missioners when they were sent out, but they had not Sense enough to follow it, and therefore have been the Authors of infinite Mischief. I wonder at the Invention of so improbable a Lye, as that I should desire a Place among them, who am daily urging the Expediency of their Dissolution. The other Calumny you mention, contain'd in an anonymous Letter to the Speaker is so weak, that I believe you do not think that I ought to take any notice of it.1

As to the Agency, whether I am re-chosen or not, and whether the Gen. Assembly is ever permitted to pay me or not, I shall nevertheless continue to exert myself in behalf of my Country, as long, as I see a [Probability]2 of my being able to do it any Service. I have nothing to ask or expect of Ministers. I have, thanks to God, a Competency, [for the little Time I may expect to live,]3 and am grown too old for Ambition of every other kind but that of leaving a good Name behind me.

ant one.

Your Story of the Clergyman and Proclamation is a PleasI can only match it with one I had from my Father, I know not if it was ever printed. Charles the First ordered his Proclamation authorizing Sports on a Sunday to be read in all Churches. Many Clergymen comply'd, some refus'd, and others hurry'd it thro' as indistinctly as possible. But one, whose Congregation expected no such thing from him, did nevertheless to their great Surprize, read it distinctly.

1 Dr. Cooper had written: "Speaker Cushing shewed me this morning an anonymous letter, directed to him as from London in a feigned hand, representing you as a tool of Lord H. Whether it originated on this or your side of the water is uncertain. It will make no impression to your disadvantage, but rather confirm the opinion of your importance, while it shows the baseness of its author."— August 23d, 1771. The original letter is in the British Museum. Ed.

2 Probability (B. M.) Possibility (A. P. S.).-ED.

8 B. M.-ED.

He follow'd it however with the Fourth Commandment, Remember to keep holy the Sabbath Day, and then said, "Bretheren, I have laid before you the Command of your King, and the Commandment of your God. I leave it to yourselves to judge which of the two ought rather to be observed." With great and sincere esteem, I remain, dear Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant

B. FRANKLIN.

571. TO JAMES BOWDOIN

DEAR SIR,

(A. P. S.)

London, Jan. 13. 1772.

I should very readily have recommended your Son to the Care of my Friend Dr. Priestly if he had continued to superintend the Academy at Warrington: But he has left that Charge some time since, and is now Pastor of a Congregation at Leeds in Yorkshire. I am much obliged to you for introducing me to the Acquaintance of Mr. Erving,1 who appears a very intelligent, sensible Man.

The Governing of Colonies by Instructions has long been a favourite Point with Ministers here. About 30 Years since, in a Bill brought into Parliament relating to America, they inserted a Clause to make the King's Instructions Laws in the Colonies, which being oppos'd by the then Agents, was thrown out. And I well remember a Conversation with Lord Granville soon after my Arrival here, in which he expressed himself on that Subject in the following Terms; "Your American Assemblies slight the King's Instructions, pretending that they are not Laws. The Instructions, sent over to 1 Ewing ?- ED.

your Governors, are not like the Pocket Instructions given to Embassadors, to be observ'd at their Discretion as Circumstances may require. They are drawn up by grave Men learned in the Laws and Constitutions of the Realm; they are brought into Council, thoroughly weigh'd, well considered, and amended if necessary by the Wisdom of that Body; and when receiv'd by the Governors, are the Law of the Land; for the King is the Legislator of the Colonies."

I remember this the better, because being new Doctrine to me, I put it down as soon as I return'd to my Lodging. To be sure if a Governor thinks himself oblig'd to obey all Instructions, whether consistent or inconsistent with the Constitution, Laws and Rights of the Country he governs, and can proceed to govern in that Train, there is an End of the Constitution, and those Rights are abolish'd. But I wonder, that any honest Gentleman can think there is Honour in being a Governor on such Terms. And I think the Practice cannot possibly continue, especially if oppos'd with Spirit by our Assemblies. At present no Attention is paid by the American Minister to any Agent here whose Appointment is not ratified by the Governor's Assent; and if this is persisted in, you can have none to serve you in publick Character that do not render themselves agreable to these Ministers; those otherwise appointed can only promote your Interests by Conversation as private Gentlemen or by Writing.

