I know must be given with it. So you may be quite easy on that head.* The account you write of the growing industry, frugality, and good sense of my country women, gives * Dr. Franklin's enemies reported, that he was disposed to accept an office under the British government, at the same time that he was acting as an agent to sustain the rights of his country against the encroachments of that government. There never was a shadow of foundation for that report. The ministry, no doubt, would have been glad to win such a champion to their side. Indeed it appears from his letter to his son, dated July 2d, 1768, that there was some project of this sort in the minds of the ministers. It has been said, that at one time the office of under-secretary of state was held out as an allurement. If this be a fact, the sequel shows that he resisted the temptation. Indeed, all his writings of that period, and particularly many that are contained in the fourth volume of this edition, indicate opinions, a tone of feeling, and a course of conduct, as far removed as possible from any tendency to abet the acts or doctrines of the British government respecting the colonies. The contrary is everywhere and uniformly manifest; nor did his enemies ever attempt to offer any proof of the charge. The office, which his sister had mentioned, and which he alludes to above, was probably that of governor of Pennsylvania, Some of the leaders of the popular party, who hoped to procure a change of government, looked to him as their favorite candidate for that office, in case a change should be brought about; but he well knew, that, with the political sentiments he entertained, and after the course he had taken in espousing the cause of the people, there was no chance of his receiving such an appointment from the King, and that his principles would not permit him to execute the instructions, which would necessarily be given to a governor acting under the crown. Whatever his friends may have wished, therefore, it is not likely that he ever entertained for a moment the idea of being selected, in any event, to fill that office. He was thought of, also, as a successor to Governor Bernard in Massachusetts. "Many of the principal people there," said a friend to him in a letter, "wish you to be the man, and say that you would meet; with no opposition from any party, but would soon be able to conciliate all differences." On another occasion (March 1st, 1766) he wrote to his sister; "As to the reports you mention, that are spread to my disadvantage, I give myself as little concern about them as possible. I have often met with such treatment from people, that I was all the while endeavouring to At other times I have been extolled extravagantly, where I had little or no merit. These are the operations of nature. It some serve. me more pleasure than you can imagine; for from thence I presage great advantages to our country. I should be sorry, that you are engaged in a business, which happens not to coincide with the general interest, if you did not acquaint me that you are now near the end of it. B. FRANKLIN. TO MISS MARY STEVENSON. DEAR POLLY, Tuesday Morning, 27 June, 1769. Agreeably to your orders, delivered to me very punctually by Temple, I return you enclosed Voltaire's verses. The translation I think full as good as the original. Remember that I am to have them again. I take this opportunity to send you, also, a late paper, containing a melancholy account of the distresses of some seamen. You will observe in it the advantages they received from wearing their clothes constantly wet with salt water, under the total want of fresh water to drink. You may remember I recommended this practice many years ago. Do you know Dr. Len, and did you communicate it to him? I fancy his name is wrong spelt in this paper, and that it should be Lind, having seen in the Review some extracts from a book on sea-diseases, published within these two or three years, by one Dr. Lind; but times is cloudy, it rains, it hails; again it is clear and pleasant, and the sun shines on us. Take one thing with another, and the world is a pretty good sort of a world, and it is our duty to make the best of it, and be thankful. One's true happiness depends more upon one's own judgment of one's self, or a consciousness of rectitude in action and intention, and the approbation of those few, who judge impartially, than upon the applause of the unthinking, undiscerning multitude, who are apt to cry Hosanna to-day, and to-morrow, Crucify him." I have not seen the book, and know not whether such a passage be in it. I need not point out to you an observation in favor of our doctrine, that you will make on reading this paper, that, having little to eat, these poor people in wet clothes day and night caught no cold. My respects to your aunt, and love to all that love you. Yours affectionately, B. FRANKLIN. TO THE COMMITTEE OF MERCHANTS IN PHILA DELPHIA. Recommends Perseverance in the Resolution not to import British Goods, till the Acts of Parliament imposing Duties in America shall be repealed. GENTLEMEN, London, 9 July, 1769. I received yours of the 18th of April, enclosing copies of the articles of your agreements with respect to importation, and of your letter to the merchants here. The letter was published, and universally spoken well of, as a well written, sensible, manly, and spirited performance; and I believe the publication has been of service to our cause. You are in my opinion perfectly right in your supposition, that "the redress of American grievances likely to be proposed by the ministry will at first only be partial; and that it is intended to retain some of the revenue duties, in order to establish a right of Parliament to tax the colonies." But I hope, that, by persisting steadily in the measure you have so laudably entered into, you will, if backed by the general honest resolution of the people to buy British goods of no others, but to manufac ture for themselves, or use colony manufactures only, be the means, under God, of recovering and establishing the freedom of our country entire, and of handing it down complete to posterity. And in the mean time the country will be enriched by its industry and frugality. These virtues will become habitual. Farms will be more improved, better stocked, and rendered more productive by the money that used to be spent in superfluities. Our artificers of every kind will be enabled to carry on their business to more advantage; gold and silver will become more plenty among us, and trade will revive, after things shall be well settled, and become better and safer than it has lately been; for an industrious, frugal people are best able to buy, and pay best for what they purchase. With great regard, I have the honor to be, &c. B. FRANKLIN. TO JOHN BARTRAM. Recommends to him to publish an Account of his Travels and Observations. DEAR FRIEND, London, 9 July, 1769. It is with great pleasure I understand by your favor of April 10th, that you continue to enjoy so good a share of health. I hope it will long continue. And, although it may not now be suitable for you to make such wide excursions as heretofore, you may yet be very useful to your country and to mankind, if you sit down quietly at home, digest the knowledge you have acquired, and compile and publish the many observations you have made, and point out the advan tages that may be drawn from the whole, in public undertakings or particular private practice. It is true, many people are fond of accounts of old buildings, and monuments; but there is a number, who would be much better pleased with such accounts as you could afford them. And, for one, I confess, that if I could find in any Italian travels a receipt for making Parmesan cheese, it would give me more satisfaction than a transcript of any inscription from any old stone whatever. I suppose Mr. Michael Collinson, or Dr. Fothergill, has written to you what may be necessary for your information relating to your affairs here. I imagine there is no doubt but the King's bounty to you will be continued; and that it will be proper for you to continue sending now and then a few such curious seeds, as you can procure, to keep up your claim. And now I mention seeds, I wish you would send me a few of such as are least common, to the value of a guinea, which Mr. Foxcroft will pay you for me. They are for a particular friend, who is very curious. If in any thing I can serve you here, command freely. Your affectionate friend, B. FRANKLIN. TO JAMES BOWDOIN. London, 13 July, 1769. DEAR SIR, I am honored with yours of May 10th, and agree with you perfectly in your sentiments of public affairs. Government here seems now to be growing more moderate with regard to America, and I am persuaded, that, by a steady, prudent conduct, we shall finally obtain all our important points, and establish American |