[
{"created_timestamp": "01-28-1729", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0034", "content": "Title: Martha Careful and Caelia Shortface, 28 January 1729\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nWhen Samuel Keimer forestalled Franklin\u2019s plan to publish a newspaper by announcing that he would publish one of his own, Franklin expressed his resentment through the satirical essays of The Busy-Body (see below, p. 113). The Busy-Body, however, was not the first to ridicule Keimer. Plodding methodically through the alphabet of Chambers\u2019 Cyclopaedia, Keimer had unwittingly printed in his fifth issue, January 21, the article on abortion. The following week Bradford\u2019s American Weekly Mercury carried on its front page letters of protest purportedly from two outraged females. From the style and circumstance of the letters, however, the editors believe that Martha Careful and Caelia Shortface were probably one, and that Franklin may have been her name. It is probable that, encouraged by the success of the womanly protests, Bradford and Franklin determined that their facetious attacks on Keimer should continue and that Franklin undertook to produce a series in the manner of Mrs. Silence Dogood. It is at least noteworthy that the first Busy-Body letter appeared the next week after Martha and Caelia had voiced their sex\u2019s sense of scandal and insult.\nHaving had several Letters from the Female Sex, Complaining of S.K. I have thought fit to Publish the Two following.\nMr. Andrew Bradford,\nIn behalf of my Self and many good modest Women in this City (who are almost out of Countenance) I Beg you will Publish this in your next Mercury, as a Warning to Samuel Keimer: That if he proceed farther to Expose the Secrets of our Sex, in That audacious manner, as he hath done in his Gazette, No. 5. under the Letters, A.B.O. To be read in all Taverns and Coffee-Houses, and by the Vulgar: I say if he Publish any more of that kind, which ought only to be in the Repositary of the Learned; my Sister Molly and my Self, with some others, are Resolved to run the Hazard of taking him by the Beard, at the next Place we meet him, and make an Example of him for his Immodesty. I Subscribe on the behalf of the rest of my Agrieved Sex. Yours\n  24 January, 1728. Martha Careful\nFriend Andrew Bradford,\n  I desire Thee to insert in thy next Mercury, the following Letter to Samuel Keimer, for by doing it, Thou may perhaps save Keimer his Ears, and very much Oblige our Sex in general, but in a more Particular manner. Thy modest Friend, C\u00c6lia Shortface\nFriend Samuel Keimer,\nI did not Expect when thou puts forth Thy Advertisement concerning Thy Universal Instructor, (as Thou art pleas\u2019d to call it,) That, Thou would have Printed such Things in it, as would make all the Modest and Virtuous Women in Pennsilvania ashamed.\nI was last Night in Company with several of my Acquaintance, and Thee, and Thy Indecencies, was the Subject of our Discourse, but at last we Resolved, That if thou Continue to take such Scraps concerning Us, out of thy great Dictionary, and Publish it, as thou hath done in thy Gazette, No. 5, to make Thy Ears suffer for it: And I was desired by the rest, to inform Thee of Our Resolution, which is That if thou proceed any further in that Scandalous manner, we intend very soon to have thy right Ear for it; Therefore I advice Thee to take this timely Caution in good part; and if thou canst make no better Use of Thy Dictionary, Sell it at Thy next Luck in the Bag; and if Thou hath nothing else to put in Thy Gazette, lay it down, I am, Thy Troubled Friend,\n27th of the 11th Mo. 1728. C\u00e6lia Shortface", "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": 1729},
{"created_timestamp": "02-25-1729", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0038", "content": "Title: The Busy-Body, No. 4, 25 February 1729\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \n  The Busy-Body. No. 4.\n  Nequid nimis.\nIn my first Paper I invited the Learned and the Ingenious to join with me in this Undertaking; and I now repeat that Invitation. I would have such Gentlemen take this Opportunity, (by trying their Talent in Writing) of diverting themselves and their Friends, and improving the Taste of the Town. And because I would encourage all Wit of our own Growth and Produce, I hereby promise, that whoever shall send me a little Essay on some moral or other Subject, that is fit for publick View in this Manner (and not basely borrow\u2019d from any other Author) I shall receive it with Candour, and take Care to place it to the best Advantage. It will be hard if we cannot muster up in the whole Country, a sufficient Stock of Sense to supply the Busy-Body at least for a Twelvemonth. For my own Part, I have already profess\u2019d that I have the Good of my Country wholly at Heart in this Design, without the least sinister View; my chief Purpose being to inculcate the noble Principles of Virtue, and depreciate Vice of every kind. But as I know the Mob hate Instruction, and the Generality would never read beyond the first Line of my Lectures, if they were usually fill\u2019d with nothing but wholesome Precepts and Advice; I must therefore sometimes humour them in their own Way. There are a Set of Great Names in the Province, who are the common Objects of Popular Dislike. If I can now and then overcome my Reluctance, and prevail with my self to Satyrize a little, one of these Gentlemen, the Expectation of meeting with such a Gratification, will induce many to read me through, who would otherwise proceed immediately to the Foreign News. As I am very well assured that the greatest Men among us have a sincere Love for their Country, notwithstanding its Ingratitude, and the Insinuations of the Envious and Malicious to the contrary, so I doubt not but they will chearfully tolerate me in the Liberty I design to take for the End above mentioned.