Personal: In early April, BF made a brief trip to New York (perhaps having to do with his New York printing partner James Parker). While there, he talked with the New York posmaster Richard Nicholls. He was back in Philadelphia by 9 April. Because of enemy privateers, he no doubt jouneyed overland to New York. Writing to Cadwallader Colden on 29 April, John Bartram used BF as a touchstone for a busy person: "I am full as much hurried in business as our friend Benjamin for I can hardly get any time to write but by Candle light after A very hard days labour." David Hall, BF's future partner, arrived in Philadelphia, 20 June, and lodged with the Franklins. BF again journed to New York in late October (25 Oct) leaving about 26 Oct and returning by 2 Nov. BF wrote (3 Nov) An Account of the New Invented Pennsylvania Fire-Places to promote Robert Grace's Franklin stoves. His brother-in-law Captain Robert Holmes was evidently drowned in a storm in December in the Boston harbor (29 Jan 1745).

Business: The Pennsylvania assembly of 1743-44 met 7-26 May, and 30 July-11 August. As clerk and public printer, Franklin was paid £62.1.2; and for postage of publick packets to the governor, 11.10.0 (11 Aug). The new legislature of 1744-45 convened 15-19 October.

C. W. Miller recorded 25 Franklin imprints for 1744 (nos. 343-65, including 364.1). One job printing, eight government printings, five printings paid for by others, ten BF ventures, and one imprint merely carrying BF's name on the title page as "Sold By." The job printing was an advertisement to see "The Solar Camera Obscura Microscope" and "Musical Clock, made by that great Master of Machinery David Lockwood" (c. 12 July).

For Pennsylvania he printed the Laws (post 26 May); Governor Thomas' Proclamation declaring England at war with France (11 June); £10,000 in paper currency (1 Aug); an Indian Treaty (6 Sept); and the Votes (post 20 Sept). For New Jersey he printed Governor Morris' Proclamation of war against France and his Proclamation exhorting the citizens to be ready (both 14 June); and the New Jersey Assembly's address "To his Excellency Lewis Morris" (post 22 Nov). For John Estaugh's widow, he printed A Call to the Unfaithful Professors of Truth (ante 17 May). For George Gillespy he printed Remarks Upon Mr. George Whitefield proving him a Man under Delusion (11 October). For Samuel Blair, A Vindication of the Brethren (see year-end). He also printed John Stevenson's A Rare Soul-Strengthening and Comforting, Cordial for Old and Young Christians (see year-end), and for an unidentified Pennsylvanian, The Speeches, with Assembly's Address, and Some Observations (post 30 June) who attacked as unpatriotic those who opposed the militia bill.

In addition to the PG and his annual "carrier's verses" (c. 30 Dec), Franklin published at his own risk James Logan's edition of M. T. Cicero's Cato Major (21 March); A Catalogue of Choice and Valuable Books (28 March) which he sold in his shop; Poor Richard's Almanack (15 Nov); an edition of Issac Watts' A Preservative from Sin and Follies (15 Nov); and An Account of the Fire-Place (November 15); and two versions of his Pocket Almanack (6 December), one rubricated, one entirely in black ink. He also put out an edition of the New England Psalter (see end of year). And Richardson's Pamela finally appeared (7 March). The collected volume of the American Magazine for Sept 1743 through Dec 1744 carried BF's name as a bookseller in its imprint (see year-end).

Under Isaiah Warner, the AWM was not as keen a competitor as it had been under Andrew Bradford. Warner reprinted mainly foreign news and essays from the English magazines. But William Bradford's Pa Journal was becoming a competitor, though it usually had only one page of two column advertisements, compared to the PG's two or more pages of three columns.

Franklin continued as Postmaster, and he by now was the largest wholesale merchant for American made paper.

Activities and Social Life: BF's routines continued the same. He missed only one Library Company meeting (9 July) and attended directors' meetings on 9 Jan, 13 Feb, 12 March, 9 April, 7 May (the annual election, when BF again had the most votes), 14 May, 11 June, 13 Aug, 10 Sept, 8 Oct, 12 Nov, and 10 Dec. BF missed five meetings of the Union Fire Company: 27 Feb, 26 March, 28 May, 29 Oct, and 26 Nov; and he attended seven meetings: 30 Jan, 30 April, 25 June, 30 July, 27 Aug, 24 Sept, and 31 Dec. I assume that he normally attended the monthly Mason's meetings (the first Monday) and the weekly Junto meetings (every Friday). The American Philosophical Society started meeting, evidently on the first Thursday of every month. Since Franklin wrote about the meeting on Thursday, 3 May, that the group had already met several times, they probably started on 2 Feb.

Writings: 29 Feb, wrote preface to James Logan's translation of Cato Major; 5 July, "An Over-Masted Privateer"; 30 Aug, on the large number of American privateers; and Poor Richard

Pennsylvania Politics: The third session of the 1743-44 Pennsylvania assembly met from 7 to 26 May; and the fourth from 30 July to 11 Aug. France joined Spain in the war against Great Britain (15 March), thus bringing the war to Pennsylvania both along the frontier and along the coast. In a conciliatory speech to the assembly, 8 May, Governor Thomas said he hoped that "the Assembly have intirely laid aside all Prejudices, as he on his Part had done." On 26 May, the assembly voted to pay the governor two thousand pounds (one-half for his present salary and the other half for the back pay owed him) and assured him of their support, "consistent with their religious beliefs" should a war break out with France. In turn, the governor signed a currency bill to replace £10,000 of tattered previous bills. When Governor Thomas requested funds, 31 July, for the military to protect the colony, the Assembly replied, 11 Aug, that a militia was understood as a requirement in the provisions of the colony's charter and that a militia bill need not therefore be passed by the Assembly. The Assembly had previously argued that the British navy protected Pennsylvania from attacks by sea and friendly Indians from attacks by land. On 1 October, though Israel Pemberton attempted to elect Quaker assemblymen with strict pacific principles, the moderates under John Kinsey prevailed. PG reported news of the successful American privateers, especially John Sibbald and William Dowell (17 May, 23 Aug, 11 Oct, and 8 Nov). PA Journal's carrier's verses, after chronicling European affairs, said: "I next would sing of Sibbald's Fame, / And grace my Numbers with his Name; / And Dowell should employ my Lays, / Whose Actions also merit Praise: / I'd sing the Riches brought from far / By these advent'rous Sons of War; / Who, whilst from Sea to Sea they roam, / Confine the pilfering Dons at Home: / And who may not unjustly boast / Themselves the Bulwarks of our Coast."

