I thank God that I have enjoyed a greater share of health.... PBF 14:72-73, BF to Jane Mecom, Mar. 2, 1767.
My enemies were forc’d to content themselves with abusing. . . . PBF 17:285, BF to Jane Mecom, Nov. 7, 1770; PBF 17:314, BF to Jane Mecom, Dec. 30, 1770.
During the course of the Stamp Act affair, . . . . PBF 13:315-16, BF to Deborah Franklin, June 13, 1766; PBF 13:383-84, BF to the Speaker and Committee of Correspondence of the Pennsylvania Assembly, Aug. 22, 1766; PBF 13:429, BF to Daniel Wister, Sept. 27, 1766; PBF 14:64, BF to Lord Kames, Feb. 25, 1767.
In December 1766, I was asked to recommend two young sons. ... PBF 13:530, BF to Benjamin Rush and Jonathan Potts, Dec. 20, 1766.
In 1748, at the age of 42, I took the proper measures for. . . PBF 3:318, BF to Cadwallader Colden, Sept. 29, 1748.
In 1767, my long partnership of the printing business with Mr. Hall expired, . . . . PBF 14:192, BF to Deborah Franklin, Jun 22, 1767; PBF 18:91, BF to Deborah Franklin, May 1, 1771.
At the same time, Deborah inform’d me that our daughter Sally. . . . In December 1771, I found Mr. Bache at his mother.... PBF 14:220-21, BF to Richard Bache, Aug. 5, 1767; PBF 15:185-86, BF to Richard Bache, Aug. 13, 1768; Richard Bache to Deborah Franklin, Dec. 3, 1771; PBF 19:29, BF to Jane Mecom, Jan. 13, 1772; PBF 19:42-45, BF to Deborah Franklin, Jan. 28, 1772; PBF 19:50-51, BF to William Franklin, Jan. 30, 1772.
I was happy to learn from my sister Jane Mecom. . . . PBF 18:185, BF to Jane Mecom, July 17, 1771.
I often wish’d that I were employ’d by the Crown.... PBF 6:468, BF to George Whitefield, July 2, 1756.
In 1769, I joined with Thomas Walpole, Richard Jackson, . . . . PBF 16:167-68, “Petition to the King”, June 1769; PBF 16:176, BF to Grey Cooper, July 11, 1769.
The application was raised to twenty million acres in January 1770. . . . PBF 17:8-11, “Petition to the Treasury from Franklin and Others for a Grant of Land”; 17:135n.
We were daily amus’d with expectations that it would be compleated. . . . PBF 20:89, BF to John Foxcroft, Mar. 3, 1773.
The Ohio affair seemed near a conclusion.... PBF 18:75-76, BF to William Franklin, Apr. 20, 1771.
The affair of the grant dragged on, but slowly, . . . . PBF 20:149-50, BF to Joseph Galloway, April 6, 1773.
Years later, in 1774, I was told that.... PBF 20:33-34, “Franklin’s Ostensible Withdrawal from the Walpole Company”, Jan. 12, 1774.
In 1767, some late incidents.... It was a common but mistaken notion in Britain.... Upon the whole, I had lived so much of my life in Britain, . . . . PBF 14:62-64, BF to Lord Kames, Feb. 25, 1767.
I stayed too long in London, and made a trip. . . . There are fair women in Paris who I think. . . . Versailles had infinite sums laid out in building it.... The civilities we every where received gave us. . . . Travelling is one way of lengthening life, . . . . PBF 14:250-51, BF to Mary Stevenson, Sept. 14, 1767, PBF 14:274, BF to Deborah Franklin, Oct. 9, 1767; PBF 15:35, BF to Thomas-Francois Dalibard, Jan. 31, 1768.
I often wished I could procure more attention.... PBF 15:98-99, BF to William Franklin, Apr. 16, 1768.
I wrote a piece under the name “Medius”. . . . Besides this tax. . . . Much malignant censure.... If it be said that their wages are too low... A law might be made.... PBF 15:158, BF to Grey Cooper, June 24, 1768; PBF 15:103-07, “On the Labouring Poor,” April 1768.
My piece, along with one I wrote.... PBF 15:159, BF to William Franklin, July 2, 1768.
The Parliament was sitting. . . . Tis really an extraordinary event, to see this Wilkes. . . . PBF 15:98-99, BF to William Franklin, Apr. 16, 1768.
