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into a volume of eloquence, like Buffon's, or an infinite array of paragraphs and observations like those of Parkinson or Dr. Hutton."

Returning to the subject of the disputed suppression, there are other facts which may perhaps aid in the formation of a reasonable conclusion. Before the materials were prepared for an edition in Philadelphia, in 1815, the editor addressed many of Dr. Franklin's contemporaries, in general or special terms, soliciting any matter adapted to the purpose; among whom was Mr. Jefferson, who often spoke of a suppression in England; an intimation some years before from the late B. F. Bache, that he had made three several copies of certain political transactions, which would make some noise whenever published. In consequence, a communication was made through a third person, in substance as follows:

"Being on my way to Congress, which then sat in New York, I could not but call on my venerable friend :-I found him confined to his bed; he thrust his hand from under the bedclothes-which struck me from its presenting the resemblance rather as an anatomical preparation, of mere bones and skin: he entered into conversation with the vivacity of health; and after we had touched every topic he had thought fit to suggest, I was about to take my leave. 'Stop,' said the doctor, I have something to give you; you shall see that I have not been idle, much as I have suffered.' He called one of his grandsons, William, whom he directed to go into the library, and from a shelf described where he would find three folio stitched books, bring him one of them. The book was brought, and he said, 'Take that, it was intended for you.' To avoid interrupting our conversation, I placed the book in my bosom, buttoning my coat over it; and our conversation continued some time being about to retire, he repeated, Take care of that book: it is for you and for posterity.'-I took my leave-it was the last time! Soon after, while I was yet in New York, my venerable friend died. An advertisement appeared in the public prints, calling upon all persons who possessed papers, books, or manuscripts of the deceased to return them to the legatee.

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"Apprehending that the manuscript presented to me might be among the objects sought, I inconsiderately, and without taking a copy, sent it to Mr. T. Franklin, who on receiving from the gentleman by whom I sent it, said, Hah! this is the very thing I wanted.' Reflecting afterwards on the subject, the importance of the matter, and the expression, it was intended for you,' I have never ceased to regret that my eagerness to do justice to the wishes of my venerable friend, by returning the manuscript, had precipitated me to do what appears to have been hist purpose to prevent by placing the manuscript in my hands."

Such is the information derived from Mr. Jefferson, which he is known to have repeated to many others of his friends. Conversing with the late Benj. F. Bache, the doctor's grandson, on the subject of the memoirs published by Dr. Steuber, he casually said there were some transactions which were yet to appear, which would excite great attention when Temple should publish his grandfather's papers; he had himself made three copies of a very important writing, one of which he had been told was intended for himself; but, said he, "Temple tells me he possesses them all." Being asked if the subject was proper to be mentioned, he replied, No! I expected to have had some concern in the publication myself, but he whose right it was to decide has disposed of them otherwise; he considered Temple so ill requited by the government for his laborious services abroad, that as a small com

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pensation, he bestowed the whole on him-his wishes were always sacred with me-my lips are sealed."

Upon the receipt of Mr. Jefferson's statement, the editor of the Philadelphia edition, who had been previously in occasional correspondence with governor Franklin, then residing in London, communicated to him the preceding information, and enclosing a duplicate for Mr. T. Franklin, then in Paris. From the governor a most feeling and manly letter was received; but although at a subsequent period a correspondence on the contemporaneous publication at London and Philadelphia took place, no notice whatever was taken by Mr. T. Franklin of the communication, though made with the most friendly purpose.

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"What the suppressed manuscript contained," says the editor of a London edition, that should have excited the jealousy of the government, we are unable to affirm, but from the conspicuous part acted by the author in the American revolution, and the wars connected with it, it is by no means difficult to guess; and of this we are sure from his character, that no disposition of his writings could have been more contrary to his intentions or wishes."

These observations, indicating an acquaintance with the character and history of Franklin, are such as the circumstances warrant. Indeed, on comparing the facts here developed, and looking to the writings published, the matter offered by W. T. Franklin falls infinitely short of a vindication. The only article in the edition, given by him as complete, which is new or interesting, is the social intercourse and correspondence brought about between Mrs. Howe, the sister of Earl Howe, with the doctor; and in that, nothing is to be found sufficient to induce or require a suppression: it is very interesting indeed, and honourable to all the parties, but involving, in its publication, nothing implicating any one. The contents of the stitched book does not appear, nor is it accounted for in the ostensible vindication; it is suppressed; and unless some future Walpole, Dalrymple, or Doddington shall draw it forth from the British archives, it is not probable that it will ever appear.