The first policial advertisement I remember seeing in a colonial newspaper was Mordecai Lloyd's, 16 Aug, asking for the freeholders of Philadelphia city and county to elect him sheriff. The first session of the 1744-45 Pennsylvania assembly met from 15 to 19 Oct.

Indian Affairs: The war with France made the Lancaster Indian treaty (22 June to 4 July) crucial. Fortunately, through the agency of Governor Thomas Penn and Indian expert Conrad Weiser, the treaty renewed Pennsylvania's alliance with the Six Nations and extended Pennsylvania's successful Indian policy to include Maryland and Virginia. In the future the Six Nations would protect the frontiers of the English settlements from New England to Virginia. It was a great diplomatic defeat for the French. At the treaty, the Onondaga chief Canasatego advised the colonists to join together: "Our wise Forefathers established Union and Amity between the Five Nations; this has made us formidable; this has given us great Weight and Authority with our neighbouring Nations. We are a powerful Confederacy; and, by your observing the same Methods our wise Forefathers have taken, you will acquire such Strength and Power; therefore whatever befals you, never fall out with one another." See 21 June and 12 July. Virginians wrote the deed to the lands to the west to include the Ohio country, thereby preparing the way for westward expansion. For Virginia, the treaty resulted in the creation of the Ohio Company of Virginia in 1747.

Chronology:

2 Jan, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

3 Jan, Tuesday. PG advertised September and October issues of the American Magazine. Evans 5113; Miller 316.

6 Jan, Friday, 38th birthday.

9 Jan, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts. John Leech was voted a member

11 Jan, Wednesday, Josiah Franklin to Captain Benjamin Franklin, Blenheim, England. Printed in Winsor, Memorial History of Boston, 2:270-71. Josiah said that he could be best reached by directing to BF, postmaster at Philadelphia.

11 Jan (b). PG: From the New York Weekly Post Boy, BF reprinted Cadwallader Colden's essay on the yellow fever epidemics of 1741 and 1742 in New York. Colden recommended keeping the environment (especially the water, sewers, drains, and docks) clean as an effective way to prevent fevers during the late summer and fall. Continued, 26 Jan and 2 Feb. BF probably reprinted this partially because of his interest in medicine and partially because it indirectly supported his environmental arguments against the Philadelphia tanners (cf. 15 May 1739). For Dr. John Mitchell's essay on yellow fever, see 25 Oct.

11 Jan (c). PG: News of fire. P 2:448-9.

12 Jan, Thursday. AWM: Reprinted a Boston report calling Whitefield's Georgia orphanage only a "Bugbear" and a "Cloak for Whitefield to extort Money from ignorant and unthinking People."

13 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

20 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

21 Jan, Saturday. Lewis Evans and Martha Hoskins married at Christ Church, Philadelphia. PA 2nd ser., 8:84. Since Evans worked for BF (see the numerous cash borrowings in 1741 accounts), and since Deborah Franklin became the godmother of their daughter Amelia (23 Nov 1744), BF and DF were evidently friends of the young couple and probably attended the wedding. Cf. 27 Nov (b) 1736.

27 Jan, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

30 Jan, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 52. "The Company met at Henry Pratt's except the following: John Armit, Richard Sewel, James Morris, John Dilwyn, Lloyd Zachary, Samuel Powel junr, George Emlen, William Bell, Joseph Turner, Charles Norris, Saml Neave, Will Logan, Saml Morris, John Bard, Charles Jones, Peter Bard, and Luke Morris. The Company Stock being 5.10.0; absent last meeting, 17s; total 6.7.0. Paid to Edward Shippen the Succeeding Clerk & there is to be collected five shillings fine due from Richard Sewel for three months absence to this day and five shillings due from Samuel Powel junr for three Months absence to December and five shillings fine due from William Logan to this day and five shillings fine which was due from Luke Morris in November."

2 Feb, Thursday. PG: BF proposed an essay series: "Proposed by a Society, If due Encouragement be given by Subscriptions, To publish The Impartial Reformer, Containing, Essays serious and entertaining, on Religious and Moral subjects, as well as the common Occurrences of Life, and the various Dispositions, Humours, and Manners of Mankind in these Times." P 2:449. Repeated 8 Feb. Nothing followed. Could BF have projected this essay series in response to the new competition from young William Bradford's Pa Journal?

2 Feb (b). Possibly the first meeting of the fledgling American Philosophical Society. See 3 May.

3 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

6 Feb, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

10 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

13 Feb, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts.

16 Feb, Thursday. PG: An advertisement replied to a piece in the 2 Feb PJ signed "John Allen." The PG author wrote well and made interesting literary allusions.

17 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

22 Feb, Wednesday. PG printed a mock-illiterate ad: "May the fst 1744. Than thar is to be a Ras in Taryfar Nak at mr John amerner betwen His Negor Sharp and a landtarpen townty yards backwards and fordes to Rune the three hetes forty pounds one half wat and half drie bet Carnel John harmer and mastor sone william funeDik Hie Share of Nu Cas Conty Ase wch, Thomas Allfree Jack See and Thomos busit and prssiler Harod." P 2:449. Mock-illiterate letters appeared in the New England Courant for 12 March 1721/2 and 8 Oct 1722. Though there is some doubt whether John Williams, the author of the first, actually could spell; there is no doubt that BF, the author of the second, was deliberately using a mock-illiterate style.

22 Feb (b). PG: Among the advertisements, BF printed "To the suppos'd Author of the Answer to John Allen's Letter." Included ten lines of verse. Calendar 722.

24 Feb, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

26 Feb, Sunday, James Logan to BF. P 2:401-2.

27 Feb, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 53. The Company met at Henry Pratt's, BF absent.

29 Feb, Wednesday, dated his preface to James Logan's translation of Cato Major, perhaps Franklin's most deliberately attractive printing. P 2: 404­5; For its publication, see 21 March.

1 March, Thursday. Possibly the second meeting of the American Philosophical Society. See 3 May.

2 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

5 March, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

7 March, Wednesday. BF first sold Samuel Richardson, Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded. 5th Edition, 2v. (Philadelphia: Franklin, l742, 1743). Miller 293 and 338. See accounts, 7 March, under William Mode; cf. 6 Aug; and first advertised, 11 Oct. Evidently BF failed with Pamela, for he still had 35 sets in 1748 when Hall took over the shop. P 3:271.