\nAs yet I have but few Correspondents, tho\u2019 they begin now to increase. The following Letter, left for me at the Printers, is one of the first I have receiv\u2019d, which I regard the more for that it comes from one of the Fair Sex, and because I have my self oftentimes suffer\u2019d under the Grievance therein complain\u2019d of.\nTo the Busy-Body.\n\u201cSir,\n\u201cYou having set your self up for a Censurer Morum (as I think you call it) which is said to mean a Reformer of Manners, I know no Person more proper to be apply\u2019d to for Redress in all the Grievances we suffer from Want of Manners in some People. You must know I am a single Woman, and keep a Shop in this Town for a Livelyhood. There is a certain Neighbour of mine, who is really agreeable Company enough, and with whom I have had an Intimacy of some Time standing; But of late she makes her Visits so excessively often, and stays so very long every Visit, that I am tir\u2019d out of all Patience. I have no Manner of Time at all to my self; and you, who seem to be a wise Man, must needs be sensible that every Person has little Secrets and Privacies that are not proper to be expos\u2019d even to the nearest Friend. Now I cannot do the least Thing in the World, but she must know all about it; and it is a Wonder I have found an Opportunity to write you this Letter. My Misfortune is, that I respect her very well, and know not how to disoblige her so much as to tell her I should be glad to have less of her Company; for if I should once hint such a Thing, I am afraid she would resent it so as never to darken my Door again. But, alas, Sir, I have not yet told you half my Afflictions. She has two Children that are just big enough to run about and do pretty Mischief: These are continually along with Mamma, either in my Room or Shop, if I have never so many Customers or People with me about Business. Sometimes they pull the Goods off my low Shelves down to the Ground, and perhaps where one of them has just been making Water; My Friend takes up the Stuff, and cries, Eh! thou little wicked mischievous Rogue! \u2014 But however, it has done no great Damage; \u2019tis only wet a little; and so puts it up upon the Shelf again. Sometimes they get to my Cask of Nails behind the Counter, and divert themselves, to my great Vexation, with mixing my Ten-penny and Eight-penny and Four-penny together. I Endeavour to conceal my Uneasiness as much as possible, and with a grave Look go to Sorting them out. She cries, Don\u2019t thee trouble thy self, Neighbour:  Let them play a little; I\u2019ll put all to rights my self before I go. But Things are never so put to rights but that I find a great deal of Work to do after they are gone. Thus, Sir, I have all the Trouble and Pesterment of Children, without the Pleasure of \u2014 calling them my own; and they are now so us\u2019d to being here that they will be content no where else. If she would have been so kind as to have moderated her Visits to ten times a Day, and stay\u2019d but half an hour at a Time, I should have been contented, and I believe never have given you this Trouble: But this very Morning they have so tormented me that I could bear no longer; For while the Mother was asking me twenty impertinent Questions, the youngest got to my Nails, and with great Delight rattled them by handfuls all over the Floor; and the other at the same Time made such a terrible Din upon my Counter with a Hammer, that I grew half distracted. I was just then about to make my self a new Suit of Pinners, but in the Fret and Confusion I cut it quite out of all Manner of Shape, and utterly spoil\u2019d a Piece of the first Muslin. Pray, Sir, tell me what I shall do. And talk a little against such unreasonable Visiting in your next Paper: Tho\u2019 I would not have her affronted with me for a great Deal, for sincerely I love her and her Children as well I think, as a Neighbour can, and she buys a great many Things in a Year at my Shop. But I would beg her to consider that she uses me unmercifully; Tho\u2019 I believe it is only for want of Thought. But I have twenty Things more to tell you besides all this; There is a handsome Gentleman that has a Mind (I don\u2019t question) to make love to me, but he can\u2019t get the least Opportunity to \u2014: O dear, here she comes again; I must conclude Yours, &c.\nPatience\u201d\nIndeed, \u2019tis well enough, as it happens, that she is come, to shorten this Complaint which I think is full long enough already, and probably would otherwise have been as long again. However, I must confess I cannot help pitying my Correspondent\u2019s Case, and in her Behalf exhort the Visitor to remember and consider the Words of the Wise Man, Withdraw thy Foot from the House of thy Neighbour least he grow weary of thee, and so hate thee. It is, I believe, a nice thing and very difficult, to regulate our Visits in such a Manner, as never to give Offence by coming too seldom, or too often, or departing too abruptly, or staying too long. However, in my Opinion, it is safest for most People, in a general way, who are unwilling to disoblige, to visit seldom, and tarry but a little while in a Place; notwithstanding pressing invitations, which are many times insincere. And tho\u2019 more of your Company should be really desir\u2019d; yet in this Case, too much Reservedness is a Fault more easily excus\u2019d than the Contrary.\nMen are subjected to various Inconveniences meerly through lack of a small Share of Courage, which is a Quality very necessary in the common Occurences of Life, as well as in a Battle. How many Impertinences do we daily suffer with great Uneasiness, because we have not Courage enough to discover our Dislike? And why may not a Man use the Boldness and Freedom of telling his Friends that their long Visits sometimes incommode him? On this Occasion, it may be entertaining to some of my Readers, if I acquaint them with the Turkish Manner of entertaining Visitors, which I have from an Author of unquestionable Veracity; who assures us, that even the Turks are not so ignorant of Civility, and the Arts of Endearment, but that they can practice them with as much Exactness as any other Nation, whenever they have a Mind to shew themselves obliging.