1775.] TO HUMPHRY MARSHALL. ,~d\ 



London, March 18th, 17, 5. 



Sir: 



I duly received your favour of Nov. the 26th, but having mislaid 

 it, I postponed answering it till I should find it, not recollect in- 

 perfectly what were the books you wrote for. I now send the 

 Nautical Almanack for the current year ; that for 1770 is not yet 

 published. The Philosophical Transactions, if you mean a com- 

 plete set, will cost near 30. Therefore, not knowing fully your 

 mind, I have not bought them. 



The controversy will soon end in our favour, notwithstanding 

 the present measures, if America is steady in the non-consumption 

 agreement. All the hopes and dependence of the ministry are in 

 dividing us, by working upon our fears and hopes. If wc art- 

 faithful to each other, our adversaries are ruined. 



I am, with much esteem, sir, 



Your most obedient humble servant. 



Philadelphia, May 23d, 1775. 



Dear Sir : 



I received your favour of the 13th inst. I think, with you, that 

 the non-importation and non-exportation, well adhered to, will end 

 the controversy in our favour. But, as Britain has begun to use v 

 force, it seems absolutely necessary that we should be prepared to 

 repel force by force, which I think, united, we are well aide to do. 



It is a true old saying, that make yourselves sheep and the wolves 

 will eat you: to which I may add another, God helps them that 

 help themselves. 



With much esteem, I am, sir, 



Your most obedient humble servant.* 



* In the hurry of writing these last two letters (one immediately before leaving 

 London, and the other soon after his arrival in Philadelphia), Doctor F. omitted 

 to put his name to them. But there is no mistaking the well-known chirography 

 of the originals, and every reader will recognise the familiar maxims of " Poor 

 Richard." 



