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The partisans of the late ministry have been strongly crying out rebellion, and calling for force to be sent against America. The consequence might have been terrible; but milder measures have prevailed. I hope, nay, I am confident, America will show itself grateful to Britain on the occasion, and behave prudently and decently.

I have got a seal done for four guineas, which I shall send by a friend. My respects to good Mrs. Roberts, and to your valuable son. Remember me affectionately to the Junto, and to all inquiring friends. Adieu, my dear friend. Your integrity will always make you happy. Believe me ever yours affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

TO MRS. DEBORAH FRANKLIN.

Repeal of the Stamp Act. - Domestic Affairs.

MY DEAR CHILD,

London, 6 April, 1766.

As the Stamp Act is at length repealed, I am willing you should have a new gown, which you may suppose I did not send sooner, as I knew you would not like to be finer than your neighbours, unless in a gown of your own spinning. Had the trade between the two countries totally ceased, it was a comfort to me to recollect, that I had once been clothed from head to foot in woollen and linen of my wife's manufacture, that I never was prouder of any dress in my life, and that she and her daughter might do it again if it was necessary. I told the Parliament, that it was my opinion, before the old clothes of the Americans were worn out, they might have new ones of their own making. I have sent you a fine piece of

Pompadour satin, fourteen yards, cost eleven shillings a yard; a silk negligée and petticoat of brocaded lutestring for my dear Sally, with two dozen gloves, four bottles of lavender water, and two little reels. The reels are to screw on the edge of the table, when she would wind silk or thread. The skein is to be put over them, and winds better than if held in two hands. There is also a gimcrack corkscrew, which you must get some brother gimcrack to show you the use of. In the chest is a parcel of books for my friend Mr. Coleman, and another for cousin Colbert. Pray did he receive those I sent him before? I send you also a box with three fine cheeses. Perhaps a bit of them may be left when I come home. Mrs. Stevenson has been very diligent and serviceable in getting these things together for you, and presents her best respects, as does her daughter, to both you and Sally. There are two boxes included in your bill of lading for Billy. I received your kind letter of February 20th. It gives me great pleasure to hear, that our good old friend Mrs. Smith is on the recovery. I hope she has yet many happy years to live. My love to her. I fear, from the account you give of brother Peter, that he cannot hold out long. If it should please God, that he leaves us before my return, I would have the postoffice remain under the management of their son, till Mr. Foxcroft and I agree how to settle it.*.

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There are some droll prints in the box, which were given me by the painter, and, being sent when I was not at home, were packed up without my knowledge. I think he was wrong to put in Lord Bute, who had

Peter Franklin, the last surviving brother of Dr. Franklin, died July 1st, 1766, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He had formerly resided at Newport, Rhode Island; but, at the time of his death, he was deputy postmaster in Philadelphia.

nothing to do with the Stamp Act. But it is the fashion to abuse that nobleman, as the author of all mischief. Love to Sally and all friends. I am, my dear Debby, your affectionate husband,

B. FRANKLIN.

TO JONATHAN WILLIAMS.

London, 28 April, 1766.

DEAR COUSIN,

I have received several of your kind favors, since my arrival in England, the last by your good brother, the subject not in the least disagreeable, as you apprehend, but in truth it has not been at all in my power to do what you desired; if for no other reason, yet for this, that there has been no vacancy.

I congratulate you on the repeal of that mother of mischiefs, the Stamp Act, and on the ease we are likely to obtain in our commerce. My time has been extremely taken up, as you may imagine, in these general affairs of America, as well as in the particular one of our province. Yet I did not forget the Armonica for cousin Josiah; but, with all my endeavours, I have not yet been able to procure one. Here is only one man that makes them well; his price no less than thirty-four guineas, and he asks forty. I bid him one hundred guineas for three; he refused it. I then agreed to give him the thirty-four guineas for one. He promised to make it, now a twelve-month since. I have called on him often, till I am tired, and do not find that he has yet done a glass of it. If I could have got this, Josiah should have had it, or mine. But I fear it will not be got at all. And I hope his waiting till my return, though it may seem long, will be no disadvantage, as all his improvement on the

organ, in the mean time, will go towards his better playing on the Armonica when he gets it.

I rejoice to hear of the welfare and increase of your family. I pray God to bless them all and you. Your affectionate uncle,

B. FRANKLIN.

P. S. Sister Mecom speaks very affectionately of you, and gratefully of your kindness to her in her late troubles. The bearer, Mr. Sears, is entering into business as a merchant here. He is a friend of mine, and I recommend him to your acquaintance and civilities.

FROM JOSEPH GALLOWAY TO WILLIAM FRANKLIN, GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY.

Repeal of the Stamp Act.-Fothergill's and Whitefield's Account of Dr. Franklin's Examination before the House of Commons. - Emblematical Representation.

Tuesday, 29 April, 1766.

DEAR FRIEND, This is enclosed in a copy of my letter from your worthy father, by Mr. James Boy, whom we have sent up to communicate to you our intelligence by the packet. Mr. Thomas Wharton has a letter from a house of good credit in Boston, that, by a vessel in a short passage from London, they have certain intelligence that the act of repeal was read in the House of Lords a second time on the 7th of March, and that it was much approved of by the Lords, and would pass, and that in a few days it was expected it would receive the King's assent. So that I think little credit ought to be given to the two lines in the York paper, without date, contradicting this account.

It gives me a pleasure I cannot well express, to hear that Dr. Franklin was examined at the bar of the House of Commons. Dr. Fothergill writes this to William Logan, and, that he gave "such distinct, clear, and satisfactory answers to every interrogatory, and besides spoke his sentiments on the subject with such perspicuity and firmness, as did him the highest honor, and was of the greatest service to the American cause." True merit and exalted virtues may be, like the sun, overshadowed for a while; but the force and brilliancy of their rays will at length dispel the mists and break forth, notwithstanding opposing clouds and darkness. This account is also confirmed by Mr. Whitefield to Thomas Wharton. Mr. Logan has promised to send David Hall an extract, and he will publish it. Mr. Wharton will do the same. I mentioned the putting Mr. Whitefield's name as the author of the last extract. Mr. Wharton seems inclined. Would it be amiss? It will certainly put an effectual stop to the malignant lies related of Dr. Franklin's conduct, relating to the Stamp Act, and clear up his reputation to all the American world. For who dares deny Mr. Whitefield's authority? Will the church? Will the Presbyterians?*

The following are extracts from letters written by gentlemen in London to their correspondents in America, and printed in the Philadelphia newspapers. Each letter is dated the 27th of February, 1766, but whether any one of them came from Dr. Fothergill or Mr. Whitefield is uncertain, as the names of the writers are not mentioned.

"Our worthy friend, Dr. Franklin, has gained immortal honor by his behaviour at the bar of the House. The answerer was always found equal if not superior to the questioner. He stood unappalled, gave pleasure to his friends, and did honor to his country.",

From another letter. "I can safely assert, from my own personal knowledge, that Dr. Franklin did all in his power to prevent the Stamp Act from passing; that he waited upon the ministry, that then was, to inform them fully of its mischievous tendency; and that he has uniformly opposed it to the utmost of his ability; and that, in a long ex.

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