\n\u201cWhen you visit a Person of Quality, (says he) and have talk\u2019d over your Business, or the Complements, or whatever Concern brought you thither, he makes a Sign to have Things serv\u2019d in for the Entertainment, which is generally, a little Sweetmeat, a Dish of Sherbet, and another of Coffee; all which are immediately brought in by the Servants, and tender\u2019d to all the Guests in Order, with the greatest Care and Awfulness imaginable. At last comes the finishing Part of your Entertainment, which is, Perfuming the Beards of the Company; a Ceremony which is perform\u2019d in this Manner. They have for the Purpose a small Silver Chaffing-Dish, cover\u2019d with a Lid full of Holes, and fixed upon a handsome Plate. In this they put some fresh Coals, and upon them a piece of Lignum Aloes, and shutting it up, the Smoak immediately ascends with a grateful Odour thro\u2019 the Holes of the Cover. This Smoak is held under every one\u2019s Chin, and offer\u2019d as it were a Sacrifice to his Beard. The bristly Idol soon receives the Reverence done to it, and so greedily takes in and incorporates the gummy Steam, that it retains the Savour of it, and may serve for a Nosegay a good while after.\n\u201cThis Ceremony may perhaps seem ridiculous at first hearing; but it passes among the Turks for an high Gratification. And I will say this in its Vindication, that it\u2019s Design is very wise and useful. For it is understood to give a civil Dismission to the Visitants; intimating to them, that the Master of the House has Business to do, or some other Avocation, that permits them to go away as soon as they please; and the sooner after this Ceremony the better. By this Means you may, at any Time, without Offence, deliver your self from being detain\u2019d from your Affairs by tedious and unseasonable Visits; and from being constrain\u2019d to use that Piece of Hypocrisy so common in the World, of pressing those to stay longer with you, whom perhaps in your Heart you wish a great Way off for having troubled you so long already.\u201d\nThus far my Author. For my own Part, I have taken such a Fancy to this Turkish Custom, that for the future I shall put something like it in Practice. I have provided a Bottle of right French Brandy for the Men, and Citron-Water for the Ladies. After I have treated with a Dram, and presented a Pinch of my best Snuff, I expect all Company will retire, and leave me to pursue my Studies for the Good of the Publick.\nAdvertisement.\nI give Notice that I am now actually compiling, and design to publish in a short Time, the true History of the Rise, Growth and Progress of the renowned Tiff-Club. All Persons who are acquainted with any Facts, Circumstances, Characters, Transactions, &c. which will be requisite to the Perfecting and Embellishment of the said Work, are desired to communicate the same to the Author, and direct their Letters to be left with the Printer hereof.\nThe Letter sign\u2019d Would-be-something is come to hand.", "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": 1729},
{"created_timestamp": "03-27-1729", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0040", "content": "Title: The Busy-Body, No. 8, 27 March 1729\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin,Breintnall, Joseph\nTo: \n  The Busy-Body. No. 8.\n  \u2014\u2014Quid non mortalia Pectora cogisAuri sacra Fames! Virgil.\nOne of the greatest Pleasures an Author can have is certainly the Hearing his Works applauded. The hiding from the World our Names while we publish our Thoughts, is so absolutely necessary to this Self-Gratification, that I hope my Well-wishers will congratulate me on my Escape from the many diligent, but fruitless Enquiries that have of late been made after me. Every Man will own, That an Author, as such, ought to be try\u2019d by the Merit of his Productions only; but Pride, Party, and Prejudice at this Time run so very high, that Experience shews we form our Notions of a Piece by the Character of the Author. Nay there are some very humble Politicians in and about this City, who will ask on which Side the Writer is, before they presume to give their Opinion of the Thing wrote. This ungenerous Way of Proceeding I was well aware of before I publish\u2019d my first Speculation; and therefore concealed my Name. And I appeal to the more generous Part of the World, if I have since I appear\u2019d in the Character of the Busy-Body given an Instance of my siding with any Party more than another, in the unhappy Divisions of my Country; and I have above all, this Satisfaction in my Self, That neither Affection, Aversion or Interest, have byass\u2019d me to use any Partiality towards any Man, or Sett of Men; but whatsoever I find nonsensically ridiculous, or immorally dishonest, I have, and shall continue openly to attack with the Freedom of an honest Man, and a Lover of my Country.\nI profess I can hardly contain my Self, or preserve the Gravity and Dignity that should attend the Censorial-Office, when I hear the odd and unaccountable Expositions that are put upon some of my Works, thro\u2019 the malicious Ignorance of some, and the vain Pride of more than ordinary Penetration in others; one Instance of which many of my Readers are acquainted with. A certain Gentleman has taken a great Deal of Pains to write a KEY to the Letter in my No. 4. wherein he has ingeniously converted a gentle Satyr upon tedious and impertinent Visitants into a Libel on some in the Government: This I mention only as a Specimen of the Taste of the Gentlemen, I am forsooth, bound to please in my Speculations, not that I suppose my Impartiality will ever be called in Question upon that Account. Injustices of this Nature I could complain of in many Instancies; but I am at present diverted by the Reception of a Letter, which tho\u2019 it regards me only in my Private Capacity, as an Adept, yet I venture to publish it for the Entertainment of my Readers.