C018/Y01733.json

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{"created_timestamp": "01-01-1733", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0093", "content": "Title: Poor Richard, 1733\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nA successful almanac was a valuable source of income to a provincial printer. Andrew Bradford was printing four and Samuel Keimer one, when Franklin and Meredith opened the New Printing-Office in 1728. Entering this crowded, competitive field, the partners the next year issued Thomas Godfrey\u2019s Pennsylvania Almanack for 1730; and in the fall of 1730 Franklin added to his line John Jerman\u2019s American Almanack, formerly printed by Bradford. In 1732, however, both Godfrey and Jerman took their copy to Bradford, who now prepared to issue five almanacs for 1733, leaving Franklin with none. In these circumstances Franklin hastily compiled the first Poor Richard\u2019s Almanack. It was advertised in the Gazette on December 19, 1732, as \u201cjust published.\u201d\nEighteenth-century almanacs followed a common pattern, and the new publication displayed originality in no essential feature\u2014not even in its title, which was probably suggested by Poor Robin\u2019s Almanack, which James Franklin printed at Newport; or in its title-page, which was hardly distinguishable from John Jerman\u2019s. The very name of the imaginary compiler of his almanac Franklin borrowed from an actual astrologer and almanac-maker of seventeenth-century England. Richard Saunders was made to address his readers, as all good philomaths did; and sometimes their almanacs, like his, printed epigrammatic verses, proverbs, and aphorisms, occasionally even clever ones. The scope for originality and enterprise was strictly limited by convention and format, but what scope there was Franklin exploited fully.\nIn advertising his almanacs Franklin offered enticing previews of their contents. He attracted the attention of his competitors and the public with Swiftian hoaxes, predicting to the very hour and minute when his principal rival Titan Leeds would die, and assuring Jerman\u2019s readers that the stars themselves foretold that their favorite philomath would rejoin the Church of Rome. He retained the public\u2019s interest and won its support by printing a great number of verses, proverbs, and aphorisms, more pointed, humorous, and memorable than those in any other almanac.\nProbably none of the verses was original with Franklin; he himself said that most of the proverbs and aphorisms were taken from the wisdom of all ages. But he rarely, if ever, took a line directly from its source, and he never borrowed from his competitors. His relied chiefly on English anthologies, notably James Howell, Lexicon Tetraglotton (London, 1660); Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia (London, 1732), Introductio ad Prudentiam (London, 1726\u201327), and Introductio ad Sapientiam (London, 1731); George Savile, Lord Halifax, A Character of King Charles the Second: and Political, Moral, and Miscellaneous Thoughts and Reflections (London, 1750); Samuel Richardson\u2019s compilation of \u201cMoral and Instructive Sentiments\u201d as an appendix to Clarissa, 1750\u201351; and Charles Palmer, A Collection of Select Aphorisms and Maxims (London, 1748). Most of the verses at the heads of the months came from similar compilations, especially Sir John Mennes and James Smith, Wits Recreations (London, 1640); and the anonymous Collection of Epigrams (London, 1735\u201337). About two-thirds of the sayings and half of the verses have been traced to their sources in one or another of these anthologies. Quite as interesting, for the light it throws on Franklin\u2019s methods of work, is his drawing on a particular source for a single year or for consecutive years. Thus Howell was his principal source from 1734 to 1742, and Fuller\u2019s Gnomologia from 1745 to 1751.\nBut Richard Saunders was more than a compiler from compilations. He delighted his readers because of the way he carefully selected and skillfully revised the wise sayings and epigrams, eliminating superfluous words, smoothing and balancing awkward phrases, replacing vague and meaningless generalities with his own specific, sharp, and homely terms. In these line-fillers as in formal essays Franklin aimed to be short, clear, and smooth. The following examples illustrate the point:\nHalifax:\nA great Talker may be a man of Sense, but he cannot be one, who will venture to rely on him.\nA great Talker may be no Fool, but he is one that relies on him.\nHowell:\nThe greatest Talkers are the least doers.\nGreat Talkers, little Doers.\nHalifax:\nNothing can be humbler than Ambition, when it is so disposed.\nNothing Humbler than Ambition, when it is about to climb.\nFuller:\nThe Way to be safe, is never to be secure.\nHe that\u2019s secure is not safe.\nThough neither the rarest nor typographically the most attractive products of Franklin\u2019s press, Poor Richard\u2019s Almanacks are probably the best known. They sold over 10,000 copies annually for many years, and the name, contents, and format were eagerly and shamelessly imitated and copied until well into the nineteenth century, in England as well as in America. Except the first and third printings of the 1733 almanac, only one copy of each of which is known, and a few other issues of which no more than three copies have been located, each year of Franklin\u2019s authorship is represented by several surviving copies, though many of them are imperfect. Most large collections of Americana have several issues, but none has a complete run. Careful typographical studies of the almanacs will reveal not only the complicated printing history of Franklin\u2019s best-seller but actual practices in his shop and, presumably, among American printers generally.\nThe almanac for 1733 opened with an address to the reader. This was followed by an explanation of astrological signs, a page of calculations of the planets\u2019 motions for the year, and an explanation of this particular almanac\u2019s format. The months came next, one to a page, each headed by some verse, each with astronomical symbols, weather predictions, and aphorisms intermingled. The almanac ended with a predicttion of eclipses for the year, and the dates of courts, Quaker meetings, and fairs in Pennsylvania and neighboring colonies. A list of the kings of England at the front and one of reigning monarchs at the back, a table of distances, and some more verses composed the remainder of the pamphlet. From this and subsequent almanacs the editors will print Franklin\u2019s addresses to the reader, the verses and aphorisms of each month, some of the explanations, descriptions, and miscellaneous verses; but not the annual calculations, court lists, and statistical information. A comparison of the illustrations of the complete 1733 almanac (pp. 287\u2013310) with the material which follows in letterpress (pp. 311\u20138) will indicate clearly what parts of each year\u2019s issue will be printed in this edition and how they appear in the original work.\nCourteous Reader,\nI might in this place attempt to gain thy Favour, by declaring that I write Almanacks with no other View than that of the publick Good; but in this I should not be sincere; and Men are now a-days too wise to be deceiv\u2019d by Pretences how specious soever. The plain Truth of the Matter is, I am excessive poor, and my Wife, good Woman, is, I tell her, excessive proud; she cannot bear, she says, to sit spinning in her Shift of Tow, while I do nothing but gaze at the Stars; and has threatned more than once to burn all my Books and Rattling-Traps (as she calls my Instruments) if I do not make some profitable Use of them for the good of my Family. The Printer has offer\u2019d me some considerable share of the Profits, and I have thus begun to comply with my Dame\u2019s desire.