The Compleated Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (1757-1790)

by Benjamin Franklin

  WE MAY THEREFORE WITH GREAT PROPRIETY TAKE LEAVE OF ENGLAND

  I wish’d much for the restoration of peace, but it now was to be a peace of a different kind. I was fond to a folly of our British connection, and it was with infinite regret that I saw the necessity of breaking it: But the extreme cruelty with which we were treated extinguish’d every thought of returning to it, and separated us forever. England thereby lost limbs that will never grow again. We too suffered greatly, but our losses would soon be repair’d by our good government, our industry, and the fertility of our country. We could see the mischievous consequences of such a connection, and the danger of their being repeated if we should be weak enough again to enter into it: We saw them too plainly ever to listen in the least to any such proposition. We may therefore with great propriety take leave of England in those beautiful lines of Dante to the late mistress of his affections:O lady in whom my hope takes its root

  Thou has brought me, a slave, to freedom’s state

  Through all those roads, by use of every means

  Which thou didst have the power to employ.

  Chapter Five

  Minister to France, 1776–78

  The Treaty of Alliance

  ON MY ARRIVAL I COULD SCARCELY STAND

  I arrived in France, safe after a passage of 30 days, somewhat fatigued and weakened by the voyage, which was a rough one; I was badly accommodated in a miserable vessel, a Man of War called the Reprisal, improper for those northern seas (and which actual foundered in her return). My disorder of a dry scurff73 on my head increase’d, and the boils became more frequent. I was badly fed, so that on my arrival I had scarce strength to stand. But I recovered my strength fast after my landing, and in a few days undertook the journey to Paris of about 250 miles. If the post chaise were as easy as the English carriage, such a journey would be no difficulty. But the carriage was a miserable one, with tired horses, the evening dark, scarce a traveller but ourselves on the road; and to make it more comfortable, the driver stopped near a wood we were to pass through, to tell us that a gang of eighteen robbers infested that wood, who but two weeks previous had robbed and murdered some travellers on that very spot.

  I brought with me two grandsons: Temple, about 16, a promising youth, whom I brought with me partly to finish his education, having a great affection for him, and partly to have his assistance as my private secretary; the other, Benny Bache, a child of 7, whom I purposed to place in boarding school, that he might learn the French language. His parents esteem’d it a happy circumstance his going with me to France during the war, for they thought that had he remain’d in America, he would have lost a deal of precious time in his education.

  I WAS MADE EXTREMELY WELCOME IN FRANCE

  I was made extremely welcome in France, where America has many friends, and where I was known for the useful discoveries in electricity and application of the pointed rods to prevent the terrible effects of thunderstorms. But the people were a good deal dejected with the gazette accounts of advantages obtain’d against us by the British troops. I help’d them recover their spirits a little, by assuring them that we would face the enemy, and were under no apprehensions of their two armies being able to complete their junction. I acquainted no one in France with my commission, continuing incognito as to my public character,74 but I found it generally suppos’d that I was sent to negotiate, and that opinion seemed to give great pleasure, if I could judge by the extreme civilities I met with from numbers of the principal people who did me the honour to visit me. I found vessels laden with military stores ready to sail for America:75 On the whole there was the greatest prospect that we would be well provided for another campaign, and much stronger than we were the last.

  Knowing that all views of accommodation with Great Britain had been totally at end since the Declaration of Independence, Congress directed the raising of 94 battalions of infantry, with some cavalry. Since the neighborhood of Philadelphia had, by the enemy’s movement, become the seat of war, it was judged proper that Congress adjourn to Baltimore, where the public business could be attended to with undisturbed deliberation. I was informed by letter that General Washington, having been reinforced by the troops lately commanded by General Charles Lee and by some corps of militia, crossed the Delaware with 2,500 men, and attacked a body of the enemy, posted at Trenton, with success.76 Knowing how all important it was to the security of American independence, we were urged to make tenders to France and Spain, hoping that France would enter the war as soon as might be possible, and how necessary it was to procure from her a line of battle ships, the scarcity of ships being so great.

  THE COURT VIEWED AN APPROACHING WAR WITH RELUCTANCE

  I arrived in Paris in two weeks, where I found Mr. Deane. Mr. Arthur Lee join’d us from London. We had an audience with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count de Vergennes, and were respectfully receiv’d. We left for his consideration a sketch of the propos’d treaty, and an instruction to apply for eight ships of the line, compleatly mann’d, an immediate supply of twenty or thirty thousand muskets and bayonets, and a large quantity of ammunition and brass field pieces, to be sent under convoy, the expense of which we would undertake to pay. By his advice we had an interview with the Spanish ambassador, Count d’Aranda, who seemed well dispos’d toward us, and said he would forward copies of our memorials to his court. Their fleets were said to be in fine order, mann’d and fit for sea. The cry of this nation was for us; but the king, it was thought, viewed an approaching war with reluctance.

  THE STATE OF AMERICA IN 1776-77

  In my opinion the surest way to obtain liberal aid from others is vigourously to help ourselves. People fear assisting the negligent, the indolent and the careless, lest the aids they afford should be lost. I knew we had done a great deal; but it is said we were apt to be supine after a little success, and too backward in furnishing our contingents. A small increase of industry in every American, male and female, with a small diminution of luxury, would produce a sum far superior to all we could hope to beg or borrow from all our friends in Europe.

