would be the case, notwithstanding Dr. Smith's opinion or intelligence.

I was the better pleased with your account of Madeira, because the day I received your letter was the second of our sitting on a committee to inquire into its state, in order, with other facts, to lay a foundation for extending thither the indulgence already given to rice in Europe south of Cape Finisterre.

I had from Mr. Moore, the clerk of Assembly, through the hands of Messrs. Sergeant and Aufren, a manifest of forces employed by your province in 1760 and 1761. It came not to me till some months after it reached London, being misdirected, yet soon enough; because I fear it will be of no use, as the Lords of

ly expressed and declared, that the waste lands belonging to the Proprietors shall not be taxed; that the located unimproved land belonging to the Proprietors shall be rated at the lowest that any other man's is rated; that lands ungranted in and about towns, belonging to the Proprietors, shall be taxed at the rate of other located unimproved land; that the Proprietors' rents shall be paid them in the value of sterling money, as if no paper money was issued; that a number of commissioners shall be named in the bill to sit in Philadelphia to hear appeals from the several counties." The Assembly never fulfilled the engagement of their agents. They appointed commissioners to examine the operation of the act, in regard to the taxing of various kinds of lands, who reported, that the Proprietors stood precisely on the same footing as other owners of land; and that the law was perfectly equal and just in its effects. As to paying the Proprietors' rents in sterling money, when all other persons were obliged to be contented with a paper currency of less value, it was thought inequitable, especially as the laws authorizing this currency had been approved by the Proprietors, and as there was no good reason why their property should be exempted from the necessary consequences of these laws. The agents assented to the engagement as the only mode of saving the act, which was of the utmost importance to the public service at that time, and they were never censured for the part they took, although the Assembly refused to ratify what they did. The governor brought the subject often before the Assembly, and sometimes in long messages, to which they replied. The arguments on both sides are contained in the printed Votes and Proceedings of the Assembly for the year 1761, and particularly under the dates of February 14th, and March 14th.

the Treasury have resolved not to depart from the general's returns, who has allowed the province thirteen hundred and fifty men in 1760, but none in the last year. I know not the reason for this, unless he is pleased to suppose that the nine hundred and sixtyfive men employed in 1761 were for the provincial defence only; yet they were under his command. Perhaps it is a mistake. I shall write by the packet to Mr. Moore; and, as the money will not be probably distributed for a great while, there will be time for the general, upon application made to him, to set things right. I am, &c.

RICHARD JACKSON.

TO JONATHAN WILLIAMS.

LOVING KINSMAN,

*

Philadelphia, 13 April, 1763.

You may remember, that about ten years since, when I was at Boston, you and my brother sent directions here to attach on Grant's right to some land here, by virtue of a mortgage given him by one Pitt. Nothing effectual could be done in it at that time, there being a prior mortgage undischarged. That prior mortgage is now near expiring, and Grant's will take place. Pitt's widow is desirous of being enabled to sell the place, which cannot be done, without paying off Grant's mortgage. Therefore, if your old demand

* Jonathan Williams resided at Boston. He married a niece of Dr. Franklin's, by the name of Grace Harris, and was the father of Jonathan Williams, who acted as a commercial agent for the United States in France during a large part of the revolution, and whose name often occurs in the course of this correspondence. The father died at his son's residence, near Philadelphia, on the 17th of September, 1796; and the son, after filling important stations as a colonel of engineers, and superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point, died May 20th,

against Grant still subsists, you may empower me in any manner you think proper to recover it.

Is Grant living? Or, if dead, are there any of his representatives among you? Inquire. Because here is a person desirous of purchasing, who, perhaps, may inquire them out, and get a discharge from them, before your claim is brought forward, unless the attachment formerly made in your behalf is still good, which I am inclined to think may be.

I am going in a few days to Virginia, but expect to be back in three or four weeks. However, send what you have to say on this subject to my son, at Burlington, who was formerly empowered by you, and he will take the steps necessary, if I should not be returned. I am your loving uncle,

B. FRANKLIN.

TO MISS MARY STEVENSON.

Woodbridge, New Jersey, 10 June, 1763.

I wrote to my dear friend's good mamma to-day, and said I should hardly have time to write to you; but, finding a spare half hour, I will indulge myself in the pleasure of spending it with you. I have just received your most agreeable epistle of March 11th. The ease, the smoothness, the purity of diction, and delicacy of sentiment, that always appear in your letters, never fail to delight me; but the tender filial regard you constantly express for your old friend is particularly engaging. Continue, then, to make him happy from time to time with that sweet intercourse; and take, in return, all he can give you, his sincerest wishes for you of every kind of felicity.

I hope, that, by the time this reaches you, an account will arrive of your dear Pitty's safe landing in

VOL. VII.

V

America among her friends. Your Dolly, too, I hope, has perfectly recovered her health, and then nothing will remain to give you uneasiness or anxiety. Heaven bless you, and believe me ever, my dear child, your affectionate friend and humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

TO MRS. DEBORAH FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR CHILD,

New York, 16 June, 1763.

We left Woodbridge on Tuesday morning, and went to Elizabethtown, where I found our children returned from the Falls, and very well. The Corporation were to have a dinner that day at the Point for their entertainment, and prevailed on us to stay. There were all the principal people, and a great many ladies. After dinner we set out, and got here before dark. We waited on the governor and on General Amherst yesterday; dined with Lord Stirling; went in the evening to my old friend Mr. Kennedy's funeral; and are to dine with the general to-day. Mr. Hughes and daughter are well, and Betsey Holt. I have not yet seen B. Mecom, but shall to-day. I am very well.

I purpose to take Sally at all events, and write for her to-day to be ready to go in the packet that sails next Friday week. If there is no other suitable company, Mr. Parker will go with her and take care of her. I am glad you sent some wax candles with the things to Boston. I am now so used to them, that I cannot well do without them. You spent your Sunday very well, but I think you should go oftener to church. I approve of your opening all my English letters, as it must give you pleasure to see, that people, who knew me there so long and so intimately, retain so sincere a regard for me.

My love to Mr. Rhoads when you see him, and desire he would send me an invoice of such locks, hinges, and the like, as cannot be had at Philadelphia, and will be necessary for my house, that I may send for them. Let me know from time to time how it goes on. Mr. Foxcroft and Mr. Parker join in compliments to you and cousin Lizzy. Mr. Fprays his mamma to forgive him, and he will be a better boy. I am, my dear Debby, your affectionate husband, B. FRANKLIN.

TO WILLIAM GREENE, WARWIC, RHODE ISLAND. Providence, 19 July, 1763.

DEAR SIR, From the very hospitable and kind treatment we met with at your house, I must think it will be agreeable to you to hear, that your guests got well in before the rain. We hope that you and Mrs. Greene were likewise safe at home before night, and found all well. We all join in the most cordial thanks and best wishes, and shall be glad on every occasion to hear of the welfare of you and yours. I beg you will present our compliments to your good neighbour, Captain Fry, and tell him we shall always retain a grateful remembrance of his civilities.

The soreness in my breast seems to diminish hourly. To rest and temperance I ascribe it chiefly, though the bleeding had doubtless some share in the effect. We purpose setting out to go to Wrentham this afternoon, in order to make an easy day's journey into Boston to-morrow. Present our respects to Mrs. Ray, and believe me, with much esteem, dear Sir, your obliged and most obedient, humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN.