for the safety of Canada, till the intelligence | desired effect, for at the treaty in 1762, France reached Europe of its being irrevocably lost. ceded Canada to Great Britain, and by the This acquisition gave a new turn to the cession of Louisiana at the same time, repolitical interests of the English colonies, and linquished all her possessions on the North followed as it soon was by a new reign, it American continent. contributed very materially to the restoration of peace. The brilliancy of the conquest of Canada, and the powerful pamphlet written about this time by Franklin's intimate friend, Israel Mauduit, a merchant of London, on the impolicy of German wars, drew the attention of the nation to the importance of that country, and the necessity of preserving it for the welfare of our own colonies. There were not wanting, however, some politicians who considered the possession of Canada in another light, and as less desirable than the retention of Guadaloupe, which about the same time surrendered to the British arms.

Mr. Franklin about this time made a journey to Scotland, whither his reputation as a philosopher had preceded him: he was greeted by the learned of that country, and the university of St. Andrews conferred upon him the degree of doctor of laws. Its example. was followed by the universities of Edinburgh and Oxford. The entries of the honours,conferred by the latter, on himself and son, are thus made:

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esq. Provinc. Pensylvan. Deputat. ad Curiam Sereniss. Legat Tabellariorium per

American Septentrionalem Præfectus Generalis et
Veredariorum totius Nove Angliæ, et R. S. S. cr. D.

C. L Apr. 30, 1762.

FRANKLIN, (WILLIAM) Esq. Juris Municip. Consult. cr. M. A. Apr. 30, 1762.

Soon after this period, a vacancy in the government of New Jersey having occurred, Dr. Franklin's son, without any solicitation whatever on the part of his father, but from his own personal merits, and in consideration of his military services in America during the last war, (backed by the powerful recommendation of lord Bute,) was appointed governor of that province.

On the prospect of peace with France, the earl of Bath, addressed "A Letter to two Most of the other learned societies of great Men," (Mr. Pitt and the duke of New-Europe were equally ambitious of calling him castle) on the terms necessary to be insisted a member, and nominated him as such: thus on in the negotiations. He preferred the he was eventually consoled and rewarded for acquisition of Canada, to the acquisitions in the neglect or opposition his discoveries in the West Indies. In the same year (1760) philosophy had originally experienced. there appeared, "Remarks on the Letter addressed to two great Men," (written by Messieurs Burke) containing opposite opinions on this and other subjects. At this time Mr. Franklin stepped into the controversy, and wrote a pamphlet, in which he was as sisted by his friend Mr. Richard Jackson, (who desired not to be known on the occasion) entitled, "The Interest of Great Britain considered with regard to the Colonies, and Governor Franklin filled this high and the acquisition of Canada and Guadaloupe," honourable situation with equal credit to himin which were pointed out in the most clear self and advantage to the province, till the and forcible manner, the advantages that commencement of the American revolution; would result to Great Britain from the reten- when, unlike most of the governors of the tion of Canada; demonstrating also, that the other provinces at that eventful period, he security of a dominion, is a justifiable and remained undismayed at his post, till he was prudent ground upon which to demand ces- seized by the revolutionary government, consions from an enemy;-that the erection of veyed to Connecticut, and rigorously detainforts in the back settlements, was almost ined as a prisoner for near two years, when he no instance a sufficient security against the was eventually liberated in 1778, in exchange Indians and the French; but that the posses- for an American general officer. He retired sion of Canada implied every security, and to England and obtained from the British ought to be had while in the power of the government a pension, which he enjoyed till British government:-and that the French his death, in 1813. retaining Canada, would be an encouragement to disaffection in the British colonies, &c. These arguments appear to have had the

It has been frequently asserted, that Dr. Franklin held out every temptation and inducement to his son to quit his allegiance to Great Britain, and to take part with the * Of this name there were four, who obtained some colonies. This was not so: Dr. Franklin eminence separately and associated. Edmund Burke the most celebrated of the four, and whose history is made no attempt of the sort, whatever may associated with the two great revolutions of the last have been his secret wishes on that subject. century; his brother Richard, who became recorder of In a letter to his son of Oct. 6, 1773,* he the city of Bristol; William Burke the cousin of these two, who was for a time secretary to general Conway, says: "I know your sentiments differ from and an army paymaster in India, through whom Ed- mine on these subjects. You are a thorough mund received the most minute details of those events which enabled him to bring Hastings before the house government man, which I do not wonder at, of lords; the fourth was Richard the son of Edmund, nor do I aim at converting you. I only wish most celebrated as a confidential agent of the British government in Ireland, and at the conferences of Pilnitz, you to act uprightly and steadily, avoiding in 1791.-Edit.

