will have the honour of presenting this line; Dr. Franklin having served the full period limited by the constitution of the state of Pennsylvania for the continuance in office of its presidents; and his infirmities and desire of repose increasing, in Oct. 1788 he retired wholly from public affairs; and thus noticed the circumstance, in a letter to his friend the duke de la Rochefoucault: "Philadelphia, Oct. 22, 1788. "Having now finished my turn of being president, and promising myself to engage no more in public business, I hope to enjoy the small remains of life that are allowed me, in the repose I have so long wished for. I purpose to employ it in completing the personal history you mention. It is now brought down to my fiftieth year.* What is to follow will be of more important transactions: but it seems to me what is done will be of more general use to young readers, exemplifying strongly the effects of prudent and imprudent conduct in the commencement of a life of business." * * * * * * some information what those articles are, I inclose also a "Sketch of my services to the United States," wherein you will find mention of the extra services I performed that do not appertain to the office of plenipotentiary, viz. as judge of admiralty, as consul before the arrival of Mr. Barclay, as banker in examining and accepting the multitude of bills of exchange, and as secretary for several years, none being sent to me, though other ministers were allowed such assistance. "I must own, I did hope, that as it is customary in Europe to make some liberal provision for ministers when they return home from foreign service, the congress would at least have been kind enough to have shown their approbation of my conduct by a grant of a small tract of land in their western country, which might have been of use and some honour to my posterity. And I cannot but still think they will do something of the kind for me whenever they shall be pleased to take my services into consideration, as I see by their minutes that they have allowed Mr. Lee handsomely for his services in England, before his appointment to France, in which services I and Mr. Bollan co-operated with him, but have had no such allowance: and since his return, he has been very properly rewarded with a good place, as well as my friend Mr. Jay: though these are trifling compensations in comparison with what was granted by the king to M. Gerard on his return from America. But how different is what has happened to me. On my return from England in 1775, the congress bestowed on me the office of postmaster-general, for which I was very thankful. It was indeed an office I had some kind of right to, as having previously greatly enlarged the revenue of the post, by the regulations I had contrived and established, while I possessed it under the crown. When I was sent to France, I left it in the “DEAR OLD FRIEND,-Inclosed, I send a hands of my son-in-law, who was to act as my letter to the president of congress, for the deputy. But soon after my departure it was time being, which, if you find nothing impro- taken from me and given to Mr. Hazard. per in it, or that in regard to me you could When the English ministry formerly thought wish changed or amended, I would request fit to deprive me of the office, they left me, you to present. I rely much on your friendly however, the privilege of receiving and sendcounsel, as you must be better acquainted ing my letters free of postage, which is the with persons and circumstances than I am: usage when a postmaster is not displaced for and I suppose there will be time enough be- misconduct in the office: but in America, I fore the new congress is formed to make any have ever since had the postage demanded of alterations you may advise, though if present-me, which since my return from France has ed at all, it should be to the old one. Though Dr. Franklin had every reason to be well satisfied with the reception he met on his return to the United States, from his fellow-citizens; he was by no means so with the general government. This he feelingly expresses in a letter to his particular friend, Charles Thomson, secretary of congress. "To Charles Thompson. "PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 29, 1788. "In the copy of my letter to Mr. Barclay; you may observe, that mention is made of some 'considerable articles which I have not charged in my accounts with congress, but on which I should expect from their equity some consideration." That you may have * Close of Part II. The subsequent state of his health did not enable him to continue it further. VOL. I....2 A 16* amounted to above fifty pounds, much of it occasioned by my having acted as minister there. ple Franklin, with me to France, I purposed, "When I took my grandson, William Temeducate him in the study and practice of the after giving him the French language, to law. But by the repeated expectations given me of a secretary, and constant disappointments, I was induced, and indeed