\nIndeed this Motive would have had Force enough to have made me publish an Almanack many Years since, had it not been overpower\u2019d by my Regard for my good Friend and Fellow-Student, Mr. Titan Leeds, whose Interest I was extreamly unwilling to hurt: But this Obstacle (I am far from speaking it with Pleasure) is soon to be removed, since inexorable Death, who was never known to respect Merit, has already prepared the mortal Dart, the fatal Sister has already extended her destroying Shears, and that ingenious Man must soon be taken from us. He dies, by my Calculation made at his Request, on Oct. 17. 1733. 3 ho. 29 m. P.M. at the very instant of the \u2642 of \u2609 and \u263f: By his own Calculation he will survive till the 26th of the same Month. This small difference between us we have disputed whenever we have met these 9 Years past; but at length he is inclinable to agree with my Judgment; Which of us is most exact, a little Time will now determine. As therefore these Provinces may not longer expect to see any of his Performances after this Year, I think my self free to take up the Task, and request a share of the publick Encouragement; which I am the more apt to hope for on this Account, that the Buyer of my Almanack may consider himself, not only as purchasing an useful Utensil, but as performing an Act of Charity, to his poor Friend and Servant\nR. Saunders\n\u2644 Saturn diseas\u2019d with Age, and left for dead;\nChang\u2019d all his Gold to be involv\u2019d in Lead.\n\u2643 Jove, Juno leaves, and loves to take his Range;\nFrom whom Man learns to love, and loves to change.\n\u2642 is disarmed, and to \u2640 gone,\nWhere Vulcan\u2019s Anvil must be struck upon.\nThat \u263d Luna\u2019s horn\u2019d, it cannot well be said,\nSince I ne\u2019er heard that she was married.\nXI Mon. January hath xxxi days.\nMore nice than wise.\nOld Batchelor would have a Wife that\u2019s wise,\nFair, rich, and young, a Maiden for his Bed;\nNot proud, nor churlish, but of faultless size;\nA Country Houswife in the City bred.\nHe\u2019s a nice Fool, and long in vain hath staid;\nHe should bespeak her, there\u2019s none ready made.\nNever spare the Parson\u2019s wine, nor the Baker\u2019s pudding.\nVisits should be short, like a winters day,\nLest you\u2019re too troublesom hasten away.\nA house without woman and Firelight, is like a body without soul or sprite.\nKings and Bears often worry their keepers.\nXII Mon. February hath xxviii days.\nN. N. of B---s County, pray don\u2019t be angry with poor Richard.\nEach Age of Men new Fashions doth invent;\nThings which are old, young Men do not esteem:\nWhat pleas\u2019d our Fathers, doth not us content;\nWhat flourish\u2019d then, we out of fashion deem:\nAnd that\u2019s the reason, as I understand,\nWhy Prodigus did sell his Father\u2019s Land.\nLight purse, heavy heart.\nHe\u2019s a Fool that makes his Doctor his Heir.\nNe\u2019er take a wife till thou hast a house (and a fire) to put her in.\nHe\u2019s gone, and forgot nothing but to say Farewel\u2014to his creditors.\nLove well, whip well.\nI Mon. March hath xxxi days.\nMy Love and I for Kisses play\u2019d,\nShe would keep stakes, I was content,\nBut when I won she would be paid;\nThis made me ask her what she meant:\nQuoth she, since you are in this wrangling vein,\nHere take your Kisses, give me mine again.\nLet my respected friend J. G.\nAccept this humble verse of me. viz.\nIngenious, learned, envy\u2019d Youth,\nGo on as thou\u2019st began;\nEven thy enemies take pride\nThat thou\u2019rt their countryman.\nHunger never saw bad bread.\nII Mon. April hath xxx days.\nKind Katharine to her husband kiss\u2019d these words,\n\u201cMine own sweet Will, how dearly I love thee!\u201d\nIf true (quoth Will) the World no such affords.\nAnd that its true I durst his warrant be;\nFor ne\u2019er heard I of Woman good or ill,\nBut always loved best, her own sweet Will.\nBeware of meat twice boil\u2019d, and an old foe reconcil\u2019d.\nGreat Talkers, little Doers.\nA rich rogue, is like a fat hog, who never does good til as dead as a log.\nRelation without friendship, friendship without power, power without will, will witho[ut] effect, effect without profit, and profit without vertue, are not worth a farto.\nIII Mon. May hath xxxi days.\nMirth pleaseth some, to others \u2019tis offence,\nSome commend plain conceit, some profound sense;\nSome wish a witty Jest, some dislike that,\nAnd most would have themselves they know not what.\nThen he that would please all, and himself too,\nTakes more in hand than he is like to do.\nEat to live, and not live to eat.\nMarch windy, and April rainy,\nMakes May the pleasantest month of any.\nThe favour of the Great is no inheritance.\nFools make feasts and wise men eat \u2019em.\nBeware of the young Doctor and the old Barber.\nHe has chang\u2019d his one ey\u2019d horse for a blind one.\nThe poor have little, beggars none, the rich too much, enough not one.\nIV Mon. June hath xxx days.\n\u201cObserve the daily circle of the sun,\nAnd the short year of each revolving moon:\nBy them thou shalt forsee the following day,\nNor shall a starry night thy hopes betray.\nWhen first the moon appears, if then she shrouds\nHer silver crescent, tip\u2019d with sable clouds,\nConclude she bodes a tempest on the main,\nAnd brews for fields impetuous floods of rain.\u201d\nAfter 3 days men grow weary, of a wench, a guest, and weather rainy.\nTo lengthen thy Life, lessen thy Meals.\nThe proof of gold is fire, the proof of woman, gold; the proof of man, a woman.\nAfter feasts made, the maker scratches his head.\nV Mon. July hath xxxi days.\n\u201cEv\u2019n while the reaper fills his greedy hands,\nAnd binds the golden sheafs in brittle bands:\nOft have I seen a sudden storm arise\nFrom all the warring winds that sweep the skies:\nAnd oft whole sheets descend of slucy rain,\nSuck\u2019d by the spungy clouds from off the main;\nThe lofty skies at once come pouring down,\nThe promis\u2019d crop and golden labours drown.\u201d\nNeither Shame nor Grace yet Bob.\nMany estates are spent in the getting,\nSince women for tea forsook spinning and knitting.\nHe that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas.\nA fat kitchin, a lean Will.\nDistrust and caution are the parents of security.\nTongue double, brings trouble.\nVI Mon. August hath xxxi days.\n\u201cFor us thro\u2019 12 bright signs Apollo guides\nThe year, and earth in sev\u2019ral climes divides.\nFive girdles bind the skies, the torrid zone\nGlows with the passing and repassing sun.\nFar on the right and left, th\u2019extreams of heav\u2019n,\nTo frosts and snows and bitter blasts are giv\u2019n.\nBetwixt the midst and these, the Gods assign\u2019d\nTwo habitable seats for humane kind.\u201d\nTake counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.\nHe that drinks fast, pays slow.\nGreat famine when wolves eat wolves.\nA good Wife lost is God\u2019s gift lost.\nA taught horse, and a woman to teach, and teachers practising what they preach.\nHe is ill cloth\u2019d, who is bare of Virtue.\nVII Mon. September hath xxx days.\nDeath is a Fisherman, the world we see\nHis Fish-pond is, and we the Fishes be:\nHis Net some general Sickness; howe\u2019er he\nIs not so kind as other Fishers be;\nFor if they take one of the smaller Fry,\nThey throw him in again, he shall not die:\nBut Death is sure to kill all he can get,\nAnd all is Fish with him that comes to Net.