9 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

12 March, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts.

15 March, Thursday, France declared war on Great Britain. Cf. 11 June.

16 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

21 March, Wednesday, PG: "Just Published," M. T. Cicero's Cato Major (Philadelphia: Franklin, l744). Miller 347. Ad Repeated 5, 12, and 19 April. P 2:449-50. Cf. 29 Feb. On 9 April, Franklin noted: "Mr. [Joseph] Goodwin, bookbinder, Dr. Cash 20.0.; Cr. binding 30 Cato's [Miller 347] at 1.6., L2.5." Accounts.

A facsimile of Logan's presentation copy to BF was printed in Am. Art Assoc--Anderson Galleries, Sale No. 4323, no. 58 (April 22-23, 1937). BFPAPERS file 0-1755. "Given by the Author to his Friend B Franklin. Horace, Ode 22, Lib. I. Integer Vitae, &c., Imitated. Whose Life is upright, innocent and harmless / Needs not, O Barham, arm himself with Weapons; / Useless to him, the Sword, the venomed shaft, or / Murdering Musket. / [?And when?] thou'rt journeying tow'rds wild Onondago, / O'er pathless Mountains, Nature's Works exploring, / Or thro' vast Plains where rowls his mighty Waters / Fam'd Missisipi; / Should the fierce She-Bear, or the famish'd Wildcat; / Or yet more fierce and wild the Savage Indian, / Meet thee; God praising, and his Works admiring, / Instant they'd fly thee. / Tho' now to piercing Frosts, now scorching Sunbea[ms,] / Now to unwholesome Fogs, tho' thou'rt exposed, / Thy Guardian Angel, Innocence, shall keep thee / Safe from all Danger."

23 March, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

26 March, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 54. "The Company met at Henry Pratt's with BF absent.

27 March, Tuesday. John Bartram to Cadwallader Colden: "I have here sent thee one of our proposals for forming A Philosophical Society. we have already had three meetings & several Learned & curious persons from our neibouring Colonies hath allready Joyned membership with us & we hope thee will pleas to do us the honor to be involved in our number." Berkeley, Bartram Correspondence 237. See 14 May 1743, 5 April 1744.

29 March, Thursday. PG: "Notice is hereby given, To the Members of the Library Company of Philadelphia, that they are to meet (in Pursuance of their Charter) on Monday the 7th of May next, at the Library, by Three o'Clock in the Afternoon, to chuse Directors and a Treasurer, and to make the 12th annual Payment, J. Breintnall, Secr." Repeated 5, 12, and 19 April and 3 May. P 2:450.

29 March (b). PG advertised: A Catalogue of Choice and Valuable Books to be Sold by B. Franklin, April 11, 1744 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1744). Campbell 289; Evans 5396; Miller 346. Van Doren reprinted the unique copy. For a discussion of its type, see Miller, "Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia Type" (1958):186-87.

30 March, Friday, perhaps attended Junto meeting.

Early April, BF made a brief trip to New York, dating his letter to Cadwallader Colden from New York city. He was back in Philadelphia by 9 April. Because of enemy privateers, he probably jouneyed overland to New York. In New York he no doubt saw his printing partner, James Parker, and his letter to Cadwallader Colden, 5 April, shows that he talked with Richard Nicholls, New York postmaster.

2 April, Monday, probably missed Masonic meeting.

5 April, Thursday, BF, New York, To Cadwallader Colden. On the first members and meetings of the American Philosophical Society. P 2:406-7. Cf. 14 May 1743. All nine Philadelphia members of the early APS were also members of the Library Company. It is surprising that Joseph Breintnall was not an early APS member. If this was also the date of a meeting of the American Philosophical Society, BF was absent; Cf. 3 May.

6 April, Friday, missed Junto meeting.

9 April, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts.

11 April, Wednesday, BF scheduled a book auction, to start at 9am but listed a minimum bid price for each book. See PG ad 29 March, 5 April. James N. Green commented, "By 1744 he [BF] found himself overstocked and resorted to an inventory clearance sale. This was the occasion of his only published book catalogue, six hundred volumes offered for ready money only at specially reduced prices. The catalogue contains a remarkable number of expensive, pedantic, Latin and Greek, used, or otherwise unsalable old books." Green, "BF as Publisher and Bookseller," in Reappraising, 106. "Note: The said Franklin gives ready Money for any Library of Parcel of Books."

12 April, Thursday. BF probably continued the book auction. See 11 April.

13 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

18 April, Wednesday, 1744, Post Office Accounts. Alphabetical List of Letters received. 11p. APS Bache. BFPAPERS file 21114.

20 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

24 April, Tuesday. BF witnessed Rebecca Edgell's Bond. APS, 2p. BFPAPERS file 27462.

25 April, Wednesday, Benjamin Franklin and Robert Grace to Elliott Benger: Bond. P 2:408-9. As deputy postmaster general for North America, Elliott Benger required bonds from the local postmasters. Robert Grace did BF the favor of joining him as security for the £500 bond. Cf. 6 June.

26 April, Thursday. PG: "A Greater Number of Gentlemen having subscribed to Dr. Spencer's first Course of Experimental Philosophy, than can be conveniently accommodated; at a Time: He begins his first Lecture of the second Course, on Thursday, the tenth Day of May, at five o'Clock: Subscriptions are taken in at the Post-Office, where a Catalogue of the Experiments may be had gratis." Repeated 3 May. P 2:450. Cf. 26 July.

Lemay, "Franklin's 'Dr. Spence.'" The 26 July ad reveals that Spencer gave his course of experiments in the Library room of the State House. Just as he had done for Isaac Greenwood, BF took in subscriptions at the Post Office and arranged for Spencer to use the Library Company's room for the lectures. Cf. 28 May 1740.

26 April (b). PG: Announced that Elliott Benger of Virginia had been appointed Postmaster General.

27 April, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

29 April, Sunday. Bartram to Cadwallader Colden: "I am full as much hurried in business as our friend Benjamin for I can hardly get any time to write but by Candle light after A very hard days labour about my plantation for the subsistence of my family. Our Philosophick Society increaseth finely. I think we had 7 members initiated last meeting of which thee was one by unanimous consent." Bartram Correspondence 238.

30 April, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 54. "The Company met at Henry Pratt's with BF present.

3 May, Thursday. The first documented meeting date of the fledgling American Philosophical Society. John Bartram to Cadwallader Colden, 29 April: "the next fifth night [3 May] we are to have another meeting where Doctor spence will accompany us. he exhibits Phylosophical lectures now at Philadelphia & approves of our design: offers to take our proposals with him to the west indies with A favourable acount of our proceedings." Bartram Correspondence 238. From this reference, I suspect that the society met the first Thursday night of every month. If so, the previous three meetings would have been 2 Feb, 1 March, and 5 April.

