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The Works of Benjamin Franklin, including the Private as well as the Official and Scientific Correspondence, together with the Unmutilated and Correct Version of the Autobiography, compiled and edited by John Bigelow (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904). The Federal Edition in 12 volumes. Vol. III (Letters and Misc. Writings 1753-1763).

Author: Benjamin Franklin
Editor: John Bigelow

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CCXXIV

TO MR. PETER FRANKLIN, AT NEWPORT

. . . You may acquaint the gentlemen that desired you to inquire my opinion of the best method of securing a powder magazine from lightning, that I think they cannot do better than to erect a mast not far from it, which may reach fifteen or twenty feet above the top of it, with a thick iron rod in one piece fastened to it, pointed at the highest end, and reaching down through the earth till it comes to water. Iron is a cheap metal; but, if it were dearer, as this is a public thing, the expense is insignificant; therefore I would have the rod at least an inch thick, to allow for its gradually wasting by rust; it will last as long as the mast, and may be renewed with it. The sharp point for five or six inches should be gilt.

But there is another circumstance of importance to the strength, goodness, and usefulness of the powder, which does not seem to have been enough attended to: I mean the keeping it perfectly dry. For want of a method of doing this, much is spoiled in damp magazines, and much so damaged as to become of little value. If, instead of barrels, it were kept in cases of bottles well corked; or in large tin canisters, with small covers shutting close by means of oiled paper between, or covering the joining on the canister; or, if in barrels, then the barrels lined with thin sheet-lead; no moisture in either of these methods could possibly enter the powder, since glass and metals are both impervious to water.

By the latter of these means you see tea is brought dry and crisp from China to Europe, and thence to America, though it comes all the way by sea in the damp hold of a ship. And by this method, grain, meal, &c., if well dried before it is put up, may be kept for ages sound and good.

There is another thing very proper to line small barrels with; it is what they call tinfoil, or leaf-tin, being tin milled between rollers till it becomes as thin as paper, and more pliant, at the same time that its texture is extremely close. It may be applied to the wood with common paste, made with boiling water thickened with flour; and, so laid on, will lie very close and stick well; but I should perfer a hard, sticky varnish for that purpose, made of linseed oil much boiled. The heads might be lined separately, the tin wrapping a little round their edges. The barrel, while the lining is laid on, should have the end hoops slack, so that the staves standing at a little distance from each other may admit the head into its groove. The tinfoil should be plied into the groove. Then, one head being put in, and that end hooped tight, the barrel would be fit to receive the powder, and when the other head is put in and the hoops drove up, the powder would be safe from moisture, even if the barrel were kept under water. This tinfoil is but about eighteen pence sterling a pound, and is so extremely thin that, I imagine, a pound of it would line three or four powder barrels.

