After the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the States as a nation, Franklin was chosen as representative to France. "I am old and good for nothing," he said, when told of the choice, "but, as the storekeepers say of their remnants of cloth, I am but a fag-end; you may have me for what you please." It was a most important post. France was the ancient enemy of England, and the contingent of men and aid of money which Franklin gained served to the successful issue of the Revolution. He lived while in France at Passy, near Paris, from which he wrote to a friend in England: "You are too early ... in calling me rebel; you should wait for the event which will determine whether it is a rebellion or only a revolution.... I know you wish you could see me; but, as you cannot, I will describe myself to you. Figure me in your mind as jolly as formerly, and as strong and hearty, only a few years older; very plainly dressed, wearing my thin, gray, straight hair, that peeps out under my only coiffure, a fine fur cap which comes down my forehead almost to my spectacles. Think how this must appear among the powdered heads of Paris! I wish every lady and gentleman in France would only be so obliging as to follow my fashion, comb their own heads as I do mine, dismiss their friseurs, and pay me half the money they pay to them." At last, in 1785, he came home, old and broken in health. He was chosen president, or governor, of Pennsylvania, and the faith of the people in his wisdom made him delegate to the convention which framed the Constitution in 1787. He died in 1790, and was buried by his wife in the graveyard of Christ Church, Philadelphia. The epitaph which he had written when a printer was not put upon his tomb: THE BODY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, PRINTER (Like the cover of an old book, Its contents torn out, And stript of its lettering and gilding,) Lies here, food for worms. But the work shall not be lost, For it will (as he believed) appear once more In a new and elegant edition, Revised and corrected by The Author. [Footnote 1: See pp. 198-206.] [Footnote 2: The time of Braddock's defeat.] [Footnote 3: When the old duties "upon all rum, spirits, molasses, syrups, sugar," etc., were renewed, and extended to other articles.] THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. § 1. PARENTAGE AND BOYHOOD. TWYFORD,[4] _at the Bishop of St. Asaph's, 1771_.