*See "Private Correspondence."

that duplicity, which in Hutchinson adds con- | his exertions for the liberties and welfare of tempt to indignation. If you can promote the country. the prosperity of your people, and leave them happier than you found them, whatever your political principles are, your memory will

be honoured."

In December, 1762, considerable alarm was occasioned in the province, by what was called the Paxton murders. It is thus related: "A number of Indians had resided in the county of Lancaster, and conducted themselves uniformly as friends to the white in

During the whole of the American contest, Dr. Franklin never had any communication whatever with his son, either directly or in-habitants. directly but at the close of the war, in answer to an overture from him towards a reconciliation, the father thus feelingly expressed his sentiments on his son's late political conduct :

66

Passy, August 16, 1784.

"DEAR SON,-I received your letter of the 22d ultimo, and am glad to find, that you desire to revive the affectionate intercourse that formerly existed between us. It will be very agreeable to me: indeed nothing, has ever hurt me so much, and affected me with such keen sensations, as to find myself deserted in my old age, by my only son; and not only deserted, but to find him taking up arms against me, in a cause wherein my good fame, fortune, and life, were all at stake. You conceived, you say, that your duty to your king and regard for your country required this. I ought not to blame you for differing in sentiment with me in public affairs. We are men all subject to errors. Our opinions are not in our own power; they are formed and governed much by circumstances, that are often as inexplicable as they are irresistible. Your situation was such, that few would have censured your remaining neuter, though there are natural duties which precede political ones, and cannot be extinguished by them. This is a disagreeable subject: I drop it. And we will endeavour, as you propose, mutually to forget what has happened relating to it, as well as we can. I send your son over to pay his duty to you. You will find him much improved. He is greatly esteemed and beloved in this country, and will make his way any where, &c."

Repeated depredations on the frontiers, had exasperated the inhabitants to such a degree, that they determined on revenge upon every Indian. A number of persons, to the amount of about one hundred and twenty, principally inhabitants of Donnegal and Peckstang, or Paxton, township, in the county of York, assembled, and, mounted on horseback, proceeded to the settlement of these harmless and defenceless Indians, whose number had now been reduced to about twenty. The Indians had received intelligence of the attack which was intended against them, but disbelieved it: considering the white people as their friends, they appre hended no danger from them. When the party arrived at the Indian settlement, they found only some women and children, and a few old men, the rest being absent at work. They murdered all whom they found, and amongst others, the chief Shaheas, who had always been distinguished for his friendship to the whites. This bloody deed excited much indignation in the well-disposed part of the community.

"The remainder of these unfortunate Indians, who by absence had escaped the massacre, were conducted to Lancaster, and lodged in the gaol as a place of security. The governor of Pennsylvania issued a proclamation, expressing the strongest disappro bation of the action, offering a reward for the discovery of the perpetrators of the deed, and prohibiting all injuries to the peaceable inhabitants in future. But notwithstanding this, a party of the same men shortly after marched to Lancaster, broke open the gaol, and inhumanly butchered the innocent Indians who had been placed there for security. Another proclamation was issued, but it had no effect. A detachment marched down to

removed to the city for safety. A number dering some friendly Indians, who had been of the citizens armed in their defence. The Quakers, whose principles are opposed to fighting, even in their own defence, were

In the summer of 1762, Dr. Franklin returned to Philadelphia, and shortly after received the thanks of the assembly of Penn-Philadelphia, for the express purpose of mursylvania, "as well for the faithful discharge of his duty to that province in particular, as for the many and important services done to America in general, during his residence in Great Britain." A compensation of five thousand pounds, Pennsylvania currency, was also decreed him for his services during six years. Even in his absence, he had been annually elected a member of the assembly of representatives of the province, and he again took his seat in that body, and continued

* Governor Franklin (it is believed) formed and

commanded the corps of royalists at New York.

