84 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From Martha Johnson. 1768. May 10. Letchlade. 



Sorry to hear that Franklin is about to leave England; cannot leave 

 her shop to bid him good-bye. Begs that with so much influence at his 

 command he will do something for Sammy, as she cannot afford to ap- 

 prentice him. Hopes Nancy behaves herself and makes progress in her 

 French; would be obliged if Franklin would always address her in 

 that tongue. A. L. S. i p. II, 125. 



From ■W[illia]ni Franklin. 1768. May 10. Perth Amboy. 



Acknowledging favors of Jan. 9, 29, Feb. 13 and March 13. M[au- 

 rice] Morgan not yet arrived. Concerning Franklin's lands in Nova 

 Scotia and his scheme of returning home via Halifax. Goddard has not yet 

 published Franklin's paper on Smuggling in the Chronicle, but has 

 printed the one relative to disputes in America^ ; both much admired, 

 the latter far more than the Farmer's Letters. Concerning the experi- 

 ment of setting water on fire. Reported by Mr. Foxcroft that Frank- 

 lin was to be appointed one of the Under Secretaries of State to Lord 

 Hillsborough; doubts the truth of this, but it is much wished for. As- 

 sures his father that in spite of great provocation, his one endeavor has 

 been to avoid family quarrels. Question of paper currency. Evil con- 

 sequences of the Ministry abandoning the posts in the back country, and 

 leaving them to the colonies to garrison. Glad that the boundarj^ is at 

 last to be completed. Sent an exact account of the manufactories car- 

 ried on in his province to Lord Shelburne ; therefore cannot understand 

 Mr. Grenville's complaints. Proves by statistics that there is not wool 

 enough in the colonies to make each person a pair of garters. Act of 

 Assembly for supplying the King's forces. Agreeable dinner he had with 

 Mr. Bayard, meeting there Gen. Gage and Sir Henry Moore. Has 

 just seen that Franklin has been chosen agent for Georgia; anxious to 

 know if he will accept it. A. L. S. 6 p. II, 126. 



^ See Ford's Bibliography of Benjamin Franklin, p. 135, No. 302. 



From Mar [tin] Howard, Jr. 1768. May 14. Newport, R. L 



Wrote to him some time past and mentioned the petition signed by 

 a few here for a Royal Government. The pamphlet entitled "A Letter 

 from Halifax " has involved him in a paper war and he has taken the 

 side of the Mother Country against her ungrateful sons. Has lately 

 published "A Defence of the Halifax Letter." His attitude has ren- 

 dered him not a little obnoxious. Asks his influence to have him appointed 