I am, &c.,

B. Franklin.

CCXXV

B. FRANKLIN’S SERVICES IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1Governor of the province of Massachusetts and author of the letters which, some eight years later, were destined to work his ruin.—ED.
1751.
Aug.	13.	Takes his seat in Assembly. Put on a Committee to prepare a Bill, same day.
Aug.	15.	Sent up with a Message to Govⁿ J^s Hⁿ.
Aug.	17.	On a Comm^ee to prepare an answer to Govⁿ Messages.
Aug.	20.	Reports on the subject of a Bridge over Skuylkill.
Aug.	22.	Reports on the subject of Indian Expenses.
		Seven Resolutions N. C. D., of his Drawing, upon that Report.
		Appointed on a Committee to draw an address to the Bonrick [mutilated] ing in pursuance of those Resolves.
Aug.	23.	Reported the same.
Aug.	24.	It was approved—but not put on the Minutes.
Oct.	14.	Return’d a Member for Philada.
		Sent on a Message to the Gov.
Oct.	15.	On the Committee of Accts., and Comm^ee of Grievances, and Comm^ee to revise the Minutes.
Oct.	16.	On Committee of Correspondence.
1752.
Feb.	3.	On a Message to the Governor.
Feb.	7.	On Comm^ee to inspect Accts.
Feb.	8.	On D^o to consider a Petition of Bakers.
Feb.	17.	On D^o for examining the laws relating to fees.
Feb.	24.	On D^o for a Bill relating to Dogs.
March	6.	On D^o to answer a Message.
March	11.	On D^o to see the Great Seal affixed to laws.
		On D^o to inquire into the State of our Paper Currency, Trade, Numbers of People, &c.
Aug.	13.	On a Message to the Gov^r with the Bill of Fees.
Aug.	20.	On a Committee for Conference with the Gov^r on that Bill.
		Makes report in writing on the State of Currency, &c.
Aug.	21.	Ordered to meet some of the Council, &c.
Aug.	22.	On a Message to Governor.
Oct.	14.	Return’d a Member for Philada.
		Sent on a Message to the Gov^r.
Oct.	17.	Appointed on 4 Committees, viz., Grievances, Revisal of Minutes [and?] Accounts, Correspondence, Laws, [mutilated] [?wi]th the Speaker to procure Books and Maps.
Oct.	17.	. . . Committee to bring in a Bill . . . the Gov^r on the Navy Bill . . . Committee [pre]pare a Message . . . of the Com^ee of Grievances.
1753.
May	30.	On a Committee to consider the Representation to the Proprietaries of 1751. and the answer thereto.
		On D^o to prepare an Answer to Gov^r Message.
Sept.	1.	On a Committee to consider Gov^r propos’d Amend^mts to a Money Bill.
Sept.	4.	On a Committee to Answer the Governrs. Message.
Sept.	7.	On D^o to report on a Message from the Gov^r.
175 [mutilated]
Sept.	15.	Return’d again for Philada.
		Sent on a Message to the Gov^r.
Sept.	16.	Appointed on 4 Committees, viz., Correspondence, Grievances, Accts., Revisal of Minutes.
Sept.	17.	On two more Committees, viz., To inspect the laws; and the State of Trade, Currency, &c.
1754.
Feb.	5.	Reports thereupon—
Feb.	14.	Translates a French Letter to Gov^r Dinwiddie.
Feb.	15.	Reports on the Laws.
Feb.	26.	On a Committee for Indian Trade.
March	5.	On D^o for considering a Petition for laying out Townships.
		On D^o for bringing in a Bill respecting the holding of Courts.
March	6.	On D^o to consider the Western Bounds.
March	7.	Reports on D^o.
April	5.	On a Committee to bring in a Money Bill.
April	8.	Gov^r appoints him a Commissioner for the Albany Treaty.
April	12.	Approved by the Assembly.
April	13.	On a Committee to inquire into the facts of a Petition.
April	15.	On D^o to answer a Message from the Gov^r.
April	18.	A number of Resolves drawn up by him and agreed to.
Aug.	9.	On a Committee to bring in a Money Bill.
1754.
Oct.	14.	Return’d for Philada.
Oct.	15.	Appointed on Committees of Grievances, and Revisals of Minutes, and Correspondence.
Dec.	31.	Representation to the Proprietaries, draw [mutilated] . . . Aug^t 3 . . . put on the Votes . . . 5. [mutilated]
March	17.	Takes his seat in . . . house.
