Record of Service in the Assembly, 1751-64
ad: Library of Congress
[August 13, 1751, to September 22, 1764]
B. Franklin’s Services in the General Assembly.
1751
Aug. 13. Takes his Seat in Assembly.
Put on a Committee to prepare a Bill, same
Day.
15. Sent up with a Message to the Governor James
Hamilton.
17. On a Committee to prepare an Answer to Gov-
ernors Messages.
20. Reports on the Subject of a Bridge over Skuyl-
kill.
22. Reports on the Subject of Indian Expences.
Seven Resolutions N.C.D. of his Drawing, upon
that Report.
Appointed on a Committee to draw an Address
to the Proprietaries in pursuance of these Resolves.
23. Reported the same.
24. It was approved but not put in the Minutes.
Oct. 14. Return'd a Member for Philadelphia.
Sent on a Message to the Governor.
15. On the Committee of Accounts and Committee
of Grievances, and Committee to revise the
Minutes.
16. On Committee of Correspondence.
1752
Feb. 3. On a Message to the Governor.
7. On Committee to inspect Accounts.
8. On Ditto to consider a Petition of Bakers.
[11. On a committee to consider a petition concern-
ing attachment for debts under 40s.]
[14. On a committee to prepare a currency bill.]
17. On Ditto for examining the Laws relating to
Fees.
24. On Ditto for a Bill relating to Dogs.
[25. On a Committee to amend the bill on vendues.]
Mar. 6. On Ditto to answer a Message.
11. On Ditto to see the Great Seal Affixed to Laws.
On Ditto to enquire into the State of our Paper
Currency, Trade, Numbers of People &c.
Aug. 13. On a Message to the Governor with the Bill
of Fees.
20. On a Committee for Conference with the Gov-
ernor on that Bill.
Makes Report in Writing on the State of Cur-
rency, &c.
21. Ordered to meet some of the Council &c.
22. On a Message to the Governor.
Oct. 14. Return'd a Member for Philadelphia.
Sent on a Message to the Governor.
17. Appointed on 4 [sic] Committees, viz. Grievances:
Revisal of Minutes, Accounts: Correspondence;
Laws.
1753
[Jan. 16. With] the Speaker to procure Books and Maps.
[18. On a] Committee to bring in a Bill.
[24. Sent to] the Governor with the Money Bill.
[May 24. On a] Committee to prepare a Message.
[25. Report] of the Committee of Grievances.
30. On a Committee to consider the Representation
to the Proprietaries of 1751. And the Answer
thereto.
On Ditto to prepare an Answer to Governors
Message.
Sept. 1. On a Committee to consider Governors pro-
pos'd Amendments to a Money Bill.
4. On a Committee to answer the Governors
Message.
7. On Ditto to report on a Message from the
Governor.
[Oct.] 15. Return'd again for Philadelphia.
Sent on a Message to the Governor.
16. Appointed on 4 Committees viz. Correspond-
ence, Grievances, Accounts, Revisal of Minutes.
17. On two more Committees viz. to inspect the
Laws; and the State of Trade, Currency &c.
1754
Feb. 6. Reports thereupon.
14. Translates a French Letter to Governor Din-
widdie.
15. Reports on the Laws.
26. On a Committee for Indian Trade.
[March 1. On a committee to reply to the governor's mes-
sage of this date.]
Mar. 5. On Ditto for considering a Petition for laying
out Townships.
On Ditto for bringing in a Bill respecting the
holding of Courts.
6. On Ditto to consider the Western Bounds.
7. Reports on Ditto.
April 5. On a Committee to bring in a Money Bill.
8. Governor appoints him a Commissioner for the
Albany Treaty.
[11. On a committee to answer the Governor's mes-
sage of April 3.]
12. Approved by the Assembly.
13. On a Committee to enquire into the Facts of a
Petition.
[May] 15. On Ditto to answer a Message from the Gov-
ernor.
18. A Number of Resolves drawn up by him and
agreed to.
Aug. 9. On a Committee to bring in a Money Bill.
Oct. 14. Return'd for Philadelphia.
15. Appointed on Committees of Grievances, and
Revisal of Minutes, and Correspondence.
Dec. 31. Representation to the Proprietaries, drawn [up
in] August [1753] now put on the Votes.
1755
Mar. 17. Takes his Seat in [the] House.
18. On a Committee to answer [the Messages of the
Governor] and to [report] the Answers.
20. On a Committee to answer an[other] Message.
Lays before the House a Letter receiv'd from
the Governor.
22. On a Commitee to bring in a Bill relating to
Provisions exported.
Requested to consider of establishing a Post for
General Braddock.
[25. On a committee to prepare a money bill.]
April 1. Memorial from Josiah Quincy drawn by him.
2. Sundry Orders of his proposing and drawing to
supply N England with Provisions &c.