\n\u201cTo Censor Morum, Esq; Busy-Body General of the Province of Pennsylvania, and the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, upon Delaware.\n\u201cHonourable Sir,\n\u201cI judge by your Lucubrations, that you are not only a Lover of Truth and Equity, but a Man of Parts and Learning, and a Master of Science; as such I honour you. Know then, Most profound  Sir, that I have from my Youth up, been a very indefatigable Student in, and Admirer of that Divine Science, Astrology. I have read over Scot, Albertus Magnus, and Cornelius Agrippa above 300 Times; and was in hopes by my Knowledge and Industry, to gain enough to have recompenced me for my Money expended, and Time lost in the Pursuit of this Learning. You cannot be ignorant, Sir, (for your intimate Second sighted Correspondent knows all Things) that there are large Sums of Money hidden under Ground in divers Places about this Town, and in many Parts of the Country; But alas, Sir, Notwithstanding I have used all the Means laid down in the immortal Authors beforementioned, and when they fail\u2019d, the ingenious Mr. P\u2014d\u2014l with his Mercurial Wand and Magnet, I have still fail\u2019d in my Purpose. This therefore I send to Propose and desire an Acquaintance with you, and I do not doubt, notwithstanding my repeated Ill-Fortune, but we may be exceedingly serviceable to each other in our Discoveries; and that if we use our united Endeavours, the Time will come when the Busy-Body, his Second-sighted Correspondent, and your very humble Servant, will be Three of the richest Men in the Province: And then, Sir, what may not we do? A Word to the Wise is sufficient. I conclude with all demonstrable Respect, Yours, and Urania\u2019s Votary,\nTitan Pleiades.\u201d\nIn the Evening after I had received this Letter, I made a Visit to my Second-sighted Friend, and communicated to him the Proposal. When he had read it, he assur\u2019d me, that to his certain Knowledge there is not at this Time so much as one Ounce of Silver or Gold hid under Ground in any Part of this Province, For that the late and present Scarcity of Money had obliged those who were living, and knew where they had formerly hid any, to take it up, and use it in their own necessary Affairs: And as to all the Rest which was buried by Pyrates and others in old Times, who were never like to come for it, he himself had long since dug it all up and applied it to charitable Uses, And this he desired me to publish for general Good. For, as he acquainted me, There are among us great Numbers of honest Artificers and labouring People, who fed with a vain Hope of growing suddenly rich, neglect their Business, almost to the ruining of themselves and Families, and voluntarily endure abundance of Fatigue in a fruitless Search after Imaginary hidden Treasure. They wander thro\u2019 the Woods and Bushes by Day, to discover the Marks and Signs; at Midnight they repair to the hopeful Spot with Spades and Pickaxes; full of Expectation they labour violently, trembling at the same Time in every Joint, thro\u2019 Fear of certain malicious Demons who are said to haunt and guard such Places. At length a mighty hole is dug, and perhaps several Cartloads of Earth thrown out, but alas, no Cag or Iron Pot is found! no Seaman\u2019s Chest cram\u2019d with Spanish Pistoles, or weighty Pieces of Eight! Then they conclude, that thro\u2019 some Mistake in the Procedure, some rash Word spoke, or some Rule of Art neglected, the Guardian Spirit had Power to sink it deeper into the Earth and convey it out of their Reach. Yet when a Man is once thus infatuated, he is so far from being discouraged by ill Success, that he is rather animated to double his Industry, and will try again and again in a Hundred Different Places, in Hopes at last of meeting with some lucky Hit, that shall at once Sufficiently reward him for all his Expence of Time and Labour.\nThis odd Humour of Digging for Money thro\u2019 a Belief that much has been hid by Pirates formerly frequenting the River, has for several Years been mighty prevalent among us; insomuch that you can hardly walk half a Mile out of Town on any Side, without observing several Pits dug with that Design, and perhaps some lately opened. Men, otherwise of very good Sense, have been drawn into this Practice thro\u2019 an over weening Desire of sudden Wealth, and an easy Credulity of what they so earnestly wish\u2019d might be true. While the rational and almost certain Methods of acquiring Riches by Industry and Frugality are neglected or forgotten. There seems to be some peculiar Charm in the conceit of finding Money; and if the Sands of Schuylkil were so much mixed with small Grains of Gold, that a Man might in a Day\u2019s Time with Care and Application get together to the Value of half a Crown, I make no Question but we should find several People employ\u2019d there, that can with Ease earn Five Shillings a Day at their proper Trades.\nMany are the idle Stories told of the private Success of some People, by which others are encouraged to proceed; and the Astrologers, with whom the Country swarms at this Time, are either in the Belief of these things themselves, or find their Advantage in persuading others to believe them; for they are often consulted about the critical Times for Digging, the Methods of laying the Spirit, and the like Whimseys, which renders them very necessary to and very much caress\u2019d by the poor deluded Money-hunters.