Details
[FRANKLIN PRINTING.] Two issues of The Pennsylvania Gazette, 19 July 1764, No. 1856; 11 July 1765, No. 1907. Both Philadelphia: B. Franklin, Postmaster and D. Hall. Together 8 pages, folio, removed, small puncture to first page of 1764 issue.
THE STAMP ACT AND FRANKLIN'S PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. These issues contain the 1764 and 1765 annual reports of the Pennsylvania Hospital, one of Franklin's major philanthropic enterprises. Surprisingly, the largest number of patients in the hospital in 1764 are those suffering from "lunacy," 69 out of 400 total patients (ulcers and fevers were the next most common). Only 14 lunatics were cured. "The reason of which," Franklin notes, "is that many such, whose cases are incurable, are taken in, with no other view but that proper care may be taken of them, and to prevent their injuring themselves or other persons..." The 1765 paper also contains an advertisement for Poor Richard's Almanack that notes the forthcoming publication of the Stamp Act: "as every person is almost, more or less affected by this Act, it is absolutely necessary that all should become acquainted with it." On 31 October 1765, Hall suspended publication in protest against the Stamp Act that took effect 1 November. Brigham II, 933-937; Evans 10125; Miller 842. (2)
THE STAMP ACT AND FRANKLIN'S PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. These issues contain the 1764 and 1765 annual reports of the Pennsylvania Hospital, one of Franklin's major philanthropic enterprises. Surprisingly, the largest number of patients in the hospital in 1764 are those suffering from "lunacy," 69 out of 400 total patients (ulcers and fevers were the next most common). Only 14 lunatics were cured. "The reason of which," Franklin notes, "is that many such, whose cases are incurable, are taken in, with no other view but that proper care may be taken of them, and to prevent their injuring themselves or other persons..." The 1765 paper also contains an advertisement for Poor Richard's Almanack that notes the forthcoming publication of the Stamp Act: "as every person is almost, more or less affected by this Act, it is absolutely necessary that all should become acquainted with it." On 31 October 1765, Hall suspended publication in protest against the Stamp Act that took effect 1 November. Brigham II, 933-937; Evans 10125; Miller 842. (2)