Art. I. The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin^ JjL.D. F.R.S.4'C' Minister Plenipote7itiary from the United States of America at the Court of France^ and for the 'Freatxt of Peace and Independence -joith Great Britain, ,$-c. Sfc. Com- prising a Series of Leltns on Miscellaneous, Literarij, and. Political Subjects ; written bettueen the Years 17.53 and 1790,- illustratinfr the Memoirs of his Public and Private Lijc, and developing the Secret History of his Political Transactions and Negociations. Published from the Originals by his Grand- son William Temple Franklin. 8vo. 2 Vol. pp.970. London, Colburn. J 817. Tn one point of view, the name of Franklin must be consider- -*- ed as standing higher than any of the others which illustrat- ed the eighteenth century. Distinguished as a Statesman, he was equally great as a Philosopher; thus uniting, in himself, a rare degree of excellence in both those pursuits, to excel in ei- ther of which is deemed the highest praise. Nor was his pre- eminence, in the one pursuit, of that doubtful kind which derives its value from such an uncommon conjunction. His efforts ia each were sufficient to have made him greatly famous, had he done nothing in the other. We regard De Witt's mathema- tical tracts as a curiosity, and even admire them, when we reflect that their author was a distinguished patriot, and a sufferer in the cause of his country. But Franklin would have been entitled to the glory of a first-rate discoverer ia science — one who had largely extended the bounds of human knowledge — although he had not stood second to Washington alone in gaining for human liberty the most splendid and guilt- less of its triumphs. It is hardly a less rare, certarnly not a lc imitate European models, let them study Franklin ; and we shall cheerfully forget that he lived among us, when we see them make him really their own. If the example of this eminent person may v/ell teach respect for philanthropic sentiments to one set of scoffers, it may equal- ly impress upon the minds of another class the important lesson,. that veneration for religion is quite compatible with a sounds practical understanding. Franklin was a man of a truly pious turn of mind. The great truths of natural theology wf^-e nor. only deeply engraven on his mind, but constantly present to his thoughts. As far as can be collected from his writings, he ap- pears to have been a Christian of the Unitarian school ; but, if his own faith had not gone so far, he at least woukl greatly have respected the rehgion of his country and its professors, and done every thing to encourage its propagation, as infinitely be- ueficial to mankind, even if doubts had existed in his own mind as to some of its fundamental doctrines. To this, as well as other matters now generally mentioned, we shall, in the course of this article, recur more particularly. At present we hasten to examine the volume before us a little more closely. The letters upon miscellaneous subjects, which occupy three- fourths of the first volume, contain, in almost every page, some- thing interesting or pleasing. All of them bear the clearest marks of having been written on the spur of the occasion, with- out any more premeditation than ordinary conversation re- quires, or admits of. Yet, such was the ef!ect of busine.^slike, careful habits, that the composition is as correct as the most finished discourse, while it has all the ease of extemporary ef- fusions. As to the value of the matter contained in these letters, we confess ourselves to be under some diiliculty in exactly esti- mating it ; because we cannot easily forget whose correspond- ence we are reading, and are very apt to confound what is mere- ly curious as coming from such a quarter, v/ith what is intrin- sically important ; to think we are prizing remarks for their own sake, when we are rather enjoying them as the observa- tions, on some familiar topic, of a very great man in other more serious points of view. Hovt'cver, we feel pretty well assured, that there is much interesting discussion — many saga- cious and useful remarks — many plain, but original and stiik- t8l7. Tvai\\iViK\*s Co)rrspo7hh-ncr. STfl inf this martial country (who study the maps of America, and mark upon them all your operations) speak with sincere approbation and great applause of your conduct ; and join in giving you the cliaracter c£ one of the greatest captains of the age. ' I must soon quit the scene, but you may live to see our country Sourith : as it will, aninzingly and rapidly, after the Avar is over ; like i8I7. ¥rBn\i\in*s Correspondence, 28.5 a field of young Indian com, which lonj; Jliir weather and sunshine had enfeebled and discoloured, and which, in tliat weak atntc, by a thunder gust of violent wind, hail, and rain, seemed to be threatened with absolute destruction ; yet the storm being past, it