Produced by David Widger
INDEX OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG
WORKS OF
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Compiled by David Widger
CONTENTS
## THE COMPLETE WORKS FRANKLIN, Vol. 1
## THE COMPLETE WORKS FRANKLIN, Vol. 2
## THE COMPLETE WORKS FRANKLIN, Vol. 3
## MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Vol. 1
## MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Vol. 2
## AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
## BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SELECTIONS
## AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
FRANKLIN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: FIRST BALLOONS
EXPERIMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS ON ELECTRICITY
FRANKLIN'S WAY TO WEALTH
TABLES OF CONTENTS OF VOLUMES
THE COMPLETE WORKS,
OF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Now First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life,
Written By Himself. In Three Volumes.
Vol. I. (of III)
1806
CONTENTS
Page.
LIFE of Dr. FRANKLIN 1
LETTERS AND PAPERS ON ELECTRICITY.
Introductory Letter. 169
Wonderful effect of points.�Positive and negative electricity.�Electrical kiss.�Counterfeit spider.�Simple and commodious electrical machine. 170
Observations on the Leyden bottle, with experiments proving the different electrical state of its different surfaces. 179
Further experiments confirming the preceding observations.�Leyden bottle analysed.�Electrical battery.�Magical Picture.�Electrical wheel or jack.�Electrical feast. 187
Observations and suppositions, towards forming a new hypothesis, for explaining the several phenomena of thunder-gusts. 203
Introductory letter to some additional papers. 216
Opinions and conjectures, concerning the properties and effects of the electrical matter, and the means of preserving buildings, ships, &c. from lightning, arising from experiments and observations made at Philadelphia, 1749.�Golden fish.�Extraction of effluvial virtues by electricity impracticable. 217
Additional experiments: proving that the Leyden bottle has no more electrical fire in it when charged, than before: nor less when discharged: that in discharging, the fire does not issue from the wire and the coating at the same time, as some have thought, but that the coating always receives what is discharged by the wire, or an equal quantity: the outer surface being always in a negative state of electricity, when the inner surface is in a positive state. 245
[xii] Accumulation of the electrical fire proved to be in the electrified glass.�Effect of lightning on the needle of compasses, explained.�Gunpowder fired by the electric flame. 247
Unlimited nature of the electric force. 250
The terms, electric per se, and non-electric, improper.�New relation between metals and water.�Effects of air in electrical experiments.�Experiment for discovering more of the qualities of the electric fluid. 252
Mistake, that only metals and water were conductors, rectified.�Supposition of a region of electric fire above our atmosphere.�Theorem concerning light.�Poke-weed a cure for cancers. 256
New experiments.�Paradoxes inferred from them.�Difference in the electricity of a globe of glass charged, and a globe of sulphur.�Difficulty of ascertaining which is positive and which negative. 261
Probable cause of the different attractions and repulsions of the two electrified globes mentioned in the two preceding letters. 264
Reasons for supposing, that the glass globe charges positively, and the sulphur negatively.�Hint respecting a leather globe for experiments when travelling. ibid.
Electrical kite. 267
Hypothesis, of the sea being the grand source of lightning, retracted.�Positive, and sometimes negative, electricity of the clouds discovered.�New experiments and conjectures in support of this discovery.�Observations recommended for ascertaining the direction of the electric fluid.�Size of rods for conductors to buildings.�Appearance of a thunder-cloud described. 269
Additional proofs of the positive and negative state of electricity in the clouds.�New method of ascertaining it. 284
Electrical experiments, with an attempt to account for their several phenomena, &c. 286
Experiments made in pursuance of those made by Mr. Canton, dated December 6, 1753; with explanations, by Mr. Benjamin Franklin. 294
Turkey killed by electricity.�Effect of a shock on the operator in making the experiment. 299
Differences in the qualities of glass.�Account of Domien, an electrician and traveller.�Conjectures respecting the pores of glass.�Origin of the author's idea of drawing down lightning.�No satisfactory hypothesis respecting the manner in which clouds become electrified.�Six men knocked down at once by an electrical shock.�Reflections on the spirit of invention. 301
[xiii] Beccaria's work on electricity.�Sentiments of Franklin on pointed rods, not fully understood in Europe.�Effect of lightning on the church of Newbury, in New England.�Remarks on the subject. 309
Notice of another packet of letters. 313
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Boston, to Benjamin Franklin, Esq. concerning the crooked direction, and the source of lightning, and the swiftness of the electric fire. 314
Observations on the subjects of the preceding letter.�Reasons for supposing the sea to be the grand source of lightning.�Reasons for doubting this hypothesis.�Improvement in a globe for raising the electric fire. 320
Effect of lightning on captain Waddel's compass, and the Dutch church at New York. 324
Proposal of an experiment to measure the time taken up by an Electric spark, in moving through any given space. 327
Experiments on boiling water, and glass heated by boiling water.�Doctrine of repulsion in electrised bodies doubted.�Electricity of the atmosphere at different heights.�Electrical horse-race.�Electrical thermometer.�In what cases the electrical fire produces heat.�Wire lengthened by electricity.�Good effect of a rod on the house of Mr. West, of Philadelphia. 331
Answer to some of the foregoing subjects.�How long the Leyden bottle may be kept charged.�Heated glass rendered permeable by the electric fluid.�Electrical attraction and repulsion.�Reply to other subjects in the preceding paper.�Numerous ways of kindling fire.�Explosion of water.�Knobs and points. 343
Accounts from Carolina (mentioned in the foregoing letter) of the effects of lightning on two of the rods commonly affixed to houses there, for securing them against lightning. 361
Mr. William Maine's account of the effects of the lightning on his rod, dated at Indian Land, in South Carolina, Aug. 28, 1760. 362
On the electricity of the tourmalin. 369
New observation relating to electricity in the atmosphere. 373
Flash of lightning that struck St. Bride's steeple. 374
Best method of securing a powder magazine from lightning. 375
Of lightning, and the methods (now used in America) of securing buildings and persons from its mischievous effects. 377
St. Bride's steeple.�Utility of electrical conductors to Steeples.�Singular kind of glass tube. 382
Experiments, observations, and facts, tending to support the opinion [xiv] of the utility of long pointed rods, for securing buildings from damage by strokes of lightning. 383
On the utility of electrical conductors. 400
On the effects of electricity in paralytic cases. 401
Electrical experiments on amber. 403
On the electricity of the fogs in Ireland. 405
Mode of ascertaining, whether the power, giving a shock to those who touch either the Surinam eel, or the torpedo, be electrical. 408
On the analogy between magnetism and electricity. 410
Concerning the mode of rendering meat tender by electricity. 413
Answer to some queries concerning the choice of glass for the Leyden experiment. 416
Concerning the Leyden bottle. 418
APPENDIX.
No. 1. Account of experiments made in electricity at Marly. 420
A more particular account of the same, &c. 422
Letter of Mr. W. Watson, F. R. S. to the Royal Society, concerning the electrical experiments in England upon thunder-clouds. 427
No. 2. Remarks on the Abb� Nollet's Letters to Benjamin Franklin, Esq. of Philadelphia, on electricity. 430
LIST OF THE PLATES
PLATE I. Electrical Experiments facing page 182
PLATE II. Electrical Air Thermometer 336
PLATE III. Cavendish Experiment 348
PLATE IV. Lightning Rod Experiments 388
THE COMPLETE WORKS,
OF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Now First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life, Written By Himself. In Three Volumes.
VOL. II. (of III)
CONTENTS
LETTERS AND PAPERS ON PHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS.
