第8章

Astheseeldersofthedifferentsexeswerewellacquaintedwiththetempersanddispositionsoftheirrespectivepupils，theycouldbestjudgewhatmatchesweresuitable，andtheirjudgmentsweregenerallyacquiesc’din；butif，forexample，itshouldhappenthattwoorthreeyoungwomenwerefoundtobeequallyproperfortheyoungman，thelotwasthenrecurredto。Iobjected，ifthematchesarenotmadebythemutualchoiceoftheparties，someofthemmaychancetobeveryunhappy。"Andsotheymay，"

answer’dmyinformer，"ifyouletthepartieschuseforthemselves；"

which，indeed，Icouldnotdeny。

BeingreturnedtoPhiladelphia，Ifoundtheassociationwentonswimmingly，theinhabitantsthatwerenotQuakershavingprettygenerallycomeintoit，formedthemselvesintocompanies，andchosetheircaptains，lieutenants，andensigns，accordingtothenewlaw。

Dr。B。visitedme，andgavemeanaccountofthepainshehadtakentospreadageneralgoodlikingtothelaw，andascribedmuchtothoseendeavors。IhadhadthevanitytoascribealltomyDialogue；

however，notknowingbutthathemightbeintheright，Ilethimenjoyhisopinion，whichItaketobegenerallythebestwayinsuchcases。

Theofficers，meeting，chosemetobecoloneloftheregiment，whichIthistimeaccepted。Iforgethowmanycompanieswehad，butweparadedabouttwelvehundredwell—lookingmen，withacompanyofartillery，whohadbeenfurnishedwithsixbrassfield—pieces，whichtheyhadbecomesoexpertintheuseofastofiretwelvetimesinaminute。ThefirsttimeIreviewedmyregimenttheyaccompaniedmetomyhouse，andwouldsalutemewithsomeroundsfiredbeforemydoor，whichshookdownandbrokeseveralglassesofmyelectricalapparatus。

Andmynewhonourprovednotmuchlessbrittle；forallourcommissionsweresoonafterbrokenbyarepealofthelawinEngland。

Duringthisshorttimeofmycolonelship，beingabouttosetoutonajourneytoVirginia，theofficersofmyregimenttookitintotheirheadsthatitwouldbeproperforthemtoescortmeoutoftown，asfarastheLowerFerry。JustasIwasgettingonhorsebacktheycametomydoor，betweenthirtyandforty，mounted，andallintheiruniforms。Ihadnotbeenpreviouslyacquaintedwiththeproject，orIshouldhavepreventedit，beingnaturallyaversetotheassumingofstateonanyoccasion；andIwasagooddealchagrin’dattheirappearance，asIcouldnotavoidtheiraccompanyingme。

Whatmadeitworsewas，that，assoonaswebegantomove，theydrewtheirswordsandrodewiththemnakedalltheway。

Somebodywroteanaccountofthistotheproprietor，anditgavehimgreatoffense。Nosuchhonorhadbeenpaidhimwhenintheprovince，nortoanyofhisgovernors；andhesaiditwasonlypropertoprincesofthebloodroyal，whichmaybetrueforaughtIknow，whowas，andstillam，ignorantoftheetiquetteinsuchcases。

Thissillyaffair，however，greatlyincreasedhisrancouragainstme，whichwasbeforenotalittle，onaccountofmyconductintheAssemblyrespectingtheexemptionofhisestatefromtaxation，whichIhadalwaysoppos’dverywarmly，andnotwithoutseverereflectionsonhismeannessandinjusticeofcontendingforit。

Heaccusedmetotheministryasbeingthegreatobstacletotheking’sservice，preventing，bymyinfluenceintheHouse，theproperformofthebillsforraisingmoney，andheinstancedthisparadewithmyofficersasaproofofmyhavinganintentiontotakethegovernmentoftheprovinceoutofhishandsbyforce。

HealsoappliedtoSirEverardFawkener，thepostmaster—general，todeprivemeofmyoffice；butithadnoothereffectthantoprocurefromSirEverardagentleadmonition。

NotwithstandingthecontinualwranglebetweenthegovernorandtheHouse，inwhichI，asamember，hadsolargeashare，therestillsubsistedacivilintercoursebetweenthatgentlemanandmyself，andweneverhadanypersonaldifference。Ihavesometimessincethoughtthathislittleornoresentmentagainstme，fortheanswersitwasknownIdrewuptohismessages，mightbetheeffectofprofessionalhabit，andthat，beingbredalawyer，hemightconsiderusbothasmerelyadvocatesforcontendingclientsinasuit，hefortheproprietariesandIfortheAssembly。

Hewould，therefore，sometimescallinafriendlywaytoadvisewithmeondifficultpoints，andsometimes，tho’notoften，takemyadvice。

WeactedinconcerttosupplyBraddock’sarmywithprovisions；

and，whentheshockingnewsarrivedofhisdefeat，thegovernorsentinhasteforme，toconsultwithhimonmeasuresforpreventingthedesertionofthebackcounties。IforgetnowtheadviceIgave；butIthinkitwas，thatDunbarshouldbewrittento，andprevail’dwith，ifpossible，toposthistroopsonthefrontiersfortheirprotection，till，byre—enforcementsfromthecolonies，hemightbeabletoproceedontheexpedition。And，aftermyreturnfromthefrontier，hewouldhavehadmeundertaketheconductofsuchanexpeditionwithprovincialtroops，forthereductionofFortDuquesne，Dunbarandhismenbeingotherwiseemployed；andheproposedtocommissionmeasgeneral。Ihadnotsogoodanopinionofmymilitaryabilitiesasheprofess’dtohave，andIbelievehisprofessionsmusthaveexceededhisrealsentiments；butprobablyhemightthinkthatmypopularitywouldfacilitatetheraisingofthemen，andmyinfluenceinAssembly，thegrantofmoneytopaythem，andthat，perhaps，withouttaxingtheproprietaryestate。Findingmenotsoforwardtoengageasheexpected，theprojectwasdropt，andhesoonafterleftthegovernment，beingsupersededbyCaptainDenny。

BeforeIproceedinrelatingthepartIhadinpublicaffairsunderthisnewgovernor’sadministration，itmaynotbeamissheretogivesomeaccountoftheriseandprogressofmyphilosophicalreputation。

In1746，beingatBoston，ImettherewithaDr。Spence，whowaslatelyarrivedfromScotland，andshow’dmesomeelectricexperiments。

Theywereimperfectlyperform’d，ashewasnotveryexpert；but，beingonasubjectquitenewtome，theyequallysurpris’dandpleasedme。

