| CHAPTER I. | |
| Parentage and Early Life. | |
| PAGE | |
The parentage of Franklin—His parents emigrate to America—Characterof his father—Abiah Folger, his mother—Birthand baptism—Influence of his Uncle Strong—Of the Whistle—Childishexploits—Uncongenial employment—Skill inswimming—Early reading—Boston at that time—An indenturedapprentice—Form of Indenture—Enters a printingoffice—Fondness for reading—Anecdotes—Habits ofstudy—Fondness for argument—Adopts a vegetable diet—Thetwo creeds. | [11] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Developments of Character. | |
Views of the Sabbath—Writings of Collins and Shaftsbury—Thecreed of Collins—Franklin at sixteen—The Courant—Denunciationsof the paper—Franklin’s mode of acquiring theart of composition—His success as a writer—The Editorprosecuted—Benjamin becomes Editor and Publisher—Jealousyof his brother—The runaway apprentice—The voyageto New York—Great disappointment—Eventful Journey toPhiladelphia—Gloomy prospects—The dawn of brighterdays. | [31] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Excursion to England. | |
Attention to dress—Receives a visit from Gov. Keith—His visitto Boston—Collins returns to Philadelphia with him—SirWilliam Keith’s aid—Excursions on the Sabbath—Difficultywith Collins—Spending Mr. Vernon’s money—His threefriends—Engagement with Deborah Read—Voyage to England—Keith’sdeceit—Ralph—Franklin enters a printinghouse in London. | [52] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Mental and Moral Conflicts. | |
Faithfulness to work—Neglect of Deborah Read—Treatise onLiberty and Necessity—Skill in swimming—Return toAmerica—Marriage of Miss Read—Severe sickness—Deathof Mr. Denham—Returns to Keimer’s employ—The Junto—HisEpitaph—Reformation of his treatise on Liberty andNecessity—Franklin’s creed. | [75] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| The Dawn of Prosperity. | |
Franklin takes a house—His first job—His industry—Plans aNewspaper—Enters the list as a writer—Advocates a Papercurrency—Purchases Keimer’s paper—Character of Meredith—Strugglesof the firm—Unexpected assistance—Dissolvespartnership with Meredith—Franklin’s energetic conduct—Hiscourtship, and marriage—Character of Mrs. Franklin—Increaseof luxury—Plans for a library—Prosperity of Pennsylvania—Customsin Philadelphia—Style of dress in 1726—Franklin’ssocial position in Philadelphia—His success—Ahard student. | [101] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Religious and Philosophic Views. | |
Studious habits—New religion—Personal habits—Church of theFree and Easy—His many accomplishments—The career ofHemphall—Birth and Death of Franklin’s son—The Ministryof Whitefield—Remarkable friendship between the philosopherand the preacher—Prosperity of Franklin—His convivialhabits—The defense of Philadelphia—Birth of adaughter—The Philadelphia Academy. | [126] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| The Tradesman becomes a Philosopher. | |
Franklin appointed Indian commissioner—Effects of Rum—Indianlogic—Accumulating honors—Benevolent enterprises—Franklin’scounsel to Tennent—Efforts for city improvement—Anecdotes—Franklinappointed postmaster—Rumorsof War—England enlists the Six Nations in her cause—Franklinplans a Confederacy of States—Plans rejected—Electricalexperiments—Franklin’s increase of income—Fearfulexperiments—The kite—New honors—Views of theFrench philosopher—Franklin’s Religious views—His counselto a young pleader—Post-office Reforms. | [147] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| The Rising Storms of War. | |
Aristocracy—Anecdote—Conflicting laws of Nations—Franklin’sscheme of colonization—Proposal of the British Court—Theforesight of Franklin—Braddock’s campaign—Remonstrancesof Franklin and Washington—Franklin’s interviewswith Braddock—Franklin’s efficiency—Confidence of Braddock—Theconflict with the Proprietaries—The non-resistantQuakers—Fate of the Moravian villages—The wintercampaign—The camp of Gaudenhutton—Anecdote—Renewalof the strife with the Proprietaries—Franklin recalledto assist the Assembly—Destruction of the Fort—Claim ofthe Proprietaries—The great controversy. | [168] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| Franklin’s Mission to England. | |
New marks of respect—Lord Loudoun—Gov. Denny and Franklin—Visitthe Indians—Franklin commissioner to England—Hisconstant good nature—Loudoun’s delays—Wise actionof an English captain—The voyagers land at Falmouth—Journeyto London—Franklin’s style of living in London—Hiselectrical experiments—He teaches the Cambridge professor—Complimentaryaction of St. Andrews—Gov. Dennydisplaced, and dark clouds arising—Franklin’s successfuldiplomacy—His son appointed Governor of New Jersey—Greatopposition—The homeward voyage—Savage horrors—Retaliatingcruelties—Franklin’s efforts in behalf of theMoravian Indians. | [190] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| Franklin’s Second Mission to England. | |
