BENJAMINFRANKLINwasborninMilkStreet,Boston,onJanuary6,

1706.Hisfather,JosiahFranklin,wasatallowchandlerwhomarried
twice,andofhisseventeenchildrenBenjaminwastheyoungestson.His
schoolingendedatten,andattwelvehewasboundapprenticetohis
brotherJames,aprinter,whopublishedthe"NewEnglandCourant."To
thisjournalhebecameacontributor,andlaterwasforatimeitsnominal
editor.Butthebrothersquarreled,andBenjaminranaway,goingfirstto
NewYork,andthencetoPhiladelphia,wherehearrivedinOctober,1723.
Hesoonobtainedworkasaprinter,butafterafewmonthshewasinduced
byGovernorKeithtogotoLondon,where,findingKeith'spromises
empty,heagainworkedasacompositortillhewasbroughtbackto
PhiladelphiabyamerchantnamedDenman,whogavehimapositionin
hisbusiness.OnDenman'sdeathhereturnedtohisformertrade,and
shortlysetupaprintinghouseofhisownfromwhichhepublished"The
PennsylvaniaGazette,"towhichhecontributedmanyessays,andwhich
hemadeamediumforagitatingavarietyoflocalreforms.In1732he
begantoissuehisfamous"PoorRichard'sAlmanac"fortheenrichment
ofwhichheborrowedorcomposedthosepithyutterancesofworldly
wisdomwhicharethebasisofalargepartofhispopularreputation.In
1758,theyearinwhichheceaseswritingfortheAlmanac,heprintedinit
"FatherAbraham'sSermon,"nowregardedasthemostfamouspieceof
literatureproducedinColonialAmerica.
MeantimeFranklinwasconcerninghimselfmoreandmorewithpublic
affairs.HesetforthaschemeforanAcademy,whichwastakenuplater
andfinallydevelopedintotheUniversityofPennsylvania;andhefounded
an"AmericanPhilosophicalSociety"forthepurposeofenablingscientific
mentocommunicatetheirdiscoveriestooneanother.Hehimselfhad
alreadybegunhiselectricalresearches,which,withotherscientific
inquiries,hecalledonintheintervalsofmoneymakingandpoliticstothe
endofhislife.In1748hesoldhisbusinessinordertogetleisureforstudy,
havingnowacquiredcomparativewealth;andinafewyearshehadmade
discoveriesthatgavehimareputationwiththelearnedthroughout
Europe.Inpoliticsheprovedveryablebothasanadministratorandasa
controversialist;buthisrecordasanofficeholderisstainedbytheusehe
madeofhispositiontoadvancehisrelatives.Hismostnotableservicein

homepoliticswashisreformofthepostalsystem;buthisfameasa
statesmanrestschieflyonhisservicesinconnectionwiththerelationsof
theColonieswithGreatBritain,andlaterwithFrance.In1757hewassent
toEnglandtoprotestagainsttheinfluenceofthePennsinthegovernment
ofthecolony,andforfiveyearsheremainedthere,strivingtoenlighten
thepeopleandtheministryofEnglandastoColonialconditions.Onhis
returntoAmericaheplayedanhonorablepartinthePaxtonaffair,
throughwhichhelosthisseatintheAssembly;butin1764hewasagain
despatchedtoEnglandasagentforthecolony,thistimetopetitionthe
Kingtoresumethegovernmentfromthehandsoftheproprietors.In
LondonheactivelyopposedtheproposedStampAct,butlostthecreditfor
thisandmuchofhispopularitythroughhissecuringforafriendtheoffice
ofstampagentinAmerica.Evenhiseffectiveworkinhelpingtoobtainthe
repealoftheactlefthimstillasuspect;buthecontinuedhiseffortsto
presentthecasefortheColoniesasthetroublesthickenedtowardthe
crisisoftheRevolution.In1767hecrossedtoFrance,wherehewas
receivedwithhonor;butbeforehisreturnhomein1775helosthis
positionaspostmasterthroughhisshareindivulgingtoMassachusettsthe
famousletterofHutchinsonandOliver.OnhisarrivalinPhiladelphiahe
waschosenamemberoftheContinentalCongressandin1777hewas
despatchedtoFranceascommissionerfortheUnitedStates.Herehe
remainedtill1785,thefavoriteofFrenchsociety;andwithsuchsuccess
didheconducttheaffairsofhiscountrythatwhenhefinallyreturnedhe
receivedaplaceonlysecondtothatofWashingtonasthechampionof
Americanindependence.HediedonApril17,1790.
ThefirstfivechaptersoftheAutobiographywerecomposedinEnglandin
1771,continuedin17845,andagainin1788,atwhichdatehebroughtit
downto1757.Afteramostextraordinaryseriesofadventures,theoriginal
formofthemanuscriptwasfinallyprintedbyMr.JohnBigelow,andis
herereproducedinrecognitionofitsvalueasapictureofoneofthemost
notablepersonalitiesofColonialtimes,andofitsacknowledgedrankas
oneofthegreatautobiographiesoftheworld.

PartI

TWYFORD,attheBishopofSt.Asaph's,1771.
ThecountryseatofBishopShipley,thegoodbishop,asDr.Franklinusedtostylehim.B.
DEARSON:Ihaveeverhadpleasureinobtaininganylittleanecdotesofmyancestors.Youmay
remembertheinquiriesImadeamongtheremainsofmyrelationswhenyouwerewithmein
England,andthejourneyIundertookforthatpurpose.Imaginingitmaybeequallyagreeableto(1)
youtoknowthecircumstancesofmylife,manyofwhichyouareyetunacquaintedwith,and
expectingtheenjoymentofaweek'suninterruptedleisureinmypresentcountryretirement,Isit
downtowritethemforyou.TowhichIhavebesidessomeotherinducements.Havingemergedfrom
thepovertyandobscurityinwhichIwasbornandbred,toastateofaffluenceandsomedegreeof
reputationintheworld,andhavinggonesofarthroughlifewithaconsiderableshareoffelicity,the
conducingmeansImadeuseof,whichwiththeblessingofGodsowellsucceeded,myposteritymay
liketoknow,astheymayfindsomeofthemsuitabletotheirownsituations,andthereforefittobe
imitated.
1.Afterthewords"agreeableto"thewords"someof"wereinterlinedandafterwardeffaced.B.
Thatfelicity,whenIreflectedonit,hasinducedmesometimestosay,thatwereitofferedtomy
choice,Ishouldhavenoobjectiontoarepetitionofthesamelifefromitsbeginning,onlyaskingthe
advantagesauthorshaveinasecondeditiontocorrectsomefaultsofthefirst.SoImight,besides
correctingthefaults,changesomesinisteraccidentsandeventsofitforothersmorefavorable.But
thoughthisweredenied,Ishouldstillaccepttheoffer.Sincesucharepetitionisnottobeexpected,
thenextthingmostlikelivingone'slifeoveragainseemstobearecollectionofthatlife,andtomake
thatrecollectionasdurableaspossiblebyputtingitdowninwriting.
Hereby,too,Ishallindulgetheinclinationsonaturalinoldmen,tobetalkingofthemselvesand
theirownpastactions;andIshallindulgeitwithoutbeingtiresometoothers,who,throughrespect
toage,mightconceivethemselvesobligedtogivemeahearing,sincethismaybereadornotasany
onepleases.And,lastly(Imayaswellconfessit,sincemydenialofitwillbebelievedbynobody),
perhapsIshallagooddealgratifymyownvanity.Indeed,Iscarceeverheardorsawthe
introductorywords,"WithoutvanityImaysay,"&c.,butsomevainthingimmediatelyfollowed.
Mostpeopledislikevanityinothers,whateversharetheyhaveofitthemselves;butIgiveitfair
quarterwhereverImeetwithit,beingpersuadedthatitisoftenproductiveofgoodtothepossessor,
andtoothersthatarewithinhissphereofaction;andtherefore,inmanycases,itwouldnotbe
altogetherabsurdifamanweretothankGodforhisvanityamongtheothercomfortsoflife.
AndnowIspeakofthankingGod,IdesirewithallhumilitytoacknowledgethatIowethementioned
happinessofmypastlifetoHiskindprovidence,whichleadmetothemeansIusedandgavethem
success.Mybeliefofthisinducesmetohope,thoughImustnotpresume,thatthesamegoodnesswill
stillbeexercisedtowardme,incontinuingthathappiness,orenablingmetobearafatalreverse,
whichImayexperienceasothershavedone:thecomplexionofmyfuturefortunebeingknownto
Himonlyinwhosepoweritistoblesstousevenourafflictions.
Thenotesoneofmyuncles(whohadthesamekindofcuriosityincollectingfamilyanecdotes)once
putintomyhands,furnishedmewithseveralparticularsrelatingtoourancestors.Fromthesenotes
Ilearnedthatthefamilyhadlivedinthesamevillage,Ecton,inNorthamptonshire,forthree
hundredyears,andhowmuchlongerheknewnot(perhapsfromthetimewhenthenameof
Franklin,thatbeforewasthenameofanorderofpeople,wasassumedbythemasasurnamewhen

otherstooksurnamesalloverthekingdom),onafreeholdofaboutthirtyacres,aidedbythesmith's
business,whichhadcontinuedinthefamilytillhistime,theeldestsonbeingalwaysbredtothat
business;acustomwhichheandmyfatherfollowedastotheireldestsons.WhenIsearchedthe
registersatEcton,Ifoundanaccountoftheirbirths,marriagesandburialsfromtheyear1555only,
therebeingnoregisterskeptinthatparishatanytimepreceding.BythatregisterIperceivedthatI
wastheyoungestsonoftheyoungestsonforfivegenerationsback.MygrandfatherThomas,who
wasbornin1598,livedatEctontillhegrewtoooldtofollowbusinesslonger,whenhewenttolive
withhissonJohn,adyeratBanbury,inOxfordshire,withwhommyfatherservedan
apprenticeship.Theremygrandfatherdiedandliesburied.Wesawhisgravestonein1758.Hiseldest
sonThomaslivedinthehouseatEcton,andleftitwiththelandtohisonlychild,adaughter,who,
withherhusband,oneFisher,ofWellingborough,soldittoMr.Isted,nowlordofthemanorthere.
Mygrandfatherhadfoursonsthatgrewup,viz.:Thomas,John,BenjaminandJosiah.Iwillgiveyou
whataccountIcanofthem,atthisdistancefrommypapers,andifthesearenotlostinmyabsence,
youwillamongthemfindmanymoreparticulars.
Thomaswasbredasmithunderhisfather;but,beingingenious,andencouragedinlearning(asall
mybrotherswere)byanEsquirePalmer,thentheprincipalgentlemaninthatparish,hequalified
himselfforthebusinessofscrivener;becameaconsiderablemaninthecounty;wasachiefmoverof
allpublicspiritedundertakingsforthecountyortownofNorthampton,andhisownvillage,of
whichmanyinstanceswererelatedofhim;andmuchtakennoticeofandpatronizedbythethen
LordHalifax.Hediedin17O2,January6,oldstyle,justfouryearstoadaybeforeIwasborn.The
accountwereceivedofhislifeandcharacterfromsomeoldpeopleatEcton,Iremember,struckyou
assomethingextraordinary,fromitssimilaritytowhatyouknewofmine.
"Hadhediedonthesameday,"yousaid,"onemighthavesupposedatransmigration."
Johnwasbredadyer,Ibelieveofwoolens.Benjaminwasbredasilkdyer,servinganapprenticeship
atLondon.Hewasaningeniousman.Irememberhimwell,forwhenIwasaboyhecameovertomy
fatherinBoston,andlivedinthehousewithussomeyears.Helivedtoagreatage.Hisgrandson,
SamuelFranklin,nowlivesinBoston.Heleftbehindhimtwoquartovolumes,MS.,ofhisown
poetry,consistingoflittleoccasionalpiecesaddressedtohisfriendsandrelations,ofwhichthe
following,senttome,isaspecimen.(2)Hehadformedashorthandofhisown,whichhetaughtme,
but,neverpractisingit,Ihavenowforgotit.Iwasnamedafterthisuncle,therebeingaparticular
affectionbetweenhimandmyfather.Hewasverypious,agreatattenderofsermonsofthebest
preachers,whichhetookdowninhisshorthand,andhadwithhimmanyvolumesofthem.Hewas
alsomuchofapolitician;toomuch,perhaps,forhisstation.Therefelllatelyintomyhands,in
London,acollectionhehadmadeofalltheprincipalpamphlets,relatingtopublicaffairs,from1641
to1717;manyofthevolumesarewantingasappearsbythenumbering,buttherestillremaineight
volumesinfolio,andtwentyfourinquartoandinoctavo.Adealerinoldbooksmetwiththem,and
knowingmebymysometimesbuyingofhim,hebroughtthemtome.Itseemsmyunclemusthave
leftthemhere,whenhewenttoAmerica,whichwasaboutfiftyyearssince.Therearemanyofhis
notesinthemargins.
2.Herefollowinthemarginthewords,inbrackets,"hereinsertit,"butthepoetryisnotgiven.Mr.
Sparksinformsus(LifeofFranklin,p.6)thatthesevolumeshadbeenpreserved,andwerein
possessionofMrs.Emmons,ofBoston,greatgranddaughteroftheirauthor.
ThisobscurefamilyofourswasearlyintheReformation,andcontinuedProtestantsthroughthe
reignofQueenMary,whentheyweresometimesindangeroftroubleonaccountoftheirzealagainst

popery.TheyhadgotanEnglishBible,andtoconcealandsecureit,itwasfastenedopenwithtapes
underandwithinthecoverofajointstool.Whenmygreatgreatgrandfatherreadittohisfamily,
heturnedupthejointstooluponhisknees,turningovertheleavesthenunderthetapes.Oneofthe
childrenstoodatthedoortogivenoticeifhesawtheapparitorcoming,whowasanofficerofthe
spiritualcourt.Inthatcasethestoolwasturneddownagainuponitsfeet,whentheBibleremained
concealedunderitasbefore.ThisanecdoteIhadfrommyuncleBenjamin.Thefamilycontinuedall
oftheChurchofEnglandtillabouttheendofCharlestheSecond'sreign,whensomeoftheministers
thathadbeenoutedfornonconformityholdingconventiclesinNorthamptonshire,Benjaminand
Josiahadheredtothem,andsocontinuedalltheirlives:therestofthefamilyremainedwiththe
EpiscopalChurch.
Josiah,myfather,marriedyoung,andcarriedhiswifewiththreechildrenintoNewEngland,about
1682.Theconventicleshavingbeenforbiddenbylaw,andfrequentlydisturbed,inducedsome
considerablemenofhisacquaintancetoremovetothatcountry,andhewasprevailedwithto
accompanythemthither,wheretheyexpectedtoenjoytheirmodeofreligionwithfreedom.Bythe
samewifehehadfourchildrenmorebornthere,andbyasecondwifetenmore,inallseventeen;of
whichIrememberthirteensittingatonetimeathistable,whoallgrewuptobemenandwomen,
andmarried;Iwastheyoungestson,andtheyoungestchildbuttwo,andwasborninBoston,New
England.Mymother,thesecondwife,wasAbiahFolger,daughterofPeterFolger,oneofthefirst
settlersofNewEngland,ofwhomhonorablementionismadebyCottonMatherinhischurchhistory
ofthatcountry,entitledMagnaliaChristiAmericana,as'agodly,learnedEnglishman,"ifI
rememberthewordsrightly.Ihaveheardthathewrotesundrysmalloccasionalpieces,butonlyone
ofthemwasprinted,whichIsawnowmanyyearssince.Itwaswrittenin1675,inthehomespun
verseofthattimeandpeople,andaddressedtothosethenconcernedinthegovernmentthere.Itwas
infavoroflibertyofconscience,andinbehalfoftheBaptists,Quakers,andothersectariesthathad
beenunderpersecution,ascribingtheIndianwars,andotherdistressesthathadbefallenthe
country,tothatpersecution,assomanyjudgmentsofGodtopunishsoheinousanoffense,and
exhortingarepealofthoseuncharitablelaws.Thewholeappearedtomeaswrittenwithagooddeal
ofdecentplainnessandmanlyfreedom.ThesixconcludinglinesIremember,thoughIhave
forgottenthetwofirstofthestanza;butthepurportofthemwas,thathiscensuresproceededfrom
goodwill,and,therefore,hewouldbeknowntobetheauthor.
"Becausetobealibeller(sayshe)Ihateitwithmyheart;FromSherburnetown,wherenowIdwellMy
nameIdoputhere;Withoutoffenseyourrealfriend,ItisPeterFolgier."
Myelderbrotherswereallputapprenticestodifferenttrades.Iwasputtothegrammarschoolat
eightyearsofage,myfatherintendingtodevoteme,asthetitheofhissons,totheserviceofthe
Church.Myearlyreadinessinlearningtoread(whichmusthavebeenveryearly,asIdonot
rememberwhenIcouldnotread),andtheopinionofallhisfriends,thatIshouldcertainlymakea
goodscholar,encouragedhiminthispurposeofhis.MyuncleBenjamin,too,approvedofit,and
proposedtogivemeallhisshorthandvolumesofsermons,Isupposeasastocktosetupwith,ifI
wouldlearnhischaracter.Icontinued,however,atthegrammarschoolnotquiteoneyear,thoughin
thattimeIhadrisengraduallyfromthemiddleoftheclassofthatyeartobetheheadofit,and
fartherwasremovedintothenextclassaboveit,inordertogowiththatintothethirdattheendof
theyear.Butmyfather,inthemeantime,fromaviewoftheexpenseofacollegeeducation,which
havingsolargeafamilyhecouldnotwellafford,andthemeanlivingmanysoeducatedwere
afterwardsabletoobtainreasonsthatbegavetohisfriendsinmyhearingalteredhisfirst
intention,tookmefromthegrammarschool,andsentmetoaschoolforwritingandarithmetic,kept
byathenfamousman,Mr.GeorgeBrownell,verysuccessfulinhisprofessiongenerally,andthatby

mild,encouragingmethods.UnderhimIacquiredfairwritingprettysoon,butIfailedinthe
arithmetic,andmadenoprogressinit.AttenyearsoldIwastakenhometoassistmyfatherinhis
business,whichwasthatofatallowchandlerandsopeboiler;abusinesshewasnotbredto,buthad
assumedonhisarrivalinNewEngland,andonfindinghisdyingtradewouldnotmaintainhis
family,beinginlittlerequest.Accordingly,Iwasemployedincuttingwickforthecandles,fillingthe
dippingmoldandthemoldsforcastcandles,attendingtheshop,goingoferrands,etc.
Idislikedthetrade,andhadastronginclinationforthesea,butmyfatherdeclaredagainstit;
however,livingnearthewater,Iwasmuchinandaboutit,learntearlytoswimwell,andtomanage
boats;andwheninaboatorcanoewithotherboys,Iwascommonlyallowedtogovern,especiallyin
anycaseofdifficulty;anduponotheroccasionsIwasgenerallyaleaderamongtheboys,and
sometimesledthemintoscrapes,ofwhichIwillmentiononeinstance,asitshowsanearlyprojecting
publicspirit,tho'notthenjustlyconducted.
Therewasasaltmarshthatboundedpartofthemillpond,ontheedgeofwhich,athighwater,we
usedtostandtofishforminnows.Bymuchtrampling,wehadmadeitamerequagmire.My
proposalwastobuildawharfftherefitforustostandupon,andIshowedmycomradesalargeheap
ofstones,whichwereintendedforanewhousenearthemarsh,andwhichwouldverywellsuitour
purpose.Accordingly,intheevening,whentheworkmenweregone,Iassembledanumberofmy
playfellows,andworkingwiththemdiligentlylikesomanyemmets,sometimestwoorthreetoa
stone,webroughtthemallawayandbuiltourlittlewharff.Thenextmorningtheworkmenwere
surprisedatmissingthestones,whichwerefoundinourwharff.Inquirywasmadeafterthe
removers;wewerediscoveredandcomplainedof;severalofuswerecorrectedbyourfathers;and
thoughIpleadedtheusefulnessofthework,mineconvincedmethatnothingwasusefulwhichwas
nothonest.
Ithinkyoumayliketoknowsomethingofhispersonandcharacter.Hehadanexcellentconstitution
ofbody,wasofmiddlestature,butwellset,andverystrong;hewasingenious,coulddrawprettily,
wasskilledalittleinmusic,andhadaclearpleasingvoice,sothatwhenheplayedpsalmtunesonhis
violinandsungwithal,ashesometimesdidinaneveningafterthebusinessofthedaywasover,it
wasextremelyagreeabletohear.Hehadamechanicalgeniustoo,and,onoccasion,wasveryhandy
intheuseofothertradesmen'stools;buthisgreatexcellencelayinasoundunderstandingandsolid
judgmentinprudentialmatters,bothinprivateandpublickaffairs.Inthelatter,indeed,hewas
neveremployed,thenumerousfamilyhehadtoeducateandthestraitnessofhiscircumstances
keepinghimclosetohistrade;butIrememberwellhisbeingfrequentlyvisitedbyleadingpeople,
whoconsultedhimforhisopinioninaffairsofthetownorofthechurchhebelongedto,andshowed
agooddealofrespectforhisjudgmentandadvice:hewasalsomuchconsultedbyprivatepersons
abouttheiraffairswhenanydifficultyoccurred,andfrequentlychosenanarbitratorbetween
contendingparties.
Athistablehelikedtohave,asoftenashecould,somesensiblefriendorneighbortoconversewith,
andalwaystookcaretostartsomeingeniousorusefultopicfordiscourse,whichmighttendto
improvethemindsofhischildren.Bythismeansheturnedourattentiontowhatwasgood,just,and
prudentintheconductoflife;andlittleornonoticewasevertakenofwhatrelatedtothevictualson
thetable,whetheritwaswellorilldressed,inoroutofseason,ofgoodorbadflavor,preferableor
inferiortothisorthatotherthingofthekind,sothatIwasbro'tupinsuchaperfectinattentionto
thosemattersastobequiteindifferentwhatkindoffoodwassetbeforeme,andsounobservantofit,
thattothisdayifIamaskedIcanscarcetellafewhoursafterdinnerwhatIdinedupon.Thishas

beenaconveniencetomeintravelling,wheremycompanionshavebeensometimesveryunhappyfor
wantofasuitablegratificationoftheirmoredelicate,becausebetterinstructed,tastesandappetites.
Mymotherhadlikewiseanexcellentconstitution:shesuckledallhertenchildren.Ineverknew
eithermyfatherormothertohaveanysicknessbutthatofwhichtheydy'd,heat89,andsheat85
yearsofage.TheylieburiedtogetheratBoston,whereIsomeyearssinceplacedamarbleovertheir
grave,withthisinscription:
JOSIAHFRANKLIN,
and
ABIAHhisWife,
liehereinterred.
Theylivedlovinglytogetherinwedlock
fiftyfiveyears.
Withoutanestate,oranygainfulemployment,
Byconstantlaborandindustry,
withGod'sblessing,
Theymaintainedalargefamily
comfortably,
andbroughtupthirteenchildren
andsevengrandchildren
reputably.
Fromthisinstance,reader,
Beencouragedtodiligenceinthycalling,
AnddistrustnotProvidence.
Hewasapiousandprudentman;
She,adiscreetandvirtuouswoman.
Theiryoungestson,
Infilialregardtotheirmemory,
Placesthisstone.
J.F.born1655,died1744,AEtat89.
A.F.born1667,died1752,95.
BymyramblingdigressionsIperceivemyselftobegrownold.Ius'dtowritemoremethodically.But
onedoesnotdressforprivatecompanyasforapublickball.'Tisperhapsonlynegligence.
Toreturn:Icontinuedthusemployedinmyfather'sbusinessfortwoyears,thatis,tillIwastwelve
yearsold;andmybrotherJohn,whowasbredtothatbusiness,havingleftmyfather,married,and
setupforhimselfatRhodeIsland,therewasallappearancethatIwasdestinedtosupplyhisplace,
andbecomeatallowchandler.Butmydisliketothetradecontinuing,myfatherwasunder
apprehensionsthatifhedidnotfindoneformemoreagreeable,Ishouldbreakawayandgettosea,
ashissonJosiahhaddone,tohisgreatvexation.Hethereforesometimestookmetowalkwithhim,
andseejoiners,bricklayers,turners,braziers,etc.,attheirwork,thathemightobservemy
inclination,andendeavortofixitonsometradeorotheronland.Ithaseversincebeenapleasureto
metoseegoodworkmenhandletheirtools;andithasbeenusefultome,havinglearntsomuchbyit
astobeabletodolittlejobsmyselfinmyhousewhenaworkmancouldnotreadilybegot,andto
constructlittlemachinesformyexperiments,whiletheintentionofmakingtheexperimentwasfresh
andwarminmymind.Myfatheratlastfixeduponthecutler'strade,andmyuncleBenjamin'sson
Samuel,whowasbredtothatbusinessinLondon,beingaboutthattimeestablishedinBoston,Iwas

senttobewithhimsometimeonliking.Buthisexpectationsofafeewithmedispleasingmyfather,I
wastakenhomeagain.
FromachildIwasfondofreading,andallthelittlemoneythatcameintomyhandswaseverlaid
outinbooks.PleasedwiththePilgrim'sProgress,myfirstcollectionwasofJohnBunyan'sworksin
separatelittlevolumes.IafterwardsoldthemtoenablemetobuyR.Burton'sHistoricalCollections;
theyweresmallchapmen'sbooks,andcheap,40or50inall.Myfather'slittlelibraryconsisted
chieflyofbooksinpolemicdivinity,mostofwhichIread,andhavesinceoftenregrettedthat,ata
timewhenIhadsuchathirstforknowledge,moreproperbookshadnotfalleninmywaysinceit
wasnowresolvedIshouldnotbeaclergyman.Plutarch'sLivestherewasinwhichIread
abundantly,andIstillthinkthattimespenttogreatadvantage.TherewasalsoabookofDeFoe's,
calledanEssayonProjects,andanotherofDr.Mather's,calledEssaystodoGood,whichperhaps
gavemeaturnofthinkingthathadaninfluenceonsomeoftheprincipalfutureeventsofmylife.
Thisbookishinclinationatlengthdeterminedmyfathertomakemeaprinter,thoughhehad
alreadyoneson(James)ofthatprofession.In1717mybrotherJamesreturnedfromEnglandwitha
pressandletterstosetuphisbusinessinBoston.Ilikeditmuchbetterthanthatofmyfather,but
stillhadahankeringforthesea.Topreventtheapprehendedeffectofsuchaninclination,myfather
wasimpatienttohavemeboundtomybrother.Istoodoutsometime,butatlastwaspersuaded,and
signedtheindentureswhenIwasyetbuttwelveyearsold.IwastoserveasanapprenticetillIwas
twentyoneyearsofage,onlyIwastobeallowedjourneyman'swagesduringthelastyear.Inalittle
timeImadegreatproficiencyinthebusiness,andbecameausefulhandtomybrother.Inowhad
accesstobetterbooks.Anacquaintancewiththeapprenticesofbooksellersenabledmesometimesto
borrowasmallone,whichIwascarefultoreturnsoonandclean.OftenIsatupinmyroomreading
thegreatestpartofthenight,whenthebookwasborrowedintheeveningandtobereturnedearlyin
themorning,lestitshouldbemissedorwanted.
Andaftersometimeaningenioustradesman,Mr.MatthewAdams,whohadaprettycollectionof
books,andwhofrequentedourprintinghouse,tooknoticeofme,invitedmetohislibrary,andvery
kindlylentmesuchbooksasIchosetoread.Inowtookafancytopoetry,andmadesomelittle
pieces;mybrother,thinkingitmightturntoaccount,encouragedme,andputmeoncomposing
occasionalballads.OnewascalledTheLighthouseTragedy,andcontainedanaccountofthe
drowningofCaptainWorthilake,withhistwodaughters:theotherwasasailor'ssong,onthetaking
ofTeach(orBlackbeard)thepirate.Theywerewretchedstuff,intheGrubstreetballadstyle;and
whentheywereprintedhesentmeaboutthetowntosellthem.Thefirstsoldwonderfully,theevent
beingrecent,havingmadeagreatnoise.Thisflatteredmyvanity;butmyfatherdiscouragedmeby
ridiculingmyperformances,andtellingmeversemakersweregenerallybeggars.SoIescapedbeing
apoet,mostprobablyaverybadone;butasprosewritingbadbeenofgreatusetomeinthecourse
ofmylife,andwasaprincipalmeansofmyadvancement,Ishalltellyouhow,insuchasituation,I
acquiredwhatlittleabilityIhaveinthatway.
Therewasanotherbookishladinthetown,JohnCollinsbyname,withwhomIwasintimately
acquainted.Wesometimesdisputed,andveryfondwewereofargument,andverydesirousof
confutingoneanother,whichdisputatiousturn,bytheway,isapttobecomeaverybadhabit,
makingpeopleoftenextremelydisagreeableincompanybythecontradictionthatisnecessaryto
bringitintopractice;andthence,besidessouringandspoilingtheconversation,isproductiveof
disgustsand,perhapsenmitieswhereyoumayhaveoccasionforfriendship.Ihadcaughtitby
readingmyfather'sbooksofdisputeaboutreligion.Personsofgoodsense,Ihavesinceobserved,

seldomfallintoit,exceptlawyers,universitymen,andmenofallsortsthathavebeenbredat
Edinborough.
Aquestionwasonce,somehoworother,startedbetweenCollinsandme,oftheproprietyof
educatingthefemalesexinlearning,andtheirabilitiesforstudy.Hewasofopinionthatitwas
improper,andthattheywerenaturallyunequaltoit.Itookthecontraryside,perhapsalittlefor
dispute'ssake.Hewasnaturallymoreeloquent,hadareadyplentyofwords;andsometimes,asI
thought,boremedownmorebyhisfluencythanbythestrengthofhisreasons.Aswepartedwithout
settlingthepoint,andwerenottoseeoneanotheragainforsometime,Isatdowntoputmy
argumentsinwriting,whichIcopiedfairandsenttohim.Heanswered,andIreplied.Threeorfour
lettersofasidehadpassed,whenmyfatherhappenedtofindmypapersandreadthem.Without
enteringintothediscussion,hetookoccasiontotalktomeaboutthemannerofmywriting;observed
that,thoughIhadtheadvantageofmyantagonistincorrectspellingandpointing(whichIow'dto
theprintinghouse),Ifellfarshortineleganceofexpression,inmethodandinperspicuity,ofwhich
heconvincedmebyseveralinstances.Isawthejusticeofhisremark,andthencegrewmoreattentive
tothemannerinwriting,anddeterminedtoendeavoratimprovement.
AboutthistimeImetwithanoddvolumeoftheSpectator.Itwasthethird.Ihadneverbeforeseen
anyofthem.Iboughtit,readitoverandover,andwasmuchdelightedwithit.Ithoughtthewriting
excellent,andwished,ifpossible,toimitateit.WiththisviewItooksomeofthepapers,and,making
shorthintsofthesentimentineachsentence,laidthembyafewdays,andthen,withoutlookingat
thebook,try'dtocompleatthepapersagain,byexpressingeachhintedsentimentatlength,andas
fullyasithadbeenexpressedbefore,inanysuitablewordsthatshouldcometohand.ThenI
comparedmySpectatorwiththeoriginal,discoveredsomeofmyfaults,andcorrectedthem.ButI
foundIwantedastockofwords,orareadinessinrecollectingandusingthem,whichIthoughtI
shouldhaveacquiredbeforethattimeifIhadgoneonmakingverses;sincethecontinualoccasion
forwordsofthesameimport,butofdifferentlength,tosuitthemeasure,orofdifferentsoundfor
therhyme,wouldhavelaidmeunderaconstantnecessityofsearchingforvariety,andalsohave
tendedtofixthatvarietyinmymind,andmakememasterofit.ThereforeItooksomeofthetales
andturnedthemintoverse;and,afteratime,whenIhadprettywellforgottentheprose,turned
thembackagain.Ialsosometimesjumbledmycollectionsofhintsintoconfusion,andaftersome
weeksendeavoredtoreducethemintothebestorder,beforeIbegantoformthefullsentencesand
compleatthepaper.Thiswastoteachmemethodinthearrangementofthoughts.Bycomparingmy
workafterwardswiththeoriginal,Idiscoveredmanyfaultsandamendedthem;butIsometimeshad
thepleasureoffancyingthat,incertainparticularsofsmallimport,Ihadbeenluckyenoughto
improvethemethodorthelanguage,andthisencouragedmetothinkImightpossiblyintimecome
tobeatolerableEnglishwriter,ofwhichIwasextremelyambitious.Mytimefortheseexercisesand
forreadingwasatnight,afterworkorbeforeitbeganinthemorning,oronSundays,whenI
contrivedtobeintheprintinghousealone,evadingasmuchasIcouldthecommonattendanceon
publicworshipwhichmyfatherusedtoexactonmewhenIwasunderhiscare,andwhichindeedI
stillthoughtaduty,thoughIcouldnot,asitseemedtome,affordtimetopractiseit.
Whenabout16yearsofageIhappenedtomeetwithabook,writtenbyoneTryon,recommendinga
vegetablediet.Ideterminedtogointoit.Mybrother,beingyetunmarried,didnotkeephouse,but
boardedhimselfandhisapprenticesinanotherfamily.Myrefusingtoeatfleshoccasionedan
inconveniency,andIwasfrequentlychidformysingularity.ImademyselfacquaintedwithTryon's
mannerofpreparingsomeofhisdishes,suchasboilingpotatoesorrice,makinghastypudding,and
afewothers,andthenproposedtomybrother,thatifhewouldgiveme,weekly,halfthemoneyhe
paidformyboard,Iwouldboardmyself.Heinstantlyagreedtoit,andIpresentlyfoundthatIcould

savehalfwhathepaidme.Thiswasanadditionalfundforbuyingbooks.ButIhadanother
advantageinit.Mybrotherandtherestgoingfromtheprintinghousetotheirmeals,Iremained
therealone,and,despatchingpresentlymylightrepast,whichoftenwasnomorethanabisketora
sliceofbread,ahandfulofraisinsoratartfromthepastrycook's,andaglassofwater,hadtherest
ofthetimetilltheirreturnforstudy,inwhichImadethegreaterprogress,fromthatgreater
clearnessofheadandquickerapprehensionwhichusuallyattendtemperanceineatinganddrinking.
Andnowitwasthat,beingonsomeoccasionmadeasham'dofmyignoranceinfigures,whichIhad
twicefailedinlearningwhenatschool,ItookCocker'sbookofArithmetick,andwentthroughthe
wholebymyselfwithgreatease.IalsoreadSeller'sandShermy'sbooksofNavigation,andbecame
acquaintedwiththelittlegeometrytheycontain;butneverproceededfarinthatscience.AndIread
aboutthistimeLockeOnHumanUnderstanding,andtheArtofThinking,byMessrs.duPort
Royal.
WhileIwasintentonimprovingmylanguage,ImetwithanEnglishgrammar(Ithinkitwas
Greenwood's),attheendofwhichthereweretwolittlesketchesoftheartsofrhetoricandlogic,the
latterfinishingwithaspecimenofadisputeintheSocraticmethod;andsoonafterIprocur'd
Xenophon'sMemorableThingsofSocrates,whereintherearemanyinstancesofthesamemethod.I
wascharm'dwithit,adoptedit,droptmyabruptcontradictionandpositiveargumentation,andput
onthehumbleinquireranddoubter.Andbeingthen,fromreadingShaftesburyandCollins,become
arealdoubterinmanypointsofourreligiousdoctrine,Ifoundthismethodsafestformyselfand
veryembarrassingtothoseagainstwhomIusedit;thereforeItookadelightinit,practis'dit
continually,andgrewveryartfulandexpertindrawingpeople,evenofsuperiorknowledge,into
concessions,theconsequencesofwhichtheydidnotforesee,entanglingthemindifficultiesoutof
whichtheycouldnotextricatethemselves,andsoobtainingvictoriesthatneithermyselfnormy
causealwaysdeserved.Icontinu'dthismethodsomefewyears,butgraduallyleftit,retainingonly
thehabitofexpressingmyselfintermsofmodestdiffidence;neverusing,whenIadvancedanything
thatmaypossiblybedisputed,thewordscertainly,undoubtedly,oranyothersthatgivetheairof
positivenesstoanopinion;butrathersay,Iconceiveorapprehendathingtobesoandso;itappears
tome,orIshouldthinkitsoorso,forsuchandsuchreasons;orIimagineittobeso;oritisso,ifI
amnotmistaken.Thishabit,Ibelieve,hasbeenofgreatadvantagetomewhenIhavehadoccasion
toinculcatemyopinions,andpersuademenintomeasuresthatIhavebeenfromtimetotime
engag'dinpromoting;and,asthechiefendsofconversationaretoinformortobeinformed,to
pleaseortopersuade,Iwishwellmeaning,sensiblemenwouldnotlessentheirpowerofdoinggood
byapositive,assumingmanner,thatseldomfailstodisgust,tendstocreateopposition,andtodefeat
everyoneofthosepurposesforwhichspeechwasgiventous,towit,givingorreceivinginformation
orpleasure.For,ifyouwouldinform,apositiveanddogmaticalmannerinadvancingyour
sentimentsmayprovokecontradictionandpreventacandidattention.Ifyouwishinformationand
improvementfromtheknowledgeofothers,andyetatthesametimeexpressyourselfasfirmlyfix'd
inyourpresentopinions,modest,sensiblemen,whodonotlovedisputation,willprobablyleaveyou
undisturbedinthepossessionofyourerror.Andbysuchamanner,youcanseldomhopeto
recommendyourselfinpleasingyourhearers,ortopersuadethosewhoseconcurrenceyoudesire.
Popesays,judiciously:
"Menshouldbetaughtasifyoutaughtthemnot,Andthingsunknownpropos'dasthingsforgot;"
fartherrecommendingtous"Tospeak,tho'sure,withseemingdiffidence."

Andhemighthavecoupledwiththislinethatwhichhehascoupledwithanother,Ithink,less
properly,
"Forwantofmodestyiswantofsense."
Ifyouask,Whylessproperly?Imustrepeatthelines,
"Immodestwordsadmitofnodefense,Forwantofmodestyiswantofsense."
Now,isnotwantofsense(whereamanissounfortunateastowantit)someapologyforhiswantof
modesty?andwouldnotthelinesstandmorejustlythus?
"Immodestwordsadmitbutthisdefense,Thatwantofmodestyiswantofsense."
This,however,Ishouldsubmittobetterjudgments.
Mybrotherhad,in1720or1721,beguntoprintanewspaper.Itwasthesecondthatappearedin
America,andwascalledtheNewEnglandCourant.TheonlyonebeforeitwastheBostonNews
Letter.Irememberhisbeingdissuadedbysomeofhisfriendsfromtheundertaking,asnotlikelyto
succeed,onenewspaperbeing,intheirjudgment,enoughforAmerica.Atthistime(1771)thereare
notlessthanfiveandtwenty.Hewenton,however,withtheundertaking,andafterhavingworked
incomposingthetypesandprintingoffthesheets,Iwasemployedtocarrythepapersthro'the
streetstothecustomers.
Hehadsomeingeniousmenamonghisfriends,whoamus'dthemselvesbywritinglittlepiecesfor
thispaper,whichgain'ditcreditandmadeitmoreindemand,andthesegentlemenoftenvisitedus.
Hearingtheirconversations,andtheiraccountsoftheapprobationtheirpaperswerereceivedwith,I
wasexcitedtotrymyhandamongthem;but,beingstillaboy,andsuspectingthatmybrotherwould
objecttoprintinganythingofmineinhispaperifheknewittobemine,Icontrivedtodisguisemy
hand,and,writingananonymouspaper,Iputitinatnightunderthedooroftheprintinghouse.It
wasfoundinthemorning,andcommunicatedtohiswritingfriendswhentheycall'dinasusual.
Theyreadit,commentedonitinmyhearing,andIhadtheexquisitepleasureoffindingitmetwith
theirapprobation,andthat,intheirdifferentguessesattheauthor,nonewerenamedbutmenof
somecharacteramongusforlearningandingenuity.IsupposenowthatIwasratherluckyinmy
judges,andthatperhapstheywerenotreallysoverygoodonesasIthenesteem'dthem.
Encourag'd,however,bythis,Iwroteandconvey'dinthesamewaytothepressseveralmorepapers
whichwereequallyapprov'd;andIkeptmysecrettillmysmallfundofsenseforsuchperformances
wasprettywellexhaustedandthenIdiscoveredit,whenIbegantobeconsideredalittlemorebymy
brother'sacquaintance,andinamannerthatdidnotquitepleasehim,ashethought,probablywith
reason,thatittendedtomakemetoovain.And,perhaps,thismightbeoneoccasionofthe
differencesthatwebegantohaveaboutthistime.Thoughabrother,heconsideredhimselfasmy
master,andmeashisapprentice,andaccordingly,expectedthesameservicesfrommeashewould
fromanother,whileIthoughthedemean'dmetoomuchinsomeherequir'dofme,whofroma
brotherexpectedmoreindulgence.Ourdisputeswereoftenbroughtbeforeourfather,andIfancyI
waseithergenerallyintheright,orelseabetterpleader,becausethejudgmentwasgenerallyinmy
favor.Butmybrotherwaspassionate,andhadoftenbeatenme,whichItookextreamlyamiss;and,
thinkingmyapprenticeshipverytedious,Iwascontinuallywishingforsomeopportunityof
shorteningit,whichatlengthofferedinamannerunexpected.(3)

3.Ifancyhisharshandtyrannicaltreatmentofmemightbeameansofimpressingmewiththat
aversiontoarbitrarypowerthathasstucktomethroughmywholelife.
Oneofthepiecesinournewspaperonsomepoliticalpoint,whichIhavenowforgotten,gaveoffense
totheAssembly.Hewastakenup,censur'd,andimprison'dforamonth,bythespeaker'swarrant,I
suppose,becausehewouldnotdiscoverhisauthor.Itoowastakenupandexamin'dbeforethe
council;but,tho'Ididnotgivethemanysatisfaction,theycontent'dthemselveswithadmonishing
me,anddismissedme,consideringme,perhaps,asanapprentice,whowasboundtokeephis
master'ssecrets.
Duringmybrother'sconfinement,whichIresentedagooddeal,notwithstandingourprivate
differences,Ihadthemanagementofthepaper;andImadeboldtogiveourrulerssomerubsinit,
whichmybrothertookverykindly,whileothersbegantoconsidermeinanunfavorablelight,asa
younggeniusthathadaturnforlibellingandsatyr.Mybrother'sdischargewasaccompany'dwith
anorderoftheHouse(averyoddone),that"JamesFranklinshouldnolongerprintthepapercalled
theNewEnglandCourant."
Therewasaconsultationheldinourprintinghouseamonghisfriends,whatheshoulddointhis
case.Someproposedtoevadetheorderbychangingthenameofthepaper;butmybrother,seeing
inconveniencesinthat,itwasfinallyconcludedonasabetterway,toletitbeprintedforthefuture
underthenameofBENJAMINFRANKLIN;andtoavoidthecensureoftheAssembly,thatmight
fallonhimasstillprintingitbyhisapprentice,thecontrivancewasthatmyoldindentureshouldbe
return'dtome,withafulldischargeonthebackofit,tobeshownonoccasion,buttosecuretohim
thebenefitofmyservice,Iwastosignnewindenturesfortheremainderoftheterm,whichwereto
bekeptprivate.Averyflimsyschemeitwas;however,itwasimmediatelyexecuted,andthepaper
wentonaccordingly,undermynameforseveralmonths.
Atlength,afreshdifferencearisingbetweenmybrotherandme,Itookuponmetoassertmy
freedom,presumingthathewouldnotventuretoproducethenewindentures.Itwasnotfairinme
totakethisadvantage,andthisIthereforereckononeofthefirsterrataofmylife;butthe
unfairnessofitweighedlittlewithme,whenundertheimpressionsofresentmentfortheblowshis
passiontoooftenurgedhimtobestowuponme,thoughhewasotherwisenotanillnatur'dman:
perhapsIwastoosaucyandprovoking.
WhenhefoundIwouldleavehim,hetookcaretopreventmygettingemploymentinanyother
printinghouseofthetown,bygoingroundandspeakingtoeverymaster,whoaccordinglyrefus'dto
givemework.IthenthoughtofgoingtoNewYork,asthenearestplacewheretherewasaprinter;
andIwasratherinclin'dtoleaveBostonwhenIreflectedthatIhadalreadymademyselfalittle
obnoxioustothegoverningparty,and,fromthearbitraryproceedingsoftheAssemblyinmy
brother'scase,itwaslikelyImight,ifIstay'd,soonbringmyselfintoscrapes;andfarther,thatmy
indiscretedisputationsaboutreligionbegantomakemepointedatwithhorrorbygoodpeopleasan
infideloratheist.Idetermin'donthepoint,butmyfathernowsidingwithmybrother,Iwassensible
that,ifIattemptedtogoopenly,meanswouldbeusedtopreventme.MyfriendCollins,therefore,
undertooktomanagealittleforme.HeagreedwiththecaptainofaNewYorksloopformypassage,
underthenotionofmybeingayoungacquaintanceofhis,thathadgotanaughtygirlwithchild,
whosefriendswouldcompelmetomarryher,andthereforeIcouldnotappearorcomeaway
publicly.SoIsoldsomeofmybookstoraisealittlemoney,wastakenonboardprivately,andaswe
hadafairwind,inthreedaysIfoundmyselfinNewYork,near300milesfromhome,aboyofbut

