
2 April, Saturday, BF, Rebecca Edgell, and Miles Strickland gave bond as administrators of the estate of Edward Annelley. APS, 2p. BFPAPERS file 26692.
4 April, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
5 April, Tuesday. Gov. George Thomas informed the Council he has offered John Kinsey the place of Chief Justice, in place of Jeremiah Langhorne. The Council agreed and Kinsey was commissioned. Colonial Records 4:640. Wellenreuther, "Quest" 547, said that Thomas Penn ordered Gov. Thomas to appoint Kinsey chief justice.
7 April, Thursday. PG: Printed translation of Zinzendorf's letter of 29 Aug 1742.
7 April (b). PG: Under the dateline Boston, printed story on the Rev. James Davenport's burning books. Cf. 12 Aug and 2 Sept 1742.
7 April (c). PG: Peter Boehler advertised that several translations had misrepresented the original German of the Moravian documents. Cf. 14 April (c).
8 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
11 April, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts. George Mifflin (share no. 90, 4 May) and Stephen Vidal were approved as members.
11 April (b). "At the Supream Court held here on Monday last [11 April], a Commission was read, appointing JOHN KINSEY, Esq; Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania; and THOMAS GRAEME and WILLIAM TILL, esqrs. his Assistants." AWM 14 April.
14 April, Thursday. PG: "The Library Company of Philadelphia, are hereby desired to meet on Monday the Second of May next, at the Library, by Three o'Clock in the Afternoon, to chuse Directors and a Treasurer, and to make the Eleventh annual Payment. J. Breintnall, Secry." Rep. 21 April. P 2:390.
14 April, (b): AWM: A satire on Whitefield in Biblical form, reprinted from The Champion.
14 April (c). AWM: Postscript called Peter Boehler's 7 April advertisement an attempt to restrain the press. Joseph Crellius printed two letters from Count Zinzendorf proclaiming that two couples were unworthy to belong to "our Congregation."
15 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
22 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
25 April, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 46. The Company met at Henry Pratt's, BF absent.
28 April, Thursday, PG. Announcement that Captain John Sibbald sought sailors for his next cruise against the Spanish. He now had a larger ship, the Wilmington, with twenty carriage and twenty swivel guns.
28 April (b). PG: "Next Week will be publish'd," John Hancock, The Examiner (Philadelphia: Franklin, l743). Campbell 271; Evans 5201; Miller 327. As "Just Published," 12 May.
28 April, Thursday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts. "B. Franklin exhibited his Account (beginning in August 1741) for printing Advertisements, Blank Notices and Notes, and Catalogues, and for Paper, Parchment &c. amounting to £12.12.6." Collinson's letter of Feb 24 "begs a Favour of the Gentlemen of the Library Company that they will admit his Friend John Bartram (of whose Desert he speaks warmly) an honorary Member, without any Expence, and to have a free Access to the Library.--The Directors immediately agreed, that as Mr. Collinson had been a Constant Benefactor to the Company (never charging them with any Commissions, and had presented them with several valuable Books) and as Mr. Bartram was also in their Esteem a deserving Man, he should have free Access to the Library and be permitted to read and borrow the Books, at such Times and in such Manner as Members of the Library Company are privileged to do." (Minute Book, p. 131.)
29 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
April, Distribution of the Mail. P 2: 376-78.
2 May, Monday, Assembly reconvened; continued for two more days. Votes 4: 2867.
2 May (b). Attended annual election of the Library Company directors: Thomas Hopkinson, Benjamin Franklin, John Jones, Junr., Samuel Rhoads, Hugh Roberts, Philip Syng, Evan Morgan, Samuel Morris, Joseph Stretch, and Jacob Duche, directors. Also William Coleman, Treasurer, and Joseph Breintnall, Secretary. The officers were the same as in 1742, but BF (as in 1740 and 1741) evidently did not win the most votes.
Lyndford Lardner sent a handsome pair of globes of sixteen inches diameter, a present from Thomas Penn.
2 May (c). At a Common Council held for the City of Philadelphia, "A Petition of this Board to the Assembly for Leave to bring in a Bill for the better regulating a Nightly Watch within this City &c. was read and Signed by the Mayor. Ordered that Alderman George Fitzwater, and Councilmen Thomas Hopkinson, Samuel Roads, and William Coleman do Present the Said Petition to the Assembly to Morrow Morning." Minutes 424. Cf. 28 Jan (c).
3 May, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. "A Petition from the Mayor and Commonalty of the City of Philadelphia, praying Leave to bring in a Bill for regulating the Watch in the said City, and raising Money on the Inhabitants for the Support of the same; was read, and ordered a second Reading." Votes 4: 2867-68. Cf. 28 Jan (c).
4 May, Wednesday, House met at 10am. House granted the Mayor and Commonality permission "to bring in a Bill" to regulate the nightly watch. Adjourned to 1 Aug. Votes 4: 2868. Cf. 28 Jan (c).
4 May (b). At a Common Council held for the City of Philadelphia, the Mayor and the persons appointed "had Presented the said Petition to the Assembly Yesterday Morning." The Council again resolved to present the bill which it had drafted. "The Bill for better regulating a Nightly Watch in this City being now again read and 'Considered, It is Unanimously Agreed by the Board that the same be delivered to the Assembly by the Committee formerly appointed to deliver the petition for bringing in the said Bill." The Common Council reminded the assembly of its petition concerning the watch on 9 Jan 1744/5. Minutes 425. Cf. 28 Jan (c).
6 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
9 May, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts. "B. Franklin acquainted the Members met, that he had lately received from London a Glass Concave of 12 Inches Diameter for magnifying and burning, which he would present to the Library."
11 May, Wednesday. Privy Council: Approved the Board of Trade's resolution of 24 June 1742 stating that "the Province of Pensilvania is obliged to provide for its own Security and Defence ... their Proprietor is no more obliged to be at that expence [to defend the province] than the Governor of any other Colony ... The said Lords Commissioners therefore humbly propose that His Majesty may be graciously pleased to Instruct the Deputy Governor to lay before His Majesty what he apprehends may be necessary for the Security of so Valuable a Colony and that in the mean time he be directed to provide ... for the Security of the said Province." Acts of the Privy Council, 1720-45 711-12. Cf. 8 Sept 1743; 9 and 21 Aug 1744; 7 Feb 1745.
13 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
14 May, Saturday. Date on BF's A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1743). Campbell 269; Evans 5190; Miller 325. The founding document of the American Philosophical Society, oldest of all American learned societies. A 109 (mistakenly recalling 1744); P 2: 37883. See Van Doren, "The Beginnings." 27 March 1744. It was read in the Society of Arts, 18 June 1755. For a discussion of its rhetoric, see Larson, "Benevolent" 202-05.
Mid-May to early July, BF journeyed to New England.
Because of the war with Spain, travel by ship to Boston was dangerous. BF probably travelled overland to and from Boston. My conjecture is reinforced by BF's meeting Cadwallader Colden in Connecticut on BF's return to Pennsylvania. Nevertheless, I give the ships he may have sailed on.
Ships he may have sailed on going to Boston: 19 May, Thursday. PG: "Entred Out ... Sloop Sea Flower, Anthony Whitely, to Rhode Island." Note: This was the only ship cleared out for the Boston area in this and the previous week's listing. On both 12 and 19 May it was listed as "Entred Out." On 12 May, the sloop Rose, David Deacon, had cleared out for New York. Same information in AWM, except that on the 19th, Whitely is listed as "Cleared" out rather than "Entred Out." 26 May, Thursday. PG: "Entred Out ... Sloop Elizabeth and Mary, Robert Holmes, to Boston." Holmes was the only ship to leave for Boston or New England in the past week. If Holmes, BF's brother-in-law, cleared out early in the week ending 26 May, then BF may have sailed with him to Boston. On the other hand, Holmes is also listed as entering port in 26 May PG, so BF may have left for New England not knowing that Holmes was about to arrive in Philadelphia. Same information in AWM. The Boston Gazette for 24 May recorded "Entred In": Hutchinson from New Castle on Delaware.
20 May, Friday, presumably missed Junto meeting.
25 May, Wednesday, BF attended Freemasons' First (St. John's) Lodge, Boston. Dr. Archibald Spencer had been admitted a member on 11 May and no doubt also attended this and the 8 June meetings. Lemay, "Franklin's 'Dr. Spence,'" 200, citing Proceedings in Masonry: St. John's Grand Lodge, 1733-1792 (Boston: 1895), 390. See also 8 June.
26 May, Thursday. PG: "Just Published," Zinzendorf, Every Man's Right to Live (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1743). Campbell 284; Evans 5323; and Miller 342. Advertised 12 May as "Next Week will be Published."
30 May, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 47. The Company met at Henry Pratt's, BF absent. Since it was BF's turn to act as clerk, Philip Syng "acted as Clerk in behalf of Benja. Franklin." The members who advanced 5s each for the fire engine were repaid.
30 May (b). Boston Evening Post: "Doctor Spencer having a compleat Apparatus, proposes to begin a Course of Experimental Philosophy in Boston, as soon as Twenty shall have subscribed (of which Notice shall be given) to be continued at such Times as shall be agreed upon by the Subscribers at the first Lecture. The Charge of going through the Course is Six Pounds, Old Tenor, to be paid the one Half at subscribing. Those that are inclined to attend, are desired to enter their Names, and pay the Subscription Money to Mr. Thomas Kilby at the Naval Office, who will furnish a Catalogue of the Experiments, gratis." Ad repeated 6 June.
The ad also appeared in the Boston Post Boy for 30 May and the Boston Gazette for 31 May. I. B. Cohen, BF's Science 43, suggested that Spencer's lectures were not given because Spencer never advertised the time and place of the first lecture. But Spencer's lectures were popular and successful in numerous other towns smaller than Boston; and BF said he attended Spencer's lectures in Boston (though BF mistakenly recalled the year as 1746 rather than 1743, A152). I believe that Spencer either could inform his customers by word of mouth or that he offered a date and time for the first lecture when the subscribers signed up. Though Cohen recorded another Spencer ad in the Boston Evening Post for 1 Aug, I could not find it.
3 June, Friday, missed Junto meeting.
6 June, Monday, BF watched the Artillery Company of Boston practice at the Castle. See 7 Dec 1747, BF to James Logan. "'Tis proposed to breed Gunners, by forming an Artillery Club, to go down weekly to the Battery & exercise the Great Guns. The best Engineers against Cape Breton, were of such a Club, Tradesmen & Shopkeepers of Boston; I was with them at the Castle at their Exercise, 1743." The only recorded meeting of the Artillery Election Company while Franklin was in Boston was 6 June.
On training day, 6 June, the colors were displayed at Major Henchman's corner (south corner of State and Washington streets) as a notification that there was to be a training that day. After the formation of the line at the Faneuil Hall armory, the lieutenant with the color-guard proceeded to bring the standard to its place in the line. The sergeants appeared with halberds, which had been first ordered just that previous May. The Rev. William Hooper, minister of the West Church, gave the artillery election sermon. (Three years later he was dismissed from the West Church and became an Anglican minister at Boston's Trinity Church in 1747.) Since Franklin's brother John had become a member of the Artillery Company in 1739, he may have invited Franklin to attend the exercise, though it was a semi-public occasion. The officers elected this day were Joseph Dwight, Captain; Jabez Hunt, lieutenant; and John Salter, ensign. Daniel Watts was first sergeant; William Taylor, second sergeant; William Simpkins, third sergeant; James Butler, fourth sergeant, and John Dixwell, clerk. Oliver Ayer Roberts, History of the Military Company of Massachusetts, now called The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, vol 2 (Boston: Mudge & Son, 1897) 25-29.
6 June (b). Head Lynch, Esq; Post Master General of America, died at his House in Caroline Co., Va. VG 10 June; rpt in PG and PJ 14 July. In London, Elliot Benger was appointed Post Master General of America on 18 August.