I was sorry to see in the American papers.... PBF 15:224, BF to William Franklin, Oct. 5, 1768.
Even this capital, the residents of the King.... PBF 15:128-29, BF to John Ross, May 14, 1768.
The Court of King’s Bench postponed giving sentence against them... PBF 15:127-28, BF to Joseph Galloway, May 14, 1768.
By summer the tumults and disorders were pretty well subsided. . . .PBF 15:165, BF to Joseph Galloway, July 2, 1768.
Later in 1768 the visit of the King of Denmark engrossed.... PBF 15:225, BF to William Franklin, Oct. 5, 1768.
On the one hand, there was a general disposition in the British nation.... PBF 17:168, BF to Joseph Galloway, June 11, 1770.
Lord Hillsborough, the new Secretary of State, . . . . PBF 15:76, BF to William Franklin, Mar. 13, 1768.
In January 1771, at the earnest request of Mr. Strahan, . . . . PBF 18: 12-16, “Franklin’s account of his audience with Hillsborough,” Jan. 16, 1771.
After this conference between the Secretary and me . . . PBF 18:24-25, BF to Samuel Cooper, Feb. 5, 1771.
I do not pretend the gift of prophecy, but.... The resentment of the people will, at times.... PBF 18:102-04, “To the Massachusetts House of Representatives Committee of Correspondence,” May 15, 1771.
Temple came home to us. . . . PBF 18:74, BF to William Franklin, Apr. 20, 1771; PBF 19:52-53, BF to William Franklin, Jan. 30, 1772.
We had a severe and tedious winter in England... PBF 18:74, BF to William Franklin, Apr. 20, 1771.
In May 1771, I made with friends a journey of a fortnight. . . . The next morning the travelers left Manchester. . . . The next day we came to Birmingham. . . . PBF 18:118-19, BF to Deborah Franklin, June 5, 1771; PBF 18:114-16, “Journal of Jonathan Williams, Jr. on his Tour with Franklin and Others through Northern England,” May 28, 1771.
In June of 1771, I went out of town... PBF 18:137, BF to Jonathan Shipley; Franklin’s Autobiography, 43; PBF 18:204, BF to Deborah Franklin.
My wife sent to the bishop’s family.... PBF 20:58, BF to Deborah Franklin, Feb. 14, 1773; PBF 19:301, BF to Georgiana Shipley, Sept. 26, 1772.
I set out for Ireland, where Mr. Jackson and I were invited to dine . . . PBF 19:47-49, BF to William Franklin, Jan. 30, 1772; PBF 19:243, BF to William Franklin, Aug. 17, 1772.
In Ireland I had a good deal. . . . In Scotland, I spent 5 days with Lord Kames. . . . PBF 19:49-50, BF to William Franklin, Jan. 30, 1772.
In Scotland things made a better appearance... PBF 19:7, BF to Joshua Babcock, Jan. 13, 1772; PBF 19:71-72, BF to Joseph Galloway, Feb. 6, 1772.
I return’d again to London from a journey. ... PBF 20:315, BF to Benjamin Rush, July 14, 1773.
The cold bath has long been in vogue here.... PBF 19:16, BF to Thomas Cushing, Jan. 13, 1772; PBF 15:180, BF to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, July 21, 1768; PBF 18:206, BF to Jonathan Shipley, Aug. 15, 1771.
It is of the greatest importance to prevent diseases; . . . PBF 19:256, BF to William Franklin, Aug. 19, 1772.
As to my situation in London nothing. . . . PBF 19:258-59, BF to William Franklin, Aug. 19-22, 1772.
I was fortunate enough not to suffer. . . PBF 19:315, BF to Richard Bache, Oct. 7, 1772.
The philosophical transactions of the Royal Society... PBF 19:324-25, BF to Horace-Benedict de Saussure, Oct. 8, 1772.
In late 1772, I settled into my new apartment.... PBF 19:361, BF to William Franklin, Nov. 3, 1772.
A fifth edition of my book.... PBF 20:384, BF to Deborah Franklin, Sept. 1, 1773.
I had when a youth, read and smiled at an account.... PBF 20:464-65, BF to William Brownrigg, Nov. 7, 1773.
