will be proposed and discussed, when I hope your Ouvrage sur les Principes et le Bien des Républiques en général, &c. &c., may be ready to put into their hands; and such a work from your hand I am confident, though it may not be entirely followed, will afford useful hints, and produce advantages of importance. But we must not expect, that a new government may be formed, as a game of chess may be played, by a skilful hand, without a fault. The players of our game are so many, their ideas so different, their prejudices so strong and so various, and their particular interests, independent of the general, seeming so opposite, that not a move can be made that is not contested; the numerous objections confound the understanding; the wisest must agree to some unreasonable things, that reasonable ones of more consequence may be obtained; and thus chance has its share in many of the determinations, so that the play is more like tric-trac with a box of dice. We are much pleased with the disposition of your government to favour our commerce, manifested in the late réglement. You appear to be possessed of a truth, which few governments are possessed of, that A must take some of B's produce, otherwise B will not be able to pay for what he would take of A. But there is one thing wanting to facilitate and augment our intercourse. It is a dictionary, explaining the names of different articles of manufacture in the two languages. When I was in Paris, I received a large order for a great variety of goods, particularly of the kind called hard wares, that is, wares of iron and steel; and when I showed the invoice to your manufacturers, they did not understand what kind of goods or instruments were meant by the names; nor could any English and French dictionary be found to explain them. So I sent to England for one of each sort. which might serve both as explanation and as a model, the latter being of importance likewise, since people are prejudiced in favour of forms they have been used to, though perhaps not the best. They cost me twenty-five guineas, but were lost by the way, and, the peace coming on, the scheme dropped. It would, however, as I imagine, be well worth reviving, for our merchants say, we still send to England for such goods as we want, because there they understand our orders, and can execute them precisely. With great and sincere esteem, I am, &c. B. FRANKLIN. SIR 1730. TO MATHEW CAREY In answer to your Request of this Day, — (A. P. S.) June 10. 1788 I do not recollect ever to have seen a Recommendation of the kind you propose of any such periodical Compilation. It seems to me quite a novel Idea, and not likely to be useful as it might appear to the Public impertinent. They have now seen the Work carry'd on more than a Year; They are competent Judges whether it answers their purpose or their Expectations. Such a Work if well executed, recommends itself, and needs no other Recommendation; and if not well executed, will not be help'd by any other, whoever it may be sign'd by, - As a principal Use of it is to preserve fugitive Pieces; I think you would do well not to fill any part of it with Extracts from Collections already made such as the Philos. Transactions where they are already preserv'd. I send you enclos'd a Note of the Value of Provisions 34 years ago in Philad & Boston, which perhaps may be proper to be preserved in your Work, and am looking out for others of more. I was always dispos'd to be serviceable to you, tho' it seems I was once unlucky.1 "May it please your excellency, [B. F.] "With uncommon exertions, and the most indefatigable application, I have carried on the Museum for nearly a year and a half half and considering how incredibly small my capital was, at the commencement, my success has been uncommon yet not so great, as under particular circumstances, I might have expected, and would probably have met with. I have now a plan in agitation, which, with your concurrence, and that of a few other respectable Characters, will, in all likelihood, insure me that reward to which honest industry, in a good cause, has so just and undeniable a claim. "This leads me to the object of the present application. The favour I so earnestly request, is, to subscribe such a declaration or recommendation of the American Museum, as its merits may entitle it to; a form of which I subjoin for your perusal : "We the subscribers, having carefully examined the tendency and purpose of the American Museum, published by Mathew Carey, of Philadelphia, are of opinion, that it is a very useful work, calculated to disseminate agricultural, political, and other valuable information, in a degree and manner hardly attainable without a publication of that kind - and more especially to preserve various interesting docu This letter was in reply to the following request in a note from Carey dated Philadelphia, June 10, 1788. — Ed. ments from oblivion. We therefore chearfully recommend it to the countenance and patronage of the public in general." "Perhaps this character of the work is too panegyrical. It is, however, that which I have had from numbers of the most impartial, intelligent, and well informed gentlemen. But at all events, I am not scrupulously attached to the manner of expression. 'I hope and trust there is no necessity to make use of many arguments on this occasion. I have read a declaration of yours, that your own experience of the difficulties attendant on beginners, always strongly inclined you in favour of those in that situation. True, I am not, strictly speaking, a beginner - but every inducement in favour of that description, exists with me. "Your compliance with this request, will be regarded as a most important obligation, by "Your excellency's most obedient "and very humble servant "MATHEW CAREY." 1731. TO JOHN JAY (A. P. S.) Philada June 27. 1788 DEAR SIR, In arranging some old Papers I lately found the enclos'd Letter from Mr. Blunt, enclosing Copy of a Certificate of Comm'. Jones in favour of John Jackson. I ought, (tho' so long delay'd) to send some Answer. Can you inform me whether any thing has been done for Jackson in consequence of the Commodore's Promise? I send you also two other Papers respecting Services for merly done the U. S. by Mr. Limousin of Havre, and M. Milliet of Lisbon; for your Consideration; and to be dispos'd of as you shall think proper. Please to inform me whether Dohrman is still in America. With great & sincere Esteem, I am ever, my dear Friend, Yours most affectionately B. FRANKLIN. SIR, 1732. TO GEORGE CLINTON1 Philad. July 10, 1788 I beg leave once more to introduce to your Excellency,2 the honourable Mr Redick, a Member of the Supreme Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania, who is charg'd by that Council with some important Matters to communicate to, and consult upon with your Excellency, respecting the outrageous Conduct of our disorderly People inhabiting near the Borders of our two States, which if not speedily and effectually repress'd, it is apprehended may occasion much Inconvenience and Mischief. I request your Excellency to give Mr Redick a favourable Audience, and to afford him your best Counsels, which will be very obliging to this Government, and particularly to Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble Servant B FRANKLIN 1 From the original in Charles Roberts's Collection of Autographs, Haver ford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania. — ED. 2 He was governor of New York. - ED. |