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account of the mode pursued, whereby our Assemblies are rendered little better than corporations, but that part whereby the Judge of the Admiralty is capable of determining a matter of property, heretofore only to be ascertained by a trial by jury, and thereby depriving us of one of the most essential privileges of an Englishman.

I yesterday read a letter sent by the Speaker of the House of Assembly for the Boston government to the Speaker of our House, wherein are directly intimated their sentiments of the act, and they propose a meeting of a committee from each Assembly on the continent, on the 3d of October, at New York, in order jointly to draw up an address to his Majesty, in dutiful and loyal terms, setting the matter forth in its proper light, as well as to represent to the Parliament the state of our colonies and trade, which, we hope, will have a proper effect, as it is much more consistent than the method pursued by Virginia.*

The allusion here is to the celebrated Resolutions, brought before the Virginia House of Burgesses by Patrick Henry, and passed, May 29th, 1765. See the Resolutions in ALMON's Prior Documents, p. 6; and also in WIRT's Life of Patrick Henry. In writing on this subject to Dr. Franklin, June 18th, Joseph Galloway said; "Permit me to present you with the enclosed resolves of the Lower House of Assembly of Virginia, on the Stamp Act, and the right of the British legislature in forming that law. After they were passed, the governor, by some means, procured from the clerk the original minutes of the House, tore them out, and instantly dissolved the Assembly. They were, however, published in the Maryland Gazette, from which this copy is taken, as I could not procure one of them to send you. I cannot describe to you the indefatigable industry, that has been, and is constantly taking, by the Proprietary party and men in power here to prevail on the people to give every kind of opposition to the execution of this law; to incense their minds against the King, Lords, and Commons; and to alienate their affections from the mother country. It is no uncommon thing to hear the judges of the courts of justice, from the first to the most inferior, in the presence of the attending populace, treat the whole Parliament with the most irreverent abuse. Scarcely any thing is too bad

Our House being adjourned to September, they cannot meet till that time, unless the governor sees cause to call them; wherefore, it is intended to summon the members, who reside in Philadelphia, Bucks, and Chester counties, in a few days, that they may give their sentiments relative to the measure; from whence an answer may be formed and sent to the Boston Assembly. For, although the members cannot form themselves into a House, yet, if those of three counties shall conclude on any step, it can scarce be doubted but the Assembly in their September sitting will confirm it. I remain thy assured friend,

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THOMAS WHARTON.

to be said of the ministry; and that worthy nobleman, Lord Bute, is openly cursed, whenever his name is mentioned. These things are truly alarming to our friends, and the discreet and sensible part of the people; as it is evident, they tend with great rapidity to create in the minds of the populace and weaker part of mankind a spirit of riot and rebellion, which will be hereafter quelled with great difficulty, if ever quelled at all. It is already become dangerous to espouse the conduct of the Parliament in some parts of America in any degree, as the Resolves before mentioned prove, and I fear it will in a very short time become so in this province. For almost every pen and tongue are employed against them, while not a word scarcely is offered on their side; and yet I have thoughts of endeavouring to state the conduct of the mother country, with regard to her colonies, in a new light, and endeavour, if possible, to check the growing mischiefs."

As suggested at the close of Mr. Wharton's letter, several members of the Assembly came together informally, and unanimously approved the proposition of Massachusetts, for a Congress to be held at New York, consisting of deputies, or committees as they were called, from the Assemblies of all the colonies. When the Pennsylvania Assembly met, the subject was considered, and, on the 11th of September, the Speaker and three other members, that is, John Dickinson, John Morton, and George Bryan, were appointed for the purpose.

TO HUGH ROBERTS.

Political Adversaries. The Old Junto.

DEAR FRIEND,

London, 7 July, 1765.

Your kind favor of May 20th, by the hand of our good friend Mr. Neave, gave me great pleasure. I find on those occasions, that expressions of steady, continued friendship, such as are contained in your letter, though but from one or a few honest and sensible men, who have long known us, afford a satisfaction that far outweighs the clamorous abuse of a thousand knaves and fools. While I enjoy the share I have so long had in the esteem of my old friends, the birdand-beast people you mention may peck, and snarl, and bark at me as much as they think proper. There is only some danger, that I should grow too vain on their disapprobation.

I am pleased with your punning, not merely because I like punning in general, but because I learn from your using it, that you are in good health and spirits, which I pray may long continue. Our affairs are at a total stop here, by the present unsettled state of the ministry, but will go forward again as soon as that is fixed. Nothing yet appears that is discouraging.

I have not yet found an engraver that will do our seal well and reasonably. Kirk asked me twenty guineas, and some others a little less. I think we had better content ourselves with the old one; but shall inquire further.* Remember me respectfully and af

On the 20th of August he wrote; "I informed you lately, that twenty guineas were demanded by Kirk for engraving the Hospital seal. I have since found a man that will do it for ten, but I suppose will hardly do it so well. Let me know your sentiments of this expense."

fectionately to your good dame and children, and accept my thanks for your kind visits to my little family in my absence.

I wish you would continue to meet the Junto, notwithstanding that some effects of our public political misunderstandings may sometimes appear there. It is now perhaps one of the oldest clubs, as I think it was formerly one of the best, in the King's dominions. It wants but about two years of forty since it was established. We loved and still love one another; we are grown gray together, and yet it is too early to part. Let us sit till the evening of life is spent. The last hours are always the most joyous. When we can stay no longer, it is time enough then to bid each other good night, separate, and go quietly to bed. Adieu, my dear friend, yours affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

TO MRS. DEBORAH FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR CHILD,

London, 13 July, 1765.

I had the great pleasure of hearing from you and Sally last night by the packet. I cannot now answer every particular of your letters, having many to write that are to go by this day's mail, but will by the next opportunity. Mrs. Stevenson bids me tell Sally, that the striped gown I have sent her will wash, but it must be with a light hand. I am glad to hear of Captain Robinson's arrival, and it gives me pleasure, that so many of my friends honored our new diningroom with their company. You tell me of a fault they found with the house, that it was too little, and not a word of any thing they liked in it, nor how the kitchen chimneys perform; so I suppose you

spare me some mortification, which is kind. I wonder you put up the oven without Mr. Roberts's advice, as I think you told me he had my old letter of directions; but I can add no more, only that I am very well and in good spirits. I wrote you largely by Captain Friend, and sent a case with a number of particulars. My love to all. Your affectionate husband, B. FRANKLIN.

FROM JOSEPH GALLOWAY TO B. FRANKLIN.

Transmitting a Memorial from the Merchants of Philadelphia to the Merchants and Manufacturers in Great Britain.

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The merchants of this city, greatly distressed with the present circumstances of their commerce, have transmitted to the merchants and manufacturers of Great Britain a memorial, pointing out their difficulties and hinting at the remedies which they conceive will afford them the desired relief. They have been induced to take this step, from an expectation, that the British merchants and manufacturers, who are deeply interested in our trade, and of course in the success of this memorial, will exert their influence with the Parliament to remove the cause of the present languishing state of American commerce, so very detrimental to the interest of Britain and her colonies. This memorial is attended with a letter, referring the merchants in England to you for such information as they may stand in need of, and desiring that they will advise with you on this important occasion.

A committee of the merchants here has furr.ished

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