17,withouttheleastrecommendationto,orknowledgeofanypersonintheplace,andwithverylittle
moneyinmypocket.
Myinclinationsfortheseawerebythistimeworneout,orImightnowhavegratify'dthem.But,
havingatrade,andsupposingmyselfaprettygoodworkman,Ioffer'dmyservicetotheprinterin
theplace,oldMr.WilliamBradford,whohadbeenthefirstprinterinPennsylvania,butremoved
fromthenceuponthequarrelofGeorgeKeith.Hecouldgivemenoemployment,havinglittletodo,
andhelpenoughalready;butsayshe,"MysonatPhiladelphiahaslatelylosthisprincipalhand,
AquilaRose,bydeath;ifyougothither,Ibelievehemayemployyou."Philadelphiawasahundred
milesfurther;Isetout,however,inaboatforAmboy,leavingmychestandthingstofollowme
roundbysea.
Incrossingthebay,wemetwithasquallthattoreourrottensailstopieces,preventedourgetting
intotheKillanddroveusuponLongIsland.Inourway,adrunkenDutchman,whowasapassenger
too,felloverboard;whenhewassinking,Ireachedthroughthewatertohisshockpate,anddrew
himup,sothatwegothiminagain.Hisduckingsoberedhimalittle,andhewenttosleep,taking
firstoutofhispocketabook,whichhedesir'dIwoulddryforhim.Itprovedtobemyoldfavorite
author,Bunyan'sPilgrim'sProgress,inDutch,finelyprintedongoodpaper,withcoppercuts,a
dressbetterthanIhadeverseenitwearinitsownlanguage.Ihavesincefoundthatithasbeen
translatedintomostofthelanguagesofEurope,andsupposeithasbeenmoregenerallyreadthan
anyotherbook,exceptperhapstheBible.HonestJohnwasthefirstthatIknowofwhomix'd
narrationanddialogue;amethodofwritingveryengagingtothereader,whointhemostinteresting
partsfindshimself,asitwere,broughtintothecompanyandpresentatthediscourse.DeFoeinhis
Cruso,hisMollFlanders,ReligiousCourtship,FamilyInstructor,andotherpieces,hasimitatedit
withsuccess;andRichardsonhasdonethesame,inhisPamela,etc.
Whenwedrewneartheisland,wefounditwasataplacewheretherecouldbenolanding,there
beingagreatsurffonthestonybeach.Sowedroptanchor,andswungroundtowardstheshore.
Somepeoplecamedowntothewateredgeandhallow'dtous,aswedidtothem;butthewindwasso
high,andthesurffsoloud,thatwecouldnothearsoastounderstandeachother.Therewerecanoes
ontheshore,andwemadesigns,andhallow'dthattheyshouldfetchus;buttheyeitherdidnot
understandus,orthoughtitimpracticable,sotheywentaway,andnightcomingon,wehadno
remedybuttowaittillthewindshouldabate;and,inthemeantime,theboatmanandIconcludedto
sleep,ifwecould;andsocrowdedintothescuttle,withtheDutchman,whowasstillwet,andthe
spraybeatingovertheheadofourboat,leak'dthro'tous,sothatweweresoonalmostaswetashe.
Inthismannerwelayallnight,withverylittlerest;but,thewindabatingthenextday,wemadea
shifttoreachAmboybeforenight,havingbeenthirtyhoursonthewater,withoutvictuals,orany
drinkbutabottleoffilthyrum,andthewaterwesail'donbeingsalt.
IntheeveningIfoundmyselfveryfeverish,andwentintobed;but,havingreadsomewherethat
coldwaterdrankplentifullywasgoodforafever,Ifollow'dtheprescription,sweatplentifulmostof
thenight,myfeverleftme,andinthemorning,crossingtheferry,Iproceededonmyjourneyon
foot,havingfiftymilestoBurlington,whereIwastoldIshouldfindboatsthatwouldcarrymethe
restofthewaytoPhiladelphia.
Itrainedveryhardalltheday;Iwasthoroughlysoak'd,andbynoonagooddealtired;soIstoptat
apoorinn,whereIstaidallnight,beginningnowtowishthatIhadneverlefthome.Icutso
miserableafigure,too,thatIfound,bythequestionsask'dme,Iwassuspectedtobesomerunaway
servant,andindangerofbeingtakenuponthatsuspicion.However,Iproceededthenextday,and

gotintheeveningtoaninn,withineightortenmilesofBurlington,keptbyoneDr.Brown.He
enteredintoconversationwithmewhileItooksomerefreshment,and,findingIhadreadalittle,
becameverysociableandfriendly.Ouracquaintancecontinu'daslongasheliv'd.Hehadbeen,I
imagine,anitinerantdoctor,fortherewasnotowninEngland,orcountryinEurope,ofwhichhe
couldnotgiveaveryparticularaccount.Hehadsomeletters,andwasingenious,butmuchofan
unbeliever,andwickedlyundertook,someyearsafter,totravestietheBibleindoggrelverse,as
CottonhaddoneVirgil.Bythismeanshesetmanyofthefactsinaveryridiculouslight,andmight
havehurtweakmindsifhisworkhadbeenpublished;butitneverwas.
AthishouseIlaythatnight,andthenextmorningreach'dBurlington,buthadthemortificationto
findthattheregularboatsweregonealittlebeforemycoming,andnootherexpectedtogobefore
Tuesday,thisbeingSaturday;whereforeIreturnedtoanoldwomaninthetown,ofwhomIhad
boughtgingerbreadtoeatonthewater,andask'dheradvice.Sheinvitedmetolodgeatherhouse
tillapassagebywatershouldoffer;andbeingtiredwithmyfoottravelling,Iacceptedtheinvitation.
SheunderstandingIwasaprinter,wouldhavehadmestayatthattownandfollowmybusiness,
beingignorantofthestocknecessarytobeginwith.Shewasveryhospitable,gavemeadinnerofox
cheekwithgreatgoodwill,acceptingonlyapotofaleinreturn;andIthoughtmyselffixedtill
Tuesdayshouldcome.However,walkingintheeveningbythesideoftheriver,aboatcameby,
whichIfoundwasgoingtowardsPhiladelphia,withseveralpeopleinher.Theytookmein,and,as
therewasnowind,werow'dalltheway;andaboutmidnight,nothavingyetseenthecity,someof
thecompanywereconfidentwemusthavepassedit,andwouldrownofarther;theothersknewnot
wherewewere;soweputtowardtheshore,gotintoacreek,landednearanoldfence,withtherails
ofwhichwemadeafire,thenightbeingcold,inOctober,andthereweremainedtilldaylight.Then
oneofthecompanyknewtheplacetobeCooper'sCreek,alittleabovePhiladelphia,whichwesaw
assoonaswegotoutofthecreek,andarriv'dthereabouteightornineo'clockontheSunday
morning,andlandedattheMarketstreetwharf.
Ihavebeenthemoreparticularinthisdescriptionofmyjourney,andshallbesoofmyfirstentry
intothatcity,thatyoumayinyourmindcomparesuchunlikelybeginningswiththefigureIhave
sincemadethere.Iwasinmyworkingdress,mybestcloathsbeingtocomeroundbysea.Iwasdirty
frommyjourney;mypocketswerestuff'doutwithshirtsandstockings,andIknewnosoulnor
wheretolookforlodging.Iwasfatiguedwithtravelling,rowing,andwantofrest,Iwasvery
hungry;andmywholestockofcashconsistedofaDutchdollar,andaboutashillingincopper.The
latterIgavethepeopleoftheboatformypassage,whoatfirstrefus'dit,onaccountofmyrowing;
butIinsistedontheirtakingit.Amanbeingsometimesmoregenerouswhenhehasbutalittle
moneythanwhenhehasplenty,perhapsthro'fearofbeingthoughttohavebutlittle.
ThenIwalkedupthestreet,gazingabouttillnearthemarkethouseImetaboywithbread.Ihad
mademanyamealonbread,and,inquiringwherehegotit,Iwentimmediatelytothebaker'she
directedmeto,inSecondstreet,andask'dforbisket,intendingsuchaswehadinBoston;butthey,it
seems,werenotmadeinPhiladelphia.ThenIaskedforathreepennyloaf,andwastoldtheyhad
nonesuch.Sonotconsideringorknowingthedifferenceofmoney,andthegreatercheapnessnorthe
namesofhisbread,Imadehimgivemethreepennyworthofanysort.Hegaveme,accordingly,
threegreatpuffyrolls.Iwassurpriz'datthequantity,buttookit,and,havingnoroominmy
pockets,walk'doffwitharollundereacharm,andeatingtheother.ThusIwentupMarketstreetas
farasFourthstreet,passingbythedoorofMr.Read,myfuturewife'sfather;whenshe,standingat
thedoor,sawme,andthoughtImade,asIcertainlydid,amostawkward,ridiculousappearance.
ThenIturnedandwentdownChestnutstreetandpartofWalnutstreet,eatingmyrollalltheway,
and,corninground,foundmyselfagainatMarketstreetwharf,neartheboatIcamein,towhichI

wentforadraughtoftheriverwater;and,beingfilledwithoneofmyrolls,gavetheothertwotoa
womanandherchildthatcamedowntheriverintheboatwithus,andwerewaitingtogofarther.
Thusrefreshed,Iwalkedagainupthestreet,whichbythistimehadmanycleandressedpeopleinit,
whowereallwalkingthesameway.Ijoinedthem,andtherebywasledintothegreatmeetinghouse
oftheQuakersnearthemarket.Isatdownamongthem,and,afterlookingroundawhileand
hearingnothingsaid,beingverydrowsythro'laborandwantofresttheprecedingnight,Ifellfast
asleep,andcontinuedsotillthemeetingbrokeup,whenonewaskindenoughtorouseme.Thiswas,
therefore,thefirsthouseIwasin,orsleptin,inPhiladelphia.
Walkingdownagaintowardtheriver,and,lookinginthefacesofpeople,ImetayoungQuaker
man,whosecountenanceIlik'd,and,accostinghim,requestedhewouldtellmewhereastranger
couldgetlodging.WewerethennearthesignoftheThreeMariners."Here,"sayshe,"isoneplace
thatentertainsstrangers,butitisnotareputablehouse;iftheewiltwalkwithme,I'llshowtheea
better."HebroughtmetotheCrookedBilletinWaterstreet.HereIgotadinner;and,whileIwas
eatingit,severalslyquestionswereaskedme,asitseemedtobesuspectedfrommyyouthand
appearance,thatImightbesomerunaway.
Afterdinner,mysleepinessreturn'd,andbeingshowntoabed,Ilaydownwithoutundressing,and
slepttillsixintheevening,wascall'dtosupper,wenttobedagainveryearly,andsleptsoundlytill
nextmorning.ThenImademyselfastidyasIcould,andwenttoAndrewBradfordtheprinter's.I
foundintheshoptheoldmanhisfather,whomIhadseenatNewYork,andwho,travellingon
horseback,hadgottoPhiladelphiabeforeme.Heintroduc'dmetohisson,whoreceiv'dmecivilly,
gavemeabreakfast,buttoldmehedidnotatpresentwantahand,beinglatelysuppli'dwithone;
buttherewasanotherprinterintown,latelysetup,oneKeimer,who,perhaps,mightemployme;if
not,Ishouldbewelcometolodgeathishouse,andhewouldgivemealittleworktodonowandthen
tillfullerbusinessshouldoffer.
Theoldgentlemansaidhewouldgowithmetothenewprinter;andwhenwefoundhim,
"Neighbor,"saysBradford,"Ihavebroughttoseeyouayoungmanofyourbusiness;perhapsyou
maywantsuchaone."Heask'dmeafewquestions,putacomposingstickinmyhandtoseehowI
work'd,andthensaidhewouldemploymesoon,thoughhehadjustthennothingformetodo;and,
takingoldBradford,whomhehadneverseenbefore,tobeoneofthetown'speoplethathadagood
willforhim,enter'dintoaconversationonhispresentundertakingandprojects;whileBradford,
notdiscoveringthathewastheotherprinter'sfather,onKeimer'ssayingheexpectedsoontogetthe
greatestpartofthebusinessintohisownhands,drewhimonbyartfulquestions,andstartinglittle
doubts,toexplainallhisviews,whatinterestshereli'don,andinwhatmannerheintendedto
proceed.I,whostoodbyandheardall,sawimmediatelythatoneofthemwasacraftyoldsophister,
andtheotheramerenovice.BradfordleftmewithKeimer,whowasgreatlysurpris'dwhenItold
himwhotheoldmanwas.
Keimer'sprintinghouse,Ifound,consistedofanoldshatter'dpress,andonesmall,wornoutfontof
Englishwhichhewasthenusinghimself,composinganElegyonAquilaRose,beforementioned,an
ingeniousyoungman,ofexcellentcharacter,muchrespectedinthetown,clerkoftheAssembly,and
aprettypoet.Keimermadeversestoo,butveryindifferently.Hecouldnotbesaidtowritethem,for
hismannerwastocomposetheminthetypesdirectlyoutofhishead.Sotherebeingnocopy,butone
pairofcases,andtheElegylikelytorequirealltheletter,noonecouldhelphim.Iendeavor'dtoput
hispress(whichhehadnotyetus'd,andofwhichheunderstoodnothing)intoorderfittobework'd
with;and,promisingtocomeandprintoffhisElegyassoonasheshouldhavegotitready,I

return'dtoBradford's,whogavemealittlejobtodoforthepresent,andthereIlodgedanddieted,
Afewdaysafter,KeimersentformetoprintofftheElegy.Andnowhehadgotanotherpairof
cases,andapamphlettoreprint,onwhichhesetmetowork.
ThesetwoprintersIfoundpoorlyqualifiedfortheirbusiness.Bradfordhadnotbeenbredtoit,and
wasveryilliterate;andKeimer,tho'somethingofascholar,wasamerecompositor,knowing
nothingofpresswork.HehadbeenoneoftheFrenchprophets,andcouldacttheirenthusiastic
agitations.Atthistimehedidnotprofessanyparticularreligion,butsomethingofallonoccasion;
wasveryignorantoftheworld,andhad,asIafterwardfound,agooddealoftheknaveinhis
composition.HedidnotlikemylodgingatBradford'swhileIwork'dwithhim.Hehadahouse,
indeed,butwithoutfurniture,sohecouldnotlodgeme;buthegotmealodgingatMr.Read's,
beforementioned,whowastheownerofhishouse;and,mychestandclothesbeingcomebythis
time,ImaderatheramorerespectableappearanceintheeyesofMissReadthanIhaddonewhen
shefirsthappen'dtoseemeeatingmyrollinthestreet.
Ibegannowtohavesomeacquaintanceamongtheyoungpeopleofthetown,thatwereloversof
reading,withwhomIspentmyeveningsverypleasantly;andgainingmoneybymyindustryand
frugality,Ilivedveryagreeably,forgettingBostonasmuchasIcould,andnotdesiringthatany
thereshouldknowwhereIresided,exceptmyfriendCollins,whowasinmysecret,andkeptitwhen
Iwrotetohim.Atlength,anincidenthappenedthatsentmebackagainmuchsoonerthanIhad
intended.Ihadabrotherinlaw,RobertHolmes,masterofasloopthattradedbetweenBostonand
Delaware.HebeingatNewcastle,fortymilesbelowPhiladelphia,heardthereofme,andwrotemea
lettermentioningtheconcernofmyfriendsinBostonatmyabruptdeparture,assuringmeoftheir
goodwilltome,andthateverythingwouldbeaccommodatedtomymindifIwouldreturn,towhich
heexhortedmeveryearnestly.Iwroteananswertohisletter,thank'dhimforhisadvice,butstated
myreasonsforquittingBostonfullyandinsuchalightastoconvincehimIwasnotsowrongashe
hadapprehended.
SirWilliamKeith,governoroftheprovince,wasthenatNewcastle,andCaptainHolmes,happening
tobeincompanywithhimwhenmylettercametohand,spoketohimofme,andshow'dhimthe
letter.Thegovernorreadit,andseem'dsurpris'dwhenhewastoldmyage.HesaidIappear'da
youngmanofpromisingparts,andthereforeshouldbeencouraged;theprintersatPhiladelphia
werewretchedones;and,ifIwouldsetupthere,hemadenodoubtIshouldsucceed;forhispart,he
wouldprocuremethepublicbusiness,anddomeeveryotherserviceinhispower.Thismybrother
inlawafterwardstoldmeinBoston,butIknewasyetnothingofit;when,oneday,KeimerandI
beingatworktogethernearthewindow,wesawthegovernorandanothergentleman(whichproved
tobeColonelFrench,ofNewcastle),finelydress'd,comedirectlyacrossthestreettoourhouse,and
heardthematthedoor.
Keimerrandownimmediately,thinkingitavisittohim;butthegovernorinquir'dforme,cameup,
andwithacondescensionofpolitenessIhadbeenquiteunus'dto,madememanycompliments,
desiredtobeacquaintedwithme,blam'dmekindlyfornothavingmademyselfknowntohimwhen
Ifirstcametotheplace,andwouldhavemeawaywithhimtothetavern,wherehewasgoingwith
ColonelFrenchtotaste,ashesaid,someexcellentMadeira.Iwasnotalittlesurprised,andKeimer
star'dlikeapigpoison'd.Iwent,however,withthegovernorandColonelFrenchtoatavern,atthe
cornerofThirdstreet,andovertheMadeirahepropos'dmysettingupmybusiness,laidbeforeme
theprobabilitiesofsuccess,andbothheandColonelFrenchassur'dmeIshouldhavetheirinterest
andinfluenceinprocuringthepublicbusinessofbothgovernments.Onmydoubtingwhethermy
fatherwouldassistmeinit,SirWilliamsaidhewouldgivemealettertohim,inwhichhewould

statetheadvantages,andhedidnotdoubtofprevailingwithhim.SoitwasconcludedIshould
returntoBostoninthefirstvessel,withthegovernor'sletterrecommendingmetomyfather.Inthe
meantimetheintentionwastobekeptasecret,andIwentonworkingwithKeimerasusual,the
governorsendingformenowandthentodinewithhim,averygreathonorIthoughtit,and
conversingwithmeinthemostaffable,familiar,andfriendlymannerimaginable.
AbouttheendofApril,1724,alittlevesseloffer'dforBoston.ItookleaveofKeimerasgoingtosee
myfriends.Thegovernorgavemeanampleletter,sayingmanyflatteringthingsofmetomyfather,
andstronglyrecommendingtheprojectofmysettingupatPhiladelphiaasathingthatmustmake
myfortune.Westruckonashoalingoingdownthebay,andsprungaleak;wehadablusteringtime
atsea,andwereoblig'dtopumpalmostcontinually,atwhichItookmyturn.Wearriv'dsafe,
however,atBostoninaboutafortnight.Ihadbeenabsentsevenmonths,andmyfriendshadheard
nothingofme;formybr.Holmeswasnotyetreturn'd,andhadnotwrittenaboutme.My
unexpectedappearancesurpriz'dthefamily;allwere,however,verygladtoseeme,andmademe
welcome,exceptmybrother.Iwenttoseehimathisprintinghouse.Iwasbetterdress'dthanever
whileinhisservice,havingagenteelnewsuitfromheadtofoot,awatch,andmypocketslin'dwith
nearfivepoundssterlinginsilver.Hereceiv'dmenotveryfrankly,look'dmeallover,andturn'dto
hisworkagain.
ThejourneymenwereinquisitivewhereIhadbeen,whatsortofacountryitwas,andhowIlik'dit.I
prais'ditmuch,thehappylifeIledinit,expressingstronglymyintentionofreturningtoit;and,one
ofthemaskingwhatkindofmoneywehadthere,Iproduc'dahandfulofsilver,andspreaditbefore
them,whichwasakindofrareeshowtheyhadnotbeenus'dto,paperbeingthemoneyofBoston.
ThenItookanopportunityoflettingthemseemywatch;and,lastly(mybrotherstillgrumand
sullen),Igavethemapieceofeighttodrink,andtookmyleave.Thisvisitofmineoffendedhim
extreamly;for,whenmymothersometimeafterspoketohimofareconciliation,andofherwishes
toseeusongoodtermstogether,andthatwemightliveforthefutureasbrothers,hesaidIhad
insultedhiminsuchamannerbeforehispeoplethathecouldneverforgetorforgiveit.Inthis,
however,hewasmistaken.
Myfatherreceivedthegovernor'sletterwithsomeapparentsurprise,butsaidlittleofittomefor
somedays,whenCapt.Holmesreturningheshowedittohim,ask'dhimifheknewKeith,andwhat
kindofmanhewas;addinghisopinionthathemustbeofsmalldiscretiontothinkofsettingaboy
upinbusinesswhowantedyetthreeyearsofbeingatman'sestate.Holmessaidwhathecouldin
favoroftheproject,butmyfatherwasclearintheimproprietyofit,andatlastgaveaflatdenialto
it.ThenhewroteacivillettertoSirWilliam,thankinghimforthepatronagehehadsokindly
offeredme,butdecliningtoassistmeasyetinsettingup,Ibeing,inhisopinion,tooyoungtobe
trustedwiththemanagementofabusinesssoimportant,andforwhichthepreparationmustbeso
expensive.
MyfriendandcompanionCollins,whowasaclerkinthepostoffice,pleas'dwiththeaccountIgave
himofmynewcountry,determinedtogothitheralso;and,whileIwaitedformyfather's
determination,hesetoutbeforemebylandtoRhodeIsland,leavinghisbooks,whichwereapretty
collectionofmathematicksandnaturalphilosophy,tocomewithmineandmetoNewYork,where
hepropos'dtowaitforme.
Myfather,tho'hedidnotapproveSirWilliam'sproposition,wasyetpleas'dthatIhadbeenableto
obtainsoadvantageousacharacterfromapersonofsuchnotewhereIhadresided,andthatIhad
beensoindustriousandcarefulastoequipmyselfsohandsomelyinsoshortatime;therefore,seeing

noprospectofanaccommodationbetweenmybrotherandme,hegavehisconsenttomyreturning
againtoPhiladelphia,advis'dmetobehaverespectfullytothepeoplethere,endeavortoobtainthe
generalesteem,andavoidlampooningandlibeling,towhichhethoughtIhadtoomuchinclination;
tellingme,thatbysteadyindustryandaprudentparsimonyImightsaveenoughbythetimeIwas
oneandtwentytosetmeup;andthat,ifIcamenearthematter,hewouldhelpmeoutwiththerest.
ThiswasallIcouldobtain,exceptsomesmallgiftsastokensofhisandmymother'slove,whenI
embark'dagainforNewYork,nowwiththeirapprobationandtheirblessing.
ThesloopputtinginatNewport,RhodeIsland,IvisitedmybrotherJohn,whohadbeenmarried
andsettledtheresomeyears.Hereceivedmeveryaffectionately,forhealwayslov'dme.Afriendof
his,oneVernon,havingsomemoneyduetohiminPensilvania,aboutthirtyfivepoundscurrency,
desiredIwouldreceiveitforhim,andkeepittillIhadhisdirectionswhattoremititin.
Accordingly,hegavemeanorder.Thisafterwardsoccasion'dmeagooddealofuneasiness.
AtNewportwetookinanumberofpassengersforNewYork,amongwhichweretwoyoungwomen,
companions,andagrave,sensible,matronlikeQuakerwoman,withherattendants.Ihadshownan
obligingreadinesstodohersomelittleservices,whichimpress'dherIsupposewithadegreeofgood
willtowardme;therefore,whenshesawadailygrowingfamiliaritybetweenmeandthetwoyoung
women,whichtheyappear'dtoencourage,shetookmeaside,andsaid:"Youngman,Iamconcern'd
forthee,asthouhasnofriendwiththee,andseemsnottoknowmuchoftheworld,orofthesnares
youthisexpos'dto;dependuponit,thoseareverybadwomen;Icanseeitinalltheiractions;andif
theeartnotuponthyguard,theywilldrawtheeintosomedanger;theyarestrangerstothee,andI
advisethee,inafriendlyconcernforthywelfare,tohavenoacquaintancewiththem."AsIseem'dat
firstnottothinksoillofthemasshedid,shementionedsomethingsshehadobserv'dandheardthat
hadescap'dmynotice,butnowconvinc'dmeshewasright.Ithank'dherforherkindadvice,and
promis'dtofollowit.Whenwearriv'datNewYork,theytoldmewheretheyliv'd,andinvitedmeto
comeandseethem;butIavoidedit,anditwaswellIdid;forthenextdaythecaptainmiss'dasilver
spoonandsomeotherthings,thathadbeentakenoutofhiscabbin,and,knowingthatthesewerea
coupleofstrumpets,hegotawarranttosearchtheirlodgings,foundthestolengoods,andhadthe
thievespunish'd.So,tho'wehadescap'dasunkenrock,whichwescrap'duponinthepassage,I
thoughtthisescapeofrathermoreimportancetome.
AtNewYorkIfoundmyfriendCollins,whohadarriv'dtheresometimebeforeme.Wehadbeen
intimatefromchildren,andhadreadthesamebookstogether;buthehadtheadvantageofmore
timeforreadingandstudying,andawonderfulgeniusformathematicallearning,inwhichhefar
outstriptme.WhileIliv'dinBostonmostofmyhoursofleisureforconversationwerespentwith
him,andhecontinu'dasoberaswellasanindustriouslad;wasmuchrespectedforhislearningby
severaloftheclergyandothergentlemen,andseemedtopromisemakingagoodfigureinlife.But,
duringmyabsence,hehadacquir'dahabitofsottingwithbrandy;andIfoundbyhisownaccount,
andwhatIheardfromothers,thathehadbeendrunkeverydaysincehisarrivalatNewYork,and
behav'dveryoddly.Hehadgam'd,too,andlosthismoney,sothatIwasoblig'dtodischargehis
lodgings,anddefrayhisexpensestoandatPhiladelphia,whichprov'dextremelyinconvenienttome.
ThethengovernorofNewYork,Burnet(sonofBishopBurnet),hearingfromthecaptainthata
youngman,oneofhispassengers,hadagreatmanybooks,desir'dhewouldbringmetoseehim.I
waiteduponhimaccordingly,andshouldhavetakenCollinswithmebutthathewasnotsober.The
gov'r.treatedmewithgreatcivility,show'dmehislibrary,whichwasaverylargeone,andwehada
gooddealofconversationaboutbooksandauthors.Thiswasthesecondgovernorwhohaddoneme
thehonortotakenoticeofme;which,toapoorboylikeme,wasverypleasing.

WeproceededtoPhiladelphia.IreceivedonthewayVernon'smoney,withoutwhichwecould
hardlyhavefinish'dourjourney.Collinswishedtobeemploy'dinsomecountinghouse,but,
whethertheydiscover'dhisdrammingbyhisbreath,orbyhisbehaviour,tho'hehadsome
recommendations,hemetwithnosuccessinanyapplication,andcontinu'dlodgingandboardingat
thesamehousewithme,andatmyexpense.KnowingIhadthatmoneyofVernon's,hewas
continuallyborrowingofme,stillpromisingrepaymentassoonasheshouldbeinbusiness.Atlength
hehadgotsomuchofitthatIwasdistress'dtothinkwhatIshoulddoincaseofbeingcall'donto
remitit.
Hisdrinkingcontinu'd,aboutwhichwesometimesquarrell'd;,for,whenalittleintoxicated,hewas
veryfractious.Once,inaboatontheDelawarewithsomeotheryoungmen,herefusedtorowinhis
turn."Iwillberow'dhome,"sayshe."Wewillnotrowyou,"saysI."Youmust,orstayallnighton
thewater,"sayshe,"justasyouplease."Theotherssaid,"Letusrow;whatsignifiesit?"But,my
mindbeingsouredwithhisotherconduct,Icontinu'dtorefuse.Sohesworehewouldmakemerow,
orthrowmeoverboard;andcomingalong,steppingonthethwarts,towardme,whenhecameup
andstruckatme,Iclappedmyhandunderhiscrutch,and,rising,pitchedhimheadforemostinto
theriver.Iknewhewasagoodswimmer,andsowasunderlittleconcernabouthim;butbeforehe
couldgetroundtolayholdoftheboat,wehadwithafewstrokespull'dheroutofhisreach;and
everwhenhedrewneartheboat,weask'difhewouldrow,strikingafewstrokestoslideheraway
fromhim.Hewasreadytodiewithvexation,andobstinatelywouldnotpromisetorow.However,
seeinghimatlastbeginningtotire,weliftedhiminandbroughthimhomedrippingwetinthe
evening.Wehardlyexchang'dacivilwordafterwards,andaWestIndiacaptain,whohada
commissiontoprocureatutorforthesonsofagentlemanatBarbadoes,happeningtomeetwithhim,
agreedtocarryhimthither.Heleftmethen,promisingtoremitmethefirstmoneyheshouldreceive
inordertodischargethedebt;butIneverheardofhimafter.
ThebreakingintothismoneyofVernon'swasoneofthefirstgreaterrataofmylife;andthisaffair
show'dthatmyfatherwasnotmuchoutinhisjudgmentwhenhesuppos'dmetooyoungtomanage
businessofimportance.ButSirWilliam,onreadinghisletter,saidhewastooprudent.Therewas
greatdifferenceinpersons;anddiscretiondidnotalwaysaccompanyyears,norwasyouthalways
withoutit."Andsincehewillnotsetyouup,"sayshe,"Iwilldoitmyself.Givemeaninventoryof
thethingsnecessarytobehadfromEngland,andIwillsendforthem.Youshallrepaymewhenyou
areable;Iamresolv'dtohaveagoodprinterhere,andIamsureyoumustsucceed."Thiswas
spokenwithsuchanappearanceofcordiality,thatIhadnottheleastdoubtofhismeaningwhathe
said.Ihadhithertokeptthepropositionofmysettingup,asecretinPhiladelphia,andIstillkeptit.
HadltbeenknownthatIdependedonthegovernor,probablysomefriend,thatknewhimbetter,
wouldhaveadvis'dmenottorelyonhim,asIafterwardshearditashisknowncharactertobe
liberalofpromiseswhichhenevermeanttokeep.Yet,unsolicitedashewasbyme,howcouldIthink
hisgenerousoffersinsincere?Ibeliev'dhimoneofthebestmenintheworld.
Ipresentedhimaninventoryofalittleprint'ghouse,amountingbymycomputationtoaboutone
hundredpoundssterling.Helik'dit,butask'dmeifmybeingonthespotinEnglandtochusethe
types,andseethateverythingwasgoodofthekind,mightnotbeofsomeadvantage."Then,"says
he,"whenthere,youmaymakeacquaintances,andestablishcorrespondencesinthebooksellingand
stationeryway."Iagreedthatthismightbeadvantageous."Then,"sayshe,"getyourselfreadytogo
withAnnis;"whichwastheannualship,andtheonlyoneatthattimeusuallypassingbetween
LondonandPhiladelphia.ButitwouldbesomemonthsbeforeAnnissail'd,soIcontinu'dworking
withKeimer,frettingaboutthemoneyCollinshadgotfromme,andindailyapprehensionsofbeing
call'duponbyVernon,which,however,didnothappenforsomeyearsafter.

IbelieveIhaveomittedmentioningthat,inmyfirstvoyagefromBoston,beingbecalm'doffBlock
Island,ourpeoplesetaboutcatchingcod,andhauledupagreatmany.HithertoIhadstucktomy
resolutionofnoteatinganimalfood,andonthisoccasionconsider'd,withmymasterTryon,the
takingeveryfishasakindofunprovokedmurder,sincenoneofthemhad,orevercoulddousany
injurythatmightjustifytheslaughter.Allthisseemedveryreasonable.ButIhadformerlybeena
greatloveroffish,and,whenthiscamehotoutofthefryingpan,itsmeltadmirablywell.Ibalanc'd
sometimebetweenprincipleandinclination,tillIrecollectedthat,whenthefishwereopened,Isaw
smallerfishtakenoutoftheirstomachs;thenthoughtI,"Ifyoueatoneanother,Idon'tseewhywe
mayn'teatyou."SoIdin'duponcodveryheartily,andcontinuedtoeatwithotherpeople,returning
onlynowandthenoccasionallytoavegetablediet.Soconvenientathingitistobeareasonable
creature,sinceitenablesonetofindormakeareasonforeverythingonehasamindtodo.
KeimerandIliv'donaprettygoodfamiliarfooting,andagreedtolerablywell,forhesuspected
nothingofmysettingup.Heretainedagreatdealofhisoldenthusiasmsandlov'dargumentation.
Wethereforehadmanydisputations.IusedtoworkhimsowithmySocraticmethod,andhad
trepann'dhimsooftenbyquestionsapparentlysodistantfromanypointwehadinhand,andyetby
degreesleadtothepoint,andbroughthimintodifficultiesandcontradictions,thatatlasthegrew
ridiculouslycautious,andwouldhardlyanswermethemostcommonquestion,withoutaskingfirst,
"Whatdoyouintendtoinferfromthat?"However,itgavehimsohighanopinionofmyabilitiesin
theconfutingway,thatheseriouslyproposedmybeinghiscolleagueinaprojecthehadofsettingup
anewsect.Hewastopreachthedoctrines,andIwastoconfoundallopponents.Whenhecameto
explainwithmeuponthedoctrines,IfoundseveralconundrumswhichIobjectedto,unlessImight
havemywayalittletoo,andintroducesomeofmine.
Keimerworehisbeardatfulllength,becausesomewhereintheMosaiclawitissaid,"Thoushaltnot
marthecornersofthybeard."HelikewisekepttheSeventhday,Sabbath;andthesetwopointswere
essentialswithhim.Idislik'dboth;butagreedtoadmitthemuponconditionofhisadoptingthe
doctrineofusingnoanimalfood."Idoubt,"saidhe,"myconstitutionwillnotbearthat."Iassur'd
himitwould,andthathewouldbethebetterforit.Hewasusuallyagreatglutton,andIpromised
myselfsomediversioninhalfstarvinghim.Heagreedtotrythepractice,ifIwouldkeephim
company.Ididso,andwehelditforthreemonths.Wehadourvictualsdress'd,andbroughttous
regularlybyawomanintheneighborhood,whohadfrommealistoffortydishestobeprepar'dfor
usatdifferenttimes,inallwhichtherewasneitherfish,flesh,norfowl,andthewhimsuitedmethe
betteratthistimefromthecheapnessofit,notcostingusaboveeighteenpencesterlingeachper
week.IhavesincekeptseveralLentsmoststrictly,leavingthecommondietforthat,andthatforthe
common,abruptly,withouttheleastinconvenience,sothatIthinkthereislittleintheadviceof
makingthosechangesbyeasygradations.Iwentonpleasantly,butpoorKeimersufferedgrievously,
tiredoftheproject,long'dforthefleshpotsofEgypt,andorder'daroastpig.Heinvitedmeandtwo
womenfriendstodinewithhim;but,itbeingbroughttoosoonupontable,hecouldnotresistthe
temptation,andatethewholebeforewecame.
IhadmadesomecourtshipduringthistimetoMissRead.Ihadagreatrespectandaffectionforher,
andhadsomereasontobelieveshehadthesameforme;but,asIwasabouttotakealongvoyage,
andwewerebothveryyoung,onlyalittleaboveeighteen,itwasthoughtmostprudentbyher
mothertopreventourgoingtoofaratpresent,asamarriage,ifitwastotakeplace,wouldbemore
convenientaftermyreturn,whenIshouldbe,asIexpected,setupinmybusiness.Perhaps,too,she
thoughtmyexpectationsnotsowellfoundedasIimaginedthemtobe.

MychiefacquaintancesatthistimewereCharlesOsborne,JosephWatson,andJamesRalph,all
loversofreading.Thetwofirstwereclerkstoaneminentscrivenerorconveyancerinthetown,
CharlesBrogden;theotherwasclerktoamerchant.Watsonwasapious,sensibleyoungman,of
greatintegrity;theothersrathermorelaxintheirprinciplesofreligion,particularlyRalph,who,as
wellasCollins,hadbeenunsettledbyme,forwhichtheybothmademesuffer.Osbornewassensible,
candid,frank;sincereandaffectionatetohisfriends;but,inliterarymatters,toofondofcriticising.
Ralphwasingenious,genteelinhismanners,andextremelyeloquent;IthinkIneverknewaprettier
talker.Bothofthemgreatadmirersofpoetry,andbegantotrytheirhandsinlittlepieces.Many
pleasantwalkswefourhadtogetheronSundaysintothewoods,nearSchuylkill,wherewereadto
oneanother,andconferr'donwhatweread.
Ralphwasinclin'dtopursuethestudyofpoetry,notdoubtingbuthemightbecomeeminentinit,
andmakehisfortunebyit,allegingthatthebestpoetsmust,whentheyfirstbegantowrite,makeas
manyfaultsashedid.Osbornedissuadedhim,assur'dhimhehadnogeniusforpoetry,andadvis'd
himtothinkofnothingbeyondthebusinesshewasbredto;that,inthemercantileway,tho'hehad
nostock,hemight,byhisdiligenceandpunctuality,recommendhimselftoemploymentasafactor,
andintimeacquirewherewithtotradeonhisownaccount.Iapprov'dtheamusingone'sselfwith
poetrynowandthen,sofarastoimproveone'slanguage,butnofarther.
Onthisitwaspropos'dthatweshouldeachofus,atournextmeeting,produceapieceofourown
composing,inordertoimprovebyourmutualobservations,criticisms,andcorrections.Aslanguage
andexpressionwerewhatwehadinview,weexcludedallconsiderationsofinventionbyagreeing
thatthetaskshouldbeaversionoftheeighteenthPsalm,whichdescribesthedescentofaDeity.
Whenthetimeofourmeetingdrewnigh,Ralphcalledonmefirst,andletmeknowhispiecewas
ready.ItoldhimIhadbeenbusy,and,havinglittleinclination,haddonenothing.Hethenshow'd
mehispieceformyopinion,andImuchapprov'dit,asitappear'dtometohavegreatmerit.
"Now,"sayshe,"Osborneneverwillallowtheleastmeritinanythingofmine,butmakes1000
criticismsoutofmereenvy.Heisnotsojealousofyou;Iwish,therefore,youwouldtakethispiece,
andproduceitasyours;Iwillpretendnottohavehadtime,andsoproducenothing.Weshallthen
seewhathewillsaytoit."Itwasagreed,andIimmediatelytranscrib'dit,thatitmightappearinmy
ownhand.
Wemet;Watson'sperformancewasread;thereweresomebeautiesinit,butmanydefects.
Osborne'swasread;itwasmuchbetter;Ralphdiditjustice;remarkedsomefaults,butapplauded
thebeauties.Hehimselfhadnothingtoproduce.Iwasbackward;seemeddesirousofbeingexcused;
hadnothadsufficienttimetocorrect,etc.;butnoexcusecouldbeadmitted;produceImust.Itwas
readandrepeated;WatsonandOsbornegaveupthecontest,andjoin'dinapplaudingit.Ralphonly
madesomecriticisms,andpropos'dsomeamendments;butIdefendedmytext.Osbornewasagainst
Ralph,andtoldhimhewasnobetteracriticthanpoet,sohedropttheargument.Astheytwowent
hometogether,Osborneexpressedhimselfstillmorestronglyinfavorofwhathethoughtmy
production;havingrestrain'dhimselfbefore,ashesaid,lestIshouldthinkitflattery."Butwho
wouldhaveimagin'd,"saidhe,"thatFranklinhadbeencapableofsuchaperformance;such
painting,suchforce,suchfire!Hehasevenimprov'dtheoriginal.Inhiscommonconversationhe
seemstohavenochoiceofwords;hehesitatesandblunders;andyet,goodGod!howhewrites!"
Whenwenextmet,Ralphdiscoveredthetrickwehadplaidhim,andOsbornewasalittlelaughtat.
ThistransactionfixedRalphinhisresolutionofbecomingapoet.IdidallIcouldtodissuadehim
fromit,buthecontinuedscribblingversestillPopecuredhim.Hebecame,however,aprettygood
prosewriter.Moreofhimhereafter.But,asImaynothaveoccasionagaintomentiontheothertwo,

Ishalljustremarkhere,thatWatsondiedinmyarmsafewyearsafter,muchlamented,beingthe
bestofourset.OsbornewenttotheWestIndies,wherehebecameaneminentlawyerandmade
money,butdiedyoung.HeandIhadmadeaseriousagreement,thattheonewhohappen'dfirstto
dieshould,ifpossible,makeafriendlyvisittotheother,andacquainthimhowhefoundthingsin
thatseparatestate.Butheneverfulfill'dhispromise.
Thegovernor,seemingtolikemycompany,hadmefrequentlytohishouse,andhissettingmeup
wasalwaysmention'dasafixedthing.Iwastotakewithmelettersrecommendatorytoanumberof
hisfriends,besidestheletterofcredittofurnishmewiththenecessarymoneyforpurchasingthe
pressandtypes,paper,etc.FortheselettersIwasappointedtocallatdifferenttimes,whenthey
weretobeready,butafuturetimewasstillnamed.Thushewentontilltheship,whosedeparture
toohadbeenseveraltimespostponed,wasonthepointofsailing.Then,whenIcall'dtotakemy
leaveandreceivetheletters,hissecretary,Dr.Bard,cameouttomeandsaidthegovernorwas
extremelybusyinwriting,butwouldbedownatNewcastlebeforetheship,andtheretheletters
wouldbedeliveredtome.
Ralph,thoughmarried,andhavingonechild,haddeterminedtoaccompanymeinthisvoyage.It
wasthoughtheintendedtoestablishacorrespondence,andobtaingoodstoselloncommission;butI
foundafterwards,that,thro'somediscontentwithhiswife'srelations,hepurposedtoleaveheron
theirhands,andneverreturnagain.Havingtakenleaveofmyfriends,andinterchang'dsome
promiseswithMissRead,IleftPhiladelphiaintheship,whichanchor'datNewcastle.Thegovernor
wasthere;butwhenIwenttohislodging,thesecretarycametomefromhimwiththecivillest
messageintheworld,thathecouldnotthenseeme,beingengagedinbusinessoftheutmost
importance,butshouldsendtheletterstomeonboard,wish'dmeheartilyagoodvoyageanda
speedyreturn,etc.Ireturnedonboardalittlepuzzled,butstillnotdoubting.
Mr.AndrewHamilton,afamouslawyerofPhiladelphia,hadtakenpassageinthesameshipfor
himselfandson,andwithMr.Denham,aQuakermerchant,andMessrs.OnionandRussel,masters
ofanironworkinMaryland,hadengag'dthegreatcabin;sothatRalphandIwereforcedtotakeup
withaberthinthesteerage,andnoneonboardknowingus,wereconsideredasordinarypersons.
ButMr.Hamiltonandhisson(itwasJames,sincegovernor)return'dfromNewcastleto
Philadelphia,thefatherbeingrecall'dbyagreatfeetopleadforaseizedship;and,justbeforewe
sail'd,ColonelFrenchcomingonboard,andshowingmegreatrespect,Iwasmoretakennoticeof,
and,withmyfriendRalph,invitedbytheothergentlementocomeintothecabin,therebeingnow
room.Accordingly,weremov'dthither.
UnderstandingthatColonelFrenchhadbroughtonboardthegovernor'sdespatches,Iask'dthe
captainforthoselettersthatweretobeundermycare.Hesaidallwereputintothebagtogetherand
hecouldnotthencomeatthem;but,beforewelandedinEngland,Ishouldhaveanopportunityof
pickingthemout;soIwassatisfiedforthepresent,andweproceededonourvoyage.Wehada
sociablecompanyinthecabin,andliveduncommonlywell,havingtheadditionofallMr.Hamilton's
stores,whohadlaidinplentifully.InthispassageMr.Denhamcontractedafriendshipformethat
continuedduringhislife.Thevoyagewasotherwisenotapleasantone,aswehadagreatdealofbad
weather.
WhenwecameintotheChannel,thecaptainkepthiswordwithme,andgavemeanopportunityof
examiningthebagforthegovernor'sletters.Ifoundnoneuponwhichmynamewasputasundermy
care.Ipickedoutsixorseven,that,bythehandwriting,Ithoughtmightbethepromisedletters,
especiallyasoneofthemwasdirectedtoBasket,theking'sprinter,andanothertosomestationer.