6 June (c). Missed Philadelphia Masonic meeting.
8 June, Wednesday. BF attended Freemasons' First (St. John's) Lodge, Boston. See above, 25 May.
10 June, Friday, missed Junto meeting.
11 June, Saturday. John Bartram to Peter Collinson: "I believe my subscription our proprietor inquired after is wholey dropt some people lay the blame upon James Logan & not without cause." Bartram, Correspondence 215. Cf. 17 March 1741/2.
13 June, Monday, missed Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts.
17 June, Friday, probably missed Junto meeting.
21 June, Tuesday. John Bartram to Peter Collinson: "In the township of Darby several have joined together & signed articles of agreement pretty much like the Library Company of Philadelphia." Berkeley, Bartram Correspondence 218.
23 June, Thursday, and 30 June, Thursday, [Shavers and Trimmers; and To the Publick], Printed in PG. Rejected as by BF in P 2:383.
24 June, Friday, perhaps attended Junto meeting.
27 June, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 47. The Company met at Henry Pratt's, BF absent. Twenty-two members were absent. "Benja. Franklin, Thos Lawrence, & Edw Shippen haveing been absent 3 Months last Meeting are each fined 5/s according to the Articles."
I suspect that BF was not yet back in Philadelphia or he would have attended this meeting in order not to have to pay five shillings.
Since BF probably returned to Philadelphia in late June or early July, I list here the ships that entered into Philadelphia from New York or New England from post 9 June to 14 July. ... PG Entred in: 16 June: "Sloop Bridge Hampton, Aylmer Grevil, from Boston. ... Sloop Rose, Bernardus Harsin, from New York." 23 June: None from northern ports. 30 June: "Sloop Peter, Nathaniel Dowse, from Boston. Scooner Lemmon, Lazarus Samson, from Boston." 7 July: "Sloop Neptune, Fenwick Stretcher, from Boston." 14 July: "Sloop Rainbow, David Brooks, from Boston. Sloop Elizabeth & Mary, Robert Holmes, from Boston." The same information is in AWM.
BF may have gone to Boston with his brother-in-law Robert Holmes, but he may have travelled with another captain(s). There is no record of Holmes arriving in Boston, but he must have been there before 18 June when the Boston Evening Post recorded Holmes as "Outward Bound" for Philadelphia. The Boston Gazette of 21 June (citing the Custom House reports for 18 June) listed him as "Outward Bound," but it was not until 5 July that the paper (citing the Custom House reports for 2 July) reported that he had "Cleared Out." The Boston Post Boy reported him "Outward Bound" on 20 June; and the Boston News Letter reported him "Outward Bound" on 23 and 30 June and 7 July.
1 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
4 July, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
8 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
10 July, Sunday, commenced business correspondence with William Strahan (17151785) that developed into a lifelong friendship. The first letter encouraged David Hall to emigrate to America and suggested that BF would sponsor Hall in another colony as his partner. P 2:38384.
11 July, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts. Jacob Shoemaker, Jr., (share no. 91, 14 July 1742) approved as a member. Original list of books to be sent for in BF's hand. PPL.
15 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
22 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
25 July, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 48. The Company met at Henry Pratt's, BF present.
28 July, Thursday, To Jane Mecom. P 2:384-85.
28 July AWM: Reprinted from the London Magazine, Nov, 1742, two letters on the Northwest Passage.
29 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
1 Aug, Monday, Assembly reconvened; continued through 13 Aug. Votes 4: 2868-69.
1 Aug (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.
2 Aug, Tuesday, House met at 10am. "According to Leave formerly given, a Bill was brought into the House from the Mayor and Commonality of the City of Philadelphia, for regulating the nightly Watch of the said City, and raising Money on the Inhabitants to defray the necessary Expenses thereof." Ordered a second reading. House met again at 3pm. Brief message from governor on Indian affairs. Votes 4: 2869-70.
3 Aug, Wednesday, House met at 3pm. Votes 4: 2870-71.
4 Aug, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2871-72.
5 Aug, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2872-73.
5 Aug (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
6 Aug, Saturday, House met at 10am. Votes 4: 2873-74.
8 Aug, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 4: 2874-75.
8 Aug (b). Attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts.
9 Aug, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2875.
9 Aug (b). John Penn, Thomas Penn, and Richard Penn acknowledge the thanks of the Library Company directors, July, 1742 (BF's name printed first), for granting the Charter. AWM 24 Nov printed both the July 1742 address and 9 Aug 1743 reply.
