The Life of Benjamin Franklin Part 24

Charles Fox, an honest Englishman, and an excellent judge in these matters, being asked his opinion of Dr. Franklin and the _ministers_ in the late examination, replied, in his strong way, "_Dwarfs_, sir, mere _dwarfs in the hand of a giant_!"

Edmund Burke used to say, that this examination of Dr. Franklin before the ministers, always put him in mind of a "_Master examined before a parcel of school-boys_."

But though his abilities on this occasion excited the admiration of generous enemies, while his more partial friends set no bounds to their praise, yet it would appear from the following that all afforded _him_ but little pleasure. In a letter to a friend in Philadelphia, he has these remarkable words: "You have, no doubt, heard that I have been examined before the HOUSE OF COMMONS in this country. And it is probable you have also been told that I did not entirely disappoint the expectations of my friends, nor betray the cause of truth. This, to be sure, gives me some pleasure; and, indeed it is the only thing that does; for, as to any good being done by my honest statement to ministers, of what I firmly believe to be the best interests of the two countries, 'tis all, I fear, _a lost hope_. The people of this country are too proud, and too much despise the poor Americans, to allow them _the common rights of Englishmen_, that is, _a representation in parliament_. And until this be done, I apprehend that no taxes laid by parliament, will ever be collected, but such as must be stained with blood. How lamentable it is that two people, sprung from the same origin, speaking the same language, governed by the same laws, and worshipping at the same altar of G.o.d, and capable, by a wise use of the extraordinary means he has now put into their hands, of becoming the greatest nation on earth, should be stopped short and perhaps reduced to insignificance by a civil war, kindled by ministers obstinately contending for what they cannot but know to be utterly unconst.i.tutional and eternally inadmissible among the _free-born sons of Englishmen_. But I suppose the repeal will not now be agreed to, from what I think a mistaken opinion, that the honour and dignity of government are better supported by persisting in a wrong measure, once entered into, than by rectifying an error as soon as it is discovered."

Differently, however, from the apprehensions of Franklin, the stamp act was repealed, and even in the course of the same year!

But though so little expected by him, yet was this event ascribed, in a great measure, to Dr. Franklin. His famous examination, printed in a shilling pamphlet, had been distributed by myriads throughout Britain and America. In America it served to brighten up the _old land marks_ of their rights as _free-born sons of Englishmen_, and to quicken their sensibilities to ministerial frauds. In England, it served to show the ignorance of the ministers; the impolicy of their measures towards America; and the utter inexpediency of the stamp act. The stamp act of course fell to the ground. The reader, if a good man, exults, no doubt, in this as a most fortunate event, and already hails this removal of strife, as a certain prelude to that return of love between the mother country and her colonies, which will make them both, glorious and happy. He may hope it, but alas! he is never to see the accomplishment of that good hope. Death is whetting his scythe; and civil wars and slaughters are now just as near at hand as though the stamp act had never been repealed. For a pamphlet in some popular style that should unrip the black budget of ministerial injustice and lay naked to view the causes of the coming war; that unnatural war that is to sever England and her colonies for ever! Brighter than a thousand sermons it would ill.u.s.trate to politicians that "_the Lord is King_"--that the sole end of his government, is to _glorify himself in the happiness of his creatures_--that thereunto he hath _established his throne in justice_--the eternal justice of men "_doing unto others as they would that others should do unto them_," and that none, however great, shall ever violate this blessed order with impunity.

The British ministry are destined to ill.u.s.trate this. They are fond of power--to preserve this, they must continue in place--in order thereunto they must please the merchants and manufacturers--to accomplish this they must favour their trade and lighten their taxes.

And how is this to be done? why, by a little peccadillo of INJUSTICE.

They have only to sweat the "CONVICTS _on their American plantations_,"--the rascals live a great way off, and have no _representative_ in parliament to make a noise about it. Accordingly, soon as the Americans were supposed to have gotten a little over their fever about the stamp act, the minister, lord North, of famous memory, determined to try them again. However it was but a small affair now--only a _three penny excise_ on the pound of tea.

When Dr. Franklin, our ARGUS, then in London, discovered the designs of minister North, he exerted himself to point that purblind gentleman to the horrible gulf that was yawning at his feet. He wrote letters to several members of parliament, his friends; and he published a number of luminous pieces in the patriotic gazettes, all admirably calculated to rouse the friends of the nation to a sense of the impending dangers.

In three letters to the honourable Mr. W. Strahan, he has, in the extract, these remarkable words:--

"_London, November, 1768._

"DEAR SIR,

"With respect to the present dispute between Great Britain and the colonies, there is nothing I wish for more than to see it amicably settled. But _Providence_ brings about its own ends by its own means; and if it intends the downfall of a nation, that nation will be so blinded by its pride and other pa.s.sions as not to see its danger, or how its fall may be prevented.

"The friends of the ministry say that this tax is but a _trifle_; granted. But who does not see what will be the consequence of submitting to it? Is it not the more dangerous for being a trifle?