\nThere is certainly something very bewitching in the Pursuit after Mines of Gold and Silver, and other valuable Metals; And many have been ruined by it. A Sea Captain of my Acquaintance used to blame the English for envying Spain their Mines of Silver; and too much despising or overlooking the Advantages of their own Industry and Manufactures. For my Part, says he, I esteem the Banks of Newfoundland to be a more valuable Possession than the Mountains of Potosi; and when I have been there on the Fishing Account, have look\u2019d upon every Cod pull\u2019d up into the Vessel as a certain Quantity of Silver Ore, which required only carrying to the next Spanish Port to be coin\u2019d into Pieces of Eight; not to mention the National Profit of fitting out and Employing such a Number of Ships and Seamen. Let honest Peter Buckrum, who has long without Success been a Searcher after hidden Money, reflect on this, and be reclaimed from that unaccountable Folly. Let him consider that every Stitch he takes when he is on his Shop-board, is picking up part of a Grain of Gold that will in a few Days Time amount to a Pistole; And let Faber think the same of every Nail he drives, or every Stroke with his Plain. Such Thoughts may make them industrious, and of consequence in Time they may be Wealthy. But how absurd is it to neglect a certain Profit for such a ridiculous Whimsey: To spend whole Days at the George, in company with an idle Pretender to Astrology, contriving Schemes to discover what was never hidden, and forgetful how carelessly Business is managed at Home in their Absence: To leave their Wives and a warm Bed at Midnight (no matter if it rain, hail, snow or blow a Hurricane, provided that be the critical Hour) and fatigue themselves with the Violent Exercise of Digging for what they shall never find, and perhaps getting a Cold that may cost their Lives, or at least disordering themselves so as to be fit for no Business beside for some Days after. Surely this is nothing less than the most egregious Folly and Madness.\nI shall conclude with the Words of my discreet Friend Agricola, of Chester-County, when he gave his Son a Good Plantation, My Son, says he, I give thee now a Valuable Parcel of Land; I assure thee I have found a considerable Quantity of Gold by Digging there; Thee mayst do the same. But thee must carefully observe this. Never to dig more than Plow-deep.", "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": 1729},
{"created_timestamp": "10-02-1729", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0042", "content": "Title: The Printer to the Reader, 2 October 1729\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nThe attacks of the Busy-Body, Keimer\u2019s business incompetence, the flatness of his paper plodding doggedly through the letter A of Chambers\u2019 Cyclopaedia, all combined to keep the Universal Instructor in all Arts and Sciences from getting either subscribers or advertisers. Keimer\u2019s creditors, growing apprehensive, had him seized in June, and the paper missed an issue as a result. Thereafter things worsened rapidly. On September 18 he announced his intention of leaving Pennsylvania, and on September 25\u2014in Number 39, his last\u2014he published his decision to sell the paper. \u201cYet that his generous Subscribers may not be baulk\u2019d or disappointed, he has agreed with B. Franklin and H. Meredith, at the New Printing-Office, to continue it to the End of the Year, having transfer\u2019d the Property wholly to them, [D. Harry declining it] and probably if farther Encouragement appears, it will continue longer.\u201d The first issue under the new management appeared on October 2. Its title was shortened, its layout and typography were improved, it printed more local news, and it began with a statement of editorial policy.\nThe Pennsylvania Gazette being now to be carry\u2019d on by other Hands, the Reader may expect some Account of the Method we design to proceed in.\nUpon a View of Chambers\u2019s great Dictionaries, from whence were taken the Materials of the Universal Instructor in all Arts and Sciences, which usually made the First Part of this Paper, we find that besides their containing many Things abstruse or insignificant to us, it will probably be fifty Years before the Whole can be gone thro\u2019 in this Manner of Publication. There are likewise in those Books continual References from Things under one Letter of the Alphabet to those under another, which relate to the same Subject, and are necessary to explain and compleat it; these taken in their Turn may perhaps be Ten Years distant; and since it is likely that they who desire to acquaint themselves with any particular Art or Science, would gladly have the whole before them in a much less Time, we believe our Readers will not think such a Method of communicating Knowledge to be a proper One.\nHowever, tho\u2019 we do not intend to continue the Publication of those Dictionaries in a regular Alphabetical Method, as has hitherto been done; yet as several Things exhibited from them in the Course of these Papers, have been entertaining to such of the Curious, who never had and cannot have the Advantage of good Libraries; and as there are many Things still behind, which being in this Manner made generally known, may perhaps become of considerable Use, by giving such Hints to the excellent natural Genius\u2019s of our Country, as may contribute either to the Improvement of our present Manufactures, or towards the Invention of new Ones; we propose from Time to Time to communicate such particular Parts as appear to be of the most general Consequence.\nAs to the Religious Courtship, Part of which has been retal\u2019d to the Publick in these Papers, the Reader may be inform\u2019d, that the whole Book will probably in a little Time be printed and bound up by it self; and those who approve of it, will doubtless be better pleas\u2019d to have it entire, than in this broken interrupted Manner.\nThere are many who have long desired to see a good News-Paper in Pennsylvania; and we hope those Gentlemen who are able, will contribute towards the making This such. We ask Assistance, because we are fully sensible, that to publish a good News-Paper is not so easy an Undertaking as many People imagine it to be. The Author of a Gazette (in the Opinion of the Learned) ought to be qualified with an extensive Acquaintance with Languages, a great Easiness and Command of Writing and Relating Things cleanly and intelligibly, and in few Words; he should be able to speak of War both by Land and Sea; be well acquainted with Geography, with the History of the Time, with the several Interests of Princes and States, the Secrets of Courts, and the Manners and Customs of all Nations. Men thus accomplish\u2019d are very rare in this remote Part of the World; and it would be well if the Writer of these Papers could make up among his Friends what is wanting in himself.\nUpon the Whole, we may assure the Publick, that as far as the Encouragement we meet with will enable us, no Care and Pains shall be omitted, that may make the Pennsylvania Gazette as agreeable and useful an Entertainment as the Nature of the Thing will allow.", "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": 1729},
{"created_timestamp": "10-09-1729", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0043", "content": "Title: Governor Burnet and the Massachusetts Assembly, 9 October 1729\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nHis Excellency Governor Burnet died unexpectedly about two Days after the Date of this Reply to his last Message: And it was thought the Dispute would have ended with him, or at least have lain dormant till the Arrival of a new Governor from England, who possibly might, or might not be inclin\u2019d to enter too rigorously into the Measures of his Predecessor. But our last Advices by the Post acquaint us, that his Honour the Lieutenant Governour (on whom the Government immediately devolves upon the Death or Absence of the Commander in Chief) has vigorously renew\u2019d the Struggle on his own Account; of which the Particulars will be seen in our Next.\nPerhaps some of our Readers may not fully understand the Original or Ground of this warm Contest between the Governour and Assembly. It seems, that People have for these Hundred Years past, enjoyed the Privilege of Rewarding the Governour for the Time being, according to their Sense of his Merit and Services; and few or none of their Governors have hitherto complain\u2019d, or had Reason to complain, of a too scanty Allowance. But the late Gov. Burnet brought with him Instructions to demand a settled Salary of \u00a31000 per Annum, Sterling, on him and all his Successors, and the Assembly were required to fix it immediately. He insisted on it strenuously to the last, and they as constantly refused it. It appears by their Votes and Proceedings, that they thought it an Imposition, contrary to their own Charter, and to Magna Charta; and they judg\u2019d that by the Dictates of Reason there should be a mutual Dependence between the Governor and the Governed, and that to make any Governour independent on his People, would be dangerous, and destructive of their Liberties, and the ready Way to establish Tyranny: They thought likewise, that the Province was not the less dependent on the Crown of Great-Britain, by the Governour\u2019s depending immediately on them and his own good Conduct for an ample Support, because all Acts and Laws which he might be induc\u2019d to pass, must nevertheless be constantly sent Home for Approbation in Order to continue in Force. Many other Reasons were given and Arguments us\u2019d in the Course of the Controversy, needless to particularize here, because all the material Papers relating to it, have been inserted already in our Publick News.\nMuch deserved Praise has the deceas\u2019d Governour received, for his steady Integrity in adhering to his Instructions, notwithstanding the great Difficulty and Opposition he met with, and the strong Temptations offer\u2019d from time to time to induce him to give up the Point. And yet perhaps something is due to the Assembly (as the Love and Zeal of that Country for the present Establishment is too well known to suffer any Suspicion of Want of Loyalty) who continue thus resolutely to Abide by what they Think their Right, and that of the People they represent, maugre all the Arts and Menaces of a Governour fam\u2019d for his Cunning and Politicks, back\u2019d with Instructions from Home, and powerfully aided by the great Advantage such an Officer always has of engaging the principal Men of a Place in his Party, by conferring where he pleases so many Posts of Profit and Honour. Their happy Mother Country will perhaps observe with Pleasure, that tho\u2019 her gallant Cocks and matchless Dogs abate their native Fire and Intrepidity when transported to a Foreign Clime (as the common Notion is) yet her Sons in the remotest Part of the Earth, and even to the third and fourth Descent, still retain that ardent Spirit of Liberty, and that undaunted Courage in the Defence of it, which has in every Age so gloriously distinguished Britons and Englishmen from all the Rest of Mankind.", "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": 1729},
{"created_timestamp": "10-23-1729", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0044", "content": "Title: The Printer to the Reader, 23 October 1729\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nThe Publishers of this Paper meeting with considerable Encouragement, are determined to continue it; and to that End have taken Measures to settle a general Correspondence, and procure the best and earliest Intelligence from all Parts. We shall from time to time have all the noted Publick Prints from Great Britain, New-England, New-York, Maryland and Jamaica, besides what News may be collected from private Letters and Informations; and we doubt not of continuing to give our Customers all the Satisfaction they expect from a Performance of this Nature.\nFrom this Time forward, instead of publishing a Whole Sheet once a Week, as the first Undertaker engag\u2019d to do in his Proposals, we shall publish a Half Sheet twice a Week, which amounts to the same Thing; only we think it will be more acceptable to our Readers, inasmuch as their Entertainment will by this Means become more frequent. Numb. XLIV. will come out on Monday next.", "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": 1729},
