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VISIT TO SCOTLAND.

him was rather increased by a personal acquaintance. The Royal Society of London, which had at first scornfully refused to acknowledge the correctness of his philosophical experiments, now thought it an honour to rank him amongst its fellows. Other societies of Europe were equally ambitious of enrolling him as a member. He made excursions to different parts of the country along with his son, and both were every where treated as guests worthy of distinction. They visited Scotland in the end of autumn 1759, when the University of St Andrews took the opportunity of conferring upon Franklin the degree of Doctor of Laws. Its example was followed by the universities of Edinburgh and Oxford. He was also received with cordiality by the Scottish luminaries of the period, in particular by Henry Home, usually called Lord Kames, a gentleman of congenial character, and equally fond of literary pursuits. Franklin passed some time with Lord Kames at his country seat on the banks of the Tweed. This laid the foundation of a friendship and correspondence between these two eminent men, which subsisted during their joint lives. In a letter written by Franklin to Lord Kames, on his return to London, in January 1760, the following passages occur:"How unfortunate I was that I did not press upon you and Lady Kames [Mrs Home] more strongly to favour us with your company farther. How much more agreeable would our journey have been, if we could have enjoyed you as far as York. We could have beguiled the way by discoursing of a thousand things that now we may never have an opportunity of considering together; for conversation warms the mind, enlivens the imagination, and is continually starting fresh game, that is immediately pursued and taken, and would never have occurred in the duller intercourse of epistolary correspondence: so that, whenever I reflect on the great pleasure and advantage I received from the free communication of sentiments in the conversation we had at Kames, and in the little agreeable rides to the Tweedside, I shall ever regret our premature parting.

"No one can more sincerely rejoice than I do, on the reduction of Canada; and this not merely as I am a colonist, but as I am a Briton. I have long been of opinion, that the foundations of the future grandeur and stability of the British empire lie in America; and though, like other foundations, they are low and little seen, they are nevertheless broad, and strong enough to support the greatest political structure human wisdom ever yet erected. I am therefore by no means for restoring Canada. If we keep it, all the country from St Lawrence to Mississippi will in another century be filled with British people; Britain itself will become vastly more populous, by the immense increase of its commerce; the Atlantic sea will be covered with your trading ships; and your naval powers thence continually increasing, will extend your influence round the whole globe, and over the world! If the French remain in Canada, they will continually harass our *Henry Home was born at his father's country seat of Kames, in Berwickshire, in 1696. Being a younger son, with no patrimony, and being naturally acute and industrious, he studied for the Scottish bar, and, after a certain period, from the great abilities which he displayed as a lawyer, he was raised to the bench, on which occasion he assumed the official designation of Lord Kames. From his youth, he had a turn for metaphysical disquisition, and maintained a correspondence with Bishops Berkeley and Butler, Dr Clarke, and other eminent reasoners. In 1761, ho published his Introduction to the Art of Thinking, which was followed, in 1762, by his Elements of Criticism. These works have enjoyed considerable popularity, but are perhaps less generally known than his Sketches of the History of Man, published originally in 1773. He was, besides, the author of a number of one of great benevolence and public spirit. He was fond of rural occupations, and is reckoned one of the chief agricultural improvers of Scotland. His successful scheme of reclaiming the extensive tract of morass, called Blair Drummond Moss (of which he came into possession in right of his wife), has been often cited as a wonderful effort of genius and perseverance. Lord Kames died in 1782, at the advanced age of 86.

minor works and law treatises. Lord Kames's character was

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colonies by the Indians, and impede, if not prevent, their growth; your progress to greatness will at best be slow, and give room for many accidents that may for ever prevent it. But I refrain, for I see you begin to think my notions extravagant, and look upon them as the ravings of a mad prophet.

"My son joins with me in the most respectful compliments to you and Lady Kames. Our conversation till we came to York, was chiefly a recollection of what we had seen and heard, the pleasure we had enjoyed, and the kindnesses we had received in Scotland, and how far that country had exceeded our expectations. On the whole, I must say, I think the time we spent there was six weeks of the densest happiness I have met with in any part of my life: and the agreeable and instructive society we found there in such plenty, has left so pleasing an impression on my memory, that, did not strong connexions draw me elsewhere, I believe Scotland would be the country I should choose to spend the remainder of my days in."