SoonaftermyreturntoPhiladelphia，ourlibrarycompanyreceiv’dfromMr。P。Collinson，FellowoftheRoyalSocietyofLondon，apresentofaglasstube，withsomeaccountoftheuseofitinmakingsuchexperiments。IeagerlyseizedtheopportunityofrepeatingwhatIhadseenatBoston；and，bymuchpractice，acquir’dgreatreadinessinperformingthose，also，whichwehadanaccountoffromEngland，addinganumberofnewones。Isaymuchpractice，formyhousewascontinuallyfull，forsometime，withpeoplewhocametoseethesenewwonders。

Todividealittlethisincumbranceamongmyfriends，Icausedanumberofsimilartubestobeblownatourglass—house，withwhichtheyfurnish’dthemselves，sothatwehadatlengthseveralperformers。Amongthese，theprincipalwasMr。Kinnersley，aningeniousneighbor，who，beingoutofbusiness，Iencouragedtoundertakeshowingtheexperimentsformoney，anddrewupforhimtwolectures，inwhichtheexperimentswererang’dinsuchorder，andaccompaniedwithsuchexplanationsinsuchmethod，asthattheforegoingshouldassistincomprehendingthefollowing。

Heprocur’danelegantapparatusforthepurpose，inwhichallthelittlemachinesthatIhadroughlymadeformyselfwerenicelyform’dbyinstrument—makers。Hislectureswerewellattended，andgavegreatsatisfaction；andaftersometimehewentthro’

thecolonies，exhibitingthemineverycapitaltown，andpick’dupsomemoney。IntheWestIndiaislands，indeed，itwaswithdifficultytheexperimentscouldbemade，fromthegeneralmoistureoftheair。

Oblig’dasweweretoMr。Collinsonforhispresentofthetube，etc。，I

thoughtitrightheshouldbeinform’dofoursuccessinusingit，andwrotehimseveralletterscontainingaccountsofourexperiments。

HegotthemreadintheRoyalSociety，wheretheywerenotatfirstthoughtworthsomuchnoticeastobeprintedintheirTransactions。

Onepaper，whichIwroteforMr。Kinnersley，onthesamenessoflightningwithelectricity，IsenttoDr。Mitchel，anacquaintanceofmine，andoneofthemembersalsoofthatsociety，whowrotemewordthatithadbeenread，butwaslaughedatbytheconnoisseurs。

Thepapers，however，beingshowntoDr。Fothergill，hethoughtthemoftoomuchvaluetobestifled，andadvis’dtheprintingofthem。

Mr。CollinsonthengavethemtoCaveforpublicationinhisGentleman’sMagazine；buthechosetoprintthemseparatelyinapamphlet，andDr。Fothergillwrotethepreface。Cave，itseems，judgedrightlyforhisprofit，forbytheadditionsthatarrivedafterwardtheyswell’dtoaquartovolume，whichhashadfiveeditions，andcosthimnothingforcopy—money。

Itwas，however，sometimebeforethosepapersweremuchtakennoticeofinEngland。AcopyofthemhappeningtofallintothehandsoftheCountdeBuffon，aphilosopherdeservedlyofgreatreputationinFrance，and，indeed，alloverEurope，heprevailedwithM。DalibardtotranslatethemintoFrench，andtheywereprintedatParis。

ThepublicationoffendedtheAbbeNollet，preceptorinNaturalPhilosophytotheroyalfamily，andanableexperimenter，whohadform’dandpublish’datheoryofelectricity，whichthenhadthegeneralvogue。

HecouldnotatfirstbelievethatsuchaworkcamefromAmerica，andsaiditmusthavebeenfabricatedbyhisenemiesatParis，todecryhissystem。Afterwards，havingbeenassur’dthattherereallyexistedsuchapersonasFranklinatPhiladelphia，whichhehaddoubted，hewroteandpublishedavolumeofLetters，chieflyaddress’dtome，defendinghistheory，anddenyingtheverityofmyexperiments，andofthepositionsdeduc’dfromthem。

Ioncepurpos’dansweringtheabbe，andactuallybegantheanswer；

but，onconsiderationthatmywritingscontain’dadescriptionofexperimentswhichanyonemightrepeatandverify，andifnottobeverifi’d，couldnotbedefended；orofobservationsoffer’dasconjectures，andnotdelivereddogmatically，thereforenotlayingmeunderanyobligationtodefendthem；andreflectingthatadisputebetweentwopersons，writingindifferentlanguages，mightbelengthenedgreatlybymistranslations，andthencemisconceptionsofoneanother’smeaning，muchofoneoftheabbe’slettersbeingfoundedonanerrorinthetranslation，Iconcludedtoletmypapersshiftforthemselves，believingitwasbettertospendwhattimeIcouldsparefrompublicbusinessinmakingnewexperiments，thanindisputingaboutthosealreadymade。

IthereforeneveransweredM。Nollet，andtheeventgavemenocausetorepentmysilence；formyfriendM。leRoy，oftheRoyalAcademyofSciences，tookupmycauseandrefutedhim；mybookwastranslatedintotheItalian，German，andLatinlanguages；

andthedoctrineitcontain’dwasbydegreesuniversallyadoptedbythephilosophersofEurope，inpreferencetothatoftheabbe；

sothathelivedtoseehimselfthelastofhissect，exceptMonsieurB————，ofParis，hiseleveandimmediatedisciple。

Whatgavemybookthemoresuddenandgeneralcelebrity，wasthesuccessofoneofitsproposedexperiments，madebyMessrs。

DalibardandDeLoratMarly，fordrawinglightningfromtheclouds。

Thisengag’dthepublicattentioneverywhere。M。deLor，whohadanapparatusforexperimentalphilosophy，andlectur’dinthatbranchofscience，undertooktorepeatwhathecalledthePhiladelphiaExperiments；and，aftertheywereperformedbeforethekingandcourt，allthecuriousofParisflockedtoseethem。

Iwillnotswellthisnarrativewithanaccountofthatcapitalexperiment，noroftheinfinitepleasureIreceiv’dinthesuccessofasimilaroneImadesoonafterwithakiteatPhiladelphia，asbotharetobefoundinthehistoriesofelectricity。

Dr。Wright，anEnglishphysician，whenatParis，wrotetoafriend，whowasoftheRoyalSociety，anaccountofthehighesteemmyexperimentswereinamongthelearnedabroad，andoftheirwonderthatmywritingshadbeensolittlenoticedinEngland。Thesociety，onthis，resum’dtheconsiderationofthelettersthathadbeenreadtothem；andthecelebratedDr。Watsondrewupasummaryaccountofthem，andofallIhadafterwardssenttoEnglandonthesubject，whichbeaccompaniedwithsomepraiseofthewriter。ThissummarywasthenprintedintheirTransactions；andsomemembersofthesocietyinLondon，particularlytheveryingeniousMr。Canton，havingverifiedtheexperimentofprocuringlightningfromthecloudsbyapointedrod，andacquaintingthemwiththesuccess，theysoonmadememorethanamendsfortheslightwithwhichtheyhadbeforetreatedme。