{"created_timestamp": "12-16-1729", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0046", "content": "Title: From the Casuist: The Case of the Trespassing Horse, 16 December 1729\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nTo the Printers of the Pennsylvania Gazette.\nI send you here an Answer to a Query in your last Paper. It is there said A Man by Night shot a trespassing Horse in his Corn-field, taking the Horse for a Deer. Then it is queried Whether he ought to pay for the same, since it was by Mistake, and the Horse a Trespasser.\nI Answer, the Man who kill\u2019d the Horse ought to pay for the same, for two Reasons; First, because the Mistake was not barely accidental, but had more of Rashness in it; And secondly, Because the Law has provided Redress for such as have Damage by trespassing Cattle.\nIt may be added that the Death of the Horse was a greater Loss to the Owner, than the Damage done in the Corn-field could amount to; and if it were not, the Law (regarding every Man\u2019s Property impartially) does not privilege any Man, so injured, to take his own Satisfaction. Besides the ill Practice of Night-watching to shoot Venison is unwarrantable, in as much as a Man by so doing undertakes to perform what he knows he cannot see to do without great Danger of committing worse Mistakes than shooting of Horses, as have heretofore happen\u2019d when Men have been shot for Deer. Yours,\nThe Casuist", "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": 1729},
{"created_timestamp": "10-02-1729", "downloaded_timestamp": "10-18-2021", "url": "https://founders.archives.gov/API/docdata/Franklin/01-01-02-0047", "content": "Title: Extracts from the Gazette, 1729\nFrom: Franklin, Benjamin\nTo: \nThe Pennsylvania Gazette usually printed several columns of intelligence, from out-of-town and foreign newspapers or from private letters; and essays, which might be reprinted from English periodicals, contributed by a member of the Junto or a reader, or written by Franklin himself. But every issue carried local news, reports, advertisements, squibs, and announcements. To illustrate the variety of these materials originating in Philadelphia that Franklin worked with in his paper, short selections will be made for the years 1729\u201347 and will be grouped together at the end of the calendar year in which they appeared instead of inserted separately in their proper chronological places. They show Franklin, his family and friends, and the people and events which reflected or excited his interests. Pieces perhaps trivial are included in these Gazette selections because their style is so like Franklin\u2019s that it is probable he wrote them; though to determine now which specific paragraphs are his is impossible. No attempt is made to reproduce the exact typography, especially in the case of advertisements. The imprint of the last issue of the Gazette for each year will appear as the final extract for that year.\n\tWe hear from Amboy, that all the Persons concern\u2019d with Eanon (the same that dy\u2019d at Sea in his Passage from Dublin to this Place) in counterfeiting the 18d. Bills of New Jersey, are apprehended and secur\u2019d in their Prison. It is not found that any other of the New Bills are counterfeited but those of 18d. And it is remarkable that all Attempts of this Kind upon the Paper Money of this and the neighbouring Provinces, have been detected and met with ill Success. [October 2]\n\t[Advertisement] Bibles, Testaments, Psalters, Psalm-Books, Accompt-Books, Bills of Lading bound and unbound, Common Blank Bonds for Money, Bonds with Judgment, Counterbonds, Arbitration Bonds, Arbitration Bonds with Umpirage, Bail Bonds, Counterbonds to save Bail harmless, Bills of Sale, Powers of Attorney, Writs, Summons, Apprentices Indentures, Servants Indentures, Penal Bills, Promisory Notes, &c. all the Blanks in the most authentick Forms, and correctly printed; may be had at the Publishers of this Paper; who perform all other Sorts of Printing at reasonable Rates. [October 2]\nJust Published: Titan Leeds\u2019s Almanack, for the Year, 1730. in his usual plain Method; being far preferable to any yet published in America. To be sold by David Harry at the late Printing-Office of Samuel Keimer, at Three Shillings and nine-pence per Dozen.\nN.B. As this Almanack for its Worth has met with universal Reception, it has rais\u2019d the Price of the Copy to \u00a325 a year, for which Reason the Printer cannot afford them under the above-mentioned Price: But gives this Friendly Caution to the Publick, That when they buy Almanacks for 3s. a Dozen, they must not expect Titan Leeds\u2019s, or any so valuable. [October 2]\n\tAnd sometime last Week, we are informed, that one Piles a Fidler, with his Wife, were overset in a Canoo near Newtown Creek. The good Man, \u2019tis said, prudently secur\u2019d his Fiddle, and let his Wife go to the Bottom. [October 16]\n\tAt present the Foreign News of most Consequence to us seems to be that which relates to the Peace with Spain. The four following Paragraphs concerning it, are taken from four different London Papers, of the latest Date that came in the last Vessel from thence to Philadelphia. The two first are from the London Journal and the British Journal, both at this time accounted Government Papers; the third is from the Craftsman, who is suppos\u2019d to be a Whigg Writer, but against the present Administration; the fourth is from Fog\u2019s Journal, (the same that was formerly called Mist\u2019s Journal) always reckoned a Tory Paper. When the Reader has allowed for these Distinctions, he will be better able to form his Judgment on the Affair. [October 23]\n\t  We are inform\u2019d that the following Accident lately happen\u2019d at Merion, viz. A Man