In the same edition, published by Johnson, London, the editor notices what he considers as Franklin's probationary political essay, admired for its principles, its boldness, and its success; yet it was the fruit of much previous discipline in composition, and was followed by many others of more comprehensive application. The occasion of its production had been before noticed by Dr. Wm. Smith, in his eulogium pronounced before the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia in these words: "In 1744, a Spanish privateer, having entered the Delaware, ascended as far as Newcastle, to the great terror of the citizens of Philadelphia. On this occasion, Franklin wrote his first political pamphlet, called PLAIN TRUTH, exhorting his fellow-citizens to the bearing of arms; which laid the foundation of those military associations which have ever since followed for the defence of the country." The effect of this pamphlet was prodigious. A public meeting was held in the meeting-house, where Whitfield had preached, and Franklin being called upon for his plan, produced it; twelve hundred signatures were at once obtained, and the author was requested to take the appointment of colonel, which he modestly declined, recommending Mr. Lawrence as better qualified, and the recommendation was adopted.

But although on this occasion he declined military command, he accepted it a few years after. Just before the defeat at Fort du Quesne had reached Philadel

phia, some citizens had proposed to raise a subscription for the purpose of exhibiting fireworks on the expected reduction of that place. "It will be time enough," said Franklin, “to prepare for rejoicing when we know we ought to rejoice." The implied prognostication gave offence, but the advices which came upon the heels of the purpose too well justified his sagacity; and he resolved to arouse the people to a new energy. A numerous volunteer association was formed; the assembly appropriated £60,000 to defray the expenses, and the proprietary added £5000 more; the governor invested Franklin with ample military powers, and the rank of colonel; his son, afterwards governor of Jersey, who had been an officer in the previous Canada war, became his aid-de-camp. Though there was no invasion by a foreign enemy, the Indians, at that period, very much harassed the frontier settlers, and in 1755, he marched in command of a detachment to Gnadenhutten, a Moravian settlement, where his faculties were called upon to establish discipline, and protect the frontiers against a crafty enemy. Here we find the future sage unfolding faculties which have not been noticed by any of his biographers, nor ever noted as of moment by himself. The facts are few, and the scene of action very limited, but such as it was, we find him at the moment of his appointment calling upon the resources of his own mind, to supply what previous inexperience and the novelty of his position required. The few facts here referred to are found in his own handwriting.

We find the following notes made immediately upon his appointment to the command:

"Considerations to be taken :

"What number of men?

"Should the post be fortified, and in what manner?

"How long to be continued there?

"Could they not be partly employed in raising their own provisions? "Could they have some lots of land assigned them for their encouragement? "What their pay? and from what funds?

"How much the annual expense ?

"Is it certain that the late method of giving rewards for apprehending rioters will be effectual?

"To whom does the land belong?"

The commissioners to whom the charge of conducting the affairs with the Indians was intrusted, at this period, were, the well known in Pennsylvania history, Conrad Wifer, with Jonas Seely, and James Reed, Esqs., to whom the following letter was addressed :

B. Franklin to James Reed, Esq.

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Philadelphia, Nov. 2, 1755,—5 o'clock P. M. "DEAR SIR,-I have your letter per Mr. Sea, and one just now by express. I am glad to hear the arms are well got up: they are the best that we could procure. I wish they were better; but they are well fortified, will bear a good charge, and I should imagine they would do good service with swan or buck-shot, if not so fit for single ball. I have been ill these eight days, confined to my room and bed most of the time, but am now getting better. I have however done what I could in sending about to purchase arms, &c. for the supply of the frontiers, and can now spare you fifty more, which I shall send up to-morrow

with some flints, lead, swan-shot, and a barrel of gunpowder. The arms will be under your care and Mr. Wiser's, you being gentlemen in commission from the governor. Keep an account whose hands you put them into: let them be prudent, sober, careful men, such as will not rashly hurt our friends with them, and such as will honestly return them when peace shall be happily restored. I sincerely commiserate the distress of your outsettlers. The assembly sit to-morrow, and there is no room to doubt of their hearty endeavours to do every thing necessary for the country's safety. I wish the same disposition may be found in the governor, and I hope it. I have put off my journey to Virginia, and you may depend on my best services for the common welfare, so far as my little influence extends.