To Lord Kames he again writes in 1760, and refers to a work upon which he had been some time engaged: "I will shortly send you a copy of the chapter you are pleased to mention in so obliging a manner; and shall be extremely obliged in receiving a copy of the collection of 'Maxims for the Conduct of Life,' which you are preparing for the use of your children. I purpose likewise a little work for the benefit of youth, to be called The Art of Virtue. From the title I think you will hardly conjecture what the nature of such a book may be. I must therefore explain it a little. Many people lead bad lives that would gladly lead good ones, but know not how to make the change. They have frequently resolved and endeavoured it, but in vain; because their endeavours have not been properly conducted. To exhort people to be good, to be just, to be temperate, &c. without showing them how they shall become so, seems like the ineffectual charity mentioned by the apostle, which consisted in saying to the hungry, the cold, and the naked, be ye fed, be ye warmed, be ye clothed, without showing them how they should get food, fire, or clothing. Most people have naturally some virtues, but none have naturally all the virtues. To acquire those that are wanting, and secure what we acquire, as well as those we have naturally, is the subject of an art. It is as properly an art as painting, navigation, or architecture. If a man would become a painter, navigator, or architect, it is not enough that he is advised to be one, that he is convinced by the arguments of his adviser, that it would be for his advantage to be one, and that he resolves to be one, but he must also be taught the principles of the art, be shown all the methods of working, and how to acquire the habits of using properly all the instruments; and thus regularly and gradually he arrives by practice at some perfection in the art. If he does not proceed thus, he is apt to meet with difficulties that discourage him, and make him drop the pursuit. My 'Art of Virtue' has also its instruments, and teaches the manner of using them. Christians are directed to have faith in Christ as the effectual means of obtaining the change they desire. It may, when sufficiently strong, be effectual with many; for a full opinion, that a teacher is infinitely wise, good, and powerful, and that he will certainly reward and punish the obedient and disobedient, must give great weight to his precepts, and make them much more attended to by his disciples. But many have this faith in so weak a degree, that it does not produce the effect. Our Art of Virtue' may therefore be of great service to those whose faith is unhappily not so strong, and may come in aid of its weakness. Such as are naturally well disposed, and have been carefully educated, so that good habits have been early established, and bad ones prevented, have less need of this art; but all may be more or less benefited by it. It is, in short, to be adapted for universal use. I imagine what I have now been writing will seem to savour of great presumption: I must therefore speedily finish my little piece, and communicate the manuscript to you, that you may judge whether it is possible to make

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RETURN TO AMERICA IN 1762.

good such pretensions. I shall at the same time hope | About the period of his departurè, liis son received an for the benefit of your corrections." appointment to the office of governor of New Jersey, for which he is said to have been well qualified by his

It does not appear that the work here mentioned was ever given to the public.

While resident in England, Franklin continued to devote some degree of attention to philosophical pursuits, and to keep up a correspondence with eminent men of science in different quarters of Europe. Some experiments on the cold produced by evaporation, made by Dr Cullen, had been communicated to him by Professor Simson of Glasgow.* These he repeated, and found that, by the evaporation of ether in the exhausted receiver of an air-pump, so great a degree of cold was produced, even in a warm state of the atmosphere, that water was converted into ice.† This discovery he applied to the solution of a number of phenomena in nature, particularly a singular fact, which philosophers vainly had endeavoured to account for, namely, that the temperature of the human body and blood, when in health, never exceeds 98 degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometer, although the atmosphere which surrounds it may be heated to a much greater degree. This he attributed to the increased perspiration, and consequent evaporation produced by the heat, and by which evaporation the body was kept at a moderate and agreeable temperature. The explanation shows the usual acuteness of Franklin's mind, but is not, we believe, that which is now generally received. Recent investigations have shown that the equable temperature of the blood, under varying circumstances in the temperature of the surrounding air, is more probably owing to a different rate in the consumption of oxygen by the lungs. The combustion of the oxygen by contact with the carbon in the blood, is, in reality, the cause of the heat of the body. When the air is cold, much oxygen is thus consumed; when hot, the quantity of oxygen consumed is small, and the heat created is much or little accordingly.

