I am told there has been a talk of getting me appointed under-secretary to Lord Hillsborough; but with little likelihood, as it is a settled point here, that I am too much of an American. I am in very good health, thanks to God. Your affectionate father,

B. FRANKLIN.

founded in the necessities of the country, its want of trade, the scarcity of its specie, and the utter inability to pay the debts already contracted, and continue any beneficial intercourse with this country, without greater economy, industry, and frugality, than we have formerly practised; that it could be of no advantage to this country, or America, to take off more of their manufactures than she can pay for, and eventually become bankrupt in their debt; and that our natural propensity to luxury, as well as the attachment we have to the cultivation of our lands in preference to manufactures, will always induce us to take off as much as we can really afford to consume.

"Observations of this kind have weight, and the heat seems to be cooling. But still it is objected, that this agreement at Boston was apparently entered into with other motives, that is, to show their resentment against this country, and the laws and regulations established in the last session of Parliament. To which it is replied, that there is no clear ground for this position, and that it is a harsh, uncandid construction, which ought not to be made, since there are so many justifiable motives to which it may be imputed, without supposing any thing of this kind. I must own, indeed, that our best friends do rather condemn the time and manner of doing it, and hope the example will not be followed in other towns and colonies. Say they, 'We see as clearly as you do, that it is by all means right for you to practise all possible industry and economy, and to make the most you can of your own manufactures. It is both your duty and your interest. But why should there be these public associations, these votes and subscriptions? Why make such a parade about it, which must unavoidably give umbrage here, and add strength to the enemies of that country, whose constant theme it is, that all these steps are taken with a view very soon to renounce all dependence upon this kingdom? Why may not these things be as effectually done without noise or notice, even by individuals, every one, in his own private sphere, pursuing, inculcating, and practising those maxims so beneficial to the country?' These are some of the observations both of our friends and foes upon this occasion, of which, perhaps, good use may be made."

In the same letter, Mr. Johnson speaks as follows of Lord Hillsborough. "All American affairs will now be thrown into an entire new channel; all is to begin anew with Lord Hillsborough; new negotiations are to be commenced, new connexions formed; which is an FF

VOL. VII.

48

*

TO JOSEPH GALLOWAY.

Endeavours to quiet the Clamor about the Boston Resolutions.

DEAR SIR,

London, 9 January, 1768.

I wrote to you by way of Boston, and have little to add, except to acquaint you that some changes have taken place since my last, which have not the most promising aspect for America, several of the Bedford party being come into employment again; a party that has distinguished itself by exclaiming against us on all late occasions. Mr. Conway, one of our friends, has resigned, and Lord Weymouth takes his place. Lord Shelburne, another friend, is stripped of the American part of the business of his office, which now makes a distinct department, in which Lord Hillsborough is placed. I do not think this nobleman in general an enemy to America; but, in the affair of paper money, he was last winter strongly against us.

I did hope I had removed some of his prejudices on that head, but am not certain. We have, however, increased the cry for it here, and I believe shall attempt to obtain the repeal of the act, though the Boston Gazette and their resolutions about manufactures

unhappy delay to all, who have any affairs to solicit. Lord Hillsborough is esteemed a nobleman of good nature, abilities, and integrity; is a man of business, alert, lively, ready, but too fond of his own opinions and systems, and too apt to be inflexibly attached to them; by no means so gentle, and easy to be entreated, as his predecessor in that branch of business, but much more to be depended upon, if he once adopts your ideas of any measure. As a native of Ireland, and possessed of vast property there, it may be hoped he has formed reasonable notions of the rights and liberties of the distant branches of this empire, and would not be disposed to confine all power, and all political felicity, to the shores of this Island."

have hurt us much, having occasioned an immense clamor here. I have endeavoured to palliate matters for them as well as I can, and hope with some success. For having, in a large company in which were some members of Parliament, given satisfaction to all, by what I alleged in explanation of the conduct of the Americans, and to show that they were not quite so unreasonable as they appeared to be, I was advised by several present to make my sentiments public, not only for the sake of America, but as it would be some ease to our friends here, who are triumphed over a good deal by our adversaries on the occasion. have accordingly done it in the enclosed paper.

