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Frontier-Marches at the head of a body of Troops - Gnadenhutten-Indian Massacres Moravians at BethlehemReturns to Philadelphia- Journey to Virginia-His Electrical Experiments and Discoveries - Chosen a member of the Royal Society-Receives the Copley Medal,

PACT

- 162

CHAPTER XII.

Governor Denny-Disputes between the Governor and Assembly Franklin is deputed by the Assembly to present a petition to the King, and to act in England as an agent for Pennsylvania Meets Lord London in New York-Anecdotes — Sails from New York-Incidents of the Voyage - Arrives in England,

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- 176

CHAPTER XIII.

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The Autobiography closes - Continuation of his Life - His recep-
tion in England - The difficulties of his mission Statement
of the Issues between the Proprietaries and the Pennsylvania
Province-Franklin's Efforts - Returns to America in 1762
- Is sent back in 1764- Protracted Residence in England-
The Colonies and Mother Country Question of Independ-
ence-Franklin suggests the idea of a Continental Congress -
Returns to America in 1775-Chosen a Representative to the
second Congress - Declaration of Independence - Excessive
labors of Franklin-Appointed Minister to France - His suc-
cessful efforts at the Court of Versailles-Close of the War-
Peace-Franklin returns to America- His death-
-Was he a Christian?

Character

187

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On the death of his brother, Mr. John Franklin,

To the late Dr. Mather, of Boston,

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229

231

232

234

A Petition to those who have the superintendency of Education, - 236 The handsome and deformed leg,

Conversation of a company of Ephemera,

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The art of procuring pleasant Dreams,

Advice to a Young Tradesman,

Necessary Hints,

The way to make money plenty in every man's pocket,

An Economical Project,

Sketch of an English School,

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On modern innovations in the English Language and in Printing, 267

The Court of the Press,

Paper: a Poem,

On the art of Swimming,

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New mode of Bathing,

Observations on the generally prevailing doctrines of Life and

Death,

Precautions for those about to undertake a Sea Voyage,

On Luxury, Idleness, and Industry,

On the Slave Trade,

Observations on War,

On the Impress of Seamen,

On Criminal Laws, and the practice of Privateering,

Remarks concerning the Savages of North America,

Concerning the Dissensions between England and America,

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A comparison of the conduct of the Ancient Jews, and of the Anti-
Federalists in the United States,

299

- 303

310

- 317

Nautical Affairs,

Northwest Passage,

Positions to be examined,

Preliminary Address to the Pennsylvania Almanac,
The Internal State of America,

Information to those who would remove to America,
Whitewashing,

Answer to the foregoing,

Final Speech in the Federal Convention,

Extracts from Last Will and Testament,

A*

318

- 322

325

- 326

328

- 338

344

· 354 ?

361 - 365

368

LIFE

OF

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.

CHAPTER I.

I HAVE ever had a pleasure in obtaining any little anecdotes of my ancestors. You may remember the inquiries I made among the remains of my relations, when you were with me in England, and the journey I undertook for that purpose. Imagining it may be equally agreeable to you to learn the circumstances of my life, many of which you are acquainted with, and expecting the enjoyment of a few weeks' uninterrupted leisure, I sit down to write them. Besides, there are some other inducements that excite me to this undertaking. From the poverty and obscurity in which I was born, and in which I passed my earliest years, I have raised myself to a state of affluence and some degree of celebrity in the world. As constant good fortune has accompanied me even to an advanced period of life, my posterity will perhaps be desirous of learning the means, which I employed, and which, thanks to Providence, so well succeeded with me. They may also deem them fit to be imitated, should any of them find themselves in similar circumstances.

This good fortune, when I reflect on it, which is frequently the case, has induced me sometimes to say, that, if it were left to my choice, I should have no objection to go over the same life from its beginning to the end; requesting only the advantage authors have of correcting in a second edition the faults of the first. So would I also wish to change some incidents of it, for others more favorable. Notwithstanding, if this condition was denied, I should still accept the offer of re-commencing the same life. But as this repetition is not to be expected, that, which resembles most living one's life over again, seems to be to recall all the circumstances of it; and, to render this remembrance more durable, to record them in writing.

In thus employing myself I shall yield to the inclination, so natural to old men, of talking of themselves and their own actions; and I shall indulge it without being tiresome to those, who, from respect to my age, might conceive themselves obliged to listen to me, since they will be always free to read me or not. And, lastly, (I may as well confess it, as the denial of it would be believed by nobody,) I shall perhaps not a little gratify my own vanity. Indeed, I never heard or saw the introductory words, "Without vanity I may say," &c., but some vain thing immediately followed. Most people dislike vanity in others, whatever share they have of it themselves; but I give it fair quarter wherever I meet with it, being persuaded, that it is often productive of good to the possessor, and to others who are within his sphere of action; and therefore in many cases it would not be altogether absurd, if a man were to thank God for his vanity among the other comforts of life.

And now I speak of thanking God, I desire with all humility to acknowledge, that I attribute the mentioned happiness of my past life to His divine providence, which led to the means I used, and gave the success. My belief of this induces me to hope, though I must not presume, that the same goodness will still be exercised towards me in continuing that happiness,

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