\nThe heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.\nMen and Melons are hard to know.\nHe\u2019s the best physician that knows the worthlessness of the most medicines.\nBeware of meat twice boil\u2019d, and an old Foe reconcil\u2019d.\nA fine genius in his own country, is like gold in the mine.\nThere is no little enemy.\nVIII Mon. October hath xxxi days.\nTime was my spouse and I could not agree,\nStriving about superiority:\nThe text which saith that man and wife are one,\nWas the chief argument we stood upon:\nShe held, they both one woman should become;\nI held they should be man, and both but one.\nThus we contended daily, but the strife\nCould not be ended, till both were one Wife.\nHe has lost his Boots but sav\u2019d his spurs.\nThe old Man has given all to his Son: O fool! to undress thy self before thou art going to bed.\nCheese and salt meat, should be sparingly eat.\nDoors and walls are fools paper.\nAnoint a villain and he\u2019ll stab you, stab him and he\u2019l anoint you.\nKeep your mouth wet, feet dry.\nIX Mon. November hath xxx days.\nMy neighbour H---y by his pleasing tongue,\nHath won a Girl that\u2019s rich, wise, fair and young;\nThe Match (he saith) is half concluded, he\nIndeed is wondrous willing; but not she.\nAnd reason good, for he has run thro\u2019 all\nAlmost the story of the Prodigal;\nYet swears he never with the hogs did dine;\nThat\u2019s true, for none would trust him with their swine.\nWhere bread is wanting, all\u2019s to be sold.\nThere is neither honour nor gain, got in dealing with a vil-lain.\nThe fool hath made a vow, I guess,\nNever to let the Fire have peace.\nSnowy winter, a plentiful harvest.\nNothing more like a Fool, than a drunken Man.\nX Mon. December hath xxxi days.\nShe that will eat her breakfast in her bed,\nAnd spend the morn in dressing of her head,\nAnd sit at dinner like a maiden bride,\nAnd talk of nothing all day but of pride;\nGod in his mercy may do much to save her,\nBut what a case is he in that shall have her.\nGod works wonders now and then;\nBehold! a Lawyer, an honest Man!\nHe that lives carnally, won\u2019t live eternally.\nInnocence is its own Defence.\nTime eateth all things, could old Poets say;\nThe Times are chang\u2019d, our times drink all away.\nNever mind it, she\u2019l be sober after the Holidays.\nThe Benefit of going to Law.\nDedicated to the Counties of K\u2014t and H-n\u2013\u2013\u2013rd-n.\n    Two Beggars travelling along,\n    One blind, the other lame,\n    Pick\u2019d up an Oyster on the Way\n    To which they both laid claim:\n    The Matter rose so high, that they\n    Resolv\u2019d to go to Law,\n    As often richer Fools have done,\n    Who quarrel for a Straw.\n    A Lawyer took it strait in hand,\n    Who knew his Business was,\n    To mind nor one nor t\u2019other side,\n    But make the best o\u2019 th\u2019 Cause;\n    As always in the Law\u2019s the Case:\n    So he his Judgment gave,\n    And Lawyer-like he thus resolv\u2019d\n    What each of them should have:\n    Blind Plaintiff, lame Defendant, share\n    The Friendly Laws impartial Care,\n    A Shell for him, a Shell for thee,\n    The Middle is the Lawyer\u2019s Fee.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1733},
{"created_timestamp": "01-11-1733", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0094", "content": "Title: Slippery Sidewalks, 11 January 1733\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nMr. Franklin,\nWalking the Street on one of these late slippery Mornings, I caught two terrible Falls, which made me, by way of Precaution for the future, get my Shoes frosted before I went home: for I am a stiff old Fellow, and my Joints none of the most pliant. At the Door before which I fell last, stood a Gentleman-like Looby, with a couple of Damsels, who all made themselves wonderful merry with my Misfortune: And had not a good Woman, whose Door I had just passed, come and helped me up, I might for ought I know, have given them an Hour\u2019s Diversion before I found my Legs again. This good Woman, Heaven bless her, had sprinkled Ashes before her Door: I wish her long Life and better Neighbours. I have reason to think the merry People would not have risen so early, and exposed themselves to the Air, that cold Morning, were it not for the sake of enjoying such Entertainments as I afforded them. But they were not alone in the Thing; I saw before I got home, twenty other Gigglers, all employ\u2019d at their Doors in the same Manner. Strange Perverseness of Disposition! to delight in the Mishaps which befal People who have no way disoblig\u2019d us. My Shoes, as I have said, being frosted, I intend the next slippery Time to make a Tour throughout the Town, and take a general List of all the Housekeepers, whom I will divide into three Classes. The humane, kind, compassionate, benevolent Class, I shall easily distinguish by the Ashes at their Doors, as God\u2019s People were distinguish\u2019d in \u00c6gypt by the Sprinkling of their Door-posts. The malicious and ill-natured Class I shall know by their Mirth at every Fall or accidental Slip of the Passengers in the Street. The indifferent, thoughtless Class, are the rest. As every Man that walks upon uneven Ice, hazards at each Step his Limbs; methinks some Honours ought to be decreed those of my first Class, proportionate to what the Romans gave him that sav\u2019d the Life of a Fellow-Citizen: They shall, however, be sure of my Respect and Friendship. With regard to those of my two latter Classes, I am resolved, I will not so much as civilly salute one of them, I will not give one of them the Wall, I will not make Room for any of them at a Fire, nor hand them any Thing at a Table, I will not direct a Customer to one of them, if any of my first Class deal in the same Things: In short, I will be as cross-grain\u2019d towards them as \u2019tis possible for a good-natur\u2019d old Man to be; who is Your Friend and Reader,\nN.N.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1733},
{"created_timestamp": "05-16-1733", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0095", "content": "Title: Directors of Library Company to Thomas Penn and Reply, 16 May 1733\nFrom: Directors of Library Company\nTo: Penn, Thomas\nFranklin and the Directors of the Library Company had learned that the Proprietor would welcome an address praying his \u201cCountenance and Protection\u201d of their young institution, and on May 14 a committee composed of Franklin, Thomas Hopkinson, William Coleman, and Joseph Breintnall was appointed to draft the address. Next night they presented it, and, although \u201cSome Objections were made to the Style by those who had accustomed themselves to what is called the plain Language,\u201d it was approved. Franklin was one of the five Directors who presented the address to Penn on May 24. \u201cThe Proprietor received it with great Civility and Kindness, and was pleased to enquire of the Presenters some things concerning the Library and to assure them of his Encouragement.\u201d\nTo the Honourable Thomas Penn Esqr. one of the Proprietors of the Province of Pennsylvania\nThe Humble Address of the Directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia In Behalf of the Company.\nMay it please your Honour,\nAll the good People of Pennsylvania rejoice in your happy Arrival and Residence in this your Province, and will continue to rejoice in whatever promotes your Prosperity: Among the Rest, the Subscribers to the Library in Philadelphia beg Leave to assure your Honour, that in the same good Affections they are not behind the warmest of their Countrymen.