1553. TO RICHARD PRICE DEAR FRIEND, (L. C.) Passy, March 18, 1785. My nephew, Mr. Williams, will have the honour of delivering you this line. It is to request from you a List of a few good Books, to the Value of about Twenty-five Pounds, such as are most proper to inculcate Principles of sound Religion and just Government. A New Town in the State of Massachusetts having done me the honour of naming itself after me, and proposing to build a Steeple to their meeting-house if I would give them a Bell, I have advis'd the sparing themselves the Expence of a Steeple, for the present, and that they would accept of Books instead of a Bell, Sense being preferable to Sound. These are therefore intended as the Commencement of a little Parochial Library for the Use of a Society of intelligent, respectable Farmers, such as our Country People generally consist of. Besides your own Works, I would only mention, on the Recommendation of my sister, "Stennet's Discourses on Personal Religion," which may be one Book of the Number, if you know and approve of it.1 houses and goods be burnt, or otherwise destroyed, nor their fields wasted, by the armed force of the enemy into whose power, by the events of war, they may happen to fall; but, if any thing is necessary to be taken from them for the use of such armed force, the same shall be paid for at a reasonable price. And all merchants and trading vessels employed in exchanging the products of different places, and thereby rendering the necessaries, conveniences, and comforts of human life more easy to be obtained, and more general, shall be allowed to pass free and unmolested; and neither of the contracting powers shall grant or issue any commission to any private armed vessels, empowering them to take or destroy such trading vessels, or interrupt such commerce.". W. T. F. 1 Dr. Price complied with this request in a letter dated June 3d, 1785. The books were procured and forwarded to the town of Franklin. The With the highest Esteem and Respect, I am ever, my dear Friend, yours most affectionately, B. FRANKLIN. (A. P. S.) Passy, March 22, 1785. 1554. TO WILLIAM CARMICHAEL DEAR SIR, I received duly your Letter of the 27th past, which gave me great Pleasure, as the length of time since I had heard from you made me apprehensive that you might be ill. I immediately communicated the Papers inclosed with it to my Colleagues, Messrs. Adams and Jefferson, and we have had several Meetings on the Barbary Affair. Probably by next Week's Post we may write fully upon it to you, and to Morocco. I am glad you are likely to succeed in obtaining the Liberty of our silly Countryman.' The Discipline they have given Reverend Nathaniel Emmons, clergyman of the parish for which the library was designed, preached a sermon, in commemoration of this bounty, entitled, "The Dignity of Man; a Discourse addressed to the Congregation in Franklin upon the Occasion of their receiving from Dr. Franklin the Mark of his Respect in a rich Donation of Books, appropriated to the Use of a Parish Library." It was printed in the year 1787, and the following dedication was prefixed to it. "To his Excellency Benjamin Franklin, President of the State of Pennsylvania; the Ornament of Genius, the Patron of Science, and the Boast of Man; this Discourse is inscribed, with the greatest Deference, Humility, and Gratitude, by his obliged and most humble Servant, the Author." The words chosen by the preacher for his text were from the impressive charge of David to Solomon; "Show thyself a Man." He enlarged upon the importance of intellectual and moral culture, pointing out the means, and enforcing the use of them by persuasive arguments. He referred his hearers to the example of Franklin, as affording a pertinent illustration of the text, and encouragement to the hopes of all, who would employ their powers for the attainment of high and useful objects.-S. 1 See letter to Carmichael, October 11, 1784, and letter to Jonathan Williams, April 13, 1785. — ED. him is, however, not misapply'd. Mr. Grand being now in Cash, your bills on him for your Salary will be duly honour'd. I mention your drawing on him, because probably I may not be here, as I expect daily the Permission of Congress to return home, and shall embrace the first Opportunity. Wherever I am, be assured of the invariable Esteem and Attachment of, dear Sir, your affectionate friend and humble Servant B. FRANKLIN. SIR, 1555. TO RICHARD HENRY LEE 1 Passy, April 12, 1785. M. de Chaumont, who will have the honour of presenting this line to your Excellency, is a young gentleman of excellent character, whose father was one of our most early friends in this country, which he manifested by crediting us with a thousand barrels of gunpowder and other military stores in 1776, before we had provided any apparent means of payment. He has, as I understand, some demands to make on Congress, the nature of which I am unacquainted with; but my regard for the family makes me wish, that they may obtain a speedy consideration, and such favourable issue as they may appear to merit. To this end, I beg leave to recommend him to your countenance and protection, and am, with great respect, &c. B. FRANKLIN. 1 President of Congress. - ED. 1556. TO JONATHAN WILLIAMS' (L. C.) Passy, April 13, 1785 DEAR COUSIN :- I received your letter of December 16th, relating to Jonas Hartwell. I had before written to our minister at Madrid, Mr. Carmichael, requesting him to apply for the release of that man. Enclosed I send his answer, with copies of other papers relating to the affair. The simpleton will be discharged, perhaps after being a little whipped for his folly, and that may not be amiss. We have here another New England man, Thayer, formerly a candidate for the ministry, who converted himself lately at Rome, and is now preparing a return home for the purpose of converting his countrymen. Our ancestors from Catholic became first Church-of-England men, and then refined into Presbyterians. To change now from Presbyterianism to Popery seems to me refining backwards, from white sugar to brown. I have written to Dr. Price, of London, requesting him to make a choice of proper books to commence a library for the use of the inhabitants of Franklin. The parcel will be sent directly from thence. Jonathan and his family are well. He expects to be with 1 The original letter is in the Maine Historical Society. A letter press copy with P. S. in pencil is in L. C. The letter is addressed to the Senior Jonathan Williams of Boston, father of Jonathan Williams, agent at Nantes. - ED. 2 John Thayer (1755 ?-1815), a Protestant clergyman of Boston who joined the Roman Catholic Church in 1783. See "An Account of the Conversion of the Rev. Mr. John Thayer, lately a Protestant Minister at Boston in North America, who embraced the Roman Catholic Religion at Rome, on the 25th of May, 1783, written by himself." This work was printed in London, reprinted in America, and translated into French, Spanish, and Italian. — ED. him is, however, not misapply'd. Mr. Grand being now in Cash, your bills on him for your Salary will be duly honour'd. I mention your drawing on him, because probably I may not be here, as I expect daily the Permission of Congress to return home, and shall embrace the first Opportunity. Wherever I am, be assured of the invariable Esteem and Attachment of, dear Sir, your affectionate friend and humble Servant B. FRANKLIN. SIR, 1555. TO RICHARD HENRY LEE1 Passy, April 12, 1785. M. de Chaumont, who will have the honour of presenting this line to your Excellency, is a young gentleman of excellent character, whose father was one of our most early friends in this country, which he manifested by crediting us with a thousand barrels of gunpowder and other military stores in 1776, before we had provided any apparent means of payment. He has, as I understand, some demands to make on Congress, the nature of which I am unacquainted with; but my regard for the family makes me wish, that they may obtain a speedy consideration, and such favourable issue as they may appear to merit. To this end, I beg leave to recommend him to your countenance and protection, and am, with great respect, &c. B. FRANKLIN. 1 President of Congress. ED. |