_Disputes with the Proprietaries. Franklin sent by the Assembly to
London. Appointed general Agent for the Colonies. University Honors.
The Armonica. Murder of the friendly Indians._
1. Soon after his return to Philadelphia, Franklin was appointed by
the assembly upon a very important mission. From the earliest
establishment of Pennsylvania, there seems to have been a spirit of
dispute among its inhabitants. During the lifetime of William Penn,
the constitution had been three times altered. After this time
quarrels were continually arising between the proprietaries or their
governors and the assembly.
2. The proprietaries were the descendants of those to whom the lands
were originally granted by the king. They claimed particular
privileges for their estates; and among other things that they should
be free from taxes. To this the assembly would by no means consent.
This subject of dispute interfered in almost every question, and
prevented the passage of the most necessary laws.
3. The assembly at length resolved to appeal to the king against the
unjust claims of the proprietaries, and appointed Franklin as their
agent, to go over to England and present their petition. After some
delay and detention by the governor, under the pretence of bringing
about an accommodation, Franklin sailed from New York towards the end
of June, and arrived in London on the twenty-seventh of July, 1757.
4. According to the instructions which he had received from the
legislature, Franklin had a meeting with the proprietaries who then
resided in England, and endeavored to prevail on them to give up their
pretensions. Finding it impossible to derive any satisfaction from
them, he laid his petition before the council. During this time, the
governor of Pennsylvania had consented to a law imposing a tax, in
which no distinction was made in favor of the estates of the Penn
family.
5. Alarmed at this intelligence, and by Franklin's exertions, they
used their utmost endeavors to prevent this law from receiving the
royal approbation. They represented it as highly unjust, designed to
throw the burden of supporting government upon them, and tending to
produce the most ruinous consequences to them and their posterity.
6. The cause was very fully examined before the king's privy council.
The Penn family here found some very earnest advocates, while those
were not wanting ready to espouse the side of the people. After some
time spent in debate, a proposal was made that Franklin should
solemnly engage that the tax should be so made, that the proprietary
estates should pay no more than a fair proportion. This he agreed to
perform, and the Penn family withdrew their opposition to the passage
of the law.
7. After this business was thus happily concluded, Franklin remained
at the court of Great Britain, as agent for the province of
Pennsylvania. The extensive knowledge which he possessed of the
situation of the colonies, and the regard which he had always shown
for their interests, occasioned his appointment to the same office by
the colonies of Massachusetts, Maryland and Georgia. His conduct in
this situation increased the reputation and esteem in which he was
held among his countrymen.
8. Franklin was now in the midst of those friends whom he had acquired
by his fame as a philosopher. He was very much sought after by them.
Honors from learned societies and colleges were continually heaped
upon him. The university of St. Andrew's, in Scotland, conferred on
him the degree of doctor of laws. Its example was followed by the
universities of Edinburgh and Oxford. His correspondence was sought by
the most distinguished philosophers of Europe.
9. Although Franklin was now principally occupied with political
pursuits, he found time for his favorite studies. He extended his
researches in electricity, and in other interesting subjects of
natural philosophy.
10. The tone produced by rubbing the brim of a drinking-glass with a
wet finger is familiar to every one. An Irish gentleman, by the name
of Puckeridge, by placing on a table a number of glasses of different
sizes, and tuning them by partly filling them with water, endeavored
to form an instrument upon which he could play tunes. He died before
he had completed his invention. Some improvements were afterwards made
upon his plan. The sweetness of the tones induced Franklin to try a
number of experiments, and he at length formed the instrument which he
has called the Armonica.
11. In the summer of 1762 he returned to America. He received the
thanks of the assembly of Pennsylvania, "as well for the faithful
discharge of his duty to that province in particular, as for the many
and important services done to America in general, during his
residence in Great Britain." A compensation of five thousand pounds,
Pennsylvania currency, was decreed him for his services during six
years.
12. During his absence, Franklin had been annually elected member of
the assembly. On his return to Philadelphia, he again took his seat in
that body, and continued steadily to protect the rights and interests
of the people.
13. In December, 1762, great alarm was excited in the province by the
following circumstance. Several Indians resided in the county of
Lancaster, who had always conducted themselves as friends to the white
men. A number of inhabitants upon the frontiers, who had been
irritated by repeated injuries, determined to seek revenge on all the
Indians who fell in their way.
14. About a hundred and twenty persons assembled, and proceeded on
horseback to the settlements of the defenceless Indians. These were
now reduced in number to about twenty. They had received information
of the intended attack, but did not believe it. As the white people
had always been their friends, they feared no danger from them. When
the party arrived at the Indian settlement, they found only some women
and children and a few old men. The rest were absent at work. The
wretches murdered all whom they found, and among others the chief
Shahehas, who had been always distinguished for his friendship to the
whites.
15. The remainder of these unfortunate Indians, who, by their absence,
had escaped the massacre, were conducted to Lancaster, and lodged in
the jail as a place of security. Large rewards were offered by the
governor for the discovery of the murderers. But notwithstanding this,
a party of the same men marched to Lancaster, broke open the jail, and
inhumanly butchered the innocent Indians who had been placed there for
protection.
16. Another proclamation was issued by the governor, but in vain. A
party even marched down to Philadelphia, for the purpose of murdering
some friendly Indians, who had been removed to the city for safety.
The citizens armed to protect them. The Quakers, notwithstanding they
are opposed to fighting even in their own defence, were most active
upon the occasion. The rioters advanced to Germantown, and the
governor fled for safety to the house of Dr. Franklin. It was by his
assistance and influence that the disturbance was quelled, and the
rioters prevailed upon to return to their homes.
* * * * *
2. Who were the proprietaries? What did they claim? How did the
assembly treat their claim?
3. What course did the assembly pursue? Why was Franklin sent to
England? When did he arrive in London?
4. What course did Franklin pursue in respect to the petition? What
law had been passed in Pennsylvania?
5. How did the Penn family represent this law?
6. Where was the cause examined? How was it settled?
7. In what capacity did Franklin remain in London after the conclusion
of this business?
8. How was Franklin received? What honors were conferred upon him?
9. How was Franklin chiefly occupied at this time?
10. What was the musical instrument which Franklin formed?
11. When did he return to America? How was he received by the
assembly? What compensation did they allow him?
13. What alarm was excited in the province in 1762?
14. Relate the substance of this paragraph.
15. What became of the remaining Indians?
16. Was the governor's proclamation of any effect? How were the
rioters persuaded to return home?