\nYour Province of Pennsylvania, Sir, happy in its Climate and Situation, and in the Constitution of its Government, is thought to be no less happy in the Native Genius of its People; prone as it is to Industry, and capable of every kind of Improvement.\nBut when Colonies are in their Infancy, the Refinements of Life, it seems, cannot be much attended to. To encourage Agriculture, promote Trade, and establish good Laws must be the principal Care of the first Founders; while other Arts and Sciences, less immediately necessary, how excellent and useful soever, are left to the Care and Cultivation of Posterity. Hence it is that neither in this, nor in the neighbouring Provinces, has there yet been made any Provision for a publick generous Education.\nWith a View of supplying in some Measure this Deficiency for the present among our Selves we have attempted to erect a Common Library in Philadelphia. And when on this Account we address a Son of the great and good, and ever memorable William Penn, we are persuaded than an Endeavour, however small, to propagate Knowledge, and improve the Minds of Men, by rendring useful Science more cheap and easy of Access, will not want his Countenance and Protection.\nMay your Philadelphia be the future Athens of America: May plenty of her Sons arise, qualified with Learning, Virtue, and Politeness for the most important Offices of Life: And as this must be owing to the Wisdom and Benevolence of your Honourable Family, which gave Being to the Province and its happy Constitution, May every kind of humane Felicity attend the Proprietary House, thro\u2019 all Ages, to the latest Posterity.\n  Signed by Order of the Directors\nJoseph Breintnall Secry.\nGentlemen,\nTo which his Honour was pleased to give the following Answer.\nI take this Address very kindly; and assure you, I shall always be ready to promote any Undertaking so useful to the Country, as that of erecting a common Library in this City.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1733},
{"created_timestamp": "05-31-1733", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0097", "content": "Title: Remarks on a South Carolina Currency Scheme, 31 May 1733\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nAs there are frequently Things published in the neighbouring Provinces, which to see would be agreeable to my Readers, but being of too great a Length, I have been obliged either to retail \u2019em Piecemeal, which disjoints or breaks the Connection of Thoughts, or wholly to omit them; I am therefore lately advised to abstract and give the Substance of them, which I shall do for the future, as often as I imagine it may be any way useful or entertaining.\nThe South Carolina Gazette, of March 24. contains the Beginning of a Discourse upon Paper Currency, which is continued thro\u2019 several other Papers. The Author observes, that the principal Obje[sym]ion against that Currency, is its being so liable to Mutation in its Value: That \u2019tis now about 30 Years since it first got Footing in the American Plantations; and that altho\u2019 it has been design\u2019d only as a present Expedient in Cases of Exigency, yet no Place where it was once establish\u2019d has found itself afterwards in a Condition to do without it. And since (he says) there arises no Benefit to the Publick from cancelling every seven or ten Years Bills issued on Loan or otherwise because the Circumstances of a Country continuing the same, there is still the same Reason for making more, as at first, and much Clamour and some Expence always attends the Periods: He proposes, a Standing Paper Currency, to continue till the Country finds the Nature of its Trade will afford Silver and Gold, and to prevent its sinking in Value, he would have the Interest be paid in Silver and Gold, and the Bills taken only in Discharge of the Principal.\nRemark upon this Scheme.\nThe Subjects of Trade and Money have always occasioned much Speculation, being in themselves, and especially when considered together, extreamly intricate and hard to be understood. And the Paper Currency being a Thing of great Importance to these Plantations, whatever is wrote to give us farther Light about it, whatever new Methods are proposed, should be received and examined with Candour.\nWith regard to this new Scheme, which proposes to fix the Value of the Bills by obliging the Borrowers to pay their Interest in Gold and Silver, the following Difficulties seem to arise, which perhaps if the Author himself were here, he might easily obviate.\n1. Interest being now at 10 per Cent. in Carolina, if 50,000 proclamation Money (the Sum he mentions) is issued out upon Loan, \u00a35000 Silver and Gold is yearly necessary to discharge the Interest; and only the Surplus of that Sum can be exported by the Merchant. Now allowing that the yearly Demand of so much Plate in the Country, must prevent its Exportation, Yet must not the Planter outbid the Merchant in order to have it? and if he gives 2 or 4 per Cent. in Paper for it, is not that a Raising their Interest to 12 or 14 per Cent. and does it not lessen the Value of their Bills, compar\u2019d with Silver and Gold?\n2. If the Merchant wants Silver and Gold, to make Returns, will he not raise the Price of his Goods till he can afford to purchase it? and the Planter being still oblig\u2019d to have it, will not he be still forced to give more Paper for it?\n3. If the Interest be all due at one Time of the Year, will not Silver be at that Time higher and Paper lower than at other Times, and so their Currency continually varying in Value, and very uncertain to Strangers?\nThese Queries, for ought I know may have little in \u2019em. If they serve to make a Paper Currency any thing more consider\u2019d, and therefore better understood, it is enough.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1733},
{"created_timestamp": "06-25-1733", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0098", "content": "Title: Receipted Bill to the Proprietors, 25 June 1733\nFrom: Steel, James\nTo: Franklin, Benjamin\nThe Honourable Proprietor to B. Franklin Dr.\n1. For printing 5 Sheets at 30s. per Sheet\n2. For Paper 5 Ream, and 5/6 of a Ream at 20s.\n3. For Stitching 500 Books, and pasting the Maps at 6s. per Hund.\n4. For cutting the Mapp in Wood\n5. For printing and Paper of the Mapps\n6. For Printing and Paper of 1000 Coats of Arms at 8s. per Hund.\nRecd. of James Steel Twenty Pounds in part of this Account. B. Franklin\n Endorsed: Receiv\u2019d the Contents of the within Acct. per me June 25. 1733.\nB. Franklin\nDocketed: Ben Franklin 26th 4 mo. 1733 \u00a323:8:4", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1733},
{"created_timestamp": "07-19-1733", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0101", "content": "Title: [A Meditation on a Quart Mugg, 19 July 1733]\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nThis essay was first printed by Smyth (Writings, 11, 198), who considered it a \u201chighly characteristic production.\u201d The present editors, however, believe that the essay is not sufficiently characteristic of Franklin\u2019s style to be attributed to him. No external evidence of authorship has been found and it is therefore omitted here.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1733},