Fiendish conduct of John Penn—Petition to the crown—Debt ofEngland—Two causes of conflict—Franklin sent to England—Hisembarkation—Wise counsel to his daughter—Thestamp act—American resolves—Edmund Burke—Examinationof Franklin—Words of Lord Chatham—Dangers toEnglish operatives—Repeal of the stamp act—Joy in America—RossMackay—New taxes levied—Character of GeorgeIII—Accumulation of honors to Franklin—Warlike preparations—Humanconscientiousness—Unpopularity of WilliamFranklin—Marriage of Sarah Franklin—Franklin’svaried investigations—Efforts to civilize the SandwichIslands. | [215] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| The Intolerance of King and Court. | |
Parties in England—Franklin the favorite of the opposition—Plansof the Tories—Christian III—Letter of Franklin—Dr.Priestley—Parisian courtesy—Louis XV—Visit to Ireland—Attemptedalteration of the Prayer Book—Letter to his son—Astoundingletters from America—Words of John Adams—Petitionof the Assembly—Violent conspiracy againstFranklin—His bearing in the court-room—Wedderburn’sinfamous charges—Letter of Franklin—Bitter words of Dr.Johnson—Morals of English lords—Commercial value of theColonies—Dangers threatening Franklin. | [240] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| The Bloodhounds of War Unleashed. | |
The mission of Josiah Quincy—Love of England by the Americans—Petitionto the king—Sickness and death of Mrs.Franklin—Lord Chatham—His speech in favor of the colonists—LordHowe—His interview with Franklin—Firmnessof Franklin—His indignation—His mirth—Franklin’sfable—He embarks for Philadelphia—Feeble condition ofthe colonies—England’s expressions of contempt—Franklin’sreception at Philadelphia—His letter to Edmund Burke—Post-officearrangements—Defection and conduct of WilliamFranklin—His arrest. | [265] |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| Progress of the War, both of Diplomacy and the Sword. | |
Letter of Henry Laurens—Franklin visits the army before Boston—Letterof Mrs. Adams—Burning of Falmouth—Franklin’sjourney to Montreal—The Declaration of Independence—Anecdoteof the Hatter—Framing the Constitution—LordHowe’s Declaration—Franklin’s reply—The Conference—Encouragingletter from France—Franklin’s embassy toFrance—The two parties in France—The voyage—Thereception in France. | [292] |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| The Struggles of Diplomacy. | |
Anecdote of Gibbon—John Adams—Residence at Passy—Lafayetteintroduced—Cruise of the Reprisal—Paul Jones—Captureof Burgoyne—Alliance with France—Anecdote ofthe Cake—Excitement in England—Franklin’s introductionto the king—Joy in America—Extraordinary letter of CountWissenstein—The reply—Injustice to Paul Jones—Frenchtroops in America—Character of John Adams—Franklin’smature views of human nature—Anecdote of the Angel—Captureof Cornwallis—Its effect in England—Prejudices ofMr. Jay—Testimony of Dr. Sparks—Jealousy of Franklin—Shrewddiplomatic act—The treaty signed. | [322] |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| Life’s Closing Scenes. | |
Advice to Thomas Paine—Scenes at Passy—Journey to the Coast—Returnto America—Elected Governor of Pennsylvania—Attendsthe Constitutional Convention—Proposes prayers—Remarkablespeech—Letter to Dr. Stiles—Christ on theCross—Last sickness and death. | [356] |
Benjamin Franklin.
CHAPTER I.
Parentage and Early Life.
The parentage of Franklin—His parents emigrate to America—Character of his father—Abiah Folger, his mother—Birth and baptism—Influence of his Uncle Strong—Of the Whistle—Childish exploits—Uncongenial employment—Skill in swimming—Early reading.—Boston at that time—An indentured apprentice—Form of Indenture—Enters a printing office—Fondness for reading—Anecdotes—Habits of study—Fondness for argument—Adopts a vegetable diet—The two creeds.
About the year 1685, Josiah Franklin, with his wife and three children, emigrated from Banbury, England, to seek his fortune in this new world. He was in all respects a very worthy man, intelligent, industrious, and influenced to conduct by high moral and religious principles. Several of Josiah Franklin’s neighbors accompanied him in his removal.
Boston was then a straggling village, of five or six thousand inhabitants. In front spread out its magnificent bay, with its beautiful islands. In the rear the primeval forest extended, almost unbroken, through unexplored wilds to the Pacific. His trade was that of a dyer. Finding, however, but little employment in that business, he set up as a tallow chandler and soap boiler. Four years of life’s usual joys and sorrows passed away when Mrs. Franklin died, leaving six children. The eldest was but eleven years of age. This motherless little family needed a maternal guardian. Within the year, Mr. Franklin married Abiah Folger, of Nantucket. She was the youngest daughter of Peter Folger, a man illustrious for many virtues, and of whom it has been well said, that “he was worthy to be the grandfather of Benjamin Franklin.” She proved to be a noble woman, and was all that either husband or children could wish for. Ten children were the fruit of this union. Benjamin was born on the sixth of January, (O. S.) 1706.