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"I am your affectionate kinsman and humble servant,

66 B. FRANKLIN.

My best respects to Mr. Wiser; 900 arms with ammunition have been sent up by the Committee of Assembly, to different parts of the frontier."

This correspondence shows, that the Indians were not as docile and attached to the white people as is commonly supposed. The settlements were for many years unsafe on the frontier, and so continued down to the revolution.

B. Franklin to Messrs. Wiser, &c.

"EASTON, Dec. 30th, 1775.

"GENTLEMEN-We are just on the point of setting out for Bethlehem, in our way to Reading, where we propose to be (God willing) on Thursday evening. The commissioners are all well, and thank you for the concern you express for their welfare. We hope to have the pleasure of finding you well. No news this way, except that Aaron Dupuis's barn was burnt last week, the Indians still keeping near those parts.

"In haste, gentlemen, your humble servant,

"Messrs. Wiser, Seely, and Read.

"B. FRANKLIN.

"INSTRUCTIONS.

"Monday morning, 10 o'clock.

"The fifty arms now sent are all furnished with staples for sling straps, that if the governor should order a troop or company of rangers on horseback, the pieces may be slung at the horseman's back.

"If dogs are carried out with any party, they should be large, strong, and fierce; and every dog led in a slip string, to prevent their tiring themselves by running out and in, and discovering the party by barking at squirrels, &c. Only when the party come near thick woods and suspicious places, they should turn out a dog or two to search them. In case of meeting a party of the enemy, the dogs are all then to be turned loose and set on. They will be fresher and finer for having been previously confined, and will confound the enemy a good deal, and be very serviceable. This was the Spanish method of guarding their marches.

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"A party on the scout should observe several rules to avoid being tracked and surprised in their encampments at night. This may be done sometimes when they come to a creek or run, by entering the run and travelling up the stream or

down the stream, in the water, a mile or two, and then encamp, the stream effacing the track, and the enemy at a loss to know whether the party went up or down. Suppose a party marching from A intends to halt at B, they do not go straight to B and stop there, but pass by at some little distance, and make a turn which brings them thither. Between B and C two or three sentinels are placed to watch the track, and give immediate notice at B, if they perceive any party pass by in pursuit, with an account of the number, &c., which enables the party of B to prepare and attack them if they judge that proper, or gives them time to escape. But I add no more of this kind, recollecting that Mr. Wiser must be much better acquainted with all these things than I am.

66 Yours, &c.

"Would it not be better for the people in each district, township, or neighbourhood, to collect their families, stock, grain, and fodder, in some proper place in the neighbourhood, and make a stockaded enclosure, and remain there during the winter. I say, would not this be better than leaving every thing to be destroyed by the Indians, and coming down into the thicker settlements to beg for subsistence? .

"You are to dispose of the arms for the best defence of the people, where they are most wanted, and with the governor's approbation. Half-past 12 P. M.”

B. Franklin to Samuel Rhoads.

"FORT ALLEN, Jan. 26, 1756.

"DEAR FRIEND-I am extremely obliged by your kind concern expressed for my safety and welfare. We marched hither with the greatest caution, through some passes in the mountains that were very dangerous, if the enemy had opposed, and we had been careless. Hitherto God has blessed and preserved us. We have built one pretty strong fort, and by the end of next week, or in ten days, hope to finish two more, one on each side of this, and at fifteen miles distance. These, I suppose, will complete the projected line from Delaware to the Susquehanna. I then purpose, God willing, to return homewards, and enjoy the pleasures I promise myself, of finding my friends well. Till then adieu.

Yours affectionately,

"My love to all the Wrights."

B. FRANKLIN.

These prefatory notices are intended to elucidate the history and unfold the character of the American patriarch, as well as to bring new facts into view, and to combat prejudices which have prevailed in a most extraordinary manner, not only against his philosophical but his moral reputation; they are necessarily desultory, and without disregarding the order of time, are still governed more by subject than date. The controversies which arose between the proprietary government and the assembly, in the colonial period, had involved Franklin in the censure which opposing parties always bestow on each other; there his moderation and good temper had always neutralized; where, as may be seen in the appendix to his History of Pennsylvania, his talents and reputation caused him to be sent as agent of Pennsylvania near the British court. His conduct in England is exemplified throughout by sagacity, intelligence, and prudence, blended with courage of a rare kind; the confidence of the Earl of Chatham counterpoised the

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