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tory explanation of this appearance has, we believe, ever been given.

Dr. Franklin received the thanks of the assembly of Pennsylvania, "as well for the faithful discharge of his duty to that provincé in particular, as for the many and important services done to America in general, during his residence in Great Britain." A compensation of 50001. Pennsylvania currency, was also decreed him for his services during six years.

During his absence he had been annually elected member of the assembly. On his return to Pennsylvania he again took his seat in this body, and continued a steady defender of the liberties of the people.

In December 1762, a circumstance which caused great alarm in the province took place. A number of Indians had resided in the county of Lancaster, and conducted themselves uniformly as friends to the white inhabitants. Repeated depredations on the frontiers had exasperated the inhabitants to such a degree, that they determined on revenge upon every Indian. A number of persons, to the amount of 120, principally inhabitants of Donnegal and Peckstang or Paxton townships, in the county of York, assembled; and, mounted on horseback, proceeded to the settlement of these harmless and defenceless Indians, whose number had now reduced to about twenty. The Indians received intelligence of the attack which was intended against them, but disbelieved it. Considering the white people as their frends, they apprehended no danger from them. When the party arrived at the Indian settlement, they found only some women and children, and a few old men, the rest being absent at work. They murdered all whom they found, and amongst others the Shahaes, who had been al ways distinguished for his friendship to the whites

This bloody deed excited much indignation to the well-disposed part of the community.

The remainder of these unfortunate Indians, who, by absence, had escaped the massacre, were cònducted to Lancaster, and lodged in the gaol, as a place of security. The governor issued a procla mation expressing the strongest disapprobation of the action, offering a reward for the discovery of the perpetrators of the deed, and prohibiting all injuries to the peaceable Indians in future. But, notwithstanding this, a party of the same men shortly after marched to Lancaster, broke open the gaol, and inhumanely butchered the innocent Indians who had been placed there for security. Another proclamation was issued but had no effect. A detachment marched down to Philadelphia, for the express purpose of murdering some friendly Indi ans, who had been removed to this city for safety. A number of the citizens armed in their defence. The Quakers, whose principles were opposed to fighting, even in their own defence, were most active upon this occasion. The rioters came to Germantown. The governor fled for safety to the house of Dr. Franklin, who, with some others, advanced to meet the Paxton boys, as they were calle ed, and had influence enough to prevail upon them to relinquish their undertaking, and return to their homes.

The disputes between the proprietaries and the assembly, which, for a time, had subsided, were again revived. The proprietaries were dissatisfied with the concessions made in favor of the people, and made great struggles to recover the privilege of exempting their estates from taxation, which they had been induced to give up.

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In 1763, the assembly passed a militia bill, to which the governor refused to give his assent, unless the assembly would agree to certain amend. ments which he proposed. These consisted in increasing the fines, and, in some cases, substituting death for fines. He wished too that the officers should be appointed altogether by himself, and not be nominated by the people, as the bill had propos ed. These amendments the assembly considered as inconsistent with the spirit of liberty. They wold not adopt them; the governor was obstinate, and the bill was lost.

These, and various other circumstances, increas ed the uneasiness which subsisted between the proprietaries and the assembly, to such a degree, that in 1764, a petition to the king was agreed to by the house, praying an alteration from a proprietary to a regal government. Great opposition was made to this measure, not only in the house but in the pub❤ lic prints. A speech of Mr. Dickenson, on the subjrct, was published with a preface by Dr. Smith, in which great pains were taken to shew the impropri ety and impolicy of this proceeding. A speech of Mr. Galloway, in reply to Mr. Dickenson, was published, accompanied with a preface by Dr. Franklin; in which he ably opposed the principles laid down in the preface to Mr. Dickenson's speech. This application to the throne produced no effect. The proprietary government was still continued..

At the election for a new assembly, in the fall of 1764, the friend's of the proprietaries made great exertions to exclude those of the adverse party and obtained a small majority in the city of Philadelphia. Franklin now lost his seat in the house, which he had held for fourteen years. On the meeting of the assembly, it appeared that there was still a de

admission upon the minutes, as being unprecede ed. It was, however, published in the papers, a produced a spirited reply from him, just before departure for England.

The disturbances produced in America by M Grenville's stamp-act, and the opposition made to are well known. Under the marquis of Rockin ham's administration, it appeared expedient to deavor to calm the minds of the colonists; and repeal of the odious tax was contemplated. mongst other means of collecting information the disposition of the people to submit to it, I Franklin was called to the bar of the house of co mons. The examination which he here underw was published, and contains a striking proof of extent and accuracy of his information, and the cility with which he communicated his sentimen He represented facts in so strong a point of vie that the inexpediency of the act must have appe ed clear to every unprejudiced mind. The act, ter some opposition, was repealed, about a year ter it was enacted, and before it had ever been c ried into execution.

In the year 1766, he made a visit to Holland a Germany, and received the greatest marks of atte tention from men of science. In his passage throu Holland, he learned from the watermen the eff which a diminution of the quantity of water in nals has, in impeding the progress of boats. Up his return to England, he was led to make a nu ber of experiments; all of which tended to co firm the observation. These, with an explanati

he following year he travelled into France, he met with a no less favorable reception had experienced in Germany. He was ined to a number of literary characters, and to g, Louis XV.

ral letters written by Hutchinson, Oliver,
mers, to persons in eminent stations in Great
, came into the hands of Dr. Franklin.

se contained the most violent invectives a
he leading characters of the state of Massa-
s, and strenuously advised the prosecution of
is measures, to compel the people to obedi
the measures of the ministry. These he
itted to the legislature, by whom they were
ed. Attested copies were sent to G. Britain,
n address, praying the king to discharge
fice persons who had rendered themselves so
ous to the people, and who had shewn them.
so unfriendly to their interests. The publi
of these letters produced a duel between Mr.
y and Mr. Temple; each of whom was sus
of having been instrumental in procuring
To prevent any further disputes on this sub
r. Franklin, in one of the public papers, de
hat he had sent them to America, but would
O information concerning the manner in
ne had obtained them, nor was this ever dis-

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tly after, the petition of the Massachusetts ly was taken up for examination, before the Duncil. Dr. Franklin attended as agent for embly; and here a torrent of the most viounwarranted abuse was poured upon him

petition atious, and th Although repealed the ciple of expe right to tax the stamp-a claring the

in all cases even by th act; and, a

was never

flattered th

were not Had this dormant nished t

they had

own asse the secr pursued towards the disa restrai the be interes

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