most active on this occasion. The rioters came to Germantown, within five miles of

Philadelphia. The governor fled for safety others, advanced, to meet the Paxton-boys, to the house of Dr. Franklin, who, with some as they were called, and had influence enough to prevail upon them to relinquish their undertaking, and return to their homes."-Dr. Franklin wrote a pamphlet on this occasion,

which had a considerable effect, in soothing your majesty would be graciously pleased to the passions, and restoring tranquillity. His resume the government of this province, services, however, were but ill requited by making such compensation to the proprietaries the governor, who was, as well as the pro- for the same as to your majesty's wisdom and vince, under great obligations to his active goodness shall appear just and equitable, and and successful exertions. permitting your dutiful subjects therein to enjoy, under your majesty's more immediate care and protection, the privileges that have been granted to them by and under your royal predecessors. By order of the house."

The disputes between the proprietaries and the assembly, which had so long agitated the province, and which had for a time subsided, were again revived, and are thus accounted for :

"The proprietaries were discontent at the concessions made in favour of the people, and again exerted themselves to recover the privi lege of exempting their own estates from taxation, which they had been induced, with great reluctance, to relinquish.

"In 1763, the assembly passed a Militia Bill, to which the governor refused to give his assent, unless the assembly would agree to certain amendments which he proposed. These consisted in increasing the fines, and in some cases substituting death for fines. He wished, too, that the officers should be appointed altogether by himself, and not nominated by the people, as the bill had proposed. These amendments the assembly considered as inconsistent with the spirit of liberty: they would not adopt them-the governor was obstinate, and the bill was lost."

Great opposition was made to this measure, not only in the house, but in the public prints. A speech of Mr. Dickinson on the subject was published with a preface by Dr. Smith, in which great pains were taken to show the impropriety and impolicy of this proceeding. A speech of Joseph Galloway, Esquire, in reply to Mr. Dickinson, was also published, accompanied by a preface by Dr. Franklin, in which he ably opposed the principles laid down in the preface to Mr. Dickinson's speech. Among other pointed remarks, Dr. Franklin says:

"In the constitution of our government, and in that of one more, there still remains a particular thing that none of the other American governments have; to wit, the appointment of a governor by the proprietors, instead of an appointment by the crown. This particular in government has been found inconvenient; attended with contentions and confusions wherever it existed; and has therefore been gradually taken away from colony after colony, and every where greatly to the satisfaction and happiness of the people. Our wise first proprietor and founder William Penn, was fully sensible of this; and being desirous of leaving his people happy, and preventing the mischiefs that he foresaw must "To the king's most excellent majesty, in arise from that circumstance, if it was concouncil, the petition of the representatives tinued, he determined to take it away, if of the freemen of the province of Pennsyl- possible, during his own life-time. They acvania, in general assembly met, most hum-cordingly entered into a contract for the sale bly showeth,

These, and various other circumstances, increased the uneasiness which subsisted between the proprietaries and the assembly, to such a degree, that in 1764, a petition to the king was agreed to by the house, praying an alteration from a proprietary to a regal government. The following draught of the same, was found in Dr. Franklin's papers:

"That the government of this province by proprietaries, has, by long experience, been found inconvenient, attended with many difficulties and obstructions to your majesty's service, arising from the intervention of proprietary private interest in public affairs, and disputes concerning those interests.

"That the said proprietary-government is weak, unable to support its own authority, and maintain the common internal peace of the province, great riots having lately arisen therein, armed mobs marching from place to place, and committing violent outrages and insults on the government with impunity, to the great terror of your majesty's subjects. And these evils are not likely to receive any remedy here, the continual disputes between the proprietaries and people, and their mutual jealousies and dislikes preventing. "We do therefore, most humbly pray, that

of the proprietary right of government to the crown; and actually received a sum in part of the consideration. As he found himself likely to die before that contract (and with it his plan for the happiness of his people) could be completed, he carefully made it a part of his last will and testament; devising the right of the government to two noble lords, in trust, that they should release it to the crown. Unfortunately for us, this has never yet been done. And this is merely what the assembly now desire to have done. Surely he that formed our constitution, must have understood it. If he had imagined that all our privileges depended on the proprietary government, will any one suppose that he would himself have meditated the change; that he would have taken such effectual measures as he thought them, to bring it about speedily, whether he should live or die? Will any of those who now extol him so highly, charge him at the