{"created_timestamp": "08-02-1733", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0102", "content": "Title: On Literary Style, 2 August 1733\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nTo the Printer of the Gazette.\nThere are few Men, of Capacity for making any considerable Figure in Life, who have not frequent Occasion to communicate their Thoughts to others in Writing; if not sometimes publickly as Authors, yet continually in the Management of their private Affairs, both of Business and Friendship: and since, when ill-express\u2019d, the most proper Sentiments and justest Reasoning lose much of their native Force and Beauty, it seems to me that there is scarce any Accomplishment more necessary to a Man of Sense, than that of Writing well in his Mother Tongue: But as most other polite Acquirements, make a greater Appearance in a Man\u2019s Character, this however useful, is generally neglected or forgotten.\nI believe there is no better Means of learning to write well, than this of attempting to entertain the Publick now and then in one of your Papers. When the Writer conceals himself, he has the Advantage of hearing the Censure both of Friends and Enemies, express\u2019d with more Impartiality. And since, in some degree, it concerns the Credit of the Province, that such Things as are printed be performed tolerably well, mutual Improvement seems to be the Duty of all Lovers of Writing: I shall therefore frankly communicate the Observations I have made or collected on this Subje[sym]ct, and request those of others in Return.\nI have thought in general, that whoever would write so as not to displease good Judges, should have particular Regard to these three Things, viz. That his Performance be smooth, clear, and short: For the contrary Qualities are apt to offend, either the Ear, the Understanding, or the Patience.\n\u2019Tis an Observation of Dr. Swift, that modern Writers injure the Smoothness of our Tongue, by omitting Vowels wherever it is possible, and joining the harshest Consonants together with only an Apostrophe between; thus for judged, in it self not the smoothest of Words, they say judg\u2019d; for disturbed, disturb\u2019d, &c. It may be added to this, says another, that by changing etb into s, they have shortned one Syllable in a multitude of Words, and have thereby encreased, not only the Hissing, too offensive before, but also the great Number of Monosyllables, of which, without great Difficulty, a smooth Sentence cannot be composed. The Smoothness of a Period is also often Hurt by Parentheses, and therefore the best Writers endeavour to avoid them.\nTo write clearly, not only the most expressive, but the plainest Words should be chosen. In this, as well as in every other Particular requisite to Clearness, Dr. Tillotson is an excellent Example. The Fondness of some Writers for such Words as carry with them an Air of Learning, renders them unintelligible to more than half their Countrymen. If a Man would that his Writings have an Effect on the Generality of Readers, he had better imitate that Gentleman, who would use no Word in his Works that was not well understood by his Cook-maid.\nA too frequent Use of Phrases ought likewise to be avoided by him that would write clearly. They trouble the Language, not only rendring it extreamly difficult to Foreigners, but make the Meaning obscure to a great number of English Readers. Phrases, like learned Words, are seldom used without Affectation; when, with all true Judges, the simplest Stile is the most beautiful.\nBut supposing the most proper Words and Expressions chosen, the Performance may yet be weak and obscure, if it has not Method. If a Writer would persuade, he should proceed gradually from Things already allow\u2019d, to those from which Assent is yet with-held, and make their Connection manifest. If he would inform, he must advance regularly from Things known to things unknown, distin[sym]ly without Confusion, and the lower he begins the better. It is a common Fault in Writers, to allow their Readers too much Knowledge: They begin with that which should be the Middle, and skipping backwards and forwards, \u2019tis impossible for any one but he who is perfect in the Subject before, to understand their Work, and such an one has no Occasion to read it. Perhaps a Habit of using good Method, cannot be better acquired, than by learning a little Geometry or Algebra.\nAmplification, or the Art of saying Little in Much, should only be allowed to Speakers. If they preach, a Discourse of considerable Length is expected from them, upon every Subject they undertake, and perhaps they are not stock\u2019d with naked Thoughts sufficient to furnish it out. If they plead in the Courts, it is of Use to speak abundance, tho\u2019 they reason little; for the Ignorant in a Jury, can scarcely believe it possible that a Man can talk so much and so long without being in the Right. Let them have the Liberty then, of repeating the same Sentences in other Words; let them put an Adjective to every Substantive, and double every Substantive with a Synonima; for this is more agreeable than hauking, spitting, taking Snuff, or any other Means of concealing Hesitation. Let them multiply Definitions, Comparisons, Similitudes and Examples. Permit them to make a Detail of Causes and Effects, enumerate all the Consequences, and express one Half by Metaphor and Circumlocution: Nay, allow the Preacher to to tell us whatever a Thing is negatively, before he begins to tell us what it is affirmatively; and suffer him to divide and subdivide as far as Two and fiftiethly. All this is not intolerable while it is not written. But when a Discourse is to be bound down upon Paper, and subjected to the calm leisurely Examination of nice Judgment, every Thing that is needless gives Offence; and therefore all should be retrenched, that does not directly conduce to the End design\u2019d. Had this been always done, many large and tiresome Folio\u2019s would have shrunk into Pamphlets, and many a Pamphlet into a single Period. However, tho\u2019 a multitude of Words obscure the Sense, and \u2019tis necessary to abridge a verbose Author in order to understand him; yet a Writer should take especial Care on the other Hand, that his Brevity doth not hurt his Perspicuity.\nAfter all, if the Author does not intend his Piece for general Reading, he must exactly suit his Stile and Manner to the particular Taste of those he proposes for his Readers. Every one observes, the different Ways of Writing and Expression used by the different Sects of Religion; and can readily enough pronounce, that it is improper to use some of these Stiles in common, or to use the common Stile, when we address some of these Sects in particular.\nTo conclude, I shall venture to lay it down as a Maxim, That no Piece can properly be called good, and well written, which is void of any Tendency to benefit the Reader, either by improving his Virtue or his Knowledge. This Principle every Writer would do well to have in View, whenever he undertakes to write. All Performances done for meer Ostentation of Parts, are really contemptible; and withal far more subject to the Severity of Criticism, than those more meanly written, wherein the Author appears to have aimed at the Good of others. For when \u2019tis visible to every one, that a Man writes to show his Wit only, all his Expressions are sifted, and his Sense examined, in the nicest and most ill-natur\u2019d manner; and every one is glad of an Opportunity to mortify him. But, what a vast Destruction would there be of Books, if they were to be saved or condemned on a Tryal by this Rule!\nBesides, Pieces meerly humorous, are of all Sorts the hardest to succeed in. If they are not natural, they are stark naught; and there can be no real Humour in an Affectation of Humour.\nPerhaps it may be said, that an ill Man is able to write an ill Thing well; that is, having an ill Design, and considering who are to be his Readers, he may use the properest Stile and Arguments to attain his Point. In this Sense, that is best wrote, which is best adapted to the Purpose of the Writer.\nI am apprehensive, dear Readers, lest in this Piece, I should be guilty of every Fault I condemn, and deficient in every Thing I recommend; so much easier it is to offer Rules than to practise them. I am sure, however, of this, that I am Your very sincere Friend and Servant.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1733},
