the earth; so that a philosopher may no benefit to others. He that spits set his foot any where on its surface, against the wind, spits in his own and say, This is my country! Your face. But, were you to succeed, do wishes for a cordial and perpetual you imagine any good would be friendship between Britain and her done by it? You yourself may find ancient colonies, are manifested con- it easy to live a virtuous life without tinually in every one of your letters the assistance afforded by religion; to me. Something of my disposition you having a clear perception of the on the same subject may appear to advantages of virtue, and the disadyou in casting your eye over the en- vantages of vice, and possessing a closed paper. I do not by this op- strength of resolution sufficient to portunity send you any of our ga- enable you to resist common tempzettes; because the postage from tations. But think how great a porLiverpool would be more than they tion of mankind consists of weak are worth. I can now only add my and ignorant men and women, and best wishes of every kind of felicity of inexperienced, inconsiderate youth, for the three amiable Hartleys, to of both sexes, who have need of the whom I have the honour of being an motives of religion to restrain them affectionate friend and most obedi- from vice, to support their virtue, ent humble servant. LETTER XXI. Dear sir, To ***. and retain them in the practice of it till it becomes habitual, which is the great point for its security. And perhaps you are indebted to her originally, that is, to your religious education, for the habits of virtue, upon (Without date.) which you now justly value yourself. You might easily display your excelI HAVE read your manuscript with lent talents of reasoning upon a less some attention. By the argument it hazardous subject, and thereby obtain contains against a particular Provi-a rank with our most distinguished dence, though you allow a general authors. For, among us, it is not neProvidence, you strike at the founda- cessary, as among the Hottentots, tions of all religion. For, without that a youth, to be raised into the the belief of a Providence that takes company of men, should prove his cognizance of, guards and guides, manhood by beating his mother. I and may favour particular persons, would advise you, therefore, not to atthere is no motive to worship a Deity, tempt unchaining the tiger, but to burn to fear its displeasure, or to pray for this piece before it is seen by any its protection. I will not enter into other person, whereby you will save any discussion of your principles, yourself a great deal of mortification though you seem to desire it. At from the enemies it may raise against present I shall only give you my opi- you, and perhaps a good deal of renion, that, though your reasonings gret and repentance. If men are so are subtle, and may prevail with some wicked with religion, what would readers, you will not succeed so as they be if without it!* I intend this to change the general sentiments of letter itself as a proof of my friendmankind on that subject; and the ship, and therefore add no professions consequence of printing this piece to it; but subscribe simply yours. will be a great deal of odium drawn upon yourself, mischief to you, Uncertain what paper. and * Montesquieu says, "La religion, même fausse, est le meilleur garant que les hommes puissent avoir de la probité des hommes." (Esprit des Loix, chap. 25, liv. 8.) LETTER XXII. Lord Howe to Dr. Franklin. upon Eagle, June the 20th, 1776. LETTER XXIII. Dr. Franklin to Lord Howe. Philadelphia, July 30, 1776. I CANNOT, My worthy friend, permit the letters and parcels, which I My lord, have sent (in the state I received I RECEIVED safe the letters your them), to be landed, without adding lordship so kindly forwarded to me, a word the subject of the inju- and beg you to accept my thanks. rious extremities in which our un- The official despatches, to which happy disputes have engaged us. you refer me, contain nothing more You will learn the nature of my than what we had seen in the act of mission from the official despatches parliament, viz. "Offers of pardon which I have recommended to be upon submission ;" which I was sorforwarded by the same conveyance. ry to find; as it must give your lordRetaining all the earnestness I ever ship pain to be sent so far on so expressed, to see our differences ac- hopeless a business. commodated, I shall conceive, if I Directing pardons to be offered to meet with the disposition in the co- the colonies, who are the very parties lonies which I was once taught to ex- injured, expresses, indeed, that opipect, the most flattering hopes of nion of our ignorance, baseness, and proving serviceable in the objects of insensibility, which your uninformthe king's paternal solicitude, by pro-ed and proud nation has long been moting the establishment of lasting pleased to entertain of us; but it can peace and union with the colonies. have no other effect than that of inBut, if the deep-rooted prejudices of creasing our resentments.