Two of the only descendants of my grandfather. . . . PBF 18:186, BF to Jane Mecom, July 17, 1771; PBF 19:395, BF to Deborah Franklin, Dec. 1, 1772.
Mrs. Stevenson’s daughter Polly married.... PBF 17:209, letter to Timothy Folger, Aug. 21, 1770.
In 1774, Mrs. Hewson had the smallpox. . . . PBF 21:205, BF to Deborah Franklin, Apr. 28, 1774; PBF 21:208, BF to Deborah Franklin, May 5, 1774; PBF 21:245, letter to Thomas Coombe, Jr., July 22, 1774.
In 1773, I wrote two pieces in England for the Public Advertiser. . .PBF 20:437-39, BF to William Franklin, Oct. 6, 1773.
Having been from my youth more or less engag’d in public affairs. . . . I should therefore.... Herein is the background: It has long appeared to me. . . .PBF 21:415-17, Trac
t Relative to the Affair of the Hutchinson Letters, 1774.
At the same time, I am a mortal enemy to arbitrary government . . . PBF 1:11, “Silence Dogood, No. 2,” April 16, 1722; PBF 20:330, BF to John Winthrop, July 25, 1773; PBF 21:418-19, Tract Relative to the Affair of the Hutchinson Letters, 1774.
In 1773, I opposed without success the tax on tea . . . I sent the original letters to my particular... Carl Van Doren, ed., Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiographical Writings, 636; PBF 21:420, Tract Relative to the Affair of the Hutchinson Letters, 1774; PBF 20:550, letter of Thomas Hutchinson, Jan. 20, 1769.
The news being arriv’d in England of the divulging. . . . My answer to the oath was, that the letters in question. . . . It had about this time become evident that.... PBF 21:427-35, Tract Relative to the Affair of Hutchinson’s Letters, 1774.
I heard from all quarters that the ministry.... PBF 21:334, BF to Joseph Galloway, Oct. 12, 1774.
On the 29th of January 1774 the. . . . PBF 21:80-81, “A letter from London,” Apr. 25, 1774; PBF 21:92-94, BF to Thomas Cushing, Feb. 15, 1774; PBF 21:147-48, BF to Jan Ingenhousz, Mar. 18, 1774; Franklin sketch of services to U.S., Dec. 29, 1788.
I wrote my son William in New Jersey to acquaint him that.... PBF 20:437, BF to William Franklin, Oct. 6, 1773;PBF 21:75, BF to William Franklin, Feb. 2, 1774; PBF 21:212, BF to William Franklin, 1774 (?); PBF 21:287, BF to William Franklin, Sept. 7, 1774.
During the whole of my time in England.... PBF 21:597-98, Journal of Negotiations in London, Mar. 22, 1775.
During the recess of the last Parliament.... From the time of the affront given me. . . . When I first came to England in 1757. . . . But toward the end of August 1774. . . . He mention’d an opinion prevailing in.... The new Parliament was to meet the 29th of November, 1774. . . . A time was appointed on which I was to have my second chess party. . . . On Christmas day, visiting Mrs. Howe. . . . After some extremely polite compliments. . . . Mrs. Howe here offering to withdraw.... I returned to town the next Wednesday.... Lord Howe here took out of his pocket a paper. . . . In a day or two, I sent the paper in a cover. . . . On the following Tuesday, Jan. 3, 1775. . . . On the Sunday being the 29th of January his Lordship Chatham. . . . On Wednesday Lord Stanhope at Lord Chatham’s request.... To hear so many of these hereditary legislators . . . After this proceeding I expected to hear no more. . . . We had not at this time a great deal of. . . . PBF 21:545-93, Journal of Negotiations in London, Mar. 22, 1775.
About this time, I was asked by a nobleman. . . . PBF 21:599-600, Franklin’s Purported Answer to a Nobleman’s Question on the American Disputes, 1775.
On the morning of Feb. 20, it was currently... It was during this time I wrote the following letter. . .PBF 21:512, BF to Jane Mecom, Feb. 26, 1775.
It was at this time in 1775 that I was inform’d. . . . PBF 21:401-02, Richard Bache to BF, Dec. 24, 1774; PBF 21:402-04, William Franklin to BF, Dec. 24, 1774; PBF 23:311, BF to Jan Ingenhousz, Feb. 12, 1777; PBF 21:593, Journal of Negotiations in London, Mar. 22, 1775.
