Franklin did not intend to continue in political life, when he entered into partnership with Mr. Hall; and he so announced to his friends. At that time he had served as Councilman in the city, been a member of the General Assembly, acted as Commissioner on several important occasions, and served the public in various other ways; but now he designed to stop and devote himself entirely to scientific pursuits. Within five years, however, he found himself more deeply involved in political plans and labors than ever before. He was as wise in statesmanship as he was in philosophy; and the services of such a man were in constant demand. The following list of public offices he filled shows that he stood second to no statesman in the land in public confidence and ability in public service: A LEGISLATOR OF PENNSYLVANIA AT TWENTY-SIX YEARS OF AGE, CONTINUED FOR TWENTY YEARS. FOUNDER AND LEADING TRUSTEE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. COLONEL OF MILITIA, WHICH HE ORIGINATED. LEADER OF COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR YEARS, IN TIME OF WAR. POSTMASTER-GENERAL. AGENT OF PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW JERSEY, AND GEORGIA TO THE KING OF ENGLAND. MINISTER TO THE COURT OF ENGLAND IN 1764. ONE OF THE AUTHORS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS IN 1775, AND A MEMBER OF IT. MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY TO FRANCE IN 1776. AUTHOR OF FIRST TREATY FOR AMERICA IN 1778. MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY TO FRANCE IN 1778. ONE OF FIVE TO DRAFT THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. A LEADER IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. ONE OF THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. LIKE WASHINGTON, "FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, AND FIRST IN THE HEARTS OF HIS COUNTRYMEN." Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston were associated with Franklin in drafting the Declaration of Independence, which Congress adopted, July 4, 1776. The original draft was by Jefferson, but it contained many interlineations in the hand-writing of Franklin. When they were signing the memorable document, after its passage by Congress, John Hancock remarked: "We must be unanimous,--we must all hang together." "Yes, if we would not hang separately," replied Franklin. Jefferson was viewing, with evident disappointment, the mutilation of his draft of the Declaration in Franklin's hand-writing, when the latter remarked: