222 



that authorized it. It was a lottery in which some might 

 draw prizes, but the whole expense exceeded by much the 

 aggregate of individual gains. Besides, in addition to the 

 national loss of so many men during the time they have been 

 engaged in robbing, the agents in the nefarious work become 

 unfit for any sober business after a peace, and " serve only to 

 increase the number of highwaymen and housebreakers." 

 The financial disaster that sooner or later overtakes even the 

 most prosperous of those taking part in it, Franklin regarded 

 as " a just punishment for their having wantonly and unfeelingly 

 ruined many honest, innocent traders and their families, whose 

 subsistence was employed in serving the common interests of 

 mankind."* 



In accordance with these humane views, Dr. Franklin de- 

 sired to insert in the treaty of peace with Great Britain an 

 article abolishing privateering in all future wars. To this end he 

 drew up a proposal, which he enclosed to his old friend, Rich- 

 ard Oswald, the British commissioner, shortly after they had 

 signed the " provisional articles." In the accompanying letter 

 he wrote: "I send you also another paper which I once read 

 to you separately. It contains a proposition for improving the 

 law of nations, by prohibiting the plundering of unarmed and 

 usefully employed people. I rather wish than expect that it 

 will be adopted. But I think it may be offered with a better 

 grace by a country that is likely to suffer least and gain 

 most by continuing the ancient practice, which is our case, as 

 the American ships, laden only with the gross productions of 

 the earth, cannot be so valuable as yours, filled with sugars 

 or manufactures. It has not yet been considered by my col- 

 leagues, but if you should think or find that it might be 



♦Propositions relative to privateering communicated to Mr. Oswald, Passy, 14 January, 

 1783, Works, viii, 246. See also, ib., ix, 88, 89. 