Withoutmyhavingmadeanyapplicationforthathonor，theychosemeamember，andvotedthatIshouldbeexcus’dthecustomarypayments，whichwouldhaveamountedtotwenty—fiveguineas；andeversincehavegivenmetheirTransactionsgratis。TheyalsopresentedmewiththegoldmedalofSirGodfreyCopleyfortheyear1753，thedeliveryofwhichwasaccompaniedbyaveryhandsomespeechofthepresident，LordMacclesfield，whereinIwashighlyhonoured。

Ournewgovernor，CaptainDenny，broughtoverformethebefore—mentionedmedalfromtheRoyalSociety，whichhepresentedtomeatanentertainmentgivenhimbythecity。Heaccompanieditwithverypoliteexpressionsofhisesteemforme，having，ashesaid，beenlongacquaintedwithmycharacter。Afterdinner，whenthecompany，aswascustomaryatthattime，wereengag’dindrinking，hetookmeasideintoanotherroom，andacquaintedmethathehadbeenadvis’dbyhisfriendsinEnglandtocultivateafriendshipwithme，asonewhowascapableofgivinghimthebestadvice，andofcontributingmosteffectuallytothemakinghisadministrationeasy；

thathethereforedesiredofallthingstohaveagoodunderstandingwithme，andhebegg’dmetobeassur’dofhisreadinessonalloccasionstorendermeeveryservicethatmightbeinhispower。

Hesaidmuchtome，also，oftheproprietor’sgooddispositiontowardstheprovince，andoftheadvantageitmightbetousall，andtomeinparticular，iftheoppositionthathadbeensolongcontinu’dtohismeasureswasdropt，andharmonyrestor’dbetweenhimandthepeople；ineffectingwhich，itwasthoughtnoonecouldbemoreserviceablethanmyself；andImightdependonadequateacknowledgmentsandrecompenses，etc。，etc。Thedrinkers，findingwedidnotreturnimmediatelytothetable，sentusadecanterofMadeira，whichthegovernormadeliberaluseof，andinproportionbecamemoreprofuseofhissolicitationsandpromises。

Myanswersweretothispurpose：thatmycircumstances，thankstoGod，weresuchastomakeproprietaryfavoursunnecessarytome；

andthat，beingamemberoftheAssembly，Icouldnotpossiblyacceptofany；that，however，Ihadnopersonalenmitytotheproprietary，andthat，wheneverthepublicmeasureshepropos’dshouldappeartobeforthegoodofthepeople，nooneshouldespouseandforwardthemmorezealouslythanmyself；mypastoppositionhavingbeenfoundedonthis，thatthemeasureswhichhadbeenurgedwereevidentlyintendedtoservetheproprietaryinterest，withgreatprejudicetothatofthepeople；thatIwasmuchobligedtohim（thegovernor）

forhisprofessionsofregardtome，andthathemightrelyoneverythinginmypowertomakehisadministrationaseasyaspossible，hopingatthesametimethathehadnotbroughtwithhimthesameunfortunateinstructionhispredecessorhadbeenhamper’dwith。

Onthishedidnotthenexplainhimself；butwhenheafterwardscametodobusinesswiththeAssembly，theyappear’dagain，thedisputeswererenewed，andIwasasactiveaseverintheopposition，beingthepenman，first，oftherequesttohaveacommunicationoftheinstructions，andthenoftheremarksuponthem，whichmaybefoundinthevotesofthetime，andintheHistoricalReviewI

afterwardpublish’d。Butbetweenuspersonallynoenmityarose；

wewereoftentogether；hewasamanofletters，hadseenmuchoftheworld，andwasveryentertainingandpleasinginconversation。

HegavemethefirstinformationthatmyoldfriendJas。Ralphwasstillalive；thathewasesteem’doneofthebestpoliticalwritersinEngland；hadbeenemploy’dinthedisputebetweenPrinceFredericandtheking，andhadobtain’dapensionofthreehundredayear；

thathisreputationwasindeedsmallasapoet，PopehavingdamnedhispoetryintheDunciad；buthisprosewasthoughtasgoodasanyman’s。

<15>TheAssemblyfinallyfindingtheproprietaryobstinatelypersistedinmanaclingtheirdeputieswithinstructionsinconsistentnotonlywiththeprivilegesofthepeople，butwiththeserviceofthecrown，resolv’dtopetitionthekingagainstthem，andappointedmetheiragenttogoovertoEngland，topresentandsupportthepetition。

TheHousehadsentupabilltothegovernor，grantingasumofsixtythousandpoundsfortheking’suse（tenthousandpoundsofwhichwassubjectedtotheordersofthethengeneral，LordLoudoun），whichthegovernorabsolutelyrefus’dtopass，incompliancewithhisinstructions。

<15>ThemanyunanimousresolvesoftheAssembly——

whatdate？——[Marg。note。]

IhadagreedwithCaptainMorris，ofthepaquetatNewYork，formypassage，andmystoreswereputonboard，whenLordLoudounarriv’datPhiladelphia，expressly，ashetoldme，toendeavoranaccommodationbetweenthegovernorandAssembly，thathismajesty’sservicemightnotbeobstructedbytheirdissensions。

Accordingly，hedesir’dthegovernorandmyselftomeethim，thathemighthearwhatwastobesaidonbothsides。Wemetanddiscuss’dthebusiness。InbehalfoftheAssembly，Iurg’dallthevariousargumentsthatmaybefoundinthepublicpapersofthattime，whichwereofmywriting，andareprintedwiththeminutesoftheAssembly；andthegovernorpleadedhisinstructions；thebondhehadgiventoobservethem，andhisruinifhedisobey’d，yetseemednotunwillingtohazardhimselfifLordLoudounwouldadviseit。

Thishislordshipdidnotchusetodo，thoughIoncethoughtI

hadnearlyprevail’dwithhimtodoit；butfinallyheratherchosetourgethecomplianceoftheAssembly；andheentreatedmetousemyendeavourswiththemforthatpurpose，declaringthathewouldsparenoneoftheking’stroopsforthedefenseofourfrontiers，andthat，ifwedidnotcontinuetoprovideforthatdefenseourselves，theymustremainexpos’dtotheenemy。