-It is America, and the necessity of pre- impossible we should think of subventing her trade from passing into mission to a government, that has, foreign channels, must keep us still a with the most wanton barbarity and divided people; I shall, from every cruelty, burned our defenceless towns private, as well as public motive, most in the midst of winter; excited the heartily lament, that this is not the savages to massacre our (peaceful) moment wherein those great objects farmers, and our slaves to murder of my ambition are to be attained; their masters; and is even now bringand that I am to be longer deprived ing foreign mercenaries to deluge of an opportunity to assure you, per- our settlements with blood. These sonally, of the regard with which I atrocious injuries have extinguished am your sincere and faithful humble every spark of affection for that paservant, HowE. rent country we once held so dear: but, were it possible for us to forget P. S. I was disappointed of the and forgive them, it is not possible opportunity I expected for sending for you (I mean the British nation) this letter at the time it was dated; to forgive the people you have so and have ever since been prevented, heavily injured; you can never conby calms and contrary winds, from fide again in those as fellow-subjects, getting here to inform general Howe and permit them to enjoy equal freeof the commission with which I have dom, to whom you know you have the satisfaction to be charged, and given such just causes of lasting enmiof his being joined in it. ty; and this must impel you, were we again under your government, to enSuperscribed, HowE. deavour the breaking our spirit by Off of Sandy Hook, 12th of July. the severest tyranny, and obstructing, feigned and unwearied zeal, to preby every means in your power, our serve from breaking that fine and growing strength and prosperity. noble porcelain vase-the British But your lordship mentions "the empire; for I knew that, being once king's paternal solicitude for promot- broken, the separate parts could not ing the establishment of lasting peace retain even their share of the strength and union with the colonies." If by and value that existed in the whole; peace is here meant, a peace to be and that a perfect re-union of those entered into by distinct states, now parts could scarce ever be hoped for. at war; and his majesty has given Your lordship may possibly rememyour lordship powers to treat with us ber the tears of joy that wetted my of such a peace, I may venture to cheek, when, at your good sister's in say, though without authority, that I London, you once gave me expectathink a treaty for that purpose not tions, that a reconciliation might quite impracticable, before we enter soon take place. I had the misforinto foreign alliances. But I am tune to find these expectations dispersuaded you have no such powers. appointed, and to be treated as the Your nation, though, by punishing cause of the mischief I was labourthose American governors who have ing to prevent. My consolation, unfomented the discord, rebuilding our der that groundless and malevolent burnt towns, and repairing, as far as treatment, was, that I retained the possible, the mischiefs done us, she friendship of many wise and good might recover a great share of our men in that country; and, among the regard, and the greatest share of rest, some share in the regard of lord our growing commerce, with all the Howe. advantages of that additional strength, The well-founded esteem, and, to be derived from a friendship with permit me to say, affection, which I us; yet I know too well her abound-shall always have for your lording pride and deficient wisdom, to ship, make it painful to me to see believe she will ever take such salu- you engaged in conducting a war, tary measures. Her fondness for the great ground of which (as deconquest as a warlike nation; her scribed in your letter) is "the neceslust of dominion as an ambitious one; sity of preventing the American and her thirst for a gainful monopo- trade from passing into foreign chanly as a commercial one (none of them nels." To me it seems, that neither legitimate causes of war), will join the obtaining or retaining any trade, to hide from her eyes every view of how valuable soever, is an object her true interest, and continually goad for which men may justly spill each her on in these ruinous distant expe- other's blood; that the true and sure ditions, so destructive both of lives means of extending and securing and of treasure, that they must prove commerce are the goodness and as pernicious to her, in the end, as cheapness of commodities; and that the Croisades formerly were to most the profits of no trade can ever be of the nations of Europe. equal to the expense of compelling I have not the vanity, my lord, to it, and holding it by fleets and arthink of intimidating, by thus pre-mies. I consider this war against dicting the effects of this war; for I us, therefore, as both unjust and unknow it will in England have the fate wise; and, I am persuaded, that cool of all my former predictions,-not to and dispassionate posterity will conbe believed till the event shall veri- demn to infamy those who advised fy it. it; and that even success will not Long did I endeavour, with un-save from some degree of dishonour, those who have voluntarily engaged immediate return to England, by to conduct it. detaining her, or sending her into I know your great motive in com- any other part of Europe or Ameriing hither was the hope of being in-ca; but that you would treat the said strumental in a reconciliation; and I Captain Cook and his people with all believe, when you find that to be im- civility and kindness, affording them, possible, on any terms given you to as common friends to mankind, all propose, you will then relinquish so the assistance in your power, which odious a command, and