in completing the personal history you mention.1 It is now brought down to my fiftieth year.2 What is to follow will be of more important transactions: but it seems to me what is done will be of more general use to young readers, exemplifying strongly the effects of prudent and imprudent conduct in the commencement of a life of business."

*

Though Dr. Franklin had every reason to be well satisfied with the reception he met on his return to the United States, from his fellow-citizens; he was by no means so with the general government. This he fully and feelingly expresses in a confidential letter to his particular and worthy friend Charles Thomson, Esq., secretary of congress, of which the following is a copy.

DEAR OLD FRIEND,

Philadelphia, Dec. 29, 1788.

Enclosed I send a letter to the president of congress3 for the time being, which, if you find nothing improper in it, or that in regard to me you could wish changed or amended, I would request you to present. I rely much on your friendly counsel, as you must be better acquainted with persons and circumstances than I am and I suppose there will be time enough before the new congress is formed to make any alterations you may advise, though if presented at all it should be to the old one.

In the copy of my letter to Mr. Barclay you may observe that mention is made of some "considerable articles which I have not charged in my accounts with congress, but on which I should expect from their equity some consideration." That you may have some information what those articles are, I enclose also a "Sketch of my services to the United States," wherein you will find mention of the extra services I performed that do not appertain to the office of plenipotentiary, viz. as judge of admiralty, as consul before the arrival of Mr. Barclay, as banker in examining and accepting the multitude of bills of exchange, and as secretary for several years, none being sent to me, though other ministers were allowed such assistance.

The present Memoirs of his Life.

2 Close of Part II. It is to be lamented the subsequent state of his health did not enable him to continue it further.

3 This letter is missing.

I must own, I did hope that as it is customary in Europe to make some liberal provision for ministers when they return home from foreign service, the congress would at least have been kind enough to have shown their approbation of my conduct by a grant of a small tract of land in their western country, which might have been of use and some honor to my posterity. And I cannot but still think they will do something of the kind for me whenever they shall be pleased to take my services into consideration, as I see by their minutes that they have allowed Mr. Lee handsomely for his services in England, before his appointment to France, in which services I and Mr. Bollan co-operated with him and have had no such allowance: and since his return, he has been very properly rewarded with a good place, as well as my friend Mr. Jay: though these are trifling compensations in comparison with what was granted by the king to M. Gerard on his return from America. But how different is what has happened to me. On my return from England in 1775, the Congress bestowed on me the office of postmaster-general, for which I was very thankful. It was indeed an office I had some kind of right to, as having previously greatly enlarged the revenue of the post by the regulations I had contrived and established, while I possessed it under the crown. When I was sent to France,

ever,

I left it in the hands of my son-in-law, who was to act as my deputy. But soon after my departure it was taken from me and given to Mr. Hazard. When the English ministry formerly thought fit to deprive me of the office, they left me, howthe privilege of receiving and sending my letters free of postage, which is the usage when a postmaster is not displaced for misconduct in the office: but in America, I have ever since had the postage demanded of me, which since my return from France has amounted to above fifty pounds, much of it occasioned by my having acted as minister there.

When I took my grandson, William Temple Franklin, with me to France, I purposed, after giving him the French language, to educate him in the study and practice of the law. But by the repeated expectations given me of a secretary and constant disappointments, I was induced, and indeed obliged, to retain him with me, to assist in the secretary's office, which disappointments continued till my return, by which time, so many years of the opportunity of his studying the law were lost, and his habits of life became so different, that it appeared no longer advisable; and I then considering him as brought up in the diplomatic line, and well qualified by his knowledge in that branch for the employ of a secretary at least (in which opinion I was not alone, for three of my colleagues, without the smallest solicitation from me, chose him secretary of the negotiation for treaties, which they had been

empowered to do) I took the liberty of recommending him to the congress for their protection. This was the only favor I ever asked of them and the only answer I received was, a resolution superceding him, and appointing Colonel Humphreys in his place; a gentleman, who, though he might have indeed a good deal of military merit, certainly had none in the diplomatic line, and had neither the French language, nor the experience, nor the address proper to qualify him for such an employment.

This is all to yourself only, as a private friend: for I have not, nor ever shall, make any public complaint: and even if I could have foreseen such unkind treatment from congress, their refusing me thanks, would not in the least have abated my zeal for the cause, and ardour in support of it. I know something of the nature of such changeable assemblies, and how little successors know of the services that have been rendered to the corps, before their admission, or feel themselves obliged by such services; and what effect in obliterating a sense of them, during the absence of the servant in a distant country, the artful and reiterated malevolent insinuations of one or two envious and malicious persons may have on the minds of members, even of the most equitable, candid and honorable dispositions; and therefore, I will pass these reflections into oblivion.

