which are innocent things; he is rather like the cunning man in the Old Bailey, who conjures and tells fools their fortunes to cheat them out of their money.

Mrs. Stevenson and Mrs. Hewson return your compliments, with their best wishes. We have lost Mr. Hewson, and a great loss it was. My respects to your good father. Adieu, my dear friend, and believe me, yours most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

TO MRS. DEBORAH FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR CHILD,

London, 22 July, 1774.

I have had no line from you by several late opportunities. I flatter myself it is owing not to indisposition, but to the opinion of my having left England, which indeed I hope soon to do.

I enclose a letter I have just received from your goddaughter, Mrs. Barry. I wrote to you before, that she had married the captain of a ship in the Levant trade. She is now again at Tunis, where you will see she has lately lain in of her third child. Her father, you know, was a geographer, and his daughter has some connexion, I think, with the whole globe; being born herself in America, and having her first child in Asta, her second in Europe, and now her third in Africa.

Mrs. Stevenson presents her best respects. She too is very happy in her two grandsons. Her daughter, our poor Polly, who lately lost her good husband, has

• Lewis Evans, of Philadelphia, the author of maps and geographical writings on some parts of America.

K*

become rich by the death of her aunt. I am ever, my dear Debby, your affectionate husband,

B. FRANKLIN.

FROM A COMMITTEE OF NEW JERSEY
TO B. FRANKLIN.

Making Inquiry respecting the Proceedings of the
Administration in England.

Burlington, 26 July, 1774.

SIR,

At the last session of Assembly we were appointed a committee, to obtain amongst other things the most early and authentic intelligence of all acts and resolutions of the Parliament of Great Britain, or the proceedings of administration, that may have relation to, or any ways affect, the liberties and privileges of America.

We know of no person so proper to make application to, on this occasion, as to you, our Agent; and we should be glad if you would favor us with any, that should come to your knowledge, or that you would point out any more proper mode to enable us more effectually to answer the purpose for which we are appointed.

We are sensible of the difficulties, which an attention to your trust has already laid you under; and it will give us great pleasure to find you rise superior to all the late attempts to do you prejudice. Perhaps the request we make may be attended with an impropriety, which escaped our attention. If it does, be pleased to favor us with your sentiments; they will te received with great respect on this, or on any other occasion; for, with great truth we can assure you, that

we should be glad of all opportunities to show the high esteem we entertain of your integrity, as well as of your abilities. We are your most humble servants and friends,

SAMUEL TUCKER,

JOHN MEHELM,
ROBERT F. PRICE,

HENRY PAXSON.

FROM JAMES BOWDOIN TO B. FRANKLIN.

Excitement produced in America by the Acts of
Parliament relating to the Colonies.

DEAR SIR,

Boston, 6 September, 1774.

I am much obliged to you for introducing me to the acquaintance of General Lee. He came hither from the southward about a month ago. The several acts of Parliament, relative to this town and province, will instamp infamy on the present administration, and it is probable that they themselves will soon see the beginning of it. The spirit those acts have raised throughout the colonies is surprising. It was not proparated from colony to colony, but burst forth in all of them spontaneously, as soon as the acts were known; and there is reason to hope it will be productive of a union, that will work out the salvation of the whole. The Congress now holding at Philadelphia, which was intended to effect such a union, it is earnestly wished may be the means of establishing, on a just and constitutional basis, a lasting harmony between Britain and the colonies. In the mean time, we, in this province, are, and shall be, in a disagreeable state, occasioned by the abovementioned acts.

The Port Act is made much worse, than it is in itself, by the executors of it, who have laid restraints not warranted by the act, and in many instances of their conduct have appeared destitute of every sentiment of humanity. This act was intended to be temporary, but its continuance will depend on the ministry. However, it is to be hoped it will some time or other have an end. But the act for reducing the province to a military government, from which more numerous and extensive evils will accrue, was intended to be perpetual. The people of the province are highly and universally incensed at it, and appear determined, even if they should stand alone, not to submit to it, be the consequences what they may. And the other governments, those of New England especially, are as much incensed as they, and will not suffer it to be carried into execution.

Six regiments are now here, and General Gage, it is said, has sent for two or three from Canada, and expects soon two more from Ireland. Whether he will think these, or a much greater number added to them, sufficient to enforce submission to the act, his letters to ministry will inform them, and time, everybody else. In apricum proferet atas. A sort of enthusiasm seems universally prevalent, and it has been greatly heightened by the Canada Act for the encouraging and establishing Popery. "Pro aris et focis, our all is at stake," is the general cry throughout the country. Of this I have been in some measure a witness, having these two months past been journeying about the province with Mrs. Bowdoin, on account of her health; the bad state of which has prevented my attending the Congress, for which the Assembly thought proper to appoint me one of their committee. But it is needless to enlarge on the subject of American af

fairs, as the worthy and ingenious gentleman, Mr. Josiah Quincy, Junior, of distinguished abilities in the profession of the law, who does me the favor to take charge of this letter, can give you the fullest information concerning them; and his information may be depended on. To him I beg leave to refer you, and at the same time take the liberty to recommend him to your friendship and acquaintance."

I cannot conclude without expressing my indignation at the unworthy treatment you received from Wedderburn, whose illiberal and impertinent harangue answered neither of the purposes for which it was intended. It neither exculpated his client, nor fixed any dishonor on you. The dishonor of such Billingsgate is all his own, unless those that suffered it be entitled to a part of it.

I am glad to understand your retirement is not displeasing to you. In one view of it I am sure it will not be displeasing to the friends of science; as it will give you a further opportunity of exerting your happy genius in the walks of philosophy. I am, with real and great esteem, dear Sir, &c.

JAMES BOWDOIN.

P. S. I cannot learn for what reason Mr. Temple was displaced. The only one I have heard of, the sending here the letters of certain persons, you have clearly and fully obviated, by publicly taking upon yourself that most meritorious act.

Josiah Quincy, Junior, was one of the ablest and most ardent of the patriots, who engaged at this period in the cause of their country. He went to England, where he remained a few months in a very feeble state of health, which continued during his voyage home. He died on board the vessel, when it was in sight of land, approaching Boston harbour, April With, 1775, at the early age of thirty-one. The interesting and valuable Memoir of his Iaft, published by his son, is well known. VOL. VIII.

17