March	18.	On a Committee to answer . . . and d . . . the Answers.
1755.
March	20.	On a Comm^ee to answer an . . . Message.
		Lays before the house . . . rec’d from the Gov^r.
March	22.	On a Comm^ee to bring in a bill relating to provisions exported.
		Requested to consider of establishing a Post for General Braddock.
April	1.	Memorial from Josiah Quincy drawn by him.
April	2.	Sundry orders of his proposing and drawing to supply N. England with provisions, &c.
April	9.	Gives his proposal to the House about the post which was agreed to.
May	12.	Receives the thanks of the House for his great Services in his late journey to the back country, etc.
May	14.	On a Committee to prepare a slate of the Bills.
		On D^o to prepare a Message to the Gov^r.
May	16.	On D^o to answer another Message and he draws the answer.
June	13.	Communicates to the House the letters of thanks he had received from Gen. Sir Peter Halkes and Col. Dunbar.
June	14.	On a Comm^ee to answer a Message of the Gov^r.
June	17.	On D^o to prepare a Bill.
June	17.	On D^o to prepare another Bill.
June	24.	On D^o to answer a Message.
July	28.	On D^o to D^o.
July	29.	On D^o to prepare a Bill for granting 50,000 £ to the King’s use.
		Sent with it to the Gov^r.
Aug.	5.	On D^o to answer his Message of Amendments.
Aug.	6.	On D^o to answer a Message and draws it—a long one.
		On D^o for a Bill to provide Quarters for the King’s Troops.
Aug.	13.	On D^o to answer a long Message.
Aug.	21.	On D^o to answer a Message.
Aug.	22.	To dispose of money for the defense of the frontiers.
Sept.	15.	On D^o to prepare a Bill for regulating Inspectors.
Sept.	19.	Requested by the House to endeavour to prevail with Col. Dunbar to discharge servants and apprentices.
		On a Committee to answer a Message.
		Produces to the House a letter to himself from T. Hutchison,1 which induces the grant of 10,000 £ to Massachusetts.
Sept.	17.	Returned for Philada.
		Sent with verbal Message to Gov^r.
		On 4 Committees: Correspondence, Grievances, Minutes, Laws.
		On D^o to bring in a Money Bill 60,000 £.
		On D^o to prepare Bill for supplying our Indians.
		On D^o to answer a Message.
Nov.	10.	On a Co. [mutilated] answer a Message.
Nov.	13.	On D^o [mutilated] . . . sides two applications to the House from Quakers, and from the Mayor of Philad^a, &c.
Nov.	17.	On D^o to answer a Message.
Nov.	19.	B . . . Leave . . . brings in a Militia Bill.
		On a Committee to answer a Message.
Nov.	20.	On a Committee to amend the Militia Bill.
Nov.	22.	On D^o to consider Gov^rs message.
Nov.	25.	On D^o to bring in a Money Bill exempting the Propriey. Estate in consideration of their gift of 5,000 £.
Nov.	29.	On D^o to answer a Message.
Dec.	3.	On D^o to answer a Message.
1756.
Feb.		I still on the Frontiers building forts.
Feb.	7.	On Comm^ee to prepare an Address to Gov^r respecting the enlistment of Servants and draws it.
Feb.	19.	Lays before the house letters to him from Gen. Shirley.
		On a Comm^ee to answer a Message.
March	3.	Brings in a Bill by leave of the House to Regulate soldiers, &c.
March	5.	Watch and Lamp Bill brought in.
March	10.	On Committee to amend soldiers’ Bill.
March	13.	Moves the House again on this Bill.
		On Comm^ee for that purpose.
March	17.	Sent with the Bill to the Gov^r.
		Goes to Virginia.
May	12.	On Comm^ee to answer a Message.
June	2.	On D^o to D^o.
July	22.	Then at N. York, charg’d with an address to Gen^l Shirley, going to England.
Aug.	17.	On Comm^ee to bring in a Bill granting 40,000 £.
Aug.	20.	W. M. Denny, Gov^r.
Aug.	21.	On Comm^ee to prepare address to the Governor.
Aug.	30.	On D^o to prepare Answers to Govrs. Speech and Message.
Sept.	1.	On a Message to the Governor.
Sept.	3.	Draws a long Paper of Remarks on Prop^y. Instructions.
Sept.	8.	Appointed a Commissioner in the Act . . . 60,000 £.