4 May, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

7 May, Monday. House met per adjournment of 8 December 1743 at 10am; continued through 26 May. Votes 2916.

7 May (b). Attended general meeting of the Library Company in the Library Room: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Hopkinson, John Jones, Philip Syng, Samuel Rhoads, Evan Morgan, Hugh Roberts, Joseph Stretch, Samuel Morris, and Jacob Duche, directors. Also William Coleman, treasurer, and Joseph Breintnall, secretary. The officers were the same as in 1742, 1743, and 1745. The officers met later at the Widow Roberts and paid the librarian William Parsons.

7 May (c), evidently missed Masonic meeting.

8 May, Tuesday, House met at 10am; sent word to Governor Thomas inquiring whether or not he had considered the Bill concerning appointment of Trustees of the Loan Office and a new currency emission. The Governor responded: "That he had the Bill under Consideration, and is willing to return it to the House for any Alterations they may find necessary, tho' he thinks it not altogether Parliamentary." He hoped that "the Assembly have intirely laid aside all Prejudices, as he on his Part had done." The House met again at 3pm. Votes 2916-2919.

9 May, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 2919.

9 May (b). William Strahan, London, to Cadwallader Colden: Strahan thought Colden's new method of printing might have a few uses. "As to what you mention of some Sorts of Wood, I own I do not know any thing of the Way you would use them, and therefor can form no Judgment of their Usefulness, nor do I desire or expect you Should discover any thing of it to me, without the Consent of the Person you mention, who has already tried it, and whose Business it is to profit by any Discovery his uncommon abilities may enable him to make[.] From the Character you give of him, I am sure it must be Mr. Franklin you mean, whose Fame has long ago reached this Part of the World, for a most ingenious Man in his Way. I have had the Pleasure of corresponding with him lately, and have Sent him by the Mercury Captain Hargrave, one of my Journeymen, to whom he intends to give the Management of one of his Printing houses. His Name is David Hall." Colden, Papers 3:58-59. (Cf. Nov 1743)

10 May, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 2919-2920.

11 May, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 2920-2921.

12 May, Saturday, House met at 9am; adjourned to Monday. Votes 2921-2922.

12 May (b), probably attended Junto meeting.

14 May, Monday, House met at 3pm. Votes 2922.

14 May (b). Attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts.

15 May, Tuesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. In the afternoon session, Franklin was ordered to give notice to two creditors of John Ryan, in debtor's prison, that Ryan had applied to the House for intervention. Votes 2923-2924.

16 May, Wednesday, House met at 10am. Franklin "reported, that he had given Notice to Thomas Campbell, and Evan Morgan," concerning John Ryan's suit. House met again at 3pm. Votes 2924.

Ante 17 May. John Estaugh. A Call to the Unfaithful Professors of Truth. (Philadelphia: Franklin, l744). Campbell 294; Evans 5390; Miller 348. Miller noted that Mrs. Elizabeth Estaugh gave 200 copies to her Haddonfield, NJ Monthly Meeting, 17 May.

17 May, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 2924-2926.

17 May (b). PG: Captain John Sibbald's Ship Wilmington, now fitted out with 24 carriage and 24 swivel guns, and Captain William Dowell's new Schooner George, with 14 carriage and 14 swivel guns, advertised for sailors.

18 May, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Adjourned to 21 May, 3pm. Votes 2926-2927.

18 May (b), probably attended Junto meeting.

21 May, Monday, House met at 3pm per adjournment. Votes 2927.

21 May (b). NYPost-Boy: printed Samuel Chew's attack on the Society of Friends for disowning him (18 Oct 1742). According to Chew, neither BF nor Bradford would publish the letter in their newspapers "for prudential Considerations. As this extream Caution of the Printers is very unusual, I expect that the Religious Party, who are principally concern'd in the Consequences, have interested themselves in the Suppression of it." Reprinted in NJ Archives 6:173-77. Cf. Post 21 Nov 1741.

22 May, Tuesday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm. Votes 2928.

23 May, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 2928-2929.

24 May, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 2929.

24 May (b). R. Peters to Proprietors: Peters Letter Book, PHi.

25 May, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 2929-2930.

25 May (b), probably attended Junto meeting.

26 May, Saturday, House met at 9am; again at 3pm. Drafted and sent a message to Governor Thomas urging him to meet with the Iroquois to prevent hostilities, a suggestion thus far met with disfavor by Gov. Thomas. The House resolved to give him two thousand pounds and assured him of their support, "consistent with their religious beliefs" should a war break out with France. Passed a currency bill to replace £10,000 of tattered previous bills. Printed by 1 Aug. Votes 2930-2934. The House then adjourned to 30 July.

post 26 May. Pennsylvania. General Assembly. Laws of sessions to May 7, 1744. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1744); Campbell 287; Evans 5472; Miller 360.

28 May, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 55. The Company met at Henry Pratt's, BF absent.

29 May, Tuesday. William Black: "Between the hours of 3 & 4 the Governor, Commissioners, and the rest of the Company went to hear a Philosophical Lecture on the Eye, &c. By A: Spencer, M:D:, in which he endeavoured to account for the Faculties, the Nature and Diseases of that Instrument of Sight; next he proceeded to show that Fire is Diffus'd through all space, and may be produced from all Bodies, Sparks of Fire Emitted from the Face and Hands of a Boy Suspended Horizontally, by only rubbing a Glass Tube at his feet." PMHB 1:246. This was very probably the same lecture that Franklin attended in Boston which he said introduced him to electricity.

31 May, Thursday. PG: "Books Sold by B. Franklin." List printed in P 2:451.

1 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

4 June, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

5 June, Tuesday. William Black: "at 11 in the forenoon, with Colonel Beverley and the Gentlemen of the Levee, I went to the State House, where Doctor Spencer Entertain'd Us very Agreeabley with several Philosophical Transactions, first he Prov'd and Illustrated by Experiments, Sir Isaac Newton's Theory of Light and Colours, also Several Curious Objects by the Solar Microscope, together with the Circulation of the Blood, all which he perform'd very much to the Satisfaction of the Spectators." PMHB 1:413-14.

6 June, Wednesday. BF and Robert Grace appeared before Jonathan Robeson, a Philadelphia justice of the peace, and recorded their bond with the deputy postmaster general. Cf. 25 April.