Wearriv'dinLondonthe24thofDecember,1724.Iwaiteduponthestationer,whocamefirstinmy
way,deliveringtheletterasfromGovernorKeith."Idon'tknowsuchaperson,"sayshe;but,
openingtheletter,"O!thisisfromRiddlesden.Ihavelatelyfoundhimtobeacompleatrascal,andI
willhavenothingtodowithhim,norreceiveanylettersfromhim."So,puttingtheletterintomy
hand,heturn'donhisheelandleftmetoservesomecustomer.Iwassurprizedtofindthesewerenot
thegovernor'sletters;and,afterrecollectingandcomparingcircumstances,Ibegantodoubthis
sincerity.IfoundmyfriendDenham,andopenedthewholeaffairtohim.HeletmeintoKeith's
character;toldmetherewasnottheleastprobabilitythathehadwrittenanylettersforme;thatno
one,whoknewhim,hadthesmallestdependenceonhim;andhelaughtatthenotionofthe
governor'sgivingmealetterofcredit,having,ashesaid,nocredittogive.Onmyexpressingsome
concernaboutwhatIshoulddo,headvisedmetoendeavorgettingsomeemploymentinthewayof
mybusiness."Amongtheprintershere,"saidhe,"youwillimproveyourself,andwhenyoureturn
toAmerica,youwillsetuptogreateradvantage."
Webothofushappen'dtoknow,aswellasthestationer,thatRiddlesden,theattorney,wasavery
knave.Hehadhalfruin'dMissRead'sfatherbypersuadinghimtobeboundforhim.Bythisletterit
appear'dtherewasasecretschemeonfoottotheprejudiceofHamilton(suppos'dtobethencoming
overwithus);andthatKeithwasconcernedinitwithRiddlesden.Denham,whowasafriendof
Hamilton'sthoughtheoughttobeacquaintedwithit;so,whenhearriv'dinEngland,whichwas
soonafter,partlyfromresentmentandillwilltoKeithandRiddlesden,andpartlyfromgoodwillto
him,Iwaitedonhim,andgavehimtheletter.Hethank'dmecordially,theinformationbeingof
importancetohim;andfromthattimehebecamemyfriend,greatlytomyadvantageafterwardson
manyoccasions.
Butwhatshallwethinkofagovernor'splayingsuchpitifultricks,andimposingsogrosslyonapoor
ignorantboy!Itwasahabithehadacquired.Hewish'dtopleaseeverybody;and,havinglittleto
give,hegaveexpectations.Hewasotherwiseaningenious,sensibleman,aprettygoodwriter,anda
goodgovernorforthepeople,tho'notforhisconstituents,theproprietaries,whoseinstructionshe
sometimesdisregarded.Severalofourbestlawswereofhisplanningandpassedduringhis
administration.
RalphandIwereinseparablecompanions.WetooklodgingstogetherinLittleBritainatthree
shillingsandsixpenceaweekasmuchaswecouldthenafford.Hefoundsomerelations,butthey
werepoor,andunabletoassisthim.HenowletmeknowhisintentionsofremaininginLondon,and
thathenevermeanttoreturntoPhiladelphia.Hehadbroughtnomoneywithhim,thewholehe
couldmusterhavingbeenexpendedinpayinghispassage.Ihadfifteenpistoles;soheborrowed
occasionallyofmetosubsist,whilehewaslookingoutforbusiness.Hefirstendeavoredtogetinto
theplayhouse,believinghimselfqualify'dforanactor;butWilkes,towhomheapply'd,advis'dhim
candidlynottothinkofthatemployment,asitwasimpossiblebeshouldsucceedinit.Thenhe
propos'dtoRoberts,apublisherinPaternosterRow,towriteforhimaweeklypaperlikethe
Spectator,oncertainconditions,whichRobertsdidnotapprove.Thenheendeavoredtoget
employmentasahackneywriter,tocopyforthestationersandlawyersabouttheTemple,butcould
findnovacancy.
IimmediatelygotintoworkatPalmer's,thenafamousprintinghouseinBartholomewClose,and
hereIcontinu'dnearayear.Iwasprettydiligent,butspentwithRalphagooddealofmyearnings
ingoingtoplaysandotherplacesofamusement.Wehadtogetherconsumedallmypistoles,andnow
justrubbedonfromhandtomouth.Heseem'dquitetoforgethiswifeandchild,andI,bydegrees,
myengagementswithMissRead,towhomIneverwrotemorethanoneletter,andthatwastolether

knowIwasnotlikelysoontoreturn.Thiswasanotherofthegreaterrataofmylife,whichIshould
wishtocorrectifIweretoliveitoveragain.Infact,byourexpenses,Iwasconstantlykeptunableto
paymypassage.
AtPalmer'sIwasemployedincomposingforthesecondeditionofWollaston's"ReligionofNature."
Someofhisreasoningsnotappearingtomewellfounded,Iwrotealittlemetaphysicalpieceinwhich
Imaderemarksonthem.Itwasentitled"ADissertationonLibertyandNecessity,Pleasureand
Pain."IinscribedittomyfriendRalph;Iprintedasmallnumber.Itoccasion'dmybeingmore
consider'dbyMr.Palmerasayoungmanofsomeingenuity,tho'heseriouslyexpostulatedwithme
upontheprinciplesofmypamphlet,whichtohimappear'dabominable.Myprintingthispamphlet
wasanothererratum.WhileIlodg'dinLittleBritain,ImadeanacquaintancewithoneWilcox,a
bookseller,whoseshopwasatthenextdoor.Hehadanimmensecollectionofsecondhandbooks.
Circulatinglibrarieswerenottheninuse;butweagreedthat,oncertainreasonableterms,whichI
havenowforgotten,Imighttake,read,andreturnanyofhisbooks.ThisIesteem'dagreat
advantage,andImadeasmuchuseofitasIcould.
MypamphletbysomemeansfallingintothehandsofoneLyons,asurgeon,authorofabookentitled
"TheInfallibilityofHumanJudgment,"itoccasionedanacquaintancebetweenus.Hetookgreat
noticeofme,calledonmeoftentoconverseonthosesubjects,carriedmetotheHorns,apale
alehouseinLane,Cheapside,andintroducedmetoDr.Mandeville,authorofthe"Fableofthe
Bees,"whohadaclubthere,ofwhichhewasthesoul,beingamostfacetious,entertaining
companion.Lyons,too,introducedmetoDr.Pemberton,atBatson'sCoffeehouse,whopromis'dto
givemeanopportunity,sometimeorother,ofseeingSirIsaacNewton,ofwhichIwasextreamely
desirous;butthisneverhappened.
Ihadbroughtoverafewcuriosities,amongwhichtheprincipalwasapursemadeoftheasbestos,
whichpurifiesbyfire.SirHansSloaneheardofit,cametoseeme,andinvitedmetohishousein
BloomsburySquare,whereheshow'dmeallhiscuriosities,andpersuadedmetolethimaddthatto
thenumber,forwhichhepaidmehandsomely.
Inourhousetherelodg'dayoungwoman,amilliner,who,Ithink,hadashopintheCloisters.She
hadbeengenteellybred,wassensibleandlively,andofmostpleasingconversation.Ralphreadplays
toherintheevenings,theygrewintimate,shetookanotherlodging,andhefollowedher.Theyliv'd
togethersometime;but,hebeingstilloutofbusiness,andherincomenotsufficienttomaintainthem
withherchild,hetookaresolutionofgoingfromLondon,totryforacountryschool,whichhe
thoughthimselfwellqualifiedtoundertake,ashewroteanexcellenthand,andwasamasterof
arithmeticandaccounts.This,however,hedeemedabusinessbelowhim,andconfidentoffuture
betterfortune,whenheshouldbeunwillingtohaveitknownthatheoncewassomeanlyemployed,
hechangedhisname,anddidmethehonortoassumemine;forIsoonafterhadaletterfromhim,
acquaintingmethathewassettledinasmallvillage(inBerkshire,Ithinkitwas,wherehetaught
readingandwritingtotenoradozenboys,atsixpenceeachperweek),recommendingMrs.Tto
mycare,anddesiringmetowritetohim,directingforMr.Franklin,schoolmaster,atsuchaplace.
Hecontinuedtowritefrequently,sendingmelargespecimensofanepicpoemwhichhewasthen
composing,anddesiringmyremarksandcorrections.TheseIgavehimfromtimetotime,but
endeavor'drathertodiscouragehisproceeding.OneofYoung'sSatireswasthenjustpublished.I
copy'dandsenthimagreatpartofit,whichsetinastronglightthefollyofpursuingtheMuseswith
anyhopeofadvancementbythem.Allwasinvain;sheetsofthepoemcontinuedtocomebyevery
post.Inthemeantime,Mrs.T,havingonhisaccountlostherfriendsandbusiness,wasoftenin

distresses,andus'dtosendforme,andborrowwhatIcouldsparetohelpheroutofthem.Igrew
fondofhercompany,and,beingatthattimeundernoreligiousrestraint,andpresuminguponmy
importancetoher,Iattemptedfamiliarities(anothererratum)whichsherepuls'dwithaproper
resentment,andacquaintedhimwithmybehaviour.Thismadeabreachbetweenus;and,whenhe
returnedagaintoLondon,heletmeknowhethoughtIhadcancell'dalltheobligationshehadbeen
undertome.SoIfoundIwasnevertoexpecthisrepayingmewhatIlenttohim,oradvanc'dfor
him.This,however,wasnotthenofmuchconsequence,ashewastotallyunable;andinthelossof
hisfriendshipIfoundmyselfrelievedfromaburthen.Inowbegantothinkofgettingalittlemoney
beforehand,and,expectingbetterwork,IleftPalmer'stoworkatWatts's,nearLincoln'sInnFields,
astillgreaterprintinghouse.HereIcontinuedalltherestofmystayinLondon.
AtmyfirstadmissionintothisprintinghouseItooktoworkingatpress,imaginingIfeltawantof
thebodilyexerciseIhadbeenus'dtoinAmerica,wherepressworkismix'dwithcomposing.Idrank
onlywater;theotherworkmen,nearfiftyinnumber,weregreatguzzlersofbeer.Onoccasion,I
carriedupanddownstairsalargeformoftypesineachhand,whenotherscarriedbutoneinboth
hands.Theywonderedtosee,fromthisandseveralinstances,thattheWaterAmerican,asthey
calledme,wasstrongerthanthemselves,whodrankstrongbeer!Wehadanalehouseboywho
attendedalwaysinthehousetosupplytheworkmen.Mycompanionatthepressdrankeverydaya
pintbeforebreakfast,apintatbreakfastwithhisbreadandcheese,apintbetweenbreakfastand
dinner,apintatdinner,apintintheafternoonaboutsixo'clock,andanotherwhenhehaddonehis
day'swork.Ithoughtitadetestablecustom;butitwasnecessary,hesuppos'd,todrinkstrongbeer,
thathemightbestrongtolabor.Iendeavoredtoconvincehimthatthebodilystrengthaffordedby
beercouldonlybeinproportiontothegrainorflourofthebarleydissolvedinthewaterofwhichit
wasmade;thattherewasmoreflourinapennyworthofbread;andtherefore,ifhewouldeatthat
withapintofwater,itwouldgivehimmorestrengththanaquartofbeer.Hedrankon,however,
andhadfourorfiveshillingstopayoutofhiswageseverySaturdaynightforthatmuddlingliquor;
anexpenseIwasfreefrom.Andthusthesepoordevilskeepthemselvesalwaysunder.
Watts,aftersomeweeks,desiringtohavemeinthecomposingroom,Ileftthepressmen;anewbien
venuorsumfordrink,beingfiveshillings,wasdemandedofmebythecompositors.Ithoughtitan
imposition,asIhadpaidbelow;themasterthoughtsotoo,andforbadmypayingit.Istoodouttwo
orthreeweeks,wasaccordinglyconsideredasanexcommunicate,andbadsomanylittlepiecesof
privatemischiefdoneme,bymixingmysorts,transposingmypages,breakingmymatter,etc.,etc.,if
Iwereeversolittleoutoftheroom,andallascribedtothechappelghost,whichtheysaidever
hauntedthosenotregularlyadmitted,that,notwithstandingthemaster'sprotection,Ifoundmyself
oblig'dtocomplyandpaythemoney,convinc'dofthefollyofbeingonilltermswiththoseoneisto
livewithcontinually.
Iwasnowonafairfootingwiththem,andsoonacquir'dconsiderableinfluence.Ipropos'dsome
reasonablealterationsintheirchappel(4)laws,andcarriedthemagainstallopposition.Frommy
example,agreatpartofthemlefttheirmuddlingbreakfastofbeer,andbread,andcheese,finding
theycouldwithmebesuppli'dfromaneighboringhousewithalargeporringerofhotwatergruel,
sprinkledwithpepper,crumbl'dwithbread,andabitofbutterinit,forthepriceofapintofbeer,
viz.,threehalfpence.Thiswasamorecomfortableaswellascheaperbreakfast,andkepttheir
headsclearer.Thosewhocontinuedsottingwithbeerallday,wereoften,bynotpaying,outofcredit
atthealehouse,andus'dtomakeinterestwithmetogetbeer;theirlight,astheyphrasedit,being
out.Iwatch'dthepaytableonSaturdaynight,andcollectedwhatIstoodengag'dforthem,having
topaysometimesnearthirtyshillingsaweekontheiraccount.This,andmybeingesteem'dapretty
goodriggite,thatis,ajocularverbalsatirist,supportedmyconsequenceinthesociety.Myconstant

attendance(InevermakingaSt.Monday)recommendedmetothemaster;andmyuncommon
quicknessatcomposingoccasionedmybeingputuponallworkofdispatch,whichwasgenerally
betterpaid.SoIwentonnowveryagreeably.
4."Aprintinghouseisalwayscalledachapelbytheworkmen,theoriginofwhichappearstohavebeen
thatprintingwasfirstcarriedoninEnglandinanancientchapelconvertedintoaprintinghouse,and
thetitlehasbeenpreservedbytradition.Thebienvenuamongtheprintersanswerstotheterms
entranceandfootingamongmechanics;thusajourneyman,onenteringaprintinghouse,was
accustomedtopayoneormoregallonsofbeerforthegoodofthechapel;thiscustomwasfallinginto
disusethirtyyearsago;itisveryproperlyrejectedentirelyintheUnitedStates."W.T.F.
MylodginginLittleBritainbeingtooremote,IfoundanotherinDukestreet,oppositetotheRomish
Chapel.Itwastwopairofstairsbackwards,atanItalianwarehouse.Awidowladykeptthehouse;
shehadadaughter,andamaidservant,andajourneymanwhoattendedthewarehouse,butlodg'd
abroad.AftersendingtoinquiremycharacteratthehousewhereIlastlodg'dsheagreedtotakeme
inatthesamerate,3s.6d.perweek;cheaper,asshesaid,fromtheprotectionsheexpectedinhaving
amanlodgeinthehouse.Shewasawidow,anelderlywoman;hadbeenbredaProtestant,beinga
clergyman'sdaughter,butwasconvertedtotheCatholicreligionbyherhusband,whosememoryshe
muchrevered;hadlivedmuchamongpeopleofdistinction,andknewathousandanecdotesofthem
asfarbackasthetimesofCharlestheSecond.Shewaslameinherkneeswiththegout,and,
therefore,seldomstirredoutofherroom,sosometimeswantedcompany;andherswassohighly
amusingtome,thatIwassuretospendaneveningwithherwhenevershedesiredit.Oursupperwas
onlyhalfananchovyeach,onaverylittlestripofbreadandbutter,andhalfapintofalebetweenus;
buttheentertainmentwasinherconversation.Myalwayskeepinggoodhours,andgivinglittle
troubleinthefamily,madeherunwillingtopartwithme;sothat,whenItalk'dofalodgingIhad
heardof,nearermybusiness,fortwoshillingsaweek,which,intentasInowwasonsavingmoney,
madesomedifference,shebidmenotthinkofit,forshewouldabatemetwoshillingsaweekforthe
future;soIremainedwithheratoneshillingandsixpenceaslongasIstaidinLondon.
Inagarretofherhousetherelivedamaidenladyofseventy,inthemostretiredmanner,ofwhom
mylandladygavemethisaccount:thatshewasaRomanCatholic,hadbeensentabroadwhen
young,andlodg'dinanunnerywithanintentofbecominganun;but,thecountrynotagreeingwith
her,shereturnedtoEngland,where,therebeingnonunnery,shehadvow'dtoleadthelifeofanun,
asnearasmightbedoneinthosecircumstances.Accordingly,shehadgivenallherestateto
charitableuses,reservingonlytwelvepoundsayeartoliveon,andoutofthissumshestillgavea
greatdealincharity,livingherselfonwatergruelonly,andusingnofirebuttoboilit.Shehadlived
manyyearsinthatgarret,beingpermittedtoremaintheregratisbysuccessiveCatholictenantsof
thehousebelow,astheydeemeditablessingtohaveherthere.Apriestvisitedhertoconfessher
everyday."Ihaveask'dher,"saysmylandlady,"howshe,assheliv'd,couldpossiblyfindsomuch
employmentforaconfessor?""Oh,"saidshe,"itisimpossibletoavoidvainthoughts."Iwas
permittedoncetovisither,Shewaschearfulandpolite,andconvers'dpleasantly.Theroomwas
clean,buthadnootherfurniturethanamatras,atablewithacrucifixandbook,astoolwhichshe
gavemetositon,andapictureoverthechimneyofSaintVeronicadisplayingherhandkerchief,with
themiraculousfigureofChrist'sbleedingfaceonit,whichsheexplainedtomewithgreat
seriousness.Shelook'dpale,butwasneversick;andIgiveitasanotherinstanceonhowsmallan
incomelifeandhealthmaybesupported.
AtWatts'sprintinghouseIcontractedanacquaintancewithaningeniousyoungman,oneWygate,
who,havingwealthyrelations,hadbeenbettereducatedthanmostprinters;wasatolerableLatinist,

spokeFrench,andlov'dreading.Itaughthimandafriendofhistoswimattwicegoingintothe
river,andtheysoonbecamegoodswimmers.Theyintroduc'dmetosomegentlemenfromthe
country,whowenttoChelseabywatertoseetheCollegeandDonSaltero'scuriosities.Inourreturn,
attherequestofthecompany,whosecuriosityWygatehadexcited,Istrippedandleapedintothe
river,andswamfromnearChelseatoBlackfryar's,performingonthewaymanyfeatsofactivity,
bothuponandunderwater,thatsurpris'dandpleas'dthosetowhomtheywerenovelties.
Ihadfromachildbeeneverdelightedwiththisexercise,hadstudiedandpractis'dallThevenot's
motionsandpositions,addedsomeofmyown,aimingatthegracefulandeasyaswellastheuseful.
AlltheseItookthisoccasionofexhibitingtothecompany,andwasmuchflatter'dbytheir
admiration;andWygate,whowasdesirousofbecomingamaster,grewmoreandmoreattach'dto
meonthataccount,aswellasfromthesimilarityofourstudies.Heatlengthproposedtome
travellingalloverEuropetogether,supportingourselveseverywherebyworkingatourbusiness.I
wasonceinclinedtoit;but,mentioningittomygoodfriendMr.Denham,withwhomIoftenspent
anhourwhenIhadleisure,hedissuadedmefromit,advisingmetothinkonlyofreturningto
Pennsilvania,whichhewasnowabouttodo.
Imustrecordonetraitofthisgoodman'scharacter.HehadformerlybeeninbusinessatBristol,but
failedindebttoanumberofpeople,compoundedandwenttoAmerica.There,byacloseapplication
tobusinessasamerchant,heacquir'daplentifulfortuneinafewyears.ReturningtoEnglandinthe
shipwithme,heinvitedhisoldcreditorstoanentertainment,atwhichhethank'dthemfortheeasy
compositiontheyhadfavoredhimwith,and,whentheyexpectednothingbutthetreat,everymanat
thefirstremovefoundunderhisplateanorderonabankerforthefullamountoftheunpaid
remainderwithinterest.
HenowtoldmehewasabouttoreturntoPhiladelphia,andshouldcarryoveragreatquantityof
goodsinordertoopenastorethere.Hepropos'dtotakemeoverashisclerk,tokeephisbooks,in
whichhewouldinstructme,copyhisletters,andattendthestore.Headdedthat,assoonasIshould
beacquaintedwithmercantilebusiness,hewouldpromotemebysendingmewithacargoofflour
andbread,etc.,totheWestIndies,andprocuremecommissionsfromotherswhichwouldbe
profitable;and,ifImanag'dwell,wouldestablishmehandsomely.Thethingpleas'dme;forIwas
growntiredofLondon,rememberedwithpleasurethehappymonthsIhadspentinPennsylvania,
andwish'dagaintoseeit;thereforeIimmediatelyagreedonthetermsoffiftypoundsayear,
Pennsylvaniamoney;less,indeed,thanmypresentgettingsasacompositor,butaffordingabetter
prospect.
Inowtookleaveofprinting,asIthought,forever,andwasdailyemployedinmynewbusiness,
goingaboutwithMr.Denhamamongthetradesmentopurchasevariousarticles,andseeingthem
pack'dup,doingerrands,callinguponworkmentodispatch,etc.;and,whenallwasonboard,Ihad
afewdays'leisure.Ononeofthesedays,Iwas,tomysurprise,sentforbyagreatmanIknewonly
byname,aSirWilliamWyndham,andIwaiteduponhim.Hehadheardbysomemeansorotherof
myswimmingfromChelseatoBlackfriar's,andofmyteachingWygateandanotheryoungmanto
swiminafewhours.Hehadtwosons,abouttosetoutontheirtravels;hewish'dtohavethemfirst
taughtswimming,andproposedtogratifymehandsomelyifIwouldteachthem.Theywerenotyet
cometotown,andmystaywasuncertain,soIcouldnotundertakeit;but,fromthisincident,I
thoughtitlikelythat,ifIweretoremaininEnglandandopenaswimmingschool,Imightgetagood
dealofmoney;anditstruckmesostrongly,that,hadtheoverturebeensoonermademe,probablyI
shouldnotsosoonhavereturnedtoAmerica.Aftermanyyears,youandIhadsomethingofmore

importancetodowithoneofthesesonsofSirWilliamWyndham,becomeEarlofEgremont,whichI
shallmentioninitsplace.
ThusIspentabouteighteenmonthsinLondon;mostpartofthetimeIwork'dhardatmybusiness,
andspentbutlittleuponmyselfexceptinseeingplaysandinbooks.MyfriendRalphhadkeptme
poor;heowedmeabouttwentysevenpounds,whichIwasnowneverlikelytoreceive;agreatsum
outofmysmallearnings!Ilov'dhim,notwithstanding,forhehadmanyamiablequalities.Ihadby
nomeansimprov'dmyfortune;butIhadpickedupsomeveryingeniousacquaintance,whose
conversationwasofgreatadvantagetome;andIhadreadconsiderably.
Wesail'dfromGravesendonthe23dofJuly,1726.Fortheincidentsofthevoyage,Ireferyoutomy
journal,whereyouwillfindthemallminutelyrelated.Perhapsthemostimportantpartofthat
journalistheplan(5)tobefoundinit,whichIformedatsea,forregulatingmyfutureconductin
life.Itisthemoreremarkable,asbeingformedwhenIwassoyoung,andyetbeingprettyfaithfully
adheredtoquitethro'tooldage.
5.The"Journal"wasprintedbySparks,fromacopymadeatReadingin1787.Butitdoesnotcontain
thePlan.Ed.
WelandedinPhiladelphiaonthe11thofOctober,whereIfoundsundryalterations.Keithwasno
longergovernor,beingsupersededbyMajorGordon.Imethimwalkingthestreetsasacommon
citizen.Heseem'dalittleasham'datseeingme,butpass'dwithoutsayinganything.Ishouldhave
beenasmuchasham'datseeingMissRead,hadnotherfriends,despairingwithreasonofmyreturn
afterthereceiptofmyletter,persuadedhertomarryanother,oneRogers,apotter,whichwasdone
inmyabsence.Withhim,however,shewasneverhappy,andsoonpartedfromhim,refusingto
cohabitwithhimorbearhisname,itbeingnowsaidthathebadanotherwife.Hewasaworthless
fellow,tho'anexcellentworkman,whichwasthetemptationtoherfriends.Hegotintodebt,ran
awayin1727or1728,wenttotheWestIndies,anddiedthere.Keimerhadgotabetterhouse,ashop
wellsupply'dwithstationery,plentyofnewtypes,anumberofhands,tho'nonegood,andseem'dto
haveagreatdealofbusiness.
Mr.DenhamtookastoreinWaterstreet,whereweopen'dourgoods;Iattendedthebusiness
diligently,studiedaccounts,andgrew,inalittletime,expertatselling.Welodg'dand,boarded
together;hecounsell'dmeasafather,havingasincereregardforme.Irespectedandlov'dhim,and
wemighthavegoneontogetherveryhappy;but,inthebeginningofFebruary,17267,whenIhad
justpass'dmytwentyfirstyear,webothweretakenill.Mydistemperwasapleurisy,whichvery
nearlycarriedmeoff.Isufferedagooddeal,gaveupthepointinmyownmind,andwasrather
disappointedwhenIfoundmyselfrecovering,regretting,insomedegree,thatImustnow,sometime
orother,haveallthatdisagreeableworktodooveragain.Iforgetwhathisdistemperwas;itheld
himalongtime,andatlengthcarriedhimoff.Heleftmeasmalllegacyinanuncupativewill,asa
tokenofhiskindnessforme,andheleftmeoncemoretothewideworld;forthestorewastakeninto
thecareofhisexecutors,andmyemploymentunderhimended.
Mybrotherinlaw,Holmes,beingnowatPhiladelphia,advisedmyreturntomybusiness;and
Keimertemptedme,withanofferoflargewagesbytheyear,tocomeandtakethemanagementof
hisprintinghouse,thathemightbetterattendhisstationer'sshop.Ihadheardabadcharacterof
himinLondonfromhiswifeandherfriends,andwasnotfondofhavinganymoretodowithhim.I
tri'dforfartheremploymentasamerchant'sclerk;but,notreadilymeetingwithany,Iclos'dagain
withKeimer.Ifoundinhishousethesehands:HughMeredith,aWelshPensilvanian,thirtyyearsof

age,bredtocountrywork;honest,sensible,hadagreatdealofsolidobservation,wassomethingofa
reader,butgiventodrink.StephenPotts,ayoungcountrymanoffullage,bredtothesame,of
uncommonnaturalparts,andgreatwitandhumor,butalittleidle.Thesehehadagreedwithat
extreamlowwagesperweek,toberais'dashillingeverythreemonths,astheywoulddeserveby
improvingintheirbusiness;andtheexpectationofthesehighwages,tocomeonhereafter,waswhat
hehaddrawntheminwith.Meredithwastoworkatpress,Pottsatbookbinding,whichhe,by
agreement,wastoteachthem,thoughheknewneitheronenort'other.John,awildIrishman,
broughtuptonobusiness,whoseservice,forfouryears,Keimerhadpurchasedfromthecaptainofa
ship;he,too,wastobemadeapressman.GeorgeWebb,anOxfordscholar,whosetimeforfour
yearshehadlikewisebought,intendinghimforacompositor,ofwhommorepresently;andDavid
Harry,acountryboy,whomhehadtakenapprentice.
Isoonperceiv'dthattheintentionofengagingmeatwagessomuchhigherthanhehadbeenus'dto
give,was,tohavetheseraw,cheaphandsform'dthro'me;and,assoonasIhadinstructedthem,
thentheybeingallarticledtohim,heshouldbeabletodowithoutme.Iwenton,however,very
cheerfully,puthisprintinghouseinorder,whichhadbeeningreatconfusion,andbroughthishands
bydegreestomindtheirbusinessandtodoitbetter.
ItwasanoddthingtofindanOxfordscholarinthesituationofaboughtservant.Hewasnotmore
thaneighteenyearsofage,andgavemethisaccountofhimself;thathewasborninGloucester,
educatedatagrammarschoolthere,hadbeendistinguish'damongthescholarsforsomeapparent
superiorityinperforminghispart,whentheyexhibitedplays;belong'dtotheWittyClubthere,and
hadwrittensomepiecesinproseandverse,whichwereprintedintheGloucesternewspapers;thence
hewassenttoOxford;wherehecontinuedaboutayear,butnotwellsatisfi'd,wishingofallthingsto
seeLondon,andbecomeaplayer.Atlength,receivinghisquarterlyallowanceoffifteenguineas,
insteadofdischarginghisdebtshewalk'doutoftown,hidhisgowninafurzebush,andfooteditto
London,where,havingnofriendtoadvisehim,hefellintobadcompany,soonspenthisguineas,
foundnomeansofbeingintroduc'damongtheplayers,grewnecessitous,pawn'dhiscloaths,and
wantedbread.Walkingthestreetveryhungry,andnotknowingwhattodowithhimself,acrimp's
billwasputintohishand,offeringimmediateentertainmentandencouragementtosuchaswould
bindthemselvestoserveinAmerica.
Hewentdirectly,sign'dtheindentures,wasputintotheship,andcameover,neverwritingalineto
acquainthisfriendswhatwasbecomeofhim.Hewaslively,witty,goodnatur'd,andapleasant
companion,butidle,thoughtless,andimprudenttothelastdegree.
John,theIrishman,soonranaway;withtherestIbegantoliveveryagreeably,fortheyallrespected
methemore,astheyfoundKeimerincapableofinstructingthem,andthatfrommetheylearned
somethingdaily.WeneverworkedonSaturday,thatbeingKeimer'sSabbath,soIhadtwodaysfor
reading.Myacquaintancewithingeniouspeopleinthetownincreased.Keimerhimselftreatedme
withgreatcivilityandapparentregard,andnothingnowmademeuneasybutmydebttoVernon,
whichIwasyetunabletopay,beinghithertobutapooroeconomist.He,however,kindlymadeno
demandofit.
Ourprintinghouseoftenwantedsorts,andtherewasnoletterfounderinAmerica;Ihadseentypes
castatJames'sinLondon,butwithoutmuchattentiontothemanner;however,Inowcontriveda
mould,madeuseoftheletterswehadaspuncheons,struckthematricesinlead,Andthussupply'd
inaprettytolerablewayalldeficiencies.Ialsoengrav'dseveralthingsonoccasion;Imadetheink;I
waswarehouseman,andeverything,and,inshort,quiteafactotum.

But,howeverserviceableImightbe,Ifoundthatmyservicesbecameeverydayoflessimportance,
astheotherhandsimprov'dinthebusiness;and,whenKeimerpaidmysecondquarter'swages,he
letmeknowthathefeltthemtooheavy,andthoughtIshouldmakeanabatement.Hegrewby
degreeslesscivil,putonmoreofthemaster,frequentlyfoundfault,wascaptious,andseem'dready
foranoutbreaking.Iwenton,nevertheless,withagooddealofpatience,thinkingthathis
encumber'dcircumstanceswerepartlythecause.Atlengthatriflesnaptourconnections;for,a
greatnoisehappeningnearthecourthouse,Iputmyheadoutofthewindowtoseewhatwasthe
matter.Keimer,beinginthestreet,look'dupandsawme,call'douttomeinaloudvoiceandangry
tonetomindmybusiness,addingsomereproachfulwords,thatnettledmethemorefortheir
publicity,alltheneighborswhowerelookingoutonthesameoccasionbeingwitnesseshowIwas
treated.Hecameupimmediatelyintotheprintinghouse,continu'dthequarrel,highwordspass'd
onbothsides,hegavemethequarter'swarningwehadstipulated,expressingawishthathehadnot
beenoblig'dtosolongawarning.Itoldhimhiswishwasunnecessary,forIwouldleavehimthat
instant;andso,takingmyhat,walk'doutofdoors,desiringMeredith,whomIsawbelow,totake
careofsomethingsIleft,andbringthemtomylodgings.
Meredithcameaccordinglyintheevening,whenwetalkedmyaffairover.Hehadconceiv'dagreat
regardforme,andwasveryunwillingthatIshouldleavethehousewhileheremain'dinit.He
dissuadedmefromreturningtomynativecountry,whichIbegantothinkof;heremindedmethat
Keimerwasindebtforallhepossess'd;thathiscreditorsbegantobeuneasy;thathekepthisshop
miserably,soldoftenwithoutprofitforreadymoney,andoftentrustedwithoutkeepingaccounts;
thathemustthereforefall,whichwouldmakeavacancyImightprofitof.Iobjectedmywantof
money.Hethenletmeknowthathisfatherhadahighopinionofme,and,fromsomediscoursethat
hadpass'dbetweenthem,hewassurewouldadvancemoneytosetusup,ifIwouldenterinto
partnershipwithhim."Mytime,"sayshe,"willbeoutwithKeimerinthespring;bythattimewe
mayhaveourpressandtypesinfromLondon.IamsensibleIamnoworkman;ifyoulikeit,your
skillinthebusinessshallbesetagainstthestockIfurnish,andwewillsharetheprofitsequally."
Theproposalwasagreeable,andIconsented;hisfatherwasintownandapprov'dofit;themoreas
hesawIhadgreatinfluencewithhisson,hadprevail'donhimtoabstainlongfromdramdrinking,
andhehop'dmightbreakhimoffthatwretchedhabitentirely,whenwecametobesoclosely
connected.Igaveaninventorytothefather,whocarry'dittoamerchant;thethingsweresentfor,
thesecretwastobekepttilltheyshouldarrive,andinthemeantimeIwastogetwork,ifIcould,at
theotherprintinghouse.ButIfoundnovacancythere,andsoremain'didleafewdays,when
Keimer,onaprospectofbeingemploy'dtoprintsomepapermoneyinNewJersey,whichwould
requirecutsandvarioustypesthatIonlycouldsupply,andapprehendingBradfordmightengage
meandgetthejobbfromhim,sentmeaverycivilmessage,thatoldfriendsshouldnotpartforafew
words,theeffectofsuddenpassion,andwishingmetoreturn.Meredithpersuadedmetocomply,as
itwouldgivemoreopportunityforhisimprovementundermydailyinstructions;soIreturn'd,and
wewentonmoresmoothlythanforsometimebefore.TheNewjerseyjobbwasobtain'd,Icontriv'd
acopperplatepressforit,thefirstthathadbeenseeninthecountry;Icutseveralornamentsand
checksforthebills.WewenttogethertoBurlington,whereIexecutedthewholetosatisfaction;and
hereceivedsolargeasumfortheworkastobeenabledtherebytokeephisheadmuchlongerabove
water.
AtBurlingtonImadeanacquaintancewithmanyprincipalpeopleoftheprovince.Severalofthem
hadbeenappointedbytheAssemblyacommitteetoattendthepress,andtakecarethatnomore
billswereprintedthanthelawdirected.Theyweretherefore,byturns,constantlywithus,and
generallyhewhoattended,broughtwithhimafriendortwoforcompany.Mymindhavingbeen

muchmoreimprov'dbyreadingthanKeimer's,Isupposeitwasforthatreasonmyconversation
seem'dtohemorevalu'd.Theyhadmetotheirhouses,introducedmetotheirfriends,andshow'd
memuchcivility;whilehe,tho'themaster,wasalittleneglected.Intruth,hewasanoddfish;
ignorantofcommonlife,fondofrudelyopposingreceiv'dopinions,slovenlytoextreamdirtiness,
enthusiasticinsomepointsofreligion,andalittleknavishwithal.
Wecontinu'dtherenearthreemonths;andbythattimeIcouldreckonamongmyacquiredfriends,
JudgeAllen,SamuelBustill,thesecretaryoftheProvince,IsaacPearson,JosephCooper,andseveral
oftheSmiths,membersofAssembly,andIsaacDecow,thesurveyorgeneral.Thelatterwasa
shrewd,sagaciousoldman,whotoldmethathebeganforhimself,whenyoung,bywheelingclayfor
thebrickmakers,learnedtowriteafterbewasofage,carri'dthechainforsurveyors,whotaught
himsurveying,andhehadnowbyhisindustry,acquir'dagoodestate;andsayshe,"Iforeseethat
youwillsoonworkthismanoutofbusiness,andmakeafortuneinitatPhiladelphia."Hehadnot
thentheleastintimationofmyintentiontosetupthereoranywhere.Thesefriendswereafterwards
ofgreatusetome,asIoccasionallywastosomeofthem.Theyallcontinuedtheirregardformeas
longastheylived.
BeforeIenteruponmypublicappearanceinbusiness,itmaybewelltoletyouknowthethenstateof
mymindwithregardtomyprinciplesandmorals,thatyoumayseehowfarthoseinfluenc'dthe
futureeventsofmylife.Myparentshadearlygivenmereligiousimpressions,andbroughtme
throughmychildhoodpiouslyintheDissentingway.ButIwasscarcefifteen,when,afterdoubting
byturnsofseveralpoints,asIfoundthemdisputedinthedifferentbooksIread,Ibegantodoubtof
Revelationitself.SomebooksagainstDeismfellintomyhands;theyweresaidtobethesubstanceof
sermonspreachedatBoyle'sLectures.Ithappenedthattheywroughtaneffectonmequitecontrary
towhatwasintendedbythem;fortheargumentsoftheDeists,whichwerequotedtoberefuted,
appearedtomemuchstrongerthantherefutations;inshort,IsoonbecameathoroughDeist.My
argumentspervertedsomeothers,particularlyCollinsandRalph;but,eachofthemhaving
afterwardswrong'dmegreatlywithouttheleastcompunction,andrecollectingKeith'sconduct
towardsme(whowasanotherfreethinker),andmyowntowardsVernonandMissRead,whichat
timesgavemegreattrouble,Ibegantosuspectthatthisdoctrine,tho'itmightbetrue,wasnotvery
useful.MyLondonpamphlet,whichhadforitsmottotheselinesofDryden:
"Whateveris,isright.ThoughpurblindmanSeesbutaparto'thechain,thenearestlink:Hiseyesnot
carryingtotheequalbeam,Thatpoisesallabove;"
andfromtheattributesofGod,hisinfinitewisdom,goodnessandpower,concludedthatnothing
couldpossiblybewrongintheworld,andthatviceandvirtuewereemptydistinctions,nosuch
thingsexisting,appear'dnownotsocleveraperformanceasIoncethoughtit;andIdoubted
whethersomeerrorhadnotinsinuateditselfunperceiv'dintomyargument,soastoinfectallthat
follow'd,asiscommoninmetaphysicalreasonings.
Igrewconvinc'dthattruth,sincerityandintegrityindealingsbetweenmanandmanwereofthe
utmostimportancetothefelicityoflife;andIform'dwrittenresolutions,whichstillremaininmy
journalbook,topracticethemeverwhileIlived.Revelationhadindeednoweightwithme,assuch;
butIentertain'danopinionthat,thoughcertainactionsmightnotbebadbecausetheywere
forbiddenbyit,orgoodbecauseitcommandedthem,yetprobablytheseactionsmightbeforbidden
becausetheywerebadforus,orcommandedbecausetheywerebeneficialtous,intheirown
natures,allthecircumstancesofthingsconsidered.Andthispersuasion,withthekindhandof
Providence,orsomeguardianangel,oraccidentalfavorablecircumstancesandsituations,orall

together,preservedme,thro'thisdangeroustimeofyouth,andthehazardoussituationsIwas
sometimesinamongstrangers,remotefromtheeyeandadviceofmyfather,withoutanywillful
grossimmoralityorinjustice,thatmighthavebeenexpectedfrommywantofreligion.Isaywillful,
becausetheinstancesIhavementionedhadsomethingofnecessityinthem,frommyyouth,
inexperience,andtheknaveryofothers.Ihadthereforeatolerablecharactertobegintheworld
with;Ivalueditproperly,anddetermin'dtopreserveit.
Wehadnotbeenlongreturn'dtoPhiladelphiabeforethenewtypesarriv'dfromLondon.Wesettled
withKeimer,andlefthimbyhisconsentbeforeheheardofit.Wefoundahousetohirenearthe
market,andtookit.Tolessentherent,whichwasthenbuttwentyfourpoundsayear,tho'Ihave
sinceknownittoletforseventy,wetookinThomasGodfrey,aglazier,andhisfamily,whowereto
payaconsiderablepartofittous,andwetoboardwiththem.Wehadscarceopenedourlettersand
putourpressinorder,beforeGeorgeHouse,anacquaintanceofmine,broughtacountrymantous,
whomhehadmetinthestreetinquiringforaprinter.Allourcashwasnowexpendedinthevariety
ofparticularswehadbeenobligedtoprocure,andthiscountryman'sfiveshillings,beingourfirst
fruits,andcomingsoseasonably,gavememorepleasurethananycrownIhavesinceearned;and
thegratitudeIfelttowardHousehasmademeoftenmorereadythanperhapsIshouldotherwise
havebeentoassistyoungbeginners.
Therearecroakersineverycountry,alwaysbodingitsruin.SuchaonethenlivedinPhiladelphia;a
personofnote,anelderlyman,withawiselookandaverygravemannerofspeaking;hisnamewas
SamuelMickle.Thisgentleman,astrangertome,stoptonedayatmydoor,andaskedmeifIwas
theyoungmanwhohadlatelyopenedanewprintinghouse.Beingansweredintheaffirmative,he
saidhewassorryforme,becauseitwasanexpensiveundertaking,andtheexpensewouldbelost;for
Philadelphiawasasinkingplace,thepeoplealreadyhalfbankrupts,ornearbeingso;all
appearancestothecontrary,suchasnewbuildingsandtheriseofrents,beingtohiscertain
knowledgefallacious;fortheywere,infact,amongthethingsthatwouldsoonruinus.Andhegave
mesuchadetailofmisfortunesnowexisting,orthatweresoontoexist,thatheleftmehalf
melancholy.HadIknownhimbeforeIengagedinthisbusiness,probablyInevershouldhavedone
it.Thismancontinuedtoliveinthisdecayingplace,andtodeclaiminthesamestrain,refusingfor
manyyearstobuyahousethere,becauseallwasgoingtodestruction;andatlastIhadthepleasure
ofseeinghimgivefivetimesasmuchforoneashemighthaveboughtitforwhenhefirstbeganhis
croaking.
Ishouldhavementionedbefore,that,intheautumnoftheprecedingyear,Ihadform'dmostofmy
ingeniousacquaintanceintoaclubofmutualimprovement,whichwecalledtheJUNTO;wemeton
Fridayevenings.TherulesthatIdrewuprequiredthateverymember,inhisturn,shouldproduce
oneormorequeriesonanypointofMorals,Politics,orNaturalPhilosophy,tobediscuss'dbythe
company;andonceinthreemonthsproduceandreadanessayofhisownwriting,onanysubjecthe
pleased.Ourdebatesweretobeunderthedirectionofapresident,andtobeconductedinthesincere
spiritofinquiryaftertruth,withoutfondnessfordispute,ordesireofvictory;and,toprevent
warmth,allexpressionsofpositivenessinopinions,ordirectcontradiction,wereaftersometime
madecontraband,andprohibitedundersmallpecuniarypenalties.
ThefirstmemberswereJosephBreintnal,acopyerofdeedsforthescriveners,agoodnatur'd,
friendly,middleag'dman,agreatloverofpoetry,readingallhecouldmeetwith,andwritingsome
thatwastolerable;veryingeniousinmanylittleNicknackeries,andofsensibleconversation.

ThomasGodfrey,aselftaughtmathematician,greatinhisway,andafterwardinventorofwhatis
nowcalledHadley'sQuadrant.Butheknewlittleoutofhisway,andwasnotapleasingcompanion;
as,likemostgreatmathematiciansIhavemetwith,heexpecteduniversalprecisionineverything
said,orwasforeverdenyingordistinguishingupontrifles,tothedisturbanceofallconversation.He
soonleftus.
NicholasScull,asurveyor,afterwardssurveyorgeneral,wholov'dbooks,andsometimesmadeafew
verses.
WilliamParsons,bredashoemaker,butlovingreading,hadacquir'daconsiderableshareof
mathematics,whichhefirststudiedwithaviewtoastrology,thatheafterwardslaughtatit.Healso
becamesurveyorgeneral.
WilliamMaugridge,ajoiner,amostexquisitemechanic,andasolid,sensibleman.
HughMeredith,StephenPotts,andGeorgeWebbIhavecharacteriz'dbefore.
RobertGrace,ayounggentlemanofsomefortune,generous,lively,andwitty;aloverofpunning
andofhisfriends.
AndWilliamColeman,thenamerchant'sclerk,aboutmyage,whohadthecoolest,dearesthead,the
bestheart,andtheexactestmoralsofalmostanymanIevermetwith.Hebecameafterwardsa
merchantofgreatnote,andoneofourprovincialjudges.Ourfriendshipcontinuedwithout
interruptiontohisdeath,upwardoffortyyears;andtheclubcontinuedalmostaslong,andwasthe
bestschoolofphilosophy,morality,andpoliticsthatthenexistedintheprovince;forourqueries,
whichwerereadtheweekprecedingtheirdiscussion,putusuponreadingwithattentionuponthe
severalsubjects,thatwemightspeakmoretothepurpose;andhere,too,weacquiredbetterhabits
ofconversation,everythingbeingstudiedinourruleswhichmightpreventourdisgustingeach
other.Fromhencethelongcontinuanceoftheclub,whichIshallhavefrequentoccasiontospeak
furtherofhereafter.
ButmygivingthisaccountofithereistoshowsomethingoftheinterestIhad,everyoneofthese
exertingthemselvesinrecommendingbusinesstous.Breintnalparticularlyprocur'dusfromthe
Quakerstheprintingfortysheetsoftheirhistory,therestbeingtobedonebyKeimer;anduponthis
wework'dexceedinglyhard,forthepricewaslow.Itwasafolio,propatriasize,inpica,withlong
primernotes.Icompos'dofitasheetaday,andMeredithworkeditoffatpress;itwasofteneleven
atnight,andsometimeslater,beforeIhadfinishedmydistributionforthenextday'swork,forthe
littlejobbssentinbyourotherfriendsnowandthenputusback.Butsodetermin'dIwasto
continuedoingasheetadayofthefolio,thatonenight,when,havingimpos'dmyforms,Ithought
myday'sworkover,oneofthembyaccidentwasbroken,andtwopagesreducedtopi,Iimmediately
distributedandcompos'ditoveragainbeforeIwenttobed;andthisindustry,visibletoour
neighbors,begantogiveuscharacterandcredit;particularly,Iwastold,thatmentionbeingmadeof
thenewprintingofficeatthemerchants'Everynightclub,thegeneralopinionwasthatitmustfail,
therebeingalreadytwoprintersintheplace,KeimerandBradford;butDr.Baird(whomyouandI
sawmanyyearsafterathisnativeplace,St.Andrew'sinScotland)gaveacontraryopinion:"Forthe
industryofthatFranklin,"sayshe,"issuperiortoanythingIeversawofthekind;Iseehimstillat
workwhenIgohomefromclub,andheisatworkagainbeforehisneighborsareoutofbed."This
strucktherest,andwesoonafterhadoffersfromoneofthemtosupplyuswithstationery;butasyet
wedidnotchusetoengageinshopbusiness.

