Photo furnished by W. A. Little, D.D., Perth Amboy
THE FRANKLIN PALACE, PERTH AMBOY, N. J.
XXIV
THE FRANKLIN PALACE, PERTH AMBOY,
NEW JERSEY
THE HOME OF THE SON OF WHOM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
VAINLY TRIED TO MAKE A PATRIOT
There was a time when Benjamin Franklin was proud of his son William, and was glad to have his name coupled with that of the young man.
The first year of the father's service in the Pennsylvania Assembly William was appointed clerk of that body; this fact is mentioned with pride in the Autobiography.
When General Braddock was sent from England to America to oppose the union of the Colonies for defence, "lest they should thereby grow too military and feel their own strength," Franklin was sent by the Assembly to Fredericktown, Maryland, to confer with the General. "My son accompanied me on the journey," the Autobiography says.
At Braddock's request Franklin advertised at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for one hundred and fifty wagons for the proposed expedition into the interior, and at the close of the advertisement was the note, "My son, William Franklin, is empowered to enter into like contracts with any person in Cumberland County."
Later, when the father was asked to secure financial assistance for certain subalterns in Braddock's company, he wrote to the Assembly, recommending that a present of necessaries and refreshments be sent to those officers. "My son, who had some experience of camp life and of its wants, drew up a list for me which I enclos'd in my letter," the father wrote.