10 Aug, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2875.
11 Aug, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. "The Bill for regulating the Nightly Watch within the City of Philadelphia, and for raising Money on the Inhabitants of the said City for defraying the necessary Expenses thereof, was read a second Time; And it being observed, That, as it is proposed by the Bill to lay a Tax on the Inhabitants of the City of Philadelphia, it would therefore be proper the said Inhabtants should be acquainted therewith; ... it is thought proper to refer the Consideration of the said Bill to the next Assembly; and in the mean Time it is ordered to be printed, and dispersed by the Clerk [BF] with his Newspapers among the Inhabitants of the City for their Perusal." Votes 4:2876.
A Bill for the better Regulating the Nightly Watch (Philadelphia: B. Franklin, 1743). Campbell 263; Evans 5270; Miller 335. The twelve-page pamphlet is among Franklin's more attractive imprints; it was probably distributed with the 18 or 25 August issues of the Pennsylvania Gazette. Cf. 28 Jan (c).
12 Aug, Friday, House met at 10am. Votes 4: 2877.
12 Aug (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
13 Aug, Saturday, House met at 10am. Replied to remonstrances of the magistrates of Philadelphia. Votes 4: 2877-83. "Paid Benjamin Franklin, in Discharge of his Order for Printing, 211.0.0." (This was the remaining charge for printing all the laws, Miller 288.) Votes 4: 2887. "To Benjamin Franklin, as Clerk of the House, and for printing Votes, &c., 154.6.4." Votes 4: 2896. Assembly adjourned to 30 Sept. (A formality in case the current assembly had to be recalled.)
18 Aug, Thursday. "Elliot Benger was appointed Deputy Postmaster General of America in the room of Head Lynch, deceased." G.P.O. Order Book, 1737-1771, 79; cited in Fairfax Harrison, WMQ, 2d ser., 4 (1924): 90. Head Lynch died on 6 June. Cf. 12 June 1740; 25 and 26 April (b) 1744.
19 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
25 Aug, Thursday. PG: "Last Sunday a young Fellow about 20 Years of Age was brought to Town from Whitemarsh and committed to Prison, being charg'd with Ravishing a poor old Woman upwards of Eighty, and injuring her so that her Life is tho't to be in Danger." Cf. 15 and 29 Sept 1743; and 18 Dec 1744.
25 Aug (b) PG: Advertised "now finished." Pennsylvania. The Charters, A Collection of all the Laws (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742 [1743]). Campbell 237a-c; Evans 5033; Miller 288. See above, 28 Aug 1742.
25 Aug (c). AWM: Criticized Whitefield's finances for the Georgia orphanage.
26 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
29 Aug, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 48. The Company met at Henry Pratt's, BF present. "A proposal being made for [attaching] Wheels to the Company Engine, it is agreed that Benja Franklin procure the same & the Charges thence paid out of the Compa Stock." Cf. 24 Sept 1744.
Ante September. "F.B." "A Letter to the Editor" of the American Magazine and Historical Chronicle (1 [Oct 1743]: 70-71). In 1743, while Boston was experiencing a diphtheria epidemic, a letter to the (Boston) American Magazine and Historical Chronicle suggested that the symptoms for the Boston epidemic were similar to those described by Joseph Pitton de Tournefort in A Voyage to the Levant. The author therefore wondered if the remedy that the Greeks used on Iona might not be beneficial and proposed it be tried in Boston. Since the letter was signed "F.B." and dated from Philadelphia, Francisco Guerra attributed it to Franklin. (Guerra 421; giving pages 13-15 rather than 70-71.) Whitfield J. Bell attributed it to Franklin in the same year that Guerra's bibliography appeared. (Bell, "Benjamin Franklin and the Practice of Medicine," Bulletin of the Cleveland Medical Library 9, iii (July 1962):51-62, at 53.) Since Franklin was the Philadelphia agent for the American Magazine and Historical Chronicle (see 15 Dec) and therefore was frequently in touch with the Boston editor; since he commonly used the signature "F.B." (Verner W. Crane, BF's Letters to the Press, xxix, xxx, 39, 41, 45, 49, 76, 83, 143, 147, 268, 277); and since the Library Company of Philadelphia possessed a copy of Tournefort's Voyage into the Levant (1741 Catalogue p. 21);--it seems probable that Franklin wrote the letter.