Imentionthisindustrythemoreparticularlyandthemorefreely,tho'itseemstobetalkinginmy
ownpraise,thatthoseofmyposterity,whoshallreadit,mayknowtheuseofthatvirtue,whenthey
seeitseffectsinmyfavourthroughoutthisrelation.
GeorgeWebb,whohadfoundafemalefriendthatlenthimwherewithtopurchasehistimeof
Keimer,nowcametoofferhimselfasajourneymantous.Wecouldnotthenemployhim;butI
foolishlylethimknowasasecretthatIsoonintendedtobeginanewspaper,andmightthenhave
workforhim.Myhopesofsuccess,asItoldhim,werefoundedonthis,thatthethenonlynewspaper,
printedbyBradford,wasapaltrything,wretchedlymanag'd,nowayentertaining,andyetwas
profitabletohim;Ithereforethoughtagoodpaperwouldscarcelyfailofgoodencouragement.I
requestedWebbnottomentionit;buthetoldittoKeimer,whoimmediately,tobebeforehandwith
me,publishedproposalsforprintingonehimself,onwhichWebbwastobeemploy'd.Iresentedthis;
and,tocounteractthem,asIcouldnotyetbeginourpaper,Iwroteseveralpiecesofentertainment
forBradford'spaper,underthetitleoftheBUSYBODY,whichBreintnalcontinu'dsomemonths.
Bythismeanstheattentionofthepublickwasfixedonthatpaper,andKeimer'sproposals,whichwe
burlesqu'dandridicul'd,weredisregarded.Hebeganhispaper,however,and,aftercarryingiton
threequartersofayear,withatmostonlyninetysubscribers,heofferedittomeforatrifle;andI,
havingbeenreadysometimetogoonwithit,tookitinhanddirectly;anditprov'dinafewyears
extremelyprofitabletome.
IperceivethatIamapttospeakinthesingularnumber,thoughourpartnershipstillcontinu'd;the
reasonmaybethat,infact,thewholemanagementofthebusinesslayuponme.Meredithwasno
compositor,apoorpressman,andseldomsober.Myfriendslamentedmyconnectionwithhim,butI
wastomakethebestofit.
Ourfirstpapersmadeaquitedifferentappearancefromanybeforeintheprovince;abettertype,
andbetterprinted;butsomespiritedremarksofmywriting,onthedisputethengoingonbetween
GovernorBurnetandtheMassachusettsAssembly,strucktheprincipalpeople,occasionedthepaper
andthemanagerofittobemuchtalk'dof,andinafewweeksbroughtthemalltobeour
subscribers.
Theirexamplewasfollow'dbymany,andournumberwentongrowingcontinually.Thiswasoneof
thefirstgoodeffectsofmyhavinglearntalittletoscribble;anotherwas,thattheleadingmen,seeing
anewspapernowinthehandsofonewhocouldalsohandleapen,thoughtitconvenienttooblige
andencourageme.Bradfordstillprintedthevotes,andlaws,andotherpublickbusiness.Hehad
printedanaddressoftheHousetothegovernor,inacoarse,blunderingmanner,wereprintedit
elegantlyandcorrectly,andsentonetoeverymember.Theyweresensibleofthedifference:it
strengthenedthehandsofourfriendsintheHouse,andtheyvotedustheirprintersfortheyear
ensuing.
AmongmyfriendsintheHouseImustnotforgetMr.Hamilton,beforementioned,whowasthen
returnedfromEngland,andhadaseatinit.Heinterestedhimselfformestronglyinthatinstance,as
hedidinmanyothersafterward,continuinghispatronagetillhisdeath.<6>
<6>IgothissononceL500.[Marg.note.]
Mr.Vernon,aboutthistime,putmeinmindofthedebtIow'dhim,butdidnotpressme.Iwrote
himaningenuousletterofacknowledgment,crav'dhisforbearancealittlelonger,whichheallow'd

me,andassoonasIwasable,Ipaidtheprincipalwithinterest,andmanythanks;sothaterratum
wasinsomedegreecorrected.
ButnowanotherdifficultycameuponmewhichIhadnevertheleastreasontoexpect.Mr.
Meredith'sfather,whowastohavepaidforourprintinghouse,accordingtotheexpectationsgiven
me,wasabletoadvanceonlyonehundredpoundscurrency,whichhadbeenpaid;andahundred
morewasduetothemerchant,whogrewimpatient,andsu'dusall.Wegavebail,butsawthat,ifthe
moneycouldnotberais'dintime,thesuitmustsooncometoajudgmentandexecution,andour
hopefulprospectsmust,withus,beruined,asthepressandlettersmustbesoldforpayment,
perhapsathalfprice.
Inthisdistresstwotruefriends,whosekindnessIhaveneverforgotten,norevershallforgetwhileI
canrememberanything,cametomeseparately,unknowntoeachother,and,withoutany
applicationfromme,offeringeachofthemtoadvancemeallthemoneythatshouldbenecessaryto
enablemetotakethewholebusinessuponmyself,ifthatshouldbepracticable;buttheydidnotlike
mycontinuingthepartnershipwithMeredith,who,astheysaid,wasoftenseendrunkinthestreets,
andplayingatlowgamesinalehouses,muchtoourdiscredit.ThesetwofriendswereWilliam
ColemanandRobertGrace.ItoldthemIcouldnotproposeaseparationwhileanyprospect
remain'doftheMerediths'fulfillingtheirpartofouragreement,becauseIthoughtmyselfunder
greatobligationstothemforwhattheyhaddone,andwoulddoiftheycould;but,iftheyfinally
fail'dintheirperformance,andourpartnershipmustbedissolv'd,Ishouldthenthinkmyselfat
libertytoaccepttheassistanceofmyfriends.
Thusthematterrestedforsometime,whenIsaidtomypartner,"Perhapsyourfatherisdissatisfied
atthepartyouhaveundertakeninthisaffairofours,andisunwillingtoadvanceforyouandme
whathewouldforyoualone.Ifthatisthecase,tellme,andIwillresignthewholetoyou,andgo
aboutmybusiness.""No,"saidhe,"myfatherhasreallybeendisappointed,andisreallyunable;
andIamunwillingtodistresshimfarther.IseethisisabusinessIamnotfitfor.Iwasbreda
farmer,anditwasafollyinmetocometotown,andputmyself,atthirtyyearsofage,anapprentice
tolearnanewtrade.ManyofourWelshpeoplearegoingtosettleinNorthCarolina,wherelandis
cheap.Iaminclin'dtogowiththem,andfollowmyoldemployment.Youmayfindfriendstoassist
you.Ifyouwilltakethedebtsofthecompanyuponyou;returntomyfatherthehundredpoundhe
hasadvanced;paymylittlepersonaldebts,andgivemethirtypoundsandanewsaddle,Iwill
relinquishthepartnership,andleavethewholeinyourhands."Iagreedtothisproposal:itwas
drawnupinwriting,sign'd,andseal'dimmediately.Igavehimwhathedemanded,andhewentsoon
aftertoCarolina,fromwhencehesentmenextyeartwolongletters,containingthebestaccountthat
hadbeengivenofthatcountry,theclimate,thesoil,husbandry,etc.,forinthosemattershewasvery
judicious.Iprintedtheminthepapers,andtheygavegreatsatisfactiontothepublick.
Assoonashewasgone,Irecurr'dtomytwofriends;andbecauseIwouldnotgiveanunkind
preferencetoeither,ItookhalfofwhateachhadofferedandIwantedofone,andhalfoftheother;
paidoffthecompany'sdebts,andwentonwiththebusinessinmyownname,advertisingthatthe
partnershipwasdissolved.Ithinkthiswasinorabouttheyear1729.
Aboutthistimetherewasacryamongthepeopleformorepapermoney,onlyfifteenthousand
poundsbeingextantintheprovince,andthatsoontobesunk.Thewealthyinhabitantsoppos'dany
addition,beingagainstallpapercurrency,fromanapprehensionthatitwoulddepreciate,asithad
doneinNewEngland,totheprejudiceofallcreditors.Wehaddiscuss'dthispointinourJunto,
whereIwasonthesideofanaddition,beingpersuadedthatthefirstsmallsumstruckin1723had

donemuchgoodbyincreasingthetrade,employment,andnumberofinhabitantsintheprovince,
sinceInowsawalltheoldhousesinhabited,andmanynewonesbuilding;whereasIremembered
well,thatwhenIfirstwalk'daboutthestreetsofPhiladelphia,eatingmyroll,Isawmostofthe
housesinWalnutstreet,betweenSecondandFrontstreets,withbillsontheirdoors,"Tobelet";and
manylikewiseinChestnutstreetandotherstreets,whichmademethenthinktheinhabitantsofthe
cityweredesertingitoneafteranother.
Ourdebatespossess'dmesofullyofthesubject,thatIwroteandprintedananonymouspamphleton
it,entitled"TheNatureandNecessityofaPaperCurrency."Itwaswellreceiv'dbythecommon
peopleingeneral;buttherichmendislik'dit,foritincreas'dandstrengthen'dtheclamorformore
money,andtheyhappeningtohavenowritersamongthemthatwereabletoanswerit,their
oppositionslacken'd,andthepointwascarriedbyamajorityintheHouse.Myfriendsthere,who
conceiv'dIhadbeenofsomeservice,thoughtfittorewardmebyemployingmeinprintingthe
money;averyprofitablejobbandagreathelptome.Thiswasanotheradvantagegain'dbymy
beingabletowrite.
Theutilityofthiscurrencybecamebytimeandexperiencesoevidentasneverafterwardstobemuch
disputed;sothatitgrewsoontofiftyfivethousandpounds,andin1739toeightythousandpounds,
sincewhichitaroseduringwartoupwardsofthreehundredandfiftythousandpounds,trade,
building,andinhabitantsallthewhileincreasing,tillInowthinktherearelimitsbeyondwhichthe
quantitymaybehurtful.
Isoonafterobtain'd,thro'myfriendHamilton,theprintingoftheNewcastlepapermoney,another
profitablejobbasIthenthoughtit;smallthingsappearinggreattothoseinsmallcircumstances;
andthese,tome,werereallygreatadvantages,astheyweregreatencouragements.Heprocuredfor
me,also,theprintingofthelawsandvotesofthatgovernment,whichcontinu'dinmyhandsaslong
asIfollow'dthebusiness.
Inowopen'dalittlestationer'sshop.Ihadinitblanksofallsorts,thecorrectestthateverappear'd
amongus,beingassistedinthatbymyfriendBreintnal.Ihadalsopaper,parchment,chapmen's
books,etc.OneWhitemash,acompositorIhadknowninLondon,anexcellentworkman,nowcame
tome,andwork'dwithmeconstantlyanddiligently;andItookanapprentice,thesonofAquila
Rose.
IbegannowgraduallytopayoffthedebtIwasunderfortheprintinghouse.Inordertosecuremy
creditandcharacterasatradesman,Itookcarenotonlytobeinrealityindustriousandfrugal,but
toavoidallappearancestothecontrary.Idrestplainly;Iwasseenatnoplacesofidlediversion.I
neverwentoutafishingorshooting;abook,indeed,sometimesdebauch'dmefrommywork,but
thatwasseldom,snug,andgavenoscandal;and,toshowthatIwasnotabovemybusiness,I
sometimesbroughthomethepaperIpurchas'datthestoresthro'thestreetsonawheelbarrow.Thus
beingesteem'danindustrious,thrivingyoungman,andpayingdulyforwhatIbought,the
merchantswhoimportedstationerysolicitedmycustom;othersproposedsupplyingmewithbooks,
andIwentonswimmingly.Inthemeantime,Keimer'screditandbusinessdecliningdaily,hewasat
lastforc'dtosellhisprintinghousetosatisfyhiscreditors.HewenttoBarbadoes,andtherelived
someyearsinverypoorcircumstances.
Hisapprentice,DavidHarry,whomIhadinstructedwhileIwork'dwithhim,setupinhisplaceat
Philadelphia,havingboughthismaterials.IwasatfirstapprehensiveofapowerfulrivalinHarry,as
hisfriendswereveryable,andhadagooddealofinterest.Ithereforepropos'dapartnershiptohim

whichhe,fortunatelyforme,rejectedwithscorn.Hewasveryproud,dress'dlikeagentleman,liv'd
expensively,tookmuchdiversionandpleasureabroad,ranindebt,andneglectedhisbusiness;upon
which,allbusinesslefthim;and,findingnothingtodo,hefollowedKeimertoBarbadoes,takingthe
printinghousewithhim.Therethisapprenticeemploy'dhisformermasterasajourneyman;they
quarrel'doften;Harrywentcontinuallybehindhand,andatlengthwasforc'dtosellhistypesand
returntohiscountryworkinPensilvania.Thepersonthatboughtthememploy'dKeimertouse
them,butinafewyearshedied.
ThereremainednownocompetitorwithmeatPhiladelphiabuttheoldone,Bradford;whowasrich
andeasy,didalittleprintingnowandthenbystragglinghands,butwasnotveryanxiousaboutthe
business.However,ashekeptthepostoffice,itwasimaginedhehadbetteropportunitiesof
obtainingnews;hispaperwasthoughtabetterdistributerofadvertisementsthanmine,and
thereforehadmany,more,whichwasaprofitablethingtohim,andadisadvantagetome;for,tho'I
didindeedreceiveandsendpapersbythepost,yetthepublickopinionwasotherwise,forwhatIdid
sendwasbybribingtheriders,whotookthemprivately,Bradfordbeingunkindenoughtoforbidit,
whichoccasion'dsomeresentmentonmypart;andIthoughtsomeanlyofhimforit,that,whenI
afterwardcameintohissituation,Itookcarenevertoimitateit.
Ihadhithertocontinu'dtoboardwithGodfrey,wholivedinpartofmyhousewithhiswifeand
children,andhadonesideoftheshopforhisglazier'sbusiness,tho'heworkedlittle,beingalways
absorbedinhismathematics.Mrs.Godfreyprojectedamatchformewitharelation'sdaughter,
tookopportunitiesofbringingusoftentogether,tillaseriouscourtshiponmypartensu'd,thegirl
beinginherselfverydeserving.Theoldfolksencourag'dmebycontinualinvitationstosupper,and
byleavingustogether,tillatlengthitwastimetoexplain.Mrs.Godfreymanag'dourlittletreaty.I
letherknowthatIexpectedasmuchmoneywiththeirdaughteraswouldpayoffmyremainingdebt
fortheprintinghouse,whichIbelievewasnotthenaboveahundredpounds.Shebroughtmeword
theyhadnosuchsumtospare;Isaidtheymightmortgagetheirhouseintheloanoffice.Theanswer
tothis,aftersomedays,was,thattheydidnotapprovethematch;that,oninquiryofBradford,they
hadbeeninform'dtheprintingbusinesswasnotaprofitableone;thetypeswouldsoonbewornout,
andmorewanted;thatS.KeimerandD.Harryhadfailedoneaftertheother,andIshouldprobably
soonfollowthem;and,therefore,Iwasforbiddenthehouse,andthedaughtershutup.
Whetherthiswasarealchangeofsentimentoronlyartifice,onasuppositionofourbeingtoofar
engagedinaffectiontoretract,andthereforethatweshouldstealamarriage,whichwouldleave
thematlibertytogiveorwithholdwhattheypleas'd,Iknownot;butIsuspectedthelatter,resented
it,andwentnomore.Mrs.Godfreybroughtmeafterwardsomemorefavorableaccountsoftheir
disposition,andwouldhavedrawnmeonagain;butIdeclaredabsolutelymyresolutiontohave
nothingmoretodowiththatfamily.ThiswasresentedbytheGodfreys;wediffer'd,andthey
removed,leavingmethewholehouse,andIresolvedtotakenomoreinmates.
Butthisaffairhavingturnedmythoughtstomarriage,Ilook'droundmeandmadeoverturesof
acquaintanceinotherplaces;butsoonfoundthat,thebusinessofaprinterbeinggenerallythoughta
poorone,Iwasnottoexpectmoneywithawife,unlesswithsuchaoneasIshouldnototherwise
thinkagreeable.Inthemeantime,thathardtobegovernedpassionofyouthhurriedmefrequently
intointrigueswithlowwomenthatfellinmyway,whichwereattendedwithsomeexpenseandgreat
inconvenience,besidesacontinualrisquetomyhealthbyadistemperwhichofallthingsIdreaded,
thoughbygreatgoodluckIescapedit.Afriendlycorrespondenceasneighborsandold
acquaintanceshadcontinuedbetweenmeandMrs.Read'sfamily,whoallhadaregardformefrom
thetimeofmyfirstlodgingintheirhouse.Iwasofteninvitedthereandconsultedintheiraffairs,

whereinIsometimeswasofservice.Ipiti'dpoorMissRead'sunfortunatesituation,whowas
generallydejected,seldomcheerful,andavoidedcompany.Iconsideredmygiddinessand
inconstancywheninLondonasinagreatdegreethecauseofherunhappiness,tho'themotherwas
goodenoughtothinkthefaultmoreherownthanmine,asshehadpreventedourmarryingbeforeI
wentthither,andpersuadedtheothermatchinmyabsence.Ourmutualaffectionwasrevived,but
therewerenowgreatobjectionstoourunion.Thematchwasindeedlookeduponasinvalid,a
precedingwifebeingsaidtobelivinginEngland;butthiscouldnoteasilybeprov'd,becauseofthe
distance;and,tho'therewasareportofhisdeath,itwasnotcertain.Then,tho'itshouldbetrue,he
hadleftmanydebts,whichhissuccessormightbecall'dupontopay.Weventured,however,overall
thesedifficulties,andItookhertowife,September1st,1730.Noneoftheinconvenienceshappened
thatwehadapprehended,sheprovedagoodandfaithfulhelpmate,assistedmemuchbyattending
theshop;wethrovetogether,andhaveevermutuallyendeavoredtomakeeachotherhappy.ThusI
correctedthatgreaterratumaswellasIcould.
Aboutthistime,ourclubmeeting,notatatavern,butinalittleroomofMr.Grace's,setapartfor
thatpurpose,apropositionwasmadebyme,that,sinceourbookswereoftenreferr'dtoinour
disquisitionsuponthequeries,itmightbeconvenienttoustohavethemaltogetherwherewemet,
thatuponoccasiontheymightbeconsulted;andbythusclubbingourbookstoacommonlibrary,we
should,whilewelik'dtokeepthemtogether,haveeachofustheadvantageofusingthebooksofall
theothermembers,whichwouldbenearlyasbeneficialasifeachownedthewhole.Itwaslik'dand
agreedto,andwefill'doneendoftheroomwithsuchbooksaswecouldbestspare.Thenumberwas
notsogreatasweexpected;andtho'theyhadbeenofgreatuse,yetsomeinconveniencesoccurring
forwantofduecareofthem,thecollection,afteraboutayear,wasseparated,andeachtookhis
bookshomeagain
AndnowIsetonfootmyfirstprojectofapublicnature,thatforasubscriptionlibrary.Idrewup
theproposals,gotthemputintoformbyourgreatscrivener,Brockden,and,bythehelpofmy
friendsintheJunto,procuredfiftysubscribersoffortyshillingseachtobeginwith,andtenshillings
ayearforfiftyyears,thetermourcompanywastocontinue.Weafterwardsobtain'dacharter,the
companybeingincreasedtoonehundred:thiswasthemotherofalltheNorthAmerican
subscriptionlibraries,nowsonumerous.Itisbecomeagreatthingitself,andcontinuallyincreasing.
TheselibrarieshaveimprovedthegeneralconversationoftheAmericans,madethecommon
tradesmenandfarmersasintelligentasmostgentlemenfromothercountries,andperhapshave
contributedinsomedegreetothestandsogenerallymadethroughoutthecoloniesindefenseoftheir
privileges.
Memo.Thusfarwaswrittenwiththeintentionexpress'dinthebeginningandthereforecontains
severallittlefamilyanecdotesofnoimportancetoothers.Whatfollowswaswrittenmanyyearsafter
incompliancewiththeadvicecontain'dintheseletters,andaccordinglyintendedforthepublic.The
affairsoftheRevolutionoccasion'dtheinterruption.
Previous|Next

PartII
LetterfromMr.AbelJames,withNotesofmyLife(receivedinParis).

"MYDEARANDHONOREDFRIEND:Ihaveoftenbeendesirousofwritingtothee,butcouldnot
bereconciledtothethoughtthatthelettermightfallintothehandsoftheBritish,lestsomeprinter
orbusybodyshouldpublishsomepartofthecontents,andgiveourfriendpain,andmyselfcensure.
"Sometimesincetherefellintomyhands,tomygreatjoy,abouttwentythreesheetsinthyown
handwriting,containinganaccountoftheparentageandlifeofthyself,directedtothyson,endingin
theyear1730,withwhichtherewerenotes,likewiseinthywriting;acopyofwhichIinclose,inhopes
itmaybeameans,ifthoucontinuedituptoalaterperiod,thatthefirstandlatterpartmaybeput
together;andifitisnotyetcontinued,Ihopetheewillnotdelayit.Lifeisuncertain,asthepreacher
tellsus;andwhatwilltheworldsayifkind,humane,andbenevolentBen.Franklinshouldleavehis
friendsandtheworlddeprivedofsopleasingandprofitableawork;aworkwhichwouldbeuseful
andentertainingnotonlytoafew,buttomillions?Theinfluencewritingsunderthatclasshaveon
themindsofyouthisverygreat,andhasnowhereappearedtomesoplain,asinourpublicfriend's
journals.Italmostinsensiblyleadstheyouthintotheresolutionofendeavoringtobecomeasgood
andeminentasthejournalist.Shouldthine,forinstance,whenpublished(andIthinkitcouldnotfail
ofit),leadtheyouthtoequaltheindustryandtemperanceofthyearlyyouth,whatablessingwith
thatclasswouldsuchaworkbe!Iknowofnocharacterliving,normanyofthemputtogether,who
hassomuchinhispowerasthyselftopromoteagreaterspiritofindustryandearlyattentionto
business,frugality,andtemperancewiththeAmericanyouth.NotthatIthinktheworkwouldhave
noothermeritanduseintheworld,farfromit;butthefirstisofsuchvastimportancethatIknow
nothingthatcanequalit."
Theforegoingletterandtheminutesaccompanyingitbeingshowntoafriend,Ireceivedfromhim
thefollowing:
LetterfromMr.BenjaminVaughan.
"PARIS,January31,1783.
"MyDEARESTSIR:WhenIhadreadoveryoursheetsofminutesoftheprincipalincidentsofyour
life,recoveredforyoubyyourQuakeracquaintance,ItoldyouIwouldsendyoualetterexpressing
myreasonswhyIthoughtitwouldbeusefultocompleteandpublishitashedesired.Various
concernshaveforsometimepastpreventedthisletterbeingwritten,andIdonotknowwhetherit
wasworthanyexpectation;happeningtobeatleisure,however,atpresent,Ishallbywriting,atleast
interestandinstructmyself;butasthetermsIaminclinedtousemaytendtooffendapersonof
yourmanners,IshallonlytellyouhowIwouldaddressanyotherperson,whowasasgoodandas
greatasyourself,butlessdiffident.Iwouldsaytohim,Sir,Isolicitthehistoryofyourlifefromthe
followingmotives:Yourhistoryissoremarkable,thatifyoudonotgiveit,somebodyelsewill
certainlygiveit;andperhapssoasnearlytodoasmuchharm,asyourownmanagementofthething
mightdogood.Itwillmoreoverpresentatableoftheinternalcircumstancesofyourcountry,which
willverymuchtendtoinvitetoitsettlersofvirtuousandmanlyminds.Andconsideringthe
eagernesswithwhichsuchinformationissoughtbythem,andtheextentofyourreputation,Idonot
knowofamoreefficaciousadvertisementthanyourbiographywouldgive.Allthathashappenedto
youisalsoconnectedwiththedetailofthemannersandsituationofarisingpeople;andinthis
respectIdonotthinkthatthewritingsofCaesarandTacituscanbemoreinterestingtoatruejudge
ofhumannatureandsociety.Butthese,sir,aresmallreasons,inmyopinion,comparedwiththe
chancewhichyourlifewillgivefortheformingoffuturegreatmen;andinconjunctionwithyour
ArtofVirtue(whichyoudesigntopublish)ofimprovingthefeaturesofprivatecharacter,and
consequentlyofaidingallhappiness,bothpublicanddomestic.ThetwoworksIalludeto,sir,willin

particulargiveanobleruleandexampleofselfeducation.Schoolandothereducationconstantly
proceeduponfalseprinciples,andshowaclumsyapparatuspointedatafalsemark;butyour
apparatusissimple,andthemarkatrueone;andwhileparentsandyoungpersonsareleftdestitute
ofotherjustmeansofestimatingandbecomingpreparedforareasonablecourseinlife,your
discoverythatthethingisinmanyaman'sprivatepower,willbeinvaluable!Influenceuponthe
privatecharacter,lateinlife,isnotonlyaninfluencelateinlife,butaweakinfluence.Itisinyouth
thatweplantourchiefhabitsandprejudices;itisinyouththatwetakeourpartyastoprofession,
pursuitsandmatrimony.Inyouth,therefore,theturnisgiven;inyouththeeducationevenofthe
nextgenerationisgiven;inyouththeprivateandpubliccharacterisdetermined;andthetermoflife
extendingbutfromyouthtoage,lifeoughttobeginwellfromyouth,andmoreespeciallybeforewe
takeourpartyastoourprincipalobjects.Butyourbiographywillnotmerelyteachselfeducation,
buttheeducationofawiseman;andthewisestmanwillreceivelightsandimprovehisprogress,by
seeingdetailedtheconductofanotherwiseman.Andwhyareweakermentobedeprivedofsuch
helps,whenweseeourracehasbeenblunderingoninthedark,almostwithoutaguideinthis
particular,fromthefarthesttraceoftime?Showthen,sir,howmuchistobedone,bothtosonsand
fathers;andinviteallwisementobecomelikeyourself,andothermentobecomewise.Whenwesee
howcruelstatesmenandwarriorscanbetothehumanrace,andhowabsurddistinguishedmencan
betotheiracquaintance,itwillbeinstructivetoobservetheinstancesmultiplyofpacific,acquiescing
manners;andtofindhowcompatibleitistobegreatanddomestic,enviableandyetgoodhumored.
"Thelittleprivateincidentswhichyouwillalsohavetorelate,willhaveconsiderableuse,aswewant,
aboveallthings,rulesofprudenceinordinaryaffairs;anditwillbecurioustoseehowyouhave
actedinthese.Itwillbesofarasortofkeytolife,andexplainmanythingsthatallmenoughtto
haveonceexplainedtothem,togive,themachanceofbecomingwisebyforesight.Thenearestthing
tohavingexperienceofone'sown,istohaveotherpeople'saffairsbroughtbeforeusinashapethat
isinteresting;thisissuretohappenfromyourpen;ouraffairsandmanagementwillhaveanairof
simplicityorimportancethatwillnotfailtostrike;andIamconvincedyouhaveconductedthem
withasmuchoriginalityasifyouhadbeenconductingdiscussionsinpoliticsorphilosophy;and
whatmoreworthyofexperimentsandsystem(itsimportanceanditserrorsconsidered)thanhuman
life?
"Somemenhavebeenvirtuousblindly,othershavespeculatedfantastically,andothershavebeen
shrewdtobadpurposes;butyou,sir,Iamsure,willgiveunderyourhand,nothingbutwhatisatthe
samemoment,wise,practicalandgood,youraccountofyourself(forIsupposetheparallelIam
drawingforDr.Franklin,willholdnotonlyinpointofcharacter,butofprivatehistory)willshow
thatyouareashamedofnoorigin;athingthemoreimportant,asyouprovehowlittlenecessaryall
originistohappiness,virtue,orgreatness.Asnoendlikewisehappenswithoutameans,soweshall
find,sir,thatevenyouyourselfframedaplanbywhichyoubecameconsiderable;butatthesame
timewemayseethatthoughtheeventisflattering,themeansareassimpleaswisdomcouldmake
them;thatis,dependinguponnature,virtue,thoughtandhabit.Anotherthingdemonstratedwillbe
theproprietyofeveryman'swaitingforhistimeforappearinguponthestageoftheworld.Our
sensationsbeingverymuchfixedtothemoment,weareapttoforgetthatmoremomentsareto
followthefirst,andconsequentlythatmanshouldarrangehisconductsoastosuitthewholeofa
life.Yourattributionappearstohavebeenappliedtoyourlife,andthepassingmomentsofithave
beenenlivenedwithcontentandenjoymentinsteadofbeingtormentedwithfoolishimpatienceor
regrets.Suchaconductiseasyforthosewhomakevirtueandthemselvesincountenanceby
examplesofothertrulygreatmen,ofwhompatienceissooftenthecharacteristic.YourQuaker
correspondent,sir(forhereagainIwillsupposethesubjectofmyletterresemblingDr.Franklin),
praisedyourfrugality,diligenceandtemperance,whichheconsideredasapatternforallyouth;but

itissingularthatheshouldhaveforgottenyourmodestyandyourdisinterestedness,withoutwhich
younevercouldhavewaitedforyouradvancement,orfoundyoursituationinthemeantime
comfortable;whichisastronglessontoshowthepovertyofgloryandtheimportanceofregulating
ourminds.IfthiscorrespondenthadknownthenatureofyourreputationaswellasIdo,hewould
havesaid,YourformerwritingsandmeasureswouldsecureattentiontoyourBiography,andArtof
Virtue;andyourBiographyandArtofVirtue,inreturn,wouldsecureattentiontothem.Thisisan
advantageattendantuponavariouscharacter,andwhichbringsallthatbelongstoitintogreater
play;anditisthemoreuseful,asperhapsmorepersonsareatalossforthemeansofimproving
theirmindsandcharacters,thantheyareforthetimeortheinclinationtodoit.Butthereisone
concludingreflection,sir,thatwillshewtheuseofyourlifeasamerepieceofbiography.Thisstyle
ofwritingseemsalittlegoneoutofvogue,andyetitisaveryusefulone;andyourspecimenofitmay
beparticularlyserviceable,asitwillmakeasubjectofcomparisonwiththelivesofvariouspublic
cutthroatsandintriguers,andwithabsurdmonasticselftormentorsorvainliterarytriflers.Ifit
encouragesmorewritingsofthesamekindwithyourown,andinducesmorementospendlivesfitto
bewritten,itwillbeworthallPlutarch'sLivesputtogether.Butbeingtiredoffiguringtomyselfa
characterofwhicheveryfeaturesuitsonlyonemanintheworld,withoutgivinghimthepraiseofit,
Ishallendmyletter,mydearDr.Franklin,withapersonalapplicationtoyourproperself.Iam
earnestlydesirous,then,mydearsir,thatyoushouldlettheworldintothetraitsofyourgenuine
character,ascivilbroilsnayotherwisetendtodisguiseortraduceit.Consideringyourgreatage,the
cautionofyourcharacter,andyourpeculiarstyleofthinking,itisnotlikelythatanyonebesides
yourselfcanbesufficientlymasterofthefactsofyourlife,ortheintentionsofyourmind.Besidesall
this,theimmenserevolutionofthepresentperiod,willnecessarilyturnourattentiontowardsthe
authorofit,andwhenvirtuousprincipleshavebeenpretendedinit,itwillbehighlyimportantto
shewthatsuchhavereallyinfluenced;and,asyourowncharacterwillbetheprincipalonetoreceive
ascrutiny,itisproper(evenforitseffectsuponyourvastandrisingcountry,aswellasupon
EnglandanduponEurope)thatitshouldstandrespectableandeternal.Forthefurtheranceof
humanhappiness,Ihavealwaysmaintainedthatitisnecessarytoprovethatmanisnotevenat
presentaviciousanddetestableanimal;andstillmoretoprovethatgoodmanagementmaygreatly
amendhim;anditisformuchthesamereason,thatIamanxioustoseetheopinionestablished,that
therearefaircharactersexistingamongtheindividualsoftherace;forthemomentthatallmen,
withoutexception,shallbeconceivedabandoned,goodpeoplewillceaseeffortsdeemedtobe
hopeless,andperhapsthinkoftakingtheirshareinthescrambleoflife,oratleastofmakingit
comfortableprincipallyforthemselves.Takethen,mydearsir,thisworkmostspeedilyintohand:
shewyourselfgoodasyouaregood;temperateasyouaretemperate;andaboveallthings,prove
yourselfasone,whofromyourinfancyhavelovedjustice,libertyandconcord,inawaythathas
madeitnaturalandconsistentforyoutohaveacted,aswehaveseenyouactinthelastseventeen
yearsofyourlife.LetEnglishmenbemadenotonlytorespect,buteventoloveyou.Whentheythink
wellofindividualsinyournativecountry,theywillgonearertothinkingwellofyourcountry;and
whenyourcountrymenseethemselveswellthoughtofbyEnglishmen,theywillgonearertothinking
wellofEngland.Extendyourviewsevenfurther;donotstopatthosewhospeaktheEnglishtongue,
butafterhavingsettledsomanypointsinnatureandpolitics,thinkofbetteringthewholeraceof
men.AsIhavenotreadanypartofthelifeinquestion,butknowonlythecharacterthatlivedit,I
writesomewhatathazard.Iamsure,however,thatthelifeandthetreatiseIalludeto(ontheArtof
Virtue)willnecessarilyfulfilthechiefofmyexpectations;andstillmoresoifyoutakeupthe
measureofsuitingtheseperformancestotheseveralviewsabovestated.Shouldtheyevenprove
unsuccessfulinallthatasanguineadmirerofyourshopesfromthem,youwillatleasthaveframed
piecestointerestthehumanmind;andwhoevergivesafeelingofpleasurethatisinnocenttoman,
hasaddedsomuchtothefairsideofalifeotherwisetoomuchdarkenedbyanxietyandtoomuch

injuredbypain.Inthehope,therefore,thatyouwilllistentotheprayeraddressedtoyouinthis
letter,Ibegtosubscribemyself,mydearestsir,etc.,etc.,
"Signed,BENJ.VAUGHAN."
ContinuationoftheAccountofmyLife,begunatPassy,nearParis,1784.
ItissometimesinceIreceiv'dtheaboveletters,butIhavebeentoobusytillnowtothinkof
complyingwiththerequesttheycontain.Itmight,too,bemuchbetterdoneifIwereathomeamong
mypapers,whichwouldaidmymemory,andhelptoascertaindates;butmyreturnbeinguncertain
andhavingjustnowalittleleisure,IwillendeavortorecollectandwritewhatIcan;ifIlivetoget
home,itmaytherebecorrectedandimprov'd.
Nothavinganycopyhereofwhatisalreadywritten,Iknownotwhetheranaccountisgivenofthe
meansIusedtoestablishthePhiladelphiapubliclibrary,which,fromasmallbeginning,isnow
becomesoconsiderable,thoughIremembertohavecomedowntonearthetimeofthattransaction
(1730).Iwillthereforebeginherewithanaccountofit,whichmaybestruckoutiffoundtohave
beenalreadygiven.
AtthetimeIestablish'dmyselfinPennsylvania,therewasnotagoodbookseller'sshopinanyofthe
coloniestothesouthwardofBoston.InNewYorkandPhilad'atheprinterswereindeedstationers;
theysoldonlypaper,etc.,almanacs,ballads,andafewcommonschoolbooks.Thosewholov'd
readingwereoblig'dtosendfortheirbooksfromEngland;themembersoftheJuntohadeachafew.
Wehadleftthealehouse,wherewefirstmet,andhiredaroomtoholdourclubin.Ipropos'dthat
weshouldallofusbringourbookstothatroom,wheretheywouldnotonlybereadytoconsultin
ourconferences,butbecomeacommonbenefit,eachofusbeingatlibertytoborrowsuchashe
wish'dtoreadathome.Thiswasaccordinglydone,andforsometimecontentedus.
Findingtheadvantageofthislittlecollection,Ipropos'dtorenderthebenefitfrombooksmore
common,bycommencingapublicsubscriptionlibrary.Idrewasketchoftheplanandrulesthat
wouldbenecessary,andgotaskilfulconveyancer,Mr.CharlesBrockden,toputthewholeinformof
articlesofagreementtobesubscribed,bywhicheachsubscriberengag'dtopayacertainsumdown
forthefirstpurchaseofbooks,andanannualcontributionforincreasingthem.Sofewwerethe
readersatthattimeinPhiladelphia,andthemajorityofussopoor,thatIwasnotable,withgreat
industry,tofindmorethanfiftypersons,mostlyyoungtradesmen,willingtopaydownforthis
purposefortyshillingseach,andtenshillingsperannum.Onthislittlefundwebegan.Thebooks
wereimported;thelibrarywagopenedonedayintheweekforlendingtothesubscribers,ontheir
promissorynotestopaydoublethevalueifnotdulyreturned.Theinstitutionsoonmanifestedits
utility,wasimitatedbyothertowns,andinotherprovinces.Thelibrarieswereaugmentedby
donations;readingbecamefashionable;andourpeople,havingnopublickamusementstodivert
theirattentionfromstudy,becamebetteracquaintedwithbooks,andinafewyearswereobserv'd
bystrangerstobebetterinstructedandmoreintelligentthanpeopleofthesamerankgenerallyare
inothercountries.
Whenwewereabouttosigntheabovementionedarticles,whichweretobebindinguponus,our
heirs,etc.,forfiftyyears,Mr.Brockden,thescrivener,saidtous,"Youareyoungmen,butitis
scarcelyprobablethatanyofyouwilllivetoseetheexpirationofthetermfix'dintheinstrument."A
numberofus,however,areyetliving;buttheinstrumentwasafterafewyearsrenderednullbya
charterthatincorporatedandgaveperpetuitytothecompany.

TheobjectionsandreluctancesImetwithinsolicitingthesubscriptions,mademesoonfeelthe
improprietyofpresentingone'sselfastheproposerofanyusefulproject,thatmightbesuppos'dto
raiseone'sreputationinthesmallestdegreeabovethatofone'sneighbors,whenonehasneedof
theirassistancetoaccomplishthatproject.IthereforeputmyselfasmuchasIcouldoutofsight,and
stateditasaschemeofanumberoffriends,whohadrequestedmetogoaboutandproposeitto
suchastheythoughtloversofreading.Inthiswaymyaffairwentonmoresmoothly,andIeverafter
practis'ditonsuchoccasions;and,frommyfrequentsuccesses,canheartilyrecommendit.The
presentlittlesacrificeofyourvanitywillafterwardsbeamplyrepaid.Ifitremainsawhileuncertain
towhomthemeritbelongs,someonemorevainthanyourselfwillbeencouragedtoclaimit,and
thenevenenvywillbedisposedtodoyoujusticebypluckingthoseassumedfeathers,andrestoring
themtotheirrightowner.
Thislibraryaffordedmethemeansofimprovementbyconstantstudy,forwhichIsetapartanhour
ortwoeachday,andthusrepair'dinsomedegreethelossofthelearnededucationmyfatheronce
intendedforme.ReadingwastheonlyamusementIallow'dmyself.Ispentnotimeintaverns,
games,orfrolicksofanykind;andmyindustryinmybusinesscontinu'dasindefatigableasitwas
necessary.Iwasindebtedformyprintinghouse;Ihadayoungfamilycomingontobeeducated,and
Ihadtocontendwithforbusinesstwoprinters,whowereestablishedintheplacebeforeme.My
circumstances,however,grewdailyeasier.Myoriginalhabitsoffrugalitycontinuing,andmyfather
having,amonghisinstructionstomewhenaboy,frequentlyrepeatedaproverbofSolomon,"Seest
thouamandiligentinhiscalling,heshallstandbeforekings,heshallnotstandbeforemeanmen,"I
fromthenceconsideredindustryasameansofobtainingwealthanddistinction,whichencourag'd
me,tho'IdidnotthinkthatIshouldeverliterallystandbeforekings,which,however,hassince
happened;forIhavestoodbeforefive,andevenhadthehonorofsittingdownwithone,theKingof
Denmark,todinner.
WehaveanEnglishproverbthatsays,"Hethatwouldthrive,mustaskhiswife."Itwasluckyforme
thatIhadoneasmuchdispos'dtoindustryandfrugalityasmyself.Sheassistedmecheerfullyinmy
business,foldingandstitchingpamphlets,tendingshop,purchasingoldlinenragsforthe
papermakers,etc.,etc.Wekeptnoidleservants,ourtablewasplainandsimple,ourfurnitureofthe
cheapest.Forinstance,mybreakfastwasalongtimebreadandmilk(notea),andIateitoutofa
twopennyearthenporringer,withapewterspoon.Butmarkhowluxurywillenterfamilies,and
makeaprogress,inspiteofprinciple:beingcall'donemorningtobreakfast,IfounditinaChina
bowl,withaspoonofsilver!Theyhadbeenboughtformewithoutmyknowledgebymywife,and
hadcosthertheenormoussumofthreeandtwentyshillings,forwhichshehadnootherexcuseor
apologytomake,butthatshethoughtherhusbanddeserv'dasilverspoonandChinabowlaswellas
anyofhisneighbors.ThiswasthefirstappearanceofplateandChinainourhouse,whichafterward,
inacourseofyears,asourwealthincreas'd,augmentedgraduallytoseveralhundredpoundsin
value.
IhadbeenreligiouslyeducatedasaPresbyterian;andtho'someofthedogmasofthatpersuasion,
suchastheeternaldecreesofGod,election,reprobation,etc.,appearedtomeunintelligible,others
doubtful,andIearlyabsentedmyselffromthepublicassembliesofthesect,Sundaybeingmy
studyingday,Ineverwaswithoutsomereligiousprinciples.Ineverdoubted,forinstance,the
existenceoftheDeity;thathemadetheworld,andgovern'ditbyhisProvidence;thatthemost
acceptableserviceofGodwasthedoinggoodtoman;thatoursoulsareimmortal;andthatallcrime
willbepunished,andvirtuerewarded,eitherhereorhereafter.TheseIesteem'dtheessentialsof
everyreligion;and,beingtobefoundinallthereligionswehadinourcountry,Irespectedthemall,
tho'withdifferentdegreesofrespect,asIfoundthemmoreorlessmix'dwithotherarticles,which,

withoutanytendencytoinspire,promote,orconfirmmorality,serv'dprincipallytodivideus,and
makeusunfriendlytooneanother.Thisrespecttoall,withanopinionthattheworsthadsomegood
effects,induc'dmetoavoidalldiscoursethatmighttendtolessenthegoodopinionanothermight
haveofhisownreligion;andasourprovinceincreas'dinpeople,andnewplacesofworshipwere
continuallywanted,andgenerallyerectedbyvoluntarycontributions,mymiteforsuchpurpose,
whatevermightbethesect,wasneverrefused.
Tho'Iseldomattendedanypublicworship,Ihadstillanopinionofitspropriety,andofitsutility
whenrightlyconducted,andIregularlypaidmyannualsubscriptionforthesupportoftheonly
PresbyterianministerormeetingwehadinPhiladelphia.Heus'dtovisitmesometimesasafriend,
andadmonishmetoattendhisadministrations,andIwasnowandthenprevail'dontodoso,once
forfiveSundayssuccessively.Hadhebeeninmyopinionagoodpreacher,perhapsImighthave
continued,notwithstandingtheoccasionIhadfortheSunday'sleisureinmycourseofstudy;buthis
discourseswerechieflyeitherpolemicarguments,orexplicationsofthepeculiardoctrinesofour
sect,andwerealltomeverydry,uninteresting,andunedifying,sincenotasinglemoralprinciple
wasinculcatedorenforc'd,theiraimseemingtoberathertomakeusPresbyteriansthangood
citizens.
AtlengthhetookforhistextthatverseofthefourthchapterofPhilippians,"Finally,brethren,
whatsoeverthingsaretrue,honest,just,pure,lovely,orofgoodreport,iftherebeanyvirtue,orany
praise,thinkonthesethings."AndIimagin'd,inasermononsuchatext,wecouldnotmissof
havingsomemorality.Butheconfin'dhimselftofivepointsonly,asmeantbytheapostle,viz.:1.
KeepingholytheSabbathday.2.BeingdiligentinreadingtheholyScriptures.3.Attendingdulythe
publickworship.4.PartakingoftheSacrament.5.PayingaduerespecttoGod'sministers.These
mightbeallgoodthings;but,astheywerenotthekindofgoodthingsthatIexpectedfromthattext,
Idespairedofevermeetingwiththemfromanyother,wasdisgusted,andattendedhispreachingno
more.Ihadsomeyearsbeforecompos'dalittleLiturgy,orformofprayer,formyownprivateuse
(viz.,in1728),entitled,ArticlesofBeliefandActsofReligion.Ireturn'dtotheuseofthis,andwent
nomoretothepublicassemblies.Myconductmightbeblameable,butIleaveit,withoutattempting
furthertoexcuseit;mypresentpurposebeingtorelatefacts,andnottomakeapologiesforthem.
ItwasaboutthistimeIconceiv'dtheboldandarduousprojectofarrivingatmoralperfection.I
wish'dtolivewithoutcommittinganyfaultatanytime;Iwouldconquerallthateithernatural
inclination,custom,orcompanymightleadmeinto.AsIknew,orthoughtIknew,whatwasright
andwrong,IdidnotseewhyImightnotalwaysdotheoneandavoidtheother.ButIsoonfoundI
hadundertakenataskofmoredifficultythanIbadimagined.Whilemycarewasemploy'din
guardingagainstonefault,Iwasoftensurprisedbyanother;habittooktheadvantageofinattention;
inclinationwassometimestoostrongforreason.Iconcluded,atlength,thatthemerespeculative
convictionthatitwasourinteresttobecompletelyvirtuous,wasnotsufficienttopreventour
slipping;andthatthecontraryhabitsmustbebroken,andgoodonesacquiredandestablished,
beforewecanhaveanydependenceonasteady,uniformrectitudeofconduct.ForthispurposeI
thereforecontrivedthefollowingmethod.
InthevariousenumerationsofthemoralvirtuesIhadmetwithinmyreading,Ifoundthecatalogue
moreorlessnumerous,asdifferentwritersincludedmoreorfewerideasunderthesamename.
Temperance,forexample,wasbysomeconfinedtoeatinganddrinking,whilebyothersitwas
extendedtomeanthemoderatingeveryotherpleasure,appetite,inclination,orpassion,bodilyor
mental,eventoouravariceandambition.Ipropos'dtomyself,forthesakeofclearness,touse
rathermorenames,withfewerideasannex'dtoeach,thanafewnameswithmoreideas;andI

includedunderthirteennamesofvirtuesallthatatthattimeoccurr'dtomeasnecessaryor
desirable,andannexedtoeachashortprecept,whichfullyexpress'dtheextentIgavetoitsmeaning.
Thesenamesofvirtues,withtheirprecepts,were:
1.TEMPERANCE.Eatnottodullness;drinknottoelevation.
2.SILENCE.Speaknotbutwhatmaybenefitothersoryourself;avoidtriflingconversation.
3.ORDER.Letallyourthingshavetheirplaces;leteachpartofyourbusinesshaveitstime.
4.RESOLUTION.Resolvetoperformwhatyouought;performwithoutfailwhatyouresolve.
5.FRUGALITY.Makenoexpensebuttodogoodtoothersoryourself;i.e.,wastenothing.
6.INDUSTRY.Losenotime;bealwaysemploy'dinsomethinguseful;cutoffallunnecessary
actions.
7.SINCERITY.Usenohurtfuldeceit;thinkinnocentlyandjustly,and,ifyouspeak,speak
accordingly.
8.JUSTICE.Wrongnonebydoinginjuries,oromittingthebenefitsthatareyourduty.
9.MODERATION.Avoidextreams;forbearresentinginjuriessomuchasyouthinktheydeserve.
10.CLEANLINESS.Toleratenouncleanlinessinbody,cloaths,orhabitation.
11.TRANQUILLITY.Benotdisturbedattrifles,orataccidentscommonorunavoidable.
12.CHASTITY.Rarelyusevenerybutforhealthoroffspring,nevertodulness,weakness,orthe
injuryofyourownoranother'speaceorreputation.
13.HUMILITY.ImitateJesusandSocrates.
Myintentionbeingtoacquirethehabitudeofallthesevirtues,Ijudg'ditwouldbewellnotto
distractmyattentionbyattemptingthewholeatonce,buttofixitononeofthematatime;and,
whenIshouldbemasterofthat,thentoproceedtoanother,andsoon,tillIshouldhavegonethro'
thethirteen;and,asthepreviousacquisitionofsomemightfacilitatetheacquisitionofcertain
others,Iarrang'dthemwiththatview,astheystandabove.Temperancefirst,asittendstoprocure
thatcoolnessandclearnessofhead,whichissonecessarywhereconstantvigilancewastobekeptup,
andguardmaintainedagainsttheunremittingattractionofancienthabits,andtheforceofperpetual
temptations.Thisbeingacquir'dandestablish'd,Silencewouldbemoreeasy;andmydesirebeingto
gainknowledgeatthesametimethatIimprov'dinvirtue,andconsideringthatinconversationit
wasobtain'dratherbytheuseoftheearsthanofthetongue,andthereforewishingtobreakahabitI
wasgettingintoofprattling,punning,andjoking,whichonlymademeacceptabletotrifling
company,IgaveSilencethesecondplace.Thisandthenext,Order,Iexpectedwouldallowmemore
timeforattendingtomyprojectandmystudies.Resolution,oncebecomehabitual,wouldkeepme
firminmyendeavorstoobtainallthesubsequentvirtues;FrugalityandIndustryfreeingmefrom
myremainingdebt,andproducingaffluenceandindependence,wouldmakemoreeasythepractice
ofSincerityandJustice,etc.,etc.Conceivingthen,that,agreeablytotheadviceofPythagorasinhis
GoldenVerses,dailyexaminationwouldbenecessary,Icontrivedthefollowingmethodfor
conductingthatexamination.
Imadealittlebook,inwhichIallottedapageforeachofthevirtues.Irul'deachpagewithredink,
soastohavesevencolumns,oneforeachdayoftheweek,markingeachcolumnwithaletterforthe
day.Icross'dthesecolumnswiththirteenredlines,markingthebeginningofeachlinewiththefirst
letterofoneofthevirtues,onwhichline,andinitspropercolumn,Imightmark,byalittleblack
spot,everyfaultIfounduponexaminationtohavebeencommittedrespectingthatvirtueuponthat
day.

Formofthepages.

Ideterminedtogiveaweek'sstrictattentiontoeachofthevirtuessuccessively.Thus,inthefirst
week,mygreatguardwastoavoideverytheleastoffenceagainstTemperance,leavingtheother
virtuestotheirordinarychance,onlymarkingeveryeveningthefaultsoftheday.Thus,ifinthefirst
weekIcouldkeepmyfirstline,markedT,clearofspots,Isuppos'dthehabitofthatvirtuesomuch
strengthen'danditsoppositeweaken'd,thatImightventureextendingmyattentiontoincludethe
next,andforthefollowingweekkeepbothlinesclearofspots.Proceedingthustothelast,Icouldgo
thro'acoursecompleatinthirteenweeks,andfourcoursesinayear.Andlikehimwho,havinga
gardentoweed,doesnotattempttoeradicateallthebadherbsatonce,whichwouldexceedhisreach
andhisstrength,butworksononeofthebedsatatime,and,havingaccomplish'dthefirst,proceeds
toasecond,soIshouldhave,Ihoped,theencouragingpleasureofseeingonmypagestheprogressI
madeinvirtue,byclearingsuccessivelymylinesoftheirspots,tillintheend,byanumberof
courses,Ishouldhehappyinviewingacleanbook,afterathirteenweeks'dailyexamination.
ThismylittlebookhadforitsmottotheselinesfromAddison'sCato:
"HerewillIhold.Ifthere'sapoweraboveus(AndthatthereisallnaturecriesaloudThro'allher
works),Hemustdelightinvirtue;Andthatwhichhedelightsinmustbehappy."
AnotherfromCicero,
"OvitaePhilosophiadux!Ovirtutumindagatrixexpultrixquevitiorum!Unusdies,beneetex
praeceptistuisactus,peccantiimmortalitatiestanteponendus."
AnotherfromtheProverbsofSolomon,speakingofwisdomorvirtue:
"Lengthofdaysisinherrighthand,andinherlefthandrichesandhonour.Herwaysarewaysof
pleasantness,andallherpathsarepeace."iii.16,17.
AndconceivingGodtobethefountainofwisdom,Ithoughtitrightandnecessarytosolicithis
assistanceforobtainingit;tothisendIformedthefollowinglittleprayer,whichwasprefix'dtomy
tablesofexamination,fordailyuse.
"OpowerfulGoodness!bountifulFather!mercifulGuide!increaseinmethatwisdomwhich
discoversmytruestinterest.strengthenmyresolutionstoperformwhatthatwisdomdictates.Accept
mykindofficestothyotherchildrenastheonlyreturninmypowerforthycontinualfavorstome."
IusedalsosometimesalittleprayerwhichItookfromThomson'sPoems,viz.:
"Fatheroflightandlife,thouGoodSupreme!Oteachmewhatisgood;teachmeThyself!Saveme
fromfolly,vanity,andvice,Fromeverylowpursuit;andfillmysoulWithknowledge,conscious
peace,andvirtuepure;Sacred,substantial,neverfadingbliss!"
ThepreceptofOrderrequiringthateverypartofmybusinessshouldhaveitsallottedtime,onepage
inmylittlebookcontain'dthefollowingschemeofemploymentforthetwentyfourhoursofa
naturalday:
THEMORNING.{5}Rise,wash,andaddress{}PowerfulGoodness!ContriveQuestion.What
goodshall{6}day'sbusiness,andtaketheIdothisday?{}resolutionoftheday;prose{7}cute
thepresentstudy,and{}breakfast.8}9}Work.10}11}NOON.{12}Read,oroverlookmyac
{1}counts,anddine.2}3}Work.4}5}EVENING.{6}Putthingsintheirplaces.{7}Supper.