About this time Franklin also paid some attention to the subject of musical tones, produced by rubbing the brims of glasses with a wet finger. The tones so elicited had been already generally known. A Mr Puckeridge, an Irishman, by placing on a table a number of glasses of different sizes, and tuning them by partly filling them with water, endeavoured to form an instrument capable of playing tunes. He was prevented, by an untimely end, from bringing his invention to any degree of perfection. After his death some improvements were made upon his plan. The sweetness of the tones induced Dr Franklin to make a variety of experiments; and he at length formed that elegant instrument, which he has called the Armonica.

RETURN TO AMERICA IN 1762.

Franklin having accomplished the object of his mission, and spent some years agreeably as colonial agent in England, returned to America in August 1762.

*William Cullen (born 1712, died 1790) was a celebrated

Scotch physician and medical writer, and at the period above

referred to, was Professor of Chemistry in the University of Edinburgh, in which he was subsequently appointed a lecturer on medicine. Dr Robert Simson (born 1687, died 1768) was one of the most eminent mathematicians of modern times, and from 1711 till 1761, occupied the chair of mathematics in the University of Glasgow. His improved edition of Euclid's Elements of Geometry, is well known.

+ The process of freezing of water by artificial means, even in a warm state of the atmosphere, was in later times brought to greater perfection by Sir John Leslie, Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh. The principle of Leslie's plan consists in removing the atmospheric pressure from the water by means of the air-pump, and causing some substance placed in the receiver to absorb the vapour which naturally rises from the water when the pressure of the air upon it is removed. The heat is absorbed along with the vapour. The substance employed to effect absorption is sulphuric acid, which is placed in

a cup standing in the dish of water. A powerful air-pump operating on several receivers, will produce about six pounds of ice in an hour. By this means, ice may be at all times procured,

even in the hottest climates.

talents.

The following account of Franklin's voyage home, and the events of his life until his next visit to England, is given by himself in a letter to Lord Kames, dated Craven Street, London, June 2, 1765 :—“ You require my history from the time I set sail for America. I left England about the end of August 1762, in company with ten sail of merchant ships, under convoy of a man of war. We had a pleasant passage to Madeira, where we were kindly received and entertained; our nation being then in high honour with the Portuguese, on account of the protection we were then affording them against the united invasions of France and Spain. Tis a fertile island, and the different heights and situations among its mountains afford such different temperaments of air, that all the fruits of northern and southern countries are produced there; corn, grapes, apples, peaches, oranges, lemons, plantains, bananas, &c. Here we furnished ourselves with fresh provisions, and refreshments of all kinds; and after a few days proceeded on our voyage, running southward till we got into the trade-winds, and then with them westward, till we drew near the coast of America. The weather was so favourable, that there were few days in which we could not visit from ship to ship, dining with each other, and on board the man of war; which made the time pass agreeably, much more so than when one goes in a single ship; for this was like travelling in a moving village, with all one's neighbours about one. On the 1st of November I arrived safe and well at my own house, after an absence of near six years-found my wife and daughter well; the latter grown quite a woman, with many amiable accomplishments acquired in my absence, and my friends as hearty and affectionate as ever; with whom my house was filled for many days, to congratu late me on my return. I had been chosen yearly during my absence to represent the city of Philadelphia in our Provincial Assembly; and on my appearance in the House, they voted me £3000 sterling for my services in England, and their thanks delivered by the Speaker. In February following, my son arrived, with my new daughter; for with my eonsent and approbation he married, soon after I left England, a very agreeable West India lady, with whom he is very happy. I accompanied him into his government, where he met with the kindest reception from the people of all ranks, and has lived with them ever since in the greatest harmony. A river only parts that province and ours, and his residence is within seventeen miles of me, so that we frequently see each other. In the spring of 1763, I set out on a tour through all the northern colonies, to inspect and regulate the postoffices in the several provinces. In this journey I spent the summer, travelled about 1600 miles, and did not get home till the beginning of November. Assembly sitting through the following winter, and warm disputes arising between them and the governor, I became wholly engaged in public affairs: for besides my duty as an Assembly man, I had another trust to execute, that of being one of the commissioners appointed by law to dispose of the public money appropriated to the raising and paying an army to act against the Indians, and defend the frontiers. And then in December, we had two insurrections of the back inhabitants of our province, by whom twenty poor Indians were murdered, that had from the first settlement of the province lived among us, under the protection of our government. This gave me a good deal of employment; for as the rioters threatened further mischief, and their actions seemed to be approved by an increasing party, I wrote a pamphlet, entitled A Narrative,' &c., which I think I sent you, to strengthen the hands of our weak government, by rendering the proceedings of the rioters unpopular and odious. This had a good effect; and afterwards, when a great body of them with arms marched towards the