1 Sept Thursday. PG: The Virginia frontier Indian troubles were "now happily accomodated by the mediation of our Governor" and by Weiser's negotiations at Onondaga.
2 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
5 Sept, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
8 Sept, Thursday. PG: "Extract of a Letter from London, date May 14. 1743. On the 11th Instant came on before the Lords of the Privy Council a Hearing upon the Petition of some of your People to the King against the Assembly for not putting the Province into a State of Defence. The Counsel's Pleadings lasted Three Hours, and the Lords came to this Resolution, to advise the King to order Governor Thomas to give his Opinion of what he shall judge necessary for putting the Province into a State of Defence."
BF commented: "This we take to be a soft way of closing the Affair, and that it will die; and we earnestly desire the Disputes between the Governor and Assembly may cease, and all former Animosites to be bury'd in Oblivion." The last sentence gave BF's shrewd evaluation of the affair. Acts of the Privy Council 3: 712. Cf. 11 May.
8 Sept (b). PG: "Next Week will be published," Votes and Proceedings (Philadelphia: Franklin, l743). Campbell 283; Evans 5272; Miller 336. On 15 Sept as "On Tuesday next will be published."
9 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
11 Sept, Sunday. Daughter Sarah (Sally) born; cf. 27 Oct.
12 Sept, Monday. Attendance at the Library Company directors meeting was not recorded; a quorum was not present. Breintnall noted that a pamphlet concerning the "fresh Water Polypus" had been received. Library Company Minutes.
15 Sept (b) AWM published BF's grotesque poem "An Apology for the young Man in Goal and in Shackles." Canon 106-09; W 298. Cf. Aug 25.
16 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
23 Sept, Friday. The Right Honourable John Ward, Grand Master of England, nominated Thomas Oxnard, of Boston, Provincial Grand Master of all North America. Cf. 10 July 1749, when Oxnard appointed BF Provincial Grand Master of Pennsylvania. PMHB 31 (1907): 19.
23 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
26 Sept, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 49. The Company met at Henry Pratt's, BF absent.
29 Sept, Thurs. PG: "Yesterday William Coulter, a likely young Fellow of about 22 Years of Age, was tried at a Court of Oyer and Terminer, on an Indictment for ravishing a miserable old Dutch Woman of fourscore. The Jury acquitted him of the Rape, but found him guilty of an Assault." The AWM account, 29 Sept, omits his name but adds after "Assault," "with Intent to ravish." Cf. 25 Aug.
29 Sept (c). "On Thursday last [29 Sept] William Till, Esq; gave an elegant Entertainment, at Mr. Hamilton's Stores near the Draw-Bridge, to the Gentlemen of the Corporation of this City, and a great Number of other Gentlemen, on his resigning the Office of Mayor of this City." In 6 Oct AWM.
30 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
3 Oct, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
6 Oct, Thursday. PG: News of the success of Captains John Sibbald and William Dowell against Spanish shipping.
6 Oct (b). PJ: Gives numbers of votes for successful candidates for representatives of Philadelphia County.
7 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
10 Oct, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts.
12 Oct, Wednesday. New Jersey assembly voted to have William Bradford print their minutes. Miller 286.
14 Oct, Friday, Pennsylvania Assembly met. John Kinsey chosen speaker "by a great Majority of voices." Votes 4:2896-2897.
14 Oct (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
15 Oct, Saturday, House met at 10am. Franklin was again appointed clerk. House met again at 3pm. Adjourned to 14 Nov. Votes 4: 2897-2900.