same time with the baseness of endeavouring An eloquent divine, Dr. William Smith, thus to defraud his people of all the liberties has observed on this occasion, "That under and privileges he had promised them, and by whatsoever circumstances this second embassy the most solemn charters and grants assured was undertaken, it appears to have been a to them, when he engaged them to assist him measure pre-ordained in the councils of Heain the settlement of his province? Surely ven; and it will be for ever remembered to none can be so inconsistent!-And yet this the honour of Pennsylvania, that the agent proprietary right of governing or appointing selected to assert and defend the rights of a a governor, has all of a sudden changed its single province at the court of Great Britain, nature; and the preservation of it become of became the bold asserter of the rights of so much importance to the welfare of the pro- America in general; and beholding the fetters vince, that the assembly's only petitioning to that were forging for her, conceived the have their venerable founder's will executed, magnanimous thought of rending them asunand the contract he entered into for the good der before they could be rivetted.” of his people completed, is styled an attempt to violate the constitution for which our fathers planted a wilderness; to barter away our glorious plan of public liberty and charter privileges; a risking of the whole constitution; an offering up our whole charter rights; a wanton sporting with things sacred,' &c."

The disturbances produced in America by Mr. Grenville's Stamp Act, and the opposition made to it are well known. But the origin thereof has generally been misunderstood. The following letter from Dr. Franklin on that subject, will correct some of the misrepresentations relative thereto.

"To William Alexander, Esq.

"PASSY, March 12, 1778.

that Mr. Grenville demanded of them a specific sum; that they refused to grant any thing; and that it was on their refusal only that he made a motion for the Stamp Act. No one of these particulars is true. The fact was this.

In addition to the preface just mentioned, Dr. Franklin wrote a pamphlet, entitled "Cool Thoughts," tending to promote the same views. The assembly's application to "DEAR SIR,-In the pamphlet you were the throne however, produced no effect, and so kind as to lend me, there is one important the proprietary government remained un- fact misstated, apparently from the writer's changed. not having been furnished with good informaAt the election for a new assembly, in the tion; it is the transaction between Mr. Grenautumn of 1764, the friends of the proprie-ville and the colonies, wherein he understands taries made great exertions to exclude those of the adverse party; and they obtained a small majority in the city of Philadelphia. Dr. Franklin on this occasion lost his seat in the house, which he had held for fourteen years. On the meeting of the assembly, however, it appeared that there was still a decided majority of his friends, and he was again appointed to resume his agency at the court of Great Britain, to the great chagrin of his enemies, who made a solemn protest against his appointment; but which was refused admission upon the minutes, as being unprecedented. It was, however, published in the papers, and produced a spirited reply, from him, entitled "Remarks on a late Protest," &c.

The opposition made to his re-appointment seems greatly to have affected his feelings; as it came from men with whom he had long been connected, both in public and private life," the very ashes of whose former friendship," he declared, "he revered." His pathetic farewell to Pennsylvania, in the publication abovementioned, the day before his departure, is a strong proof of the agitation of his mind on this occasion.

"I am now," says he, " to take leave (perhaps a last leave) of the country I love, and in which I have spent the greatest part of my life. Esto perpetua!-I wish every kind of prosperity to my friends, and I forgive my enemies."

"Some time in the winter of 1763-4, Mr. Grenville called together the agents of the several colonies, and told them that he purposed to draw a revenue from America, and to that end his intention was to levy a stamp duty on the colonies by act of parliament in the ensuing session, of which he thought it fit that they should be immediately acquainted, that they might have time to consider, and if any other duty equally productive would be more agreeable to them, they might let him know it. The agents were therefore directed to write this to their respective assemblies, and communicate to him the answers they should receive: the agents wrote accordingly.

"I was a member in the assembly of Pennsylvania, when this notification came to hand. The observations there made upon it were, that the ancient, established, and regular method of drawing aids from the colonies was this. The occasion was always first considered by their sovereign in his privy council, by whose sage advice, he directed his secre tary of state to write circular letters to the several governors, who were directed to lay them before their assemblies. In those letters, the occasion was explained for their

"B. FRANKLIN."

