organ, in the mean time, will go towards his better playing on the Armonica when he gets it. I rejoice to hear of the welfare and increase of your family. I pray God to bless them all and you. Your affectionate uncle, B. FRANKLIN. P. S. Sister Mecom speaks very affectionately of you, and gratefully of your kindness to her in her late troubles. The bearer, Mr. Sears, is entering into business as a merchant here. He is a friend of mine, and I recommend him to your acquaintance and civilities. FROM JOSEPH GALLOWAY TO WILLIAM FRANKLIN, GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY. Repeal of the Stamp Act.-Fothergill's and Whitefield's Account of Dr. Franklin's Examination before the House of Commons. - Emblematical Representation. Tuesday, 29 April, 1766. DEAR FRIEND, This is enclosed in a copy of my letter from your worthy father, by Mr. James Boy, whom we have sent up to communicate to you our intelligence by the packet. Mr. Thomas Wharton has a letter from a house of good credit in Boston, that, by a vessel in a short passage from London, they have certain intelligence that the act of repeal was read in the House of Lords a second time on the 7th of March, and that it was much approved of by the Lords, and would pass, and that in a few days it was expected it would receive the King's assent. So that I think little credit ought to be given to the two lines in the York paper, without date, contradicting this account. It gives me a pleasure I cannot well express, to hear that Dr. Franklin was examined at the bar of the House of Commons. Dr. Fothergill writes this to William Logan, and, that he gave "such distinct, clear, and satisfactory answers to every interrogatory, and besides spoke his sentiments on the subject with such perspicuity and firmness, as did him the highest honor, and was of the greatest service to the American cause." True merit and exalted virtues may be, like the sun, overshadowed for a while; but the force and brilliancy of their rays will at length dispel the mists and break forth, notwithstanding opposing clouds and darkness. This account is also confirmed by Mr. Whitefield to Thomas Wharton. Mr. Logan has promised to send David Hall an extract, and he will publish it. Mr. Wharton will do the same. I mentioned the putting Mr. Whitefield's name as the author of the last extract. Mr. Wharton seems inclined. Would it be amiss? It will certainly put an effectual stop to the malignant lies related of Dr. Franklin's conduct, relating to the Stamp Act, and clear up his reputation to all the American world. For who dares deny Mr. Whitefield's authority? Will the church? Will the Presbyterians?* * The following are extracts from letters written by gentlemen in London to their correspondents in America, and printed in the Philadelphia newspapers. Each letter is dated the 27th of February, 1766, but whether any one of them came from Dr. Fothergill or Mr. Whitefield is uncertain, as the names of the writers are not mentioned. "Our worthy friend, Dr. Franklin, has gained immortal honor by his behaviour at the bar of the House. The answerer was always found equal if not superior to the questioner. He stood unappalled, gave pleasure to his friends, and did honor to his country." From another letter. "I can safely assert, from my own personal knowledge, that Dr. Franklin did all in his power to prevent the Stamp Act from passing; that he waited upon the ministry, that then was, to inform them fully of its mischievous tendency; and that he has uniformly opposed it to the utmost of his ability; and that, in a long ex I suspect the print, enclosed by Dr. Franklin to me and several others, is his own. It is certainly a good one, and explains the subject deeply. The lance from the thigh of New England, pointed at the breast of Britannia, is striking, as is indeed every other emblem. If you have not one enclosed to you, keep it; if you have, please to return it by the bearer.* I am in haste, yours very affectionately, JOSEPH GALLOWAY. FROM THOMAS WHARTON TO B. FRANKLIN. Eminent Services of Dr. Franklin acknowledged. - MY DEAR FRiend, Philadelphia, 9 May, 1766. I had the pleasure of writing thee a few lines by the packet, since which our Assembly met, and have this day adjourned to meet the 2d of June next. It is with great pleasure that I acquaint thee, that the reason for this short adjournment is, that they may take the earliest opportunity of returning to the King, Lords, and Commons, their unfeigned thanks for the repeal of the Stamp Act; the account of which, it is not doubted, will reach thee by that time. I understand the New York Assembly stands prorogued to the 20th amination before the House of Commons within these few weeks, he asserted the rights and privileges of America with the utmost firmness, resolution, and capacity." From another letter. "Dr. Franklin has served you greatly; he was examined at the bar of the House of Commons, and gave such clear and explicit answers to the questions proposed, and mentioned his own sentiments with so much firmness and resolution, as at once did him great credit, and served your cause not a little. I believe he has left nothing undone, that he imagined would serve his country." * See this Emblematical Representation in Vol. IV. p. 456. VOL. VII. 40 A A instant, for the same good end, and I have not a doubt but the New Jersey House will cheerfully prosecute the same steps. We have taken the lead to publish in our papers several pieces tending to excite a prudent behaviour in the inhabitants of the continent, on their receiving the account of the repeal, and I doubt not but that our people will conduct themselves well on the occasion; and, rest assured, my friend, that the publication of sundry paragraphs of letters from London, respecting thy conduct and the eminent services thou hast done the continent in general, and this province in particular, has so effectually silenced the calumniating principles of the party, that they know not what to say. I find Dr. Fothergill's letter to W. A. has had a good effect, as I am assured he has taken some pains to instruct their people, that it would be prudent not to be over zealous on the occasion. Our worthy friend, G. Ashbridge, has spared no pains to acquaint the country members of every thing, which could tend to rivet their affections for thee; and through the concurring circumstances, which we were enabled to acquaint them with, the storm, which was threatened by the party, vanished. Even the giant himself could scarce find any thing to vent his sentiments on, but was obliged to introduce them by asking, if the committee had letters, and what they contained; to which he was so fully answered, that he did not attempt to resume the subject. On the 5th instant came on the election of managers for our hospital; when the same set were elected, except A. Strettell and D. Roberdeau, in the stead of H. Harrison declined, and T. Gordon removed into the country. We have admitted, this last year, four hundred and fifty-four patients, and our expenses have * amounted to upwards of sixteen hundred pounds, a sum far superior to our income; yet from the charitable disposition of our inhabitants, and some with you, especially the benevolent Dr. Fothergill, our fund is not lessened, but, if we could receive the interest arising on the money, which, in the year 1770, we are to receive from the London Land Company, it would be of particular service. Thy family are all well. I remain, &c. THOMAS WHARTON. TO CADWALLADER EVANS. On the Representation of the Colonies in Parliament. DEAR SIR, London, 9 May, 1766. I I received your kind letter of March 3d, and thank you for the intelligence and hints it contained. wonder at the complaint you mention. I always considered writing to the Speaker as writing to the Committee. But if it is more to their satisfaction, that I should write to them jointly, it shall be done for the future. My private opinion concerning a union in Parliament between the two countries is, that it would be best for the whole. But I think it will never be done. For though I believe, that, if we had no more representatives than Scotland has, we should be sufficiently strong in the House to prevent, as they do for Scotland, any thing ever passing to our disadvantage; yet we are not able at present to furnish and maintain such a number, and, when we are more able, we shall be less willing than we are now. The Parliament here do at present think too highly of themselves to |