7 June, Thursday. Possibly a meeting of the American Philosophical Society. See 3 May.

8 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

11 June, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts.

11 June (b). Gov. George Thomas issued proclamation of war against the French (issued in England 29 March). Proclamation, June 11, 1744, declaring England at war with France [(Philadelphia: Franklin, 1744)]. Campbell 303; Miller 363. Published in PG, PJ, and AWM 14 June. He required "all His Majesty's Subjects in this Province capable of bearing Arms, forthwith to provide themselves with a Good Firelock, Bayonet, and Cartouch Box, and with a Sufficient Quantity of Powder and Ball, that they may be prepared not only to defend this His Majesty's Province and their own Persons, Families, and Estates, but to annoy the Enemy in case it shall be thought proper to attack them." Cf. 31 July.

William Black described the occasion: At 4pm, the Virginia commissioners to the Lancaster Indian treaty "with their Levee waited on his Honour the Governor, in order to attend to the Declaration of War, a few Minutes after we got to the Governor's came the Mayor, Council, and the Corporation, and then began the Procession, First the Constables with their Staffs, and the Sheriffs and the Coroner with their White Wands ushered the way, then his Honour the Governor, with the Mayor on his Right, and the Recorder of the City on his left hand, following them were Colonels Lee and Beverley, and the Gentlemen of the Levee, next was the Council, and after them the City Corporation, and then the Rear Composed of Towns Gentlemen, &c., in this Order two and two, we went with solemn Pace to the Market Place, where Secretary Peters Proclaim'd War against the French King and all his Subjects, under a Discharge of the Privateers Guns, who had haul'd out in the Stream for the Purpose, then two Drums belonging to Dalziel's Regiment in Antigua (then in Philadelphia with a Captain Recruiting) Beat the Point of Warr, and then the Ceremony Concluded with God Save the King, and three loud Huzza's." PMHB 1:43-44.

Dr. Alexander Hamilton, visiting Philadelphia, also described the occasion. He "went in the afternoon in the company of some gentlemen to attend the Governour to the Court-house stairs, where war was publickly to be proclaimed against France. There were about two hundred gentlemen attended Governour Thomas. Coll. Lee, of Virginia, walked at his right hand, and Secretary Peters upon his left; the procession was led by about 30 flags and ensigns taken from privateer vessels and others in the harbour, which were carried by a parcel of roaring sailors. They were followed by eight or ten drums that made a confounded martial noise, but all the instrumental music they had was a pitiful scraping negro fiddle which followed the drums and could not be heard for the noise and clamour of the people and the rattle of the drums. There was a rabble of about 4,000 people in the street and great numbers of ladies and gentlemen in the windows and balconies. Three proclamations were read: 1st, the King of England's proclamation of war against the French King; 2d, a proclamation for the encouragement of such as should fit out privateers against the enimy; 3d, the Governour of Pennsylvania's proclamtion for that Province in particular, denouncing [announcing?] war and hostility against France.

"When Secretary Peters had read these, the Governour with a very audible voice 'desired all such persons as were fit to carry arms to provide themselves, every man with a good musket, cartouche box, powder and shot, and such implements as were requisite either to repel or annoy the enemy, if there should be any necessity or occasion,' adding that he should surely call upon each of them to see that they were provided, 'for depend upon it,' says he, 'this Province shall not be lost by any neglect or oversight of mine."

"The Governour having thus spoke, a certain bold fellow in the crowd with a stentorian voice made this reply. 'Please your Honour,' says he, 'what you say is right, but I and many others here, poor men, have neither money nor credit to procure a musket or the third part of a musket, so that unless the publick takes care to provide us, the bulk of the people must go unfurnished, and the country be destitute of defence."

"The Governour made no reply, but smiled; so went into his chariot with Coll. Lee and the Secretary, and drove homewards." Hamilton, Itinarium 25-26.

14 June, Thursday. PG: "Philadelphia. Late last Saturday-night an Express arrived here from the Northward, with the Dispatches brought by his Majesty's Sloop Swallow, for this and the Southern Governments; and on Monday War against France was proclaimed here in form."

15 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

20 June, Wednesday, printer David Hall arrived in Philadelphia in the ship Mercury Galley, Captain Charles Hargrave, and lodged with the Franklins. P 2:352, 409. See accounts, 9 July 1745.

21 June, Thursday. PG: "Yesterday His Honour our Governor, with the Commissioners from Virginia, set out for Lancaster, to hold a Treaty there with the Indians of the five Nations, who are come down for that purpose."

21 June (b). PG: Obituary of Samuel Chew, chief justice of the Lower Counties (Delaware). BF had printed his addresses to the grand jury (21 Nov 1741, and 20 Aug 1742) on the lawfulness of self-defense against an armed enemy. See also 21 May above; and 4 March 1741/2.

22 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

post 22 June. BF printed Lewis Morris, The Speeches, with Assembly's Address, and Some Observations (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1744). Campbell 299; Evans 5442; Miller 354.

25 June, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 56. The Company met at Henry Pratt's with BF present.

29 June, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

June. Colden to Collinson: The Philadelphians have "done me the honour to take me into their Society, tho I be not in any manner acquainted with any of them except Mr. Bartram who has undertaken the Botanical part." Colden, Letters and Papers 3:60. Colden also knew BF.

2 July, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

4 July, Wednesday, BF To William Strahan. P 2:409-12.

5 July, Thursday. PG: "An Over-Masted Privateer." W 298-99.

5 July (b). Possibly a meeting of the American Philosophical Society. See 3 May.

6 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

9 July, Monday, missed Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts.

12 July, Thursday. PG: "Friday last, his Honour our Governor returned to Town from Newton in Lancaster County, where the Treaty was lately held between the Indians of the Six Nations, and the Government of Virginia and Maryland, which we hear ended happily to the Satisfaction of all Parties."

12 July (b). PG ad: "Just Arrived from London, The Solar or Camera Obscura Microscope." Also separately printed [Philadelphia: B. Franklin, 1744]. Campbell 298; Evans 5419; Miller 353. P 2:452. Ad repeated occasionally in PG through 30 Aug.

13 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

17 July, Tuesday. Evan Jones to Cadwallader Colden: "Tryall & Experiments" on the bite of the rattlesnake. "thee may freely put it into what other Dress thee pleases & then Communicate the same for the aprobation of the Gentlemen in Philadelphia who have formed themselves into a societie for the propagation of useful knowledge please to make my kind regard acceptable to Doctr Thomas Bond also to our honest Friend James [i.e., John Bartram] the Botanist & to all the Gentlemen of your society tho am personally unacquainted." Colden, Letters 65-66.

20 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

26 July, Thursday. PG: "A Course of Experimental Philosophy, begins at the Library-Room, next Monday at five o'Clock in the Afternoon, which will be the last to be performed in this City by Dr. Spencer. N.B. Any of the Gentlemen who subscribed to the former Courses, may go through this, at half Price, and have as an Addition some lectures on the Globes." Also in PJ. P 2:452. Cf. 26 April.