Dr. Franklin strenuously exerted himself to free America from this odious tax; the principal objection to which was, that it was imposed by a British parliament, which the Americans asserted had no right to tax them. Dr. Franklin thus expresses his senuments on the subject, in a letter to a friend, dated London, January 6, 1766 :——

satisfaction, with gracious expressions of his | cans unwisely and unbecomingly refused to majesty's confidence in their known duty and hold out to the minister and parliament, was affection, on which he relied, that they would actually held out to them, but they refused to grant such sums as should be suitable to their walk over it. This is the true history of that abilities, loyalty, and zeal for his service. transaction; and as it is probable there may That the colonies had always granted liber- be another edition of that excellent pamphlet, ally on such requisitions, and so liberally I wish this may be communicated to the canduring the late war, that the king, sensible did author, who, I doubt not, will correct that they had granted much more than their pro- error.-I am ever, with sincere esteem, dear portion, had recommended it to parliament; sir, your most obedient, humble servant, five years successively, to make them some compensation, and the parliament accordingly returned them two hundred thousand pounds a-year to be divided among them. That the proposition of taxing them in parliament, was therefore both cruel and unjust.* That by the constitution of the colonies their business was with the king in inatters of aid, they had nothing to do with any financier, nor he with them; nor were the agents the proper channels through which requisitions should be made; it was therefore improper for them to enter into any stipulation, or make any proposition to Mr. Grenville about laying taxes on their constituents by parliament, which had really no right at all to tax them, especially as the notice he had sent them did not appear to be by the king's order, and perhaps was without his knowledge; as the king, when he would obtain any thing from them, always accompanied his requisition with good words, but this gentleman, instead of a decent demand, sent them a menace, that they should certainly be taxed, and only left them the choice of the manner. But all this notwithstanding, they were so far from refusing to grant money, that they resolved to the following purpose:-That they always had, so they always should, think it their duty to grant aid to the crown, according to their abilities, whenever required of them in the usual constitutional manner.' I went soon after to England, and took with me an authentic copy of this resolution, which I presented to Mr. Grenville before he brought in the Stamp Act, I asserted in the house of commons (Mr. Grenville being present) that I had done so, and he did not deny it. Other colonies made similar resolutions. And had Mr. Grenville, instead of that act, ap- Contrary to Dr. Franklin's surmise, shortly plied to the king in council for such requisi- after the date of this letter, it began to appear tional letters to be circulated by the secretary expedient to the administration, then under of state, I am sure he would have obtained the marquis of Rockingham, to endeavour to more money from the colonies by their volun- calm the minds of the colonists; and the retary grants, than he himself expected from peal of the Stamp Tax was contemplated. his stamps. But he chose compulsion rather Amongst other means of collecting informathan persuasion, and would not receive from tion on the disposition of the people to submit their good-will what he thought he could ob- to it, Dr. Franklin was (Feb. 3, 1766,) “ortain without it. And thus the golden bridge | dered to attend the committee of the whole which the ingenious author thinks the Ameri- house of commons, to whom it was referred to consider further the several papers relative to America, which were presented to the house by Mr. secretary Conway, &c." contains a striking account of the extent and

"There is neither king, nor sovereign lord on earth, who has, beyond his own domain, power to lay one far thing on the subjects, without the grant and consent

of those who pay it; unless he does it by tyranny and violence." (Philippe de Commines, chap. 108.)

"In my own private judgment, I think an immediate repeal of the Stamp Act would be the best measure for this country; but a suspension of it for three years, the best for that. The repeal would fill them with joy and gratitude, re-establish their respect and veneration for parliament, restore at once their ancient and natural love for this country, and their regard for every thing that comes from it hence; the trade would be renewed in all its branches; they would again indulge in all the expensive superfluities you supply them with, and their own new assumed home industry would languish. But the suspension, though it might continue their fears and anxieties, would, at the same time, keep up their resolutions of industry and frugality; which in two or three years would grow into habits, to their lasting advantage. However, as the repeal will probably not now be agreed to, from what I now think a mistaken opinion, that the honour and dignity of government is better supported by persisting in a wrong measure, once entered into, than by rectifying an error as soon as it is discovered; we must allow the next best thing for the advantage of both countries is, the suspension For as to executing the act by force, it is madness, and will be ruin to the whole."

It'