The Autobiography of Benjamin FranklinFranklin, Benjamin
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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Franklin, Benjamin
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790; Statesmen -- United States -- Biography
I had agreed with Captain Morris, of the paquet at New York, for my
passage, and my stores were put on board, when Lord Loudoun arriv'd at
Philadelphia, expressly, as he told me, to endeavor an accommodation
between the governor and Assembly, that his majesty's service might not
be obstructed by their dissensions. Accordingly, he desir'd the
governor and myself to meet him, that he might hear what was to be said
on both sides. We met and discuss'd the business. In behalf of the
Assembly, I urg'd all the various arguments that may be found in the
public papers of that time, which were of my writing, and are printed
with the minutes of the Assembly; and the governor pleaded his
instructions; the bond he had given to observe them, and his ruin if he
disobey'd, yet seemed not unwilling to hazard himself if Lord Loudoun
would advise it. This his lordship did not chuse to do, though I once
thought I had nearly prevail'd with him to do it; but finally he rather
chose to urge the compliance of the Assembly; and he entreated me to
use my endeavours with them for that purpose, declaring that he would
spare none of the king's troops for the defense of our frontiers, and
that, if we did not continue to provide for that defense ourselves,
they must remain expos'd to the enemy.
I acquainted the House with what had pass'd, and, presenting them with
a set of resolutions I had drawn up, declaring our rights, and that we
did not relinquish our claim to those rights, but only suspended the
exercise of them on this occasion thro' force, against which we
protested, they at length agreed to drop that bill, and frame another
conformable to the proprietary instructions. This of course the
governor pass'd, and I was then at liberty to proceed on my voyage.
But, in the meantime, the paquet had sailed with my sea-stores, which
was some loss to me, and my only recompense was his lordship's thanks
for my service, all the credit of obtaining the accommodation falling
to his share.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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