Benjamin Franklin : $b Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notesFranklin, Benjamin
General
Benjamin Franklin : $b Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notes
Franklin, Benjamin
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Our first Papers made a quite different Appearance from any before in
the Province, a better Type and better printed [In MS is found: "Insert
these Remarks, in a Note."]: but some spirited Remarks of my Writing on
the Dispute then going on between Gov^r Burnet and the Massachusetts
Assembly, struck the principal People, occasion'd the Paper and the
Manager of it to be much talk'd of, and in a few Weeks brought them all
to be our Subscribers. Their Example was follow'd by many, and our
Number went on growing continually.--This was one of the first good
Effects of my having learnt a little to scribble. Another was, that the
leading Men, seeing a News Paper now in the hands of one who could also
handle a Pen, thought it convenient to oblige and encourage me. Bradford
still printed the Votes and Laws and other Publick Business. He had
printed an Address of the House to the Governor in a coarse blundering
manner; We reprinted it elegantly and correctly, and sent one to every
Member. They were sensible of the Difference, it strengthen'd the Hands
of our Friends in the House, and they voted us their Printers for the
Year ensuing.
Among my Friends in the House I must not forget Mr. Hamilton before
mentioned, who was then returned from England and had a Seat in it. He
interested himself for me strongly in that Instance, as he did in many
others afterwards, continuing his Patronage till his Death.[D] M^r
Vernon about this time put me in mind of the Debt I ow'd him: but did
not press me. I wrote him an ingenuous Letter of Acknowledgments, crav'd
his Forbearance a little longer which he allow'd me, and as soon as I
was able I paid the Principal with Interest and many Thanks.--So that
Erratum was in some degree corrected.--
[D] I got his Son once 500 £. [_Franklin's note._]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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