ing found the company gone, and the ship under sail.

*

Nothing material occurred during the passage: Dr. Franklin occupied himself, as in former voyages, in ascertaining daily the temperature of the sea water by the thermometer; and he wrote a very interesting and useful paper on " Improvements in Navigation," which he addressed to Mons. Alphonse Le Roy, at Paris. It was afterwards read in the American Philosophical Society, Dec. 3, 1785, and will be found among his philosophical writings.

The foregoing little journal concludes thus:

Tuesday, Sept. 13. The wind springing fair last evening after a calm, we found ourselves this morning, at sun-rising, abreast of the light-house, and between Capes May and Henlopen. We sail into the bay very pleasantly; water smooth, air cool, day fair and fine.

We passed Newcastle about sun-set, and went on near to Redbank before the tide and wind failed, then came to an anchor.

Wednesday, Sept. 14. With the flood in the morning came a light breeze, which brought us above Gloucester Point, in full view of dear Philadelphia! when we again cast anchor to wait for the

health officer, who, having made his visit, and finding no sickness, gave us leave to land. My son-inlaw came with a boat for us; we landed at MarketStreet wharf, where we were received by a crowd of people with huzzas, and accompanied with acclamations quite to my door. Found my family well.

God be praised and thanked for all his mercies!

END OF PART IV.

PART V.

THE arrival of Dr. Franklin in Philadelphia is thus accurately related by one of his historians: "He was received amidst the acclamations of an immense number of the inhabitants, who flocked from all parts in order to see him, and conducted him in triumph to his own house. In the mean time, the cannon and the bells of the city announced the glad tidings to the neighboring country; and he was waited upon by the congress, the university, and all the principal citizens, who were eager to testify their esteem and veneration for his character." Another writer thus enthusiastically notices his

return:

"His entry into Philadelphia resembled a triumph; and he traversed the streets of that capital amidst the benedictions of a free and grateful people, who had not forgotten his services.

"The warriors who had shed their blood for an independence, insured by means of his sagacity, were eager to exhibit to him their glorious wounds. He was surrounded by old men, who had petitioned Heaven to live long enough to behold his return;

and by a new generation eager to survey the features of a great man, whose talents, whose services, and whose virtues, had excited in their hearts the first raptures of enthusiasm. Having advanced from a port, henceforth open to all nations, to a city, the model of all future capitals, he beheld the public school which he had founded,-in a state of splendor; and saw the hospital, the establishment of which had been one of his first services, and the increase of which was owing to his foresight,-now fully commensurate to all his wishes: the latter by solacing suffering humanity; the former by aiding the progress of reason. He then turned his eyes towards the neighboring country, embellished by liberty, in which, in the midst of public prosperity, were still to be seen some vestiges of the ravages of the English; but these only served by their contrast to endear still more the pleasures arising from peace-and victory!"

The following are some of the numerous congratulatory addresses presented to Dr. Franklin on his return;

To the Hon. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esq. LL. D. &c.

The representatives of the freemen of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in general assembly met, in the nost affectionate manner congratulate you on your safe arrival in your country, after so long an absence on the most important business. We likewise congratulate you on the firm establishment of the independence of America, and the settlement of

VOL. II,

M

a general peace, after the interesting struggle in which we were so long engaged.

We are confident, sir, that we speak the sentiments of this whole country, when we say, that your services, in the public councils and negotiations, have not only merited the thanks of the present generation, but will be recorded in the pages of history, to your immortal honor. And it is particularly pleasing to us, that, while we are sitting as members of the assembly of Pennsylvania, we have the happiness of welcoming into the state, a person who was so greatly instrumental in forming its free constitution.

May it please God to give you a serene and peaceful enjoyment of the evening of life, and a participation of that happiness you have been so instrumental in securing to others! Signed, by order of the House, JOHN BAYARD, Speaker.

Assembly Chambers, Sept. 15, 1785.

DR. FRANKLIN'S REPLY.

MR. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN,

I am extremely happy to find by your friendly and affectionate address, that my endeavors to serve our country in the late important struggle, have met with the approbation of so respectable a body as the representatives of the freemen of Pennsylvania. I esteem that approbation as one of the greatest honors of my life. I hope the peace with which God has been graciously pleased to bless us may be lasting, and that the free constitution we now enjoy, may long contribute to promote our common felicity. The kind wishes of the general assembly for my particular happiness affect me very sensibly, and I beg they would accept my thankful acknowledgments.