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the bill was passed by the House of Commons in March 1765, by a vote of 250 members against 50. Franklin beheld the measure with consternation. Writing an account of it to an American gentleman, he says"The sun of liberty is set; the Americans must light the lamps of industry and economy." The gentleman answered, "Be assured we shall light torches of quite another kind." The intelligence of the passing of the stamp act, as is well known, excited the Americans to passive resistance, and the law, in point of fact, was inoperative.

capital, in defiance of the government, with an avowed resolution to put to death 140 Indian converts then under its protection, I formed an association at the governor's request, for his and their defence, we having no militia. Nearly 1000 of the citizens accordingly took arms: Governor Penn made my house for some time his head-quarters, and did every thing by my advice; so that for about forty-eight hours I was a very great man, as I had been once some years before, in a time of public danger: but the fighting face we put on, and the reasonings we used with the insurgents (for I went, at the request of the governor and council, with Under the Marquis of Rockingham's administration, three others, to meet and discourse with them), having it appeared expedient to endeavour to calm the minds turned them back, and restored quiet to the city, I of the colonists; and the repeal of the odious tax was became a less man than ever—for Î had by these trans- contemplated. Amongst other means of collecting inactions made myself many enemies among the populace formation on the disposition of the people to submit to --and the governor (with whose family our public dis-it, Dr Franklin was called to the bar of the House of putes had long placed me in an unfriendly light, and Commons. The examination which he here underwent the services I had lately rendered him not being of the was published, and contains a striking proof of the exkind that make a man acceptable), thinking it a favour- tent and accuracy of his information, and the facility able opportunity, joined the whole weight of the pro- with which he communicated his sentiments. Being prietary interest to get me out of the Assembly, which asked " If no regulation with a tax would be submitted was accordingly effected at the last election, by a ma- to by the colonists," he answered-" Their opinion is, jority of about 25 in 4000 voters. The house, however, that when aids to the crown are wanted, they are to be when they met in October, approved of the resolutions asked of the several assemblies, according to the old taken while I was Speaker, of petitioning the crown for established usage, who will, as they have always done, a change of government, and requested me to return grant them freely; and that their money ought not to to England to prosecute that petition; which service I be given away, without their consent, by persons at a accordingly undertook, and embarked the beginning of distance, unacquainted with their circumstances and November last, being accompanied to the ship, sixteen abilities. The granting aids to the crown is the only miles, by a cavalcade of three hundred of my friends, means they have of recommending themselves to their who filled our sails with their good wishes; and I ar- sovereign; and they think it extremely hard and unrived in thirty days at London. Here I have been just that a body of men, in which they have no repreever since engaged in that, and other public affairs re-sentatives, should make a merit to itself by giving and lating to America, which are like to continue some time granting what is not its own, but theirs; and thus delonger upon my hands: but I promise you, that when prive them of a right they esteem of the utmost value I am quit of these, I will engage in no other; and that and importance, as it is the security of all their other as soon as I have recovered the ease and leisure I hope rights." In this manner, Franklin represented facts for, the task you require of me, of finishing my Art of and principles of resistance in so strong a point of view, Virtue,' shall be performed. In the mean time, I must that the inexpediency of the act must have appeared request you would excuse me on this consideration, clear to every unprejudiced mind. The act, after some that the powers of the mind are possessed by different opposition, was repealed, about a year after it was enmen in different degrees, and that every one cannot, acted, greatly to the chagrin of its projectors. like Lord Kames, intermix literary pursuits and important business, without prejudice to either."

[Here follows a dissertation on Scottish music, which is given in a subsequent part of the present work.]