Hearing nothing from Lord Howe. . . . The next morning (March 1). . . . A little before I left London.. . . . Mr. Walpole called at my house the next day... PBF 21:593-99, Journal of Negotiations in London, Mar. 22, 1775.
The day before I left London. . . . J. T. Rutt, Life and Correspondence of Joseph Priestley (London, 1831-32), vol. 1, 209-12.
That evening I received a note... PBF 21:538, John Fothergill to BF, Mar. 19, 1775.
4. CONGRESS AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, 1775-76
I arrive at home on the evening of the 5th of May, 1775, . . . . PBF 22:34, BF to David Hartley, May 8, 1775; PBF 22:42, BF to Jonathan Shipley, May 15, 1775; PBF 22:98, BF to Jonathan Shipley, July 7, 1775; PBF 22:65, BF to William Temple Franklin, Jun 13, 1775; PBF 22:100, BF to Mary Hewson, July 8, 1775; PBF 22:17, “Observations at Sea on Temperatures of Air and Water,” April 10-May 3, 1775; BF to Michel-Guillaume St. Jean de Crevecouer, no date; BF to Julien-David LeRoy, Feb. 1784.
I brought over a son with me. . . . PBF 22:34, BF to David Hartley, May 8, 1775; PBF 22:42, BF to Jonathan Shipley, May 15, 1775; PBF 22:98, BF to Jonathan Shipley, July 7, 1775; PBF 22:65, BF to William Temple Franklin, Jun 13, 1775; PBF 22:100, BF to Mary Hewson, July 8, 1775.
I found at my arrival all America.... PBF 22:93-94, BF to Jonathan Shipley, July 7, 1775; PBF 22:108, BF to Margaret Stevenson, July 17, 1775.
The Massachusetts governor call’d. . . . PBF 22:44, BF to Joseph Priestley, May 15, 1775.
The next morning I was unanimously.... PBF 22:34, BF to David Hartley, May 8, 1775; PBF 22:36, “Instructions to Its Delegates to Congress,” May 9, 1775; PBF 22:94, BF to Joseph Priestley, July 7, 1775; PBF 22:94, BF to Jonathan Shipley, July 7, 1775; Autobiography, 211.
The Congress met at a time when all minds.... PBF 22:91, BF to Joseph Priestley, July 7, 1775; PBF 22:97, BF to Jonathan Shipley, July 7, 1775; PBF 22:196, BF to David Hartley, Sep. 12, 1775.
Thus, propositions from Britain attempting.... PBF 22:50-51, BF to Humphry Marshall, May 23, 1775; 22:91-95, letter to Joseph Shipley, July 7, 1775; PBF 22:198, BF to Jonathan Williams, Jr., Sep. 12, 1775; PBF 22:218, BF to Joseph Priestley, Oct. 3, 1775.
I addressed (but never sent) the following letter to Mr. Strahan. . . . PBF 22:85
Thus, if a temperament naturally cool. . . . PBF 22:98, BF to Joseph Shipley, July 7, 1775.
Great frugality and great industry became fashionable... PBF 22:93, BF to Joseph Priestley, July 7, 1775.
On July 21, 1775 my proposed sketch.... PBF 22:120-25, “Proposed Articles of Confederation,” July 21, 1775.
The Congress adjourned on August 2 to the 5th of September, . . . . PBF 22:142, BF to Jane Mecom, Aug. 2, 1775; PBF 22:219, BF to William Straham, Oct. 3, 1775.
In addition to muskets, . . . . PBF 22:343, BF to Charles Lee, Feb. 11, 1776.
We gave up our commerce with Britain.... PBF 22:199, BF to Jonathan Shipley, Sept. 13, 1775; Carl Van Doren, ed., Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiographical Writings, 636.
I observed on one of the drums.... I confessed. . . . ’Tis curious.... I communicated.. . . .”The Rattlesnake as America’s Symbol,” BF to the Pennsylvania Journal, Dec. 27, 1775; A Benjamin Franklin Reader, ed. by Walter Isaacson (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003), 263-66.
I was as happy as I could be under the fatigue. . . . PBF 22:108, BF to Margaret Stevenson, July 17, 1775; PBF 22:200, BF to Jonathan Shipley, Sep. 13, 1775; PBF 25:78, “Franklin’s Description of His Ailments,” Oct. 17, 1777.
