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length in the London Chronicle, with the merchants' letter. When the American affairs came to be debated in the House of Commons, the majority, notwithstanding all the weight of ministerial influence, was only sixty-two for continuing the whole last act; and would not have been so large, nay, I think the repeal would have been carried, but that the ministry were persuaded by Governor Bernard, and some lying letters said to be from Boston, that the associations not to import were all breaking to pieces, that America was in the greatest distress for want of the goods, that we could not possibly subsist any longer without them, and must of course submit to any terms Parliament should think fit to impose upon us. This, with the idle notion of the dignity and sovereignty of Parliament, which they are so fond of, and imagine will be endangered by any further concessions, prevailed, I know, with many, to vote with the ministry, who, otherwise, on account of the commerce, wish to see the difference accommodated.

But, though both the Duke of Grafton and Lord North were and are, in my opinion, rather inclined to satisfy us, yet the Bedford party are so violent against us, and so prevalent in the council, that more moderate measures could not take place. This party never speak of us but with evident malice; "rebels" and "traitors" are the best names they can afford us, and I believe they only wish for a colorable pretence and occasion of ordering the soldiers to make a massacre among us.

On the other hand, the Rockingham and Shelburne people, with Lord Chatham's friends, are disposed to favour us if they were again in power, which at present they are not like to be; though they, too, would be for keeping up the claim

of Parliamentary sovereignty, but without exercising it in any mode of taxation. Besides these, we have for sincere friends and well-wishers the body of Dissenters generally throughout England, with many others, not to mention Ireland and all the rest of Europe, who, from various motives, join in applauding the spirit of liberty, with which we have claimed and insisted on our privileges, and wish us success, but whose suffrage cannot have much weight in our affairs.

The merchants here were at length prevailed on to present a petition, but they moved slowly, and some of them, I thought, reluctantly; perhaps from a despair of success, the city not being much in favour with the court at present. The manufacturing towns absolutely refused to move at all; some pretending to be offended with our attempting to manufacture for ourselves; others saying, that they had employment enough, and that our trade was of little importance to them, whether we continued or refused it. Those, who began a little to feel the effects of our forbearing to purchase, were persuaded to be quiet by the ministerial people, who gave out, that certain advices were received of our beginning to break our agreements; of our attempts to manufacture proving all abortive and ruining the undertakers; of our distress for want of goods, and dissensions among ourselves, which promised the total defeat of all such kind of combinations, and the prevention of them for the future, if the government were not urged imprudently to repeal the duties. But now that it appears from late and authentic accounts, that agreements continue in full force, that a ship is actually returned from Boston to Bristol with nails and glass (articles that were thought of the utmost necessity), and that the ships, which were waiting here for the determination of

Parliament, are actually returning to North America in their ballast, the tone of the manufacturers begins to change, and there is no doubt, that, if we are steady, and persevere in our resolutions, these people will soon begin a clamour, that much pains has hitherto been used to stifle.

In short, it appears to me, that if we do not now persist in this measure till it has had its full effect, it can never again be used on any future occasion with the least prospect of success, and that, if we do persist another year, we shall never afterwards have occasion to use it. With sincere regards, I am, dear Sir, your obedient servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

522. TO SAMUEL COOPER

DEAR SIR,

(B. M.)

London, April 14, 1770.

I suppose Gov' Pownall acquaints you with what has passed this Session relating to our American Affairs: All Europe is attentive to the Dispute between Britain and the Colonies, & I own I have a Satisfaction in seeing, that our Part is taken Everywhere; because I am persuaded, that that circumstance will not be without its Effect here in our favour. At the same time the malignant Pleasure, which other Powers take in British Divisions, may convince us on both sides of the Necessity of our uniting.

In France they have translated and printed the principal Pieces, that have been written on the American Side of the Question; and, as French is the political Language of Europe, it has communicated an Acquaintance with our Affairs very extensively. M. Beaumont, a famous Advocate

of Paris, the defender of the Family of Calas, wrote the Reflexions d'un Etranger désintéressé, which I send you. The manuscript is an original Letter from a Gentleman, (of Note, I am told,) as far off as the Austrian Silesia, who, being concern'd for us, wrote it to the Parliament, directing it to the late Speaker. The Speaker read only the first Side, was offended at the Freedom, and Impertinence, (as he call'd it,) and return'd the Letter to the Office, refusing to pay the Postage. Accept it as a Curiosity. I send you also a late Edition of Molyneux's Case of Ireland, with a new Preface, shrewdly written. Our part is warmly taken by the Irish in general, there being in many points a similarity in our cases. My respects to Mr. Bowdoin, and believe me ever, dear Sir, yours affectionately, B. FRANKLIN.

523. TO MISS MARY STEVENSON (P. C.) Thursday, May 31, 1770.

DEAR POLLY,

I receiv'd your Letter early this Morning; and, as I am so engag'd, that I cannot see you when you come to-day, I write this Line just to say, that I am sure you are a much better Judge in this Affair of your own, than I can possibly be.2 In that Confidence it was, that I forebore giving my Advice when you mention'd it to me, and not from any Disapprobation. My Concern (equal to any Father's) for your Happiness makes me write this, lest, having more Regard for

1 From the original in the possession of T. Hewson Bradford, M.D. — ED. 2 Alluding to a proposal from Mr. William Hewson, a physician of London (and partner of Dr. William Hunter), to whom Miss Stevenson was soon afterwards married. — ED.

my Opinion than you ought, and imagining it against the Proposal because I did not immediately advise accepting it, you should let that weigh any thing in your Deliberations.

I assure you, that no Objection has occur'd to me. His Person you see; his Temper and his Understanding you can judge of; his Character, for any thing I have ever heard, is unblemished; his Profession, with the Skill in it he is suppos'd to have, will be sufficient to support a Family; and, therefore, considering the Fortune you have in your Hands (tho' any future Expectation from your Aunt should be disappointed), I do not see but that the Agreement may be a rational one on both sides.

I see your Delicacy, and your Humility too; for you fancy that if you do not prove a great Fortune, you will not be lov'd; but I am sure that were I in his situation in every respect, knowing you so well as I do, and esteeming you so highly, I should think you a Fortune sufficient for me without a Shilling.

Having thus, more explicitly than before, given my Opinion, I leave the rest to your sound Judgment, of which no one has a greater Share; and I shall not be too inquisitive after your particular Reasons, your Doubts, your Fears, etc. For I shall be confident, whether you accept or refuse, that you do right. I only wish you may do what will most contribute to your Happiness, and of course to mine; being ever, my dear Friend, yours most affectionately, B. FRANKLIN.

P. S. Don't be angry with me for supposing your Determination not quite so fix'd as you fancy it.

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