{"created_timestamp": "11-16-1733", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0104", "content": "Title: Half-Hour\u2019s Conversation with a Friend, 16 November 1733\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nAndrew Hamilton, speaker of the Assembly, recorder of Philadelphia, and a trustee of the Loan Office, was one of the most powerful public figures in Pennsylvania from 1727 until his death in 1741. Resentful and jealous enemies bitterly attacked him in Bradford\u2019s American Weekly Mercury, especially during the campaign of 1733. These attacks culminated on October 18 in an anonymous charge that his control of the Assembly, the courts, and the Loan Office was sinister and dictatorial. The Gazette printed this defense, which quoted at length Hamilton\u2019s own purported comments on the criticism. The style is familiar, and Franklin had long admired and supported Hamilton, who had helped him get the Assembly\u2019s printing business and other public work, and the article was probably written at least in part by Franklin.\nMr. Franklin,\nAs Mr. Bradford was pleased to entertain the Publick with A true Letter to a Friend in the Country, as \u2019tis called, in his Mercury of the 18th of October last, I desire you will give this Half-hour\u2019s Conversation with a Friend a Place in your Gazette, which may at present serve for an Answer to that Letter. As there is nothing can please every body, so who can tell but this may divert somebody. Sir, Your humble Servant.\nTo gratify your Curiosity, I shall as far as my Memory will serve me, let you know, as well the Sentiments of the Publick upon the Subject of the Letter published in Mr. Bradford\u2019s Mercury of the 18th of October last, as what pass\u2019d between my self and the Person who is supposed to be chiefly pointed out in that Letter. I have had the Opportunity of hearing the Sentiments of a great many People concerning that Performance. Some say they are persuaded it was not the Author\u2019s Love to his Country induced him to publish those Charges in the Manner he has done, and that it would have been much better to have charged that Man with Particulars, and by Name, and likewise to have subscribed his own, by which the People might at the same Time have known the Criminal and the Accuser; but not having done this, they conclude the whole to be no more than the Effects of some private Resentment. Others, who seem to be very certain against whom all the heavy Charges in that Letter are levelled, and who like the Man no better than the Author does, commend the Letter much, not, they say, that they can agree it is all true, but approve well of that old Saying, Throw Dirt enough, and some will stick; and they add, it never having been answered, such who know nothing of the Matter are the more enclin\u2019d to believe it. These Reports made me desirous to see the Person, who is my particular Friend, against whom it seems generally agreed the true Letter, as \u2019tis called, was wrote; And meeting with him last Night, I acquainted him with the various Sentiments of the People upon the Subject: He frankly own\u2019d, that from the particular Description of his Employments, no body could doubt but he was the Man pointed at; but said, seeing it was commonly agreed to be wrote by nobody, he thought no body should regard it. Here I put my Friend in mind, that I had often heard him say very hard Things of an ungrateful Man; and forasmuch as the Letter-writer would have it believed that my Friend was under very great Obligations both to the Proprietor and Governor, and being charged with horrid Ingratitude to both, it might not only draw on him their Resentment, but the Censure of others, who might construe his Silence into a Proof of his Guilt. To which he made me the following Answer, as I can remember, and which I think I am bound in point of Friendship and Justice to his Character, to make as publick as the Letter. \u201cSir, I am very sensible of the Weight of Power in the Hands of a supreme Magistrate, and how it has been made use of in all Ages, and most Countries of any long standing, to destroy the most innocent Men. I am likewise sensible, that that same Power never wants Creatures who are ready to execute Vengeance upon the Heads of those who deserve it least, not always meerly in compliance with the Will of their Superiors, but very frequently because they want his Place or hate his Person. However, I hope no honest Men who understand or have a true Value for that inestimable Blessing of Liberty, which the People here enjoy in a greater Degree than most of their Neighbours, can with just Reason apprehend any Danger from that Quarter of Power. The People of Pennsylvania are too wise to be cheated into an Opinion that a Man is to be destroy\u2019d because his Superiors and a few of their Creatures apprehend that he stands in their Way: No, they know a Man can lose neither Life, Liberty, nor Estate, but by the Judgment of twelve Freemen of Pennsylvania; and being secure of this, and that it is in no Man\u2019s Power to prove that he ever deserted the Interest or Cause of his Country, he can laugh at the impotent Efforts of the Great and Powerful.\u201d But here I interrupted my Friend and put him in mind, that tho\u2019 all he said was most unquestionably true, and that I was pleased to hear him prefer Justice to all Powers and Dependencies whatsoever, yet it did not seem to answer the Charges exhibited against him in the Letter before us: And thereupon he proceeded to the Effect following. \u201cSir, you know in Law a particular Answer to a general Charge is never required of any Man, and therefore it cannot be expected that I should make a particular Answer to a Number of general Charges, such as, speaking contemptibly (I suppose the polite Author means contemptuously) of the Proprietor, abusing and displacing the Governor, endeavouring to put a Stop to the Proceedings of Government and to the Administration of Justice, Partiality in Lending out Money at the Loan-Office, &c. Now to these I can only make this general Answer, that the Charges are most unjust; and if the worthy Author of that Letter will produce any Person of Credit (but I desire it may be remembred the Author himself is always excepted, for who knows but having once told a Lie he will be so hardy as still to stand to it) that can prove I have wittingly or willingly said or done any Wrong to that honourable Gentleman, or any of his Family, I will in the most publick Manner make such Acknowledgments as all the World shall say are just. Nor have I ever allow\u2019d my self the Freedom with the Propr\u2014r which the Author has seen fit to do, where he (kind Man) cautions that Gentleman neither to be wheedled, nor frightned by the Threats of that dangerous Man; and lest he should faint, for his Encouragement has told him, that all the People will stand by him, and others (no doubt meaning himself) who don\u2019t love Trouble, will be roused. Now whether this be decent Treatment of a Gentleman of the Pro\u2014r\u2019s Character, in supposing him to want Resolution to resent any Injury done him by any Man, but especially by one out of Favour with his Superiors is most certain, and, as the Author says (and without all doubt wishes it were true) hated by all the People, the Truth of which I leave