27 July, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

30 July, Monday, House met through 11 Aug. Votes 2934.

30 July (b), Union Fire Company met at Henry Pratt's, BF present.

31 July, Tuesday, BF to William Strahan. P 2:412-3.

31 July (b). House met at 10am. Governor Thomas urged the delegates to pass a law for "settling and regulating a Militia" and to make provisions for the securing of French prisoners of war. Cf. 11 June.

Thomas also related the success of his meeting with the Iroquois, but warned of the possible loss of alliance with the "Shewanese," whom Thomas feared would join with the French. He exhorted the Assembly to take stricter measures against traders who "carry spirituous Liquors amongst [the Indians] ... cheat them of their Skins and their Wampum ... and often ... debauch their Wives into the Bargain." Speech printed in 2 Aug PG and 16 Aug AWM. House met again at 3pm. Votes 2934-2939.

1 Aug, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 2939.

1 Aug (b). £10,000 of paper currency to replace tattered currency printed. Pennsylvania. Paper-Currency Emission, August 1, 1744. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1744). Campbell 732; Miller 361; Newman, Early 329; and Statutes 4:407-15. See 26 May 1744.

2 Aug, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 2939.

2 Aug (b). Possibly a meeting of the American Philosophical Society. See. 3 May.

3 Aug, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 2939.

3 Aug (b), probably attended Junto meeting.

6 Aug, Monday, House met at 10am. Votes 2940.

6 Aug (b), probably attended Masonic meeting.

6 Aug (c). Sold William Parks 100 Pamelas. Accounts; cf. 7 March and 11 Oct.

7 Aug, Tuesday, House met at 10am. Votes 2940.

8 Aug, Wednesday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 2940.

9 Aug, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 2940-2941.

9 Aug (b). Privy Council receives memorial of Gov. Thomas, containing an account of what he believes necessary for the security of the province. Acts of the Privy Council 3:712. Cf. 11 May 1742 and 21 Aug 1744.

10 Aug, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. Votes 2941. Speech replying to Gov. Thomas printed in AWM 16 Aug.

10 Aug (b), probably attended Junto meeting.

11 Aug, Saturday, House met at 9am. Assembly claimed that a militia was understood as a requirement in the provisions of the colony's charter and that a militia bill need not therefore be passed by the assembly. Though the Assembly preferred French prisoners be taken elsewhere, the members said that should the Governor take prisoners, succeeding assemblies would pay for it. Though they were grateful for Thomas's intervention in helping to bring peace among the Indians, they would not pass a bill regarding the behavior of Indian traders because it would "require longer Time than it will be convenient for us to stay together at this Season of the Year" Votes 2943. The Assembly also ordered "That the Indian Treaty be printed, and the Minutes, as soon as conveniently may be" by Franklin. Votes 2943. Met again at 3pm and settled the Accounts. £154.6.4 "Paid Benjamin Franklin, per Ditto ["for a servant"--but that must be incorrect]." Votes 2949. The accounts also note under "Incidental Charges" "To Benjamin Franklin, as Clerk of the House, and for printing the Votes, &c. as per Account" 62.1.2 and "To Benjamin Franklin, for Postage of publick Packets to the Governor" 11.10.0. Votes 2955, 2956.

13 Aug, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts.

16 Aug, Thursday. PG: Elegy "To the Memory of Archibald Home, Esq., late Secretary of the Jerseys, etc." "By a Lady" [A. Coxe]. Calendar 739. After the NEC's Madam Staples (9 Oct 1721; Calendar 13), and the AWM E. Magawley (6 May 1731; Calendar 183), this is one of the few early eighteenth century newspaper writings definitely by a woman.

16 Aug (b). PG and PJ: Mordecai Lloyd advertised in English and German, asking for the freeholders of Philadelphia city and county to elect him sheriff. Repeated 23 Aug; 6 and 27 Sept. This political advertisement is the first I remember seeing in the colonial newspapers. Cf. 23 Aug.

17 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

21 Aug, Tuesday. Privy Council refers memorial of Gov. Thomas (9 Aug) to Board of Trade. Acts of the Privy Council 3:712. Cf. 11 May 1742 and 7 Feb 1745.

23 Aug, Thursday. News of the successful voyage of Captains John Sibbald and William Dowell.

23 Aug (b). PG and PJ: Nicholas Scull advertised, in English and German, asking that the freeholders of Philadelphia city and county elect him sheriff. "Tho' it had not till this Time been customary to request your Votes in Print; yet that Method being now introduced, I think my self obliged in this publick Manner to return you my hearty Thanks for the Favour I have already receiv'd." Repeated 30 Aug; 6 and 27 Sept. Scull was elected sheriff, 1 Oct.

23 Aug (c). Peter Collinson, London, to Cadwallader Colden: "I can't enough commend the Authors & promoters of a Society for Improvement of Natural knowledge Because it will be a Means of uniteing Ingenious Men of all Societies together and a Mutual Harmony be got which will be Dayly produceing Acts of Love & Friendship and will ware away by Degrees any Harsh opinions, parties may have Conceived of Each other ... I Shall wait with Some Impatience for their Memoirs I expect Something New from your New World, our Old World as it were Exhaused." Colden, Letters 3:69.

24 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

27 Aug, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes met at Henry Pratt's, BF present.

30 Aug, Thursday. PG: "Philadelphia. 'Tis computed that there are and will be before Winter 113 Sail of Privateers at Sea, from the British American Colonies; most of them stout Vessels and abundantly well mann'd. A Naval Force, equal (some say) to that of the Crown of Great-Britain in the time of Queen Elizabeth." W 299. Reveals BF's pride in America.

31 Aug, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

3 Sept, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

6 Sept, Thursday, PG: Indian Treaty. A Treaty held at Lancaster (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1744). Miller 364. Repeated 13 Sept. The third Indian treaty printed by Franklin. The province paid for the printing (11 August), but Franklin lost money on the ones he sent to England. William Parks reprinted the treaty.

6 Sept, Thursday, BF to Josiah and Abiah Franklin. P 2:413-4.

6 Sept (b). Possibe meeting of the American Philosophical Society. See 3 May.

7 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

10 Sept, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the widow Roberts: present only B. Franklin, the treasurer (Coleman) and Librarian (Parsons).

13 Sept, Thursday, BF to Cadwallader Colden. P 2:415. Dr. John Mitchell and John Bartram spent all day with BF, who intended to take them to James Logan's the next day.