P. S. I do promise myself the pleasure of seeing you and my other friends in Scotland, before my return to America."

THIRD VISIT TO ENGLAND-1764. Franklin arrived in England for the third time, according to the above statement, in the beginning of December 1764; and in his capacity of agent for the province of Pennsylvania, he was soon involved in the business of the famous stamp act. As this event led to most important political changes, it may be serviceable to give a brief explanation of the situation of affairs at this period. About the year 1760, the British Parliament began to institute a series of arbitrary regulations for the commerce of the thirteen American colonies belonging to Great Britain. These regulations were exceedingly vexatious, nevertheless they were obeyed by the colonists, though with great dissatisfaction. Proceeding from one step to another, Mr Grenville, a British minister, in March 1764, laid before Parliament a bill for charging certain stamp duties in the American colonies; the ostensible ground of the proposed enactment being the expenses to which the mother country had been put in conducting the war with the French in Canada, which was for the protection of the colonies. To this project, the provincial agents at once demurred; and when it was made known in America, it was almost universally opposed-the reason for the opposition being, that taxation without representation was unconstitutional, and therefore tyrannical. Franklin, who arrived in London a short time before the bill was finally disposed of, made a strenuous opposition to its passing into a law. In spite of every remonstrance,

C

After the disposal of this weighty affair, in the early part of the year 1766 Franklin made his first visit to the continent of Europe. He proceeded through Holland and Germany, and was every where received with the greatest marks of attention from men of science.

In the following year he travelled into France, where he met with a no less favourable reception than he had experienced in Germany. He was introduced to a number of literary characters, and to the king, Louis XV. He again spent some time in France in 1769.

During Franklin's residence in England at this period, he visited different parts of the country, to which he was invited. Among other individuals who sought his society was Dr Shipley, the Bishop of St Asaph, at whose residence at Twyford in North Wales, in the year 1771, he wrote the account of the early part of his life, addressed to his son, and which has been already given in the present work. While in London, he was not forgetful of his former occupation as an operative printer. One day, he visited the printing-office in Lincoln's-inn Fields, in which he had wrought forty years before as a journeyman, and the men who were at the time employed at his old press were treated by him to a regalement of porter. This press, we understand, is still in existence, and shown to strangers as a curiosity.

In his letter to Lord Kames, written immediately after his arrival in London in 1765, Franklin promises to revisit Scotland, during his stay in Britain. Of his journey to Scotland, in conformity with that promise, no particulars any where appear in his writings. We have learned, however, from an aged gentleman in Edinburgh, that he visited that city about the year 1771. We mention this circumstance, in order to introduce a benevolent trait of his character, namely, the anxious desire he at all times felt to assist young men of ability and industry. While in Edinburgh, he took occasion to visit one of the chief printing-offices in the town. In walk

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ATTACKED BY WEDDERBURN.

ing through the establishment, he entered into conver-"all the respect of societies and men. Into what sation with some of the men, and was particularly pleased companies will he hereafter go with an unembarrassed with the appearance and character of a lad named Mat- face, or the honest intrepidity of virtue? Men will thewson, who to the business of a printer added that of watch him with a jealous eye; they will hide their a cutter and founder of types. Matthewson had ori- papers from him, and lock up their escritoires," &c. ginally been a shepherd boy, but from his earliest years To these taunts, in which the voice of mankind has had shown a taste for reading, and a turn for carving not joined, Franklin calmly listened, not being allowed letters and figures. One day, while attending his mas- to defend himself; and he afterwards mentioned, that ter's sheep, he was accidentally observed by the minister he never, on any occasion, felt so much the benefit of of the parish to be employing himself in cutting some having a good conscience. Like all similar complaints words on a block of wood with a clasp knife. The regarding colonial grievances, the address was declared clergyman was so pleased with the ingenuity of the boy, scandalous and vexatious, and therefore was not enthat he interested himself in his fate, and sent him to tertained by the council or by the king. Edinburgh to pursue the profession of a printer, to which his inclinations seemed to be bent. Shortly afterwards, he began to make himself useful by cutting dies for types of a particular description required by his employer-there being no regular type-founder at the time in Edinburgh. It was while thus engaged that he attracted the attention of Dr Franklin, who, struck with his modesty and intelligence, and hearing an excellent character of him from his master, offered to take him to Philadelphia, and assist him in the establishing of a foundry for the manufacture of types. Young Matthewson was delighted with, and most grateful for, the disinterested kindness of Franklin's offer; but from some peculiar circumstances connected with his situation, he was unable to take advantage of it. Mr Matthewson afterwards established a type-foundry in Edinburgh, and died only a few years since at an advanced age, universally esteemed as a tradesman and citizen. The foregoing circumstances relative to his early life and interview with Franklin, were communicated to us by himself a number of years ago.

