Letters to Benjamin Franklin 63 



i^7-0OT James Parker. 1766. September 11. New York. 



Thinks Holt a villain ; is now applying to a lawyer to sue him. 

 Both his boys sick. Times unfavorable for printing a newspaper. Hot 

 summer; sickness prevalent. Engaged in printing an almanac. Com- 

 plains of his salary as Land-Waiter; no chance of promotion. Expense 

 of living in New York; doctor's bills, etc. Temper of Benny Mecom and 

 Mr. Holt as compared with his own. Reported death of his nephew at 

 Cape Fear. Inconsistency in being afflicted with gout and poverty. 

 Troubles of his friend, Hughes. A. L. S. 4 p. II, 39. 



From A[nn] Penn. 1766. September 16. Dublin. 



Writes instead of her son, Springett, who has been very ill, but is 

 now recuperating in the country. Hopes Franklin has recovered from 

 his late fatigue and indisposition. A. L. S. i p. II, 41. 



FroTH Hannah Walker. 1766. September 17. Westbury. 

 Acknowledging favor of 13th [name of month torn out]. Sorry to 

 hear of his loss ; promises to be frugal and industrious. Intense gratitude 

 for past and present favors. Begging his acceptance of some small offer- 

 ings for himself and Mrs. Stevenson. A. L, S. 2 p. II, 40. 



From J[oseph] Priestley. 1766. September 21. Warrington. 



Relating to a History of Electricity, which he is writing. Curious 



experiments with an electrified chain. A. L. S. 3 p. II, 42. 



Printed in Works (Sparks, VI, 273). 



From Benj[ami]n Kent. [1766. Circa September. Boston.] 

 A new cure for the gout. Would like to see Dr. Franklin commis- 

 sioned as Governor of Massachusetts Bay. A. L. S. 2 p. XLII, 13. 



Fro?n Tho[mas] Franklin. 1766. October 11. Lutterworth. 

 Expressing deep appreciation of Franklin's kindness to himself and 

 daughter; overjoyed to hear of the latter's convalescence; thanks Mrs. 

 Stevenson for her extraordinary goodness to her. A. L. S. i p. II, 43. 



From James Parker. 1766. October 11. New York. 

 No settlement with Holt. Obstacles in the way of publishing a news- 

 paper. Had the wettest summer ever remembered; universal sickness 

 and distress, especially in his own family; his expenses more than his 

 income. Asks once more if his allowance in the post-office cannot be 

 enlarged a little. " A little more struggling through life will probably 

 carry him out of it." A. L. S. 4 p. II, 44. 



