"I apprehend he will, ere long, attempt to enforce this obnoxious tax, whatever may be the consequences.--I apprehend that in the mean time, the colonies will continue to be treated with contempt, and the redress of their grievances be neglected--that, this will inflame matters still more in that country--that, further rash measures there, may create more resentments here--that, their assemblies will be attempted to be dissolved--that, more troops will be sent to oppress them--that, to justify these measures of government, your newspapers will revile them as _miscreants_, _rogues_, _dastards_, and _rebels_--that, this will alienate the minds of the people here from them, and theirs from you--that, possibly too, some of their warm patriots may be distracted enough to do some _mad_ act which will cause them to be sent for hither--and that government may be indiscreet enough to hang them for it--that mutual provocations will thus go on to complete the separation, and instead of that cordial affection which so long existed, and which is so necessary to the glory and happiness of both countries, an implacable malice, dishonourable and destructive to both, may take place. I hope, however, that this may all prove _false prophecy_, and that you and I may live to see as sincere a friendship established between our countries, as has so many years subsisted between W. Strahan, Esq. and his truly affectionate old friend, "B. FRANKLIN."