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Parliament of England had a right to govern Scotland. A formal union was thought necessary, and England was a hundred years soliciting it, before she could bring it about. If Great Britain now thinks such a union necessary with us, let her propose her terms, and we may consider them. Were the general sentiments of this nation to be consulted in the case, I should hope the terms, whether practicable or not, would at least be equitable; for I think, that, except among those with whom the spirit of Toryism prevails, the popular inclination here is, to wish us well, and that we may preserve our liberties.

T

I unbosom myself thus to you, in confidence of your prudence, and wishing to have your sentiments on the subject in return.

Mr. Pownall, I suppose, will acquaint you with the event of his motions, and therefore I say nothing more of them, than that he appears very sincere in his endeavours to serve us; on which account, I some time since republished with pleasure the parting addresses to him of your Assembly, with some previous remarks to his honor, as well as in justification of our people.

I hope, that before this time those detestable murderers have quitted your province, and that the spirit of industry and frugality continues and increases. With sincerest esteem and affection, I am, dear Sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

P. S. Just before the last session of Parliament commenced, a friend of mine, who had connexion with some of the ministry, wrote me a letter purposely to draw from me my sentiments in writing on the then state of affairs. I wrote a pretty free answer, which I know was immediately communicated, and a good

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deal handed about among them. For your private amusement I send you copies. I wish you may be able to read them, as they are very badly written by a very blundering clerk.*

TO SAMUEL FRANKLIN.

LOVING COUSIN,

London, 8 June, 1770.

I received your kind letter of the 23d of March. I was happy to find that neither you, nor any of your family, were in the way of those murderers. I hope that before this time the town is quite freed from such dangerous and mischievous inmates.

I rejoice to hear that you and your good wife and children continue in health. My love to them. I still enjoy a considerable share of that blessing, thanks to God, and hope once more to see Boston and my friends there before I die. I left it first in 1723. I made a visit there in 1733; another in 1743; another in 1753; another in 1763. Perhaps if I live to 1773, I may then call again and take my leave.

Our relation, Sally Franklin, is still with me here, is a very good girl, and grown up almost a woman. She sends her love to you and yours. I am, with sincere regard, your affectionate cousin,

B. FRANKLIN.

* These papers were Mr. Strahan's Queries respecting American affairs, and Dr. Franklin's answers to them. See Vol. IV. p. 258.

† Alluding to the tragical scene in the streets of Boston on the 5th of March, commonly called the Massacre, when Captain Preston's troops fired upon the inhabitants, and killed three persons.

TO MRS. DEBORAH FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR CHILD,

London, 10 June, 1770.

I think you are the most punctual of all my correspondents; and it is often a particular satisfaction to me to hear from you, when I have no letter from any one else. By Captain Falconer I answered Sally's letter about her son's being inoculated, and told her Sir John Pringle's opinion, as to the probability of his not having the smallpox hereafter. I think he advised, as no eruption appeared, to make sure of the thing by inoculating him again. I rejoice much in the pleasure you appear to take in him. It must be of use to your health, the having such an amusement. My love to him, and to his father and mother.

Captain Ourry is gone abroad as a travelling tutor to Lord Galway's son; Mrs. Strahan is at Bath; Mr. Strahan and children, Mr. and Mrs. West and their son, are all well at present; though Mr. West himself has had a long illness. They always inquire after you, and I present your compliments. Poor Nanny was drawn in to marry a worthless fellow, who got all her money, and then ran away and left her. So she is returned to her old service with Mrs. Stevenson, poorer than ever, but seems pretty patient, only looks dejected, sighs sometimes, and wishes she had never left Philadelphia. Mr. Montgomery died at sea, as we have lately heard.

As to myself, I had, from Christmas till Easter, a disagreeable giddiness hanging about me, which however did not hinder me from being about and doing business. In the Easter holidays, being at a friend's house in the country, I was taken with a sore throat, and came home half strangled. From Monday till

Friday, I could swallow nothing but barley water and the like. On Friday came on a fit of the gout, from which I had been free five years. Immediately the inflammation and swelling in my throat disappeared; my foot swelled greatly, and I was confined about three weeks; since which I am perfectly well, the giddiness and every other disagreeable symptom having quite left me. I hope your health is likewise by this time quite reëstablished; being as ever, my dear child, your affectionate husband,

B. FRANKLIN.

FROM JOSEPH GALLOWAY TO B. FRANKLIN.

American Paper Money.—Mr. Jackson.

DEAR FRIEND,

Philadelphia, 21 June, 1770.

A number of new engagements, occasioned by the death of Mr. Growdon, which detained me in the country for the most part of several months, prevented my acknowledging the receipt of your favors of January 11th, March 21st, and April 10th. I am much obliged to you for the state of American affairs on your side of the water, contained in yours of March 21st. The ministry are much mistaken in imagining, that there ever will be a union, either of affections or interest, between Great Britain and America, until justice is done to the latter, and there is a full restoration of its liberties. The people here are resolved to adhere to their former non-importation agreement. The people of Boston and Maryland are of the same opinion, until the duty on tea is taken off. The Yorkers and Rhode Islanders seem to be divided among

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themselves, but I think they will soon concur to support the cause of liberty.

I am greatly surprised at the conduct of the administration, in relation to the New York and New Jersey paper money bills. The reasons assigned for their rejection are really ridiculous, and can be accounted for on no other ground, than that they are determined the Americans shall not have any paper medium at all. Is not every promiser in a promissory note obliged to receive his note, every banker to take his bill, and every drawer of a bill of exchange to take it back, if not paid; and yet I never understood that such notes or bills were ever deemed legal tender? When I lend to or deposit with another, one hundred pounds, he gives me paper, or a promissory note for repayment. Is he not obliged to receive his paper and deliver me my deposit? Such is the case of a bank bill, and inland bill of exchange, as well as foreign. And the same is the case with respect to American paper money. A farmer pledges his land to the government, and takes paper. When he comes to redeem his pledge, ought he not to return the paper, and ought not the government to be obliged to receive it in discharge of the land? To say that the statute intended to prevent this, is to say it prohibits all paper money in America. But how is their conduct on this occasion to be reconciled with what has passed heretofore. Several of our late laws for the support of government, and the act for payment of the debts of the House of Employment, were liable to the same objection, and yet they have been laid before the King in Council, and passed unrepealed.

I am much pleased with your information, that Mr. Jackson is appointed counsel to the Board of Trade. From his good disposition towards America, his knowl

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