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liberty on a clearer and firmer foundation. The folly of the late measures begins to be seen and understood at court; their promoters grow out of credit, and the trading part of the nation, with the manufacturers, are become sensible how necessary it is for their welfare to be on good terms with us. The petitioners of Middlesex and of London have numbered among their grievances the unconstitutional taxes on America, and similar petitions are expected from all quarters. So that I think we need only be quiet, and persevere in our schemes of frugality and industry, and the rest will do itself.

Your governor is recalled, and it is said the commissioners will follow soon, or be new modelled with some more men of discretion among them. I am just setting out on a journey of five or six weeks, and have now only time to add, that I am, with the greatest esteem and regard, dear Sir, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

FROM SAMUEL COOPER TO B. FRANKLIN.

Non-importation Agreement adhered to.- Progress of Manufactures in Massachusetts.

DEAR SIR,

Boston, 3 August, 1769.

I am now to acknowledge the repeated favors of your letters, with the notes of Mr. Pownall's speech in Parliament, the arguments on the Dissenting cause, and the political pamphlet, in which you have given me no small entertainment. I could not forbear communicating what you wrote to some particular friends,

Sir Francis Bernard, Governor of Massachusetts. He embarked nt Boston on the 1st of August.

Commissioners of the Customs in Boston.

to whom I knew it would give great pleasure, and to allow some extracts to be circulated among the merchants, which were of great service in confirming their present truly public spirit, though I did not think myself at liberty to give the sanction of your name.

I am persuaded, that the prudent and legal measure of non-importation would have had an earlier and greater effect, but for the hopes given to administration from this side of the water, that it would not be adhered to. These steps have hitherto been delusive; the agreement is still persisted in with great spirit; and the vague, indeterminate promise of a kind of repeal, which is generally regarded here as a design to divide us, and break this salutary measure, has, as you will see by the papers, only served to strengthen and support it. In the mean time, industry and manufactures are daily increasing among us; many, even in our trading towns, are fond of being clad in homespun, and, in the country, people are ambitious to fabricate for themselves what they formerly bought from the shops.

Britain is not sensible what she has already lost by the late impolitic and severe measures. Those, that take only a superficial view of things, imagine the country is safe, because they do not see large quantities of American manufactures stand for sale. They do not consider how greatly the demand for British goods is diminished, through the industry of families privately supplying themselves, from what this demand would have been from our increasing numbers, had mild and prudent methods been pursued. I can however give a striking instance, that may be depended on, of a manufacture, that was almost wholly imported, and now furnishes no inconsiderable article of our exportation. The single town of Lynn makes yearly

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not less than eighty thousand pairs of women's shoes, better and cheaper than any that we can import, and not only supplies the maritime towns around it with this article, but sends large quantities of it to the southern colonies and the West Indies. I could not believe this, till, upon particular inquiry, I found it to be undoubtedly true.

What you predicted in your letter is already in part verified. The greater part of the military has lately been withdrawn from this town, and it is said the remainder will not tarry long among us. What ground there is for this, and whether any effectual measures will be taken to remove the ground of our uneasiness, and reduce things to their old channel, time will discover. I doubt, from what is past, whether there is yet wisdom and moderation enough in the British councils to produce an event so happy to both countries.

This letter will be delivered to you by Mr. William Gray, a young gentleman, who goes to London for the prosecution of medical studies. He is of a reputable family among us. His father was a worthy clergyman of this town; one of his uncles is of the first character among our merchants, and another the treasurer of the province; and the young gentleman himself has acquired a good reputation. I am told you design to return to America this year. Nothing could give greater pleasure to me to see you again in Boston.

and many friends, than I am, my dear Sir, &c.

SAMUEL COOPER.

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Welcome to England! my dear, my honored friend. Just as I began a letter to my mother, I received the news of your arrival.* I have the same confidence in my parent, that the Esquimaux woman had in hers; for, if my mother did not know "I always speak truth," I could not venture to say what she might be apt to doubt. I confess she has some reason to complain of me; I must not complain of her; I have written to her but once since I came hither, and she A blank will conclude that sentence. I have had the satisfaction to hear of her by several of my correspondents. I hope you will intercede for me, that I may not be severely rebuked. Indeed, my expedition has afforded me so little entertainment, that I could not have given her any by my letters, and I know she is not so well affected to the government, as to wish to increase the revenue without some advantage to herself. She is a very good subject, notwithstanding; and a faithful disciple of yours in all points, but that of tribute. There her daughter exceeds her; for, convinced by your arguments, I turn a deaf ear to all the invitations to smuggling, and in such a place as this, it is well to have one's honesty guarded.

As I have cast a censure upon the inhabitants of this place, I must, for the honor of my landlord and his family, tell you, that they condemn and avoid those illicit practices, which are too common here. Indeed

Dr. Franklin had recently made a tour on the continent.

the exemplary conduct of these good people would make me join their sect, if reason would qualify me for it; but they are happily got into the flights of enthusiasm, which I cannot reach. They are certainly the happiest people, and I should be glad to be like them; but my reason will not suffer me, and my heart prevents my playing the hypocrite; so your Polly must remain as she is, neither in the world, nor out of it. How strangely I let my pen run on to a philosopher! But that philosopher is my friend, and I may write what I please to him.

discreet age of

I met with a very sensible physician yesterday, who prescribes abstinence for the cure of consumptions. He must be clever, because he thinks as we do. I would not have you or my mother surprised, if I should run off with this young man. To be sure it would be an imprudent step, at the thirty; but there is no saying what one should do, if solicited by a man of an insinuating address and good person, though he may be too young for one, and not yet established in his profession. He engaged me so deeply in conversation, and I was so much pleased with him, that I thought it necessary to give you warning, though I assure you he has made no proposal.*

How I rattle! This flight must be owing to this new acquaintance, or to the joy of hearing my old one is returned to this country. I know which I attribute it to, for I can tell when my spirits were enlivened; but you may think as you please, if you will believe me to be, dear Sir, your truly affectionate humble servant, MARY STEVENSON.

* This same young physician was probably Mr. Hewson, to whom she was married the year following.

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