Physical and meteorological observations, conjectures and suppositions 1
On water-spouts 11
The same subject continued 13
Water-spouts and whirlwinds compared 19
Description of a water-spout at Antigua 34
Shooting stars 36
Water-spouts and whirlwinds 37
Observations on the meteorological paper; by a gentleman in Connecticut 45
Observations in answer to the foregoing, by B. Franklin 49
Observations on the meteorological paper; sent by a gentleman in New York to B. Franklin 51
Answer to the foregoing observations, by B. Franklin 55
Gentleman of New York in reply 58
Account of a whirlwind at Maryland 61
On the north east storms in North America 63
Meteorological imaginations and conjectures 66
Suppositions and conjectures towards forming an hypothesis, for the explanation of the aurora borealis 69
On cold produced by evaporation 75
On the same subject 83
Concerning the light in sea-water 88
On the saltness of sea-water 91
On the effect of air on the barometer, and the benefits derived from the study of insects 92
[iv] On the Bristol waters, and the tide in rivers 95
On the same subject 102
Salt-water rendered fresh by distillation.�Method of relieving thirst by sea-water 103
Tendency of rivers to the sea.�Effect of the sun's rays on cloth of different colours 105
On the vis inertiæ of matter 110
On the different strata of the earth 116
On the theory of the earth 117
New and curious theory of light and heat 122
Queries and conjectures relating to magnetism and the theory of the earth 125
On the nature of sea coal 125
Effect of vegetation on noxious air 129
On the inflammability of the surface of certain rivers in America 130
On the different quantities of rain which fall at different heights over the same ground 133
Slowly sensible hygrometer proposed, for certain purposes 135
Curious instance of the effect of oil on water 142
Letters on the stilling of waves by means of oil 144
Extract of a letter from Mr. Tengnagel to Count Bentinck, dated at Batavia, the 5th of January, 1770 154
On the difference of navigation in shoal and deep water 158
Sundry maritime observations 162
Remarks upon the navigation from Newfoundland to New-York, in order to avoid the Gulph Stream on one hand, and on the other the shoals that lie to the southward of Nantucket and of St. George's Banks 197
Observations of the warmth of the sea-water, &c. by Fahrenheit's Thermometer, in crossing the Gulph Stream; with other remarks made on board the Pensylvania packet, Capt. Osborne, bound from London to Philadelphia, in April and May, 1775 199
Observations of the warmth of the sea-water, &c. by Fahrenheit's thermometer; with other remarks made on board the Reprisal, Capt. Wycks, bound from Philadelphia to France, in October and November, 1776 200
A journal of a voyage from the Channel between France and England towards America 202
On the art of swimming 206
On the same subject, in answer to some enquiries of M. Dubourg 210
[v] On the free use of air 213
On the causes of colds 214
Dr. Stark, and Dr. Letsom 215
Number of deaths in Philadelphia by inoculation ibid
Answer to the preceding 217
On the effects of lead upon the human constitution 219
Observations on the prevailing doctrines of life and death 222
An account of the new-invented Pensylvanian fire-places 225
On the causes and cure of smoky chimneys 256
Description of a new stove for burning of pitcoal, and consuming all its smoke 296
Method of contracting chimneys.�Modesty in disputation 317
Covering houses with copper 318
On the same subject 320
Paper referred to in the preceding letter 322
Magical square of squares 324
Magical circle 328
New musical instrument composed of glasses 330
Best mediums for conveying sound 335
On the harmony and melody of the old Scotch tunes 338
On the defects of modern music 343
Description of the process to be observed in making large sheets of paper in the Chinese manner, with one smooth surface 349
On modern innovations in the English language and in printing 351
A scheme for a new alphabet and reformed mode of spelling; with remarks and examples concerning the same; and an enquiry into its uses, in a correspondence between Miss S�� and Dr. Franklin, written in the characters of the alphabet 357
Rules for a club formerly established in Philadelphia 366
Questions discussed by the Junto forming the preceding club 369
Sketch of an English school; for the consideration of the trustees of the Philadelphia Academy 370
Advice to youth in reading 378
PAPERS ON SUBJECTS OF GENERAL POLITICS.
Observations concerning the increase of mankind, peopling of countries, &c 383
Remarks on some of the foregoing observations, showing particularly the effect which manners have on population 392
Plan by Messieurs Franklin and Dalrymple, for benefiting distant unprovided countries 403
[vi] Concerning the provision made in China against famine 407
Positions to be examined, concerning national wealth 408
Political fragments, supposed either to be written by Dr. Franklin, or to contain sentiments nearly allied to his own 411
On the price of corn, and management of the poor 418
On luxury, idleness, and industry 424
On smuggling, and its various species 430
Observations on war 435
Notes copied from Dr. Franklin's writing in pencil in the margin of Judge Foster's celebrated argument in favour of the impressing of seamen 437
On the criminal laws, and the practice of privateering 441
A parable against persecution, in imitation of scripture language 450
A letter concerning persecution in former ages, the maintenance of the clergy, American bishops, and the state of toleration in Old England and New England compared 452
On the slave trade 459
Account of the highest court of judicature in Pensylvania, viz. The court of the press 463
LIST OF THE PLATES
PLATE V. Water-Spouts facing page 16
PLATE VI. Maritime Observations 163
PLATE VII. A Chart of the Gulph Stream 197
PLATE VIII. Pensylvania Fire-Place 235
PLATE VIII*. Profile of the Pensylvania Chimnie 238
PLATE IX. Remedies for Smoky Chimnies 269
PLATE X. Stove for Burning Pit-Coal 297
PLATE XI. A Magic Square of Squares 327
PLATE XII. A Magic Circle of Circles 328
THE COMPLETE WORKS
OF THE LATE DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
Now First Collected And Arranged: With Memoirs Of His Early Life, Written By Himself.
IN THREE VOLUMES
VOL. III. (of III)
CONTENTS
PAPERS ON AMERICAN SUBJECTS BEFORE THE REVOLUTIONARY TROUBLES.
Page.
Albany papers; containing, I. reasons and motives on which the plan of union for the colonies was formed;�II. reasons against partial unions;�III. and the plan of union drawn by B. F. and unanimously agreed to by the commissioners from New Hampshire, Massachusett's Bay, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pensylvania, met in congress at Albany, in July 1754, to consider of the best means of defending the king's dominions in America, &c. a war being then apprehended; with the reasons or motives for each article of the plan 3
Albany papers continued. I. letter to Governor Shirley, concerning the imposition of direct taxes upon the colonies, without their consent 30
II. Letter to the same; concerning direct taxes in the colonies imposed without consent, indirect taxes, and the Albany plan of union 31
III. Letter to the same, on the subject of uniting the colonies more intimately with Great Britain, by allowing them representatives in parliament 37
Plan for settling two Western colonies in North America, with reasons for the plan, 1754 41
Report of the committee of aggrievances of the assembly of Pensylvania, dated Feb. 22, 1757 50
An historical review of the constitution and government of Pensylvania, from its origin; so far as regards the several points of controversy [iv]which have, from time to time, arisen between the several governors of that province, and their several assemblies. Founded on authentic documents 59
The interest of Great Britain considered, with regard to her colonies, and the acquisitions of Canada and Guadaloupe 89
Remarks and facts relative to the American paper-money 144
To the freemen of Pensylvania, on the subject of a particular militia-bill, rejected by the proprietor's deputy or governor 157
Preface by a member of the Pensylvanian assembly (Dr. Franklin) to the speech of Joseph Galloway, Esq. one of the members for Philadelphia county; in answer to the speech of John Dickinson, Esq. delivered in the house of the assembly of the province of Pensylvania, May 24, 1764, on occasion of a petition drawn up by order, and then under the consideration of the house, praying his majesty for a royal, in lieu of a proprietary government 163
Remarks on a late protest against the appointment of Mr. Franklin as agent for this province (of Pensylvania) 203
Remarks on a plan for the future management of Indian affairs 216
PAPERS ON AMERICAN SUBJECTS DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY TROUBLES.