21 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
21 Oct (b). 9pm: Franklin's intended observation of the eclipse of the moon was cancelled by the occurrence of a hurricane. But when Franklin received the northern papers, he saw that the eclipse had been observed in Boston and other places to the northeast. He therefore gathered data on the progress of hurricanes and found that they moved up from the southeast. Cf. 25 Sept 1734; BF to Jared Eliot, 16 July 1747 (P 3: 149); in the Lewis Evans map (P 3: 392n); to Jared Eliot, 13 Feb 1749/50 (P 3: 463-65); to Alexander Small, 12 May 1760 (P 9: 110-12).
22 Oct, Saturday. Under dateline, Boston, 24 Oct: "Last Saturday [22 Oct] we had a violent N.E. Storm ... 'Tis impossible to ennumerate all the Particulars of the terrible Effects of this Storm, or estimate the Damage sustain'd by it." In PG 3 Nov, citing a Boston paper of 24 Oct. A further account of the hurricane in Boston appeared in the PG 10 Nov, citing a Boston paper of 31 Oct.
25 Oct, Tuesday, attended Library Company directors meeting to receive the Proprietors' letter.
27 Oct, Thursday. Daughter Sarah baptised in Christ Church. Cf. 11 Sept.
28 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
31 Oct, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 49. The Company met at Henry Pratt's with BF present. "Benja. Franklin produced an acct for printing the Articles & Lists, amt to £3.5.0; and also a Charge for 2 Buckits, 1.0.0; total 4.5.0."
[Oct], From Cadwallader Colden. P 2:385-87.
3 Nov, Thursday. PJ: "Just Published and to be sold by Andrew Farrel" The Papist's Curses [Philadelphia: Franklin, l743]. Evans 5266; Miller 332. BF charged Andrew Farrel for printing a Catholic pamphlet. See accounts 3 Nov.
4 Nov, Friday, To Cadwallader Colden. P 2:387-88.
4 Nov (b). Probably attended Junto meeting.
7 Nov, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.
10 Nov, Thursday, PG: "Just Published," Benjamin Franklin. Poor Richard Almanack for the Year 1744 (Philadelphia: Franklin, l743). Campbell 280; Evans mp. 40304; Miller 324. P 2:393-400.
11 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
14 Nov, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts. "The Directors agreed that the Addresses lately sent to the Proprietors, together with their Answer, should be printed, and Evan Morgan was desired to get Copies from the Secretary and deliver them to Mr. Franklin for that Purpose."
14 Nov (b). House "met pursuant to their Adjournment." Votes 4: 2900.
15 Nov, Tuesday, House met at 10am and heard a letter relayed by Governor Thomas from the Board of Trade enjoining the House to take all necessary measures in order to assure the province's security in case of attack from the French. Met again at 3pm. Votes 4:2900-2903; Colonial Records 4:670-72.
16 Nov, Wednesday, House met at 10am; met again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2903-2905.
17 Nov, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2905.
18 Nov, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2905-2906.
18 Nov (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
19 Nov, Saturday, House met at 10am. Votes 4: 2906.
21 Nov, Monday. House met at 10am. Votes 4: 2906.
22 Nov, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2906-2907.
23 Nov, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4:2907.
24 Nov, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2907-2908.
25 Nov, Friday, House met at 10 am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2908-2909.
25 Nov (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
26 Nov, Saturday, House met at 10am; met at 3pm. Votes 4: 2909.
28 Nov, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 4: 2909.
28 Nov (b), Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 50. The Company met at Henry Pratt's, BF absent.
29 Nov, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2909.
30 Nov, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2910.
1 Dec, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2911-2912.
2 Dec, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2912.
2 Dec (b), probably attended Junto meeting.
3 Dec, Saturday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2912-2913.
3 Dec (b). Cadwallader Colden to William Strahan: "I accidently last summer fell into Company with a Printer (the most ingenious in his way without question of any in America upon my mentioning my thoughts which I wrote to Mr. Collinson) he told me of the Method which had been used in Holland which you likewise mention but he thought the method by types en creuse to be an improvement of that Method & as he is a man very lucky in improving every hint he has done something on this foundation [BF's nature printing; see mid-July 1735] & which I have seen which has puzled all the printers in this country to conceive by what method it is done[.] As printing is this mans trade & he makes a Benefite of it I do not think my self at liberty to communicate it without his consent tho' as to my own part I have not interest in keeping the secret nor had I or have I any other view in what I formerly wrote than to communicate a thought which I fancied might be of use to others." Colden, Papers 3:38-39. Dated 3 Dec in P 2:386n. Cf. 9 May 1744. Evidently Franklin and Strahan both knew of the plates made by Johann Müller in Holland, 1701-18, which included a Dutch folio Bible. Philip Gaskell, A New Introduction to Bibliography (New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 1972) 201.