Musicordiversion,Question.Whatgoodhave{8}orconversation.ExaminationIdonetoday?{9}
oftheday.{10}{11}{12}NIGHT.{1}Sleep.{2}{3}{4}
Ienter'dupontheexecutionofthisplanforselfexamination,andcontinu'ditwithoccasional
intermissionsforsometime.Iwassurpris'dtofindmyselfsomuchfulleroffaultsthanIhad
imagined;butIhadthesatisfactionofseeingthemdiminish.Toavoidthetroubleofrenewingnow
andthenmylittlebook,which,byscrapingoutthemarksonthepaperofoldfaultstomakeroom
fornewonesinanewcourse,becamefullofholes,Itransferr'dmytablesandpreceptstotheivory
leavesofamemorandumbook,onwhichthelinesweredrawnwithredink,thatmadeadurable
stain,andonthoselinesImark'dmyfaultswithablackleadpencil,whichmarksIcouldeasilywipe
outwithawetsponge.AfterawhileIwentthro'onecourseonlyinayear,andafterwardonlyonein
severalyears,tillatlengthIomittedthementirely,beingemploy'dinvoyagesandbusinessabroad,
withamultiplicityofaffairsthatinterfered;butIalwayscarriedmylittlebookwithme.
MyschemeofORDERgavemethemosttrouble;andIfoundthat,tho'itmightbepracticablewhere
aman'sbusinesswassuchastoleavehimthedispositionofhistime,thatofajourneymanprinter,
forinstance,itwasnotpossibletobeexactlyobservedbyamaster,whomustmixwiththeworld,
andoftenreceivepeopleofbusinessattheirownhours.Order,too,withregardtoplacesforthings,
papers,etc.,Ifoundextreamlydifficulttoacquire.Ihadnotbeenearlyaccustomedtoit,and,having
anexceedinggoodmemory,Iwasnotsosensibleoftheinconvenienceattendingwantofmethod.
Thisarticle,therefore,costmesomuchpainfulattention,andmyfaultsinitvexedmesomuch,and
Imadesolittleprogressinamendment,andhadsuchfrequentrelapses,thatIwasalmostreadyto
giveuptheattempt,andcontentmyselfwithafaultycharacterinthatrespect,likethemanwho,in
buyinganaxofasmith,myneighbour,desiredtohavethewholeofitssurfaceasbrightastheedge.
Thesmithconsentedtogrinditbrightforhimifhewouldturnthewheel;heturn'd,whilethesmith
press'dthebroadfaceoftheaxhardandheavilyonthestone,whichmadetheturningofitvery
fatiguing.Themancameeverynowandthenfromthewheeltoseehowtheworkwenton,andat
lengthwouldtakehisaxasitwas,withoutfarthergrinding."No,"saidthesmith,"turnon,turnon;
weshallhaveitbrightbyandby;asyet,itisonlyspeckled.""Yes,"saidtheman,"butIthinkIlike
aspeckledaxbest."AndIbelievethismayhavebeenthecasewithmany,who,having,forwantof
somesuchmeansasIemploy'd,foundthedifficultyofobtaininggoodandbreakingbadhabitsin
otherpointsofviceandvirtue,havegivenupthestruggle,andconcludedthat"aspeckledaxwas
best";forsomething,thatpretendedtobereason,waseverynowandthensuggestingtomethatsuch
extreamnicetyasIexactedofmyselfmightbeakindoffopperyinmorals,which,ifitwereknown,
wouldmakemeridiculous;thataperfectcharactermightbeattendedwiththeinconvenienceof
beingenviedandhated;andthatabenevolentmanshouldallowafewfaultsinhimself,tokeephis
friendsincountenance.
Intruth,IfoundmyselfincorrigiblewithrespecttoOrder;andnowIamgrownold,andmy
memorybad,Ifeelverysensiblythewantofit.But,onthewhole,tho'Ineverarrivedatthe
perfectionIhadbeensoambitiousofobtaining,butfellfarshortofit,yetIwas,bytheendeavour,a
betterandahappiermanthanIotherwiseshouldhavebeenifIhadnotattemptedit;asthosewho
aimatperfectwritingbyimitatingtheengravedcopies,tho'theyneverreachthewish'dfor
excellenceofthosecopies,theirhandismendedbytheendeavor,andistolerablewhileitcontinues
fairandlegible.
Itmaybewellmyposterityshouldbeinformedthattothislittleartifice,withtheblessingofGod,
theirancestorow'dtheconstantfelicityofhislife,downtohis79thyear,inwhichthisiswritten.
WhatreversesmayattendtheremainderisinthehandofProvidence;but,iftheyarrive,the

reflectiononpasthappinessenjoy'doughttohelphisbearingthemwithmoreresignation.To
Temperanceheascribeshislongcontinuedhealth,andwhatisstilllefttohimofagoodconstitution;
toIndustryandFrugality,theearlyeasinessofhiscircumstancesandacquisitionofhisfortune,with
allthatknowledgethatenabledhimtobeausefulcitizen,andobtainedforhimsomedegreeof
reputationamongthelearned;toSincerityandJustice,theconfidenceofhiscountry,andthe
honorableemploysitconferreduponhim;andtothejointinfluenceofthewholemassofthevirtues,
evenintheimperfectstatehewasabletoacquirethem,allthatevennessoftemper,andthat
cheerfulnessinconversation,whichmakeshiscompanystillsoughtfor,andagreeableeventohis
youngeracquaintance.Ihope,therefore,thatsomeofmydescendantsmayfollowtheexampleand
reapthebenefit.
Itwillberemark'dthat,tho'myschemewasnotwhollywithoutreligion,therewasinitnomarkof
anyofthedistingishingtenetsofanyparticularsect.Ihadpurposelyavoidedthem;for,beingfully
persuadedoftheutilityandexcellencyofmymethod,andthatitmightbeserviceabletopeopleinall
religions,andintendingsometimeorothertopublishit,Iwouldnothaveanythinginitthatshould
prejudiceanyone,ofanysect,againstit.Ipurposedwritingalittlecommentoneachvirtue,inwhich
Iwouldhaveshowntheadvantagesofpossessingit,andthemischiefsattendingitsoppositevice;and
IshouldhavecalledmybookTHEARTOFVIRTUE,(7)becauseitwouldhaveshownthemeans
andmannerofobtainingvirtue,whichwouldhavedistinguisheditfromthemereexhortationtobe
good,thatdoesnotinstructandindicatethemeans,butisliketheapostle'smanofverbalcharity,
whoonlywithoutshowingtothenakedandhungryhoworwheretheymightgetclothesorvictuals,
exhortedthemtobefedandclothed.Jamesii.15,16.
7.Nothingsolikelytomakeaman'sfortuneasvirtue.[Marg.note.]
Butitsohappenedthatmyintentionofwritingandpublishingthiscommentwasneverfulfilled.I
did,indeed,fromtimetotime,putdownshorthintsofthesentiments,reasonings,etc.,tobemade
useofinit,someofwhichIhavestillbyme;butthenecessarycloseattentiontoprivatebusinessin
theearlierpartofthylife,andpublicbusinesssince,haveoccasionedmypostponingit;for,itbeing
connectedinmymindwithagreatandextensiveproject,thatrequiredthewholemantoexecute,
andwhichanunforeseensuccessionofemployspreventedmyattendingto,ithashithertoremain'd
unfinish'd.
Inthispieceitwasmydesigntoexplainandenforcethisdoctrine,thatviciousactionsarenothurtful
becausetheyareforbidden,butforbiddenbecausetheyarehurtful,thenatureofmanalone
considered;thatitwas,therefore,everyone'sinteresttobevirtuouswhowish'dtobehappyevenin
thisworld;andIshould,fromthiscircumstance(therebeingalwaysintheworldanumberofrich
merchants,nobility,states,andprinces,whohaveneedofhonestinstrumentsforthemanagementof
theiraffairs,andsuchbeingsorare),haveendeavoredtoconvinceyoungpersonsthatnoqualities
weresolikelytomakeapoorman'sfortuneasthoseofprobityandintegrity.
Mylistofvirtuescontain'datfirstbuttwelve;butaQuakerfriendhavingkindlyinformedmethatI
wasgenerallythoughtproud;thatmyprideshow'ditselffrequentlyinconversation;thatIwasnot
contentwithbeingintherightwhendiscussinganypoint,butwasoverbearing,andratherinsolent,
ofwhichheconvinc'dmebymentioningseveralinstances;Ideterminedendeavouringtocure
myself,ifIcould,ofthisviceorfollyamongtherest,andIaddedHumilitytomylist)givingan
extensivemeaningtotheword.

Icannotboastofmuchsuccessinacquiringtherealityofthisvirtue,butIhadagooddealwith
regardtotheappearanceofit.Imadeitaruletoforbearalldirectcontradictiontothesentimentsof
others,andallpositiveassertionofmyown.Ievenforbidmyself,agreeablytotheoldlawsofour
Junto,theuseofeverywordorexpressioninthelanguagethatimportedafix'dopinion,suchas
certainly,undoubtedly,etc.,andIadopted,insteadofthem,Iconceive,Iapprehend,orIimaginea
thingtobesoorso;oritsoappearstomeatpresent.WhenanotherassertedsomethingthatI
thoughtanerror,Ideny'dmyselfthepleasureofcontradictinghimabruptly,andofshowing
immediatelysomeabsurdityinhisproposition;andinansweringIbeganbyobservingthatincertain
casesorcircumstanceshisopinionwouldberight,butinthepresentcasethereappear'dorseem'dto
mesomedifference,etc.Isoonfoundtheadvantageofthischangeinmymanner;theconversationsI
engag'dinwentonmorepleasantly.ThemodestwayinwhichIpropos'dmyopinionsprocur'dthem
areadierreceptionandlesscontradiction;IhadlessmortificationwhenIwasfoundtobeinthe
wrong,andImoreeasilyprevail'dwithotherstogiveuptheirmistakesandjoinwithmewhenI
happenedtobeintheright.
Andthismode,whichIatfirstputonwithsomeviolencetonaturalinclination,becameatlengthso
easy,andsohabitualtome,thatperhapsforthesefiftyyearspastnoonehaseverhearda
dogmaticalexpressionescapeme.Andtothishabit(aftermycharacterofintegrity)Ithinkit
principallyowingthatIhadearlysomuchweightwithmyfellowcitizenswhenIproposednew
institutions,oralterationsintheold,andsomuchinfluenceinpubliccouncilswhenIbecamea
member;forIwasbutabadspeaker,nevereloquent,subjecttomuchhesitationinmychoiceof
words,hardlycorrectinlanguage,andyetIgenerallycarriedmypoints.
Inreality,thereis,perhaps,nooneofournaturalpassionssohardtosubdueaspride.Disguiseit,
strugglewithit,beatitdown,stifleit,mortifyitasmuchasonepleases,itisstillalive,andwillevery
nowandthenpeepoutandshowitself;youwillseeit,perhaps,ofteninthishistory;for,evenifI
couldconceivethatIhadcompleatlyovercomeit,Ishouldprobablybeproudofmyhumility.
[ThusfarwrittenatPassy,1741.]
Previous|Next

PartIII
["Iamnowabouttowriteathome,August,1788,butcannothavethehelpexpectedfrommy
papers,manyofthembeinglostinthewar.Ihave,however,foundthefollowing."]<8>
<8>Thisisamarginalmemorandum.B.
HAVINGmentionedagreatandextensiveprojectwhichIhadconceiv'd,itseemsproperthatsome
accountshouldbeheregivenofthatprojectanditsobject.Itsfirstriseinmymindappearsinthe
followinglittlepaper,accidentallypreserv'd,viz.:
Observationsonmyreadinghistory,inLibrary,May19th,1731.
"Thatthegreataffairsoftheworld,thewars,revolutions,etc.,arecarriedonandaffectedby
parties.

"Thattheviewofthesepartiesistheirpresentgeneralinterest,orwhattheytaketobesuch.
"Thatthedifferentviewsofthesedifferentpartiesoccasionallconfusion.
"Thatwhileapartyiscarryingonageneraldesign,eachmanhashisparticularprivateinterestin
view.
"Thatassoonasapartyhasgain'ditsgeneralpoint,eachmemberbecomesintentuponhis
particularinterest;which,thwartingothers,breaksthatpartyintodivisions,andoccasionsmore
confusion.
"Thatfewinpublicaffairsactfromameerviewofthegoodoftheircountry,whatevertheymay
pretend;and,tho'theiractingsbringrealgoodtotheircountry,yetmenprimarilyconsideredthat
theirownandtheircountry'sinterestwasunited,anddidnotactfromaprincipleofbenevolence.
"Thatfewerstill,inpublicaffairs,actwithaviewtothegoodofmankind.
"ThereseemstomeatpresenttobegreatoccasionforraisingaUnitedPartyforVirtue,byforming
thevirtuousandgoodmenofallnationsintoaregularbody,tobegovern'dbysuitablegoodand
wiserules,whichgoodandwisemenmayprobablybemoreunanimousintheirobedienceto,than
commonpeoplearetocommonlaws.
"Iatpresentthinkthatwhoeverattemptsthisaright,andiswellqualified,cannotfailofpleasing
God,andofmeetingwithsuccess.B.F."
Revolvingthisprojectinmymind,astobeundertakenhereafter,whenmycircumstancesshould
affordmethenecessaryleisure,Iputdownfromtimetotime,onpiecesofpaper,suchthoughtsas
occurr'dtomerespectingit.Mostofthesearelost;butIfindonepurportingtobethesubstanceof
anintendedcreed)containing,asIthought,theessentialsofeveryknownreligion,andbeingfreeof
everythingthatmightshocktheprofessorsofanyreligion.Itisexpress'dinthesewords,viz.:
"ThatthereisoneGod,whomadeallthings.
"Thathegovernstheworldbyhisprovidence.
"Thatheoughttobeworshipedbyadoration,prayer,andthanksgiving.
"ButthatthemostacceptableserviceofGodisdoinggoodtoman.
"Thatthesoulisimmortal.
"AndthatGodwillcertainlyrewardvirtueandpunishviceeitherhereorhereafter."<9>
<9>IntheMiddleAges,Franklin,ifsuchaphenomenonasFranklinwerepossibleintheMiddle
Ages,wouldprobablyhavebeenthefounderofamonasticorder.B.
Myideasatthattimewere,thatthesectshouldbebegunandspreadatfirstamongyoungandsingle
menonly;thateachpersontobeinitiatedshouldnotonlydeclarehisassenttosuchcreed,butshould

haveexercisedhimselfwiththethirteenweeks'examinationandpracticeofthevirtues)asinthe
beforemention'dmodel;thattheexistenceofsuchasocietyshouldhekeptasecret,tillitwas
becomeconsiderable,topreventsolicitationsfortheadmissionofimproperpersons,butthatthe
membersshouldeachofthemsearchamonghisacquaintanceforingenuous,welldisposedyouths,to
whom,withprudentcaution,theschemeshouldbegraduallycommunicated;thatthemembers
shouldengagetoaffordtheiradvice,assistance,andsupporttoeachotherinpromotingone
another'sinterests,business,andadvancementinlife;that,fordistinction,weshouldbecall'dThe
SocietyoftheFreeandEasy:free,asbeing,bythegeneralpracticeandhabitofthevirtues,free
fromthedominionofvice;andparticularlybythepracticeofindustryandfrugality,freefromdebt,
whichexposesamantoconfinement,andaspeciesofslaverytohiscreditors.
ThisisasmuchasIcannowrecollectoftheproject,exceptthatIcommunicateditinparttotwo
youngmen,whoadopteditwithsomeenthusiasm;butmythennarrowcircumstances,andthe
necessityIwasunderofstickingclosetomybusiness,occasion'dmypostponingthefurther
prosecutionofitatthattime;andmymultifariousoccupations,publicandprivate,induc'dmeto
continuepostponing,sothatithasbeenomittedtillIhavenolongerstrengthoractivityleftsufficient
forsuchanenterprise;tho'Iamstillofopinionthatitwasapracticablescheme,andmighthave
beenveryuseful,byformingagreatnumberofgoodcitizens;andIwasnotdiscourag'dbythe
seemingmagnitudeoftheundertaking,asIhavealwaysthoughtthatonemanoftolerableabilities
mayworkgreatchanges,andaccomplishgreataffairsamongmankind,ifhefirstformsagoodplan,
and,cuttingoffallamusementsorotheremploymentsthatwoulddiverthisattention,makesthe
executionofthatsameplanhissolestudyandbusiness.
In1732Ifirstpublish'dmyAlmanack,underthenameofRichardSaunders;itwascontinu'dbyme
abouttwentyfiveyears,commonlycall'dPoorRichard'sAlmanac.Iendeavor'dtomakeitboth
entertaininganduseful,anditaccordinglycametobeinsuchdemand,thatIreap'dconsiderable
profitfromit,vendingannuallyneartenthousand.Andobservingthatitwasgenerallyread,scarce
anyneighborhoodintheprovincebeingwithoutit,Iconsider'ditasapropervehicleforconveying
instructionamongthecommonpeople,whoboughtscarcelyanyotherbooks;Ithereforefilledallthe
littlespacesthatoccurr'dbetweentheremarkabledaysinthecalendarwithproverbialsentences,
chieflysuchasinculcatedindustryandfrugality,asthemeansofprocuringwealth,andthereby
securingvirtue;itbeingmoredifficultforamaninwant,toactalwayshonestly,as,tousehereone
ofthoseproverbs,itishardforanemptysacktostandupright.
Theseproverbs,whichcontainedthewisdomofmanyagesandnations,Iassembledandform'dinto
aconnecteddiscourseprefix'dtotheAlmanackof1757,astheharangueofawiseoldmantothe
peopleattendinganauction.Thebringingallthesescatter'dcounselsthusintoafocusenabledthem
tomakegreaterimpression.Thepiece,beinguniversallyapproved,wascopiedinallthenewspapers
oftheContinent;reprintedinBritainonabroadside,tobestuckupinhouses;twotranslationswere
madeofitinFrench,andgreatnumbersboughtbytheclergyandgentry,todistributegratisamong
theirpoorparishionersandtenants.InPennsylvania,asitdiscourageduselessexpenseinforeign
superfluities,somethoughtithaditsshareofinfluenceinproducingthatgrowingplentyofmoney
whichwasobservableforseveralyearsafteritspublication.
Iconsideredmynewspaper,also,asanothermeansofcommunicatinginstruction,andinthatview
frequentlyreprintedinitextractsfromtheSpectator,andothermoralwriters;andsometimes
publish'dlittlepiecesofmyown,whichhadbeenfirstcompos'dforreadinginourJunto.Ofthese
areaSocraticdialogue,tendingtoprovethat,whatevermightbehispartsandabilities,avicious
mancouldnotproperlybecalledamanofsense;andadiscourseonselfdenial,showingthatvirtue

wasnotsecuretillitspracticebecameahabitude,andwasfreefromtheoppositionofcontrary
inclinations.ThesemaybefoundinthepapersaboutthebeginningOf1735.
Intheconductofmynewspaper,Icarefullyexcludedalllibellingandpersonalabuse,whichisoflate
yearsbecomesodisgracefultoourcountry.WheneverIwassolicitedtoinsertanythingofthatkind,
andthewriterspleaded,astheygenerallydid,thelibertyofthepress,andthatanewspaperwaslike
astagecoach,inwhichanyonewhowouldpayhadarighttoaplace,myanswerwas,thatIwould
printthepieceseparatelyifdesired,andtheauthormighthaveasmanycopiesashepleasedto
distributehimself,butthatIwouldnottakeuponmetospreadhisdetraction;andthat,having
contractedwithmysubscriberstofurnishthemwithwhatmightbeeitherusefulorentertaining,I
couldnotfilltheirpaperswithprivatealtercation,inwhichtheyhadnoconcern,withoutdoingthem
manifestinjustice.Now,manyofourprintersmakenoscrupleofgratifyingthemaliceofindividuals
byfalseaccusationsofthefairestcharactersamongourselves,augmentinganimosityeventothe
producingofduels;andare,moreover,soindiscreetastoprintscurrilousreflectionsonthe
governmentofneighboringstates,andevenontheconductofourbestnationalallies,whichmaybe
attendedwiththemostperniciousconsequences.ThesethingsImentionasacautiontoyoung
printers,andthattheymaybeencouragednottopollutetheirpressesanddisgracetheirprofession
bysuchinfamouspractices,butrefusesteadily,astheymayseebymyexamplethatsuchacourseof
conductwillnot,onthewhole,beinjurioustotheirinterests.
In1733IsentoneofmyjourneymentoCharleston,SouthCarolina,whereaprinterwaswanting.I
furnish'dhimwithapressandletters,onanagreementofpartnership,bywhichIwastoreceive
onethirdoftheprofitsofthebusiness,payingonethirdoftheexpense.Hewasamanoflearning,
andhonestbutignorantinmattersofaccount;and,tho'hesometimesmademeremittances,Icould
getnoaccountfromhim,noranysatisfactorystateofourpartnershipwhilehelived.Onhisdecease,
thebusinesswascontinuedbyhiswidow,who,beingbornandbredinHolland,where,asIhave
beeninform'd,theknowledgeofaccountsmakesapartoffemaleeducation,shenotonlysentmeas
clearastateasshecouldfindofthetransactionspast,butcontinuedtoaccountwiththegreatest
regularityandexactnesseveryquarterafterwards,andmanagedthebusinesswithsuchsuccess,that
shenotonlybroughtupreputablyafamilyofchildren,but,attheexpirationoftheterm,wasableto
purchaseofmetheprintinghouse,andestablishhersoninit.
Imentionthisaffairchieflyforthesakeofrecommendingthatbranchofeducationforouryoung
females,aslikelytobeofmoreusetothemandtheirchildren,incaseofwidowhood,thaneither
musicordancing,bypreservingthemfromlossesbyimpositionofcraftymen,andenablingthemto
continue,perhaps,aprofitablemercantilehouse,withestablish'dcorrespondence,tillasonisgrown
upfittoundertakeandgoonwithit,tothelastingadvantageandenrichingofthefamily.
Abouttheyear1734therearrivedamongusfromIrelandayoungPresbyterianpreacher,named
Hemphill,whodeliveredwithagoodvoice,andapparentlyextempore,mostexcellentdiscourses,
whichdrewtogetherconsiderablenumbersofdifferentpersuasion,whojoin'dinadmiringthem.
Amongtherest,Ibecameoneofhisconstanthearers,hissermonspleasingme,astheyhadlittleof
thedogmaticalkind,butinculcatedstronglythepracticeofvirtue,orwhatinthereligiousstileare
calledgoodworks.Those,however,ofourcongregation,whoconsideredthemselvesasorthodox
Presbyterians,disapprov'dhisdoctrine,andwerejoin'dbymostoftheoldclergy,whoarraign'dhim
ofheterodoxybeforethesynod,inordertohavehimsilenc'd.Ibecamehiszealouspartisan,and
contributedallIcouldtoraiseapartyinhisfavour,andwecombatedforhimawhilewithsome
hopesofsuccess.Therewasmuchscribblingproandconupontheoccasion;andfindingthat,tho'an
elegantpreacher,hewasbutapoorwriter,Ilenthimmypenandwroteforhimtwoorthree

pamphlets,andonepieceintheGazetteofApril,1735.Thosepamphlets,asisgenerallythecasewith
controversialwritings,tho'eagerlyreadatthetime,weresoonoutofvogue,andIquestionwhether
asinglecopyofthemnowexists.
Duringthecontestanunluckyoccurrencehurthiscauseexceedingly.Oneofouradversarieshaving
heardhimpreachasermonthatwasmuchadmired,thoughthehadsomewherereadthesermon
before,oratleastapartofit.Onsearchhefoundthatpartquotedatlength,inoneoftheBritish
Reviews,fromadiscourseofDr.Foster's.Thisdetectiongavemanyofourpartydisgust,who
accordinglyabandonedhiscause,andoccasion'dourmorespeedydiscomfitureinthesynod.Istuck
byhim,however,asIratherapprov'dhisgivingusgoodsermonscompos'dbyothers,thanbadones
ofhisownmanufacture,tho'thelatterwasthepracticeofourcommonteachers.Heafterward
acknowledg'dtomethatnoneofthosehepreach'dwerehisown;adding,thathismemorywassuch
asenabledhimtoretainandrepeatanysermonafteronereadingonly.Onourdefeat,heleftusin
searchelsewhereofbetterfortune,andIquittedthecongregation,neverjoiningitafter,tho'I
continu'dmanyyearsmysubscriptionforthesupportofitsministers.
Ihadbegunin1733tostudylanguages;IsoonmademyselfsomuchamasteroftheFrenchastobe
abletoreadthebookswithease.IthenundertooktheItalian.Anacquaintance,whowasalso
learningit,us'doftentotemptmetoplaychesswithhim.FindingthistookuptoomuchofthetimeI
hadtospareforstudy,Iatlengthrefus'dtoplayanymore,unlessonthiscondition,thatthevictorin
everygameshouldhavearighttoimposeatask,eitherinpartsofthegrammartobegotbyheart,or
intranslations,etc.,whichtasksthevanquish'dwastoperformuponhonour,beforeournext
meeting.Asweplay'dprettyequally,wethusbeatoneanotherintothatlanguage.Iafterwardswith
alittlepainstaking,acquir'dasmuchoftheSpanishastoreadtheirbooksalso.
Ihavealreadymention'dthatIhadonlyoneyear'sinstructioninaLatinschool,andthatwhenvery
young,afterwhichIneglectedthatlanguageentirely.But,whenIhadattainedanacquaintancewith
theFrench,Italian,andSpanish,Iwassurpriz'dtofind,onlookingoveraLatinTestament,thatI
understoodsomuchmoreofthatlanguagethanIhadimagined,whichencouragedmetoapply
myselfagaintothestudyofit,andImetwithmoresuccess,asthoseprecedinglanguageshadgreatly
smooth'dmyway.
Fromthesecircumstances,Ihavethoughtthatthereissomeinconsistencyinourcommonmodeof
teachinglanguages.WearetoldthatitispropertobeginfirstwiththeLatin,and,havingacquir'd
that,itwillbemoreeasytoattainthosemodernlanguageswhicharederiv'dfromit;andyetwedo
notbeginwiththeGreek,inordermoreeasilytoacquiretheLatin.Itistruethat,ifyoucanclamber
andgettothetopofastaircasewithoutusingthesteps,youwillmoreeasilygainthemindescending;
butcertainly,ifyoubeginwiththelowestyouwillwithmoreeaseascendtothetop;andIwould
thereforeofferittotheconsiderationofthosewhosuperintendtheeducationofouryouth,whether,
sincemanyofthosewhobeginwiththeLatinquitthesameafterspendingsomeyearswithout
havingmadeanygreatproficiency,andwhattheyhavelearntbecomesalmostuseless,sothattheir
timehasbeenlost,itwouldnothavebeenbettertohavebegunwiththeFrench,proceedingtothe
Italian,etc.;for,tho',afterspendingthesametime,theyshouldquitthestudyoflanguagesand
neverarriveattheLatin,theywould,however,haveacquiredanothertongueortwo,that,beingin
modernuse,mightbeserviceabletothemincommonlife.
Aftertenyears'absencefromBoston,andhavingbecomeeasyinmycircumstances,Imadea
journeythithertovisitmyrelations,whichIcouldnotsoonerwellafford.Inreturning,Icall'dat
Newporttoseemybrother,thensettledtherewithhisprintinghouse.Ourformerdifferenceswere

forgotten,andourmeetingwasverycordialandaffectionate.Hewasfastdeclininginhishealth,and
requestedofmethat,incaseofhisdeath,whichheapprehendednotfardistant,Iwouldtakehome
hisson,thenbuttenyearsofage,andbringhimuptotheprintingbusiness.ThisIaccordingly
perform'd,sendinghimafewyearstoschoolbeforeItookhimintotheoffice.Hismothercarriedon
thebusinesstillhewasgrownup,whenIassistedhimwithanassortmentofnewtypes,thoseofhis
fatherbeinginamannerwornout.ThusitwasthatImademybrotherampleamendsfortheservice
Ihaddepriv'dhimofbyleavinghimsoearly.
In1736Ilostoneofmysons,afineboyoffouryearsold,bythesmallpox,takeninthecommon
way.Ilongregrettedbitterly,andstillregretthatIhadnotgivenittohimbyinoculation.ThisI
mentionforthesakeofparentswhoomitthatoperation,onthesuppositionthattheyshouldnever
forgivethemselvesifachilddiedunderit;myexampleshowingthattheregretmaybethesame
eitherway,andthat,therefore,thesafershouldbechosen.
Ourclub,theJunto,wasfoundsouseful,andaffordedsuchsatisfactiontothemembers,thatseveral
weredesirousofintroducingtheirfriends,whichcouldnotwellbedonewithoutexceedingwhatwe
hadsettledasaconvenientnumber,viz.,twelve.Wehadfromthebeginningmadeitaruletokeep
ourinstitutionasecret,whichwasprettywellobserv'd;theintentionwastoavoidapplicationsof
improperpersonsforadmittance,someofwhom,perhaps,wemightfinditdifficulttorefuse.Iwas
oneofthosewhowereagainstanyadditiontoournumber,but,insteadofit,madeinwritinga
proposal,thateverymemberseparatelyshouldendeavortoformasubordinateclub,withthesame
rulesrespectingqueries,etc.,andwithoutinformingthemoftheconnectionwiththeJunto.The
advantagesproposedwere,theimprovementofsomanymoreyoungcitizensbytheuseofour
institutions;ourbetteracquaintancewiththegeneralsentimentsoftheinhabitantsonanyoccasion,
astheJuntomembermightproposewhatqueriesweshoulddesire,andwastoreporttotheJunto
whatpass'dinhisseparateclub;thepromotionofourparticularinterestsinbusinessbymore
extensiverecommendation,andtheincreaseofourinfluenceinpublicaffairs,andourpowerof
doinggoodbyspreadingthro'theseveralclubsthesentimentsoftheJunto.
Theprojectwasapprov'd,andeverymemberundertooktoformhisclub,buttheydidnotall
succeed.Fiveorsixonlywerecompleated,whichwerecalledbydifferentnames,astheVine,the
Union,theBand,etc.Theywereusefultothemselves,andaffordedusagooddealofamusement,
information,andinstruction,besidesanswering,insomeconsiderabledegree,ourviewsof
influencingthepublicopiniononparticularoccasions,ofwhichIshallgivesomeinstancesincourse
oftimeastheyhappened.
Myfirstpromotionwasmybeingchosen,in1736,clerkoftheGeneralAssembly.Thechoicewas
madethatyearwithoutopposition;buttheyearfollowing,whenIwasagainpropos'd(thechoice,
likethatofthemembers,beingannual),anewmembermadealongspeechagainstme,inorderto
favoursomeothercandidate.Iwas,however,chosen,whichwasthemoreagreeabletome,as,
besidesthepayfortheimmediateserviceasclerk,theplacegavemeabetteropportunityofkeeping
upaninterestamongthemembers,whichsecur'dtomethebusinessofprintingthevotes,laws,
papermoney,andotheroccasionaljobbsforthepublic,that,onthewhole,wereveryprofitable.
Ithereforedidnotliketheoppositionofthisnewmember,whowasagentlemanoffortuneand
education,withtalentsthatwerelikelytogivehim,intime,greatinfluenceintheHouse,which,
indeed,afterwardshappened.Ididnot,however,aimatgaininghisfavourbypayinganyservile
respecttohim,but,aftersometime,tookthisothermethod.Havingheardthathehadinhislibrary
acertainveryscarceandcuriousbook,Iwroteanotetohim,expressingmydesireofperusingthat

book,andrequestinghewoulddomethefavouroflendingittomeforafewdays.Hesentit
immediately,andIreturn'ditinaboutaweekwithanothernote,expressingstronglymysenseofthe
favour.WhenwenextmetintheHouse,hespoketome(whichhehadneverdonebefore),andwith
greatcivility;andheeveraftermanifestedareadinesstoservemeonalloccasions,sothatwe
becamegreatfriends,andourfriendshipcontinuedtohisdeath.Thisisanotherinstanceofthetruth
ofanoldmaximIhadlearned,whichsays,"Hethathasoncedoneyouakindnesswillbemoreready
todoyouanother,thanhewhomyouyourselfhaveobliged."Anditshowshowmuchmore
profitableitisprudentlytoremove,thantoresent,return,andcontinueinimicalproceedings.
In1737,ColonelSpotswood,lategovernorofVirginia,andthenpostmastergeneral,being
dissatisfiedwiththeconductofhisdeputyatPhiladelphia,respectingsomenegligenceinrendering,
andinexactitudeofhisaccounts,tookfromhimthecommissionandofferedittome.Iacceptedit
readily,andfounditofgreatadvantage;for,tho'thesalarywassmall,itfacilitatedthe
correspondencethatimprov'dmynewspaper,increas'dthenumberdemanded,aswellasthe
advertisementstobeinserted,sothatitcametoaffordmeaconsiderableincome.Myold
competitor'snewspaperdeclin'dproportionably,andIwassatisfy'dwithoutretaliatinghisrefusal,
whilepostmaster,topermitmypapersbeingcarriedbytheriders.Thushesuffer'dgreatlyfromhis
neglectindueaccounting;andImentionitasalessontothoseyoungmenwhomaybeemploy'din
managingaffairsforothers,thattheyshouldalwaysrenderaccounts,andmakeremittances,with
greatclearnessandpunctuality.Thecharacterofobservingsuchaconductisthemostpowerfulof
allrecommendationstonewemploymentsandincreaseofbusiness.
Ibegannowtoturnmythoughtsalittletopublicaffairs,beginning,however,withsmallmatters.
ThecitywatchwasoneofthefirstthingsthatIconceiv'dtowantregulation.Itwasmanagedbythe
constablesoftherespectivewardsinturn;theconstablewarnedanumberofhousekeeperstoattend
himforthenight.Thosewhochosenevertoattendpaidhimsixshillingsayeartobeexcus'd,which
wassuppos'dtobeforhiringsubstitutes,butwas,inreality,muchmorethanwasnecessaryforthat
purpose,andmadetheconstableshipaplaceofprofit;andtheconstable,foralittledrink,oftengot
suchragamuffinsabouthimasawatch,thatrespectablehousekeepersdidnotchoosetomixwith.
Walkingtherounds,too,wasoftenneglected,andmostofthenightsspentintippling.Ithereupon
wroteapaper,tobereadinJunto,representingtheseirregularities,butinsistingmoreparticularly
ontheinequalityofthissixshillingtaxoftheconstables,respectingthecircumstancesofthosewho
paidit,sinceapoorwidowhousekeeper,allwhosepropertytobeguardedbythewatchdidnot
perhapsexceedthevalueoffiftypounds,paidasmuchasthewealthiestmerchant,whohad
thousandsofpoundsworthofgoodsinhisstores.
Onthewhole,Iproposedasamoreeffectualwatch,thehiringofpropermentoserveconstantlyin
thatbusiness;andasamoreequitablewayofsupportingthechargethelevyingataxthatshouldbe
proportion'dtotheproperty.Thisidea,beingapprov'dbytheJunto,wascommunicatedtotheother
clubs,butasarisingineachofthem;andthoughtheplanwasnotimmediatelycarriedinto
execution,yet,bypreparingthemindsofpeopleforthechange,itpavedthewayforthelawobtained
afewyearsafter,whenthemembersofourclubsweregrownintomoreinfluence.
AboutthistimeIwroteapaper(firsttobereadinJunto,butitwasafterwardpublish'd)onthe
differentaccidentsandcarelessnessesbywhichhousesweresetonfire,withcautionsagainstthem,
andmeansproposedofavoidingthem.Thiswasmuchspokenofasausefulpiece,andgaverisetoa
project,whichsoonfollowedit,offormingacompanyforthemorereadyextinguishingoffires,and
mutualassistanceinremovingandsecuringthegoodswhenindanger.Associatesinthisscheme
werepresentlyfound,amountingtothirty.Ourarticlesofagreementoblig'deverymembertokeep

alwaysingoodorder,andfitforuse,acertainnumberofleatherbuckets,withstrongbagsand
baskets(forpackingandtransportingofgoods),whichweretobebroughttoeveryfire;andwe
agreedtomeetonceamonthandspendasocialeveningtogether,indiscoursingandcommunicating
suchideasasoccurredtousuponthesubjectoffires,asmightbeusefulinourconductonsuch
occasions.
Theutilityofthisinstitutionsoonappeared,andmanymoredesiringtobeadmittedthanwethought
convenientforonecompany,theywereadvisedtoformanother,whichwasaccordinglydone;and
thiswenton,onenewcompanybeingformedafteranother,tilltheybecamesonumerousasto
includemostoftheinhabitantswhoweremenofproperty;andnow,atthetimeofmywritingthis,
tho'upwardoffiftyyearssinceitsestablishment,thatwhichIfirstformed,calledtheUnionFire
Company,stillsubsistsandflourishes,tho'thefirstmembersarealldeceas'dbutmyselfandone,
whoisolderbyayearthanIam.Thesmallfinesthathavebeenpaidbymembersforabsenceatthe
monthlymeetingshavebeenapply'dtothepurchaseoffireengines,ladders,firehooks,andother
usefulimplementsforeachcompany,sothatIquestionwhetherthereisacityintheworldbetter
providedwiththemeansofputtingastoptobeginningconflagrations;and,infact,sincethese
institutions,thecityhasneverlostbyfiremorethanoneortwohousesatatime,andtheflameshave
oftenbeenextinguishedbeforethehouseinwhichtheybeganhasbeenhalfconsumed.
In1739arrivedamongusfromIrelandtheReverendMr.Whitefield,whohadmadehimself
remarkablethereasanitinerantpreacher.Hewasatfirstpermittedtopreachinsomeofour
churches;buttheclergy,takingadisliketohim,soonrefus'dhimtheirpulpits,andhewasoblig'dto
preachinthefields.Themultitudesofallsectsanddenominationsthatattendedhissermonswere
enormous,anditwasmatterofspeculationtome,whowasoneofthenumber,toobservethe
extraordinaryinfluenceofhisoratoryonhishearers,andbowmuchtheyadmir'dandrespected
him,notwithstandinghiscommonabuseofthem,byassuringthemthattheywerenaturallyhalf
beastsandhalfdevils.Itwaswonderfultoseethechangesoonmadeinthemannersofour
inhabitants.Frombeingthoughtlessorindifferentaboutreligion,itseem'dasifalltheworldwere
growingreligious,sothatonecouldnotwalkthro'thetowninaneveningwithouthearingpsalms
sungindifferentfamiliesofeverystreet.
Anditbeingfoundinconvenienttoassembleintheopenair,subjecttoitsinclemencies,thebuilding
ofahousetomeetinwasnosoonerpropos'd,andpersonsappointedtoreceivecontributions,but
sufficientsumsweresoonreceiv'dtoprocurethegroundanderectthebuilding,whichwasone
hundredfeetlongandseventybroad,aboutthesizeofWestminsterHall;andtheworkwascarried
onwithsuchspiritastobefinishedinamuchshortertimethancouldhavebeenexpected.Both
houseandgroundwerevestedintrustees,expresslyfortheuseofanypreacherofanyreligious
persuasionwhomightdesiretosaysomethingtothepeopleatPhiladelphia;thedesigninbuilding
notbeingtoaccommodateanyparticularsect,buttheinhabitantsingeneral;sothatevenifthe
MuftiofConstantinopleweretosendamissionarytopreachMohammedanismtous,hewouldfinda
pulpitathisservice.
Mr.Whitefield,inleavingus,wentpreachingallthewaythro'thecoloniestoGeorgia.The
settlementofthatprovincehadlatelybeenbegun,but,insteadofbeingmadewithhardy,industrious
husbandmen,accustomedtolabor,theonlypeoplefitforsuchanenterprise,itwaswithfamiliesof
brokenshopkeepersandotherinsolventdebtors,manyofindolentandidlehabits,takenoutofthe
jails,who,beingsetdowninthewoods,unqualifiedforclearingland,andunabletoendurethe
hardshipsofanewsettlement,perishedinnumbers,leavingmanyhelplesschildrenunprovidedfor.
Thesightoftheirmiserablesituationinspir'dthebenevolentheartofMr.Whitefieldwiththeideaof

buildinganOrphanHousethere,inwhichtheymightbesupportedandeducated.Returning
northward,hepreach'dupthischarity,andmadelargecollections,forhiseloquencehada
wonderfulpowerovertheheartsandpursesofhishearers,ofwhichImyselfwasaninstance.
Ididnotdisapproveofthedesign,but,asGeorgiawasthendestituteofmaterialsandworkmen,and
itwasproposedtosendthemfromPhiladelphiaatagreatexpense,Ithoughtitwouldhavebeen
bettertohavebuiltthehousehere,andbroughtthechildrentoit.ThisIadvis'd;buthewasresolute
inhisfirstproject,rejectedmycounsel,andIthereforerefus'dtocontribute.Ihappenedsoonafter
toattendoneofhissermons,inthecourseofwhichIperceivedheintendedtofinishwithacollection,
andIsilentlyresolvedheshouldgetnothingfromme,Ihadinmypocketahandfulofcoppermoney,
threeorfoursilverdollars,andfivepistolesingold.AsheproceededIbegantosoften,and
concludedtogivethecoppers.Anotherstrokeofhisoratorymademeasham'dofthat,and
determin'dmetogivethesilver;andhefinish'dsoadmirably,thatIempty'dmypocketwhollyinto
thecollector'sdish,goldandall.Atthissermontherewasalsooneofourclub,who,beingofmy
sentimentsrespectingthebuildinginGeorgia,andsuspectingacollectionmightbeintended,had,by
precaution,emptiedhispocketsbeforehecamefromhome.Towardstheconclusionofthediscourse,
however,hefeltastrongdesiretogive,andapply'dtoaneighbour,whostoodnearhim,toborrow
somemoneyforthepurpose.Theapplicationwasunfortunately[made]toperhapstheonlymanin
thecompanywhohadthefirmnessnottobeaffectedbythepreacher.Hisanswerwas,"Atanyother
time,FriendHopkinson,Iwouldlendtotheefreely;butnotnow,fortheeseemstobeoutofthyright
senses."
SomeofMr.Whitefield'senemiesaffectedtosupposethathewouldapplythesecollectionstohisown
privateemolument;butIwhowasintimatelyacquaintedwithhim(beingemployedinprintinghis
SermonsandJournals,etc.),neverhadtheleastsuspicionofhisintegrity,butamtothisday
decidedlyofopinionthathewasinallhisconductaperfectlyhonestman,andmethinksmy
testimonyinhisfavouroughttohavethemoreweight,aswehadnoreligiousconnection.Heus'd,
indeed,sometimestoprayformyconversion,butneverhadthesatisfactionofbelievingthathis
prayerswereheard.Ourswasamerecivilfriendship,sincereonbothsides,andlastedtohisdeath.
Thefollowinginstancewillshowsomethingofthetermsonwhichwestood.Upononeofhisarrivals
fromEnglandatBoston,hewrotetomethatheshouldcomesoontoPhiladelphia,butknewnot
wherehecouldlodgewhenthere,asheunderstoodhisoldfriendandhost,Mr.Benezet,was
removedtoGermantown.Myanswerwas,"Youknowmyhouse;ifyoucanmakeshiftwithits
scantyaccommodations,youwillbemostheartilywelcome."Hereply'd,thatifImadethatkind
offerforChrist'ssake,Ishouldnotmissofareward.AndIreturned,"Don'tletmebemistaken;it
wasnotforChrist'ssake,butforyoursake."Oneofourcommonacquaintancejocoselyremark'd,
that,knowingittobethecustomofthesaints,whentheyreceivedanyfavour,toshifttheburdenof
theobligationfromofftheirownshoulders,andplaceitinheaven,Ihadcontriv'dtofixitonearth.
ThelasttimeIsawMr.WhitefieldwasinLondon,whenheconsultedmeabouthisOrphanHouse
concern,andhispurposeofappropriatingittotheestablishmentofacollege.
Hehadaloudandclearvoice,andarticulatedhiswordsandsentencessoperfectly,thathemightbe
heardandunderstoodatagreatdistance,especiallyashisauditories,howevernumerous,observ'd
themostexactsilence.Hepreach'doneeveningfromthetopoftheCourthousesteps,whicharein
themiddleofMarketstreet,andonthewestsideofSecondstreet,whichcrossesitatrightangles.
Bothstreetswerefill'dwithhishearerstoaconsiderabledistance.Beingamongthehindmostin
Marketstreet,Ihadthecuriositytolearnhowfarhecouldbeheard,byretiringbackwardsdown