obliged, to in retain him with me, to assist in the secretary's office, which disappointments continued till my return, by which time, so many years of the opportunity of his studying the law were lost, and his habits of life became so different, that it appeared no longer advisable; and I then considering him as brought up the diplomatic line, and well qualified by his knowledge in that branch for the employ of a secretary at least, (in which opinion I was not alone, for three of my colleagues, without the smallest solicitation from me, chose him secretary of the negotiation for treaties, which they had been empowered to do) I took the liberty of recommending him to the congress for their protection. This was the only favour I ever asked of them: and the only answer I received was, a resolution superceding him, and appointed Col. Humphreys in his place; a gentleman, who, though he might have indeed a good deal of military merit, certainly had none in the diplomatic line, and had neither the French language, nor the experience, nor the address proper to qualify him for such an employment. "This is all to yourself only, as a private friend: for I have not, nor ever shall, make any public complaint: and even if I could have foreseen such unkind treatment from congress, their refusing me thanks, would not in the least have abated my zeal for the cause, and ardour in support of it. I know something of the nature of such changeable assemblies, and how little successors know of the services that have been rendered to the corps, before their admission, or feel themselves obliged by such services; and what effect in obliterating a sense of them, during the absence of the servant in a distant country, the artful and reiterated malevolent insinuations of one or two envious and malicious persons may have on the minds of members, even of the most equitable, candid, and honourable dispositions; and therefore, I will pass these reflections into oblivion. 66 [Inclosed in the foregoing.] SKETCH OF THE SERVICES OF B. FRANKLIN TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. In England, He combated the Stamp Act, and his writings in the papers against it, with his examination in parliament, were thought to have contributed much to its repeal. He opposed the Duty Act, and though he could not prevent its passing, he obtained of Mr. Townshend an omission of several articles, particularly salt. In the subsequent difference he wrote and published many papers, refuting the claim of parliament to tax the colonies. He opposed all the oppressive acts. for their repeal, of which he has written a narrative. In this he offered payment for the destroyed tea, at his own risk, in case they were repealed. He had two secret negotiations with the ministers He was joined with Messrs. Bolland and Lee in all the applications to government for that purpose.-Printed several pamphlets at his own considerable expense against the then measures of government, whereby he rendered himself obnoxious, was disgraced before the privy council, deprived of a place in the post office of 3007. sterling a year, and obliged to resign his of Pennsylvania of Massachusetts of New Jersey of Georgia agencies, viz. 500/ 400 100 200 1200 In the whole 15007. sterling per annum. Orders were sent to the king's governors not to sign any warrants on the treasury for the orders of his salaries; and though he was not actually dismissed by the colonies that employed him, yet thinking the known malice of the court against him, rendered him less likely than others to manage their affairs to their advantage, he judged it to be his duty to withdraw from their service, and leave it open for less exceptionable persons, which saved them the necessity of removing him. Returning to America, he encouraged the revolution; was appointed chairman of the committee of safety. where he projected the cheveaux de frize for securing Philadelphia, then the residence of congress. Was sent by congress to head-quarters near Boston with Messrs. Harrison and Lynch in 1775, to settle some affairs with the northern governments and gen eral Washington. In the Spring of 1776, was sent to Canada with Messrs. Chase and Carrol, passing the Lakes while they were not yet free from ice.-In Canada was with his colleagues instrumental in redressing sundry grie vances, and thereby reconciling the people more to our cause. He there advanced to general Arnold and other servants of congress, then in extreme necessity, 353/ in gold out of his own pocket, on the credit of congress, which was a great service at that juncture, in procur ing provisions for our army. Being at the time he was ordered on this service, upwards of seventy years of age, he suffered in his woods, &c. in so inclement a season; but being rehealth by the hardships of this journey: lodging in the covered, the congress in the same year ordered him to France. Before his departure, he put all the money he My good friend, excuse, if you can, the trouble of this letter; and