IacquaintedtheHousewithwhathadpass’d，and，presentingthemwithasetofresolutionsIhaddrawnup，declaringourrights，andthatwedidnotrelinquishourclaimtothoserights，butonlysuspendedtheexerciseofthemonthisoccasionthro’force，againstwhichweprotested，theyatlengthagreedtodropthatbill，andframeanotherconformabletotheproprietaryinstructions。

Thisofcoursethegovernorpass’d，andIwasthenatlibertytoproceedonmyvoyage。But，inthemeantime，thepaquethadsailedwithmysea—stores，whichwassomelosstome，andmyonlyrecompensewashislordship’sthanksformyservice，allthecreditofobtainingtheaccommodationfallingtohisshare。

HesetoutforNewYorkbeforeme；and，asthetimefordispatchingthepaquet—boatswasathisdisposition，andthereweretwothenremainingthere，oneofwhich，hesaid，wastosailverysoon，Irequestedtoknowtheprecisetime，thatImightnotmissherbyanydelayofmine。Hisanswerwas，"IhavegivenoutthatsheistosailonSaturdaynext；butImayletyouknow，entrenous，thatifyouaretherebyMondaymorning，youwillbeintime，butdonotdelaylonger。"Bysomeaccidentalhinderanceataferry，itwasMondaynoonbeforeIarrived，andIwasmuchafraidshemighthavesailed，asthewindwasfair；butIwassoonmadeeasybytheinformationthatshewasstillintheharbor，andwouldnotmovetillthenextday。OnewouldimaginethatI

wasnowontheverypointofdepartingforEurope。Ithoughtso；

butIwasnotthensowellacquaintedwithhislordship’scharacter，ofwhichindecisionwasoneofthestrongestfeatures。Ishallgivesomeinstances。ItwasaboutthebeginningofAprilthatI

cametoNewYork，andIthinkitwasneartheendofJunebeforewesail’d。Therewerethentwoofthepaquet—boats，whichhadbeenlonginport，butweredetainedforthegeneral’sletters，whichwerealwaystobereadyto—morrow。Anotherpaquetarriv’d；

shetoowasdetain’d；and，beforewesail’d，afourthwasexpected。

Ourswasthefirsttobedispatch’d，ashavingbeentherelongest。

Passengerswereengag’dinall，andsomeextremelyimpatienttobegone，andthemerchantsuneasyabouttheirletters，andtheorderstheyhadgivenforinsurance（itbeingwartime）

forfallgoods！buttheiranxietyavail’dnothing；hislordship’sletterswerenotready；andyetwhoeverwaitedonhimfoundhimalwaysathisdesk，peninhand，andconcludedhemustneedswriteabundantly。

Goingmyselfonemorningtopaymyrespects，IfoundinhisantechamberoneInnis，amessengerofPhiladelphia，whohadcomefromthenceexpresswithapaquetfromGovernorDennyfortheGeneral。

Hedeliveredtomesomelettersfrommyfriendsthere，whichoccasion’dmyinquiringwhenhewastoreturn，andwherebelodg’d，thatI

mightsendsomelettersbyhim。Hetoldmehewasorder’dtocallto—morrowatnineforthegeneral’sanswertothegovernor，andshouldsetoffimmediately。Iputmylettersintohishandsthesameday。

AfortnightafterImethimagaininthesameplace。"So，youaresoonreturn’d，Innis？""Returned！no，Iamnotgoneyet。"

"Howso？""Ihavecalledherebyordereverymorningthesetwoweekspastforhislordship’sletter，anditisnotyetready。"

"Isitpossible，whenheissogreatawriter？forIseehimconstantlyathisescritoire。""Yes，"saysInnis，"butheislikeSt。Georgeonthesigns，alwaysonhorseback，andneverrideson！"

Thisobservationofthemessengerwas，itseems，wellfounded；for，wheninEngland，IunderstoodthatMr。Pittgaveitasonereasonforremovingthisgeneral，andsendingGeneralsAmherstandWolfe，thattheministerneverheardfromhim，andcouldnotknowwhathewasdoing。

Thisdailyexpectationofsailing，andallthethreepaquetsgoingdowntoSandyHook，tojointhefleetthere，thepassengersthoughtitbesttobeonboard，lestbyasuddenordertheshipsshouldsail，andtheybeleftbehind。There，ifIrememberright，wewereaboutsixweeks，consumingoursea—stores，andoblig’dtoprocuremore。

Atlengththefleetsail’d，theGeneralandallhisarmyonboard，boundtoLouisburg，withintenttobesiegeandtakethatfortress；

allthepaquet—boatsincompanyorderedtoattendtheGeneral’sship，readytoreceivehisdispatcheswhentheyshouldbeready。

Wewereoutfivedaysbeforewegotaletterwithleavetopart，andthenourshipquittedthefleetandsteeredforEngland。Theothertwopaquetshestilldetained，carriedthemwithhimtoHalifax，wherehestayedsometimetoexercisethemeninshamattacksuponshamforts，thenalter’dhismindastobesiegingLouisburg，andreturn’dtoNewYork，withallhistroops，togetherwiththetwopaquetsabovementioned，andalltheirpassengers！DuringhisabsencetheFrenchandsavageshadtakenFortGeorge，onthefrontierofthatprovince，andthesavageshadmassacredmanyofthegarrisonaftercapitulation。

IsawafterwardsinLondonCaptainBonnell，whocommandedoneofthosepaquets。Hetoldmethat，whenhehadbeendetain’damonth，heacquaintedhislordshipthathisshipwasgrownfoul，toadegreethatmustnecessarilyhinderherfastsailing，apointofconsequenceforapaquet—boat，andrequestedanallowanceoftimetoheaveherdownandcleanherbottom。Hewasaskedhowlongtimethatwouldrequire。Heanswer’d，threedays。

Thegeneralreplied，"Ifyoucandoitinoneday，Igiveleave；

otherwisenot；foryoumustcertainlysailthedayafterto—morrow。"

Soheneverobtain’dleave，thoughdetainedafterwardsfromdaytodayduringfullthreemonths。

IsawalsoinLondononeofBonnell’spassengers，whowassoenrag’dagainsthislordshipfordeceivinganddetaininghimsolongatNewYork，andthencarryinghimtoHalifaxandbackagain，thathesworehewouldsuefordamages。Whetherhedidornot，Ineverheard；but，asherepresentedtheinjurytohisaffairs，itwasveryconsiderable。

Onthewhole，Iwonder’dmuchhowsuchamancametobeintrustedwithsoimportantabusinessastheconductofagreatarmy；

but，havingsinceseenmoreofthegreatworld，andthemeansofobtaining，andmotivesforgivingplaces，mywonderisdiminished。