the World to judge of. As to the displacing the Governor, he said, I don\u2019t understand what is meant by that: For, excepting his Majesty, I know none who have a Power to remove him but our Proprietary Family only: and they will bear me Witness, that I never directly nor indirectly made any Application to them for any such Removal; therefore this part of the Charge is utterly false. And as to the Article of Ingratitude, I freely refer the settling the Account of Obligations between the Governor and my self, to his own Honour; and I hope that\u2019s fair. As to my putting a stop to the Proceedings of Justice, &c. it is a dire[sym] Falshood; neither was I the Person, nor any Acquaintance of the Person\u2019s who started those Doubts in the Assembly which gave so great Offence to some folks: yet, whenever the judicious Author shall think fit to enter into that Controversy, I\u2019ll venture to say he needs not doubt being favoured with an Answer. As to my ruling all Courts, managing the Assembly at Pleasure, &c. Tho\u2019 I have seen the Time within these seven Years, and oftner than once, when my little Interest in those Courts and Councils was esteemed of very great Service to somebody, yet I shall at this time make no other Answer, than to say, these Charges so much concern Men of the best Characters for Integrity and Ability in the Government, that I cannot doubt the Charge will at one time or other meet with a Resentment adequate to the Injury done the Persons concern\u2019d. But as to my great Pride and other personal Vices, I shall only say, Lord I have sinned, have Mercy upon me a miserable Sinner!\u201d And then taking up the Letter in his Hand, he merrily said, \u201cWas this fine Letter but stript of all the affected simplicities and disguises the Author has been at the pains to dress it up in (for he used to write in the same stile against Sir William) and put into plain English, methinks it would read pretty much to the following purpose; \u2018Loving, Loving, Loving Friends, hear and believe, and then you will see, there is risen up amongst us a dangerous, proud, wicked, witty Fellow, whose Life is inconsistent with your Lives and Liberties, as by the following Instances will to you my dearest Countrymen be most manifest. He speaks contemptibly of the Pr\u2014\u2014r, for I my self have heard him swear terribly, that Gentleman was not tall enough to touch the Moon, nor strong enough to remove a Mountain: He abuses the Go\u2014\u2014r, and has endeavoured to displace him, for it is commonly reported, that he should say in a certain Place, that his Honour don\u2019t see now so well as when he was but one and twenty; and I my self with these very Eyes of mine, saw him once offer the arm\u2019d Chair to the Pro\u2014\u2014r when the Gov\u2014\u2014r was present; Now if this was not a plain Attempt to displace his Honour, judge ye. He\u2019s proud and revengeful to the last Degree, for he will not be thankful to his Betters for abusing him; and upon a certain Time publickly exposed me for insinuating he had taken greater Fees in his Office than by Law he was entitled to. He is a great Lawyer, and will not be fool\u2019d out of a good Cause; he is so cunning too, that he will rarely be concerned in a Case but what he believes to be just, he speaks to it with great Zeal, the Court is oblig\u2019d to do right, and often give Judgment for his Client, and thus it is he rules them as he pleases. He has so much Wit as to propose nothing in Assembly but what he thinks reasonable, and so crafty he will always agree with them in what is just, and by these Methods it is that he manages the Whole at Pleasure. Some of us of late never ask his Advice but when We can\u2019t well do without it, which the cunning Rogue knows very well, and for that Reason he is so wayward, that before We can have his Opinion, We are oblig\u2019d to truckle and pretend a mighty regard for his Judgment. When Matters of Government are done without his Advice, he has such a malicious Way of faulting and abusing us who are concerned, that when we blunder, he like the unlucky Boy, upon seeing a Ploughman mount the managed Horse which soon laid the Rider on his Back, laugh\u2019d aloud and cried out, Well fare you, Countryman, you sit well, e faith! This terrible Man has had much Power for these last seven Years, and you shall hear the Use he has made on\u2019t. I\u2019ll assure you what I tell you is true, tho\u2019 no body alive knows it. About six Years ago he eat up your Privileges at a Breakfast; it is but three Years since he made a Dinner of your Liberties; and if you suffer him to live one Year longer, he\u2019ll swallow all your Estates for his Supper. In short, he\u2019s a Witch; for with his Breath he blows Men blind, and with his Wit and Raillery he strikes them dumb: Is this Man fit to live? I pray you good People do, as a Reward for these my Labours, and that this dangerous Man may be pull\u2019d down, for the love of God, do, chuse me to represent you but one Year, and you shall see \u2014o [no?]\u2014Paper-Money, but Russet Shoes enough, And in the mean Time, let me have the Pleasure to hear you confess what a seasonable Discovery I have made of the Danger your Liberties, Privileges and Properties are in. I hope my Word is sufficient Proof for all these Things; and if you presume to doubt the Truth of what I have said, you are no better than the Courts and Assemblies I have been speaking of, that is, a parcel of Idiots, Fools and Miscreants; and what is still worse, I\u2019ll take my Oath on\u2019t, you are sworn Enemies to the Prop\u2014\u2014r and G\u2014\u2014r.\u2019\u201d And here my Friend said he was weary of talking, and would conclude by begging Pardon for putting a few paw Words in the Mouth of the worthy Author; but at the same time excused himself by saying, That as the Author had taken the Liberty to lie a great deal, he hoped to be forgiven for making him swear a little; which last Sin, he said, in respect to the Peace of a Neighbourhood, was in his Opinion by far the least of the two. And so he ended. And so I conclude with my own best Advice to our Friend the Author of the true Letter. Go on, most excellent Author and Patriot; and having got the Government on your side, spare no Man, who after having been most injuriously treated by you, shall dare to resent, nay, or to deny the Charge, tho\u2019 never so unjust. Tell the People again and again, that nothing but that Humanity and Generosity which is so natural to you, and the tender Regard you have for their Liberties and Privileges, but above all the Love you have for their Properties, could have rous\u2019d you from your beloved Retirement. And for Proof of all this, appeal to the Bricklayer, the Carpenter, the Shipwright, Tanner and Tax-gatherer, who will every one of them be Witnesses of the Truth of what I mean. Sir, your humble Servant.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1733},