[5. On a Committee to answer the Governor's mes-
sage of April 1.]
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
&c.
14. On a Committee to prepare a State of the Bills.
On Ditto to prepare a Message to the Governor.
16. On Ditto 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
Halket and Col. Dunbar.
14. On a Committee to answer a Message of the
Governor.
17. On Ditto to prepare a Bill.
18. On Ditto to prepare another Bill.
24. On Ditto to answer a Message.
July 28. On Ditto to Ditto.
29. On Ditto to prepare a Bill for granting £50000
to the King's Use.
Sent with it to the Governor.
Aug. 5. On Ditto to answer his Message of Amend-
ments.
6. On Ditto to answer a Message, and draws it—a
long one.
11. On Ditto for a Bill to provide Quarters for the
King's Troops.
13. On Ditto to answer a long Message.
[20. On a committee to answer the Governor's mes-
sage of August 16.]
21. On Ditto to answer a Message.
22. On Ditto to dispose of Money for the Defence
of the Frontiers.
Sept. 15. On Ditto to prepare a Bill for regulating In-
spectors.
19. Requested by the House to endeavour to prevail
with Col. Dunbar to discharge Servants and
Apprentices.
[25.] On a Committee to answer a Message.
[29.] Produces to the House a Letter to himself from
T. Hutchinson which induces the Grant of
£10,000 to Massachusets.
[Oct. 14.] Return'd for Philadelphia.
Sent with a verbal Message to Governor.
[16.] On 4 Committees. Correspondence, Grievances.
Minutes, Laws.
[Nov. 5.] Ditto to bring in a Money Bill £60,000.
[7.] Ditto to prepare a Bill for supplying our Indian
[Allies].
[9.] Ditto to [prepare a Message to the Governor.]
10. On a [committee to] answer a Message.
13. On Ditto [to consider] two Applications to the
House from Quakers, and from the Mayor of
Philadelphia &c.
17. On Ditto to answer a Message.
19. By Leave brings in a Militia Bill.
On a Committee to answer a Message.
20. On a Committee to amend the Militia Bill.
22. On Ditto to consider Governors Message.
25. On Ditto to bring in a Money Bill exempting the
Proprietary Estate in Consideration of their
Gift of £5000.
29. On Ditto to answer a Message.
December 3. On Ditto to answer a Message.
1756
Feb. Is still on the Frontiers building Forts.
Feb. 7. On Committee to prepare an Address to Governor
respecting the Enlistment of Servants, and
draws it.
19. Lays before the House Letters to him from Gen.
Shirley.
On a Committee to answer a Message.
Mar. 3. Brings in a Bill by Leave of the House to regulate
Soldiers &c.
5. Watch and Lamp Bill brought in.
10. On Committee to amend Soldiers Bill.
13. Moves the House again on that Bill.
On Committee for that purpose.
17. Sent with the Bill to the Governor.
Goes to Virginia.
May 12. On Committee to answer a Message.
[On a committee to draft a bill laying an embargo
on provisions and naval stores in Pennsylvania.]
[27. On a committee to prepare a money bill.]
June 2. On Ditto to Ditto.
July 22. Then at N York, charg'd with an Address to Gen.
Shirley, going to England.
Aug. 17. On committee to bring in a Bill granting £40,-
000.
[On a committee to answer the governor's
message of August 16.]
20. Wm. Denny Governor.
21. On Committee to prepare address to the Gov-
ernor.
30. On Ditto to prepare Answer to Governors Speech
and Message.
Sept. 1. On a Message to the Governor.
8. Appointed a Commissioner in the Act ap[pro-
priating] £60,000.
13. On a Committee to prepare Reasons in Answer
to [Governors Objections to] the Bill.
[14. On a committee to consider the Proprietary in-
structions on money bills.]
16. Draws Resolutions relating to [the Governor's
verbal message.]
On Committee to prepare a new [bill for £30,-
000.]
Ditto to Ditto [for Indian trade.]
[17. Sent] up with the £30,000 [bill to the Gover-
nor.]
23. Draws a long Paper of Remarks on Proprietary
Instructions.
Oct. 14. Return'd for Philadelphia.
18. Order'd on 3 Committees, Correspondence,
Grievances, Minutes.
21. On Ditto for preparing a Bill to regulate the Hire
of Carriages.
22. On Ditto for Ditto Billeting of Soldiers.
26. On Ditto to confer with Governor about Indians.
28. With Leave brings in a Bill to regulate Forces of
this Province.
As President of the Hospital lays before the
House the Accounts thereof.
On a Committee to prepare another Militia Bill.
29. On Ditto to answer Governors Message.
Nov. 4. On Ditto to compare Bills.
On Ditto to accompany the Governor to treat
with Indians [at] Easton.
