OF THE SADDLE AND SIRLOIN CLUB 241 
literary facility in the first two tongues. His pamphlet “Plain 
Truths,” published in 1743, was a timely warning against the 
French and Indian War that gave him an immense popularity. 
In 1752 he began a series of contributions to European journals 
that only ceased with his death. 
His career as a statesman began somewhat humbly. In 1736 
he was made clerk of the Pennsylvania assembly, and in 1737 
postmaster of Philadelphia. The next decade and a half were 
occupied with his scientific labors. In 1753 he was made post- 
master general of the American colonies with Witu1am Hunter, 
and in 1754 he was deputy from Pennsylvania to the congress at 
Albany of commissioners from the several colonies to devise 
mutual protection against the Indians of the Six Nations. Here 
he projected and formulated “a plan for the union of all the 
colonies under one government, so far as might be necessary for 
defense and for other important general purposes.” It was 
adopted by all colonies but Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. 
Between 1757 and 1762 he was agent for the colony against the 
Penn family, “proprietor of the province of Pennsylvania,” to 
require the latter family to pay taxes and contribute to the gen- 
eral defense. This cause he won in the English courts. In 1775- 
77 he was made a delegate to Continental Congress, and as such 
devised a plan for the union of the colonies, also a postal system, 
afterward adopted by the United States. He was one of the 
committee of five that framed the Declaration of Independence. 
In 1785 he was made “President” of Pennsylvania and was unani- 
mously elected in 1786 and 1787. He was delegate to the con- 
vention that framed the constitution and was one of the chief 
forces in building up the idea of the federation of states, rather 
than a strongly centralized government. 
His crowning triumphs were diplomatic. In 1764 he was sent 
abroad to secure the repeal of the Stamp Act, and although the 
colonists became indignant when it was put in force and accused 