14 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

17 Sept, Monday, Letter from Cadwallader Colden. P 2:416.

18 Sept, Tuesday, BF to William Strahan. P 2:416-7.

20 Sept, Thursday, PG: "On Monday next will be Published," Votes and Proceedings ["from the seventh day of May, to the eleventh Day of August, 1744"] (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1744). Campbell 309; Evans 5474; Miller 362. P 2:453.

21 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

24 Sept, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 57. "The Company met at Henry Pratt's with BF present. "Benja. Franklin exhibited a Bill for work done by John Jones to the Companys Engine amo. to 0.11.5. which was order'd to be paid out of the Company Stock above and now Remains 14.12.1." Jones presumably added wheels to the engine. Cf. 29 Aug 1743.

28 Sept, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

1 Oct, Monday, Election day. Nicholas Scull and Peter Robinson were elected sheriffs of Philadelphia city and county. Richard Peters reported to the proprietors, 3 Oct, that Israel Pemberton attempted to have more pacific Quakers elected to the assembly, but John Kinsey and the moderates prevailed. Peters to Proprietors, 3 Oct 1744; Peters Letter Book, 1737-50.

1 Oct (b). Masonic meeting probably deferred.

2 Oct, Tuesday. "On Tuesday, October the 2d, at a Meeting of the Aldermen and Common Council, EDWARD SHIPPEN, Esq; was chosen Mayor of this City for the ensuing year."--PG 11 Oct; briefer note in AWM 4 Oct.

4 Oct, Thursday. Possible meeting of the American Philosophical Society. See 3 May.

5 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

8 Oct, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts.

11 Oct, Thursday. News of the voyage of Captains John Sibbald and William Dowell.

11 Oct (b). PG: In an ad, Nicholas Scull thanked the freeholders of Philadelphia city and county for electing him sheriff.

11 Oct (c). PG: "Just Published," Pamela 2 vols (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1742 and 1743). Campbell 304; Evans 5486; Miller 293 and 338. Repeated 14, 18 and 25 Dec. See above, 7 March, 6 Aug.

11 Oct (d). PG: "Just Published," George Gillespy. Remarks upon Mr. George Whitefield proving him a Man under Delusion (Philadelphia: "Printed for the Author" by Franklin, l744). Campbell 296-297; Evans 5405; Miller 352.

12 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

15 Oct, Monday, new Pennsylvania assembly met through the 19th. John Kinsey was unanimously chosen Speaker. Votes 3015-3016.

16 Oct, Tuesday, House waited upon the Governor at 12pm. The governor informed the assembly that a French privateer had recently taken four ships in the Delaware Bay, and then gave his men leave "to go on Shore, with this contemptuous Circumstance, that he was too well acquainted with Philadelphia to apprehend their sending out any thing to attack him, and that he therefore designed to cruize a Fort'night longer in the same Place." The governor asked, "Is it not a Reproach to the Name of Englishmen, to suffer themselves to be thus insulted, when they have the Means in their Hands to maintain their ancient Character?" Then the House resolved "That Benjamin Franklin be Clerk of this House for the ensuing year. And he accordingly took and subscribed the usual Qualification of a clerk." Met again at 3pm. Votes 3016-3019. Gov. Thomas's speech printed in AWM 1 Nov.

17 Oct, Wednesday, House met at 10am; "the Treaty [was] ordered to be printed with the Minutes of this House" by Franklin. Votes 3019. Met again at 3pm. Votes 3019-3020. Gov. Thomas's brief message printed in AWM 1 Nov.

18 Oct, Thursday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm. The House made available money for the agent to oppose a bill in Parliament which would "prevent the issuing Bills of Credit in the Colonies as a Tender for the Payment of Debts." It deferred an answer to the governor to the next session. Votes 3020-3022. Cf. 18 Dec.

19 Oct, Friday, House met at 10am; again at 3pm and adjourned to 7 Jan. Votes 3022.

19 Oct (b), probably attended Junto meeting.

20 Oct, Saturday, Josiah Franklin (BF's father) made out his will, allowing his "loving Wife Abiah ... all the Income or Rents of my whole Estate and Goods, and the use of the two Rooms" they now lived it, "allowing the lodgers" to continue there. Besides the one-ninth interest left to all the children, Josiah specified that "I give to my son Benjamin ... thirty Pounds." James Franklin evidently died owing Josiah money, for Josiah specified that his children should receive ten shillings apiece and that all the obligations that their father owned to Josiah be cancelled. (Thwing Index at MHi, citing Suffolk Probate Records 44:222.) Cf. 16 Jan. 1744/5 (Josiah's death) and 7 Aug 1750 (will proved).

[24 Oct] Cadwallader Colden to BF. P 2:446-8. "I long likewise to know what progress you make in forming your Society." Note: Dated Dec in P, but the following letter in Colden, Letters 3:94 was dated "To Mr. John Bartram at the same Time," and in Bartram, Correspondence, 246, that letter is dated 24 Oct 1744.

25 Oct, Thursday, BF To Cadwallader Colden. P 2:417-8. "I purpose to write to you from N York next Week ... Enclos'd I send you a Piece of Dr. Mitchel's (of Virginia) which I caus'd to be transcrib'd while he was here." On yellow fever. ... "When you have perus'd it, please to return it." The manuscript, with Colden's letter, passed on to Benjamin Rush and then to David Hosack. See 8 June 1745. For Colden's essay on yellow fever, see 11 Jan (b).

26 Oct, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

29 Oct, Monday, Union Fire Company Minutes, p. 58. The Company met at Henry Pratt's with BF absent.

1 Nov, Thursday. AWM reprinted a letter from the Postscript to the SCG of 10 Sept accusing Whitefield of peculation in the orphanage accounts.

1 Nov (b). Possible meeting of the American Philosophical Society. See 3 May.

2 Nov, Friday, BF To William Strahan. P 2:418.

2 Nov (b). Bartram to Cadwallader Colden: "this day our good natured friend Benjamin Franklin brought thy Letter of October the 24th which I have read. ... & he [Dr. John Mitchell] being an intire stranger I introduced him into the company of our friend Benjamin to whose Care I left him for the present." Berkeley, Bartram Correspondence 247.

2 Nov (c), probably attended Junto meeting.

5 Nov, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

8 Nov, Thursday. PG: News of the voyage of Captains John Sibbald and William Dowell.

8 Nov (b). AWM: Poem praising Dr. John Kearsley for his role in building Christ Church. Calendar 756.

9 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

12 Nov, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts. "Proposed, that Mr. Franklin speak to his Companions who were before the Grant of our Patent, nominated Trustees to receive a Conveyance from the Proprietor, in Behalf of the Company, for a Lot he gave them to build a Library House upon, on the South Side of Chestnut Street, and that they, the said nominated Trustees obtain a Patent or Deed for the said Lot to the Library Company of Philadelphia without Delay." Joseph Warner admitted in place of his brother Isaiah Warner, deceased (no 59, originally to John Syng, 11 June 1734).

