Crucibles from the Silversmiths, pounded fine, will do) and mixing it with a little Rum and Water, lay it on, when the Plates are warm, with a hard Brush, over the Top and FrontPlates, part of the Side and Bottom-Plates, and over all the Pointing; and, as it dries, rub it to a Gloss with the same Brush, so the Joints will not be discern'd, but it will look all of a Piece, and shine like new Iron. And the false Back being plaister'd and whitewash'd, and the Hearth redden'd, the whole will make a pretty Appearance. Before the Black Lead is laid on, it would not be amiss to wash the Plates with strong Lee and a Brush, or Soap and Water, to cleanse them from any Spots of Grease or Filth that may be on them. If any Grease should afterwards come on them, a little wet Ashes will get it out.

If it be well set up, and in a tolerable good Chimney, Smoke will draw in from as far as the Fore Part of the Bottom Plate, as you may try by a Bit of burning Paper.

People are at first apt to make their Rooms too warm, not imagining how little a Fire will be sufficient. When the Plates are no hotter than that one may just bear the Hand on them, the Room will generally be as warm as you desire it.

44. TO CADWALLADER COLDEN 1 (L. C.) New York, April 5. 1744.

SIR Happening to be in this City about some particular Affairs, I have the Pleasure of receiving yours of the 28th past, here. And can now acquaint you, that the Society, as far as

1 This letter was first printed in The American Medical and Philosophical Register for October, 1811, Vol. II. p. 203. The manuscript was obtained by the editors from the papers of Cadwallader Colden. Accompanying the printed

relates to Philadelphia, is actually formed, and has had
several Meetings to mutual Satisfaction; as soon as I get
home, I shall send you a short Acct of what has been done
and propos'd at those Meetings. The Members are
Dr. Thomas Bond, as Physician.
Mr. John Bartram, as Botanist.

Mr. Thomas Godfrey, as Mathematician.
Mr. Saml Rhodes, as Mechanician.

Mr. Wm Parsons, as Geographer.

Dr. Phineas Bond, as General Nat. Philosopher.
Mr. Thos. Hopkinson, President.

Mr. Wm Coleman, Treasurer.

B. F, Secret'y.

To whom the following Members have since been added, viz. Mr. Alexander, of New York. Mr. Morris, (Ch. Justice of the Jerseys.) Mr. Home, Secretary of do. Mr. Jn. Coxe, of Trenton and Mr. Martyn, of the same Place. Mr. Nicholls tells me of several other Gentlemen of this City, that incline to encourage the Thing. And there are a Number of others, in Virginia, Maryland, Carolina, and the New England Colonies, who we expect to join us, as soon as they are acquainted that the Society has begun to form itself. I am, Sir, with much Respect,

Your most hume servt,

B. FRANKLIN.

letter is a beautiful fac-simile of the original in the handwriting of Franklin. THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, as afterwards instituted, was formed out of two Societies, of which the above was one. The other was the Society for promoting and propagating Useful Knowledge. The two Societies were incorporated into one, called THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, in December, 1768; and in January, 1769, Franklin was elected the first President, although he was at that time in England. - ED.

45. TO WILLIAM STRAHAN

(P. C.)

Philadelphia, July 4, 1744.

SIR:- I received your favour per Mr. Hall, who arrived here about two weeks since, and from the short acquaintance I have had with him I am persuaded he will answer perfectly the character you had given of him. I make no doubt but his voyage, though it has been expensive, will prove advantageous to him. I have already made him some proposals, which he has under consideration, and as we are like to agree on them, we shall not, I believe, differ on the article of his passage money.

I am much obliged to you for your care and pains in procuring me the founding tools; though I think, with you, that the workmen have not been at all bashful in making their bills. I shall pay a proportion of the insurance, etc., to Mr. Read, and send you a bill by the next opportunity.

I thank you for Mr. Dobbs' piece. I wish that publicspirited gentleman may live to enjoy the satisfaction of hearing that English vessels sail easily through his expected passage. But though from the idea this piece gives me of Capt. Middleton I don't much like him, yet I would do him the justice to read what he has to say for himself, and therefore request you to send me what is published on his side of the question. I have long wanted a friend in London, whose judgment I would depend on, to send me from time

1 Arthur Dobbs (1689–1765) was interested in the Search for a Northwest passage to India and China. Christopher Middleton, a captain of the Hudson Bay Company, commanded the voyage of discovery. Dobbs accused him of making false reports of the voyage. The pamphlet referred to above is entitled Remarks on Capt. Middleton's Defence, by A. Dobbs" (London: 1744). Middleton's "Rejoinder" appeared the next year.

to time such new pamphlets as are worth reading on any subject (religious controversy excepted), for there is no depending on titles and advertisements. This favour I take the freedom to beg of you, and shall lodge money in

for that purpose.

your hands

We have seldom any news on our side of the globe that can be entertaining to you or yours. All our affairs are petit. They have a miniature resemblance only, of the grand things of Europe. Our governments, parliaments, wars, treaties, expeditions, fashions, etc., though matters of great and serious consequence to us, can seem but trifles to you. Four days since, our naval force received a terrible blow. Fifty sail of the line destroyed would scarce be a greater loss to Britain than that to us, and yet 'twas only a 20-gun-ship sunk, and about one hundred men drowned, just as she was going out to sea on a privateering voyage against the king's enemies. She was overset by a flaw of wind, being built too sharp, and too high-masted. A treaty is now holding at Newtown, in Lancaster County, a place sixty miles west of this city, between the governments of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania on one side, and the united five nations of Indians on the other.' I will send you an account of it when printed, as the method of doing business with those barbarians may perhaps afford you some amusement.

We have already in our library Bolton's and Shaw's abridgments of Boyle's works. I shall, however, mention to the directors the edition of his works at large;' possibly they may think fit to send for it.

1 See Cadwallader Colden, "The History of the Five Indian Nations," London, 1747, pp. 89–152. The Treaty was held from June 22 to July 4.

2 Richard Boulton, "The Works of Robert Boyle Epitomized," London:

Please to remember me affectionately to my old friend Mr. Wigate, to whom I shall write per next opportunity. I am, sir, your obliged humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

46. TO WILLIAM STRAHAN

July 31, 1744.

SIR: - The above is a copy of my last (via Coke). This encloses bills for twenty pounds thirteen shillings sterling, for which when received please to give my account credit, and send me by the first ship a font of about 300 lb. wt. of good new English letter, which I shall want to complete a little printing-house for our common friend Mr. Hall. I send you per this ship a box containing 300 copies of a piece I have lately printed here,' and purpose to send you 200 more per next ship. I desire you to take the properest measures for getting them sold at such a price as they will readily fetch, and I will take books of you in exchange for them. This kind of commerce may be advantageous to us both, and to Mr. Hall; since, if we have a reasonable sale where we live, for such things as we print, what we do over and above, and can get disposed of at a foreign market, is almost so much clear gain. I have only time to add that I am, with sincere regard, your obliged humble servant, B. FRANKLIN.

1699. 4 vols. Octavo. Peter Shaw, "The Philosophical Works of Robert Boyle abridged and methodized." London: 1738. The Library purchased and still possesses the complete edition of 1744. — ED.