thestreettowardstheriver;andIfoundhisvoicedistincttillIcamenearFrontstreet,whensome
noiseinthatstreetobscur'dit.Imaginingthenasemicircle,ofwhichmydistanceshouldbethe
radius,andthatitwerefill'dwithauditors,toeachofwhomIallow'dtwosquarefeet,Icomputed
thathemightwellbeheardbymorethanthirtythousand.Thisreconcil'dmetothenewspaper
accountsofhishavingpreach'dtotwentyfivethousandpeopleinthefields,andtotheantient
historiesofgeneralsharanguingwholearmies,ofwhichIhadsometimesdoubted.
Byhearinghimoften,Icametodistinguisheasilybetweensermonsnewlycompos'd,andthosewhich
hehadoftenpreach'dinthecourseofhistravels.Hisdeliveryofthelatterwassoimprov'dby
frequentrepetitionsthateveryaccent,everyemphasis,everymodulationofvoice,wassoperfectly
wellturn'dandwellplac'd,that,withoutbeinginterestedinthesubject,onecouldnothelpbeing
pleas'dwiththediscourse;apleasureofmuchthesamekindwiththatreceiv'dfromanexcellent
pieceofmusick.Thisisanadvantageitinerantpreachershaveoverthosewhoarestationary,asthe
lattercannotwellimprovetheirdeliveryofasermonbysomanyrehearsals.
Hiswritingandprintingfromtimetotimegavegreatadvantagetohisenemies;unguarded
expressions,andevenerroneousopinions,deliveredinpreaching,mighthavebeenafterwards
explain'dorqualifi'dbysupposingothersthatmighthaveaccompani'dthem,ortheymighthave
beendeny'd;butliterascriptamonet.Criticsattack'dhiswritingsviolently,andwithsomuch
appearanceofreasonastodiminishthenumberofhisvotariesandpreventtheirencrease;sothatI
amofopinionifhehadneverwrittenanything,hewouldhaveleftbehindhimamuchmore
numerousandimportantsect,andhisreputationmightinthatcasehavebeenstillgrowing,even
afterhisdeath,astherebeingnothingofhiswritingonwhichtofoundacensureandgivehima
lowercharacter,hisproselyteswouldbeleftatlibertytofeignforhimasgreatavarietyofexcellence
astheirenthusiasticadmirationmightwishhimtohavepossessed.
Mybusinesswasnowcontinuallyaugmenting,andmycircumstancesgrowingdailyeasier,my
newspaperhavingbecomeveryprofitable,asbeingforatimealmosttheonlyoneinthisandthe
neighbouringprovinces.Iexperienced,too,thetruthoftheobservation,"thataftergettingthefirst
hundredpound,itismoreeasytogetthesecond,"moneyitselfbeingofaprolificnature.
ThepartnershipatCarolinahavingsucceeded,Iwasencourag'dtoengageinothers,andtopromote
severalofmyworkmen,whohadbehavedwell,byestablishingthemwithprintinghousesin
differentcolonies,onthesametermswiththatinCarolina.Mostofthemdidwell,beingenabledat
theendofourterm,sixyears,topurchasethetypesofmeandgoonworkingforthemselves,by
whichmeansseveralfamilieswereraised.Partnershipsoftenfinishinquarrels;butIwashappyin
this,thatminewereallcarriedonandendedamicably,owing,Ithink,agooddealtotheprecaution
ofhavingveryexplicitlysettled,inourarticles,everythingtobedonebyorexpectedfromeach
partner,sothattherewasnothingtodispute,whichprecautionIwouldthereforerecommendtoall
whoenterintopartnerships;for,whateveresteempartnersmayhavefor,andconfidenceineach
otheratthetimeofthecontract,littlejealousiesanddisgustsmayarise,withideasofinequalityin
thecareandburdenofthebusiness,etc.,whichareattendedoftenwithbreachoffriendshipandof
theconnection,perhapswithlawsuitsandotherdisagreeableconsequences.
Ihad,onthewhole,abundantreasontobesatisfiedwithmybeingestablishedinPennsylvania.
Therewere,however,twothingsthatIregretted,therebeingnoprovisionfordefense,norfora
compleateducationofyouth;nomilitia,noranycollege.Itherefore,in1743,drewupaproposalfor
establishinganacademy;andatthattime,thinkingtheReverendMr.Peters,whowasoutofemploy,
afitpersontosuperintendsuchaninstitution,Icommunicatedtheprojecttohim;buthe,having

moreprofitableviewsintheserviceoftheproprietaries,whichsucceeded,declin'dtheundertaking;
and,notknowinganotheratthattimesuitableforsuchatrust,Ilettheschemelieawhiledormant.I
succeededbetterthenextyear,1744,inproposingandestablishingaPhilosophicalSociety.The
paperIwroteforthatpurposewillbefoundamongmywritings,whencollected.
Withrespecttodefense,SpainhavingbeenseveralyearsatwaragainstGreatBritain,andbeingat
lengthjoin'dbyFrance,whichbroughtusintogreatdanger;andthelabouredandlongcontinued
endeavourofourgovernor,Thomas,toprevailwithourQuakerAssemblytopassamilitialaw,and
makeotherprovisionsforthesecurityoftheprovince,havingprovedabortive,Ideterminedtotry
whatmightbedonebyavoluntaryassociationofthepeople.Topromotethis,Ifirstwroteand
publishedapamphlet,entitledPLAINTRUTH,inwhichIstatedourdefencelesssituationinstrong
lights,withthenecessityofunionanddisciplineforourdefense,andpromis'dtoproposeinafew
daysanassociation,tobegenerallysignedforthatpurpose.Thepamphlethadasuddenand
surprisingeffect.Iwascall'duponfortheinstrumentofassociation,andhavingsettledthedraftofit
withafewfriends,Iappointedameetingofthecitizensinthelargebuildingbeforementioned.The
housewasprettyfull;Ihadpreparedanumberofprintedcopies,andprovidedpensandink
dispers'dallovertheroom.Iharanguedthemalittleonthesubject,readthepaper,andexplainedit,
andthendistributedthecopies,whichwereeagerlysigned,nottheleastobjectionbeingmade.
Whenthecompanyseparated,andthepaperswerecollected,wefoundabovetwelvehundredhands;
and,othercopiesbeingdispersedinthecountry,thesubscribersamountedatlengthtoupwardof
tenthousand.Theseallfurnishedthemselvesassoonastheycouldwitharms,formedthemselvesinto
companiesandregiments,chosetheirownofficers,andmeteveryweektobeinstructedinthe
manualexercise,andotherpartsofmilitarydiscipline.Thewomen,bysubscriptionsamong
themselves,providedsilkcolors,whichtheypresentedtothecompanies,paintedwithdifferent
devicesandmottos,whichIsupplied.
TheofficersofthecompaniescomposingthePhiladelphiaregiment,beingmet,chosemefortheir
colonel;but,conceivingmyselfunfit,Ideclin'dthatstation,andrecommendedMr.Lawrence,afine
person,andmanofinfluence,whowasaccordinglyappointed.Ithenpropos'dalotterytodefraythe
expenseofbuildingabatterybelowthetown,andfurnishingitwithcannon.Itfilledexpeditiously,
andthebatterywassoonerected,themerlonsbeingfram'doflogsandfill'dwithearth.Webought
someoldcannonfromBoston,but,thesenotbeingsufficient,wewrotetoEnglandformore,
soliciting,atthesametime,ourproprietariesforsomeassistance,tho'withoutmuchexpectationof
obtainingit.
Meanwhile,ColonelLawrence,WilliamAllen,AbramTaylor,Esqr.,andmyselfweresenttoNew
Yorkbytheassociators,commission'dtoborrowsomecannonofGovernorClinton.Heatfirst
refus'dusperemptorily;butatdinnerwithhiscouncil,wheretherewasgreatdrinkingofMadeira
wine,asthecustomofthatplacethenwas,hesoftenedbydegrees,andsaidhewouldlendussix.
Afterafewmorebumpersheadvanc'dtoten;andatlengthheverygoodnaturedlyconceded
eighteen.Theywerefinecannon,eighteenpounders,withtheircarriages,whichwesoontransported
andmountedonourbattery,wheretheassociatorskeptanightlyguardwhilethewarlasted,and
amongtherestIregularlytookmyturnofdutythereasacommonsoldier.
Myactivityintheseoperationswasagreeabletothegovernorandcouncil;theytookmeinto
confidence,andIwasconsultedbythemineverymeasurewhereintheirconcurrencewasthought
usefultotheassociation.Callingintheaidofreligion,Ipropos'dtothemtheproclaimingafast,to
promotereformation,andimploretheblessingofHeavenonourundertaking.Theyembrac'dthe

motion;but,asitwasthefirstfasteverthoughtofintheprovince,thesecretaryhadnoprecedent
fromwhichtodrawtheproclamation.MyeducationinNewEngland,whereafastisproclaimed
everyyear,washereofsomeadvantage:Idrewitintheaccustomedstile,itwastranslatedinto
German,printedinbothlanguages,anddivulg'dthro'theprovince.Thisgavetheclergyofthe
differentsectsanopportunityofinfluencingtheircongregationstojoinintheassociation,andit
wouldprobablyhavebeengeneralamongallbutQuakersifthepeacehadnotsooninterven'd.
Itwasthoughtbysomeofmyfriendsthat,bymyactivityintheseaffairs,Ishouldoffendthatsect,
andtherebylosemyinterestintheAssemblyoftheprovince,wheretheyformedagreatmajority.A
younggentlemanwhohadlikewisesomefriendsintheHouse,andwishedtosucceedmeastheir
clerk,acquaintedmethatitwasdecidedtodisplacemeatthenextelection;andhe,therefore,in
goodwill,advis'dmetoresign,asmoreconsistentwithmyhonourthanbeingturn'dout.Myanswer
tohimwas,thatIhadreadorheardofsomepublicmanwhomadeitarulenevertoaskforan
office,andnevertorefuseonewhenoffer'dtohim."Iapprove,"saysI,"ofhisrule,andwillpractice
itwithasmalladdition;Ishallneverask,neverrefuse,noreverresignanoffice.Iftheywillhavemy
officeofclerktodisposeoftoanother,theyshalltakeitfromme.Iwillnot,bygivingitup,losemy
rightofsometimeorothermakingreprisalsonmyadversaries."Iheard,however,nomoreofthis;I
waschosenagainunanimouslyasusualatthenextelection.Possibly,astheydislik'dmylate
intimacywiththemembersofcouncil,whohadjoin'dthegovernorsinallthedisputesaboutmilitary
preparations,withwhichtheHousehadlongbeenharass'd,theymighthavebeenpleas'difIwould
voluntarilyhaveleftthem;buttheydidnotcaretodisplacemeonaccountmerelyofmyzealforthe
association,andtheycouldnotwellgiveanotherreason.
IndeedIhadsomecausetobelievethatthedefenseofthecountrywasnotdisagreeabletoanyof
them,providedtheywerenotrequir'dtoassistinit.AndIfoundthatamuchgreaternumberof
themthanIcouldhaveimagined,tho'againstoffensivewar,wereclearlyforthedefensive.Many
pamphletsproandconwerepublish'donthesubject,andsomebygoodQuakers,infavourof
defense,whichIbelieveconvinc'dmostoftheiryoungerpeople.
Atransactioninourfirecompanygavemesomeinsightintotheirprevailingsentiments.Ithadbeen
propos'dthatweshouldencouragetheschemeforbuildingabatterybylayingoutthepresentstock,
thenaboutsixtypounds,inticketsofthelottery.Byourrules,nomoneycouldbedispos'doftillthe
nextmeetingaftertheproposal.Thecompanyconsistedofthirtymembers,ofwhichtwentytwo
wereQuakers,andeightonlyofotherpersuasions.Weeightpunctuallyattendedthemeeting;but,
tho'wethoughtthatsomeoftheQuakerswouldjoinus,wewerebynomeanssureofamajority.
OnlyoneQuaker,Mr.JamesMorris,appear'dtoopposethemeasure.Heexpressedmuchsorrow
thatithadeverbeenpropos'd,ashesaidFriendswereallagainstit,anditwouldcreatesuchdiscord
asmightbreakupthecompany.Wetoldhimthatwesawnoreasonforthat;weweretheminority,
andifFriendswereagainstthemeasure,andoutvotedus,wemustandshould,agreeablytothe
usageofallsocieties,submit.Whenthehourforbusinessarriv'ditwasmov'dtoputthevote;he
allow'dwemightthendoitbytherules,but,ashecouldassureusthatanumberofmembers
intendedtobepresentforthepurposeofopposingit,itwouldbebutcandidtoallowalittletimefor
theirappearing.
Whileweweredisputingthis,awaitercametotellmetwogentlemenbelowdesir'dtospeakwithme.
Iwentdown,andfoundtheyweretwoofourQuakermembers.Theytoldmetherewereeightof
themassembledatatavernjustby;thattheyweredetermin'dtocomeandvotewithusifthere
shouldbeoccasion,whichtheyhop'dwouldnotbethecase,anddesir'dwewouldnotcallfortheir
assistanceifwecoulddowithoutit,astheirvotingforsuchameasuremightembroilthemwiththeir

eldersandfriends.Beingthussecureofamajority,Iwentup,andafteralittleseeminghesitation,
agreedtoadelayofanotherhour.ThisMr.Morrisallow'dtobeextreamlyfair.Notoneofhis
opposingfriendsappear'd,atwhichheexpress'dgreatsurprize;and,attheexpirationofthehour,
wecarry'dtheresolutioneighttoone;andas,ofthetwentytwoQuakers,eightwerereadytovote
withus,andthirteen,bytheirabsence,manifestedthattheywerenotinclin'dtoopposethemeasure,
IafterwardestimatedtheproportionofQuakerssincerelyagainstdefenseasonetotwentyoneonly;
forthesewereallregularmembersofthatsociety,andingoodreputationamongthem,andhaddue
noticeofwhatwaspropos'datthatmeeting.
ThehonorableandlearnedMr.Logan,whohadalwaysbeenofthatsect,wasonewhowrotean
addresstothem,declaringhisapprobationofdefensivewar,andsupportinghisopinionbymany
strongarguments.Heputintomyhandssixtypoundstobelaidoutinlotteryticketsforthebattery,
withdirectionstoapplywhatprizesmightbedrawnwhollytothatservice.Hetoldmethefollowing
anecdoteofhisoldmaster,WilliamPenn,respectingdefense.HecameoverfromEngland,whena
youngman,withthatproprietary,andashissecretary.Itwaswartime,andtheirshipwaschas'dby
anarmedvessel,suppos'dtobeanenemy.Theircaptainprepar'dfordefense;buttoldWilliamPenn
andhiscompanyofQuakers,thathedidnotexpecttheirassistance,andtheymightretireintothe
cabin,whichtheydid,exceptJamesLogan,whochosetostayupondeck,andwasquarter'dtoagun.
Thesuppos'denemyprov'dafriend,sotherewasnofighting;butwhenthesecretarywentdownto
communicatetheintelligence,WilliamPennrebuk'dhimseverelyforstayingupondeck,and
undertakingtoassistindefendingthevessel,contrarytotheprinciplesofFriends,especiallyasithad
notbeenrequiredbythecaptain.Thisreproof,beingbeforeallthecompany,piqu'dthesecretary,
whoanswer'd,"Ibeingthyservant,whydidtheenotordermetocomedown?Buttheewaswilling
enoughthatIshouldstayandhelptofighttheshipwhentheethoughttherewasdanger."
MybeingmanyyearsintheAssembly,themajorityofwhichwereconstantlyQuakers,gaveme
frequentopportunitiesofseeingtheembarrassmentgiventhembytheirprincipleagainstwar,
wheneverapplicationwasmadetothem,byorderofthecrown,tograntaidsformilitarypurposes.
Theywereunwillingtooffendgovernment,ontheonehand,byadirectrefusal;andtheirfriends,
thebodyoftheQuakers,ontheother,byacompliancecontrarytotheirprinciples;henceavariety
ofevasionstoavoidcomplying,andmodesofdisguisingthecompliancewhenitbecameunavoidable.
Thecommonmodeatlastwas,tograntmoneyunderthephraseofitsbeing"fortheking'suse,"and
nevertoinquirehowitwasapplied.
But,ifthedemandwasnotdirectlyfromthecrown,thatphrasewasfoundnotsoproper,andsome
otherwastobeinvented.As,whenpowderwaswanting(Ithinkitwasforthegarrisonat
Louisburg),andthegovernmentofNewEnglandsolicitedagrantofsomefromPennsilvania,which
wasmuchurg'dontheHousebyGovernorThomas,theycouldnotgrantmoneytobuypowder,
becausethatwasaningredientofwar;buttheyvotedanaidtoNewEnglandofthreethousand
pounds,toheputintothehandsofthegovernor,andappropriateditforthepurchasingofbread,
flour,wheat,orothergrain.Someofthecouncil,desirousofgivingtheHousestillfurther
embarrassment,advis'dthegovernornottoacceptprovision,asnotbeingthethinghehad
demanded;butbereply'd,"Ishalltakethemoney,forIunderstandverywelltheirmeaning;other
grainisgunpowder,"whichheaccordinglybought,andtheyneverobjectedtoit.<10>
<10>Seethevotes.[Marg.note.]
Itwasinallusiontothisfactthat,wheninourfirecompanywefearedthesuccessofourproposalin
favourofthelottery,andIhadsaidtomyfriendMr.Syng,oneofourmembers,"Ifwefail,letus

movethepurchaseofafireenginewiththemoney;theQuakerscanhavenoobjectiontothat;and
then,ifyounominatemeandIyouasacommitteeforthatpurpose,wewillbuyagreatgun,whichis
certainlyafireengine.""Isee,"sayshe,"youhaveimprov'dbybeingsolongintheAssembly;your
equivocalprojectwouldbejustamatchfortheirwheatorothergrain."
TheseembarrassmentsthattheQuakerssuffer'dfromhavingestablish'dandpublisheditasoneof
theirprinciplesthatnokindofwarwaslawful,andwhich,beingoncepublished,theycouldnot
afterwards,howevertheymightchangetheirminds,easilygetridof,remindsmeofwhatIthinka
moreprudentconductinanothersectamongus,thatoftheDunkers.Iwasacquaintedwithoneofits
founders,MichaelWelfare,soonafteritappear'd.Hecomplain'dtomethattheyweregrievously
calumniatedbythezealotsofotherpersuasions,andcharg'dwithabominableprinciplesand
practices,towhichtheywereutterstrangers.Itoldhimthishadalwaysbeenthecasewithnewsects,
andthat,toputastoptosuchabuse,Iimagin'ditmightbewelltopublishthearticlesoftheirbelief,
andtherulesoftheirdiscipline.Hesaidthatithadbeenpropos'damongthem,butnotagreedto,for
thisreason:"Whenwewerefirstdrawntogetherasasociety,"sayshe,"ithadpleasedGodto
enlightenourmindssofarastoseethatsomedoctrines,whichweonceesteemedtruths,wereerrors;
andthatothers,whichwehadesteemederrors,wererealtruths.FromtimetotimeHehasbeen
pleasedtoaffordusfartherlight,andourprincipleshavebeenimproving,andourerrors
diminishing.Nowwearenotsurethatwearearrivedattheendofthisprogression,andatthe
perfectionofspiritualortheologicalknowledge;andwefearthat,ifweshouldonceprintour
confessionoffaith,weshouldfeelourselvesasifboundandconfin'dbyit,andperhapsbeunwilling
toreceivefartherimprovement,andoursuccessorsstillmoreso,asconceivingwhatwetheirelders
andfoundershaddone,tobesomethingsacred,nevertobedepartedfrom."
Thismodestyinasectisperhapsasingularinstanceinthehistoryofmankind,everyothersect
supposingitselfinpossessionofalltruth,andthatthosewhodifferaresofarinthewrong;likea
mantravelinginfoggyweather,thoseatsomedistancebeforehimontheroadheseeswrappedupin
thefog,aswellasthosebehindhim,andalsothepeopleinthefieldsoneachside,butnearhimall
appearsclear,tho'intruthheisasmuchinthefogasanyofthem.Toavoidthiskindof
embarrassment,theQuakershaveoflateyearsbeengraduallydecliningthepublicserviceinthe
Assemblyandinthemagistracy,choosingrathertoquittheirpowerthantheirprinciple.
Inorderoftime,Ishouldhavementionedbefore,thathaving,in1742,inventedanopenstoveforthe
betterwarmingofrooms,andatthesametimesavingfuel,asthefreshairadmittedwaswarmedin
entering,ImadeapresentofthemodeltoMr.RobertGrace,oneofmyearlyfriends,who,havingan
ironfurnace,foundthecastingoftheplatesforthesestovesaprofitablething,astheyweregrowing
indemand.Topromotethatdemand,Iwroteandpublishedapamphlet,entitled"AnAccountofthe
newinventedPennsylvaniaFireplaces;whereintheirConstructionandMannerofOperationis
particularlyexplained;theirAdvantagesaboveeveryotherMethodofwarmingRooms
demonstrated;andallObjectionsthathavebeenraisedagainsttheUseofthemansweredand
obviated,"etc.Thispamphlethadagoodeffect.Gov'r.Thomaswassopleas'dwiththeconstruction
ofthisstove,asdescribedinit,thatheofferedtogivemeapatentforthesolevendingofthemfora
termofyears;butIdeclin'ditfromaprinciplewhichhaseverweighedwithmeonsuchoccasions,
viz.,That,asweenjoygreatadvantagesfromtheinventionsofothers,weshouldbegladofan
opportunitytoserveothersbyanyinventionofours;andthisweshoulddofreelyandgenerously.
AnironmongerinLondonhowever,assumingagooddealofmypamphlet,andworkingitupinto
hisown,andmakingsomesmallchangesinthemachine,whichratherhurtitsoperation,gota
patentforitthere,andmade,asIwastold,alittlefortunebyit.Andthisisnottheonlyinstanceof

patentstakenoutformyinventionsbyothers,tho'notalwayswiththesamesuccess,whichInever
contested,ashavingnodesireofprofitingbypatentsmyself,andhatingdisputes.Theuseofthese
fireplacesinverymanyhouses,bothofthisandtheneighbouringcolonies,hasbeen,andis,agreat
savingofwoodtotheinhabitants.
Peacebeingconcluded,andtheassociationbusinessthereforeatanend,Iturn'dmythoughtsagain
totheaffairofestablishinganacademy.ThefirststepItookwastoassociateinthedesignanumber
ofactivefriends,ofwhomtheJuntofurnishedagoodpart;thenextwastowriteandpublisha
pamphlet,entitledProposalsRelatingtotheEducationofYouthinPennsylvania.ThisIdistributed
amongtheprincipalinhabitantsgratis;andassoonasIcouldsupposetheirmindsalittleprepared
bytheperusalofit,Isetonfootasubscriptionforopeningandsupportinganacademy;itwastobe
paidinquotasyearlyforfiveyears;bysodividingit,Ijudg'dthesubscriptionmightbelarger,andI
believeitwasso,amountingtonoless,ifIrememberright,thanfivethousandpounds.
Intheintroductiontotheseproposals,Istatedtheirpublication,notasanactofmine,butofsome
publickspiritedgentlemen,avoidingasmuchasIcould,accordingtomyusualrule,thepresenting
myselftothepublickastheauthorofanyschemefortheirbenefit.
Thesubscribers,tocarrytheprojectintoimmediateexecution,choseoutoftheirnumbertwenty
fourtrustees,andappointedMr.Francis,thenattorneygeneral,andmyselftodrawupconstitutions
forthegovernmentoftheacademy;whichbeingdoneandsigned,ahousewashired,masters
engag'd,andtheschoolsopened,Ithink,inthesameyear,1749.
Thescholarsincreasingfast,thehousewassoonfoundtoosmall,andwewerelookingoutforapiece
ofground,properlysituated,withintentiontobuild,whenProvidencethrewintoourwayalarge
housereadybuilt,which,withafewalterations,mightwellserveourpurpose.Thiswasthebuilding
beforementioned,erectedbythehearersofMr.Whitefield,andwasobtainedforusinthefollowing
manner.
Itistobenotedthatthecontributionstothisbuildingbeingmadebypeopleofdifferentsects,care
wastakeninthenominationoftrustees,inwhomthebuildingandgroundwastobevested,thata
predominancyshouldnotbegiventoanysect,lestintimethatpredominancymightbeameansof
appropriatingthewholetotheuseofsuchsect,contrarytotheoriginalintention.Itwastherefore
thatoneofeachsectwasappointed,viz.,oneChurchofEnglandman,onePresbyterian,oneBaptist,
oneMoravian,etc.,those,incaseofvacancybydeath,weretofillitbyelectionfromamongthe
contributors.TheMoravianhappen'dnottopleasehiscolleagues,andonhisdeaththeyresolvedto
havenootherofthatsect.Thedifficultythenwas,howtoavoidhavingtwoofsomeothersect,by
meansofthenewchoice.
Severalpersonswerenamed,andforthatreasonnotagreedto.Atlengthonemention'dme,withthe
observationthatIwasmerelyanhonestman,andofnosectatall,whichprevail'dwiththemto
chuseme.Theenthusiasmwhichexistedwhenthehousewasbuilthadlongsinceabated,andits
trusteeshadnotbeenabletoprocurefreshcontributionsforpayingthegroundrent,and
dischargingsomeotherdebtsthebuildinghadoccasion'd,whichembarrass'dthemgreatly.Being
nowamemberofbothsettsoftrustees,thatforthebuildingandthatfortheAcademy,Ihadagood
opportunityofnegotiatingwithboth,andbroughtthemfinallytoanagreement,bywhichthe
trusteesforthebuildingweretocedeittothoseoftheacademy,thelatterundertakingtodischarge
thedebt,tokeepforeveropeninthebuildingalargehallforoccasionalpreachers,accordingtothe
originalintention,andmaintainafreeschoolfortheinstructionofpoorchildren.Writingswere

accordinglydrawn,andonpayingthedebtsthetrusteesoftheacademywereputinpossessionofthe
premises;andbydividingthegreatandloftyhallintostories,anddifferentroomsaboveandbelow
fortheseveralschools,andpurchasingsomeadditionalground,thewholewassoonmadefitforour
purpose,andthescholarsremov'dintothebuilding.Thecareandtroubleofagreeingwiththe
workmen,purchasingmaterials,andsuperintendingthework,felluponme;andIwentthro'itthe
morecheerfully,asitdidnottheninterferewithmyprivatebusiness,havingtheyearbeforetakena
veryable,industrious,andhonestpartner,Mr.DavidHall,withwhosecharacterIwaswell
acquainted,ashehadwork'dformefouryears.Hetookoffmyhandsallcareoftheprintingoffice,
payingmepunctuallymyshareoftheprofits.Thispartnershipcontinuedeighteenyears,successfully
forusboth.
Thetrusteesoftheacademy,afterawhile,wereincorporatedbyacharterfromthegovernor;their
fundswereincreas'dbycontributionsinBritainandgrantsoflandfromtheproprietaries,towhich
theAssemblyhassincemadeconsiderableaddition;andthuswasestablishedthepresentUniversity
ofPhiladelphia.Ihavebeencontinuedoneofitstrusteesfromthebeginning,nownearfortyyears,
andhavehadtheverygreatpleasureofseeinganumberoftheyouthwhohavereceiv'dtheir
educationinit,distinguish'dbytheirimprov'dabilities,serviceableinpublicstationsandornaments
totheircountry.
WhenIdisengagedmyself,asabovementioned,fromprivatebusiness,Iflatter'dmyselfthat,bythe
sufficienttho'moderatefortuneIhadacquir'd,Ihadsecuredleisureduringtherestofmylifefor
philosophicalstudiesandamusements.IpurchasedallDr.Spence'sapparatus,whohadcomefrom
Englandtolecturehere,andIproceededinmyelectricalexperimentswithgreatalacrity;butthe
publick,nowconsideringmeasamanofleisure,laidholdofmefortheirpurposes,everypartofour
civilgovernment,andalmostatthesametime,imposingsomedutyuponme.Thegovernorputme
intothecommissionofthepeace;thecorporationofthecitychosemeofthecommoncouncil,and
soonafteranalderman;andthecitizensatlargechosemeaburgesstorepresenttheminAssembly.
Thislatterstationwasthemoreagreeabletome,asIwasatlengthtiredwithsittingtheretohear
debates,inwhich,asclerk,Icouldtakenopart,andwhichwereoftensounentertainingthatIwas
induc'dtoamusemyselfwithmakingmagicsquaresorcircles,oranythingtoavoidweariness;andI
conceiv'dmybecomingamemberwouldenlargemypowerofdoinggood.Iwouldnot,however,
insinuatethatmyambitionwasnotflatter'dbyallthesepromotions;itcertainlywas;for,
consideringmylowbeginning,theyweregreatthingstome;andtheywerestillmorepleasing,as
beingsomanyspontaneoustestimoniesofthepublicgoodopinion,andbymeentirelyunsolicited.
TheofficeofjusticeofthepeaceItry'dalittle,byattendingafewcourts,andsittingonthebenchto
hearcauses;butfindingthatmoreknowledgeofthecommonlawthanIpossess'dwasnecessaryto
actinthatstationwithcredit,Igraduallywithdrewfromit,excusingmyselfbymybeingoblig'dto
attendthehigherdutiesofalegislatorintheAssembly.Myelectiontothistrustwasrepeatedevery
yearfortenyears,withoutmyeveraskinganyelectorforhisvote,orsignifying,eitherdirectlyor
indirectly,anydesireofbeingchosen.OntakingmyseatintheHouse,mysonwasappointedtheir
clerk.
Theyearfollowing,atreatybeingtobeheldwiththeIndiansatCarlisle,thegovernorsentamessage
totheHouse,proposingthattheyshouldnominatesomeoftheirmembers,tobejoin'dwithsome
membersofcouncil,ascommissionersforthatpurpose.<11>TheHousenamedthespeaker(Mr.
Norris)andmyself;and,beingcommission'd,wewenttoCarlisle,andmettheIndiansaccordingly.
<11>Seethevotestohavethismorecorrectly.[Marg.note.]

Asthosepeopleareextreamlyapttogetdrunk,and,whenso,areveryquarrelsomeanddisorderly,
westrictlyforbadthesellinganyliquortothem;andwhentheycomplain'dofthisrestriction,we
toldthemthatiftheywouldcontinuesoberduringthetreaty,wewouldgivethemplentyofrum
whenbusinesswasover.Theypromis'dthis,andtheykepttheirpromise,becausetheycouldgetno
liquor,andthetreatywasconductedveryorderly,andconcludedtomutualsatisfaction.Theythen
claim'dandreceiv'dtherum;thiswasintheafternoon;theywerenearonehundredmen,women,
andchildren,andwerelodg'dintemporarycabins,builtintheformofasquare,justwithoutthe
town.Intheevening,hearingagreatnoiseamongthem,thecommissionerswalk'douttoseewhat
wasthematter.Wefoundtheyhadmadeagreatbonfireinthemiddleofthesquare;theywereall
drunk,menandwomen,quarrelingandfighting.Theirdarkcolour'dbodies,halfnaked,seenonly
bythegloomylightofthebonfire,runningafterandbeatingoneanotherwithfirebrands,
accompaniedbytheirhorridyellings,form'dascenethemostresemblingourideasofhellthatcould
wellbeimagin'd;therewasnoappeasingthetumult,andweretiredtoourlodging.Atmidnighta
numberofthemcamethunderingatourdoor,demandingmorerum,ofwhichwetooknonotice.
Thenextday,sensibletheyhadmisbehav'dingivingusthatdisturbance,theysentthreeoftheirold
counselorstomaketheirapology.Theoratoracknowledg'dthefault,butlaiditupontherum;and
thenendeavoredtoexcusetherumbysaying,"TheGreatSpirit,whomadeallthings,madeevery
thingforsomeuse,andwhateverusehedesign'danythingfor,thatuseitshouldalwaysbeputto.
Now,whenhemaderum,hesaid'LetthisbefortheIndianstogetdrunkwith,'anditmustbeso."
And,indeed,ifitbethedesignofProvidencetoextirpatethesesavagesinordertomakeroomfor
cultivatorsoftheearth,itseemsnotimprobablethatrummaybetheappointedmeans.Ithas
alreadyannihilatedallthetribeswhoformerlyinhabitedtheseacoast.
In1751,Dr.ThomasBond,aparticularfriendofmine,conceivedtheideaofestablishingahospital
inPhiladelphia(averybeneficentdesign,whichhasbeenascrib'dtome,butwasoriginallyhis),for
thereceptionandcureofpoorsickpersons,whetherinhabitantsoftheprovinceorstrangers.Hewas
zealousandactiveinendeavouringtoprocuresubscriptionsforit,buttheproposalbeinganovelty
inAmerica,andatfirstnotwellunderstood,hemetwithbutsmallsuccess.
Atlengthhecametomewiththecomplimentthathefoundtherewasnosuchthingascarryinga
publicspiritedprojectthroughwithoutmybeingconcern'dinit."For,"sayshe,"Iamoftenask'd
bythosetowhomIproposesubscribing,HaveyouconsultedFranklinuponthisbusiness?Andwhat
doeshethinkofit?AndwhenItellthemthatIhavenot(supposingitratheroutofyourline),they
donotsubscribe,butsaytheywillconsiderofit."Ienquiredintothenatureandprobableutilityof
hisscheme,andreceivingfromhimaverysatisfactoryexplanation,Inotonlysubscrib'dtoitmyself,
butengag'dheartilyinthedesignofprocuringsubscriptionsfromothers.Previously,however,tothe
solicitation,Iendeavouredtopreparethemindsofthepeoplebywritingonthesubjectinthe
newspapers,whichwasmyusualcustominsuchcases,butwhichhehadomitted.
Thesubscriptionsafterwardsweremorefreeandgenerous;but,beginningtoflag,Isawtheywould
beinsufficientwithoutsomeassistancefromtheAssembly,andthereforepropos'dtopetitionforit,
whichwasdone.Thecountrymembersdidnotatfirstrelishtheproject;theyobjectedthatitcould
onlybeserviceabletothecity,andthereforethecitizensaloneshouldbeattheexpenseofit;andthey
doubtedwhetherthecitizensthemselvesgenerallyapprov'dofit.Myallegationonthecontrary,that
itmetwithsuchapprobationastoleavenodoubtofourbeingabletoraisetwothousandpoundsby
voluntarydonations,theyconsideredasamostextravagantsupposition,andutterlyimpossible.

OnthisIform'dmyplan;andaskingleavetobringinabillforincorporatingthecontributors
accordingtotheprayeroftheirpetition,andgrantingthemablanksumofmoney,whichleavewas
obtainedchieflyontheconsiderationthattheHousecouldthrowthebilloutiftheydidnotlikeit,I
drewitsoastomaketheimportantclauseaconditionalone,viz.,"Andbeitenacted,bythe
authorityaforesaid,thatwhenthesaidcontributorsshallhavemetandchosentheirmanagersand
treasurer,andshallhaveraisedbytheircontributionsacapitalstockofvalue(theyearly
interestofwhichistobeappliedtotheaccommodatingofthesickpoorinthesaidhospital,freeof
chargefordiet,attendance,advice,andmedicines),andshallmakethesameappeartothe
satisfactionofthespeakeroftheAssemblyforthetimebeing,thatthenitshallandmaybelawfulfor
thesaidspeaker,andbeisherebyrequired,tosignanorderontheprovincialtreasurerforthe
paymentoftwothousandpounds,intwoyearlypayments,tothetreasurerofthesaidhospital,tobe
appliedtothefounding,building,andfinishingofthesame."
Thisconditioncarriedthebillthrough;forthemembers,whohadoppos'dthegrant,andnow
conceiv'dtheymighthavethecreditofbeingcharitablewithouttheexpence,agreedtoitspassage;
andthen,insolicitingsubscriptionsamongthepeople,weurg'dtheconditionalpromiseofthelawas
anadditionalmotivetogive,sinceeveryman'sdonationwouldbedoubled;thustheclausework'd
bothways.Thesubscriptionsaccordinglysoonexceededtherequisitesum,andweclaim'dand
receiv'dthepublicgift,whichenabledustocarrythedesignintoexecution.Aconvenientand
handsomebuildingwassoonerected;theinstitutionhasbyconstantexperiencebeenfounduseful,
andflourishestothisday;andIdonotrememberanyofmypoliticalmanoeuvres,thesuccessof
whichgavemeatthetimemorepleasure,orwherein,afterthinkingofit,Imoreeasilyexcus'd
myselfforhavingmadesomeuseofcunning.
Itwasaboutthistimethatanotherprojector,theRev.GilbertTennent,cametomewitharequest
thatIwouldassisthiminprocuringasubscriptionforerectinganewmeetinghouse.Itwastohefor
theuseofacongregationhehadgatheredamongthePresbyterians,whowereoriginallydisciplesof
Mr.Whitefield.Unwillingtomakemyselfdisagreeabletomyfellowcitizensbytoofrequently
solicitingtheircontributions,Iabsolutelyrefus'd.HethendesiredIwouldfurnishhimwithalistof
thenamesofpersonsIknewbyexperiencetobegenerousandpublicspirited.Ithoughtitwouldbe
unbecominginme,aftertheirkindcompliancewithmysolicitations,tomarkthemouttobeworried
byotherbeggars,andthereforerefus'dalsotogivesuchalist.Hethendesir'dIwouldatleastgive
himmyadvice."ThatIwillreadilydo,"saidI;"and,inthefirstplace,Iadviseyoutoapplytoall
thosewhomyouknowwillgivesomething;next,tothosewhomyouareuncertainwhethertheywill
giveanythingornot,andshowthemthelistofthosewhohavegiven;and,lastly,donotneglectthose
whoyouaresurewillgivenothing,forinsomeofthemyoumaybemistaken."Helaugh'dand
thank'dme,andsaidhewouldtakemyadvice.Hedidso,forheask'dofeverybody,andheobtained
amuchlargersumthanheexpected,withwhichheerectedthecapaciousandveryelegantmeeting
housethatstandsinArchstreet.
Ourcity,tho'laidoutwithabeautifulregularity,thestreetslarge,strait,andcrossingeachotherat
rightangles,hadthedisgraceofsufferingthosestreetstoremainlongunpav'd,andinwetweather
thewheelsofheavycarriagesplough'dthemintoaquagmire,sothatitwasdifficulttocrossthem;
andindryweatherthedustwasoffensive.Ihadliv'dnearwhatwascall'dtheJerseyMarket,and
sawwithpaintheinhabitantswadinginmudwhilepurchasingtheirprovisions.Astripofground
downthemiddleofthatmarketwasatlengthpav'dwithbrick,sothat,beingonceinthemarket,
theyhadfirmfooting,butwereoftenovershoesindirttogetthere.Bytalkingandwritingonthe
subject,Iwasatlengthinstrumentalingettingthestreetpav'dwithstonebetweenthemarketand
thebrick'dfootpavement,thatwasoneachsidenextthehouses.This,forsometime,gaveaneasy

accesstothemarketdryshod;but,therestofthestreetnotbeingpav'd,wheneveracarriagecame
outofthemuduponthispavement,itshookoffandleftitsdirtuponit,anditwassooncover'dwith
mire,whichwasnotremov'd,thecityasyethavingnoscavengers.
AftersomeinquiryIfoundapoorindustriousman,whowaswillingtoundertakekeepingthe
pavementclean,bysweepingittwiceaweek,carryingoffthedirtfrombeforealltheneighbours'
doors,forthesumofsixpencepermonth,tobepaidbyeachhouse.Ithenwroteandprintedapaper
settingforththeadvantagestotheneighbourhoodthatmightbeobtain'dbythissmallexpense;the
greatereaseinkeepingourhousesclean,somuchdirtnotbeingbroughtinbypeople'sfeet;the
benefittotheshopsbymorecustom,etc.,etc.,asbuyerscouldmoreeasilygetatthem;andbynot
having,inwindyweather,thedustblowninupontheirgoods,etc.,etc.Isentoneofthesepapersto
eachhouse,andinadayortwowentroundtoseewhowouldsubscribeanagreementtopaythese
sixpences;itwasunanimouslysign'd,andforatimewellexecuted.Alltheinhabitantsofthecity
weredelightedwiththecleanlinessofthepavementthatsurroundedthemarket,itbeinga
conveniencetoall,andthisrais'dageneraldesiretohaveallthestreetspaved,andmadethepeople
morewillingtosubmittoataxforthatpurpose.
AftersometimeIdrewabillforpavingthecity,andbroughtitintotheAssembly.Itwasjustbefore
IwenttoEngland,in1757,anddidnotpasstillIwasgone.<12>andthenwithanalterationinthe
modeofassessment,whichIthoughtnotforthebetter,butwithanadditionalprovisionforlighting
aswellaspavingthestreets,whichwasagreatimprovement.Itwasbyaprivateperson,thelateMr.
JohnClifton,hisgivingasampleoftheutilityoflamps,byplacingoneathisdoor,thatthepeople
werefirstimpress'dwiththeideaofenlightingallthecity.Thehonourofthispublicbenefithasalso
beenascrib'dtomebutitbelongstrulytothatgentleman.Ididbutfollowhisexample,andhave
onlysomemerittoclaimrespectingtheformofourlamps,asdifferingfromtheglobelampswewere
atfirstsupply'dwithfromLondon.Thosewefoundinconvenientintheserespects:theyadmittedno
airbelow;thesmoke,therefore,didnotreadilygooutabove,butcirculatedintheglobe,lodg'donits
inside,andsoonobstructedthelighttheywereintendedtoafford;giving,besides,thedailytroubleof
wipingthemclean;andanaccidentalstrokeononeofthemwoulddemolishit,andrenderittotally
useless.Ithereforesuggestedthecomposingthemoffourflatpanes,withalongfunnelabovetodraw
upthesmoke,andcrevicesadmittingairbelow,tofacilitatetheascentofthesmoke;bythismeans
theywerekeptclean,anddidnotgrowdarkinafewhours,astheLondonlampsdo,butcontinu'd
brighttillmorning,andanaccidentalstrokewouldgenerallybreakbutasinglepane,easilyrepair'd.
<12>Seevotes.
Ihavesometimeswonder'dthattheLondonersdidnot,fromtheeffectholesinthebottomofthe
globelampsus'datVauxhallhaveinkeepingthemclean,learntohavesuchholesintheirstreet
lamps.But,theseholesbeingmadeforanotherpurpose,viz.,tocommunicateflamemoresuddenly
tothewickbyalittleflaxhangingdownthro'them,theotheruse,oflettinginair,seemsnottohave
beenthoughtof;andtherefore,afterthelampshavebeenlitafewhours,thestreetsofLondonare
verypoorlyilluminated.
ThementionoftheseimprovementsputsmeinmindofoneIpropos'd,wheninLondon,toDr.
Fothergill,whowasamongthebestmenIhaveknown,andagreatpromoterofusefulprojects.Ihad
observ'dthatthestreets,whendry,wereneverswept,andthelightdustcarriedaway;butitwas
suffer'dtoaccumulatetillwetweatherreduc'dittomud,andthen,afterlyingsomedayssodeepon
thepavementthattherewasnocrossingbutinpathskeptcleanbypoorpeoplewithbrooms,itwas
withgreatlabourrak'dtogetherandthrownupintocartsopenabove,thesidesofwhichsuffer'd

someoftheslushateveryjoltonthepavementtoshakeoutandfall,sometimestotheannoyanceof
footpassengers.Thereasongivenfornotsweepingthedustystreetswas,thatthedustwouldflyinto
thewindowsofshopsandhouses.
Anaccidentaloccurrencehadinstructedmehowmuchsweepingmightbedoneinalittletime.I
foundatmydoorinCravenstreet,onemorning,apoorwomansweepingmypavementwithabirch
broom;sheappearedverypaleandfeeble,asjustcomeoutofafitofsickness.Iask'dwhoemploy'd
hertosweepthere;shesaid,"Nobody,butIamverypoorandindistress,andIsweepsbefore
gentlefolksesdoors,andhopestheywillgivemesomething."Ibidhersweepthewholestreetclean,
andIwouldgiveherashilling;thiswasatnineo'clock;at12shecamefortheshilling.Fromthe
slownessIsawatfirstinherworking,Icouldscarcebelievethattheworkwasdonesosoon,andsent
myservanttoexamineit,whoreportedthatthewholestreetwassweptperfectlyclean,andallthe
dustplac'dinthegutter,whichwasinthemiddle;andthenextrainwash'ditquiteaway,sothatthe
pavementandeventhekennelwereperfectlyclean.
Ithenjudg'dthat,ifthatfeeblewomancouldsweepsuchastreetinthreehours,astrong,activeman
mighthavedoneitinhalfthetime.Andhereletmeremarktheconvenienceofhavingbutonegutter
insuchanarrowstreet,runningdownitsmiddle,insteadoftwo,oneoneachside,nearthefootway;
forwherealltherainthatfallsonastreetrunsfromthesidesandmeetsinthemiddle,itformsthere
acurrentstrongenoughtowashawayallthemuditmeetswith;butwhendividedintotwochannels,
itisoftentooweaktocleanseeither,andonlymakesthemuditfindsmorefluid,sothatthewheelsof
carriagesandfeetofhorsesthrowanddashituponthefootpavement,whichistherebyrendered
foulandslippery,andsometimessplashituponthosewhoarewalking.Myproposal,communicated
tothegooddoctor,wasasfollows:
"ForthemoreeffectualcleaningandkeepingcleanthestreetsofLondonandWestminster,itis
proposedthattheseveralwatchmenbecontractedwithtohavethedustsweptupindryseasons,and
themudrak'dupatothertimes,eachintheseveralstreetsandlanesofhisround;thattheybe
furnish'dwithbroomsandotherproperinstrumentsforthesepurposes,tobekeptattheirrespective
stands,readytofurnishthepoorpeopletheymayemployintheservice.
"Thatinthedrysummermonthsthedustbeallsweptupintoheapsatproperdistances,beforethe
shopsandwindowsofhousesareusuallyopened,whenthescavengers,withclosecoveredcarts,shall
alsocarryitallaway.
"Thatthemud,whenrak'dup,benotleftinheapstobespreadabroadagainbythewheelsof
carriagesandtramplingofhorses,butthatthescavengersbeprovidedwithbodiesofcarts,not
plac'dhighuponwheels,butlowuponsliders,withlatticebottoms,which,beingcover'dwithstraw,
willretainthemudthrownintothem,andpermitthewatertodrainfromit,wherebyitwillbecome
muchlighter,watermakingthegreatestpartofitsweight;thesebodiesofcartstobeplac'dat
convenientdistances,andthemudbroughttotheminwheelbarrows;theyremainingwhereplac'd
tillthemudisdrain'd,andthenhorsesbroughttodrawthemaway."
Ihavesincehaddoubtsofthepracticabilityofthelatterpartofthisproposal,onaccountofthe
narrownessofsomestreets,andthedifficultyofplacingthedrainingsledssoasnottoencumbertoo
muchthepassage;butIamstillofopinionthattheformer,requiringthedusttobesweptupand
carry'dawaybeforetheshopsareopen,isverypracticableinthesummer,whenthedaysarelong;
for,inwalkingthro'theStrandandFleetstreetonemorningatseveno'clock,Iobserv'dtherewas
notoneshopopen,tho'ithadbeendaylightandthesunupabovethreehours;theinhabitantsof