{"created_timestamp": "11-26-1733", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0105", "content": "Title: Articles of Agreement with Louis Timoth\u00e9e, 26 November 1733\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin,Timoth\u00e9e, Louis\nTo: \n[November 26, 1733]\nArticles of Agreement indented [and] made the 26th Day of November Ao. Di. 1733 Between Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia in the Province of Pensilvania Printer of the one Part and Lewis Timoth\u00e9e of the said City Printer (now bound on a Voyage to Charlestown in South Carolina) Of the other Part: Whereas the said BF and LT have determined to enter into a Copartnership for the Carrying on the Business of Printing in Charles Town aforesaid, It is therefore covenanted, granted and agreed by and between the said Parties to these Presents and the said BF and LT do mutually covenant and agree each with the other of these each to each with the Heirs Executors and Administrators of the other of them in Manner following, That is to say, That they the said Benjamin Franklin and LT shall be Partners in carrying on the Trade and Business of Printing in Charlestown aforesaid for and during the Term of 6 Years from the Day on which the said L shall be put in Possession of a Printing Press, Types and Materials in the Town of Charlestown in S. Carol. provided by BF if they the said B and L shall so long live. That the said BF shall be at the sole Charge and Expence of providing a Printing Press with all its necessary Appurtenances together with 400 Weight of Letters (if the said L shall require so great a Quantity) and shall cause the same to be delivered into the possession of the said LT in Charlestown aforesaid. That the Business and working part of Printing and of Disposing of the Work printed shall be under the Care, Management and Direction of and performed by the said LT or at his Expence. That all Charges for Paper, Ink, Balls, Tympans, Wool, Oil and other Things necessary to printing, Together with the Charge of all common and necessary Repairs of the Press and its Appurtenances and also the Charge of Rent for a Shop and for so much Room as is necessary to be used in the management of the Business of Printing aforesaid shall be divided into 3 equal Parts, 2 of which said Parts shall be disbursed [defrayed written above] by and paid as due from the said LT; And the remaining 3rd Part shall be defrayed and allowed to be paid as due from the said BF and deducted out of the Income next herein after mentioned. That all Money received or to be received for printing or for any Thing done or to be done relating to the Business of printing aforesaid by the said LT, either as Gratuity, Premium, Reward or Salary from the Government or from Others shall be divided into 3 equal Parts, 2 of which said Parts the said LT shall have for his Care, Management and Performance aforesaid, and the said BF shall have the remaining 3rd Part thereof. That for the regular transacting the Affairs in Copartnership aforesaid the said LT shall keep fair and exact Books of Accounts of and concerning all Work done and sold by him and of all his Receipts and Disbursments relating to the Business of Printing in Copartnership aforesaid, with the Day, Month and Year of each Entry and submit the same to the View of the said BF, his lawful Attorney, Executors or Administrators as often as thereunto required And that all the Accounts of the Copartners in Copartnership aforesaid shall be drawn out Fair comunicated to each other and settled once a Year during the Copartnership aforesaid or oftner if either of them the said Copartners shall require it. And that upon such Settlement the said LT shall remit the Part by this Agreement belonging to the said  BF in such Wares or Merchandizes or in Bills of Exchange or in Money as the said B shall direct by Letter or Order under his Hand on board such Vessell and to such Port as the [said] B shall also require by Letter or Order as aforesaid at the proper Risque of the said B. That the said LT shall not work with any other printing Materials than those belonging to the said BF nor follow any other Business but Printing during the Continuance of the Copartnership aforesaid, occasional Merchandize excepted. That the Loss by bad Debts shall be divided and sustained by both Parties in the same Proportion as the Money ought to have been divided by this Agreement if it had been received. That neither of the said Parties shall reap any Benefit or Advantage by Survivorship if the other of them shall depart this Life before the Expiration of the said Term of 6 Years as aforesaid. But that if the said LT shall depart this Life before the Expiration of the said Term his Executors or Administrators shall deliver up the Press, Types and all other Materials of printing which have been provided by the said BF or at his Charge to the said B, his certain Attorney, Executors or Administrators upon Demand in good Order and Condition (allowing for the usual Wear and Decay of such things) as also the Share of Money, Effects and Debts belonging to the said B by this Agreement. Provided nevertheless That if PT, Son of the said LT, shall be capable of carrying on and will carry on the Business of Printing aforesaid as it ought to be carried on and shall also give sufficient Security for his complying with and performing all Things relating thereto which by this Agreement the said LT ought to have done had he lived, It shall be in the Power of the said PT to keep and improve the Materials of Printing so provided by the said BF as aforesaid until the Term of Copartnership aforesaid is expired, Any thing herein before contained to the Contrary notwithstanding. But if the said P shall relinquish this Agreement and shall be unwilling to continue the Copartnership hereby made, Then he shall not work at the Business of printing at all in the province of Carolina aforesaid until the Term of Copartnership aforesaid be compleatly expired. And if the said BF shall depart this Life before the Expiration of the Term of Copartnership aforesaid the said LT shall continue the Business nevertheless, paying and remitting the Part by this Agreement belonging to the said BF unto the Executors, Administrators or Assigns of the said B or as they shall direct, they performing all parts of this Agreement to the said L which he the said B ought to have done if he had lived. And that at the Expiration of the Term of 6 Years aforesaid the said L or his Son P shall have the preference of purchasing the said printing Press, Materials and Types, if they shall be so disposed, at their present Value, allowing only what shall be adjudged a reasonable Abatement for the Wear of such Things in the Time they have been used. But if the said L nor P shall not be enclined to purchase them at that Price they shall transport or cause to be transported to and delivered at Philadelphia the said printing Press, Materials and Types at their own proper Risque and Charges, to the said BF, his Executors, Administrators or Assigns, and if any unusual Damage by bad usuage or Negligence shall have happened to them they the said L or P shall make it good but if any Damage shall happen to the said Printing Press, Types, and Materials by some unavoidable Accident, the Loss shall be divided and sustained by both Parties in the same Manner as the Loss by bad Debts is by this Agreement to be divided and sustained. Provided Nevertheless that if the printing Press, Materials and Types which the said B provides shall be consumed and destroyed by Fire or otherwise rendred unfit for Use before the said LT shall have them in possession, then the Loss thereby shall be wholly sustain\u2019d by the said BF, and the Copartnership hereby made shall be disolved and abolished, Unless the said B be willing to continue it, and provide another Press and Types as aforesaid and send them at his own Risque to Charlestown aforesaid to be there delivered to the said LT, any thing herein before contained to the Contrary in any wise Notwithstanding. In Witness &c.\n Endorsed: Articles of Agreemt. between Printers abt. carrying their Trade viz int. B. Franklin and L. Timothee.", "culture": "English", "source_dataset": "Pile_of_Law", "source_dataset_detailed": "Pile_of_Law_founding_docs", "source_dataset_detailed_explanation": "Letters from U.S. founders.", "creation_year": 1733}
]