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wretchedly scrawled. I wished to have those moral prints, which were originally taken from Horace's poetical figures, introduced on tiles, which, being about our chimneys and constantly in the eyes of children when by the fireside, might give parents an opportunity, in explaining them, to impress moral sentiments; and I gave expectations of great demand for them, if executed. Dr. Mitchell wrote to me, in answer, that he had communicated my scheme to several of the principal artists in the earthen way about London, who rejected it as impracticable; and it was not till some years after, that I first saw an enamelled snuff box, which I was sure was from a copper-plate, though the curvature of the form made me wonder how the impression was taken.

I understand the china work in Philadelphia is declined by the first owners. Whether any others will take it up and continue it, I know not.

Mr. Banks is at present engaged in preparing to publish the botanical discoveries of his voyage. He employs ten engravers for the plates, in which he is very curious, so as not to be quite satisfied in some cases with the expression given by either the graver, etching, or mezzotinto, particularly where there is a woolliness, or a multitude of small points, on a leaf. I sent him the largest of the specimens you sent, containing a number of sprigs. I have not seen him since, to know whether your manner would not suit some of his plants better than the more common methods. With great esteem, I am, Sir, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

TO JOSEPH GALLOWAY.

Supposed Disposition to compose the Differences with America. Tea Duty.

SIR,

London, 3 November, 1773.

There is at present great quietness here, and no prospect that the war between the Turks and Russians will spread farther in Europe. The last harvest is allowed to have been generally plentiful in this country; and yet, such was the preceding scantiness of crops, that it is thought there is no corn to spare for exportation, which continues the advantages to our corn provinces.

The Parliament is not to meet till after the middle of January. It is said, there is a disposition to compose all differences with America before the next general election, as the trading and manufacturing part of the nation are generally our wellwishers, think we have been hardly used, and apprehend ill consequences from a continuance of the measures that we complain of; and that, if those measures are not changed, an American interest may be spirited up at the election against the present members who are in, or friends to administration. Our steady refusal to take tea from hence for several years past has made its impressions. The scheme for supplying us without repealing the act, by a temporary license from the treasury to export tea to America, free of duty, you are before this time acquainted with. I much want to hear how that tea is received. If it is rejected, the act will undoubtedly be repealed, otherwise I suppose it will be continued; and when we have got into the use of the Company's tea, and the foreign correspondences that

supply us at present are broken off, the licenses will be discontinued, and the act enforced.

I apprehend the better understanding, that lately subsisted in our provincial administration, will hardly be continued with the new governor; but you will soon see. I wish for the full letter you promise me by the next packet, which is now daily expected. With unalterable esteem and attachment, I am, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

TO WILLIAM FRANKLIN,

DEAR SON,

London, 3 November, 1773.

I wrote you pretty fully by the last packet, and having had no line from you of later date than the beginning of August, and little stirring here lately, I have now little to write.

In that letter I mentioned my having written two papers, of which I preferred the first, but the public the last. It seems I was mistaken in judging of the public opinion; for the first was reprinted some weeks after in the same paper, the printer giving for reason, that he did it in compliance with the earnest request of many private persons, and some respectable societies; which is the more extraordinary, as it had been copied in several other papers, and in the Gentleman's Magazine. Such papers may seem to have a tendency to increase our divisions; but I intend a contrary effect, and hope, by comprising in little room, and setting in a strong light, the grievances of the colonies, more attention will be paid to them by our administration, and that, when their unreasonableness is generally seen, some of them will be removed, to the restoration of harmony between us.

VOL. VIIL

13

B. FRANKLIN,

I

FROM SAMUEL COOPER TO B. FRANKLIN.

Method of warming Churches. - Hutchinson's Letters. Samuel Adams. Major Hawley.

DEAR SIR,

Boston, 10 November, 1773.

I received your valuable favors of the 7th and 25th of July, and you will please to accept the thanks of the committee of our congregation, as well as my own, for the trouble you have very kindly given yourself in your clear and particular account of the warming machines for large rooms, and your advice respecting our new building, together with the truly philosophical and convincing reasons upon which it is founded. All, to to whom I have read that part of your letter, have been highly entertained with it; and I must particularly thank you for your observation, that we do not receive the disorder called a cold from cold air, and therefore never at meeting, being proud of supporting myself with your authority against some of our physicians, who seem to think that all the disorders of their patients are caught there. Your letter has satisfied my whole congregation, and we are now all determined to worship and make ourselves as comfortable as may be more majorum.*

*

After all the solicitous inquiries of the governor and his friends respecting his letters, it still remains a secret from whom and to whom they came. This is known here to two persons only besides myself, and will, I believe, remain undiscovered, unless farther intelligence should come from your side of the water, than I have reason to think has yet been obtained;

* See the account of the method of warming public buildings, here alluded to, in Vol. VI. p. 397.

though I cannot but admire your honest openness in this affair, and negligence of any inconveniences, that might arise to yourself in this essential service to our injured country.

I have the pleasure to find, that a confidence in your abilities and principles is very far from being diminished in our House of Commons, and to assure you, that one of the members for this town, Mr. Samuel Adams, a correspondent of Dr. Lee's, who had the chief hand in a letter from the House to you, which I perceive by your reply gave you uneasiness, has lately expressed the warmest esteem of you as an important and thorough friend to the rights of America.* This gentleman I regard for his uncommon zeal and activity in support of these rights; but I have repeatedly found occasion in a friendly manner to blame his excessive jealousy, in a cause peculiarly dear to him, which has sometimes led him to treat not in the kindest manner some of its faithful advocates, and particularly Governor Pownall. The Speaker, and many others in the House, are your steady friends, particularly Major Hawley, from Northampton; a gentleman of the law, who speaks with uncommon clearness and force, and is behind no man there in point of influence. I mention these things from no other motive than an apprehension, that, at your distance from us, it might be some satisfaction and direction to you to know them.

There has been an attempt by Mr. Sewall, (as is generally believed,) judge of the admiralty for Nova Scotia, and our attorney-general, to vindicate the gov ernor's letters, in one of our newspapers. The sophis

For the source of Mr. Adams's impressions, in regard to Dr. Franklin, see the extracts from Arthur Lee's letter to hum above, p. 57; and also a reference to an anonymous letter, Vol. VII. p. 548.

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