Benjamin FranklinMorse, John T., Jr. (John Torrey)
History
Benjamin Franklin
Morse, John T., Jr. (John Torrey)
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
"The expression, _change of government_, seems indeed to be too
extensive, and is apt to give the idea of a general and total
change of our laws and constitution. It is rather and only a
_change of governor_--that is, instead of self-interested
proprietaries, a gracious king. His majesty, who has no views but
for the good of the people, will thenceforth appoint the governor,
who, unshackled by proprietary instructions, will be at liberty to
join with the Assembly in enacting wholesome laws. At present, when
the king desires supplies of his faithful subjects, and they are
willing and desirous to grant them, the proprietaries intervene and
say: 'Unless our private interests in certain particulars are
served, _nothing shall be done_.' This insolent tribunal VETO has
long encumbered our public affairs and been productive of many
mischiefs."
He then drew a petition "to the king's most excellent majesty in
council," which humbly showed "That the government of this province by
proprietaries has, by long experience, been found inconvenient, attended
by many difficulties and obstructions to your majesty's service, arising
from the intervention of proprietary private interests in public
affairs, and disputes concerning those interests. That the said
proprietary government is weak, unable to support its own authority, and
maintain the common internal peace of the province; great riots have
lately arisen therein.... And these evils are not likely to receive any
remedy here, the continual disputes between the proprietaries and
people, and their mutual jealousies and dislikes, preventing." Wherefore
his majesty was asked to be "graciously pleased to resume the
government of this province, ... permitting your dutiful subjects
therein to enjoy, under your majesty's more immediate care and
protection, the privileges that have been granted to them by and under
your royal predecessors."
The result of feeling the public pulse showed that it beat very high and
strong for the proposed change. Accordingly the resolution to present
the petition was now easily carried. But again the aged speaker, Norris,
found himself called upon to do that for which he had not the nerve. He
resigned the speakership; Franklin was chosen in his place and set the
official signature to the document.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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