GeneralShirley，onwhomthecommandofthearmydevolveduponthedeathofBraddock，would，inmyopinion，ifcontinuedinplace，havemadeamuchbettercampaignthanthatofLoudounin1757，whichwasfrivolous，expensive，anddisgracefultoournationbeyondconception；for，tho’Shirleywasnotabredsoldier，hewassensibleandsagaciousinhimself，andattentivetogoodadvicefromothers，capableofformingjudiciousplans，andquickandactiveincarryingthemintoexecution。Loudoun，insteadofdefendingthecolonieswithhisgreatarmy，leftthemtotallyexpos’dwhileheparadedidlyatHalifax，bywhichmeansFortGeorgewaslost，besides，hederang’dallourmercantileoperations，anddistress’dourtrade，byalongembargoontheexportationofprovisions，onpretenceofkeepingsuppliesfrombeingobtain’dbytheenemy，butinrealityforbeatingdowntheirpriceinfavorofthecontractors，inwhoseprofits，itwassaid，perhapsfromsuspiciononly，hehadashare。And，whenatlengththeembargowastakenoff，byneglectingtosendnoticeofittoCharlestown，theCarolinafleetwasdetain’dnearthreemonthslonger，wherebytheirbottomsweresomuchdamagedbythewormthatagreatpartofthemfounderedintheirpassagehome。

Shirleywas，Ibelieve，sincerelygladofbeingrelievedfromsoburdensomeachargeastheconductofanarmymustbetoamanunacquaintedwithmilitarybusiness。IwasattheentertainmentgivenbythecityofNewYorktoLordLoudoun，onhistakinguponhimthecommand。Shirley，tho’therebysuperseded，waspresentalso。

Therewasagreatcompanyofofficers，citizens，andstrangers，and，somechairshavingbeenborrowedintheneighborhood，therewasoneamongthemverylow，whichfelltothelotofMr。Shirley。PerceivingitasIsatbyhim，Isaid，"Theyhavegivenyou，sir，toolowaseat。"

"Nomatter，"sayshe，"Mr。Franklin，Ifindalowseattheeasiest。"

WhileIwas，asaforemention’d，detain’datNewYork，Ireceiv’dalltheaccountsoftheprovisions，etc。，thatIhadfurnish’dtoBraddock，someofwhichaccountscouldnotsoonerbeobtain’dfromthedifferentpersonsIhademploy’dtoassistinthebusiness。

IpresentedthemtoLordLoudoun，desiringtobepaidtheballance。

Hecaus’dthemtoberegularlyexaminedbytheproperofficer，who，aftercomparingeveryarticlewithitsvoucher，certifiedthemtoberight；andthebalancedueforwhichhislordshippromis’dtogivemeanorderonthepaymaster。Thiswas，however，putofffromtimetotime；and，tho’Icall’doftenforitbyappointment，Ididnotgetit。Atlength，justbeforemydeparture，hetoldmehehad，onbetterconsideration，concludednottomixhisaccountswiththoseofhispredecessors。"Andyou，"sayshe，"wheninEngland，haveonlytoexhibityouraccountsatthetreasury，andyouwillbepaidimmediately。"

Imention’d，butwithouteffect，thegreatandunexpectedexpenseI

hadbeenputtobybeingdetain’dsolongatNewYork，asareasonformydesiringtobepresentlypaid；andonmyobservingthatitwasnotrightIshouldbeputtoanyfurthertroubleordelayinobtainingthemoneyIhadadvanc’d，asIchargednocommissionformyservice，"0，sir，"sayshe，"youmustnotthinkofpersuadingusthatyouarenogainer；weunderstandbetterthoseaffairs，andknowthateveryoneconcernedinsupplyingthearmyfindsmeans，inthedoingit，tofillhisownpockets。"Iassur’dhimthatwasnotmycase，andthatIhadnotpocketedafarthing；butheappear’dclearlynottobelieveme；and，indeed，Ihavesincelearntthatimmensefortunesareoftenmadeinsuchemployments。Astomyballance，Iamnotpaidittothisday，ofwhichmorehereafter。

Ourcaptainofthepaquethadboastedmuch，beforewesailed，oftheswiftnessofhisship；unfortunately，whenwecametosea，sheprovedthedullestofninety—sixsail，tohisnosmallmortification。

Aftermanyconjecturesrespectingthecause，whenwewerenearanothershipalmostasdullasours，which，however，gain’duponus，thecaptainorderedallhandstocomeaft，andstandasneartheensignstaffaspossible。Wewere，passengersincluded，aboutfortypersons。

Whilewestoodthere，theshipmendedherpace，andsoonleftherneighbourfarbehind，whichprov’dclearlywhatourcaptainsuspected，thatshewasloadedtoomuchbythehead。Thecasksofwater，itseems，hadbeenallplac’dforward；thesehethereforeorder’dtobemov’dfurtheraft，onwhichtheshiprecover’dhercharacter，andprovedthesailerinthefleet。

Thecaptainsaidshehadoncegoneattherateofthirteenknots，whichisaccountedthirteenmilesperhour。Wehadonboard，asapassenger，CaptainKennedy，oftheNavy，whocontendedthatitwasimpossible，andthatnoshipeversailedsofast，andthattheremusthavebeensomeerrorinthedivisionofthelog—line，orsomemistakeinheavingthelog。Awagerensu’dbetweenthetwocaptains，tobedecidedwhenthereshouldbesufficientwind。

Kennedythereuponexamin’drigorouslythelog—line，and，beingsatisfi’dwiththat，hedetermin’dtothrowtheloghimself。

Accordinglysomedaysafter，whenthewindblewveryfairandfresh，andthecaptainofthepaquet，Lutwidge，saidhebeliev’dshethenwentattherateofthirteenknots，Kennedymadetheexperiment，andown’dhiswagerlost。

TheabovefactIgiveforthesakeofthefollowingobservation。

Ithasbeenremark’d，asanimperfectionintheartofship—building，thatitcanneverbeknown，tillsheistried，whetheranewshipwillorwillnotbeagoodsailer；forthatthemodelofagood—sailingshiphasbeenexactlyfollow’dinanewone，whichhasprov’d，onthecontrary，remarkablydull。Iapprehendthatthismaypartlybeoccasion’dbythedifferentopinionsofseamenrespectingthemodesoflading，rigging，andsailingofaship；eachhashissystem；

andthesamevessel，ladenbythejudgmentandordersofonecaptain，shallsailbetterorworsethanwhenbytheordersofanother。

Besides，itscarceeverhappensthatashipisform’d，fittedforthesea，andsail’dbythesameperson。Onemanbuildsthehull，anotherrigsher，athirdladesandsailsher。Nooneofthesehastheadvantageofknowingalltheideasandexperienceoftheothers，and，therefore，cannotdrawjustconclusionsfromacombinationofthewhole。