In October 1775, I travelled with two other delegates.... PBF 22:242, BF to Richard Bache, Oct. 19, 1775.
I learned that there were many cheerful countenances... PBF 22:223, BF to Jane Mecom, Oct. 16, 1775; PBF 22:197, BF to Jonathan Williams, Jr., Sep. 12, 1775; PBF 22:241-42, BF to Richard Bache, Oct. 19, 1775.
In early 1776, I received a letter from Gen. Charles Lee... PBF 22:357, BF to Charles Lee, Feb. 19, 1776; BF to Duc de la Rochefoucauld, Apr. 15, 1787.
The ancient Romans and Greek orators.... PBF 37:472-73, BF to Richard Price, June 13, 1782.
I always valu’d Mr. Paine’s friendship.... PBF 43:454, BF to Thomas Paine, Sep. 27, 1785; PBF 44:u600, BF to Charles-Henri, Comte d’Estaing, Apr. 15, 1787.
It would be a happiness to me if... PBF 22:367-68, BF to the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly, Feb. 26, 1776.
In Congress, I was made a member.... PBF 22:369-74, “The Committee of Secret Correspondence: Instructions to Silas Deane,” Mar. 2-3, 1776.
The Committee then reported that they conferr’d. . . . PBF 22:352, “The Committee of Secret Correspondence: a Report to Congress,” Feb. 14, 1776; 22:382, “Instructions and Commission from Congress,” Mar. 20, 1776; 22:379, letter to Philip Schuyler, Mar. 11, 1776; PBF 22:400, BF to Josiah Quincy, Sr., Apr. 15, 1776; PBF 25:78, “Franklin’s Description of His Ailments,” Oct. 17, 1777.
After some difficulty and delay in getting.... PBF 22:413-15, “The Commissioners to Canada to John Hancock,” PBF May 1, 1776; 22:418, “T
he Commissioners to Canada to John Hancock,” PBF May 6, 1776; 22:420, “The Commissioners to Canada to Philip Shcuyler,” PBF May 6, 1776; PBF 22:425, “The Commissioners to Canada to John Hancock,” May 8, 1776; Franklin sketch of services to U.S., Dec. 29, 1788.
On the 10th of May, five ships of war arrived from Quebec. . . . PBF 22:427-28, “The Commissioners to Canada to Philip Schuyler,” May 10, 1776; PBF 22:432, BF to Philip Schuyler, May 12, 1776; PBF 22:439-40, BF to Charles Carroll and Samuel Chase, May 27, 1776; PBF 25:78, “Franklin’s Description of His Ailments,” Oct. 17, 1777.
We were obliged to quit Canada... PBF 22:503-04, “The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Silas Deane,” July 8, 1776.
I arrived home in Philadelphia,.... PBF 22:443-44, “The Committee of Secret Correspondence: Instructions to William Brigham,” June 3, 1776; PBF 22:484-85, BF to George Washington, June 21, 1776.
In June, I was asked to assist in the preparing of a declaration of independence.... PBF 22:486, BF from Thomas Jefferson, June 21, 1776; PBF 20:302, BF to William Franklin, July 14, 1773.
I had written a draft of a resolution.... PBF 22:323, “Proposed Preamble to a Congressional Resolution,” 1775.
While recovering from boils and the gout. . . . Jefferson Papers 18:169, Thomas Jefferson to Robert Walsh, Dec. 4, 1818; PBF 22:486, Thomas Jefferson to BF, June 21, 1776.
The Congress, after mature deliberation.... PBF 22:502-03, “The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Silas Deane,” July 8, 1776; BF to Jane Mecom, July 4, 1786.
It is impossible we should think of submission.... Long did I endeavour with unfeigned and unwearied zeal.... Upon arrival in New York. . . . PBF 22:606-08, “The Committee of Conference: Report to Congress”; PBF 22:598-605, “Lord Howe’s Conference with the Committee of Congress”; PBF 22:575, BF to Lord Howe, Aug. 20, 1776.
I wrote the following letter to Lord Howe.... PBF 22:518-21, BF to Lord Howe, July 20, 1776.
On July 4th, I had been appointed to a committee.... PBF 22:562-63, “Proposal for the Great Seal of the United States,” Before Aug. 14, 1776.
The Compleated Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (1757-1790) Page 42