Is it not in this way that the devil himself most effectually works our ruin? If he can but prevail on a poor thoughtless youth to shake hands with innocence, and to _steal_, he is abundantly satisfied. To get the boy's _hand in_, is all he wants. And he would as leave the simpleton should begin with stealing a halter as a horse. For he well knows that if he but begins with the one he is sure to end with the other. Just so the minister, angling for American liberty, artfully covers his hook with this delicate bait.

But the truth is, I have talked and written so much and so long on the subject of this unhappy quarrel, that my acquaintance are weary of hearing, and the public of reading, any more of it; which begins to make me weary of talking and writing; especially as I do not find that I have gained any point in either country, except that of rendering myself suspected, by my impartiality, in England of being too much an _American_, and in America of being too much an _Englishman_. However, as in reply to your polite question, "_what is to be_ done _to settle this alarming dispute?_" I have often told you what I think the minister _ought_ to do: I now go a step farther, and tell you what I fear he will do.

"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 a.s.semblies 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."

But notwithstanding his prayer to the contrary, every body recollects how, exactly as Dr. Franklin had predicted, the minister continued to blunder and blunder on with his face constantly towards war--how nothing was trumpeted by the ministerial party, like the ingrat.i.tude and baseness of the Americans--how _certain_ newspapers perpetually vilified them as _miscreants_, _rascals_ and _rebels_--how the public mind was so set against them that even the _shoe-blacks_, as Mr.

Wilkes said, talked of the colonies as _their plantations_, and of the people there as if they had been their _overseers_ and _negroes_--how the minister determined at last, to enforce the _tea-tax_--how, on hearing the news of this, as of the stamp act, the yankees m.u.f.fled their drums, and played the _dead march_--how they took the sacrament never to submit to it--how the minister, to test their valour, sent three ships laden with this three-penny tea--how the yankees, dressed like Mohawks, boarded their ships and destroyed their cargoes--how the minister, waxing more in wrath, sent more soldiers to quell the rebels--how the rebels insulted the soldiers--how the soldiers fired on the rebels--how the port of Boston was shut by royal proclamation--how, in spite of the royal proclamation, the colonies would trade with her and send monies to her relief--how the LORDS and COMMONS pet.i.tioned the king that, any rebel opposing the officers of his sacred majesty, should be instantly hung up without judge or jury--how the king _thanked_ his n.o.ble lords and commons, and was graciously pleased to decree that all rebels thus offending should be thus hung up without judge or jury--how that, notwithstanding this gracious decree, when his majesty's troops attempted to destroy the rebel stores at Concord, the rebels attacked and killed them, without any regard to his majesty's decree.

This unpardonable sin against the "Lord's anointed," which happened on the 19th of April 1775, served as the double bolting and barring of the door against all hope of peace. Throughout America, it struck but one deep and awful sentiment, "_the sword is drawn, and we must now throw the scabbard away_." In May, the news got to England, where it excited emotions that beggar all description. They somewhat, however, resembled the effects of the trumpet of the great angel spoken of in the _Revelations_, that sounded "_wo! wo! wo! to the inhabitants_" of America, and proclaimed the pouring forth of _fire_ and sword. But, reserving this tragedy for the next chapter, we will conclude the present with the following anecdote. It will show at least, that doctor Franklin left no stone unturned to carry his point; and that where logic failed he had recourse to wit.

THE CAT AND EAGLE.

A FABLE, BY DOCTOR FRANKLIN.

Lord Spencer was a great admirer of Dr. Franklin, and never missed sending him a card when he intended a quorum of learned ones at his table. The last time that our philosopher enjoyed this honour, was in 1775, just before he was driven from England by lord North. The conversation taking a turn on fables, lord Spencer observed, that it had certainly been a very lucky thing, especially for the YOUNG, that this mode of instruction had ever been hit on, as there was a something in it wonderfully calculated to touch a favourite string with them, _i.e._ novelty and surprise. They would listen, he said, to a fox, when they would not to a father, and they would be more apt to remember any thing good told them by an owl or a crow, than by an uncle or an aunt. But I am afraid, continued his lordship, that the age of fables is past. aesop and Phaedrus among the ancients, and Fontaine and Gay among the moderns, have given us so many fine speeches from the birds and beasts, that I suspect their budgets are pretty nearly exhausted.

The company concluded with his lordship, except Franklin, who was silent.

"Well, doctor," said lord Spencer, "what is your opinion on this subject?"

"Why, my lord," replied Franklin, "I cannot say that I have the honour to think with you in this affair. The birds and beasts have indeed said a great many wise things; but it is likely they will say a great many more yet before they are done. Nature, I am thinking, is not quite so easily exhausted as your lordship seems to imagine."

Lord Spencer, evidently confused, but still with that countenance of pleasure which characterizes great souls, when they meet superior genius, exclaimed--"Well, doctor, suppose you give us a fable? I know you are good at an impromptu." The company all seconded the motion.

Franklin thanked them for the compliment, but begged to be excused.

They would hear no excuses. They knew, they said, he could _go it_, and insisted he should gratify them. Finding all resistance ineffectual, he drew his pencil, and after scribbling a few minutes, reached it to Spencer, saying--"Well, my lord, since, you will have it so, here's a something fresh from the brain, but I'm afraid you'll not find aesop in it."

