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letter inclosed, which I wrote in answer to one from an old religionist whom I had relieved in a paralytic case by electricity, and who being afraid I should grow proud upon it, sent me his serious though rather impertinent caution. I send you also the copy of another letter," which will show something of my disposition relating to religion. With great and sincere esteem and affection, B. FRANKLIN.

I am, &c.

P.S. Had not your College some present of books from the King of France? Please to let me know if you had an expectation given you of more, and the nature of that expectation? I have a reason for the enquiry.

I confide that you will not expose me to criticisms and censures by publishing any part of this communication to you. I have ever let others enjoy their religious sentiments without reflecting on them for those that appeared to me unsupportable or even absurd. All sects here, and we have a great variety, have experienced my good will in assisting them with subscriptions for the building their new places of worship, and as I have never opposed any of their doctrines, I hope to go out of the world in peace with them all.

To

DEAR SIR,

(Without date.)

I have read your manuscript with some attention. By the argument it contains against a particular

1

Supposed to be the Letter to George Whitfield, dated June 6, 1753, p. 1.

2 Uncertain: perhaps the following one?

Providence, though you allow a general Providence, you strike at the foundations of all religion. For without the belief of a Providence that takes cognizance of, guards and guides, and may favour particular persons, there is no motive to worship a Deity, to fear its displeasure, or to pray for its protection. I will not enter into any discussion of your principles, though you seem to desire it. At present I shall only give you my opinion, that though your reasonings are subtle, and may prevail with some readers, you will not succeed so as to change the general sentiments of mankind on that subject, and the consequence of printing this piece will be, a great deal of odium drawn upon yourself, mischief to you, and no benefit to others. He that spits against the wind, spits in his own face. But were you to succeed, do you imagine any good would be done by it? You yourself may find it easy to live a virtuous life without the assistance afforded by religion; you having a clear perception of the advantages of virtue, and the disadvantages of vice, and possessing a strength of resolution sufficient to enable you to resist common temptations. But think how great a portion of mankind consists of weak and ignorant men and women, and of inexperienced inconsiderate youth of both sexes, who have need of the motives of religion to restrain them from vice, to support their virtue, and retain them in the practice of it till it becomes habitual, which is the great point for its security. And perhaps you are indebted to her originally, that is to your religious education, for the habits of virtue upon which you now justly value yourself. You might easily display your excellent talents of reasoning upon a less hazardous subject, and thereby obtain a rank with our most distinguished authors. For among us it is

not necessary as among the Hottentots, that a youth to be raised into the company of men should prove his manhood by beating his mother. I would advise you therefore not to attempt unchaining the tiger, but to burn this piece before it is seen by any other person, whereby you will save yourself a great deal of mortification from the enemies it may raise against you, and perhaps a good deal of regret and repentance. If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be if without it? I intend this letter itself as a proof of my friendship, and therefore add no professions to it; but subscribe simply yours, B. FRANKLIN.

Montesquieu says, "La Religion, même fausse, est le meilleur garant que les hommes puissent avoir de la Probité des hommes." (Esprit des Loix Chap. 25. Liv. 8.)

PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE

OF

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

PART II.

LETTERS RELATING TO AMERICAN POLITICS.

To JOSEPH GALLOWAY, Esq. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Repeal of Act restraining the legal Tender of Paper Money.-Mr. Grenville.-Mr. Townsend.-The salt Duty. -Change of Ministry predicted.

DEAR SIR,

London, June 13, 1767. In my last of May 20th, I mentioned my hopes that we should at length get over all obstructions to the repeal of the act restraining the legal tender of paper money; but those hopes are now greatly lessened.

The ministry had agreed to the repeal, and the notion that had possessed them that they might make a revenue from paper money, in appropriating the interest by parliament, was pretty well removed by my assuring them, that it was my opinion no colony would make money on

those terms, and that the benefits arising to the commerce of this country in America from a plentiful currency would therefore be lost, and the repeal answer no end, if the assemblies were not allowed to appropriate the interest themselves; that the crown might get a great share upon occasional requisitions, I made no doubt by voluntary appropriations of the assemblies; but they would never establish such funds as to make themselves unnecessary to government, &c. Those and other reasons that were urged seemed to satisfy them, and we began to think all would go smoothly, and the merchants prepared their pe tition on which the repeal was to be founded. But in the house when the Chancellor of the Exchequer had gone through his proposed American revenue, viz. by duties on glass, china ware, paper, pasteboard, colours, tea, &c. Grenville stood up and undervalued them all as trifles; and said he, "I'll tell the honourable gentleman of a revenue that will produce something valuable in America: make paper money for the colonies, issue it upon loan there, take the interest and apply it as you think proper." Mr. Townsend finding the house listened to this, and seemed to like it, stood up again, and said "that was a proposition of his own which he had intended to make with the rest, but it had slipt his memory, and the gentleman, who must have heard of it, now unfairly would take advantage of that slip and make a merit to himself of a proposition that was another's, and as a proof of it, assured the house a bill was prepared for the purpose and would be laid before them." This startled all our friends; and the merchants concluded to keep back their petition for a while, till things appeared a little clearer, lest their friends in America should blame them as having furnished founda

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