23. On Ditto to prepare a Message to the Governor.
Dec. 2. On Ditto to examine Journals of House of Com-
mons concerning Elections.
3. Reports on the same.
8. On a Committee to prepare Answer to Governors
Message.
16. On Ditto to Ditto Message concerning Quarters.
18. On Ditto to Ditto.
19. On Ditto to confer with the Governor.
22. On Ditto to answer a Message about Quarters.
24. On Ditto to prepare a Bill for granting £100,000
by Tax.
[1757]
Jan. 11. On Ditto to prepare a Bill to relieve Innkeepers.
24. On Ditto to prepare a Bill to strike a Sum of
Paper Money.
28. On Ditto to wait on the Governor with a
Message.
29. Reports concerning the Treaty at Easton.
Is nominated to go to England.
Feb. 1. On a Committee to prepare a new Bill for grant-
ing £100,000.
3. Accepts the Appointment to England.
Appointed Agent.
7. On a Committee to answer a Message.
12. On Ditto to Ditto.
[March 15. On a committee to present the address of the
Assembly to Lord Loudoun.]
22. Governor agrees to pass the Bill for £100,000.
This was after B.F.'s Conference with him and
Lord Loudoun.
[Oct. 14. Returned for Philadelphia.]
[18. Reappointed agent.]
[1758]
[Oct. 14. Returned for Philadelphia.]
[16. Reappointed agent.]
1759
Feb. 27. Proprietaries Message to the Assembly repre-
senting Mr. F. as not a Person of Candour &c.
His Heads of Complaint.
Answer thereto by Paris.
[April] 17. Supply Bill for £100,000 taxing the Proprietary
Estate passed by Gov. Denny.
[Oct. 15.] Return'd for Philadelphia.
[17. Reappointed agent.]
1760
Oct. 14. Returned for Philadelphia.
15. Continu'd Agent with R. Charles.
18. Governor Hamilton refuses to certify the
Assembly's Appointment of Franklin and
Charles as Agents, &c.
The Assembly orders a Certificate from a Notary,
and appoint a Committee to consider the Governor'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.
1761
Sept. 19. Bills ordered to be drawn on B.F. for the Amount
of the Parliamentary Grant.
[Oct. 14. Returned for Philadelphia.]
[15. Reappointed agent.]
1762
May 6. Several Letters of different Dates receiv'd from
him.
Sept. 21. Ditto. 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 for Philadelphia.
1763
Jan. 10. In the House again, and on a Committee.
12. On another.
14. On another and another.
18. Engagement of B.F. and R.C. Recited.
21. On a Committee to prepare a Bill.
28. On ditto for another Bill. And another.
[Feb. 3. On a committee to consider a petition.]
8. On a committee for another Bill.
19. Report on his Accounts and Thanks order'd.
March 4. Ballance of his Account order'd to be paid £2214
10s. 0d.
29. On a Committee for a Bill.
31. Thanks given him by the Speaker in form, and
Answer.
[April 2. Added to the committee of correspondence.]
On a Committee to answer [the Governor's
message of this date and to draft a new bill for
regulating inns and taverns.]
[Continuation by the Editors]
Oct. 14. Returned for Philadelphia.
Dec. 20. Takes his seat.
1764
Jan. 4. On a committee to draft a bill for trial of capital
offenses between whites and Indians.
6. On a committee to draft a bill for payment of
sums from the Parliamentary grant of 1760.
19. On a committee to answer the governor's
message of January 16.
Feb. 1. On a committee to draft a bill on Thomas and
Charles Willing's petition and to amend the
laws on the partition and distribution of
estates.
2. On a committee to draft a bill to erect a work-
house in Philadelphia; on another to consider
the laws for the settlement and support of the
poor and reduce them to a single general
act.
10. On a committee to answer the governor's
message of February 4, sent down this day.
11. On a committee to draft a militia bill.
17. On a committee to confer with the governor on
the remonstrance of Matthew Smith and
James Gibson.
29. On a committee to examine the journals of the
House of Commons and inquire into the practice
of other colonies, on the privilege of hearing
debates.
On a committee to draft a bill for the relief of
Samuel Wallis.
March 10. On a committee to draft resolutions on the present
circumstances of the province.
21. On a committee to draft a message to the gover-
nor to accompany the supply bill for £55,000.
23. On a committee to answer the governor's
message of March 23.
May 17. On a committee to answer the governor's
message of May 17.
18. On a committee to draft a new supply bill.
23. On a committee to draft a petition to the King to
take over the government of the province.
24. On a committee to consider and report on sundry
petitions and remonstrances.
26. Chosen Speaker.
Signs the Assembly's reply to the Governor's
message of May 26.
30. Signs the Assembly's reply to the governor's
message of May 17.
Sept. 12. Presents a letter from a committee of the Massa-
chusetts House.
22. Signs instructions to Richard Jackson.