12 Nov (b). James Alexander to Cadwallader Colden: "I am much of your mind that Mr. Franklins proposal of a Society will prove very useful--at our last Court Mr Chief justice [James De Lancy], Mr [Daniel] Horsmanden, Mr [Joseph] Murray, Mr [William] Smith, & Several others sent their names as members of the [American Philosophical] Society. his piece about his new invented Stove chimneys is very much approved of here & Shows him to be a man of Sense & of a good Stile --your Son tells me theres one of these pieces for you --I shall be very glad to See him here at New York, & shall give him all the Encouragement in my power to proceed in the affairs of the [American Philosophical] Society & other useful undertakings." Colden, Letters and Papers 3:82-83.

14 Nov, Wednesday. John Smith, the wealthy Quaker who married James Logan's daughter, Hannah, paid for a share (94) in the Library Company.

15 Nov, Thursday, PG: "Just Published," Isaac Watts, A Preservative from Sins and Follies. 4th Ed. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1744). Campbell 310; Evans 5509; Miller 365. Repeated 22 Nov; 14, 18 and 25 Dec.

15 Nov (b). PG advertised as "Just Published," BF's An Account of the New Invented Pennsylvanian Fire­Places (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1744). Campbell 295; Evans 5395; Miller 349. Repeated 22 Nov. Governor George Thomas offered BF a patent for the invention which he rejected (A116-17). Robert Grace paid for the printing. Lewis Evans, the cartographer, made the drawings and James Turner of Boston engraved them. Lewis Evans gave a copy (now at the John Carter Brown Library; PAAS 60:76) to Peter Kalm. P 2:419­46; above, December, 1740.

15 Nov (c). PG: Benjamin Franklin. Poor Richard Almanack for the Year l745 (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1744). Campbell 307; Evans 5398; Miller 351. repeated 22 and 29 Nov.

16 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

Post 22 Nov. New Jersey. General Assembly. To his Excellency Lewis Morris [Philadelphia: Franklin, l744]. Campbell 301; Evans 5443; Miller 355.

23 Nov, Friday, Deborah Franklin acted as godmother at the christening of Amelia Evans, the daugher of Martha (Hoskis) and Lewis Evans. Amelia had been born on 28 Oct. PA, 2nd ser., 8:84. For the family, see P 12:64n; 16:134-35; 20:383-84; and 21:247. Cf. 27 Nov (b) 1736.

23 Nov (b), probably attended Junto meeting.

26 Nov, Monday, Union Fire Company met at Henry Pratt's, BF absent. "Whereas the Nossels of most of the Pumps in Market Street and several other Streets of this City were taken out and carried away on Sevenday night the 24th Instant and at several times before; by some Evil minded dissolute Persons, which might have been of most pernicious Consequences; if Fire had happened to break out before they could have been renew'd. We therefore, Members of the Union Fire Company Met, propose that the sum of Five pounds be paid out of the Company Stock to him or her who shall discover any of the Persons concern'd in removing the said Nossels or doing any other Damage to the Pumps in the Streets whereby they may be render'd incapable of discharging Water. And that the Succeeding Clerk Inform the Absent Members of this Proposal. However we do agree that the said Sum of Five pounds shall be paid to the discoverer and that the same be advertised in the Gazette for three Weeks." Ad appeared in the PG 29 Nov, 6 and 14 Dec, signed "Rees Meredith, Clerk." The 14 Dec ad printed in P 2:455.

30 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

3 Dec, Monday, probably attended Masonic meeting.

6 Dec, Thursday, PG: "Saturday next will be published," A Pocket Almanack for the Year 1745. Printed in black and red. (Philadelphia: Franklin, l744). Campbell 306; Evans-Bristol l258; Miller 350. As "Just Published," 14 18 and 25 Dec.

6 Dec (c). Possibly a meeting of the American Philosophical Society. See 3 May.

7 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

10 Dec, Monday, attended Library Company directors meeting at the Widow Roberts. John Smith (share no 94, 13 Nov) a member.

18 Dec, Tuesday. PG reprinted extract from the votes of New Jersey's assembly protesting against the proposed bill in parliament "To prevent the issuing of Paper Bills of Credit in the Briitish Colonies." Cf. 18 Oct.

18 Dec (b). PG: "We hear that the old Dutch Woman, that prosecuted the young Fellow for a Rape, some time since, is lately married." Cf. 15 Sept 1743.

20 Dec, Thursday. AWM: Reprinted piece from a late Virginia Gazette urging kind treatment of slaves, together with a translation of Cicero's letter to his slave Tyro. Reprinted in Lemay, An Early American Reader 605-08.

21 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

28 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

Circa 30 Dec. Pennsylvania Gazette. The Yearly Verses of the Printer's Lad, January l, l745. (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1744). Campbell 321; Evans 5675; Miller 359.

31 Dec, Monday, Union Fire Company met at Henry Pratt's, BF present.

Dec. C. Colden to BF. P 2:446-48. See above, 24 Oct.

Dec. Cadwallader Colden to John Frederick Gronovius: "I send with this a curious & new Invention for warming a room with a small fire more effectually than can be done by a large fire in the common method & is free of the inconveniencies which attend the Dutch & German Stoves; because by this contrivance there is a continual supply of fresh warm air. It may be particularly usefull to you & Dr. Linneus, by preserving your health while it keeps you warm at you[r] studies It is the Invention of Mr. Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia the Printer of it, a very Ingenious man. Experience confirms the benefit of it." Colden, Letters 3:91.

[1744-45] BF To Edward and Jane Mecom. P 2:448. Benjamin Mecom was to be apprenticed to James Parker in New York. "Advise him to be very cheerful, and ready to do every thing he is bid, and endeavour to oblige every body, for that is the true way to get friends."

Three BF 1744 imprints lack a more specific date:

1. The New-England Psalter; or Psalms of David (Philadelphia: Franklin, l744). Campbell 300; Evans 5336; Miller 344.

2. Samuel Blair. A Vindication of the Brethren (Philadelphia: Franklin, 1744). Campbell 288; Evans 5343; Miller 345.

3. John Stevenson. A Rare Soul-Strengthening and Comforting Cordial (Philadelphia: Franklin, l744). Miller 364.l.