if the reproach thrown on republics, that they are apt to be ungrateful, should ever unfortunately be could raise, between three and four thousand pounds, verified, with respect to your services, re-into their hands; which demonstrating his confidence. member that you have a right to unbosom yourself in communicating your griefs to your ancient friend, and most obedient humble servant, "B. FRANKLIN. "Charles Thomson, Esq., Sec'y to Congress." *"Ploravere suis non respondere favorem Speratum meritis." Hor. lib. ii. ep. 1. [Their toils and services could hardly raise The slight return of gratitude or praise.] is applicable not only to the heroes particularly specified, but to the valiant and wise in other ages and countries. encouraged others to lend their money in support of the cause. He made no bargain for appointments, but was pro mised by a vote, the net salary of 5001. sterling per an num, his expenses paid, and to be assisted by a secre tary, who was to have 10007. per annum, to include all contingencies. When the Pennsylvania assembly sent him to England in 1764 on the same salary, they allowed him one year's advance for his passage, and in consideration of the prejudice to his private affairs that must be occasioned by his sudden departure and absence. He has had no such allowance from congress, was badly accommodated in a miserable vessel, improper for those northern seas, (and which actually foundered in her return) was badly fed, so that on his arrival, he had scarce strength to stand. His services to the states as commissioner, and after wards minister plenipotentiary, are known to congress, Anthony Benezett, inserted in the 1st Part as may appear in his correspondence. His extra ser of his Private Correspondence." vices may not be so well known, and therefore may be here mentioned. No secretary ever arriving, the business was in part before, and entirely when the other commissioners left him, executed by himself, with the help of his grandson, who at first was only allowed clothes, board, and lodging; and afterwards a salary never exceeding 3002. a-year (except while he served as secretary to the commissioners for peace) by which difference in salary continued many years the congress saved, if they accept it, 7001. sterling a-year. The following ADDRESS with a PLAN of the latter society are supposed to have been drawn up by Dr. Franklin. An Address to the Public, from the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery, and the Relief of Free Negroes, unlawfully held in Bondage. It is with peculiar satisfaction, we assure the friends of humanity, that, in prosecuting the design of our association, our endeavours have proved successful, far beyond our most sanguine expectations. ing on our labours, we have ventured to make an important addition to our original plan, and do, therefore, earnestly solicit the support and assistance of all, who can feel the tender emotions of sympathy and compassion, or relish the exalted pleasure of beneficence. He served as Consul entirely several years, till the arrival of Mr. Barclay, and even after, as that gentleman was obliged to be much and long absent in Holland, Flanders, and England; during which absence Encouraged by this success, and by the daily prowhat business of the kind occurred, still came to Mr. F.gress of that luminous and benign spirit of liberty, He served, though without any special commission which is diffusing itself throughout the world, and for the purpose, as a Judge of Admiralty; for the con-humbly hoping for the continuance of the divine blessgress having sent him a quantity of blank commissions for privateers, he granted them to cruisers fitted out in the ports of France, some of them manned by old smugglers, who knew every creek on the coast of England, and running all round the island, distressed the British coasting trade exceedingly, and raised their general insurance. One of those privateers alone, the Black Prince, took in one year 75 sail! All the papers taken in each prize brought in, were, in virtue of an order of council, sent up to Mr. F., who was to examine them, judge of the legality of the capture, and write to the admiralty of the port, that he found the prize good, and that the sale might be permitted. These papers, which are very voluminous, he has to produce. He served also as Merchant to make purchases, and direct the shipping of stores to a very great value, for which he has charged no commission. But the part of his service which was the most fatiguing and confining, was that of receiving and accept ing, after a due and necessary examination, the bills of exchange drawn by congress for interest money; to the amount of two millions and a half of livres annual ly; multitudes of the bills very small, each of which, the smallest, gave as much trouble in examining as the largest. And this careful examination was found absolutely necessary from the constant frauds attempt ed by presenting seconds and thirds for payment, after the