My good friend, excuse, if you can, the trouble of this letter; and if the reproach. thrown on republics, that they are apt to be ungrateful,1 should ever unfortunately be verified with respect to your services, remember that you have a right to unbo som yourself in communicating your griefs to your ancient friend, and most obedient humble servant,

Charles Thomson, Esq. Secretary to Congress..

B. FRANKLIN.

"Ploravere suis non respondere favorem

Speratum meritis."

Hor. lib. ii. ep. 1.

is applicable not only to the heroes particularly specified, but to the valiant and wise in many ages

and countries.

(Enclosed in the foregoing.)

SKETCH OF THE SERVICES OF B. FRANKLIN TO THE UNITED STATES OF

In England,

AMERICA.

He combated the Stamp Act, and his writings in the papers against it, with his examination in parliament, were thought to have contributed much to its repeal.

He opposed the Duty Act, and though he could not prevent its passing, he obtained of Mr Townsend an omission of several articles, particularly salt.

In the subsequent difference he wrote and published many papers, refuting the claim of parliament, to tax the colonies.

He opposed all the oppressive acts.

1

He had two secret negotiations with the ministers for their repeal, of which he has written a narrative. In this he offered payment for the destroyed tea, at his own risque, in case they were repealed.

He was joined with Messrs. Holland and Lee in all the applications to government for that purpose.—Printed several pamphlets at his own considerable expense against the then measures of government, whereby he rendered himself obnoxious, was disgraced before the privy council,2 deprived of a place in the post office of 300l. sterling a year, and obliged to resign his agencies, viz.

Orders were sent to the king's governors not to sign any warrants on the treasury for the orders of his salaries; and though he was not actually dismissed by the colonies that employed him, yet thinking the known malice of the court against him, rendered him less likely than others to manage their affairs to their advantage, he judged it to be his duty to withdraw from their service, and leave it open for less exceptionable persons, which saved them the necessity of removing him.

Returning to America, he encouraged the Revolution. Was appointed chairman of the committee of safety, where he projected the cheveaux de frize for securing Philadelphia, then the residence of congress.

1 See p.

223 of these Memoirs.

2 See Appendix, No. 7.

Was sent by congress to head-quarters near Boston with Messrs. Harrison and Lynch in 1775, to settle some affairs with the northern governments and General Washington.

In the Spring of 1776, was sent to Canada with Messrs. Chase and Carrol, passing the Lakes while they were not yet free from ice.—In Canada, was with his colleagues instrumental in redressing sundry grievances, and thereby reconciling the people more to our cause. He there advanced to General Arnold and other servants of congress, then in extreme necessity, 353l. in gold out of his own pocket, on the credit of congress, which was of great service at that juncture, in procuring provisions for our army.

Being at the time he was ordered on this service, upwards of seventy years of age, he suffered in his health by the hardships of this journey; lodging in the woods, &c. in so inclement a season; but being recovered, the congress in the same year ordered him to France. Before his departure, he put all the money he could raise, between three and four thousand pounds, into their hands; which demonstrating his confidence, encouraged others to lend their money in support of the cause.

He made no bargain for appointments, but was promised by a vote, the net salary of 500L sterling per annum, his expenses paid, and to be assisted by a secretary, who was to have 1,000l. per annum, to include all contingencies.

When the Pennsylvania assembly sent him to England in 1764 on the same salary, they allowed him one year's advance for his passage, and in consideration of the prejudice to his private affairs that must be occasioned by his sudden departure and absence. He has had no such allowance from congress, was badly accommodated in a miserable vessel, improper for those northern seas, (and which actually foundered in her return) was badly fed, so that on his arrival, he had scarce strength to stand.

His services to the states as commissioner, and afterwards as minister plenipotentiary, are known to congress, as may appear in his correspondence. His extra services may not be so well known, and therefore may be here mentioned. No secretary ever arriving, the business was in part before, and entirely when the other commissioners left him, executed by himself, with the help of his grandson, who at first was only allowed clothes, board and lodging, and afterwards a salary never exceeding 300l. a year (except while he served as secretary to the commissioners for peace) by which difference in salary continued many years the congress saved, if they accept it, 700l. sterling a year.

He served as Consul entirely several years, till the arrival of Mr. Barclay, and even after, as that gentleman was obliged to be much and long absent in Holland, Flanders, and England; during which absence what business of the kind occurred, still came to Mr. F.

He served, though without any special commission for the purpose, as a Judge of Admiralty; for the congress having sent him a quantity of blank commissions for privateers, he granted them to cruizers fitted out in the ports of France, some of them manned by old smugglers, who knew every creek on the coast of England, and running all round the island, distressed the British coasting trade exceedingly, and raised their general insurance. One of those privateers alone, the Black Prince, took in the course of a year 75 sail! All the papers taken in VOL. I. 3 E