Eveninthesimpleoperationofsailingwhenatsea，Ihaveoftenobserv’ddifferentjudgmentsintheofficerswhocommandedthesuccessivewatches，thewindbeingthesame。Onewouldhavethesailstrimm’dsharperorflatterthananother，sothattheyseem’dtohavenocertainruletogovernby。YetIthinkasetofexperimentsmightbeinstituted，first，todeterminethemostproperformofthehullforswiftsailing；next，thebestdimensionsandproperestplaceforthemasts：thentheformandquantityofsails，andtheirposition，asthewindmaybe；and，lastly，thedispositionofthelading。Thisisanageofexperiments，andIthinkasetaccuratelymadeandcombin’dwouldbeofgreatuse。

Iampersuaded，therefore，thaterelongsomeingeniousphilosopherwillundertakeit，towhomIwishsuccess。

Wewereseveraltimeschas’dinourpassage，butoutsail’deverything，andinthirtydayshadsoundings。Wehadagoodobservation，andthecaptainjudg’dhimselfsonearourport，Falmouth，that，ifwemadeagoodruninthenight，wemightbeoffthemouthofthatharborinthemorning，andbyrunninginthenightmightescapethenoticeoftheenemy’sprivateers，whooftencrus’dneartheentranceofthechannel。Accordingly，allthesailwassetthatwecouldpossiblymake，andthewindbeingveryfreshandfair，wewentrightbeforeit，andmadegreatway。Thecaptain，afterhisobservation，shap’dhiscourse，ashethought，soastopasswideoftheScillyIsles；butitseemsthereissometimesastrongindraughtsettingupSt。George’sChannel，whichdeceivesseamenandcausedthelossofSirCloudesleyShovel’ssquadron。

Thisindraughtwasprobablythecauseofwhathappenedtous。

Wehadawatchmanplac’dinthebow，towhomtheyoftencalled，"Lookwelloutbeforethere，"andheasoftenanswered，"Ayay；

"butperhapshadhiseyesshut，andwashalfasleepatthetime，theysometimesanswering，asissaid，mechanically；forhedidnotseealightjustbeforeus，whichhadbeenhidbythestuddingsailsfromthemanatthehelm，andfromtherestofthewatch，butbyanaccidentalyawoftheshipwasdiscover’d，andoccasion’dagreatalarm，webeingverynearit，thelightappearingtomeasbigasacart—wheel。Itwasmidnight，andourcaptainfastasleep；butCaptainKennedy，jumpingupondeck，andseeingthedanger，orderedtheshiptowearround，allsailsstanding；

anoperationdangeroustothemasts，butitcarriedusclear，andweescapedshipwreck，forwewererunningrightupontherocksonwhichthelight—housewaserected。Thisdeliveranceimpressedmestronglywiththeutilityoflight—houses，andmademeresolvetoencouragethebuildingmoreoftheminAmerica，ifIshouldlivetoreturnthere。

Inthemorningitwasfoundbythesoundings，etc。，thatwewerenearourport，butathickfoghidthelandfromoursight。Aboutnineo’clockthefogbegantorise，andseem’dtobeliftedupfromthewaterlikethecurtainataplay—house，discoveringunderneath，thetownofFalmouth，thevesselsinitsharbor，andthefieldsthatsurroundedit。Thiswasamostpleasingspectacletothosewhohadbeensolongwithoutanyotherprospectsthantheuniformviewofavacantocean，anditgaveusthemorepleasureaswewerenowfreefromtheanxietieswhichthestateofwaroccasion’d。

Isetoutimmediately，withmyson，forLondon，andweonlystoptalittlebythewaytoviewStonehengeonSalisburyPlain，andLordPembroke’shouseandgardens，withhisverycuriousantiquitiesatWilton。WearrivedinLondonthe27thofJuly，1757。<16>

<16>HereterminatestheAutobiography，aspublishedbyWm。TempleFranklinandhissuccessors。WhatfollowswaswritteninthelastyearofDr。Franklin’slife，andwasfirstprinted（inEnglish）inMr。Bigelow’seditionof1868。——ED。

ASSOONasIwassettledinalodgingMr。Charleshadprovidedforme，IwenttovisitDr。Fothergill，towhomIwasstronglyrecommended，andwhosecounselrespectingmyproceedingsIwasadvis’dtoobtain。

Hewasagainstanimmediatecomplainttogovernment，andthoughttheproprietariesshouldfirstbepersonallyappli’dto，whomightpossiblybeinduc’dbytheinterpositionandpersuasionofsomeprivatefriends，toaccommodatemattersamicably。Ithenwaitedonmyoldfriendandcorrespondent，Mr。PeterCollinson，whotoldmethatJohnHanbury，thegreatVirginiamerchant，hadrequestedtobeinformedwhenIshouldarrive，thathemightcarrymetoLordGranville’s，whowasthenPresidentoftheCouncilandwishedtoseemeassoonaspossible。Iagreedtogowithhimthenextmorning。

AccordinglyMr。Hanburycalledformeandtookmeinhiscarriagetothatnobleman’s，whoreceiv’dmewithgreatcivility；andaftersomequestionsrespectingthepresentstateofaffairsinAmericaanddiscoursethereupon，hesaidtome："YouAmericanshavewrongideasofthenatureofyourconstitution；youcontendthattheking’sinstructionstohisgovernorsarenotlaws，andthinkyourselvesatlibertytoregardordisregardthematyourowndiscretion。

Butthoseinstructionsarenotlikethepocketinstructionsgiventoaministergoingabroad，forregulatinghisconductinsometriflingpointofceremony。Theyarefirstdrawnupbyjudgeslearnedinthelaws；theyarethenconsidered，debated，andperhapsamendedinCouncil，afterwhichtheyaresignedbytheking。

Theyarethen，sofarastheyrelatetoyou，thelawoftheland，forthekingistheLEGISLATOROFTHECOLONIES。"Itoldhislordshipthiswasnewdoctrinetome。IhadalwaysunderstoodfromourchartersthatourlawsweretobemadebyourAssemblies，tobepresentedindeedtothekingforhisroyalassent，butthatbeingoncegiventhekingcouldnotrepealoralterthem。

AndastheAssembliescouldnotmakepermanentlawswithouthisassent，soneithercouldhemakealawforthemwithouttheirs。