In the year 1773, Franklin became innocently involved in an awkward affair of diplomacy. Certain letters written by Governor Hutchinson, Mr Oliver, and others, in the British interest in America, to persons in power in England, fell into the hands of a party unknown, who thought fit to hand them to Dr Franklin. The letters contained the most violent invectives against the leading provincialists of Massachusetts, and strenuously advised the adoption of severe measures, to compel the people to obedience to the schemes of the ministry. The sentiments breathed in them struck so vitally at the colonial interests and rights, that Franklin considered it his duty to transmit them to the legislature of Massachusetts, by whom they were received with indignation at their treachery, and forthwith published. Attested copies of them were likewise sent to Great Britain, with an address, praying the king to discharge from office persons who had rendered themselves so obnoxious to the people, and who had shown themselves so unfriendly to their interests. The publication of these letters produced a duel between two gentlemen, each of whom was suspected of having been instrumental in procuring them. To prevent any further disputes on this subject, Dr Franklin, in one of the public papers, declared that he had sent them to America, but would give no information concerning the manner in which he had obtained them; nor was this ever discovered.

Although the Parliament of Great Britain had repealed the stamp act, it was only upon the principle of expediency. They still insisted upon their right to tax the colonies; and at the same time that the stamp act was repealed, an act was passed, declaring the right of Parliament to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever. This language was used even by the most strenuous opposers of the stamp act.

In 1771-2-3, the opposition to the taxes and restrictive measures of Parliament grew daily more resolute in the colonies, and at length the law was utterly set at nought by the people of Boston destroying some shiploads of tea which had been brought to the port. În 1774, a bill was passed by Parliament, declaring Boston no longer a port to which shipping should have access, the intelligence of which in America was the signal for armed opposition. Almost the only man who possessed any weight in the British legislature, and espoused the cause of the Americans, was the Earl of Chatham.* This magnanimous statesman had frequent interviews with Franklin, in order to arrive at a proper conclusion regarding the temper of the colonists and the nature of their cause. On the 1st of January 1775, he produced in the House of Lords his celebrated plan of conciliation-Franklin having been previously introduced by him as a spectator of the proceedings. "Lord Chatham having explained and supported his motion, was followed by Lord Sandwich, who, in the course of a very passionate harangue, declared that this motion of Chatham's was disgraceful to his name, and should be rejected with contempt-that he did not believe it to be the production of any British peer; and added, turning towards Franklin, who leaned upon the bar, 'I fancy Ĭ have in my eye the person who drew it up-one of the bitterest and most mischievous enemies that this country has ever known.' Under this allusion, so severe and offensive, although it drew upon him the observation of the whole assembly, Franklin remained, as if unconscious of the application, with a composed aspect, or, to use his own expression in relating the story-as if his countenance had been made of wood. Lord Chatham replied, that were he the first minister of the country, he should not be ashamed to call publicly to his assistance a person so eminently acquainted with American affairs as the gentleman alluded to, and so * William Pitt (1708-1778) was the son of a gentleman of Corn

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ing a seat in Parliament in 1735, he, from that time, applied the

When the address to the king was taken up for energies of his powerful mind to state affairs, in which he ultiexamination before the privy council, Dr Franklin the French in America and India, in the reign of George II., mately acquired the first place. The successes of Britain against attended as colonial agent. Dr Priestley, who was pre-were entirely owing to the colossal genius of Pitt. In 1766, when sent on the occasion-having been introduced as a spectator by Mr Burke has given an account of this remarkable meeting. The address was opposed in a torrent of intemperate language by Wedderburn, the solicitor-general, who, besides assailing the principles on which the colonists were acting, took occasion to describe Franklin as a thief-a stealer of letters-an enemy to Britain-and a person no longer to be respected or trusted. "He has forfeited," he continued,