5 Dec, Monday, House met 3pm. Votes 4: 2913.
5 Dec (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.
6 Dec, Tuesday, House met at 10am to hear the reply of Governor Thomas to their request for an answer concerning their bill entitled "For the new Appointment of Trustees of the General Loan-Office of Pennsylvania, and for making current Ten Thousand Pounds in new Bills of Credit, to exchange such of those now by Law current as are torn and defaced." The Governor put the House off, assuring them that he was aware of his duties and would consider the bill in due time. The House met again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2913-2914.
7 Dec, Wednesday, House met at 10am; transcribed an answer to the Governor's message of 15 Nov concerning the province's preparedness in case of French attack. The House claimed that because British relations with the French had improved, there was no need to alarm the public or to put into effect the measures suggested by the Governor for the colony's security. House met again at 3pm. Votes 4: 2914-2915.
8 Dec, Thursday, House met at 10am and resolved to adjourn to 7 May, 1744. Votes 4: 2915-2916. Franklin was ordered to serve the Provincial Treasurer with an order to "compel the payment of those Arrears, and such other Sums of publick Money as ought by Law to be paid to him." Votes 4: 2916.
9 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
12 Dec, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts.
12 Dec (b). Bill from Alexander Annand for teaching William Franklin, from 12 Dec 1739 to December 1743. P 2:388.
15 Dec, Thursday, PG: "Lately Published in Boston, And to be Sold by B. Franklin in Philadelphia. Price 1s." The American Magazine for September (Boston: Rogers & Fowle, and Sold by ... B. Franklin in Philadelphia). Evans 5113; Miller 316. First ad for American Magazine in PG.
15 Dec (b). PG: "Just Published," Benjamin Franklin. A Pocket Almanack for the Year 1744 (Philadelphia: Franklin, l743). Campbell 279; Evans 5l88; Miller 323. P 2: 400.
16 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
23 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
26 Dec, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 52. Company met at Henry Pratt's with BF present.
29 Dec, Thursday. PG: More news of the successful voyage of Captains John Sibbald and William Dowell.
30 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.
c. 30 Dec. The Yearly Verses of the Printer's Lad (Philadelphia: Franklin, [l743]). Campbell 302; Evans 5476; Miller 334.
late 1743 or early 1744, BF printed Increase Mather. Soul-Saving Gospel Truths. (Philadelphia: Franklin, l743). Evans 5249; Miller 328. Note: Though the Mather has 1743 on the title-page, it has 1744 in the colophon at the end, p. 167.
Sometime "in 1743, drew up a Proposal for establishing an Academy" (A 91; evidently not printed--not in Miller).
Four BF 1743 imprints lacking a more precise date:
1. A Dialogue between Two Countrymen who met at Brunswick. [Philadelphia: Franklin, 1743]. Campbell 266; Evans 5l60; Miller 320.
2. William Guthry. A Sermon preached at Finnick in Aug, l662. (Philadelphia: Franklin, l743). Campbell 270, 265; Evans 5l97; Miller 326.
3. The Note-Maker Noted.(Philadelphia: Franklin, l743); Campbell 277; Evans 5263; Miller 331. Ascribed to BF's press.
4. N. Ludwig Zinzendorf. En Kort Catechismus. The first and only
work in the Swedish language printed by Franklin. (Philadelphia: Franklin,
l743). Campbell 262; Evans 5l26; Miller 341.
Revisions, 3/2/98: 5 (b) and 27 (c) Jan, and 2 (d) Feb.