Londonchusingvoluntarilytolivemuchbycandlelight,andsleepbysunshine,andyetoften
complain,alittleabsurdly,ofthedutyoncandlesandthehighpriceoftallow.
Somemaythinkthesetriflingmattersnotworthmindingorrelating;butwhentheyconsiderthat
tho'dustblownintotheeyesofasingleperson,orintoasingleshoponawindyday,isbutofsmall
importance,yetthegreatnumberoftheinstancesinapopulouscity,anditsfrequentrepetitionsgive
itweightandconsequence,perhapstheywillnotcensureveryseverelythosewhobestowsome
attentiontoaffairsofthisseeminglylownature.Humanfelicityisproduc'dnotsomuchbygreat
piecesofgoodfortunethatseldomhappen,asbylittleadvantagesthatoccureveryday.Thus,ifyou
teachapooryoungmantoshavehimself,andkeephisrazorinorder,youmaycontributemoreto
thehappinessofhislifethaningivinghimathousandguineas.Themoneymaybesoonspent,the
regretonlyremainingofhavingfoolishlyconsumedit;butintheothercase,heescapesthefrequent
vexationofwaitingforbarbers,andoftheirsometimesdirtyfingers,offensivebreaths,anddull
razors;heshaveswhenmostconvenienttohim,andenjoysdailythepleasureofitsbeingdonewitha
goodinstrument.WiththesesentimentsIhavehazardedthefewprecedingpages,hopingtheymay
affordhintswhichsometimeorothermaybeusefultoacityIlove,havinglivedmanyyearsinit
veryhappily,andperhapstosomeofourtownsinAmerica.
HavingbeenforsometimeemployedbythepostmastergeneralofAmericaashiscomptrollerin
regulatingseveraloffices,andbringingtheofficerstoaccount,Iwas,uponhisdeathin1753,
appointed,jointlywithMr.WilliamHunter,tosucceedhim,byacommissionfromthepostmaster
generalinEngland.TheAmericanofficeneverhadhithertopaidanythingtothatofBritain.We
weretohavesixhundredpoundsayearbetweenus,ifwecouldmakethatsumoutoftheprofitsof
theoffice.Todothis,avarietyofimprovementswerenecessary;someofthesewereinevitablyatfirst
expensive,sothatinthefirstfouryearstheofficebecameaboveninehundredpoundsindebttous.
Butitsoonafterbegantorepayus;andbeforeIwasdisplac'dbyafreakoftheministers,ofwhichI
shallspeakhereafter,wehadbroughtittoyieldthreetimesasmuchclearrevenuetothecrownas
thepostofficeofIreland.Sincethatimprudenttransaction,theyhavereceiv'dfromitnotone
farthing!
Thebusinessofthepostofficeoccasion'dmytakingajourneythisyeartoNewEngland,wherethe
CollegeofCambridge,oftheirownmotion,presentedmewiththedegreeofMasterofArts.Yale
College,inConnecticut,hadbeforemademeasimilarcompliment.Thus,withoutstudyinginany
college,Icametopartakeoftheirhonours.Theywereconferr'dinconsiderationofmy
improvementsanddiscoveriesintheelectricbranchofnaturalphilosophy.
In1754,warwithFrancebeingagainapprehended,acongressofcommissionersfromthedifferent
colonieswas,byanorderoftheLordsofTrade,tobeassembledatAlbany,theretoconferwiththe
chiefsoftheSixNationsconcerningthemeansofdefendingboththeircountryandours.Governor
Hamilton,havingreceiv'dthisorder,acquaintedtheHousewithit,requestingtheywouldfurnish
properpresentsfortheIndians,tobegivenonthisoccasion;andnamingthespeaker(Mr.Norris)
andmyselftojoinMr.ThomasPennandMr.SecretaryPetersascommissionerstoactfor
Pennsylvania.TheHouseapprov'dthenomination,andprovidedthegoodsforthepresent,andtho'
theydidnotmuchliketreatingoutoftheprovinces;andwemettheothercommissionersatAlbany
aboutthemiddleofJune.
Inourwaythither,Iprojectedanddrewaplanfortheunionofallthecoloniesunderone
government,sofarasmightbenecessaryfordefense,andotherimportantgeneralpurposes.Aswe
pass'dthro'NewYork,IhadthereshownmyprojecttoMr.JamesAlexanderandMr.Kennedy,two

gentlemenofgreatknowledgeinpublicaffairs,and,beingfortifiedbytheirapprobation,Iventur'd
tolayitbeforetheCongress.Itthenappearedthatseveralofthecommissionershadform'dplansof
thesamekind.Apreviousquestionwasfirsttaken,whetheraunionshouldbeestablished,which
pass'dintheaffirmativeunanimously.Acommitteewasthenappointed,onememberfromeach
colony,toconsidertheseveralplansandreport.Minehappen'dtobepreferr'd,and,withafew
amendments,wasaccordinglyreported.
Bythisplanthegeneralgovernmentwastobeadministeredbyapresidentgeneral,appointedand
supportedbythecrown,andagrandcouncilwastobechosenbytherepresentativesofthepeopleof
theseveralcolonies,metintheirrespectiveassemblies.ThedebatesuponitinCongresswenton
daily,handinhandwiththeIndianbusiness.Manyobjectionsanddifficultieswerestarted,butat
lengththeywereallovercome,andtheplanwasunanimouslyagreedto,andcopiesorderedtobe
transmittedtotheBoardofTradeandtotheassembliesoftheseveralprovinces.Itsfatewas
singular:theassembliesdidnotadoptit,astheyallthoughttherewastoomuchprerogativeinit,and
inEnglanditwasjudg'dtohavetoomuchofthedemocratic.
TheBoardofTradethereforedidnotapproveofit,norrecommenditfortheapprobationofhis
majesty;butanotherschemewasform'd,supposedtoanswerthesamepurposebetter,wherebythe
governorsoftheprovinces,withsomemembersoftheirrespectivecouncils,weretomeetandorder
theraisingoftroops,buildingofforts,etc.,andtodrawonthetreasuryofGreatBritainforthe
expense,whichwasafterwardstoberefundedbyanactofParliamentlayingataxonAmerica.My
plan,withmyreasonsinsupportofit,istobefoundamongmypoliticalpapersthatareprinted.
BeingthewinterfollowinginBoston,IhadmuchconversationwithGovernorShirleyuponboththe
plans.Partofwhatpassedbetweenusontheoccasionmayalsobeseenamongthosepapers.The
differentandcontraryreasonsofdisliketomyplanmakesmesuspectthatitwasreallythetrue
medium;andIamstillofopinionitwouldhavebeenhappyforbothsidesthewaterifithadbeen
adopted.Thecolonies,sounited,wouldhavebeensufficientlystrongtohavedefendedthemselves;
therewouldthenhavebeennoneedoftroopsfromEngland;ofcourse,thesubsequentpretencefor
taxingAmerica,andthebloodycontestitoccasioned,wouldhavebeenavoided.Butsuchmistakes
arenotnew;historyisfulloftheerrorsofstatesandprinces.
Lookroundthehabitableworld,howfewKnowtheirowngood,or,knowingit,pursue!
Thosewhogovern,havingmuchbusinessontheirhands,donotgenerallyliketotakethetroubleof
consideringandcarryingintoexecutionnewprojects.Thebestpublicmeasuresarethereforeseldom
adoptedfrompreviouswisdom,butforc'dbytheoccasion.
TheGovernorofPennsylvania,insendingitdowntotheAssembly,express'dhisapprobationofthe
plan,"asappearingtohimtobedrawnupwithgreatclearnessandstrengthofjudgment,and
thereforerecommendeditaswellworthyoftheirclosestandmostseriousattention."TheHouse,
however,bythemanagementofacertainmember,tookitupwhenIhappen'dtobeabsent,whichI
thoughtnotveryfair,andreprobateditwithoutpayinganyattentiontoitatall,tomynosmall
mortification.
InmyjourneytoBostonthisyear,ImetatNewYorkwithournewgovernor,Mr.Morris,just
arriv'dtherefromEngland,withwhomIhadbeenbeforeintimatelyacquainted.Hebroughta
commissiontosupersedeMr.Hamilton,who,tir'dwiththedisputeshisproprietaryinstructions
subjectedhimto,hadresign'd.Mr.Morrisask'dmeifIthoughthemustexpectasuncomfortablean

administration.Isaid,"No;youmay,onthecontrary,haveaverycomfortableone,ifyouwillonly
takecarenottoenterintoanydisputewiththeAssembly.""Mydearfriend,"sayshe,pleasantly,
"howcanyouadvisemyavoidingdisputes?YouknowIlovedisputing;itisoneofmygreatest
pleasures;however,toshowtheregardIhaveforyourcounsel,IpromiseyouIwill,ifpossible,avoid
them."Hehadsomereasonforlovingtodispute,beingeloquent,anacutesophister,and,therefore,
generallysuccessfulinargumentativeconversation.Hehadbeenbroughtuptoitfromaboy,his
father,asIhaveheard,accustominghischildrentodisputewithoneanotherforhisdiversion,while
sittingattableafterdinner;butIthinkthepracticewasnotwise;for,inthecourseofmy
observation,thesedisputing,contradicting,andconfutingpeoplearegenerallyunfortunateintheir
affairs.Theygetvictorysometimes,buttheynevergetgoodwill,whichwouldbeofmoreuseto
them.Weparted,hegoingtoPhiladelphia,andItoBoston.
Inreturning,ImetatNewYorkwiththevotesoftheAssembly,bywhichitappear'dthat,
notwithstandinghispromisetome,heandtheHousewerealreadyinhighcontention;anditwasa
continualbattlebetweenthemaslongasheretain'dthegovernment.Ihadmyshareofit;for,as
soonasIgotbacktomyseatintheAssembly,Iwasputoneverycommitteeforansweringhis
speechesandmessages,andbythecommitteesalwaysdesiredtomakethedrafts.Ouranswers,as
wellashismessages,wereoftentart,andsometimesindecentlyabusive;and,asheknewIwrotefor
theAssembly,onemighthaveimaginedthat,whenwemet,wecouldhardlyavoidcuttingthroats;
buthewassogoodnatur'damanthatnopersonaldifferencebetweenhimandmewasoccasion'dby
thecontest,andweoftendin'dtogether.
Oneafternoon,intheheightofthispublicquarrel,wemetinthestreet."Franklin,"sayshe,"you
mustgohomewithmeandspendtheevening;Iamtohavesomecompanythatyouwilllike;"and,
takingmebythearm,heledmetohishouse.Ingayconversationoverourwine,aftersupper,hetold
us,jokingly,thathemuchadmir'dtheideaofSanchoPanza,who,whenitwasproposedtogivehim
agovernment,requesteditmightbeagovernmentofblacks,asthen,ifhecouldnotagreewithhis
people,hemightsellthem.Oneofhisfriends,whosatnexttome,says,"Franklin,whydoyou
continuetosidewiththesedamn'dQuakers?Hadnotyoubettersellthem?Theproprietorwould
giveyouagoodprice.""Thegovernor,"saysI,"hasnotyetblackedthemenough."He,indeed,had
laboredhardtoblackentheAssemblyinallhismessages,buttheywip'doffhiscoloringasfastashe
laiditon,andplac'dit,inreturn,thickuponhisownface;sothat,findinghewaslikelytobe
negrofiedhimself,he,aswellasMr.Hamilton,grewtir'dofthecontest,andquittedthegovernment.
<13>Thesepublicquarrelswereallatbottomowingtotheproprietaries,ourhereditarygovernors,
who,whenanyexpensewastobeincurredforthedefenseoftheirprovince,withincredible
meannessinstructedtheirdeputiestopassnoactforlevyingthenecessarytaxes,unlesstheirvast
estateswereinthesameactexpresslyexcused;andtheyhadeventakenbondsofthesedeputiesto
observesuchinstructions.TheAssembliesforthreeyearsheldoutagainstthisinjustice,tho'
constrainedtobendatlast.AtlengthCaptainDenny,whowasGovernorMorris'ssuccessor,
venturedtodisobeythoseinstructions;howthatwasbroughtaboutIshallshowhereafter.
<13>MyactsinMorris'stime,military,etc.[Marg.note.]
ButIamgotforwardtoofastwithmystory:therearestillsometransactionstobemention'dthat
happenedduringtheadministrationofGovernorMorris.
WarbeinginamannercommencedwithFrance,thegovernmentofMassachusettsBayprojectedan
attackuponCrownPoint,andsentMr.QuincytoPennsylvania,andMr.Pownall,afterward

GovernorPownall,toNewYork,tosolicitassistance.AsIwasintheAssembly,knewitstemper,and
wasMr.Quincy'scountryman,heappli'dtomeformyinfluenceandassistance.Idictatedhis
addresstothem,whichwaswellreceiv'd.Theyvotedanaidoftenthousandpounds,tobelaidoutin
provisions.Butthegovernorrefusinghisassenttotheirbill(whichincludedthiswithothersums
grantedfortheuseofthecrown),unlessaclausewereinsertedexemptingtheproprietaryestate
frombearinganypartofthetaxthatwouldbenecessary,theAssembly,tho'verydesirousofmaking
theirgranttoNewEnglandeffectual,wereatalosshowtoaccomplishit.Mr.Quincylaboredhard
withthegovernortoobtainhisassent,buthewasobstinate.
Ithensuggestedamethodofdoingthebusinesswithoutthegovernor,byordersonthetrusteesofthe
LoanOffice,which,bylaw,theAssemblyhadtherightofdrawing.Therewas,indeed,littleorno
moneyatthattimeintheoffice,andthereforeIpropos'dthattheordersshouldbepayableinayear,
andtobearaninterestoffivepercent.WiththeseordersIsuppos'dtheprovisionsmighteasilybe
purchas'd.TheAssembly,withverylittlehesitation,adoptedtheproposal.Theorderswere
immediatelyprinted,andIwasoneofthecommitteedirectedtosignanddisposeofthem.Thefund
forpayingthemwastheinterestofallthepapercurrencythenextantintheprovinceuponloan,
togetherwiththerevenuearisingfromtheexcise,whichbeingknowntobemorethansufficient,they
obtain'dinstantcredit,andwerenotonlyreceiv'dinpaymentfortheprovisions,butmanymoney'd
people,whohadcashlyingbythem,vesteditinthoseorders,whichtheyfoundadvantageous,as
theyboreinterestwhileuponhand,andmightonanyoccasionbeusedasmoney;sothattheywere
eagerlyallboughtup,andinafewweeksnoneofthemweretobeseen.Thusthisimportantaffair
wasbymymeanscompleated.MyQuincyreturn'dthankstotheAssemblyinahandsomememorial,
wenthomehighlypleas'dwiththesuccessofhisembassy,andeverafterboreformethemostcordial
andaffectionatefriendship.
TheBritishgovernment,notchusingtopermittheunionofthecoloniesaspropos'datAlbany,and
totrustthatunionwiththeirdefense,lesttheyshouldtherebygrowtoomilitary,andfeeltheirown
strength,suspicionsandjealousiesatthistimebeingentertain'dofthem,sentoverGeneral
BraddockwithtworegimentsofregularEnglishtroopsforthatpurpose.HelandedatAlexandria,in
Virginia,andthencemarch'dtoFrederictown,inMaryland,wherehehaltedforcarriages.Our
Assemblyapprehending,fromsomeinformation,thathehadconceivedviolentprejudicesagainst
them,asaversetotheservice,wish'dmetowaituponhim,notasfromthem,butaspostmaster
general,undertheguiseofproposingtosettlewithhimthemodeofconductingwithmostcelerity
andcertaintythedespatchesbetweenhimandthegovernorsoftheseveralprovinces,withwhomhe
mustnecessarilyhavecontinualcorrespondence,andofwhichtheypropos'dtopaytheexpense.My
sonaccompaniedmeonthisjourney.
WefoundthegeneralatFrederictown,waitingimpatientlyforthereturnofthosehehadsentthro'
thebackpartsofMarylandandVirginiatocollectwaggons.Istayedwithhimseveraldays,din'd
withhimdaily,andhadfullopportunityofremovingallhisprejudices,bytheinformationofwhat
theAssemblyhadbeforehisarrivalactuallydone,andwerestillwillingtodo,tofacilitatehis
operations.WhenIwasabouttodepart,thereturnsofwaggonstobeobtainedwerebroughtin,by
whichitappear'dthattheyamountedonlytotwentyfive,andnotallofthosewereinserviceable
condition.Thegeneralandalltheofficersweresurpris'd,declar'dtheexpeditionwasthenatanend,
beingimpossible,andexclaim'dagainsttheministersforignorantlylandingtheminacountry
destituteofthemeansofconveyingtheirstores,baggage,etc.,notlessthanonehundredandfifty
waggonsbeingnecessary.

IhappenedtosayIthoughtitwasapitytheyhadnotbeenlandedratherinPennsylvania,asinthat
countryalmosteveryfarmerhadhiswaggon.Thegeneraleagerlylaidholdofmywords,andsaid,
"Thenyou,sir,whoareamanofinterestthere,canprobablyprocurethemforus;andIbegyouwill
undertakeit."Iask'dwhattermsweretobeoffer'dtheownersofthewaggons;andIwasdesir'dto
putonpaperthetermsthatappearedtomenecessary.ThisIdid,andtheywereagreedto,anda
commissionandinstructionsaccordinglyprepar'dimmediately.Whatthosetermswerewillappear
intheadvertisementIpublish'dassoonasIarriv'datLancaster,whichbeing,fromthegreatand
suddeneffectitproduc'd,apieceofsomecuriosity,Ishallinsertitatlength,asfollows:
"ADVERTISEMENT.
"LANCASTER,April26,1755.
"Whereas,onehundredandfiftywaggons,withfourhorsestoeachwaggon,andfifteenhundred
saddleorpackhorses,arewantedfortheserviceofhismajesty'sforcesnowabouttorendezvousat
Will'sCreek,andhisexcellencyGeneralBraddockhavingbeenpleasedtoempowermetocontract
forthehireofthesame,IherebygivenoticethatIshallattendforthatpurposeatLancasterfrom
thisdaytonextWednesdayevening,andatYorkfromnextThursdaymorningtillFridayevening,
whereIshallbereadytoagreeforwaggonsandteams,orsinglehorses,onthefollowingterms,viz.:
I.Thatthereshallbepaidforeachwaggon,withfourgoodhorsesandadriver,fifteenshillingsper
diem;andforeachablehorsewithapacksaddle,orothersaddleandfurniture,twoshillingsper
diem;andforeachablehorsewithoutasaddle,eighteenpenceperdiem.2.Thatthepaycommence
fromthetimeoftheirjoiningtheforcesatWill'sCreek,whichmustbeonorbeforethe20thofMay
ensuing,andthatareasonableallowancebepaidoverandaboveforthetimenecessaryfortheir
travellingtoWill'sCreekandhomeagainaftertheirdischarge.3.Eachwaggonandteam,andevery
saddleorpackhorse,istobevaluedbyindifferentpersonschosenbetweenmeandtheowner;andin
caseofthelossofanywaggon,team,orotherhorseintheservice,thepriceaccordingtosuch
valuationistobeallowedandpaid.4.Sevendays'payistobeadvancedandpaidinhandbymeto
theownerofeachwaggonandteam,orhorse,atthetimeofcontracting,ifrequired,andthe
remaindertobepaidbyGeneralBraddock,orbythepaymasterofthearmy,atthetimeoftheir
discharge,orfromtimetotime,asitshallbedemanded.5.Nodriversofwaggons,orpersonstaking
careofthehiredhorses,areonanyaccounttobecalledupontodothedutyofsoldiers,orbe
otherwiseemployedthaninconductingortakingcareoftheircarriagesorhorses.6.Alloats,Indian
corn,orotherforagethatwaggonsorhorsesbringtothecamp,morethanisnecessaryforthe
subsistenceofthehorses,istobetakenfortheuseofthearmy,andareasonablepricepaidforthe
same.
"Note.Myson,WilliamFranklin,isempoweredtoenterintolikecontractswithanypersonin
Cumberlandcounty."B.FRANKLIN."
"TotheinhabitantsoftheCountiesofLancaster,YorkandCumberland.
"FriendsandCountrymen,
"BeingoccasionallyatthecampatFredericafewdayssince,Ifoundthegeneralandofficers
extremelyexasperatedonaccountoftheirnotbeingsuppliedwithhorsesandcarriages,whichhad
beenexpectedfromthisprovince,asmostabletofurnishthem;but,throughthedissensionsbetween
ourgovernorandAssembly,moneyhadnotbeenprovided,noranystepstakenforthatpurpose.

"Itwasproposedtosendanarmedforceimmediatelyintothesecounties,toseizeasmanyofthebest
carriagesandhorsesasshouldbewanted,andcompelasmanypersonsintotheserviceaswouldbe
necessarytodriveandtakecareofthem.
"IapprehendedthattheprogressofBritishsoldiersthroughthesecountiesonsuchanoccasion,
especiallyconsideringthetempertheyarein,andtheirresentmentagainstus,wouldbeattended
withmanyandgreatinconveniencestotheinhabitants,andthereforemorewillinglytookthetrouble
oftryingfirstwhatmightbedonebyfairandequitablemeans.Thepeopleofthesebackcounties
havelatelycomplainedtotheAssemblythatasufficientcurrencywaswanting;youhavean
opportunityofreceivinganddividingamongyouaveryconsiderablesum;for,iftheserviceofthis
expeditionshouldcontinue,asitismorethanprobableitwill,foronehundredandtwentydays,the
hireofthesewaggonsandhorseswillamounttoupwardofthirtythousandpounds,whichwillbe
paidyouinsilverandgoldoftheking'smoney.
"Theservicewillbelightandeasy,forthearmywillscarcemarchabovetwelvemilesperday,and
thewaggonsandbaggagehorses,astheycarrythosethingsthatareabsolutelynecessarytothe
welfareofthearmy,mustmarchwiththearmy,andnofaster;andare,forthearmy'ssake,always
placedwheretheycanbemostsecure,whetherinamarchorinacamp.
"Ifyouarereally,asIbelieveyouare,goodandloyalsubjectstohismajesty,youmaynowdoamost
acceptableservice,andmakeiteasytoyourselves;forthreeorfourofsuchascannotseparately
sparefromthebusinessoftheirplantationsawaggonandfourhorsesandadriver,maydoit
together,onefurnishingthewaggon,anotheroneortwohorses,andanotherthedriver,anddivide
thepayproportionatelybetweenyou;butifyoudonotthisservicetoyourkingandcountry
voluntarily,whensuchgoodpayandreasonabletermsareofferedtoyou,yourloyaltywillbe
stronglysuspected.Theking'sbusinessmustbedone;somanybravetroops,comesofarforyour
defense,mustnotstandidlethroughyourbackwardnesstodowhatmaybereasonablyexpected
fromyou;waggonsandhorsesmustbehad;violentmeasureswillprobablybeused,andyouwillbe
lefttoseekforarecompensewhereyoucanfindit,andyourcase,perhaps,belittlepitiedor
regarded.
"Ihavenoparticularinterestinthisaffair,as,exceptthesatisfactionofendeavoringtodogood,I
shallhaveonlymylabourformypains.Ifthismethodofobtainingthewaggonsandhorsesisnot
likelytosucceed,Iamobligedtosendwordtothegeneralinfourteendays;andIsupposeSirJohn
St.Clair,thehussar,withabodyofsoldiers,willimmediatelyentertheprovinceforthepurpose,
whichIshallbesorrytohear,becauseIamverysincerelyandtrulyyourfriendandwellwisher,B.
FRANKLIN."
Ireceivedofthegeneralabouteighthundredpounds,tobedisbursedinadvancemoneytothe
waggonowners,etc.;but,thatsumbeinginsufficient,Iadvanc'dupwardoftwohundredpounds
more,andintwoweekstheonehundredandfiftywaggons,withtwohundredandfiftyninecarrying
horses,wereontheirmarchforthecamp.Theadvertisementpromisedpaymentaccordingtothe
valuation,incaseanywaggonorhorseshouldbelost.Theowners,however,allegingtheydidnot
knowGeneralBraddock,orwhatdependencemightbehadonhispromise,insistedonmybondfor
theperformance,whichIaccordinglygavethem.
WhileIwasatthecamp,suppingoneeveningwiththeofficersofColonelDunbar'sregiment,he
representedtomehisconcernforthesubalterns,who,hesaid,weregenerallynotinaffluence,and
couldillafford,inthisdearcountry,tolayinthestoresthatmightbenecessaryinsolongamarch,

thro'awilderness,wherenothingwastobepurchas'd.Icommiseratedtheircase,andresolvedto
endeavorprocuringthemsomerelief.Isaidnothing,however,tohimofmyintention,butwrotethe
nextmorningtothecommitteeoftheAssembly,whohadthedispositionofsomepublicmoney,
warmlyrecommendingthecaseoftheseofficerstotheirconsideration,andproposingthatapresent
shouldbesentthemofnecessariesandrefreshments.Myson,whohadsomeexperienceofacamp
life,andofitswants,drewupalistforme,whichIenclos'dinmyletter.Thecommitteeapprov'd,
andusedsuchdiligencethat,conductedbymyson,thestoresarrivedatthecampassoonasthe
waggons.Theyconsistedoftwentyparcels,eachcontaining
6lbs.loafsugar.
1Gloucestercheese.
6lbs.goodMuscovadodo.
1keggcontaining20lbs.good1lb.goodgreentea.
butter.
1lb.goodboheado.
2doz.oldMadeirawine.
6lbs.goodgroundcoffee.
2gallonsJamaicaspirits.
6lbs.chocolate.
1bottleflourofmustard.
12cwt.bestwhitebiscuit.
2wellcur'dhams.
12lb.pepper.
12dozendry'dtongues.
1quartbestwhitewinevinegar
6lbs.rice.
6lbs.raisins.
Thesetwentyparcels,wellpack'd,wereplacedonasmanyhorses,eachparcel,withthehorse,being
intendedasapresentforoneofficer.Theywereverythankfullyreceiv'd,andthekindness
acknowledg'dbyletterstomefromthecolonelsofbothregiments,inthemostgratefulterms.The
general,too,washighlysatisfiedwithmyconductinprocuringhimthewaggons,etc.,andreadily
paidmyaccountofdisbursements,thankingmerepeatedly,andrequestingmyfartherassistancein
sendingprovisionsafterhim.Iundertookthisalso,andwasbusilyemploy'dinittillweheardofhis
defeat,advancingfortheserviceofmyownmoney,upwardsofonethousandpoundssterling,of
whichIsenthimanaccount.Itcametohishands,luckilyforme,afewdaysbeforethebattle,andhe
return'dmeimmediatelyanorderonthepaymasterfortheroundsumofonethousandpounds,
leavingtheremaindertothenextaccount.Iconsiderthispaymentasgoodluck,havingneverbeen
abletoobtainthatremainder,ofwhichmorehereafter.
Thisgeneralwas,Ithink,abraveman,andmightprobablyhavemadeafigureasagoodofficerin
someEuropeanwar.Buthehadtoomuchselfconfidence,toohighanopinionofthevalidityof
regulartroops,andtoomeanaoneofbothAmericansandIndians.GeorgeCroghan,ourIndian
interpreter,join'dhimonhismarchwithonehundredofthosepeople,whomighthavebeenofgreat
usetohisarmyasguides,scouts,etc.,ifhehadtreatedthemkindly;butheslightedandneglected
them,andtheygraduallylefthim.
Inconversationwithhimoneday,hewasgivingmesomeaccountofhisintendedprogress."After
takingFortDuquesne,"sayshe,"IamtoproceedtoNiagara;and,havingtakenthat,toFrontenac,

iftheseasonwillallowtime;andIsupposeitwill,forDuquesnecanhardlydetainmeabovethreeor
fourdays;andthenIseenothingthatcanobstructmymarchtoNiagara."Havingbeforerevolv'din
mymindthelonglinehisarmymustmakeintheirmarchbyaverynarrowroad,tobecutforthem
thro'thewoodsandbushes,andalsowhatIhadreadofaformerdefeatoffifteenhundredFrench,
whoinvadedtheIroquoiscountry,Ihadconceiv'dsomedoubtsandsomefearsfortheeventofthe
campaign.ButIventur'donlytosay,"Tobesure,sir,ifyouarrivewellbeforeDuquesne,withthese
finetroops,sowellprovidedwithartillery,thatplacenotyetcompleatlyfortified,andaswehear
withnoverystronggarrison,canprobablymakebutashortresistance.TheonlydangerI
apprehendofobstructiontoyourmarchisfromambuscadesofIndians,who,byconstantpractice,
aredexterousinlayingandexecutingthem;andtheslenderline,nearfourmileslong,whichyour
armymustmake,mayexposeittobeattack'dbysurpriseinitsflanks,andtobecutlikeathread
intoseveralpieces,which,fromtheirdistance,cannotcomeupintimetosupporteachother."
Hesmil'datmyignorance,andreply'd,"Thesesavagesmay,indeed,beaformidableenemytoyour
rawAmericanmilitia,butupontheking'sregularanddisciplin'dtroops,sir,itisimpossiblethey
shouldmakeanyimpression."Iwasconsciousofanimproprietyinmydisputingwithamilitary
maninmattersofhisprofession,andsaidnomore.Theenemy,however,didnottaketheadvantage
ofhisarmywhichIapprehendeditslonglineofmarchexpos'ditto,butletitadvancewithout
interruptiontillwithinninemilesoftheplace;andthen,whenmoreinabody(forithadjustpassed
ariver,wherethefronthadhaltedtillallwerecomeover),andinamoreopenpartofthewoods
thananyithadpass'd,attack'ditsadvancedguardbyaheavyfirefrombehindtreesandbushes,
whichwasthefirstintelligencethegeneralhadofanenemy'sbeingnearhim.Thisguardbeing
disordered,thegeneralhurriedthetroopsuptotheirassistance,whichwasdoneingreatconfusion,
thro'waggons,baggage,andcattle;andpresentlythefirecameupontheirflank:theofficers,being
onhorseback,weremoreeasilydistinguish'd,pick'doutasmarks,andfellveryfast;andthesoldiers
werecrowdedtogetherinahuddle,havingorhearingnoorders,andstandingtobeshotattilltwo
thirdsofthemwerekilled;andthen,beingseiz'dwithapanick,thewholefledwithprecipitation.
Thewaggonerstookeachahorseoutofhisteamandscamper'd;theirexamplewasimmediately
followedbyothers;sothatallthewaggons,provisions,artillery,andstoreswerelefttotheenemy.
Thegeneral,beingwounded,wasbroughtoffwithdifficulty;hissecretary,Mr.Shirley,waskilledby
hisside;andoutofeightysixofficers,sixtythreewerekilledorwounded,andsevenhundredand
fourteenmenkilledoutofelevenhundred.Theseelevenhundredhadbeenpickedmenfromthe
wholearmy;theresthadbeenleftbehindwithColonelDunbar,whowastofollowwiththeheavier
partofthestores,provisions,andbaggage.Theflyers,notbeingpursu'd,arriv'datDunbar'scamp,
andthepanicktheybroughtwiththeminstantlyseiz'dhimandallhispeople;and,tho'hehadnow
aboveonethousandmen,andtheenemywhobadbeatenBraddockdidnotatmostexceedfour
hundredIndiansandFrenchtogether,insteadofproceeding,andendeavoringtorecoversomeofthe
losthonour,heorderedallthestores,ammunition,etc.,tobedestroy'd,thathemighthavemore
horsestoassisthisflighttowardsthesettlements,andlesslumbertoremove.Hewastheremetwith
requestsfromthegovernorsofVirginia,Maryland,andPennsylvania,thathewouldposthistroops
onthefrontiers,soastoaffordsomeprotectiontotheinhabitants;buthecontinu'dhishastymarch
thro'allthecountry,notthinkinghimselfsafetillhearriv'datPhiladelphia,wheretheinhabitants
couldprotecthim.ThiswholetransactiongaveusAmericansthefirstsuspicionthatourexalted
ideasoftheprowessofBritishregularshadnotbeenwellfounded.
Intheirfirstmarch,too,fromtheirlandingtilltheygotbeyondthesettlements,theyhadplundered
andstrippedtheinhabitants,totallyruiningsomepoorfamilies,besidesinsulting,abusing,and
confiningthepeopleiftheyremonstrated.Thiswasenoughtoputusoutofconceitofsuchdefenders,

ifwehadreallywantedany.HowdifferentwastheconductofourFrenchfriendsin1781,who,
duringamarchthro'themostinhabitedpartofourcountryfromRhodeIslandtoVirginia,near
sevenhundredmiles,occasionednotthesmallestcomplaintforthelossofapig,achicken,orevenan
apple.
CaptainOrme,whowasoneofthegeneral'saidsdecamp,and,beinggrievouslywounded,was
broughtoffwithhim,andcontinu'dwithhimtohisdeath,whichhappen'dinafewdays,toldme
thathewastotallysilentallthefirstday,andatnightonlysaid,"Whowouldhavethoughtit?"That
hewassilentagainthefollowingday,sayingonlyatlast,"Weshallbetterknowhowtodealwith
themanothertime;"anddy'dinafewminutesafter.
Thesecretary'spapers,withallthegeneral'sorders,instructions,andcorrespondence,fallinginto
theenemy'shands,theyselectedandtranslatedintoFrenchanumberofthearticles,whichthey
printed,toprovethehostileintentionsoftheBritishcourtbeforethedeclarationofwar.Among
theseIsawsomelettersofthegeneraltotheministry,speakinghighlyofthegreatserviceIhad
renderedthearmy,andrecommendingmetotheirnotice.DavidHume,too,whowassomeyears
aftersecretarytoLordHertford,whenministerinFrance,andafterwardtoGeneralConway,when
secretaryofstate,toldmehehadseenamongthepapersinthatoffice,lettersfromBraddockhighly
recommendingme.But,theexpeditionhavingbeenunfortunate,myservice,itseems,wasnot
thoughtofmuchvalue,forthoserecommendationswereneverofanyusetome.
Astorewardsfromhimself,Iask'donlyone,whichwas,thathewouldgiveorderstohisofficersnot
toenlistanymoreofourboughtservants,andthathewoulddischargesuchashadbeenalready
enlisted.Thishereadilygranted,andseveralwereaccordinglyreturn'dtotheirmasters,onmy
application.Dunbar,whenthecommanddevolv'donhim,wasnotsogenerous.Hebeingat
Philadelphia,onhisretreat,orratherflight,Iapply'dtohimforthedischargeoftheservantsof
threepoorfarmersofLancastercountythathehadenlisted,remindinghimofthelategeneral's
ordersonthatbead.Hepromisedmethat,ifthemasterswouldcometohimatTrenton,wherehe
shouldbeinafewdaysonhismarchtoNewYork,hewouldtheredelivertheirmentothem.They
accordinglywereattheexpenseandtroubleofgoingtoTrenton,andthereherefus'dtoperformhis
promise,totheirgreatlossanddisappointment.
Assoonasthelossofthewaggonsandhorseswasgenerallyknown,alltheownerscameuponmefor
thevaluationwhichIhadgivenbondtopay.Theirdemandsgavemeagreatdealoftrouble,my
acquaintingthemthatthemoneywasreadyinthepaymaster'shands,butthatordersforpayingit
mustfirstbeobtainedfromGeneralShirley,andmyassuringthemthatIhadapply'dtothatgeneral
byletter;but,hebeingatadistance,ananswercouldnotsoonbereceiv'd,andtheymusthave
patience,allthiswasnotsufficienttosatisfy,andsomebegantosueme.GeneralShirleyatlength
relievedmefromthisterriblesituationbyappointingcommissionerstoexaminetheclaims,and
orderingpayment.Theyamountedtoneartwentythousandpound,whichtopaywouldhaveruined
me.
Beforewehadthenewsofthisdefeat,thetwoDoctorsBondcametomewithasubscriptionpaper
forraisingmoneytodefraytheexpenseofagrandfirework,whichitwasintendedtoexhibitata
rejoicingonreceiptofthenewsofourtakingFortDuquesne.Ilookedgrave,andsaiditwould,I
thought,betimeenoughtopreparefortherejoicingwhenweknewweshouldhaveoccasionto
rejoice.Theyseem'dsurpris'dthatIdidnotimmediatelycomplywiththeirproposal."Whythed
l!"saysoneofthem,"yousurelydon'tsupposethatthefortwillnotbetaken?""Idon'tknowthatit
willnotbetaken,butIknowthattheeventsofwararesubjecttogreatuncertainty."Igavethemthe

reasonsofmydoubting;thesubscriptionwasdropt,andtheprojectorstherebymissedthe
mortificationtheywouldhaveundergoneifthefireworkhadbeenprepared.Dr.Bond,onsome
otheroccasionafterward,saidthathedidnotlikeFranklin'sforebodings.
GovernorMorris,whohadcontinuallyworriedtheAssemblywithmessageaftermessagebeforethe
defeatofBraddock,tobeatthemintothemakingofactstoraisemoneyforthedefenseofthe
province,withouttaxing,amongothers,theproprietaryestates,andhadrejectedalltheirbillsfor
nothavingsuchanexemptingclause,nowredoubledhisattackswithmorehopeofsuccess,the
dangerandnecessitybeinggreater.TheAssembly,however,continu'dfirm,believingtheyhad
justiceontheirside,andthatitwouldbegivingupanessentialrightiftheysufferedthegovernorto
amendtheirmoneybills.Inoneofthelast,indeed,whichwasforgrantingfiftythousandpounds,his
propos'damendmentwasonlyofasingleword.Thebillexpressed"thatallestates,realand
personal,weretobetaxed,thoseoftheproprietariesnotexcepted."Hisamendmentwas,fornot
readonly:asmall,butverymaterialalteration.However,whenthenewsofthisdisasterreached
England,ourfriendsthere,whomwehadtakencaretofurnishwithalltheAssembly'sanswersto
thegovernor'smessages,rais'daclamoragainsttheproprietariesfortheirmeannessandinjusticein
givingtheirgovernorsuchinstructions;somegoingsofarastosaythat,byobstructingthedefenseof
theirprovince,theyforfeitedtheirrighttoit.Theywereintimidatedbythis,andsentorderstotheir
receivergeneraltoaddfivethousandpoundsoftheirmoneytowhateversummightbegivenbythe
Assemblyforsuchpurpose.
This,beingnotifiedtotheHouse,wasacceptedinlieuoftheirshareofageneraltax,andanewbill
wasform'd,withanexemptingclause,whichpassedaccordingly.BythisactIwasappointedoneof
thecommissionersfordisposingofthemoney,sixtythousandpounds.Ihadbeenactiveinmodelling
thebillandprocuringitspassage,andhad,atthesametime,drawnabillforestablishingand
discipliningofavoluntarymilitia,whichIcarriedthro'theHousewithoutmuchdifficulty,ascare
wastakeninittoleavetheQuakersattheirliberty.Topromotetheassociationnecessarytoformthe
militia,Iwroteadialogue,<14>statingandansweringalltheobjectionsIcouldthinkoftosucha
militia,whichwasprinted,andhad,asIthought,greateffect.
<14>Thisdialogueandthemilitiaactareinthe"Gentleman'sMagazine"forFebruaryandMarch,
1756.[Marg.note.]
Whiletheseveralcompaniesinthecityandcountrywereformingandlearningtheirexercise,the
governorprevail'dwithmetotakechargeofourNorthwesternfrontier,whichwasinfestedbythe
enemy,andprovideforthedefenseoftheinhabitantsbyraisingtroopsandbuildingalineofforts.I
undertookthismilitarybusiness,tho'Ididnotconceivemyselfwellqualifiedforit.Hegavemea
commissionwithfullpowers,andaparcelofblankcommissionsforofficers,tobegiventowhomI
thoughtfit.Ihadbutlittledifficultyinraisingmen,havingsoonfivehundredandsixtyundermy
command.Myson,whohadintheprecedingwarbeenanofficerinthearmyrais'dagainstCanada,
wasmyaiddecamp,andofgreatusetome.TheIndianshadburnedGnadenhut,avillagesettledby
theMoravians,andmassacredtheinhabitants;buttheplacewasthoughtagoodsituationforoneof
theforts.
Inordertomarchthither,IassembledthecompaniesatBethlehem,thechiefestablishmentofthose
people.Iwassurprisedtofinditinsogoodapostureofdefense;thedestructionofGnadenhuthad
madethemapprehenddanger.Theprincipalbuildingsweredefendedbyastockade;theyhad
purchasedaquantityofarmsandammunitionfromNewYork,andhadevenplac'dquantitiesof
smallpavingstonesbetweenthewindowsoftheirhighstonehouses,fortheirwomentothrowdown

upontheheadsofanyIndiansthatshouldattempttoforceintothem.Thearmedbrethren,too,kept
watch,andreliev'dasmethodicallyasinanygarrisontown.Inconversationwiththebishop,
Spangenberg,Imention'dthismysurprise;for,knowingtheyhadobtainedanactofParliament
exemptingthemfrommilitarydutiesinthecolonies,Ihadsuppos'dtheywereconscientiously
scrupulousofbearingarms.Heanswer'dmethatitwasnotoneoftheirestablishedprinciples,but
that,atthetimeoftheirobtainingthatact,itwasthoughttobeaprinciplewithmanyoftheirpeople.
Onthisoccasion,however,they,totheirsurprise,founditadoptedbybutafew.Itseemstheywere
eitherdeceiv'dinthemselves,ordeceiv'dtheParliament;butcommonsense,aidedbypresent
danger,willsometimesbetoostrongforwhimsicalopinions.
ItwasthebeginningofJanuarywhenwesetoutuponthisbusinessofbuildingforts.Isentone
detachmenttowardtheMinisink,withinstructionstoerectoneforthesecurityofthatupperpartof
thecountry,andanothertothelowerpart,withsimilarinstructions;andIconcludedtogomyself
withtherestofmyforcetoGnadenhut,whereafortwastho'tmoreimmediatelynecessary.The
Moraviansprocur'dmefivewaggonsforourtools,stores,baggage,etc.
JustbeforeweleftBethlehem,elevenfarmers,whohadbeendrivenfromtheirplantationsbythe
Indians,cametomerequestingasupplyoffirearms,thattheymightgobackandfetchofftheir
cattle.Igavethemeachagunwithsuitableammunition.Wehadnotmarch'dmanymilesbeforeit
begantorain,anditcontinuedrainingallday;therewerenohabitationsontheroadtoshelterus,
tillwearriv'dnearnightatthehouseofaGerman,where,andinhisbarn,wewereallhuddled
together,aswetaswatercouldmakeus.Itwaswellwewerenotattack'dinourmarch,forourarms
wereofthemostordinarysort,andourmencouldnotkeeptheirgunlocksdry.TheIndiansare
dextrousincontrivancesforthatpurpose,whichwehadnot.Theymetthatdaytheelevenpoor
farmersabovementioned,andkilledtenofthem.Theonewhoescap'dinform'dthathisandhis
companions'gunswouldnotgooff,theprimingbeingwetwiththerain.
Thenextdaybeingfair,wecontinu'dourmarch,andarriv'datthedesolatedGnadenhut.Therewas
asawmillnear,roundwhichwereleftseveralpilesofboards,withwhichwesoonhuttedourselves;
anoperationthemorenecessaryatthatinclementseason,aswehadnotents.Ourfirstworkwasto
burymoreeffectuallythedeadwefoundthere,whohadbeenhalfinterr'dbythecountrypeople.
Thenextmorningourfortwasplann'dandmark'dout,thecircumferencemeasuringfourhundred
andfiftyfivefeet,whichwouldrequireasmanypalisadestobemadeoftrees,onewithanother,ofa
footdiametereach.Ouraxes,ofwhichwehadseventy,wereimmediatelysettoworktocutdown
trees,and,ourmenbeingdextrousintheuseofthem,greatdespatchwasmade.Seeingthetreesfall
sofast,Ihadthecuriositytolookatmywatchwhentwomenbegantocutatapine;insixminutes
theyhaditupontheground,andIfounditoffourteeninchesdiameter.Eachpinemadethree
palisadesofeighteenfeetlong,pointedatoneend.Whilethesewerepreparing,ourothermenduga
trenchallround,ofthreefeetdeep,inwhichthepalisadesweretobeplanted;and,ourwaggons,the
bodysbeingtakenoff,andtheforeandhindwheelsseparatedbytakingoutthepinwhichunitedthe
twopartsoftheperch,wehadtencarriages,withtwohorseseach,tobringthepalisadesfromthe
woodstothespot.Whentheyweresetup,ourcarpentersbuiltastageofboardsallroundwithin,
aboutsixfeethigh,forthementostandonwhentofirethro'theloopholes.Wehadoneswivelgun,
whichwemountedononeoftheangles,andfir'ditassoonasfix'd,tolettheIndiansknow,ifany
werewithinhearing,thatwehadsuchpieces;andthusourfort,ifsuchamagnificentnamemaybe
giventosomiserableastockade,wasfinish'dinaweek,thoughitrain'dsohardeveryotherdaythat
themencouldnotwork.

Thisgavemeoccasiontoobserve,that,whenmenareemploy'd,theyarebestcontent'd;foronthe
daystheyworkedtheyweregoodnatur'dandcheerful,and,withtheconsciousnessofhavingdonea
goodday'swork,theyspenttheeveningjollily;butonouridledaystheyweremutinousand
quarrelsome,findingfaultwiththeirpork,thebread,etc.,andincontinualillhumor,whichputme
inmindofaseacaptain,whoseruleitwastokeephismenconstantlyatwork;and,whenhismate
oncetoldhimthattheyhaddoneeverything,andtherewasnothingfurthertoemploythemabout,
"Oh,"sayshe,"Makethemscourtheanchor."
Thiskindoffort,howevercontemptible,isasufficientdefenseagainstIndians,whohavenocannon.
Findingourselvesnowpostedsecurely,andhavingaplacetoretreattoonoccasion,weventur'dout
inpartiestoscourtheadjacentcountry.WemetwithnoIndians,butwefoundtheplacesonthe
neighboringhillswheretheyhadlaintowatchourproceedings.Therewasanartintheir
contrivanceofthoseplaces,thatseemsworthmention.Itbeingwinter,afirewasnecessaryforthem;
butacommonfireonthesurfaceofthegroundwouldbyitslighthavediscoveredtheirpositionata
distance.Theyhadthereforedugholesinthegroundaboutthreefeetdiameter,andsomewhat
deeper;wesawwheretheyhadwiththeirhatchetscutoffthecharcoalfromthesidesofburntlogs
lyinginthewoods.Withthesecoalstheyhadmadesmallfiresinthebottomoftheholes,andwe
observ'damongtheweedsandgrasstheprintsoftheirbodies,madebytheirlayingallround,with
theirlegshangingdownintheholestokeeptheirfeetwarm,which,withthem,isanessentialpoint.
Thiskindoffire,somanag'd,couldnotdiscoverthem,eitherbyitslight,flame,sparks,oreven
smoke:itappear'dthattheirnumberwasnotgreat,anditseemstheysawweweretoomanytobe
attackedbythemwithprospectofadvantage.
WehadforourchaplainazealousPresbyterianminister,Mr.Beatty,whocomplainedtomethatthe
mendidnotgenerallyattendhisprayersandexhortations.Whentheyenlisted,theywerepromised,
besidespayandprovisions,agillofrumaday,whichwaspunctuallyserv'douttothem,halfinthe
morning,andtheotherhalfintheevening;andIobserv'dtheywereaspunctualinattendingto
receiveit;uponwhichIsaidtoMr.Beatty,"Itis,perhaps,belowthedignityofyourprofessiontoact
asstewardoftherum,butifyouweretodealitoutandonlyjustafterprayers,youwouldhavethem
allaboutyou."Helikedthetho't,undertooktheoffice,and,withthehelpofafewhandstomeasure
outtheliquor,executedittosatisfaction,andneverwereprayersmoregenerallyandmore
punctuallyattended;sothatIthoughtthismethodpreferabletothepunishmentinflictedbysome
militarylawsfornonattendanceondivineservice.
Ihadhardlyfinish'dthisbusiness,andgotmyfortwellstor'dwithprovisions,whenIreceiv'da
letterfromthegovernor,acquaintingmethathehadcall'dtheAssembly,andwishedmyattendance
there,ifthepostureofaffairsonthefrontierswassuchthatmyremainingtherewasnolonger
necessary.Myfriends,too,oftheAssembly,pressingmebytheirletterstobe,ifpossible,atthe
meeting,andmythreeintendedfortsbeingnowcompleated,andtheinhabitantscontentedtoremain
ontheirfarmsunderthatprotection,Iresolvedtoreturn;themorewillingly,asaNewEngland
officer,ColonelClapham,experiencedinIndianwar,beingonavisittoourestablishment,consented
toacceptthecommand.Igavehimacommission,and,paradingthegarrison,haditreadbefore
them,andintroduc'dhimtothemasanofficerwho,fromhisskillinmilitaryaffairs,wasmuchmore
fittocommandthemthanmyself;and,givingthemalittleexhortation,tookmyleave.Iwasescorted
asfarasBethlehem,whereIrestedafewdaystorecoverfromthefatigueIhadundergone.Thefirst
night,beinginagoodbed,Icouldhardlysleep,itwassodifferentfrommyhardlodgingonthefloor
ofourhutatGnadenwraptonlyinablanketortwo.