Virginia had, as you observe, two Agents, one for the Council, the other for the Assembly; but I think the latter only was considered as Agent for the Province. He was appoint'd by an Act, which expired in the time of Lord Botetourt, and was not revived. The other I apprehend continues, but I am not well acquainted with the Nature of his Appointment.

I only understand that he does not concern himself much with the general Affairs of the Colony.

It gives me great Pleasure that my Book afforded any to my Friends. I esteem those Letters of yours among its brightest Ornaments; and have the Satisfaction to find, that they add greatly to the Reputation of American Philosophy.

There is in the Governor's Collection of Papers relative to the History of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, published 1769, a Copy of an Answer made by Randolph to several Heads of Enquiry, which I take to be the same with those I sent you. I shall be very glad to have an Account of the

1 Dr. Franklin had sent to Mr. Bowdoin a set of Queries, respecting the state of affairs in New England, which were given to Edward Randolph by the ministry, when he was about to visit Massachusetts in 1676. Randolph returned answers to them the same year. The Queries and Answers are contained in Hutchinson's "Collection of Papers," p. 477. Accompanying the Queries, Randolph received an estimate, which is said to have been drawn from the best sources of information. A copy of this Estimate was obtained by Dr. Franklin, and sent to Mr. Bowdoin. It is curious as a historical document, and has the merit of brevity. Its date is fifty-six years after the first settlement of Plymouth.

"There are in New England about 120,000 souls; 13,000 families; 16,000 that can bear arms; 12 ships of between 100 and 220 tons; 190, of between 20 and 100 tons; 440 fisherboats of about 6 tons each.

"There are 5 iron works, which cast no guns; 15 merchants, worth about £5000, one with another; 500 persons, worth £3000 each. No house in New England hath above 20 rooms; not 20 in Boston, which have above IO rooms each. About 1500 families in Boston. The worst cottages in New England are lofted. No beggars; not 3 put to death for theft.

"About 35 rivers and harbours. About 23 islands and fishing-places. The three provinces of Boston, Maine, and Hampshire are three fourths of the whole in wealth and strength; the other four provinces of Plymouth, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Kennebec being but one quarter of the whole in effect. Not above three of their military men have ever been actual soldiers, but many are such soldiers as the artillerymen at London. Amongst their magistrates, Leverett, the governor, Major Dennison, Major

present Number of rateables, when you can obtain it for

me.

In Ireland among the Patriots I din'd with Dr. Lucas.1 They are all Friends of America, in which I said every thing I could think of to confirm them. Lucas gave Mr. Bowdoin of Boston for his Toast. My best respects to Mrs. Bowdoin. With sincere and great Esteem, I am, dear Sir, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

572. TO DR. JOSHUA BABCOCK (A. P. S.) London, Jan. 13. 1772

DEAR SIR,

It was with great Pleasure I learnt by Mr. Marchant, that you & Mrs. Babcock and all your good Family continue well & happy. I hope I shall find you all in the same State when I next come your Way, and take Shelter as often heretofore under your hospitable Roof. The Colonel, I am told, continues an active and able Farmer, the most honourable of all Employments, in my opinion, as being the most useful in itself, and rend'ring the Man most independent. My Namesake, his Son, will soon I hope be able to drive the Plough for him.

Clarke, and Mr. Broadstreet are the most popular. And amongst their ministers, Mr. Thatcher, Mr. Oxenbridge, and Mr. Higginson. "There are no musicians by trade. One dancing school was set up, but put down. A fencing school is allowed. All cordage, sailcloth, and nets come from England. No cloth made there worth above 4s. a yard; nor linen worth above 2s. 6d. No allum, nor copperas, nor salt by the sun.

66

'They take an oath of fidelity to the governor, but none to the King. The governor is chosen by every freeman. A freeman must be orthodox, above twenty years of age, and worth about £200." — S.

1 Dr. Charles Lucas (1713-1771), Irish patriot, — Ed.