much at their Ease. As to the Restoration of confiscated Estates, it is an Operation that none of our Politicians have as yet ventur'd to propose. They are a sort of People, that love to fortify themselves in their Projects by Precedent. Perhaps they wait to see your Government restore the forfeited Estates in Scotland to the Scotch, those in Ireland to the Irish, and those in England to the Welsh !

I am glad that the distressed Exiles, who remain with you, have receiv'd, or are likely to receive, some compensation for their Losses, for I commiserate their Situation. It was clearly incumbent on the King to indemnify those he had seduc'd by his Proclamations; but it seems not so clearly consistent with the Wisdom of Parliament to resolve doing it for him. If some mad King hereafter should think fit, in a Freak, to make War upon his subjects of Scotland, or upon those of England, by the help of Scotland and Ireland, (as the Stewarts did,) may he not encourage Followers by the Precedent of these Parliamentary Gratuities, and thus set his Subjects to cutting one another's Throats, first with the Hope of sharing in Confiscations, and then with that of Compensation in case of Disappointment? The Council of Brutes in the old Fable were aware of this. Lest that Fable may perhaps not have fallen in your way, I enclose a Copy of it.

Your Commercial Treaty with France seems to show a growing Improvement in the Sentiments of both Nations in the Economical Science. All Europe might be a great deal happier with a little more Understanding. We in America have lately had a Convention for framing a new Constitution. Enclos'd I send you the result of their Deliberations. Whether it will be generally acceptable and carried into Execution is yet to be seen; but present Appearances are in its Favour.

I am always glad to hear from you, and of your Welfare. I remember with Pleasure the happy Days we have spent together. Adieu, and believe me ever, my dear Friend, yours most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

SIR

1701. TO PROFESSOR LANDRIANI (L. c.) Philadelphia, Oct! 14. 1787.

I received by the hand of Mr Gibbs your excellent Dissertation dell' U plita dei Conduttori elettrici which you have had the Goodness to send me. I have read it with great Pleasure. Be pleased to accept my hearty Thanks.

I find upon my Return to this Country that the Number of Conductors is greatly increased, their Utility having been made manifest by many instances of their good Effect in preserving Buildings. Among others, my own House in my Absence receiv'd a great Stroke which was visible to the Neighbours, who immediately ran in to see if any Damage was done, or any Fire commenc'd which might by their Assistance be extinguish'd. They found nothing disorder'd, and the Family only much frighten'd by the Loudness of the Explosion. On making an Addition to my House last year the Conductor was taken down to be remov'd, when I found that the Copper Point which had been nine Inches long, and in its thickest Part about one third of an Inch Diameter, had been almost all melted and blown away, very little of it remaining attach'd to the Iron Rod. So that at length the Invention has been of some Use to the Inventor, and afforded an additional Pleasure to that of having seen it

useful to others. Mr Rittenhauss our Astronomer, informs me, that having inspected with his excellent Telescope many Conductors that are within his View, he finds that the Points of a Number of them have also been melted; and we have no Instance of any considerable Damage done to any House that was furnished with a compleat Conductor; and very few of Damage to any other Houses in the City since Conductors became common.

With great Esteem and Respect I have the honor to be,

DEAR SIR: Believing it may be a Matter of some Curiosity to you to know what is doing in this Part of the World respecting Legislation, I send you inclos'd a Copy of the new Federal Constitution propos'd by a Convention of the States.

We are so remote from each other, that it is difficult to keep up a regular Correspondence between us, and it is long since I had the Pleasure of hearing from you. Some of the Books you sent me did not come to hand, so that I want of volume 3d

9

and if any more Volumes are publish'd of your invaluable

Mr.

Work, I should be glad to have 8 of each sent to me. Grand, my Banker at Paris, will pay the Bookseller's Bill. With the highest Esteem, I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient Servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

President of the State of Pennsylvania.

1703. TO FERDINAND GRAND

(L. C.)

Philada, Oct. 22, 1787.

DEAR FRIEND:-I received by the last Pacquet your Favour of Aug 6, but the Things you mention sent by Madame Helvétius, did not come in that Ship, and I wish you to enquire what became of them.

I send you enclos'd the propos'd new Federal Constitution for these States. I was engag'd 4 Months of the last Summer in the convention that form'd it. It is now sent by Congress to the several States for their Confirmation. If it succeeds, I do not see why you might not in Europe carry the Project of good Henry the 4th into Execution, by forming a Federal Union and One Grand Republick of all its different States and Kingdoms, by means of a like Convention, for we had many Interests to reconcile.

I hope you and yours are well. I continue so, but am too full of Business to write by this Pacquet to my other Friends. I am glad you liked my young Carolinian. I have recommended another Gentleman of that State to your Civilities, the Honourable Mr. Charles Pinckney, Member of Congress, and one of the late Convention. He is a Man of Fortune, and an excellent Character; but you will not see

him till next Spring. I am ever, my dear Friend, yours most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

P. S. I drew on you not long since for 10,000 Livres.

1704. TO DONATIEN LE RAY DE CHAUMONT

(L. C.)

Philada, Oct. 22, 1787

MY DEAR FRIEND:- Your very valuable Son having desired of me a Certificate of his good Behavior here, which he thinks may be of some Use to him in an Application for Employment in Europe, I gave it with great Pleasure, as being equally conformable to my Sentiments and to Truth and Justice. It is here enclosed.

I hope the whole amiable Family continue well and happy. Be pleased to present my affectionate Respects to Madame de Chaumont, and Love to Made Foucault, to ma Femme, ma chere Amie, et mon Enfant. Ma Femme me sera grand Plaisir en m'envoyant les Notes de la Religieuse, mais pas autant qu'elle m'a souvent donné en les jouant. I am, my dear Friend, yours sincerely,

B. FRANKLIN.

1705. TO MRS. JANE MECOM1

DEAR SISTER,

Philadelphia, November 4, 1787

I received a kind letter from you lately, which gave me the pleasure of being informed that you were well. I am glad

1 First printed by Sparks, Vol. X, p. 325. — Ed.