WhileatBethlehem,Iinquir'dalittleintothepracticeoftheMoravians:someofthemhad
accompaniedme,andallwereverykindtome.Ifoundtheywork'dforacommonstock,eatat
commontables,andsleptincommondormitories,greatnumberstogether.InthedormitoriesI
observedloopholes,atcertaindistancesallalongjustundertheceiling,whichIthoughtjudiciously
placedforchangeofair.Iwasattheirchurch,whereIwasentertain'dwithgoodmusick,theorgan
beingaccompaniedwithviolins,hautboys,flutes,clarinets,etc.Iunderstoodthattheirsermonswere
notusuallypreachedtomixedcongregationsofmen,women,andchildren,asisourcommon
practice,butthattheyassembledsometimesthemarriedmen,atothertimestheirwives,thenthe
youngmen,theyoungwomen,andthelittlechildren,eachdivisionbyitself.ThesermonIheardwas
tothelatter,whocameinandwereplac'dinrowsonbenches;theboysundertheconductofayoung
man,theirtutor,andthegirlsconductedbyayoungwoman.Thediscourseseem'dwelladaptedto
theircapacities,andwasdeliver'dinapleasing,familiarmanner,coaxingthem,asitwere,tobe
good.Theybehav'dveryorderly,butlookedpaleandunhealthy,whichmademesuspecttheywere
kepttoomuchwithindoors,ornotallow'dsufficientexercise.
Iinquir'dconcerningtheMoravianmarriages,whetherthereportwastruethattheywerebylot.I
wastoldthatlotswereus'donlyinparticularcases;thatgenerally,whenayoungmanfoundhimself
dispos'dtomarry,heinform'dtheeldersofhisclass,whoconsultedtheelderladiesthatgovern'dthe
youngwomen.Astheseeldersofthedifferentsexeswerewellacquaintedwiththetempersand
dispositionsoftheirrespectivepupils,theycouldbestjudgewhatmatchesweresuitable,andtheir
judgmentsweregenerallyacquiesc'din;butif,forexample,itshouldhappenthattwoorthreeyoung
womenwerefoundtobeequallyproperfortheyoungman,thelotwasthenrecurredto.Iobjected,
ifthematchesarenotmadebythemutualchoiceoftheparties,someofthemmaychancetobevery
unhappy."Andsotheymay,"answer'dmyinformer,"ifyouletthepartieschuseforthemselves;"
which,indeed,Icouldnotdeny.
BeingreturnedtoPhiladelphia,Ifoundtheassociationwentonswimmingly,theinhabitantsthat
werenotQuakershavingprettygenerallycomeintoit,formedthemselvesintocompanies,andchose
theircaptains,lieutenants,andensigns,accordingtothenewlaw.Dr.B.visitedme,andgavemean
accountofthepainshehadtakentospreadageneralgoodlikingtothelaw,andascribedmuchto
thoseendeavors.IhadhadthevanitytoascribealltomyDialogue;however,notknowingbutthat
hemightbeintheright,Ilethimenjoyhisopinion,whichItaketobegenerallythebestwayinsuch
cases.Theofficers,meeting,chosemetobecoloneloftheregiment,whichIthistimeaccepted.I
forgethowmanycompanieswehad,butweparadedabouttwelvehundredwelllookingmen,witha
companyofartillery,whohadbeenfurnishedwithsixbrassfieldpieces,whichtheyhadbecomeso
expertintheuseofastofiretwelvetimesinaminute.ThefirsttimeIreviewedmyregimentthey
accompaniedmetomyhouse,andwouldsalutemewithsomeroundsfiredbeforemydoor,which
shookdownandbrokeseveralglassesofmyelectricalapparatus.Andmynewhonourprovednot
muchlessbrittle;forallourcommissionsweresoonafterbrokenbyarepealofthelawinEngland.
Duringthisshorttimeofmycolonelship,beingabouttosetoutonajourneytoVirginia,theofficers
ofmyregimenttookitintotheirheadsthatitwouldbeproperforthemtoescortmeoutoftown,as
farastheLowerFerry.JustasIwasgettingonhorsebacktheycametomydoor,betweenthirtyand
forty,mounted,andallintheiruniforms.Ihadnotbeenpreviouslyacquaintedwiththeproject,orI
shouldhavepreventedit,beingnaturallyaversetotheassumingofstateonanyoccasion;andIwasa
gooddealchagrin'dattheirappearance,asIcouldnotavoidtheiraccompanyingme.Whatmadeit
worsewas,that,assoonaswebegantomove,theydrewtheirswordsandrodewiththemnakedall
theway.Somebodywroteanaccountofthistotheproprietor,anditgavehimgreatoffense.Nosuch
honorhadbeenpaidhimwhenintheprovince,nortoanyofhisgovernors;andhesaiditwasonly

propertoprincesofthebloodroyal,whichmaybetrueforaughtIknow,whowas,andstillam,
ignorantoftheetiquetteinsuchcases.
Thissillyaffair,however,greatlyincreasedhisrancouragainstme,whichwasbeforenotalittle,on
accountofmyconductintheAssemblyrespectingtheexemptionofhisestatefromtaxation,whichI
hadalwaysoppos'dverywarmly,andnotwithoutseverereflectionsonhismeannessandinjusticeof
contendingforit.Heaccusedmetotheministryasbeingthegreatobstacletotheking'sservice,
preventing,bymyinfluenceintheHouse,theproperformofthebillsforraisingmoney,andhe
instancedthisparadewithmyofficersasaproofofmyhavinganintentiontotakethegovernmentof
theprovinceoutofhishandsbyforce.HealsoappliedtoSirEverardFawkener,thepostmaster
general,todeprivemeofmyoffice;butithadnoothereffectthantoprocurefromSirEverarda
gentleadmonition.
NotwithstandingthecontinualwranglebetweenthegovernorandtheHouse,inwhichI,asa
member,hadsolargeashare,therestillsubsistedacivilintercoursebetweenthatgentlemanand
myself,andweneverhadanypersonaldifference.Ihavesometimessincethoughtthathislittleorno
resentmentagainstme,fortheanswersitwasknownIdrewuptohismessages,mightbetheeffectof
professionalhabit,andthat,beingbredalawyer,hemightconsiderusbothasmerelyadvocatesfor
contendingclientsinasuit,hefortheproprietariesandIfortheAssembly.Hewould,therefore,
sometimescallinafriendlywaytoadvisewithmeondifficultpoints,andsometimes,tho'notoften,
takemyadvice.
WeactedinconcerttosupplyBraddock'sarmywithprovisions;and,whentheshockingnews
arrivedofhisdefeat,thegovernorsentinhasteforme,toconsultwithhimonmeasuresfor
preventingthedesertionofthebackcounties.IforgetnowtheadviceIgave;butIthinkitwas,that
Dunbarshouldbewrittento,andprevail'dwith,ifpossible,toposthistroopsonthefrontiersfor
theirprotection,till,byreenforcementsfromthecolonies,hemightbeabletoproceedonthe
expedition.And,aftermyreturnfromthefrontier,hewouldhavehadmeundertaketheconductof
suchanexpeditionwithprovincialtroops,forthereductionofFortDuquesne,Dunbarandhismen
beingotherwiseemployed;andheproposedtocommissionmeasgeneral.Ihadnotsogoodan
opinionofmymilitaryabilitiesasheprofess'dtohave,andIbelievehisprofessionsmusthave
exceededhisrealsentiments;butprobablyhemightthinkthatmypopularitywouldfacilitatethe
raisingofthemen,andmyinfluenceinAssembly,thegrantofmoneytopaythem,andthat,perhaps,
withouttaxingtheproprietaryestate.Findingmenotsoforwardtoengageasheexpected,the
projectwasdropt,andhesoonafterleftthegovernment,beingsupersededbyCaptainDenny.
BeforeIproceedinrelatingthepartIhadinpublicaffairsunderthisnewgovernor's
administration,itmaynotbeamissheretogivesomeaccountoftheriseandprogressofmy
philosophicalreputation.
In1746,beingatBoston,ImettherewithaDr.Spence,whowaslatelyarrivedfromScotland,and
show'dmesomeelectricexperiments.Theywereimperfectlyperform'd,ashewasnotveryexpert;
but,beingonasubjectquitenewtome,theyequallysurpris'dandpleasedme.Soonaftermyreturn
toPhiladelphia,ourlibrarycompanyreceiv'dfromMr.P.Collinson,FellowoftheRoyalSocietyof
London,apresentofaglasstube,withsomeaccountoftheuseofitinmakingsuchexperiments.I
eagerlyseizedtheopportunityofrepeatingwhatIhadseenatBoston;and,bymuchpractice,
acquir'dgreatreadinessinperformingthose,also,whichwehadanaccountoffromEngland,adding
anumberofnewones.Isaymuchpractice,formyhousewascontinuallyfull,forsometime,with
peoplewhocametoseethesenewwonders.

Todividealittlethisincumbranceamongmyfriends,Icausedanumberofsimilartubestobeblown
atourglasshouse,withwhichtheyfurnish'dthemselves,sothatwehadatlengthseveral
performers.Amongthese,theprincipalwasMr.Kinnersley,aningeniousneighbor,who,beingout
ofbusiness,Iencouragedtoundertakeshowingtheexperimentsformoney,anddrewupforhimtwo
lectures,inwhichtheexperimentswererang'dinsuchorder,andaccompaniedwithsuch
explanationsinsuchmethod,asthattheforegoingshouldassistincomprehendingthefollowing.He
procur'danelegantapparatusforthepurpose,inwhichallthelittlemachinesthatIhadroughly
madeformyselfwerenicelyform'dbyinstrumentmakers.Hislectureswerewellattended,andgave
greatsatisfaction;andaftersometimehewentthro'thecolonies,exhibitingthemineverycapital
town,andpick'dupsomemoney.IntheWestIndiaislands,indeed,itwaswithdifficultythe
experimentscouldbemade,fromthegeneralmoistureoftheair.
Oblig'dasweweretoMr.Collinsonforhispresentofthetube,etc.,Ithoughtitrightheshouldbe
inform'dofoursuccessinusingit,andwrotehimseveralletterscontainingaccountsofour
experiments.HegotthemreadintheRoyalSociety,wheretheywerenotatfirstthoughtworthso
muchnoticeastobeprintedintheirTransactions.Onepaper,whichIwroteforMr.Kinnersley,on
thesamenessoflightningwithelectricity,IsenttoDr.Mitchel,anacquaintanceofmine,andoneof
themembersalsoofthatsociety,whowrotemewordthatithadbeenread,butwaslaughedatbythe
connoisseurs.Thepapers,however,beingshowntoDr.Fothergill,hethoughtthemoftoomuch
valuetobestifled,andadvis'dtheprintingofthem.Mr.CollinsonthengavethemtoCavefor
publicationinhisGentleman'sMagazine;buthechosetoprintthemseparatelyinapamphlet,and
Dr.Fothergillwrotethepreface.Cave,itseems,judgedrightlyforhisprofit,forbytheadditions
thatarrivedafterwardtheyswell'dtoaquartovolume,whichhashadfiveeditions,andcosthim
nothingforcopymoney.
Itwas,however,sometimebeforethosepapersweremuchtakennoticeofinEngland.Acopyof
themhappeningtofallintothehandsoftheCountdeBuffon,aphilosopherdeservedlyofgreat
reputationinFrance,and,indeed,alloverEurope,heprevailedwithM.Dalibardtotranslatethem
intoFrench,andtheywereprintedatParis.ThepublicationoffendedtheAbbeNollet,preceptorin
NaturalPhilosophytotheroyalfamily,andanableexperimenter,whohadform'dandpublish'da
theoryofelectricity,whichthenhadthegeneralvogue.Hecouldnotatfirstbelievethatsuchawork
camefromAmerica,andsaiditmusthavebeenfabricatedbyhisenemiesatParis,todecryhis
system.Afterwards,havingbeenassur'dthattherereallyexistedsuchapersonasFranklinat
Philadelphia,whichhehaddoubted,hewroteandpublishedavolumeofLetters,chieflyaddress'dto
me,defendinghistheory,anddenyingtheverityofmyexperiments,andofthepositionsdeduc'd
fromthem.
Ioncepurpos'dansweringtheabbe,andactuallybegantheanswer;but,onconsiderationthatmy
writingscontain'dadescriptionofexperimentswhichanyonemightrepeatandverify,andifnotto
beverifi'd,couldnotbedefended;orofobservationsoffer'dasconjectures,andnotdelivered
dogmatically,thereforenotlayingmeunderanyobligationtodefendthem;andreflectingthata
disputebetweentwopersons,writingindifferentlanguages,mightbelengthenedgreatlyby
mistranslations,andthencemisconceptionsofoneanother'smeaning,muchofoneoftheabbe's
lettersbeingfoundedonanerrorinthetranslation,Iconcludedtoletmypapersshiftforthemselves,
believingitwasbettertospendwhattimeIcouldsparefrompublicbusinessinmakingnew
experiments,thanindisputingaboutthosealreadymade.IthereforeneveransweredM.Nollet,and
theeventgavemenocausetorepentmysilence;formyfriendM.leRoy,oftheRoyalAcademyof
Sciences,tookupmycauseandrefutedhim;mybookwastranslatedintotheItalian,German,and
Latinlanguages;andthedoctrineitcontain'dwasbydegreesuniversallyadoptedbythe

philosophersofEurope,inpreferencetothatoftheabbe;sothathelivedtoseehimselfthelastofhis
sect,exceptMonsieurB,ofParis,hiseleveandimmediatedisciple.
Whatgavemybookthemoresuddenandgeneralcelebrity,wasthesuccessofoneofitsproposed
experiments,madebyMessrs.DalibardandDeLoratMarly,fordrawinglightningfromtheclouds.
Thisengag'dthepublicattentioneverywhere.M.deLor,whohadanapparatusforexperimental
philosophy,andlectur'dinthatbranchofscience,undertooktorepeatwhathecalledthe
PhiladelphiaExperiments;and,aftertheywereperformedbeforethekingandcourt,allthecurious
ofParisflockedtoseethem.Iwillnotswellthisnarrativewithanaccountofthatcapitalexperiment,
noroftheinfinitepleasureIreceiv'dinthesuccessofasimilaroneImadesoonafterwithakiteat
Philadelphia,asbotharetobefoundinthehistoriesofelectricity.
Dr.Wright,anEnglishphysician,whenatParis,wrotetoafriend,whowasoftheRoyalSociety,an
accountofthehighesteemmyexperimentswereinamongthelearnedabroad,andoftheirwonder
thatmywritingshadbeensolittlenoticedinEngland.Thesociety,onthis,resum'dtheconsideration
ofthelettersthathadbeenreadtothem;andthecelebratedDr.Watsondrewupasummaryaccount
ofthem,andofallIhadafterwardssenttoEnglandonthesubject,whichbeaccompaniedwithsome
praiseofthewriter.ThissummarywasthenprintedintheirTransactions;andsomemembersofthe
societyinLondon,particularlytheveryingeniousMr.Canton,havingverifiedtheexperimentof
procuringlightningfromthecloudsbyapointedrod,andacquaintingthemwiththesuccess,they
soonmadememorethanamendsfortheslightwithwhichtheyhadbeforetreatedme.Withoutmy
havingmadeanyapplicationforthathonor,theychosemeamember,andvotedthatIshouldbe
excus'dthecustomarypayments,whichwouldhaveamountedtotwentyfiveguineas;andeversince
havegivenmetheirTransactionsgratis.TheyalsopresentedmewiththegoldmedalofSirGodfrey
Copleyfortheyear1753,thedeliveryofwhichwasaccompaniedbyaveryhandsomespeechofthe
president,LordMacclesfield,whereinIwashighlyhonoured.
Ournewgovernor,CaptainDenny,broughtoverformethebeforementionedmedalfromtheRoyal
Society,whichhepresentedtomeatanentertainmentgivenhimbythecity.Heaccompanieditwith
verypoliteexpressionsofhisesteemforme,having,ashesaid,beenlongacquaintedwithmy
character.Afterdinner,whenthecompany,aswascustomaryatthattime,wereengag'dindrinking,
hetookmeasideintoanotherroom,andacquaintedmethathehadbeenadvis'dbyhisfriendsin
Englandtocultivateafriendshipwithme,asonewhowascapableofgivinghimthebestadvice,and
ofcontributingmosteffectuallytothemakinghisadministrationeasy;thathethereforedesiredof
allthingstohaveagoodunderstandingwithme,andhebegg'dmetobeassur'dofhisreadinesson
alloccasionstorendermeeveryservicethatmightbeinhispower.Hesaidmuchtome,also,ofthe
proprietor'sgooddispositiontowardstheprovince,andoftheadvantageitmightbetousall,andto
meinparticular,iftheoppositionthathadbeensolongcontinu'dtohismeasureswasdropt,and
harmonyrestor'dbetweenhimandthepeople;ineffectingwhich,itwasthoughtnoonecouldbe
moreserviceablethanmyself;andImightdependonadequateacknowledgmentsandrecompenses,
etc.,etc.Thedrinkers,findingwedidnotreturnimmediatelytothetable,sentusadecanterof
Madeira,whichthegovernormadeliberaluseof,andinproportionbecamemoreprofuseofhis
solicitationsandpromises.
Myanswersweretothispurpose:thatmycircumstances,thankstoGod,weresuchastomake
proprietaryfavoursunnecessarytome;andthat,beingamemberoftheAssembly,Icouldnot
possiblyacceptofany;that,however,Ihadnopersonalenmitytotheproprietary,andthat,
wheneverthepublicmeasureshepropos'dshouldappeartobeforthegoodofthepeople,noone
shouldespouseandforwardthemmorezealouslythanmyself;mypastoppositionhavingbeen

foundedonthis,thatthemeasureswhichhadbeenurgedwereevidentlyintendedtoservethe
proprietaryinterest,withgreatprejudicetothatofthepeople;thatIwasmuchobligedtohim(the
governor)forhisprofessionsofregardtome,andthathemightrelyoneverythinginmypowerto
makehisadministrationaseasyaspossible,hopingatthesametimethathehadnotbroughtwith
himthesameunfortunateinstructionhispredecessorhadbeenhamper'dwith.
Onthishedidnotthenexplainhimself;butwhenheafterwardscametodobusinesswiththe
Assembly,theyappear'dagain,thedisputeswererenewed,andIwasasactiveaseverinthe
opposition,beingthepenman,first,oftherequesttohaveacommunicationoftheinstructions,and
thenoftheremarksuponthem,whichmaybefoundinthevotesofthetime,andintheHistorical
ReviewIafterwardpublish'd.Butbetweenuspersonallynoenmityarose;wewereoftentogether;he
wasamanofletters,hadseenmuchoftheworld,andwasveryentertainingandpleasingin
conversation.HegavemethefirstinformationthatmyoldfriendJas.Ralphwasstillalive;thathe
wasesteem'doneofthebestpoliticalwritersinEngland;hadbeenemploy'dinthedisputebetween
PrinceFredericandtheking,andhadobtain'dapensionofthreehundredayear;thathis
reputationwasindeedsmallasapoet,PopehavingdamnedhispoetryintheDunciad;buthisprose
wasthoughtasgoodasanyman's.
<15>TheAssemblyfinallyfindingtheproprietaryobstinatelypersistedinmanaclingtheirdeputies
withinstructionsinconsistentnotonlywiththeprivilegesofthepeople,butwiththeserviceofthe
crown,resolv'dtopetitionthekingagainstthem,andappointedmetheiragenttogooverto
England,topresentandsupportthepetition.TheHousehadsentupabilltothegovernor,granting
asumofsixtythousandpoundsfortheking'suse(tenthousandpoundsofwhichwassubjectedtothe
ordersofthethengeneral,LordLoudoun),whichthegovernorabsolutelyrefus'dtopass,in
compliancewithhisinstructions.
<15>ThemanyunanimousresolvesoftheAssemblywhatdate?[Marg.note.]
IhadagreedwithCaptainMorris,ofthepaquetatNewYork,formypassage,andmystoreswere
putonboard,whenLordLoudounarriv'datPhiladelphia,expressly,ashetoldme,toendeavoran
accommodationbetweenthegovernorandAssembly,thathismajesty'sservicemightnotbe
obstructedbytheirdissensions.Accordingly,hedesir'dthegovernorandmyselftomeethim,thathe
mighthearwhatwastobesaidonbothsides.Wemetanddiscuss'dthebusiness.Inbehalfofthe
Assembly,Iurg'dallthevariousargumentsthatmaybefoundinthepublicpapersofthattime,
whichwereofmywriting,andareprintedwiththeminutesoftheAssembly;andthegovernor
pleadedhisinstructions;thebondhehadgiventoobservethem,andhisruinifhedisobey'd,yet
seemednotunwillingtohazardhimselfifLordLoudounwouldadviseit.Thishislordshipdidnot
chusetodo,thoughIoncethoughtIhadnearlyprevail'dwithhimtodoit;butfinallyherather
chosetourgethecomplianceoftheAssembly;andheentreatedmetousemyendeavourswiththem
forthatpurpose,declaringthathewouldsparenoneoftheking'stroopsforthedefenseofour
frontiers,andthat,ifwedidnotcontinuetoprovideforthatdefenseourselves,theymustremain
expos'dtotheenemy.
IacquaintedtheHousewithwhathadpass'd,and,presentingthemwithasetofresolutionsIhad
drawnup,declaringourrights,andthatwedidnotrelinquishourclaimtothoserights,butonly
suspendedtheexerciseofthemonthisoccasionthro'force,againstwhichweprotested,theyat
lengthagreedtodropthatbill,andframeanotherconformabletotheproprietaryinstructions.This
ofcoursethegovernorpass'd,andIwasthenatlibertytoproceedonmyvoyage.But,inthe
meantime,thepaquethadsailedwithmyseastores,whichwassomelosstome,andmyonly

recompensewashislordship'sthanksformyservice,allthecreditofobtainingtheaccommodation
fallingtohisshare.
HesetoutforNewYorkbeforeme;and,asthetimefordispatchingthepaquetboatswasathis
disposition,andthereweretwothenremainingthere,oneofwhich,hesaid,wastosailverysoon,I
requestedtoknowtheprecisetime,thatImightnotmissherbyanydelayofmine.Hisanswerwas,
"IhavegivenoutthatsheistosailonSaturdaynext;butImayletyouknow,entrenous,thatifyou
aretherebyMondaymorning,youwillbeintime,butdonotdelaylonger."Bysomeaccidental
hinderanceataferry,itwasMondaynoonbeforeIarrived,andIwasmuchafraidshemighthave
sailed,asthewindwasfair;butIwassoonmadeeasybytheinformationthatshewasstillinthe
harbor,andwouldnotmovetillthenextday.OnewouldimaginethatIwasnowontheverypointof
departingforEurope.Ithoughtso;butIwasnotthensowellacquaintedwithhislordship's
character,ofwhichindecisionwasoneofthestrongestfeatures.Ishallgivesomeinstances.Itwas
aboutthebeginningofAprilthatIcametoNewYork,andIthinkitwasneartheendofJunebefore
wesail'd.Therewerethentwoofthepaquetboats,whichhadbeenlonginport,butweredetained
forthegeneral'sletters,whichwerealwaystobereadytomorrow.Anotherpaquetarriv'd;shetoo
wasdetain'd;and,beforewesail'd,afourthwasexpected.Ourswasthefirsttobedispatch'd,as
havingbeentherelongest.Passengerswereengag'dinall,andsomeextremelyimpatienttobegone,
andthemerchantsuneasyabouttheirletters,andtheorderstheyhadgivenforinsurance(itbeing
wartime)forfallgoods!buttheiranxietyavail'dnothing;hislordship'sletterswerenotready;and
yetwhoeverwaitedonhimfoundhimalwaysathisdesk,peninhand,andconcludedhemustneeds
writeabundantly.
Goingmyselfonemorningtopaymyrespects,IfoundinhisantechamberoneInnis,amessengerof
Philadelphia,whohadcomefromthenceexpresswithapaquetfromGovernorDennyforthe
General.Hedeliveredtomesomelettersfrommyfriendsthere,whichoccasion'dmyinquiringwhen
hewastoreturn,andwherebelodg'd,thatImightsendsomelettersbyhim.Hetoldmehewas
order'dtocalltomorrowatnineforthegeneral'sanswertothegovernor,andshouldsetoff
immediately.Iputmylettersintohishandsthesameday.AfortnightafterImethimagaininthe
sameplace."So,youaresoonreturn'd,Innis?""Returned!no,Iamnotgoneyet.""Howso?""I
havecalledherebyordereverymorningthesetwoweekspastforhislordship'sletter,anditisnot
yetready.""Isitpossible,whenheissogreatawriter?forIseehimconstantlyathisescritoire."
"Yes,"saysInnis,"butheislikeSt.Georgeonthesigns,alwaysonhorseback,andneverrideson!"
Thisobservationofthemessengerwas,itseems,wellfounded;for,wheninEngland,Iunderstood
thatMr.Pittgaveitasonereasonforremovingthisgeneral,andsendingGeneralsAmherstand
Wolfe,thattheministerneverheardfromhim,andcouldnotknowwhathewasdoing.
Thisdailyexpectationofsailing,andallthethreepaquetsgoingdowntoSandyHook,tojointhe
fleetthere,thepassengersthoughtitbesttobeonboard,lestbyasuddenordertheshipsshouldsail,
andtheybeleftbehind.There,ifIrememberright,wewereaboutsixweeks,consumingoursea
stores,andoblig'dtoprocuremore.Atlengththefleetsail'd,theGeneralandallhisarmyonboard,
boundtoLouisburg,withintenttobesiegeandtakethatfortress;allthepaquetboatsincompany
orderedtoattendtheGeneral'sship,readytoreceivehisdispatcheswhentheyshouldbeready.We
wereoutfivedaysbeforewegotaletterwithleavetopart,andthenourshipquittedthefleetand
steeredforEngland.Theothertwopaquetshestilldetained,carriedthemwithhimtoHalifax,where
hestayedsometimetoexercisethemeninshamattacksuponshamforts,thenalter'dhismindasto
besiegingLouisburg,andreturn'dtoNewYork,withallhistroops,togetherwiththetwopaquets
abovementioned,andalltheirpassengers!DuringhisabsencetheFrenchandsavageshadtaken

FortGeorge,onthefrontierofthatprovince,andthesavageshadmassacredmanyofthegarrison
aftercapitulation.
IsawafterwardsinLondonCaptainBonnell,whocommandedoneofthosepaquets.Hetoldmethat,
whenhehadbeendetain'damonth,heacquaintedhislordshipthathisshipwasgrownfoul,toa
degreethatmustnecessarilyhinderherfastsailing,apointofconsequenceforapaquetboat,and
requestedanallowanceoftimetoheaveherdownandcleanherbottom.Hewasaskedhowlongtime
thatwouldrequire.Heanswer'd,threedays.Thegeneralreplied,"Ifyoucandoitinoneday,Igive
leave;otherwisenot;foryoumustcertainlysailthedayaftertomorrow."Soheneverobtain'd
leave,thoughdetainedafterwardsfromdaytodayduringfullthreemonths.
IsawalsoinLondononeofBonnell'spassengers,whowassoenrag'dagainsthislordshipfor
deceivinganddetaininghimsolongatNewYork,andthencarryinghimtoHalifaxandbackagain,
thathesworehewouldsuefordamages.Whetherhedidornot,Ineverheard;but,ashe
representedtheinjurytohisaffairs,itwasveryconsiderable.
Onthewhole,Iwonder'dmuchhowsuchamancametobeintrustedwithsoimportantabusinessas
theconductofagreatarmy;but,havingsinceseenmoreofthegreatworld,andthemeansof
obtaining,andmotivesforgivingplaces,mywonderisdiminished.GeneralShirley,onwhomthe
commandofthearmydevolveduponthedeathofBraddock,would,inmyopinion,ifcontinuedin
place,havemadeamuchbettercampaignthanthatofLoudounin1757,whichwasfrivolous,
expensive,anddisgracefultoournationbeyondconception;for,tho'Shirleywasnotabredsoldier,
hewassensibleandsagaciousinhimself,andattentivetogoodadvicefromothers,capableof
formingjudiciousplans,andquickandactiveincarryingthemintoexecution.Loudoun,insteadof
defendingthecolonieswithhisgreatarmy,leftthemtotallyexpos'dwhileheparadedidlyatHalifax,
bywhichmeansFortGeorgewaslost,besides,hederang'dallourmercantileoperations,and
distress'dourtrade,byalongembargoontheexportationofprovisions,onpretenceofkeeping
suppliesfrombeingobtain'dbytheenemy,butinrealityforbeatingdowntheirpriceinfavorofthe
contractors,inwhoseprofits,itwassaid,perhapsfromsuspiciononly,hehadashare.And,whenat
lengththeembargowastakenoff,byneglectingtosendnoticeofittoCharlestown,theCarolinafleet
wasdetain'dnearthreemonthslonger,wherebytheirbottomsweresomuchdamagedbytheworm
thatagreatpartofthemfounderedintheirpassagehome.
Shirleywas,Ibelieve,sincerelygladofbeingrelievedfromsoburdensomeachargeastheconductof
anarmymustbetoamanunacquaintedwithmilitarybusiness.Iwasattheentertainmentgivenby
thecityofNewYorktoLordLoudoun,onhistakinguponhimthecommand.Shirley,tho'thereby
superseded,waspresentalso.Therewasagreatcompanyofofficers,citizens,andstrangers,and,
somechairshavingbeenborrowedintheneighborhood,therewasoneamongthemverylow,which
felltothelotofMr.Shirley.PerceivingitasIsatbyhim,Isaid,"Theyhavegivenyou,sir,toolowa
seat.""Nomatter,"sayshe,"Mr.Franklin,Ifindalowseattheeasiest."
WhileIwas,asaforemention'd,detain'datNewYork,Ireceiv'dalltheaccountsoftheprovisions,
etc.,thatIhadfurnish'dtoBraddock,someofwhichaccountscouldnotsoonerbeobtain'dfromthe
differentpersonsIhademploy'dtoassistinthebusiness.IpresentedthemtoLordLoudoun,
desiringtobepaidtheballance.Hecaus'dthemtoberegularlyexaminedbytheproperofficer,who,
aftercomparingeveryarticlewithitsvoucher,certifiedthemtoberight;andthebalanceduefor
whichhislordshippromis'dtogivemeanorderonthepaymaster.Thiswas,however,putofffrom
timetotime;and,tho'Icall'doftenforitbyappointment,Ididnotgetit.Atlength,justbeforemy
departure,hetoldmehehad,onbetterconsideration,concludednottomixhisaccountswiththose

ofhispredecessors."Andyou,"sayshe,"wheninEngland,haveonlytoexhibityouraccountsatthe
treasury,andyouwillbepaidimmediately."
Imention'd,butwithouteffect,thegreatandunexpectedexpenseIhadbeenputtobybeingdetain'd
solongatNewYork,asareasonformydesiringtobepresentlypaid;andonmyobservingthatit
wasnotrightIshouldbeputtoanyfurthertroubleordelayinobtainingthemoneyIhadadvanc'd,
asIchargednocommissionformyservice,"0,sir,"sayshe,"youmustnotthinkofpersuadingus
thatyouarenogainer;weunderstandbetterthoseaffairs,andknowthateveryoneconcernedin
supplyingthearmyfindsmeans,inthedoingit,tofillhisownpockets."Iassur'dhimthatwasnot
mycase,andthatIhadnotpocketedafarthing;butheappear'dclearlynottobelieveme;and,
indeed,Ihavesincelearntthatimmensefortunesareoftenmadeinsuchemployments.Astomy
ballance,Iamnotpaidittothisday,ofwhichmorehereafter.
Ourcaptainofthepaquethadboastedmuch,beforewesailed,oftheswiftnessofhisship;
unfortunately,whenwecametosea,sheprovedthedullestofninetysixsail,tohisnosmall
mortification.Aftermanyconjecturesrespectingthecause,whenwewerenearanothershipalmost
asdullasours,which,however,gain'duponus,thecaptainorderedallhandstocomeaft,andstand
asneartheensignstaffaspossible.Wewere,passengersincluded,aboutfortypersons.Whilewe
stoodthere,theshipmendedherpace,andsoonleftherneighbourfarbehind,whichprov'dclearly
whatourcaptainsuspected,thatshewasloadedtoomuchbythehead.Thecasksofwater,itseems,
hadbeenallplac'dforward;thesehethereforeorder'dtobemov'dfurtheraft,onwhichtheship
recover'dhercharacter,andprovedthesailerinthefleet.
Thecaptainsaidshehadoncegoneattherateofthirteenknots,whichisaccountedthirteenmiles
perhour.Wehadonboard,asapassenger,CaptainKennedy,oftheNavy,whocontendedthatit
wasimpossible,andthatnoshipeversailedsofast,andthattheremusthavebeensomeerrorinthe
divisionofthelogline,orsomemistakeinheavingthelog.Awagerensu'dbetweenthetwocaptains,
tobedecidedwhenthereshouldbesufficientwind.Kennedythereuponexamin'drigorouslythelog
line,and,beingsatisfi'dwiththat,hedetermin'dtothrowtheloghimself.Accordinglysomedays
after,whenthewindblewveryfairandfresh,andthecaptainofthepaquet,Lutwidge,saidhe
believ'dshethenwentattherateofthirteenknots,Kennedymadetheexperiment,andown'dhis
wagerlost.
TheabovefactIgiveforthesakeofthefollowingobservation.Ithasbeenremark'd,asan
imperfectionintheartofshipbuilding,thatitcanneverbeknown,tillsheistried,whetheranew
shipwillorwillnotbeagoodsailer;forthatthemodelofagoodsailingshiphasbeenexactly
follow'dinanewone,whichhasprov'd,onthecontrary,remarkablydull.Iapprehendthatthismay
partlybeoccasion'dbythedifferentopinionsofseamenrespectingthemodesoflading,rigging,and
sailingofaship;eachhashissystem;andthesamevessel,ladenbythejudgmentandordersofone
captain,shallsailbetterorworsethanwhenbytheordersofanother.Besides,itscarceeverhappens
thatashipisform'd,fittedforthesea,andsail'dbythesameperson.Onemanbuildsthehull,
anotherrigsher,athirdladesandsailsher.Nooneofthesehastheadvantageofknowingallthe
ideasandexperienceoftheothers,and,therefore,cannotdrawjustconclusionsfromacombination
ofthewhole.
Eveninthesimpleoperationofsailingwhenatsea,Ihaveoftenobserv'ddifferentjudgmentsinthe
officerswhocommandedthesuccessivewatches,thewindbeingthesame.Onewouldhavethesails
trimm'dsharperorflatterthananother,sothattheyseem'dtohavenocertainruletogovernby.Yet
Ithinkasetofexperimentsmightbeinstituted,first,todeterminethemostproperformofthehull

forswiftsailing;next,thebestdimensionsandproperestplaceforthemasts:thentheformand
quantityofsails,andtheirposition,asthewindmaybe;and,lastly,thedispositionofthelading.This
isanageofexperiments,andIthinkasetaccuratelymadeandcombin'dwouldbeofgreatuse.Iam
persuaded,therefore,thaterelongsomeingeniousphilosopherwillundertakeit,towhomIwish
success.
Wewereseveraltimeschas'dinourpassage,butoutsail'deverything,andinthirtydayshad
soundings.Wehadagoodobservation,andthecaptainjudg'dhimselfsonearourport,Falmouth,
that,ifwemadeagoodruninthenight,wemightbeoffthemouthofthatharborinthemorning,
andbyrunninginthenightmightescapethenoticeoftheenemy'sprivateers,whooftencrus'dnear
theentranceofthechannel.Accordingly,allthesailwassetthatwecouldpossiblymake,andthe
windbeingveryfreshandfair,wewentrightbeforeit,andmadegreatway.Thecaptain,afterhis
observation,shap'dhiscourse,ashethought,soastopasswideoftheScillyIsles;butitseemsthere
issometimesastrongindraughtsettingupSt.George'sChannel,whichdeceivesseamenandcaused
thelossofSirCloudesleyShovel'ssquadron.Thisindraughtwasprobablythecauseofwhat
happenedtous.
Wehadawatchmanplac'dinthebow,towhomtheyoftencalled,"Lookwelloutbeforethere,"and
heasoftenanswered,"Ayay;"butperhapshadhiseyesshut,andwashalfasleepatthetime,they
sometimesanswering,asissaid,mechanically;forhedidnotseealightjustbeforeus,whichhad
beenhidbythestuddingsailsfromthemanatthehelm,andfromtherestofthewatch,butbyan
accidentalyawoftheshipwasdiscover'd,andoccasion'dagreatalarm,webeingverynearit,the
lightappearingtomeasbigasacartwheel.Itwasmidnight,andourcaptainfastasleep;but
CaptainKennedy,jumpingupondeck,andseeingthedanger,orderedtheshiptowearround,all
sailsstanding;anoperationdangeroustothemasts,butitcarriedusclear,andweescaped
shipwreck,forwewererunningrightupontherocksonwhichthelighthousewaserected.This
deliveranceimpressedmestronglywiththeutilityoflighthouses,andmademeresolvetoencourage
thebuildingmoreoftheminAmerica,ifIshouldlivetoreturnthere.
Inthemorningitwasfoundbythesoundings,etc.,thatwewerenearourport,butathickfoghidthe
landfromoursight.Aboutnineo'clockthefogbegantorise,andseem'dtobeliftedupfromthe
waterlikethecurtainataplayhouse,discoveringunderneath,thetownofFalmouth,thevesselsin
itsharbor,andthefieldsthatsurroundedit.Thiswasamostpleasingspectacletothosewhohad
beensolongwithoutanyotherprospectsthantheuniformviewofavacantocean,anditgaveusthe
morepleasureaswewerenowfreefromtheanxietieswhichthestateofwaroccasion'd.
Isetoutimmediately,withmyson,forLondon,andweonlystoptalittlebythewaytoview
StonehengeonSalisburyPlain,andLordPembroke'shouseandgardens,withhisverycurious
antiquitiesatWilton.WearrivedinLondonthe27thofJuly,1757.<16>
<16>HereterminatestheAutobiography,aspublishedbyWm.TempleFranklinandhissuccessors.
WhatfollowswaswritteninthelastyearofDr.Franklin'slife,andwasfirstprinted(inEnglish)in
Mr.Bigelow'seditionof1868.ED.
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PartIV

ASSOONasIwassettledinalodgingMr.Charleshadprovidedforme,IwenttovisitDr.
Fothergill,towhomIwasstronglyrecommended,andwhosecounselrespectingmyproceedingsI
wasadvis'dtoobtain.Hewasagainstanimmediatecomplainttogovernment,andthoughtthe
proprietariesshouldfirstbepersonallyappli'dto,whomightpossiblybeinduc'dbytheinterposition
andpersuasionofsomeprivatefriends,toaccommodatemattersamicably.Ithenwaitedonmyold
friendandcorrespondent,Mr.PeterCollinson,whotoldmethatJohnHanbury,thegreatVirginia
merchant,hadrequestedtobeinformedwhenIshouldarrive,thathemightcarrymetoLord
Granville's,whowasthenPresidentoftheCouncilandwishedtoseemeassoonaspossible.Iagreed
togowithhimthenextmorning.AccordinglyMr.Hanburycalledformeandtookmeinhiscarriage
tothatnobleman's,whoreceiv'dmewithgreatcivility;andaftersomequestionsrespectingthe
presentstateofaffairsinAmericaanddiscoursethereupon,hesaidtome:"YouAmericanshave
wrongideasofthenatureofyourconstitution;youcontendthattheking'sinstructionstohis
governorsarenotlaws,andthinkyourselvesatlibertytoregardordisregardthematyourown
discretion.Butthoseinstructionsarenotlikethepocketinstructionsgiventoaministergoing
abroad,forregulatinghisconductinsometriflingpointofceremony.Theyarefirstdrawnupby
judgeslearnedinthelaws;theyarethenconsidered,debated,andperhapsamendedinCouncil,after
whichtheyaresignedbytheking.Theyarethen,sofarastheyrelatetoyou,thelawoftheland,for
thekingistheLEGISLATOROFTHECOLONIES."Itoldhislordshipthiswasnewdoctrineto
me.IhadalwaysunderstoodfromourchartersthatourlawsweretobemadebyourAssemblies,to
bepresentedindeedtothekingforhisroyalassent,butthatbeingoncegiventhekingcouldnot
repealoralterthem.AndastheAssembliescouldnotmakepermanentlawswithouthisassent,so
neithercouldhemakealawforthemwithouttheirs.Heassur'dmeIwastotallymistaken.Ididnot
thinkso,however,andhislordship'sconversationhavingalittlealarm'dmeastowhatmightbethe
sentimentsofthecourtconcerningus,IwroteitdownassoonasIreturn'dtomylodgings.I
recollectedthatabout20yearsbefore,aclauseinabillbroughtintoParliamentbytheministryhad
propos'dtomaketheking'sinstructionslawsinthecolonies,buttheclausewasthrownoutbythe
Commons,forwhichweadoredthemasourfriendsandfriendsofliberty,tillbytheirconduct
towardsusin1765itseem'dthattheyhadrefus'dthatpointofsovereigntytothekingonlythatthey
mightreserveitforthemselves.
Aftersomedays,Dr.Fothergillhavingspokentotheproprietaries,theyagreedtoameetingwithme
atMr.T.Penn'shouseinSpringGarden.Theconversationatfirstconsistedofmutualdeclarations
ofdispositiontoreasonableaccommodations,butIsupposeeachpartyhaditsownideasofwhat
shouldbemeantbyreasonable.Wethenwentintoconsiderationofourseveralpointsofcomplaint,
whichIenumerated.Theproprietariesjustify'dtheirconductaswellastheycould,andIthe
Assembly's.Wenowappearedverywide,andsofarfromeachotherinouropinionsastodiscourage
allhopeofagreement.However,itwasconcludedthatIshouldgivethemtheheadsofourcomplaints
inwriting,andtheypromis'dthentoconsiderthem.Ididsosoonafter,buttheyputthepaperinto
thehandsoftheirsolicitor,FerdinandJohnParis,whomanagedforthemalltheirlawbusinessin
theirgreatsuitwiththeneighbouringproprietaryofMaryland,LordBaltimore,whichhadsubsisted
70years,andwroteforthemalltheirpapersandmessagesintheirdisputewiththeAssembly.He
wasaproud,angryman,andasIhadoccasionallyintheanswersoftheAssemblytreatedhispapers
withsomeseverity,theybeingreallyweakinpointofargumentandhaughtyinexpression,hehad
conceivedamortalenmitytome,whichdiscoveringitselfwheneverwemet,Ideclin'dthe
proprietary'sproposalthatheandIshoulddiscusstheheadsofcomplaintbetweenourtwoselves,
andrefus'dtreatingwithanyonebutthem.Theythenbyhisadviceputthepaperintothehandsof
theAttorneyandSolicitorGeneralfortheiropinionandcounseluponit,whereitlayunanswereda
yearwantingeightdays,duringwhichtimeImadefrequentdemandsofananswerfromthe
proprietaries,butwithoutobtaininganyotherthanthattheyhadnotyetreceivedtheopinionofthe

AttorneyandSolicitorGeneral.WhatitwaswhentheydidreceiveitIneverlearnt,fortheydidnot
communicateittome,butsentalongmessagetotheAssemblydrawnandsignedbyParis,reciting
mypaper,complainingofitswantofformality,asarudenessonmypart,andgivingaflimsy
justificationoftheirconduct,addingthattheyshouldbewillingtoaccommodatemattersifthe
Assemblywouldsendoutsomepersonofcandourtotreatwiththemforthatpurpose,intimating
therebythatIwasnotsuch.
Thewantofformalityorrudenesswas,probably,mynothavingaddress'dthepapertothemwith
theirassum'dtitlesofTrueandAbsoluteProprietariesoftheProvinceofPennsylvania,whichI
omittedasnotthinkingitnecessaryinapaper,theintentionofwhichwasonlytoreducetoa
certaintybywriting,whatinconversationIhaddeliveredvivavoce.
Butduringthisdelay,theAssemblyhavingprevailedwithGov'rDennytopassanacttaxingthe
proprietaryestateincommonwiththeestatesofthepeople,whichwasthegrandpointindispute,
theyomittedansweringthemessage.
Whenthisacthowevercameover,theproprietaries,counselledbyParis,determinedtoopposeits
receivingtheroyalassent.Accordinglytheypetition'dthekinginCouncil,andahearingwas
appointedinwhichtwolawyerswereemploy'dbythemagainsttheact,andtwobymeinsupportof
it.Theyalledg'dthattheactwasintendedtoloadtheproprietaryestateinordertosparethoseofthe
people,andthatifitweresuffer'dtocontinueinforce,andtheproprietarieswhowereinodiumwith
thepeople,lefttotheirmercyinproportioningthetaxes,theywouldinevitablyberuined.Wereply'd
thattheacthadnosuchintention,andwouldhavenosucheffect.Thattheassessorswerehonestand
discreetmenunderanoathtoassessfairlyandequitably,andthatanyadvantageeachofthemmight
expectinlesseninghisowntaxbyaugmentingthatoftheproprietarieswastootriflingtoinduce
themtoperjurethemselves.ThisisthepurportofwhatIrememberasurgedbybothsides,except
thatweinsistedstronglyonthemischievousconsequencesthatmustattendarepeal,forthatthe
money,L100,000,beingprintedandgiventotheking'suse,expendedinhisservice,andnowspread
amongthepeople,therepealwouldstrikeitdeadintheirhandstotheruinofmany,andthetotal
discouragementoffuturegrants,andtheselfishnessoftheproprietorsinsolicitingsuchageneral
catastrophe,merelyfromagroundlessfearoftheirestatebeingtaxedtoohighly,wasinsistedonin
thestrongestterms.Onthis,LordMansfield,oneofthecounselrose,andbeckoningmetookmeinto
theclerk'schamber,whilethelawyerswerepleading,andaskedmeifIwasreallyofopinionthatno
injurywouldbedonetheproprietaryestateintheexecutionoftheact.Isaidcertainly."Then,"says
he,"youcanhavelittleobjectiontoenterintoanengagementtoassurethatpoint."Ianswer'd,
"Noneatall."Hethencall'dinParis,andaftersomediscourse,hislordship'spropositionwas
acceptedonbothsides;apapertothepurposewasdrawnupbytheClerkoftheCouncil,whichI
sign'dwithMr.Charles,whowasalsoanAgentoftheProvincefortheirordinaryaffairs,whenLord
MansfieldreturnedtotheCouncilChamber,wherefinallythelawwasallowedtopass.Some
changeswerehoweverrecommendedandwealsoengagedtheyshouldbemadebyasubsequentlaw,
buttheAssemblydidnotthinkthemnecessary;foroneyear'staxhavingbeenleviedbytheact
beforetheorderofCouncilarrived,theyappointedacommitteetoexaminetheproceedingsofthe
assessors,andonthiscommitteetheyputseveralparticularfriendsoftheproprietaries.Afterafull
enquiry,theyunanimouslysign'dareportthattheyfoundthetaxhadbeenassess'dwithperfect
equity.
TheAssemblylookedintomyenteringintothefirstpartoftheengagement,asanessentialserviceto
theProvince,sinceitsecuredthecreditofthepapermoneythenspreadoverallthecountry.They
gavemetheirthanksinformwhenIreturn'd.ButtheproprietarieswereenragedatGovernor

Dennyforhavingpass'dtheact,andturn'dhimoutwiththreatsofsuinghimforbreachof
instructionswhichhehadgivenbondtoobserve.He,however,havingdoneitattheinstanceofthe
General,andforHisMajesty'sservice,andhavingsomepowerfulinterestatcourt,despis'dthe
threatsandtheywereneverputinexecution....[Unfinished].
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