"Read it, doctor, read it!" was the cry of the n.o.ble lord and his friends. In a mood, spriteful and pleasant, Franklin thus began--"Once upon a time--hem!--as an Eagle in the full pride of his pinions, soared over a humble farm-yard, darting his fiery eyes around in search of a pig, a lamb, or some such pretty t.i.t-bit, what should he behold but a plump young rabbit, as he thought, squatted among the weeds. Down at once upon him, he pounced like thunder, and bearing him aloft in his talons, thus chuckled to himself with joy--Zounds, what a lucky dog I am! such a nice rabbit here, this morning, for my breakfast!

"His joy was but momentary; for the supposed rabbit happened to be a stout cat, who, spitting and squalling with rage, instantly stuck his teeth and nails, like any fury, into the eagle's thighs, making the blood and feathers fly at a dreadful rate.

"HOLD! HOLD! _for mercy's sake, hold!_ cried the eagle, his wings shivering in the air with very torment.

"Villain! retorted the cat, with a tiger-like growl, dare you talk of _mercy_ after treating me thus, who never injured you?"

O, G.o.d bless you, Mr. CAT, is that you? rejoined the eagle, mighty complaisant; 'pon honour, I did not intend, sir. I thought it was only a rabbit I had got hold of--and you know we are all fond of rabbits.

Do you suppose, my dear sir, that if I had but dreamt it was you, I would ever have touched the hair of your head? No, indeed: I am not such a fool as all that comes to. And now, my dear Mr. CAT, come let's be good friends again, and I'll let you go with all my heart.

"Yes, you'll let me go, scoundrel, will you--here from the clouds--to break every bone in my skin!--No, villain, carry me back, and put me down exactly where you found me, or I'll tear the throat out of you in a moment.

"Without a word of reply, the eagle stooped at once from his giddy height, and sailing humbly down, with great complaisance restored the cat to his simple farm-yard, there to sleep, or hunt his rats and mice at pleasure."

A solemn silence ensued. At length, with a deep prophetic sigh, lord Spencer thus replied: "_Ah! Dr. Franklin I see the drift of your fable; and my fears have already made the application. G.o.d grant_, that Britain may not prove the eagle, and America the cat." This fable paraphrased in the WHIG papers of that day, concludes in this way:

"Thus Britain thought in seventy-six, Her talons in a hare to fix; But in the scuffle it was found, The bird received a dangerous wound, Which, though pretending oft to hide, Still rankles in his Royal side."

CHAPTER XLI.

Doctor Franklin now began to find his situation in London extremely unpleasant. For twelve years, like heaven's own minister of peace, he had pressed the olive-branch on the British ministry; and yet after all, their war-hawks could hardly tolerate the sight of him. They even went so far as to call him "_the h.o.a.ry headed villain, who first stirred up the Americans to rebellion_." As soon as he could obtain his pa.s.sports he left England.

His old friend, Strahan, advised him to continue in that country, for that America would soon be filled with tumult and bloodshed. He replied, "_No, sir, where liberty is, there is my country._"

Unbounded was the joy of the Americans on the return of so great a patriot and statesman. The day following he was elected by the legislature of Pennsylvania, a member of Congress. The following letters, in extract, to his constant friend, and the friend of science and liberty, the celebrated doctor Priestley, will show how full his hands were

"_Philadelphia, July 7, 1775._

"DEAR FRIEND,

"Britain has begun to burn our sea port towns; _secure_, I suppose, _that we shall never be able to return the outrage in kind_. She may doubtless destroy them all. But is this the way to recover our friendship and trade? She must certainly be distracted; for no tradesman out of Bedlam ever thought of increasing the number of his customers by knocking them on the head; or of enabling them to pay their debts, by burning their houses.

"My time was never more fully employed. I breakfast before six. At six I hasten to the COMMITTEE of SAFETY for putting the province in a state of defence. At nine I go to Congress, which sits till after four. It will scarcely be credited in Britain, that men can be as diligent with us, from zeal for the public good, as with you, for _thousands_ per annum. Such is the difference between uncorrupted new states, and corrupted old ones.

"Great frugality and great industry are now become fashionable here: gentlemen, who used to entertain with two or three courses, pride themselves now in treating with simple beef and pudding. By these means, and the stoppage of our consumptive trade with Britain, we shall be better able to pay our voluntary taxes for the support of our troops. Our savings in the article of trade, amount to near five millions of sterling per annum.--Yours, most affectionately,

"B. FRANKLIN."

In another letter to the same, dated October 3d, he says:

"Tell our dear good friend, doctor Price, who sometimes has his doubts and despondencies about our firmness, that America is determined and unanimous: a very few tories and placemen excepted, who will probably soon export themselves. Britain, at the expense of three millions has killed in this campaign, _one hundred and fifty yankees!_ which is 20,000 pounds sterling a head; and at Bunker's hill she gained half a mile of ground! During the same time she lost, at one place, near one thousand men, and we have had a good sixty thousand children born in America. From these data, with the help of his mathematical head, lord North will easily calculate the time and expense necessary to kill us all, and conquer our whole territory.--