168 ROSENGARTEN—" FRANKLIN PAPERS.” [April 3, 
in all languages, and offers to write histories of the new Republic, 
provided Franklin will furnish material, maps, etc. Then comes a 
request to look into an invention to reunite broken bones in all 
cases of fracture. The Palatinate Academy of Sciences, at Mann- 
heim, sends its works dealing with electricity, etc., and urges 
establishing a German Scientific Society in Philadelphia. 
A man and wife, with six children and six farm laborers, desire 
to settle in America, and ask Franklin to get Congress to give 
them land near Philadelphia, enough for the support of twenty 
persons, their connections. Franklin notes that his reply was that 
land was so cheap in Pennsylvania, that there was no need to apply 
to Congress. 
Then came an offer to establish a Swiss clock and watch factory 
at Boston or Philadelphia. Even Franklin’s patience was tried by a 
request to explain the right of America to assert its independence, 
for on this letter he endorsed ‘‘ Impertinent.”’ 
The letters are a perfect picture of Franklin’s busy social life in 
Paris, with politics, science, literature, war, privateering, all repre- 
sented in his correspondence. 
There are many letters from John Paul Jones about his naval 
exploits, and frequent appeals for help in securing the release of 
prisoners captured at sea, for help to return them and other Ameri- 
cans in distress to their homes. Dr. Price writes from London to 
know if it is true that Washington is grown unpopular, and that his 
army deserts in great numbers, and that the suffering in America is 
excessive. William Strahan reminds Franklin that in 1763 he spoke 
of America as England’s strongest ally and of France as that per- 
fidious nation. Vaughan sends to Chaumont (who reports it to 
Franklin) a message of greeting for their friend who always carried 
spectacles on his nose and kingdoms on his shoulders. 
His correspondence came from England and from all parts of 
the Continent and from the West Indies in an unending stream. 
A very curious letter is one from Richard Penn, dated London, 
October 20, 1778, which I think has never been printed : 
‘‘ Dear Sir :—Nothing but necessity could have induced me to 
take the liberty of begging your attention for a few moments, from 
those various and important affairs with which you are entrusted, 
and which you have executed with so much reputation to yourself 
and advantage to your country; at the same time I am aware that 
the name subscribed will nct at first sight bring you much in favour 
PN ee eae ee 