recovers fresh verdure, shoots up with double vigour, and deliglits the eye, not of its owner only, but of every observing traveller. ' The best wishes that can be formed for your health, honour, and happiness, ever attend you. ' I. 55, 50. In various passa^^es ol this correspoMflence, we can trace the alteration in Franklin's sentiments with respect to England and her rulers ; nor is tiiere anything more instructive than to view the protjress of this chanjie ; for there is no doubt that he felt like all the rest of the well-informed colonists, and consefjuently his sentiments were either an exponent of the pofmlar opinion, or must liave influenced it sooner or later. By attending, then, to the measures which produced the alienation of this distin- guished patriot, we may trace the steps by which England lost her colonial dominions ; an empire of incalculable value, and which, as Franklin in another place observed, she mi^bt Iiave continued to govern at the expense of a little pen, ink and paper, for ages. Now, it is plain from the letters before us, that the original bent of Franklin's mind, was a strong, aftecticnate attachment to the Mother Country. We see this in every point of view in which such a feeling can be ex- pected to show itself. It appears in his distru-jt, and even personal di<-like of the French, afterwards the objects of his con- stant love and gratitude, when they had rendered America the highest services ; in the general goodwill expressed towards Eng- land and her constitution, and m his anxiety to perpetuate the connexion, and avoid a war; and, perhaps, still more striking- ly, in warm expressions of what is commonly caiicd loyalty, that is, attachment to the Kir-g, as distinct from the other branches of the State ; and a disposition to excuse him at the expense of his ministers, his parliament and hi> people ; — the same King, l)e it remarked, of whom he latterly spoke on all occasions with ex- treme personal dislike and resentment. A few specimens of these early prepossessions, so findly che- rished by Franklin and his countrymen, may prove serviceable as hints to those who inherit the very prejudices which, in a few years, violently rooted them out all over America, and are still acting as if it were a benefit to perpetuate the hatred of the co- lonists, after losing their affections. Speaking of De Guerchv, the French Ambassador in lT6'7, he says, ' Fie is extreaie'ly * curious to inform himself in the affairs of America ; pretends * to have a great esteem for mc, on account of the abilitic? ' shown in my examination ; has desired to have all my political * writings ^ invited nic to dine with him -, was very inquisitive ; ••i'o^ Franklin's Correspondence. Aug, * treated me with great civility ; makes me visits, &c. I fancy * that intrifjuing nation would like very well to meddle on occa- * sion, nnd blow up the coals between Britain and her colonies; * but I hope weshailirivethem no opportunity.' (I. 293-4-.) After a spiriied and very inaignant account of Wilkes's mobs in 1768, he concludes with this remark. * What the event will be, God * only knows. But some punishmcat seems preparing for a peo- * pie wlio are ungrat-efu'ly abusing the best constitution and the * best King any nation was ever blessed with ; intent on nothing * but luxury, licentiousness, power, places, pensions and plun- * der ; while the Ministry, divided in their councils, with little * regard for each other, worried by perpetual oppositions, in * continual apprehension of changes, intent on securing popu- •* larity in case they should lose favour, have for some years past * had little time or inclination to attend to our small affairs, * whose remoteness makes them appear still smaller. ' (I. 325.) There was at this time, evidently, no great contentment with the conduct of colonial affairs. Indeed, we know that the dis- putes had begun ; but the attachment to the Mother Coun- try, and to the King individually, was as strong as ever. Even in 1773, when the acts of the Legislature had passed, which were the proximate cause of the rupture, we find an attempt still made to separate the King from the Parliament and the counti7 ; and excuses oifered for his conduct. * When * one considers the King's situation, surrounded by Minis- * ters. Counsellors^ and Judges learned in the law, who are * all of this opinion, and reflect how necessary it is for him * to be well with his Parliament, from whose yearly grants his * fieets and armies are to be supported, and the deficiencies of * his civil list supplied, it is not to be wondered at that he should * be firm in an opinion, cstablibhed as far as an act of Parlia- * ment could establish it, by even the friends of America at the * time (hey repealed the Stamp act ; and which is so generally * thought right by his Lords and Commons, that any act of his, * countenancing the