firsts had been discharged. As these bills were arriving more or less by every ship and every post, they required constant attendance. Mr. F. could make no journey for exercise as had been annually his custom, and the confinement brought on a malady that is likely to afflict him while he lives. In short, though he has always been an active man, he never went through so much business during eight years, in any part of his life, as during those of his residence in France; which however he did not decline till he saw peace happily made, and found himself in the 80th year of his age; when, if ever, a man has some right to expect repose. Some time after Dr. Franklin's return to Philadelphia, a society for Political Inquiries was formed in that city, of which he was chosen president; and on account of his bodily infirmities the meetings were held at his own house. Two or three of the essays read in this society were published; its existence, however, was not of long continuance. Slavery is such an atrocious debasement of human nature, that its very extirpation, if not performed with solicitous care, may sometimes open a source of seri ous evils. The unhappy man, who has long been treated as a brute animal, too frequently sinks beneath the common standard of the human species. The galling chains, that bind his body, do also fetter his intellectual faculties, and impair the social affections of his heart. Accustomed to move like a mere machine, by the will of a master, reflection is suspended; he has not the power of choice; and reason and conscience have but little influence over his conduct, because he is chiefly governed by the passion of fear. He is poor and friendless-perhaps worn out by extreme labour, age, and disease. Under such circumstances, freedom may often prove a misfortune to himself, and prejudicial to society. Attention to emancipated black people, it is there fore to be hoped, will become a branch of our national police; but as far as we contribute to promote this emancipation, so far that attention is evidently a seri ous duty incumbent on us, and which we mean to discharge to the best of our judgment and abilities. To instruct, to advise, to qualify those, who have been restored to freedom, for the exercise and enjoy ment of civil liberty, to promote in them habits of industry, to furnish them with employments suited to their age, sex, talents, and other circumstances, and to procure their children an education calculated for their future situation in life; these are the great outlines of the annexed plan, which we have adopted, and which we conceive will essentially promote the public good, and the happiness of these our hitherto too much neglected fellow-creatures. without considerable pecuniary resources, beyond the A plan so extensive cannot be carried into execution present ordinary funds of the society. We hope much freemen, and will gratefully receive any donations or from the generosity of enlightened and benevolent subscriptions for this purpose, which may be made to chairman of our committee of correspondence. our treasurer, James Starr, or to James Pemberton, Signed by order of the society. B. FRANKLIN, President. Philadelphia, 9th of November, 1789. The labours of both these societies have been crowned with great success, and they continue to prosecute with unwearied diligence the laudable designs for which they were established. Two other societies were also established in Philadelphia about this period, founded on the principles of the most liberal and refined humanity: one "for alleviating the miseries of public prisons," and the other, "for promoting the abolition of slavery, the relief of According to Dr. Stuber's account, "Dr. free negroes unlawfully held in bondage, Franklin's name, as president of the Abolition and the improvement of the condition of the Society, was signed to the memorial presentAfrican race." -Of each of these Dr. Frank-ed to the house of representatives of the Unitlin was president. He had as early as the ed States, on the 12th of February, 1789, year 1772, strongly expressed his abhorrence praying them to exert the full extent of of the traffic in slaves, as appears by his let-power vested in them by the constitution in ter of the 22d August in that year, to Mr. | discouraging the traffic of the human species. are to cultivate our lands? Who are to perform the common labours of our city, and in our families? Must we not then be our own slaves? And is there not more compassion and more favour due to us as Mosslemen than to these Christian dogs? We have now above fifty thousand slaves in and near Algiers; this number, if not kept up by fresh supplies, will soon diminish and be gradually annihilated. If we then cease taking and plundering the infidel ships, and making slaves of the seamen and passengers, our lands will become of no value for want of cultivation; the rents of houses in the city will sink one half; and the revenue of government arising from its share of prizes be