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of so great a sum in so short a time. We deducted the least necessary articles, and reduced it to one hundred thousand pounds, which we granted, and sent up the bill. Not that we thought this province capable of paying such a tax yearly, or any thing near it, but believing it necessary to exert ourselves at this time in an extraordinary manner, to save the country from total ruin by the enemy. The governor, to use his own polite word, REJECTS it. Your English kings, I think, are complaisant enough to say, they will advise upon it. We have no remedy here, but must obey the instruction, by which we are so confined, as to the time of rating the property to be taxed, the valuation of that property, and the sum per pound to be taxed on the valuation, that it is demonstrably impossible by such a law to raise one quarter of the money absolutely necessary to defend us. Three fourths of the troops must be disbanded, and so the country be exposed to the mercy of our enemies, rather than the least tittle of a Proprietary instruction should be deviated from!

I forbear to enlarge, because the House have unanimously desired your friend Mr. Norris, and myself, to go home immediately, to assist their agents in getting these matters settled. He has not yet determined; but, if he goes, you will by him be fully informed of every thing, and my going will not, in my opinion, be necessary. If he declines it, I may possibly soon have the pleasure of seeing you. I am with great respect, Sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

TO MRS. JANE MECOM.

DEAR SISTER,

Philadelphia, 21 February, 1757.

I am glad to hear your son has got well home. I like your conclusion not to take a house for him till summer, and, if he stays till his new letters arrive, perhaps it would not be amiss; for a good deal depends on the first appearance a man makes. As he will keep a bookseller's shop, with his printinghouse, I don't know but it might be worth his while to set up at Cambridge.

I enclose you some whisk seed; it is a kind of corn, good for creatures; it must be planted in hills, like Indian corn. The tops make the best thatch in the world; and of the same are made the whisks you use for velvet. Pray try if it will grow with you. I brought it from Virginia. Give some to Mr. Cooper, some to Mr. Bowdoin. Love to cousin Sal

ly, and her spouse. I wish them and you much joy. Love to brother, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

TO WILLIAM PARSONS.

Mission to England.

DEAR FRIEND, I thank you for the relating to the Indians.

Philadelphia, 22 February, 1757.

intelligence from Fort Allen, The commissioners have not yet settled your account, but I will press them to do it immediately. I have not heard from Mr. Stephenson, but will write to him once more.

And now, my dear old friend, I am to take leave

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of you, being ordered home to England by the Assembly, to obtain some final settlement of the points, that have occasioned so many unhappy disputes. I assure you I go with the sincerest desire of procuring peace, and therein I know I shall have your prayers for my success. God bless you, and grant that at my return I may find you well and happy. I am, as ever, dear friend, yours affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.*

TO MISS CATHERINE RAY.

DEAR KATY,

Philadelphia, 3 March, 1757.

Being about to leave America for some time, I could not go without taking leave of my dear friend. I received your favor of the 8th of November, and am ashamed, that I have suffered it to remain so long

* On the 29th of January, the Assembly resolved, that Isaac Norris, the Speaker of the House, and Benjamin Franklin, should be requested to go to England, "as commissioners to solicit the removal of grievances occasioned by proprietary instructions, &c." When they were called upon to declare to the Assembly, whether they would comply with the request, Mr. Norris declined, and gave as a reason the state of his health. Mr. Franklin said, "that he esteemed the nomination by the House to that service as a high honor, but that he thought, if the Speaker could be prevailed on to undertake it, his long experience in public affairs, and great knowledge and abilities, would render the addition of another unnecessary; that he held himself, however, in the disposition of the House, and was ready to go whenever they should think fit to require his service." It was then resolved, "that Benjamin Franklin be, and he is hereby appointed Agent of this province, to solicit and transact the affairs thereof in Great Britain." See Votes and Proceedings, February 3d. His son was at this time clerk of the House, and it was resolved, "That William Franklin have leave to resign his office of clerk of this House, that he may accompany his father, appointed one of the commissioners to negotiate our affairs in England, and that another person be chosen to serve as clerk during the absence of the said Franklin.”— February 18th.

unanswered, especially as now, through shortness of time, I cannot chat with you in any manner agreeably.

1 can only wish you well and happy, which I do most cordially. Present my best compliments to your good mamma, brother and sister Ward, and all your other sisters, the agreeable Misses Ward, Dr. Babcock and family, the charitable Misses Stanton, and, in short, to all that love me. I should have said all that love you, but that would be giving you too much trouble. Adieu, dear good girl, and believe me ever your affectionate friend,

B. FRANKLIN.

TO MRS. DEBORAH FRANKLIN.

On his Journey to New York, where he is to take Passage for England.

MY DEAR CHILD,

Trenton, 5 April, 1757.

We found the roads much better than we expected, and got here well before night. My kind friend Mr. Griffith's carriage appearing too weak in the wheels, I have accepted Mr. Masters's obliging offer, and take his carriage forward from this place, and he will return to town in Mr. Griffith's. About a dozen of our friends accompanied us quite hither, to see us out of the province, and we spent a very agreeable evening together. I leave home, and undertake this long voyage, the more cheerfully, as I can rely on your prudence in the management of my affairs and education of our dear child; and yet I cannot forbear once more recommending her to you with a father's tenderest concern. My love to all. If the roads do

not prove worse, we may be at Woodbridge to-night. I believe I did not see Mr. Dunlap when I came away, so as to take leave of him; my love to him. Billy presents his duty and love to all. I am your affectionate husband,

B. FRANKLIN.

TO MRS. JANE MECOM.

Habits of Old Age.

DEAR SISTER,

New York, 19 April, 1757.

I wrote a few lines to you yesterday, but omitted to answer yours, relating to sister Dowse. As having their own way is one of the greatest comforts of life to old people, I think their friends should endeavour to accommodate them in that, as well as in any thing else. When they have long lived in a house, it becomes natural to them; they are almost as closely connected with it, as the tortoise with his shell; they die, if you tear them out of it; old folks and old trees, if you remove them, it is ten to one that you kill them; so let our good old sister be no more importuned on that head. We are growing old fast ourselves, and shall expect the same kind of indulgences; if we give them, we shall have a right to receive them in our turn.

"

And as to her few fine things, I think she is in the right not to sell them, and for the reason she gives, that they will fetch but little; when that little is spent, they would be of no further use to her; but perhaps the expectation of possessing them at her death may make that person tender and careful of her, and helpful to her to the amount of ten times

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