A BENJAMIN FRANKLIN RELIC 



cannot pack away in a box, as done with, the 

 men and women who have preceded you upon 

 the earth as though they were toy soldiers at the 

 end of a day's play. But this, by the way. I 

 knew that the great Benjamin's beautifully-neat 

 caligraphy had an honoured place among my 

 autographic mementoes, and in the good company 

 of that of many statesmen and scientists of his 

 acquaintance f ew of whom, however, wrote as well 

 as he did and I welcomed an excuse for handling 

 one of my treasures in the shape of the letter. 



The letter was written at a most interesting 

 juncture : just after the American Revolution had 

 passed into the fighting stage. Franklin, who had 

 been doing his best to rouse the Colonies against 

 us, reported the result as follows in this letter : 



" DEAR SIR " philadel P hia " Ma ? 6th 1775 - 



66 1 arrived here last night, and have 

 the pleasure to learn that there is the most 

 perfect unanimity throughout the Colonies, and 

 that even New York, on whose defection the 

 Ministry so confidently rely'd, is as hearty and 

 zealous as any of the rest. I have not yet had 

 time to collect particulars of information for 

 you ; and, therefore, the chief intention of this 

 line is to introduce to you the bearer, Captain 

 Falconer, who is perfectly acquainted with the 

 state of things here, and on whose accounts you 

 may depend. With great esteem, I am, sir, 

 " Your most obedient, 



" Humble servant, 



" B. FRANKLIN. 

 "D. Hartley, Esq." 



185 



