Documents by Benjamin Franklin
George Whitefield Preaches in Philadelphia
Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography (Henry Holt and Co: New York, 1916), 78-80. In 1739, arrived among…
A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of Paper Currency
There is no Science, the Study of which is more useful and commendable than the…
A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper-Currency
THERE is no Science, the Study of which is more useful and commendable than the…
Information to Those Who Would Remove to America
Many Persons in Europe having directly or by Letters, express'd to the Writer of this,…
Letter to Governor William Shirley
SIR, "Since the conversation your Excellency was pleased to honor me with, on the subject…
The Way to Wealth
Courteous Reader, I have heard that nothing gives an author so great pleasure, as to…
On the Providence of God in the Government of the World
When I consider my own Weakness, and the discerning Judgment of those who are to…
A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain
Whatever is, is in its Causes just Since all Things are by Fate; but purblind…
An Address to the Public
It is with peculiar satisfaction we assure the friends of humanity, that, in prosecuting the…
Pennsylvania Declaration of Rights and Plan of Government
WHEREAS all government ought to be instituted and supported for the security and protection of…
An Account of the Supremest Court of Judicature in Pennsylvania, viz. The Court of the Press
POWER OF THIS COURT It may receive and promulgate accusations of all kinds against all…
Reasons Against Satirizing Religion
To -------- Dear Sir I have read your Manuscrit with some Attention. By the Arguments…
Letter to Peter Collinson
Sir, I received your Favour of the 29th. August last and thank you for the…
The Busy-Body, No. 1
Mr. Andrew Bradford, I design this to acquaint you, that I, who have long been…
A Letter to a Royal Academy About Farting
GENTLEMEN, I have perused your late mathematical Prize Question, proposed in lieu of one in…
The Speech of Miss Polly Baker
The SPEECH of Miss Polly Baker, before a Court of Judicature, at Connecticut in New…
Old Mistresses Apologue
My dear Friend, I know of no Medicine fit to diminish the violent natural Inclinations…
On Censure or Backbiting
Impia sub dulci melle venena latent. Ovid Naturam expellas furca licet, usq; recurret. Hor. There…