borrow the Twenty Millions; in which their Sense of his Majesty's Friendship is strongly express'd.

I am, with great Respect,

Sir,

Your Excellency's most obedient

& most humble Servant

B. FRANKLIN.

1390. TO MRS. MARY HEWSON' (P. c.)

Passy, Jan. 27. 1783.

-The Departure of my dearest Friend,' which I learn from your last Letter, greatly affects me. To meet with her once more in this Life was one of the principal Motives of my proposing to visit England again, before my Return to America. The last Year carried off my Friends Dr. Pringle, and Dr. Fothergill, Lord Kaims, and Lord le Despencer. This has begun to take away the rest, and strikes the hardest. Thus the Ties I had to that Country, and indeed to the World in general, are loosened one by one, and I shall soon have no Attachment left to make me unwilling to follow.

I intended writing when I sent the 11 Books, but I lost the Time in looking for the 12th. I wrote with that; and hope it came to hand. I therein ask'd your Counsel about my coming to England. On Reflection, I think I can, from my

1 From the original in the possession of T. Hewson Bradford, M.D. An auto. draft is in L. C.-ED.

2 Mrs. Stevenson, the mother of Mrs. Hewson. Her last letter to Franklin is dated July 24, 1782 (U. of P.). Upon it Franklin wrote, "this good woman, my dear Friend, died the first of January following. She was about my Age." - ED.

Knowledge of your Prudence, foresee what it will be, viz. not to come too soon, lest it should seem braving and insulting some who ought to be respected. I shall, therefore, omit that Journey till I am near going to America, and then just step over to take Leave of my Friends, and spend a few days with you. I purpose bringing Ben with me, and perhaps may leave him under your Care.

At length we are in Peace, God be praised, and long, very long, may it continue. All Wars are Follies, very expensive, and very mischievous ones. When will Mankind be convinced of this, and agree to settle their Differences by Arbitration? Were they to do it, even by the Cast of a Dye, it would be better than by Fighting and destroying each other.

Spring is coming on, when Travelling will be delightful. Can you not, when your children are all at School, make a little Party, and take a Trip hither? I have now a large House, delightfully situated, in which I could accommodate you and two or three Friends, and I am but half an Hour's Drive from Paris.

In looking forward, Twenty-five Years seems a long Period, but, in looking back, how short! Could you imagine, that 'tis now full a Quarter of a Century since we were first acquainted? It was in 1757. During the greatest Part of the Time, I lived in the same House with my dear deceased Friend, your Mother; of course you and I saw and convers'd with each other much and often. It is to all our Honours, that in all that time we never had among us the smallest Misunderstanding. Our Friendship has been all clear Sunshine, without the least Cloud in its Hemisphere. Let me conclude by saying to you, what I have had too

frequent Occasions to say to my other remaining old Friends, "The fewer we become, the more let us love one another." Adieu, and believe me ever yours most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

1391. TO JOHN SARGENT1

MY DEAR FRIEND,

(A. P. S.)

Passy, Jan 27. 1783.

I received and read the Letter you were so kind as to write to me the 3d instant, with a great deal of Pleasure, as it inform'd me of the Welfare of a Family, whom I have so long esteem'd and lov'd, and to whom I am under so many Obligations, which I shall ever remember. Our Correspondence has been interrupted by that abominable War. I neither expected Letters from you, nor would I hazard putting you in Danger by writing any to you. We can now communicate freely; and next to the Happiness of seeing and embracing you all again at Halstead, will be that of hearing frequently of your Health and Prosperity.

Mrs. Sargent and the good Lady, her Mother, are very kind in wishing me more happy Years. I ought to be satisfy'd with those Providence has already been pleas'd to afford me, being now in my seventy-eighth; a long Life to pass

1 John Sargent, a merchant in London, and a director of the Bank of England, was M.P. for Midhurst (1754–1764) and for West Looe, 1765–1768. He lived at Halstead Place, Kent, which property he bought from Robert Ralph Foley. He died at Tunbridge Wells, September 20, 1791. Mrs. Sargent died December 5, 1792. Their "eldest son was John Sargent, M.P. for Seaford (1790). He married Charlotte, daughter and heiress of Richard Bettesworth, Esq., of Petworth, Sussex. He died in 1830, having had six sons and three daughters. He wrote "The Mine, a Dramatic Poem" (1785).— Ed.

without any uncommon Misfortune, the greater part of it in Health and Vigor of Mind and Body, near Fifty Years of it in continu'd Possession of the Confidence of my Country, in public Employments, and enjoying the Esteem and affectionate, friendly Regard of many wise and good Men and Women, in every Country where I have resided. For these Mercies and Blessings I desire to be thankful to God, whose Protection I have hitherto had, and I hope for its Continuance to the End, which now cannot be far distant.

The Account you give me of your Family is pleasing, except that your eldest Son continues so long unmarried. I hope he does not intend to live and die in Celibacy. The Wheel of Life, that has roll'd down to him from Adam without Interruption, should not stop with him. I would not have one dead unbearing Branch in the Genealogical Tree of the Sargents. The married State is, after all our Jokes, the happiest, being conformable to our Natures. Man & Woman have each of them Qualities & Tempers, in which the other is deficient, and which in Union contribute to the common Felicity. Single and separate, they are not the compleat human Being; they are like the odd Halves of Scissors; they cannot answer the End of their Formation.

I am concern'd at the Losses you have suffer'd by the War. You are still young and active enough to retrieve them, and Peace, I hope, will afford the Opportunity.

You mention nothing of my good friend Mrs. Deane, or her amiable Sisters, whom I sometimes saw with you, nor of Mr. Chambers. I hope they are all well & happy. Present my Respects to Mrs. Sargent, whom I love very much, and believe me ever, my dear Friend, yours most affectionately, B. FRANKLIN.

15

1392. TO CHARLES W. F. DUMAS1

Passy, February 17, 1783

DEAR SIR: It is a long time since I have had the pleasure of hearing from you. I hope, however, that you and yours continue well.

The bearers, Mr. President Wheelock and his brother, go to Holland on a public-spirited design,' which you will find recommended by many eminent persons in America.

I beg leave to request for these gentlemen your civilities and best counsels, as they will be entire strangers in your country.

With great esteem, I am ever, dear sir, your faithful, humble B. FRANKLIN.

servant,

1393. TO JOHN COAKLEY LETTSOM'

Passy, March 6, 1783.

DEAR SIR, I received your favour of September last. It found me labouring under a painful disorder, which continued long, and

1 From "The Complete Works of Benjamin Franklin" (Bigelow), Vol. VIII,

p. 258. -ED.

2 To procure money for Dartmouth College. Jonathan Trumbull wrote to Franklin, November 9, 1782 (A. P. S.), reminding him "of the circumstances of the first institution of the University of Dartmouth in the State of New Hampshire, that the late venerable D' Wheelock was indefatigable in his endeavours to civilise and christianize the Indian natives, and to promote humanity, literature and piety, and for that end sought and obtained benefactions in London; ... the Doctor's worthy son, the honorable John Wheelock Esq" is now the President, and in imitation of his father's virtues, and to bring to perfection the institution so happily begun and prospered, is intrusted and authorized by its Trustees to sollicite benefactions in France and Holland to compleat that laudable beneficial & liberal undertaking.” — ED. * First published by Sparks (Vol. IX, p. 493). Dr. Lettsom (1744-1815),