totally destroyed! And for what? to gratify the whims of a whimsical sect, who would have us not only forbear making more slaves, but even to manumit those we have! But who is to in This was his last public act. In the debates | their countries produce; and which are so to which this memorial gave rise, several at- necessary for us? If we forbear to make tempts were made to justify the trade. In slaves of their people, who in this hot climate the Federal Gazette of March 25th, 1790, there appeared an essay, signed HISTORICUS, written by Dr. Franklin, in which he communicated a speech, said to have been delivered in the Divan of Algiers, in 1687, in opposition to the prayer of the petition of a sect called Erika, or Purists, for the abolition of piracy and slavery. This pretended African speech was an excellent parody of one delivered by Mr. Jackson, of Georgia. All the arguments urged in favour of negro slavery, are applied with equal force to justify the plundering and enslaving of Europeans. It affords, at the same time, a demonstration of the futility of the arguments in defence of the slave trade, and of the strength of mind and ingenuity of the author, at his advanced period of life. It furnished, too, a no less convincing proof of his power of imitating the style of other times and nations, than his celebrated parable against persecution. And as the lat-demnify their masters for the loss? Will the ter led many persons to search the scriptures with a view to find it, so the former caused many persons to search the book-stores and libraries, for the work from which it was said to be extracted." This piece, of itself so ingenious, and being one of the last compositions of Dr. Franklin, (written only a few weeks previous to his demise) is inserted here. "To the Editor of the Federal Gazette. 66 "March 23, 1790. state do it? Is our treasury sufficient? Will the Erika do it? Can they do it? Or would they, to do what they think justice to the slaves, do a greater injustice to the owners? And if we set our slaves free, what is to be done with them? Few of them will return to their countries, they know too well the greater hardships they must there be subject to: they will not embrace our holy religion: they will not adopt our manners: our people will not pollute ourselves by intermarrying with them: must we maintain them as beg SIR,-Reading last night in your excel-gars in our streets; or suffer our properties to be the prey of their pillage? for men accuslent paper the speech of Mr. Jackson in con- tomed to slavery, will not work for a liveligress, against their meddling with the affair of slavery, or attempting to mend the condi- hood when not compelled. And what is there so pitiable in their present condition? Were tion of the slaves, it put me in mind of a simi- they not slaves in their own countries? Are lar one made about one hundred years since, not Spain, Portugal, France, and the Italian by Side Mehemed Ibrahim, a member of the States, governed by despots, who hold all their Divan of Algiers, which may be seen in Martin's account of his consulship, Anno 1687, subjects in slavery, without exception? Even It was against granting the petition of the England treats its sailors as slaves, for they sect called Erika or Purists, who prayed for are, whenever the government pleases, seized, and confined in ships of war, condemned the abolition of piracy and slavery as being not only to work but to fight, for small wages unjust. Mr. Jackson does not quote it, per- or a mere subsistence, not better than our haps he has not seen it. If therefore some slaves are allowed by us. Is their condition of its reasonings are to be found in his eloquent speech, it may only show that men's interests and intellects operate and are operated on with surprising similarity in all countries and climates, whenever they are under similar circumstances. The African's speech, as translated, is as follows: "Allah Bismillah, &c. "God is great, and Mahomed is his prophet. "Have these Erika considered the consequences of granting their petition? If we cease our cruises against the Christians, how shall we be furnished with the commodities then made worse by their falling into our hands? No, they have only exchanged one slavery for another, and I may say a better: for here they are brought into a land where the sun of Islamism gives forth its light, and shines in full splendour, and they have an opportunity of making themselves acquainted with the true doctrine, and thereby saving their immortal souls. Those who remain at home have not that happiness. Sending the slaves home then would be sending them out of light into darkness.-I repeat the question, what is to be done with them? I have heard latures, and the debates upon them, will have a similar conclusion. "I am, sir, your constant reader and humble servant, HISTORICUS." Towards the close of the year (1789,) Dr. Franklin received a new and unexpected honour; that of being elected a member of the Imperial Academy of Sciences of St. Petersburgh.-It was communicated to him by the following handsome letter (in English) from the princess Daschkoff, the lady president, whom Dr. Franklin had occasionally met at Paris: "To his Excellency Dr. Benjamin Franklin, &c. &c. Philadelphia. it suggested that they may be planted in the wilderness, where there is plenty of land for them to subsist on, and where they may flourish as a free state; but they are, I doubt, too little disposed to labour without compulsion, as well as too ignorant to establish a good government, and the wild Arabs would soon molest and destroy or again enslave them. While serving us, we take care to provide them with every thing, and they are treated with humanity. The labourers in their own country, are, as I am well informed, worse fed, lodged, and clothed. The condition of most of them is therefore already mended, and requires no further improvement. Here their lives are in safety. They are not liable to be impressed for soldiers, and forced to cut one another's Christian throats, "DEAR SIR,-Having always supposed, and as in the wars of their own countries. If even cherished the idea, that you were a memsome of the religious mad bigots who now ber of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, teaze us with their silly petitions, have in a which is at St. Petersburgh, under my direcfit of blind zeal freed their slaves, it was not tion, I was greatly surprised, when reviewing generosity, it was not humanity that moved the list of its members some days ago, I did them to the action; it was from the conscious not find your name in the number. I hastened burden of a load of sins, and a hope, from the therefore, to acquire this honour for the acasupposed merits of so good a work, to be ex-demy, and you were received among its memcused from damnation.-How grossly are they mistaken to suppose slavery to be disallowed by the Koran! Are not the two precepts, to quote no more, "Masters treat your slaves with kindness: slaves serve your masters with cheerfulness and fidelity," clear proofs to the contrary? Nor can the plundering of infidels be in that sacred book forbidden, since it is well known from it, that God has given the world, and all that it contains, to his faithful Mosslemen, who are to enjoy it of right, as fast as they conquer it. Let us then hear no more of this detestable proposition, the manumission of christian slaves, the adoption of which would by depreciating our lands and houses, and thereby depriving so many good citizens of their properties, create universal discontent, and provoke insurrections, to the endangering of government, and producing general confusion. I I have therefore no doubt, but this wise council will prefer the comfort and happiness of a whole nation of true be- In the year 1735, indeed, he had been seizlievers to the whim of a few Erika, and dis-ed with a pleurisy, which ended in a suppumiss their petition." "The result was, as Martin tells us, that the Divan came to this resolution, The doctrine that plundering and enslaving the Christians is unjust, is at best problematical; but that it is the interest of this state to continue the practice, is clear; therefore let the petition be rejected.' "And it was rejected accordingly. "And since like motives, are apt to produce in the minds of men like opinions and resolutions, may we not, Mr. Brown, venture to predict, from this account, that the petitions to the parliament of England for abolishing the slave trade, to say nothing of other legis bers with an unanimous applause and joy. I beg you, sir, to accept of this title, and to believe that I look upon it as an honour acquired by our academy. "I shall order the patent to be dispatched to you as soon as possible. In the mean time be assured, that it is with the greatest pleasure, that I profit of the present occasion, to give you a token of regard and veneration for your eminent character, and that I shall always recollect with pride, the advantage I had to be personally noticed by you. "With a sincere consideration, I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant, "PRINCESS OF DASCHKOFF. "St. Petersburgh, Nov. 4, 1789." During the greatest part of his life, Dr. Franklin had enjoyed an almost uninterrupted state of good health, and this he entirely attributed to his exemplary temperance. ration of the left lobe of the lungs, so that he was almost suffocated by the quantity of matter thrown up. But from this, as well as from another attack of the same kind, he recovered so completely, that his breathing was not in the least affected. As he advanced in years, however, he became subject to fits of the gout, to which, in 1782, a nephritic cholic was superadded. From this time, he was also affected with the stone, as well as the gout; and for the last twelve months of his life, these complaints almost entirely confined him to his bed. Notwithstanding his distressed situation. neither his mental faculties nor his natural |