contrary, would haz.ird his embroiling him- * self with those powerful bodies. And hence it seems hardly to * be expected from him that he should take any step of that * kind. The grievous instructions, indeed, might be withdrawn * without their observing it, if his Majesty thought fit so to do ; * but, under the presen.t prejudices of all about him, it seems * that this is not yet likely to be advised. ' L 368. Up to this period, as he afterwards thought, he had been deceived in the King; but this was the last moment of his de- lusion. In a few days after the date of the last cited letter, we iind him informing his son, who was a staunch royalist and go- vernor oi a colony, that he had got a nev/ light. ' Between you and me, ' he says, * the late measures have been, I suspect. 1817. Franklin'5 Corrcspmdcnce. 287 * very much the Kind's own ; and he has, in some cace«, a great. * shaVe ot what his friends c-aW Jirmnc^s.' He still, however, speaks charitably of the Royal prejudices, and even su^<;csls that they micjht possibly be removcf4 by a little pains ; — he terms them ' wrong impressions which he has received, * 8o<^n after, it would appear, tlic^e loud hopes, these flnouraWe oj.inions, 0 Franklin'5 Correspondence. Aug. nant-Governof^ contributes all in his power. * He regretted * much it was not in his power to make known to ail the world * the acknowledgements he had more than once made to me * upon this subject. ' So far all went very well ; and had a question been put to the ministers in parliament, (accordintr to the invaluable practice of our times), there would have arisen a mifrhty cheerino: in the official parts of the House, upon some pubiick officer readir.s" the Lieutenant-Governor's letter. But, unfortunately for i^Ir Laurens, he found it necessary to tell his own story about a year afterwards, by presenting a petition, in which he stated, ' that he was captured on the American coast, * and committed to the Tower on the 6th of October, l7i>0, * being then dangerously il! : that in the mean time he has in ' many respects, particularly by being deprived (with very little ' excc-ption) of the visits and con- liniteiy above being benefited by our services. Those kindnesses from men, I can therefore only return on their fellow men, and I can only shov,- my gratitude for these mercies from God, by a readi- ness to help his other children, and my brethren. For I do not think that thanks and compliments, though repeated v/eekly, can discharge our real obligations to eacli other, and much less those to our Crea- tor. You will see in this my notion of good works, that I am fai' from expecting to merit heaven by them. By heaven we undei'stand a state of happiness, infinite in degree, and eternal in duration : I •can do nothing to deserve such rewards. He that for giving a draught of water to a thirsty person, should expect to be paid with a good plantation, would be modest in his demands, compared with those who think they deserve heaven for the little good tlxey do on eartlj. Even the mixed imperfect pleasures we enjoy in this world, are rather from God's goodness than our merit: hov/ much more such happiness of heaven ! For my part, I have not the vanity to think I deserve it, the foliy to expect it, nor the ambition to desire it; but content jnyself in submitting to the will and disposal of that God who made me, who has hitherto preserved and blessed me, and in whose fa- therly goodness I may Vv-ell confide, that he will never make me mi- serable ; and that even the afflictions I may at any time suffer shaH tend to my benefit. ' The fiiith you mention has certainly its use in the world : I do not desire tjo see it diminished, nor would I endeavour to lessen it in any man. But I wisli it w^-cyq more productive of good works, than I have generally seen it : I mean real good works ; works of kindness, charity, mercy, and public spirit; not holiday-keeping, sermon-reading, or hearing ; performing church ceremonies, or making long prayers, filled with flatteries and compliments, despised even by wise men, and much less capable of pieajsing tlie Peity. The worship of God is a duty ; the hearing and reading of sermons may be useful ; but if men re^t in hearing and praying, as too rai:ny do, it is as if a tree should value itself on being watered and putting forth leaves, though it never produced any fruit. * Your great Master thought much less of these outward appear- ances and professions^ than nraay of his modern disciples. He pre- ferred the doers ai the word to the mere hearers; the son that seenv ingly refused to obey his father, and yet performed his commands, to him that professed his readiness but neglected the work ; the here- tical but charitable Samaritan, to the unchari^ble though orthodox priest, and sanctified Le-vite ; and those who gave food to the hungrv^ 1817. Franklin'^ Correspojidence. 301