I

I shall write you fully on other subjects very soon. At present, I can only add my respects to the Committee, and that I am, dear Sir, your faithful humble servant, B. FRANKLIN.

TO MRS. DEBORAH FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR CHILD,

London, 13 February, 1768.

I received your kind letter by Captain Story, of November 19th, and a subsequent one by Captain Falconer without date. I have received also the Indian and buckwheat meal, that they brought from you, with the apples, cranberries, and nuts, for all which I thank you. They all prove good, and the apples were particularly welcome to me and my friends, as there happens to be scarce any of any kind in England this year. We are much obliged to the captains, who are so good as to bring these things for us, without charging any thing for their trouble.

I am much concerned for my dear sister's loss of her daughter. It was kind in you to write a letter

of condolence.

I have also written to her on the occasion. I am not determined about bringing Sally over with me, but am obliged to you for the kind manner in which you speak of it, and possibly I may conclude to do it.* I am sorry you had so much trouble with that Nelson. By what is now said of her here, she did not deserve the notice you took of her, or that any credit should be given to her stories. I am afraid she has made mischief in my family by her falsehoods. I think your advice good, not to help any one to servants. I shall never be concerned in such business again; I never was lucky in it.

My love to all our relations and friends, and to Mr. and Mrs. Duffield, and to Mrs. Redman. I am much pleased with her daughter's writing, particularly for its correctness. I am now, and have been all this winter, in very good health, thanks to God. I only once felt a little admonition, as if a fit of the gout would attack me, but it did not. Whether sick or well, I am ever, my dear Debby, your affectionate husband, B. FRANKLIN.

P. S. I forgot to tell you that a certain very great

* This was Sally Franklin, often mentioned, the daughter of Thomas Franklin, a remote family connexion. As this Thomas Franklin was in narrow circumstances, Dr. Franklin took the charge of his daughter for several years. In a letter to his sister, dated July 17th, 1771, he says; "Sally Franklin has lived with me these five years, a very good girl, now sixteen. She is great-granddaughter of our father's brother. John, who was a dyer at Banbury in Oxfordshire, where our father learned that trade of him, and where our grandfather Thomas lies buried. I saw his grave-stone. Sally's father, John's grandson, is now living at Lutterworth, in Leicestershire, where he follows the same business, his father too being bred a dyer, as was our uncle Benjamin. He is a widower, and Sally his only child. These two are the only descendants of our grandfather Thomas now remaining in England, that retain the name of Franklin." She was married in England, and did not go to America as was proposed.

lady, the best woman in England, was graciously pleased to accept some of your nuts, and to say they were excellent. This is to yourself only.*

TO JOSEPH GALLOWAY.

Act restraining the Legal Tender of Paper Money. Lord Hillsborough. Change of Government in Pennsylvania. A Scene in Parliament. - Bribery in Borough Elections. Mr. Beckford. Mr. Thurlow.

DEAR SIR,

London, 17 February, 1768.

In mine of January 9th, I wrote to you that I believed, notwithstanding the clamor against America had been greatly increased by the Boston proceedings, we should attempt this session to obtain the repeal of the restraining act relating to paper money. The change of the administration, with regard to American affairs, which was agreed on some time before the new secretary kissed hands and entered upon business, made it impossible to go forward with that affair, as the minister quitting that department would not, and his successor could not, engage in it; but now our friends. the merchants have been moving in it, and some of them have conceived hopes, from the manner in which Lord Hillsborough attended to their representations. It had been previously concluded among us, that, if

* The following note will probably explain this postscript. At the end is a playful allusion to the contest about the Stamp Act.

"Dr. Franklin presents his respectful compliments to Lord Bathurst, with some American nuts; and to Lady Bathurst with some American apples; which he prays they will accept as a tribute from that country, small indeed, but voluntary."