Septentrionalem Præfectus Generalis et Veredariorum totius Novæ Angliæ, et R.S.S. cr. D.C.L. Apr. 30, 1762.

FRANKLIN, (WILL.) Esq. Juris Municip. Consult. cr. M.A. Apr. 30, 1762.

Most of the other learned societies of Europe were equally ambitious of calling him a member, and nominated him as such; thus he was eventually consoled and rewarded for the neglect or opposition his discoveries in philosophy had originally experienced.

Soon after this period, a vacancy in the government of New Jersey having occurred, Dr. Franklin's son, without any solicitation whatever on the part of his father, but from his own personal merits, and in consideration of his military services in America during the last war, (backed by the powerful recommendation of Lord Bute,) was appointed governor of that province.

Governor Franklin filled this high and honorable situation with equal credit to himself, and advantage to the province, till the commencement of the American revolution; when, unlike most of the governors of the other provinces at that eventful period, he remained undismayed at his post, till he was seized by the revolutionary government, conveyed to a distant part of the country, and rigorously detained as a prisoner for near two years, when he was eventually liberated in 1778, in exchange for an American general officer. His loy

alty and monarchical principles remained undiminished to his death, in 1813.

It has been frequently asserted, that Dr. Franklin held out every temptation and inducement to his son to quit his allegiance to his sovereign, and to take part with the colonies against Great Britain. This was not so: Dr. Franklin made no attempt of the sort, whatever may have been his secret wishes on that subject. In a letter to his son of Oct. 6, 1773,' he says: "I know your sentiments differ from mine on these subjects. You are a thorough government man, which I do not wonder at, nor do I aim at converting you. I only wish you to act uprightly and steadily, avoiding that duplicity which in Hutchinson adds contempt to indignation. If you can promote the prosperity of your people, and leave them happier than you found them, whatever your political principles are, your memory will be honored."

During the whole of the American contest, Dr. Franklin never had any communication whatever with his son, either directly or indirectly: but at the close of the war, in answer to an overture from him towards a reconciliaton, the father thus feelingly expressed his sentiments on his son's late political conduct.

'See "Private Correspondence," p. 197. 4to. ed. and p. 394. vol. i. 8vo. ed.

"Dear Son,

Passy, Aug. 16, 1784.

"I received your letter of the 22d ult. and am glad to find that you desire to revive the affectionate intercourse that formerly existed between us. It will be very agreeable to me: indeed nothing has ever hurt me so much, and affected me with such keen sensations, as to find myself deserted in my old age by my only son; and not only deserted, but to find him taking up arms' against me in a cause, wherein my good fame, fortune, and life, were all at stake. You conceived, you say, that your duty to your king and regard for your country required this. I ought not to blame you for differing in sentiment with me in public affairs. We are men-all subject to errors. opinions are not in our own power; they are formed and governed much by circumstances, that are often as inexplicable as they are irresistible. Your situation was such, that few would have censured your remaining neuter, though there are natural duties which precede political ones, and cannot be extinguished by them. This is a disagreeable subject; I drop it. And we will endeavor, as you propose, mutually to forget what has happened relating to it, as well as we can. I send your son over to pay his duty to you. You will find him much im

Our

1 Governor Franklin (it is believed) formed and commanded the corps of loyalists at New York.

proved. He is greatly esteemed and beloved in this country, and will make his way anywhere," &c. In the summer of 1762 Dr. Franklin returned to Philadelphia, and shortly after received the thanks of the assembly of Pennsylvania, " as well for the faithful discharge of his duty to that province in particular, as for the many and important services done to America in general, during his residence in Great Britain." A compensation of 5,000l. Pennsylvania currency, was also decreed him for his services during six years. Even in his absence he had been annually elected a member of the assembly of representatives of the province, and he again took his seat in that body, and continued his exertions for the liberties and welfare of the country.

In December, 1762, considerable alarm was occasioned in the province, by what was called the Paxton murders. It is thus related: "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 about 120, principally inhabitants of Donegal and Peckstang, or Paxton township, in the county of York, assembled, and, mounted on horseback, proceeded to the settlement of these harmless and defenceless Indians, whose number had now been reduced to about twenty. The

Indians had received intelligence of the attack which was intended against them, but disbelieved it: considering the white people as their friends, 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 chief Shaheas, who had always been distinguished for his friendship to the whites. This bloody deed excited much indignation in the welldisposed part of the community.

"The remainder of these unfortunate Indians, who by absence had escaped the massacre, were conducted to Lancaster, and lodged in the gaol as a place of security. The governor of Pennsylvania issued a proclamation 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 inhabitants in future. But notwithstanding this, a party of the same men shortly after marched to Lancaster, broke open the gaol, and inhumanly butchered the innocent Indians who had been placed there for security. Another proclamation was issued, but it had no effect. A detachment marched down. to Philadelphia, for the express purpose of murdering some friendly Indians who had been removed to the city for safety. A number of the citizens armed in their defence. The Quakers, whose