Sept.	13.	On a Comm^ee to prepare reasons in answer . . . to the Bill.
Sept.	16.	Draws resolutions relating . . .
		On Comm^ee to prepare a new B . . . D^o to D^o . . . up with the 30,000 £ Bi . . .
Oct.	14.	Return’d for Philada.
Oct.	18.	Order on 3 Committees: Correspondence Grievances, Minutes.
Oct.	21.	On D^o for preparing a Bill to regulate the hire of carriages.
Oct.	22.	On D^o for D^o ——— Billeting of soldiers.
Oct.	26.	On D^o to confer with Gov^r about Indians.
Oct.	27.	With leave brings in a Bill to regulate forces of this Province.
Oct.	28.	As President of the Hospital lays before the House the Accts. thereof.
Oct.	28.	On a Committee to prepare another Militia Bill.
Oct.	29.	On D^o to answer Gov^r Message.
Nov.	5.	On D^o to compare Bills.
		On D^o to accompany the Governor to treat with Indians [at] Easton.
Nov.	23.	On D^o to prepare a Message to the Gov^r.
Dec.	2.	On D^o to examine Journals of House of Commons concerning Elections.
Dec.	3.	Reports on the same.
Dec.	8.	On a Comm^ee to prepare answer to Gov^r’s Message.
Dec.	16.	On D^o to D^o Message concerning Quarters.
Dec.	18.	On D^o to D^o.
Dec.	19.	On D^o to confer with the Gov^r.
Dec.	22.	On D^o to answer a Message abt Quarters.
Dec.	24.	On D^o to prepare a Bill for granting 100,000 £ by Tax.
Jan.	11.	On D^o to prepare a Bill to relieve Innkeepers.
Jan.	24.	On D^o to prepare a Bill to strike a sum of Pap. money.
Jan.	28.	On D^o to wait on the Gov^r with a Message.
Jan.	29.	Reports concerning the Treaty at Easton.
		Is nominated to go to England.
Feb.	1.	On a Committee to prepare a new Bill for granting 100,000 £.
Feb.	3.	Accepts the appointment to England.
		Appointed Agent.
Feb.	7.	On a Comm^ee to answer a Message.
Feb.	12.	On D^o to D^o.
March	22.	Gov^r agrees to pass the Bill for 100,000 £. This was after B. F.’s Conference with him and L^d Loudon.
1759.
Feb.	21.	Proprietaries’ message to the Assembly representing Mr. F. as not a person of Candour, &c.
		His heads of Complaint.
		Answer thereto by Paris.
. . .	27.	Supply . . . B . . . for 100,000 £ Taxing the P’y Estate passe . . . [mutilated]
. . .		by Gov . . . eny
. . .		Return’ . . . Philada . . .
1760.
Oct.	14.	Retd for Philada.
Oct.	15.	Continu’d Agent with R. ——— Charles.
Oct.	18.	Governor Hamilton refuses to certify the Assembly’s appointment of Franklin and Charles as Agents, &c.
		The Assembly order a Certificate from a Notary and appoint a Committee to consider the Gov^r’s refusal, &c. And order the Grant of the Crown to be ——— receiv’d by B. F. and lodg’d in the Bank in several names.
Sept.	19.	Bills ordered to be drawn on B. F. for the amount of the Parliamentary Grant.
1762.
May	6.	Several letters of different dates received from him.
Sept.	21.	D^o . . . informing that he had taken his passage, and left the affairs of the Province with Mr. Jackson.
Oct.	15.	Return’d again, as in all the preceding years, a member from Philada.
1763.
Jan.	10.	In the House again, and on a Committee.
Jan.	12.	On another.
Jan.	14.	On another and another.
Jan.	18.	Engagement of B. F. and R. C. recited.
Jan.	21.	On a Committee to prepare a Bill.
Jan.	28.	On D^o for another Bill and another.
Feb.	8.	On a Committee for another Bill.
Feb.	19.	Report on his Accounts and thanks order’d.
March	4.	Balance of his Acct. order’d to be paid—£2214 10 0.
March	29.	On a Committee for a Bill.
March	31.	Thanks given him by the Speaker in . . . form, and answer . . .
Apr.		[Mutilated] On a Comm. . . . &c. to ansr. . . . propose . . . Bill.

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CCXXIV: TO MR. PETER FRANKLIN, AT NEWPORT - Benjamin Franklin, The Works of Benjamin Franklin, Vol. III Letters and Misc. Writings 1753-1763 [1904]

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