Volume II Part 15 (1/2)
”You have a new crop of prose writers I see in your papers many of their fictitious nae me by a little of your literary history Adieu, my dear friend, and believe me ever, yours affectionately,
”B FRANKLIN”
”_To Francis Hopkinson_
”Paris, Dec 24, 1782
”I thank you for your ingenious paper in favour of the trees I own I noe had ts of them in every one of our streets The co froreater coolness of our walls and pavements, would, I conceive, in the improved health of the inhabitants, amply compensate the loss of a house now and then by fire, if such should be the consequence; but a tree is soon felled, and, as axes are near at hand in every neighbourhood, ines arrive
”You do well to avoid being concerned in the pieces of personal abuse, so scandalously common in our newspapers, that I am afraid to lend any of therace us, and subject us aentleman in a coffee-house to two quarrellers, who, after a ue, villain, rascal scoundrel, &c, seemed as if they would refer their dispute to hi of you or your affairs,' said he; 'I only perceive _that you know one another_'
”The conductor of a newspaper should, uardian of his country's reputation, and refuse to insert such writings as may hurt it If people will print their abuses of one another, let them do it in little pamphlets, and distribute them where they think proper It is absurd to trouble all the world with them, and unjust to subscribers in distant places, to stuff their paper with reeable With sincere esteem and affection, I am, my dear friend, ever yours,
”B FRANKLIN”
”_Saress_
”Passy, March 12, 1781
SIR,
I had the honour of receiving, on the 13th of last ether with the instructions of November 28th and December 27th, a copy of those to Colonel Laurens, and the letter to the king I ily as I could the request contained in that letter, and directed by the instructions, and delivered the same with the letter, which were both well received
”Ito myself, a subject hich I have not often troubled the Congress I have passedand severe fit of the gout which I had the last winter has shakenrecovered the bodily strength I before enjoyed I do not know that my mental faculties are impaired Perhaps I shall be the last to discover that; but I areat diminution in my activity, a quality I think particularly necessary in your minister at this court
I am afraid, therefore, that your affairs may some time or other suffer by my deficiency I find also that the business is too heavy forThe constant attendance at ho your bills of exchange (a n to my _ministerial functions_), to answer letters, and perfor the air and exercise which my annual journeys formerly used to afford me, and which contributed much to the preservation of my health There are many other little personal attentions which the infire render necessary to an old ree to the continuance of his existence, and hich business often interferes I have been engaged in public affairs, and enjoyed public confidence in so term of fifty years, an honour sufficient to satisfy any reasonable ambition, and I have no other left but that of repose, which I hope the Congress will grantso they may be assured that it is not any the least doubt of their success in the glorious cause, nor any disgust received in their service, that induces me to decline it, but purely and simply the reasons above ues of a sea voyage (the last having been alain expose myself to the hazard of capture and imprisonment in this time of war, I purpose to remain here at least till the peace; perhaps it e or experience I have acquired here ht of use to my successor, I shall freely communicate it, and assist him with any influence I may be supposed to have or counsel that may be desired of me”
”_To the Bishop of St Asaph_[25]
[25] Jonathan shi+pley took his degrees at Christ Church, and in 1743 wasin 1745 with the Duke of cumberland, he was promoted in 1749 to a canonry at Christ Church, became dean of Winchester in 1760, and 1769 bishop of St Asaph He was author of soant verses on the death of Queen Caroline, and published besides some poems and sermons, and died 1788 He was an ardent friend of American independence
”Passy, June 10, 1782
”I received and read the letter from my dear anda silence, and the long continuance of its unfortunate causes, a line fro, e er froed by the ill-success of their distracted projects
”I long with you for the return of peace, on the general principles of hu able to pass a few more of my last days happily in the sweet conversations and company I once enjoyed at Twyford,[26] is a particular eneral wish, and quickens s After much occasion to consider the folly and e obtained even by those nations who have conducted it with the most success, I have been apt to think that there has never been, nor ever will be, any such thing as a _good_ war or a _bad_ peace
[26] The country residence of the bishop
”You ask if I still relish my old studies? I relish therossed, unhappily, with other concerns I requested froe froht enjoy a little leisure in the evening of a long life of business; but it was refused er
”You are happy, as your years co that dear and hters! how rich! I have but one, and she necessarily detained froues' distance I feel the want of that tender care of ive the world for one Your shades are all placed in a row over my fireplace, so that I not only have you always in my mind, but constantly before reatly obliged to you I hope you will live long to see that country flourish under its new constitution, which I areat pleasure Will you permit me to express another hope that, now your friends are in power, they will take the first opportunity of showing the sense they ought to have of your virtues and your merit?