return to a they may happen to stand in need more honourable private station. of. In so doing you will not only With the greatest and most sincere gratify the generosity of your own respect, I have the honour to be, my dispositions, but there is no doubt of lord, your lordship's most obedient your obtaining the approbation of humble servant, B. FRANKLIN. the congress, and your own Ameri At Passy, near Paris, To all Captains and Commanders of armed this 10th day of March, 1779. ships acting by commission from the Congress of the United States of America, now in war with Great Britain. Gentlemen, LETTER XXV. A SHIP having been fitted out from Dr. Franklin to George Whatley, England, before the commencement Esq. Treasurer of the Foundling Passy, near Paris, Aug. 21, 1784. of this war, to make discoveries of new countries in unknown seas, under the conduct of that most celebrated navigator, Captain Cook,-an undertaking truly laudable in itself, as I RECEIVED your kind letter of May the increase of geographical know-3, 1783. I am ashamed that it has ledge facilitates the communication been so long unanswered. The inbetween distant nations, in the ex-dolence of old age, frequent indispochange of useful products and ma-sition, and too much business, are nufactures, and the extension of my only excuses. I had great pleaarts, whereby the common enjoy-sure in reading it, as it informed me ments of human life are multiplied of your welfare. I and augmented, and science of other Your excellent little work, "The kinds increased, to the benefit of Principles of Trade," is too little mankind in general:-This is there- known. I wish you would send me a fore most earnestly to recommend to copy of it by the bearer, my grandson every one of you, that, in case the and secretary, whom I beg leave to said ship, which is now expected recommend to your civilities. to be soon in the European seas would get it translated and printed on her return, should happen to fall here; and, if your bookseller has any into your hands, you would not con- quantity of them left, I should be sider her as an enemy, nor suffer any glad he would send them to Ameriplunder to be made of the effects ca. The ideas of our people there, contained in her, nor obstruct her though rather better than those that prevail in Europe, are not so good| LETTER XXVI. as they should be: and that piece Dr. Franklin to George Whatley, might be of service among them. Esq. Passy, May 19, 1785. Dear old friend, Since, and soon after the date of your letter, we lost, unaccountably, as well as unfortunately, that worthy, valuable young man you mention, I RECEIVED the very good letter your namesake Maddeson. He was you sent me by my grandson, togeinfinitely regretted by all that knew ther with your resemblance, which him. is placed in my chamber, and gives I am sorry your favourite charity me great pleasure. There is no trade, does not go on as you could wish it. they say, without returns; and thereIt is shrunk, indeed, by your admit- fore I am punctual in making those ting only sixty children in a year. you have ordered. I intended this What you have told your brethren should have been a long epistle; but respecting America is true. If you I am interrupted, and can only add, find it difficult to dispose of your that I am, ever, yours most affectionchildren in England, it looks as if you ately, B. FRANKLIN. had too many people. And yet you are afraid of emigration. A subscription My grandson presents his most af LETTER XXVII. Dr. Franklin to George Whatley, is lately set on foot here to encourage fectionate respects. and assist mothers in nursing their infants themselves at home; the practice of sending them to the Enfans Trouvés having risen here to a monstrous excess, as by the annual bills it appears they amount to near one third of the children born in Paris. This subscription is likely to succeed, and may do a great deal of good, I SENT you a few lines the other though it cannot answer all the pur-day with the medallion, when I should poses of a foundling hospital. have written more, but was prevent Dear old friend, Passy, May 23, 1785. Your eyes must continue very ed by the coming in of a bavard, good, since you are able to write so who worried me till evening. I bore small a hand without spectacles. I with him, and now you are to bear cannot distinguish a letter, even of with me; for I shall, probably, balarge print; but am happy in the in- varder in answering your letter. vention of double spectacles, which, I am not acquainted with the sayserving for distant objects as well as ing of Alphonsus, which you allude near ones, make my eyes as useful to as a sanctification of your rigidity to me as ever they were. If all in refusing to allow me the plea of the other defects and infirmities of old age as an excuse for my want of old age could be as easily and cheap- exactitude in correspondence. What ly remedied, it would be worth while, was that saying?—You do not, it my friend, to live a good deal longer. seems, feel any occasion for such an But I look upon death to be as ne- excuse, though you are, as you say, cessary to our constitutions as sleep. rising 75; but I am rising (perhaps We shall rise refreshed in the morn- more properly falling) 80; and I ing.-Adieu; and believe me, ever, leave the excuse with you till you yours most affectionately, arrive at that age: perhaps you may B. FRANKLIN, then be more sensible of its validity, and see fit to use it for yourself, |