James Parker to Benjamin Franklin, October 1, 1767

Nyork. Octob 1. 1767

Honoured Sir

No doubt you will wonder I have not sent you a Power according to my Promise: 2 The Reason is this: Mr. Colden tells me he has a Copy of the Power he sent, Which he would lend me to form one by: and he says he cannot at present recollect where it is, but will search for it, and I being desirous to have it unexceptionable, have waited in hopes he will find it: If he can’t find it, by the next Packet after this, I will get some other.

To-morrow Morning, I set out for New Haven 3 therefore write this at a Venture: I purpose to declare all I know truly, and leave the Issue to Providence. The July Packet you will see is come in this Afternoon; 4 if I have any Letters or not, I can’t yet say, but she has had now 10 Weeks Passage, and can bring little News.

I don’t know any Thing worthy your Attention to inform you of: I creep along yet, gain Ground a little every Week, and now print between 15 and 16 Quire of News: but the Times are dreadfully dull and hard here indeed. Yet, thank God, I believe I fare as well as some of my Neighbours: I will follow your Counsel, nor cease to Struggle till I either gain the Port, or sink for ever.

We all join in respectful Complements: Whilst I remain Your most obliged Servant

James Parker.