the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, That God governs in the affairs of men! And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?-We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings, that " except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe, that without his concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel: we shall be divided by our little partial local interests, our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a by-word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing government by human wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.

I therefore beg leave to move,

That henceforth prayers, imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business; and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service.

[Note by Dr. Franklin.] "The convention, except three or four persons, thought prayers unnecessary!!”

Dr. Franklin's private sentiments with respect to this new constitution, may be gathered from the following extracts from letters he wrote about this time to some of his friends.

To M. Le Feilliard, at Passy.

Philadelphia, Feb. 17th, 1788.

"I SENT you with my last a copy of the new constitution proposed for the United States, by the late general convention. I sent one also to our excellent friend the duke de la Rochefoucault.

I attended the business of the convention faithfully for four months. Inclosed you have the last speech I made in it. Six states have already adopted the constitution, and there is now little doubt of its being accepted by a sufficient number to carry it into execution, if not immediately by the whole. -It has however met with great opposition in some of the

See Vol. V. p. 432, of this Edition.

states; for we are at present a nation of politicians. And though there is a general dread of giving too much power to our governors, I think we are more in danger from the little obedience in the governed."

"It is very possible, as you suppose, that all the articles of the proposed new government will not remain unchanged after the first meeting of congress. I am of opinion with you, that the two chambers were not necessary, and I disliked some other articles that are in, and wished for some that are not in, the proposed plan: I nevertheless hope it may be adopted, though I shall have nothing to do with the execution of it, being determined to quit all public business with my present employment. At 83 one ce tainly has a right to ambition repose."

MY DEAR FRIEND,

To the same.

Philadelphia, June 8, 1788.

I RECEIVED a few days ago your kind letter of the Sd January.

The arrét in favor of the non-catholiques gives pleasure here, not only from its present advantages, but as it is a good step towards general toleration, and to the abolishing in time all party spirit among christians, and the mischiefs that have so long attended it. Thank God, the world is growing wiser and wiser; and as by degrees men are convinced of the folly of wars for religion, for dominion, or for commerce, they will be happier and happier.

Eight states have now agreed to the proposed new constitution; there remain five who have not yet discussed it; their

President of the state of Pennsylvania.

appointed times of meeting not being yet arrived. Two are to meet this month, the rest later. One more agreeing, it will be carried into execution. Probably some will not agree at present, but time may bring them in; so that we have little doubt of its becoming general, perhaps with some corrections. As to your friend's taking a share in the management of it, his age and infirmities render him unfit for the business, as the business would be for him. After the expiration of his presidentship, which will now be in a few months, he is determined to engage no more in public affairs, even if required; but his countrymen will be too reasonable to require it. You are not so considerate; you are an hard task-master. You insist on his writing his life, already a long work, and at the same time would have him continually employed in augmenting the subject, while the time shortens, in which the work is to be executed. General Washington is the man that all our eyes are fixed on for president, and what little influence I may have, is devoted to him.

B. FRANKLIN.

To the Duke de la Rochefoucault.

Philadelphia, Oct. 22, 1788.

OUR public affairs begin to wear a more quiet aspect. The disputes about the faults of the new constitution are subsided. The first congress will probably mend the principal ones, and future congresses the rest. That which you mentioned did not pass unnoticed in the convention. Many, if I remember right, were for making the president incapable of being chosen after the first four years; but the majority were for leaving the electors free to choose whom they pleased; and it was alleged that such incapacity might tend to make the president less attentive to the duties of his office, and to the interests of the people, than he would be if a second choice depended on their good opinion of him. We are making experiments in politics; what knowlege we shall gain by them

will be more certain, though perhaps we may hazard too much in that mode of acquiring it."

"OUR affairs mend daily, and are getting into good order very fast. Never was any measure so thoroughly discussed as our proposed new constitution. Many objections were made to it in the public papers, and answers to those objections. Much party heat there was, and some violent personal abuse. I kept out of the dispute, and wrote only one little paper on the occasion, which I inclose. You se m to be too apprehensive about our presidents being perpetual. Neither he nor we have any such intentions: of what danger there may be of such an event we are all aware, and shall take care effectually to prevent it. The choice is from four years to five years; the appointments will be small: thus we may change our president if we do not like his conduct, and he will have less inducement to struggle for a new election. As to the two chambers I am of your opinion, that one alone would be better; but, my dear friend, nothing in human affairs and schemes is perfect; and perhaps this is the case of our opinions.

*

To the Honorable Charles Carrol, Esq.

Member of Congress. New York.

DEAR FRIEND,

Philadelphia, May 25, 1789. I AM glad to see by the papers that our grand machine has at length begun to work. I pray God to bless and guide its operations. If any form of government is capable of mak

A comparison between the antient Jews and Antifederalists, see Vol. V. p. 428.

Some time after the date of this letter, when alterations were meditated in the constitution of Pennsylvania, Dr. Franklin wrote a paper in which this opinion is strongly advocated: and his principles of govern ment are there further elucidated. See page 466 of this volume.

ing a nation happy, ours I think bids fair now for producing that effect. But after all, much depends upon the people who are to be governed. We have been guarding against an evil that old states are most liable to, excess of power in the rulers; but our present danger seems to be defect of obedience in the subjects. There is hope, however, from the enlightened state of this age and country, we may guard effectually against that evil as well as the rest.

My grandson, William Temple Franklin, will have the honor of presenting this line; he accompanied me to France, and remained with me during my mission: I beg leave to recommend him to your notice, and that you would believe me, my dear friend, yours most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

Dr. Franklin having served the full period limited by the constitution of the state of Pennsylvania for the continuance in office of its presidents; and his infirmities and desire of repose increasing, in Oct. 1788 he retired wholly from public affairs; and thus noticed the circumstance, in a letter to his friend the duke de la Rochefoucault.

HAVING now finished my turn of being president,

and promising myself to engage no more in public business, I hope to enjoy the small remains of life that are allowed me, in the repose I have so long wished for. I purpose to employ it in completing the personal history you mention. It is now brought down to my fiftieth year. 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."

Close of Part II. It is to be lamented the subsequent state of his

health did not enable him to continue it further.