Heassur’dmeIwastotallymistaken。Ididnotthinkso，however，andhislordship’sconversationhavingalittlealarm’dmeastowhatmightbethesentimentsofthecourtconcerningus，IwroteitdownassoonasIreturn’dtomylodgings。Irecollectedthatabout20yearsbefore，aclauseinabillbroughtintoParliamentbytheministryhadpropos’dtomaketheking’sinstructionslawsinthecolonies，buttheclausewasthrownoutbytheCommons，forwhichweadoredthemasourfriendsandfriendsofliberty，tillbytheirconducttowardsusin1765itseem’dthattheyhadrefus’dthatpointofsovereigntytothekingonlythattheymightreserveitforthemselves。

Aftersomedays，Dr。Fothergillhavingspokentotheproprietaries，theyagreedtoameetingwithmeatMr。T。Penn’shouseinSpringGarden。

Theconversationatfirstconsistedofmutualdeclarationsofdispositiontoreasonableaccommodations，butIsupposeeachpartyhaditsownideasofwhatshouldbemeantbyreasonable。

Wethenwentintoconsiderationofourseveralpointsofcomplaint，whichIenumerated。Theproprietariesjustify’dtheirconductaswellastheycould，andItheAssembly’s。Wenowappearedverywide，andsofarfromeachotherinouropinionsastodiscourageallhopeofagreement。However，itwasconcludedthatIshouldgivethemtheheadsofourcomplaintsinwriting，andtheypromis’dthentoconsiderthem。Ididsosoonafter，buttheyputthepaperintothehandsoftheirsolicitor，FerdinandJohnParis，whomanagedforthemalltheirlawbusinessintheirgreatsuitwiththeneighbouringproprietaryofMaryland，LordBaltimore，whichhadsubsisted70years，andwroteforthemalltheirpapersandmessagesintheirdisputewiththeAssembly。

Hewasaproud，angryman，andasIhadoccasionallyintheanswersoftheAssemblytreatedhispaperswithsomeseverity，theybeingreallyweakinpointofargumentandhaughtyinexpression，hehadconceivedamortalenmitytome，whichdiscoveringitselfwheneverwemet，Ideclin’dtheproprietary’sproposalthatheandIshoulddiscusstheheadsofcomplaintbetweenourtwoselves，andrefus’dtreatingwithanyonebutthem。TheythenbyhisadviceputthepaperintothehandsoftheAttorneyandSolicitor—Generalfortheiropinionandcounseluponit，whereitlayunansweredayearwantingeightdays，duringwhichtimeImadefrequentdemandsofananswerfromtheproprietaries，butwithoutobtaininganyotherthanthattheyhadnotyetreceivedtheopinionoftheAttorneyandSolicitor—General。WhatitwaswhentheydidreceiveitI

neverlearnt，fortheydidnotcommunicateittome，butsentalongmessagetotheAssemblydrawnandsignedbyParis，recitingmypaper，complainingofitswantofformality，asarudenessonmypart，andgivingaflimsyjustificationoftheirconduct，addingthattheyshouldbewillingtoaccommodatemattersiftheAssemblywouldsendoutsomepersonofcandourtotreatwiththemforthatpurpose，intimatingtherebythatIwasnotsuch。

Thewantofformalityorrudenesswas，probably，mynothavingaddress’dthepapertothemwiththeirassum’dtitlesofTrueandAbsoluteProprietariesoftheProvinceofPennsylvania，whichIomittedasnotthinkingitnecessaryinapaper，theintentionofwhichwasonlytoreducetoacertaintybywriting，whatinconversationIhaddeliveredvivavoce。

Butduringthisdelay，theAssemblyhavingprevailedwithGov’rDennytopassanacttaxingtheproprietaryestateincommonwiththeestatesofthepeople，whichwasthegrandpointindispute，theyomittedansweringthemessage。

Whenthisacthowevercameover，theproprietaries，counselledbyParis，determinedtoopposeitsreceivingtheroyalassent。

Accordinglytheypetition’dthekinginCouncil，andahearingwasappointedinwhichtwolawyerswereemploy’dbythemagainsttheact，andtwobymeinsupportofit。Theyalledg’dthattheactwasintendedtoloadtheproprietaryestateinordertosparethoseofthepeople，andthatifitweresuffer’dtocontinueinforce，andtheproprietarieswhowereinodiumwiththepeople，lefttotheirmercyinproportioningthetaxes，theywouldinevitablyberuined。

Wereply’dthattheacthadnosuchintention，andwouldhavenosucheffect。Thattheassessorswerehonestanddiscreetmenunderanoathtoassessfairlyandequitably，andthatanyadvantageeachofthemmightexpectinlesseninghisowntaxbyaugmentingthatoftheproprietarieswastootriflingtoinducethemtoperjurethemselves。

ThisisthepurportofwhatIrememberasurgedbybothsides，exceptthatweinsistedstronglyonthemischievousconsequencesthatmustattendarepeal，forthatthemoney，L100，000，beingprintedandgiventotheking’suse，expendedinhisservice，andnowspreadamongthepeople，therepealwouldstrikeitdeadintheirhandstotheruinofmany，andthetotaldiscouragementoffuturegrants，andtheselfishnessoftheproprietorsinsolicitingsuchageneralcatastrophe，merelyfromagroundlessfearoftheirestatebeingtaxedtoohighly，wasinsistedoninthestrongestterms。

Onthis，LordMansfield，oneofthecounselrose，andbeckoningmetookmeintotheclerk’schamber，whilethelawyerswerepleading，andaskedmeifIwasreallyofopinionthatnoinjurywouldbedonetheproprietaryestateintheexecutionoftheact。Isaidcertainly。

"Then，"sayshe，"youcanhavelittleobjectiontoenterintoanengagementtoassurethatpoint。"Ianswer’d，"Noneatall。"

Hethencall’dinParis，andaftersomediscourse，hislordship’spropositionwasacceptedonbothsides；apapertothepurposewasdrawnupbytheClerkoftheCouncil，whichIsign’dwithMr。Charles，whowasalsoanAgentoftheProvincefortheirordinaryaffairs，whenLordMansfieldreturnedtotheCouncilChamber，wherefinallythelawwasallowedtopass。Somechangeswerehoweverrecommendedandwealsoengagedtheyshouldbemadebyasubsequentlaw，buttheAssemblydidnotthinkthemnecessary；foroneyear’staxhavingbeenleviedbytheactbeforetheorderofCouncilarrived，theyappointedacommitteetoexaminetheproceedingsoftheassessors，andonthiscommitteetheyputseveralparticularfriendsoftheproprietaries。Afterafullenquiry，theyunanimouslysign’dareportthattheyfoundthetaxhadbeenassess’dwithperfectequity。

TheAssemblylookedintomyenteringintothefirstpartoftheengagement，asanessentialservicetotheProvince，sinceitsecuredthecreditofthepapermoneythenspreadoverallthecountry。

