contrary my opinion, that a rogue hanged out of a family does it more honour than ten that live in it."1279 wa

TO THE DUKE DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD. Paris. Reply to his Congratulations.-State of America. Constitution thereof.—Death of the Duchess D'AnvilleIntroduction of Thomas Paine.

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Philadelphia, April 15, 1787..

I have been happy in receiving three very kind letters from my greatly respected and esteemed friend, since my being in America. They are dated November SO, 85, February 8, 86, and January 14, 87.coIn mine of this date to M. le Veillard, I have made the best apology I could for my being so bad a correspondent. I will not trouble you with a repetition of it, as I know you often see him. I will only confess my fault, and trust to your candour and goodness for my pardon.osd a cur ad

Your friendly congratulations on my arrival and reception here were very obliging. The latter was, as you have heard, extremely flattering. The two parties in the assembly and council, the constitutionists and anti-constitutionists joined in requesting my service as counsellor, and afterwards in electing me as president. Of seventy four. members in council and assembly who voted by ballot, there was in my first election but one negative beside my own; and in the second, after a year's service, only my own. And I experience from all the principal people in the government, every attention and assistance that can be desired towards making the task as little burthensome.to me as possible. So I am going on very comfortably hitherto with my second year, and I do not at present see

any likelihood of a change? but future events are always uncertain, being governed by Providence or subject to chances; aud popular favor is very precarious, being sometimes lost as well as gained by good actions, so I do not depend on a continuance of my present happiness, and therefore shall not be surprised if, before my time of service expires, something should happen to diminish it.

These states in general enjoy peace and plenty. There have been some disorders in the Massachusetts and Rhode island governments; those in the former are quelled for the present: those of the latter, being contentions for and against paper money, will probably continue some time. Maryland too is divided on the same subject, the assembly being for it, and the senate against it. Each is now employed in endeavouring to gain the people to its party against the next elections, and 'tis probable the assembly may prevail. Paper money in moderate quantities has been found beneficial when more than the occasions of commerce require, it depreciated and was mischievous and the populace are apt to demand more than is necessary. In this state we have some, and it is useful, and P do not hear any clamour for mofeitando ad lisavoo ba

There seems to be but little thought at present in the particular states, of mending their particular constitutions, but the grand federal constitution is generally blamed as not having given sufficient powers to congress, the federal head. A convention is therefore appointed to revise that constitution, and propose a better. You will see by the inclosed paper that your friend is to be one in that busirass, though he doubts his smalady may not permit his giving constant attendance. I am glad to see that you are named as one of a generals assembly to be convened in

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France. I flatter myself that great good, may accrue to that dear nation from the deliberations of such an assembly. I pray God to give it his blessing.

I sympathise with you and the family most sincerely, in the great loss sustained by the decease of that excellent woman.' It must be indeed a heavy one. My best wishes attend those that remain, and that the happiness of your sweet domestic society may long continue without such another interruption.

I send herewith a volume of the transactions of our Philosophical Society for you, another for M, de Condor'cet, and a third for the academy. The war had interrupted our attempts to improve ourselves in scientific matters, but we now begin to resume them.

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The bearer of this is Mr. Paine, the author of a famous iece entitled Common Sense, published here with great effect on the minds of the people at the beginning of the revolution. He is an ingenious, honest man, and as such I beg leave to recommend him to your civilities. He 'carries with him the model of a bridge of a new construction, his own invention, concerning which I intended to have recommended him to Mr. Peyronnet, but I hear he is no more. You can easily procure Mr. Paine a sight of the models and drawings of the collection appertaining to the Ponts et Chaussées; they must afford him useful lights on the subject. We want a bridge over our river Skuylkill, and - have no artist here regularly bred to that kind of architecture.

My grandsons are very sensible of the honour of your remembrance, and desire me to present their respects.

"The Duchess D'Anville, mother of the Duke de la Rochefouéauld.

With the most sincere and perfect esteem and attachment, I am ever, my dear friend, your most obedient and most humble servant, B. FRANKLIN.

TO THE MARQUIS DE CHASTELLEUX.'

On receiving his Travels in the United States.-Assembly of the Notables.

DEAR SIR,

Philadelphia, April 17, 1787. Your most pleasing letter accompanied by the invaluable present of your journal, and translation of Colonel Humphreys's poem, came to hand but lately, though dated in June last. I believe they have been in the West Indies. They have given me a great deal of pleasure in the perusal, as every thing of yours always did. The portrait you have made of our country and people is what in painting is called a handsome likeness, for which we are much obliged to you. We shall be the better for it if we endeavour to merit what you kindly say in our favour, and to correct what you justly censure. 1 am told the journal is translated into English, and printed in one of the states, I know not which, not having seen the translation,

The newspapers tell us, that you are about to have an assembly of Notables, to consult on improvements of your government. It is somewhat singular, that we should be

FRANCOIS JEAN MARQUIS DE CHASTELLEUX Camp Marshal in the French army, and a member of the French Academy, died at Paris October 24, 1788. He was of an illustrious family to which he was an ornament by his military services and his literary works, of which the principal are, a Treatise on Public Happiness, 8vo, and Travels in North America in 1780, ➡1782. 8vo.

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engaged in the same project here at the same time; but so it is, and a convention for the purpose of revising and amending our federal constitution is to meet at this place next month. I hope both assemblies will be blessed with success, and that their deliberations and counsels may promote the happiness of both nations.

In the state of Pennsylvania, government, notwithstanding our parties, goes on at present very smoothly, so that I have much less trouble in my station than was expected. Massachusetts has lately been disturbed by some disorderly people; but they are now quelled. The rest of the states go on pretty well, except some dissensions in Rhode island and Maryland respecting paper money. Mr. Paine whom you know, and who undertakes to deliver this letter to you, can give you full information of our affairs, and therefore I need not enlarge upon them. I beg leave to recommend him to your civilities. I have fulfilled all your commissions to the ladies here, who are much flattered by your kind remembrance of them. My family join in every sentiment of esteem and respect with, my dear friend, yours most affectionately, B. FRANKLIN.

TO MESSRS. THE ABBÉS CHALUT AND ARNAUD.

DEAR FRIENDS,

Philadelphia, April 17, 1787.

Your reflections, on our situation compared with that of many nations of Europe, are very sensible and just. Let me add, that only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.

Our public affairs go on as well as can reasonably be expected after so great an overturning. We have had