Causes of the American discontents before 1768 225
Letter concerning the gratitude of America, and the probability and effects of an union with Great Britain; and concerning the repeal or suspension of the stamp act 239
Letter from Governor Pownall to Dr. Franklin, concerning an equal communication of rights, privileges, &c. to America by Great Britain 243
Minutes to the foregoing, by Dr. Franklin 244
The examination of Dr. Franklin before the English house of commons, in February, 1766, relative to the repeal of the American stamp act 245
Attempts of Dr. Franklin for conciliation of Great Britain with the colonies 286
Queries from Mr. Strahan 287
Answer to the preceding queries 290
State of the constitution of the colonies, by Governor Pownall; with remarks by Dr. Franklin 299
Concerning the dissentions between England and America 310
A Prussian edict, assuming claims over Britain 311
[v]Preface by the British editor (Dr. Franklin) to "The votes and proceedings of the freeholders, and other inhabitants of the town of Boston, in town-meeting assembled according to law (published by order of the town), &c." 317
Account of governor Hutchinson's letters 322
Rules for reducing a great empire to a small one, presented to a late minister, when he entered upon his administration 334
State of America on Dr. Franklin's arrival there 346
Proposed vindication and offer from congress to parliament, in 1775 347
Reprobation of Mr. Strahan's parliamentary conduct 354
Conciliation hopeless from the conduct of Great Britain to America 355
Account of the first campaign made by the British forces in America 357
Probability of a separation 358
Letter to Monsieur Dumas, urging him to sound the several courts of Europe, by means of their ambassadors at the Hague, as to any assistance they may be disposed to afford America in her struggle for independence 360
Letter from Lord Howe to Dr. Franklin 365
Dr. Franklin's answer to Lord Howe 367
Comparison of Great Britain and America as to credit, in 1777 372
PAPERS, DESCRIPTIVE OF AMERICA, OR RELATING TO THAT COUNTRY, WRITTEN SUBSEQUENT TO THE REVOLUTION.
Remarks concerning the savages of North America 383
The internal state of America; being a true description of the interest and policy of that vast continent 391
Information to those who would remove to America 398
Concerning new settlements in America 409
A comparison of the conduct of the ancient Jews, and of the Antifederalists in the United States of America 410
Final speech of Dr. Franklin in the late federal convention 416
PAPERS ON MORAL SUBJECTS AND THE ECONOMY OF LIFE.
The busy-body 421
The way to wealth, as clearly shown in the preface of an old Pensylvania almanack, intitled, Poor Richard Improved 453
Advice to a young tradesman 463
Necessary hints to those that would be rich 466
The way to make money plenty in every man's pocket 467
New mode of lending money 468
[vi]An economical project 469
On early marriages 475
Effect of early impressions on the mind 478
The whistle 480
A petition to those who have the superintendency of education 483
The handsome and deformed leg 485
Morals of chess 488
The art of procuring pleasant dreams 493
Dialogue between Franklin and the gout 499
On the death of relatives 507
The ephemera an emblem of human life 508
APPENDIX, NO. I.�CONTAINING PAPERS PROPER FOR INSERTION, BUT OMITTED IN THE PRECEDING VOLUMES.
Letter to Sir Hans Sloane 513
Letter to Michael Collinson, Esq. 514
Letter respecting captain Cook 515
An address to the public, from the Pensylvania society for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free negroes, unlawfully held in bondage 517
Plan for improving the condition of the free blacks 519
Paper: a poem 523
Plain truth; or, serious considerations on the present state of the city of Philadelphia, and province of Pensylvania 524
Four letters to Mr. Whetley 543*
APPENDIX, NO. II.�CONTAINING LETTERS BY SEVERAL EMINENT PERSONS, ILLUSTRATIVE OF DR. FRANKLIN'S MANNERS AND CHARACTER.
Letter from the late Dr. Price to a gentleman in America 543
Letter from Mr. Thomas Jefferson to the late Dr. William Smith, of Philadelphia 545
Letter from the late Dr. Joseph Priestly 547
MEMOIRS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN; WRITTEN BY HIMSELF
With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, And Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, And Philosophical.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. I. (of II)
CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME
PART I.
Page
Life of Dr. Franklin, written by himself 13