TheygavemetheirthanksinformwhenIreturn’d。ButtheproprietarieswereenragedatGovernorDennyforhavingpass’dtheact，andturn’dhimoutwiththreatsofsuinghimforbreachofinstructionswhichhehadgivenbondtoobserve。He，however，havingdoneitattheinstanceoftheGeneral，andforHisMajesty’sservice，andhavingsomepowerfulinterestatcourt，despis’dthethreatsandtheywereneverputinexecution……[Unfinished]。

CHIEFEVENTSINFRANKLIN’SLIFE

[Ending，asitdoes，withtheyear1757，theautobiographyleavesimportantfactsun—recorded。Ithasseemedadvisable，therefore，todetailthechiefeventsinFranklin’slife，fromthebeginning，inthefollowinglist：

1706Heisborn，inBoston，andbaptizedintheOldSouthChurch。

1714Attheageofeight，enterstheGrammarSchool。

1716Becomeshisfather’sassistantinthetallow—chandlerybusiness。

1718ApprenticedtohisbrotherJames，printer。

1721Writesballadsandpeddlesthem，inprintedform，inthestreets；contributes，anonymously，tothe"NewEnglandCourant，"andtemporarilyeditsthatpaper；becomesafree—thinker，andavegetarian。

1723BreakshisindentureandremovestoPhiladelphia；obtainingemploymentinKeimer’sprinting—office；abandonsvegetarianism。

1724IspersuadedbyGovernorKeithtoestablishhimselfindependently，andgoestoLondontobuytype；worksathistradethere，andpublishes"DissertationonLibertyandNecessity，PleasureandPain。"

1726ReturnstoPhiladelphia；afterservingasclerkinadrygoodsstore，becomesmanagerofKeimer’sprinting—house。

1727FoundstheJunto，or"LeathernApron"Club。

1728WithHughMeredith，opensaprinting—office。

1729Becomesproprietorandeditorofthe"PennsylvaniaGazette"；

prints，anonymously，"NatureandNecessityofaPaperCurrency"；

opensastationer’sshop。

1730MarriesRebeccaRead。

1731FoundsthePhiladelphiaLibrary。

1732Publishesthefirstnumberof"PoorRichard’sAlmanac"underthepseudonymof"RichardSaunders。"TheAlmanac，whichcontinuedfortwenty—fiveyearstocontainhiswitty，worldly—wisesayings，playedaverylargepartinbringingtogetherandmoldingtheAmericancharacterwhichwasatthattimemadeupofsomanydiverseandscatteredtypes。

1738BeginstostudyFrench，Italian，Spanish，andLatin。

1736ChosenclerkoftheGeneralAssembly；formstheUnionFireCompanyofPhiladelphia。

1737ElectedtotheAssembly；appointedDeputyPostmaster—General；

plansacitypolice。

1742Inventstheopen，or"Franklin，"stove。

1743ProposesaplanforanAcademy，whichisadopted1749anddevelopsintotheUniversityofPennsylvania。

1744EstablishestheAmericanPhilosophicalSociety。

1746Publishesapamphlet，"PlainTruth，"onthenecessityfordisciplineddefense，andformsamilitarycompany；beginselectricalexperiments。

1748Sellsouthisprintingbusiness；isappointedontheCommissionofthePeace，chosentotheCommonCouncil，andtotheAssembly。

1749AppointedaCommissionertotradewiththeIndians。

1751Aidsinfoundingahospital。

1752Experimentswithakiteanddiscoversthatlightningisanelectricaldischarge。

1753AwardedtheCopleymedalforthisdiscovery，andelectedamemberoftheRoyalSociety；receivesthedegreeofM。A。

fromYaleandHarvard。AppointedjointPostmaster—General。

1754AppointedoneoftheCommissionersfromPennsylvaniatotheColonialCongressatAlbany；proposesaplanfortheunionofthecolonies。

1755PledgeshispersonalpropertyinorderthatsuppliesmayberaisedforBraddock’sarmy；obtainsagrantfromtheAssemblyinaidoftheCrownPointexpedition；carriesthroughabillestablishingavoluntarymilitia；isappointedColonel，andtakesthefield。

1757IntroducesabillintheAssemblyforpavingthestreetsofPhiladelphia；publisheshisfamous"WaytoWealth"；goestoEnglandtopleadthecauseoftheAssemblyagainsttheProprietaries；remainsasagentforPennsylvania；enjoysthefriendshipofthescientificandliterarymenofthekingdom。

[HERETHEAUTOBIOGRAPHYBREAKSOFF]

1760SecuresfromthePrivyCouncil，byacompromise，adecisionobligingtheProprietaryestatestocontributetothepublicrevenue。

1762ReceivesthedegreeofLL。D。fromOxfordandEdinburgh；returnstoAmerica。

1763Makesafivemonths’tourofthenortherncoloniesforthePurposeofinspectingthepost—offices。

1764DefeatedbythePennfactionforreelectiontotheAssembly；

senttoEnglandasagentforPennsylvania。

1765EndeavorstopreventthepassageoftheStampAct。

1766ExaminedbeforetheHouseofCommonsrelativetothepassageoftheStampAct；appointedagentofMassachusetts，NewJersey，andGeorgia；visitsGottingenUniversity。

1767TravelsinFranceandispresentedatcourt。

1769ProcuresatelescopeforHarvardCollege。

1772ElectedAssocieEtrangeroftheFrenchAcademy。

1774DismissedfromtheofficeofPostmaster—General；influencesThomasPainetoemigratetoAmerica。

1775ReturnstoAmerica；chosenadelegatetotheSecondContinentalCongress；placedonthecommitteeofsecretcorrespondence；

appointedoneofthecommissionerstosecurethecooperationofCanada。

1776PlacedonthecommitteetodraftaDeclarationofIndependence；

chosenpresidentoftheConstitutionalCommitteeofPennsylvania；

senttoFranceasagentofthecolonies。

1778Concludestreatiesofdefensivealliance，andofamityandcommerce；isreceivedatcourt。

1779AppointedMinisterPlenipotentiarytoFrance。

1780AppointsPaulJonescommanderofthe"Alliance。"

1782Signsthepreliminaryarticlesofpeace。

1783Signsthedefinitetreatyofpeace。

1785ReturnstoAmerica；ischosenPresidentofPennsylvania；

reelected1786。

1787ReelectedPresident；sentasdelegatetotheconventionforframingaFederalConstitution。

1788Retiresfrompubliclife。

1790April17，dies。HisgraveisinthechurchyardatFifthandArchstreets，Philadelphia。Editor。