* Alexander Wedderburn (1733-1805) was a Scotchman by birth, and a lawyer by profession. He possessed ability and energy, but is said to have been servile in principle. In 1780, he was created Lord Loughborough; and on the appointment of the Pitt ministry in 1793, was made Lord Chancellor. This office he resigned in 1801, when he was created Earl of Rosslyn.

appointed by George III. to form a new ministry, he was created Earl of Chatham. In 1768, he resigned office. In the House of Lords, as previously in the House of Commons, he distinguished himself by his speeches in favour of conciliatory measures being employed with the Americans. In vain did he bring forward motions for reconciliation; in vain did he declare the conquest of America impossible. On the 7th of April 1778, though labouring under a severe illness, he repaired to the House, to attack the unjust and impolitic proceedings of the ministers towards the colonies. At the close of the speech, he fainted and fell backwards. He was conveyed out of the House, and afterwards removed to his country-seat at Hayes, in Kent, where he did not long survive. In this great statesman's character, integrity, disinterestedness, and patriotism, were united with indefatigable industry, promptitude, and sagacity. In eloquence he was never surpassed by any of his countrymen.

RETURN TO AMERICA IN 1775.

ungenerously reflected on; one whom all Europe holds | in the highest estimation for his knowledge and wisdom; whom she ranks with her Boyles and her Newtons; who is an honour, not to the English nation only, but to human nature.""

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ments ever put upon record, and is frequently quoted as a specimen of the clear judgment and forcible style of its composer, Mr Jefferson-a representative in Congress from Virginia, and one of the most eminent of the revolutionary leaders.*

*Thomas Jefferson was born in the state of Virginia, April 2,

Dr Franklin was charmed with the friendship of Chatham, with whom and with Lord Howe he had 1743. His father was a gentleman possessing considerable landed frequent intercourse; but all efforts, through them and otherwise, to reconcile the differences betwixt the colo- property, and at his death left him an estate. Young Jefferson nies and Britain, proved fruitless. He had already lost sued at the bar of the General Court of Virginia till the revoluwas educated with a view to the legal profession, which he purthe favour of the ministry, and his office of post-master tion. In 1769, he was elected a member of the provincial legisof the colonies had been withdrawn. Till this period, lature, and signalised himself by his bold support of the rights of Franklin had maintained a warm attachment to Bri- the Americans, in opposition to the arbitrary measures of the tain, and was most solicitous for the continuance of government. When a general convention or congress was apthe colonial connection. He, therefore, deeply deplored pointed to take the country's grievances into consideration, he the infatuation of the government in pursuing its prewas sent as a delegate from Virginia; and it was now that his sent line of policy, which he predicted would lead to commanding genius placed him among the leaders of the revolumost fatal results; while he at the same time freely extion, and acquired him the honour of drawing up the Declaration pressed his belief, that by doing only simple justice to of Independence. It is related, that in the first draught of this the American provinces, Britain might continue to gocelebrated instrument, Jefferson had a clause relative to the vern them, at the expense of a little pen, ink, and manner in which the British sovereign (George III.) had encoupaper, for ages. Seeing, however, that Britain was reraged the traffio in negro slaves, but which was withdrawn in solved on bringing the matter to a speedy decision by ties in America who were interested in this execrable commerce. the amended copy, in order to save the feelings of certain parthe sword, the whole of Franklin's sentiments of at- While the draft of the Declaration was the subject of discustachment to the mother country underwent a change, sion in Congress, and when its author was a little hurt by the and we must now look upon him as no longer a Briton freedom of the criticisms made upon it by his fellow-members, Dr or a friend of Englishmen, but an American, and a Franklin, by way of consoling his feelings, stood up, and, to the friend of the French, and other nations which espoused infinite amusement of the House, related the following anecdote: the cause of his country. Affected by sorrowful and-"When I was a young man, a friend of mine, who was about wounded feelings, he prepared to return home; and in the month of March 1775, set sail from England for the shores of America.

to set up in business for himself as a hatter, consulted his acquaintances on the important subject of his sign. The one he had proposed to himself was this: John Thomson, hatter, makes and sells hats for ready money,' with the sign of a hat. The first friend whose advice he asked, suggested that the word 'hatter' was entirely superfluous, to which he readily agreeing, it was struck out. The next remarked, that it was unnecessary to mention that he required ready money' for his hats-few persons wishing credit for an article of no more cost than a hat, or, if they did, he might sometimes find it advisable to give it. These words were accordingly struck out, and the sign then stood John Thomson makes and sells hats. A third friend who was consulted, observed, that when a man wished to buy a hat, he did not care who made it; on which two more words were

RETURN TO AMERICA IN 1775. Before Dr Franklin's arrival in Philadelphia, hostilities had commenced betwixt the provincials and the British forces. The battle of Lexington was fought on the 19th of April 1775, and this event may be said to have rendered the breach betwixt the two parties irreparable. Already the provincial assemblies had assumed the character of conventions or congresses, and the day after Franklin's arrival, he was elected a dele-John Thomson sells hats,' he exclaimed, Why, who will exgate to the Congress of Pennsylvania.

Not long after his election, a committee was appointed, consisting of Mr Lynch, Mr Harrison, and himself, to visit the camp at Cambridge, and, in conjunction with the commander-in-chief, to endeavour to convince the troops, whose term of enlistment was about to expire, of the necessity of their continuing in the field, and persevering in the cause of their country.

In the fall of the same year he visited the Canadians, to endeavour to unite them in the common cause of liberty; but they could not be prevailed upon to oppose the measures of the British government. M. le Roy, in a letter annexed to Abbé Fauchet's eulogium of Dr Franklin, states, that the ill success of this negotiation was occasioned, in a great degree, by religious animosities which subsisted between the Canadians and their neighbours.

The momentous question of a total separation from Great Britain, and the establishment of a national independence, was now agitated. Dr Franklin was decidedly in favour of the measure proposed, and had great influence in bringing others over to his sentiments. In June 1776, a general congress had chosen five of their members to consider the great question, whether the provinces should declare themselves a free and independent nation. These were-Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman, and Livingston. They reported in favour of so doing; and Congress agreed with them. The Independence of the thirteen United States was solemnly proclaimed on the 4th of July 1776.

The Declaration of Independence of the North American States is conceived in a tone of impassioned but majestic eloquence, descriptive of the wrongs which had been suffered at the hands of the British monarchy, and the consequent right to an absolution from allegi

ance.

It forms one of the most important public docu

struck out. On showing to another the sign thus abridged to

more words were expunged, and nothing of the original sign was pect you to give them away? on which cogent criticism two left but John Thomson,' with the sign of the hat."

took his seat in the legislature of Virginia, to which he had been In 1776, Mr Jefferson retired from his seat in Congress, and elected. In this situation he was indefatigable in his labours to improve the imperfect constitution of the state. The chief service which he performed was as a member of a commission for revising the laws; among other reforms, he favoured the abolition of the law of primogeniture, and the preference of male to female succession to heritable property. Another great object of Jefferson's exertions was the placing all religious sects upon the same footing, which he satisfactorily accomplished. He was less successful in a proposal to establish schools for the education of youth; but his plan was ultimately carried into effect in 1816. He likewise failed in effecting the abolition of slavery in Virginia, which he considered a foul blot in its constitution, being confate than that these people [the coloured population] are to be vinced that "nothing is more certainly written in the book of free," and that means should be attempted to emancipate them in a slow and peaceful manner. In 1779, he was chosen governor of the state, and continued in the office two years. He afterwards engaged in affairs connected with Congress, and in 1785 was appointed successor to Dr Franklin, as minister plenipotentiary at the French court. He remained in France till the year 1789, when he returned to the United States, and was nominated by Washington to the office of secretary of state, which he held till 1793, when he resigned. In this year he was elected vice-president of the United States; and in 1801, was chosen president, by a majority of one vote over his competitor Mr Adams. At the end of eight years, he again retired into private life, from which

he never afterwards emerged. He spent his declining years in always strong; and in the constant endeavour to serve the people, for whom his care ended only with his days. In consequence of numerous calls upon his hospitality, and his general indifference through life to the accumulation of wealth, his last years were embittered by pecuniary difficulties. He gradually declined in

literary and scientific pursuits, for which his predilection was

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