had order\u2019d his Servant to take some Fowls in from Roost every Night for fear of the Fox: But one Evening hearing them cry, he look\u2019d out and saw, as he thought, a Fox among them; accordingly he took his Gun, charg\u2019d with Swan Shot, and fir\u2019d at him; when to his Surprize it prov\u2019d to be the Servant\u2019s Arm, which taking down the Fowls he had mistaken for a Fox. The Man receiv\u2019d several Shot, some thro\u2019 his Arm, but none of them are thought to be dangerous. [November 6]\n[Advertisement] Whereas William Bradford, of New-York, Printer, has basely and villanously forged an Almanack in my Name, which is not only a considerable Damage to me and my Printer, but also an Imposition upon the Publick: I hereby declare the said Almanack is a base and scandalous Counterfeit, printed without my Consent or Knowledge; and earnestly request all that use to buy Almanacks for the Sake of mine or my Father\u2019s Calculations to discourage such a detestable Piece of Villany: And they may be assur\u2019d I will take the most proper Methods to prosecute the said Bradford, in Order to hinder such Male-Practices for the future. As Witness my Hand,\n    Burlington Nov. 3. 1729. Titan Leeds\n\tN.B. The Genuine Leeds\u2019s Almanacks are to be had of David Harry, at the late House of Samuel Keimer, and of William Heurtin, Goldsmith, in New-York. [November 10]\n[Advertisement] Whereas Titan Leeds has been pleased to send forth a scandalous Advertisement against William Bradford, saying, He has forged an Almanack in my (Titan Leeds) Name, which is a Damage to me, and an Imposition upon the Publick,\nThese are therefore to inform all Persons, That the above Assertion of Titan Leeds is a base and notorious Falshood; for altho\u2019 his Almanack is Re-printed, upon perusal we find it to be the same with that which is said to be printed at Philadelphia (the Errors in the first Impression excepted) and it is but Justice to the Buyers that the Errors therein should be corrected, the Time of holding Courts in New-York and New-Jersey being all wrong. And whether W. Bradford Re-printed said Almanack or not, he claims a Property in it, because about five Years ago he agreed with Titan for his Copy so long as W. B. liv\u2019d, for a certain Sum of Money, (which Agreement he has under Titan\u2019s Hand) and paid him \u00a320 in Part, and the Remainder he sent in 3 Weeks after he wrote for it. But in the interim the famous Sam. Keimer steps in and offers Titan more Money for it, Titan accepts, and sells it a second Time. When William Bradford told Titan he would sue him for the Non-performance of his Agreement, Titan writes several Letters, praying W.B. not to sue him, because it would Ruin him, and he would pay back the Money; and by the Intreaty of some Friends W. B. did forbear to sue him, or reprint the Almanack, altho\u2019 (as he told Titan) he claimed a Property in it.\nUpon the said Bradford\u2019s being thus disappointed, Felix Leeds (Titan\u2019s Brother) publishes an Almanack; No sooner came this forth but Titan and Sam. Keimer send out their Advertisements, and tell the World, That Felix could not write an Almanack, That it was a Counterfeit, a Cheat and Imposition upon the Publick; and this base and abusive Method they continued Year after Year without any Provocation, and W. and A. Bradford lay under their Scandals without Interruption. This Year his Almanack is Re-printed, and he says W. B. has done it, but perhaps he may find himself mistaken, altho\u2019 he claims a Property in it. And perhaps it will be Reprinted until such Time as Titan and Keimer make Satisfaction for the Money, and the gross Lies and Abuses they have cast upon the said Wm. and Andrew Bradford, as well as for Keimer\u2019s Reprinting several Books upon them, to their Damage of above \u00a3200. And it\u2019s but a just Reprizal if they Re-print upon him.\nAnd Friend Titan is hereby advertised, That he may expect to be handled in another Manner than this Advertisement, for his so free Charges of Villany, Forgery, Counterfeit, &c.\n    New-York, Nov. 10. 1729. William Bradford\n\tN.B. Felix Leeds\u2019s, Titan Leeds\u2019s and William Birket\u2019s Almanacks, are to be sold by Wholesale and Retail by William Bradford in New-York, and by Andr. Bradford in Philadelphia. [November 13]\n\tN.B. While the Post to New-York continues his Fortnight Stages, which he has now begun, we shall publish a whole Sheet once a Week as usual, and not a Half Sheet twice a Week, as we have lately done. The Paper will now come out on Tuesdays. [December 9]\nWe hear from Trenton, that on Friday the 5th Instant, a good new Stable belonging to Mr. John Severn, was burnt down to the Ground, in which was consumed five Load of English Hay, and seven Horses were burnt to Death; occasioned by the Carelessness of a Servant, who let a Candle fall among the Hay.\nAbout the same Time a Barn and Stable was burnt near Allen\u2019s-Town: The Owner attempting to save a good Horse he had in the Stable, very narrowly escap\u2019d with his own Life; \u2019tis observed as something unaccountable in the Nature of Horses, that they are so far from endeavouring to avoid the Danger of Fire, as to stand obstinately and suffer themselves to be burnt; nor will they be led from it unless first made blindfold. [December 16]\n\t  Those Gentlemen and Others who have taken this Gazette from the Beginning, and have not yet answered for the same, are desired to take Notice, that the Pay for the first Three Quarters of a Year only is due to Mr. Keimer the former Publisher; and that their Year with us begins on the second of October last, which was the Date of our first Paper, No. XL. [December 23]\nPhiladelphia : Printed by B. Franklin and H. Meredith, at the New Printing-Office near the Market, where Advertisements are taken in, and all Persons may be supplied with this Paper, at Ten Shillings a Year.", "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": 1729}
]