Know all men by these presents that I William Strahan of London, Stationer have made ordained constituted and appointed and by these presents do make ordain constitute and appoint Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia, Postmaster my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name and for my use to ask Demand and receive of James Read Attorney at Law at Philadelphia all Sums, as well Principal as Interest due to me from him and upon non payment thereof the said Benjamin Franklin, his Executors or Administrators for me and in my name to sue arrest imprison implead and prosecute for the same and upon such suit to proceed to Judgment and Execution. And thereupon the said James Read, his Executors and Administrators in prison to hold and keep until payment thereof be made with all costs and Damages sustained and to be sustained by occasion of the detaining of the same and upon payment thereof the said Benjamin Franklin his Executors and Administrators forth of prison to discharge. And Acquitances for the same or any part thereof for me and in my name to make seal and deliver. And also to do perform and execute all and every other lawfull and reasonable Acts and things whatsoever both for obtaining and discharging of the same as shall be needfull to be done. Giving and by these presents granting unto my said Attorney my full and absolute power in the premisses Ratifying and holding firm all and whatsoever my said Attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done in or about the premisses by vertue of these presents.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the Second Day of September in the twenty Second Year of the reign of Our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the faith and in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and forty eight.