  Consequently, in my “Memoir concerning the present State of the late British Colonies in North America,” I informed the French Court with regard to our union and strength. The number of souls in the 13 United States was commonly estimated at 3 million. Such was the rapid increase of people there, thro’ early marriages, that it could not be long before that number was exceeded, the inhabitants having been generally found to double themselves by natural generation every 25 years,77 and in a quicker proportion in those colonies that received an accession of strangers. And, thus, probably England would not be wanting to continue this war.

  I inform’d the French and Spanish that America had a squadron of small ships at sea, which had greatly annoy’d the English commerce. A number of American privateers were also out against the enemy, with an abundance of fishermen being put out of their employment by the war, entering in the frigates or engaging in the privateers.

  As to agriculture and commerce, the agriculture had not hitherto been much lessen’d by the war, those who were not in arms working more diligently, so that the country was full of provisions and cheap. Some diminution had been made in planting of tobacco, from a prospect of less demand, but more cotton and flax had been raised, as being immediately wanted for clothing. The commerce was for the most part stopp’d from two causes: the fear of captures by the English, and the want of ships to export the produce. The merchants of the middle and more northern colonies, who used to export wheat, flour, fish, and other provisions, having sold most of their ships to Europe when they foresaw the stoppage, and our carpenters now employ’d in building frigates and privateers, very little trade could be carry’d on. This commerce before the war amounted to about five millions of pounds sterling, and employ’d between 800 and 900 sail of ships. England had lost this commerce. America might now, with all its future increase, gain by France and Spain if they would protect it; and they would thereby be as much strengthen’d,
in the vending of manufactures and produce, increase of wealth and seamen, &c. as England would be weaken’d, whereby the difference would be doubled. The tobacco &c. which France and Spain could not consume, they might vend with profit, to the rest of Europe.

  THIS GENEROUS AND NOBLE BENEFACTION

  The hearts of the French were universally for us, and the cry was strong for immediate war with Britain. Indeed everything tended that way, but the Court had its reasons for postponing it a little longer. So strong was the inclination of the wealthy in France to assist us that we were offered a loan of two millions livres,78 without interest, and to be repaid when the United States would be settled in peace and prosperity ; no conditions or securities were required, not even an engagement from us. We accepted this generous and noble benefaction.

  In our first conversation with the minister, it was evident that this Court, while it treated us privately with all civility, was cautious of giving umbrage to England, and was therefore desirous of avoiding an open reception and acknowledgement of us, or entering into any formal negotiation with us, as ministers from the Congress. To make us easy, however, we were told that the ports of France were open to our ships, as friends; that our people might freely purchase and transport as merchandise whatever our states had occasion for, vending at the same time our own commodities; that in doing this we should receive all the facilities that a government disposed to favour us could, consistent with treaties, afford to the enemies of a friend. But tho’ it was at that time no secret that 200 field pieces of brass and 30,000 fusils79 with other munitions of war in great abundance had been taken out of the king’s magazines for the purpose of exportation to America, the minister, in our presence, affected to know nothing of that operation, and claimed no merit to his Court on that account. But he intimated to us that it would be well taken if we communicated with no other person about the Court concerning our affairs but himself, who would be ready at all convenient times to confer with us.

  Means were proposed of our obtaining a large sum of money for current use by an advance from the Farmers General to America to be repaid in tobacco, of which they wanted 20,000 hogsheads.80 We entered accordingly into a treaty with that company, who lent us money in our distress after some difficulty in settling the terms. Afterwards we were informed that a grant was made of two million livres from the French Court, of which 500,000 was ready to be paid us down, and an equal sum should be paid the beginnings of April, July, and October; that such was the King’s generosity, he exacted no conditions or promise of repayment; he only required that we should not speak to anyone of our having received this aid: We accordingly observed strictly this injunction.

  OFFICERS OF ALL RANKS WORRY ME FROM MORNING TO NIGHT

  The desire in France of military officers of all ranks to go into the service of the United States was so general and so strong as to be quite amazing. We were hourly fatigu’d with their applications and offers, which we were obliged to refuse, and with hundreds of letters which we could not possibly answer to satisfaction, having had no orders to engage any but engineers.

  I apprehended that General Washington had already more foreign officers than he could possible employ. Nevertheless, contrary to my advice, a Monsr. Dorcet went over to America at his own expense and without the smallest expectation given him by me of his obtaining a place in our army. He was extremely desirous of entering into the American service. This at least showed a zeal for our cause that merited some regard.

  Baron de Steuben, lately a lieutenant general in the King of Prussia’s service, whom he attended in all his campaigns, being an aide de camp, quartermaster general, &c., went to America with a true zeal for our cause. He was recommended to us by two of the best judges of military merit, M. de Vergennes and M. de St. Germain, who had long been personally acquainted with him from a full persuasion that the knowledge and experience he acquired by 20 years’ study and practice in the Prussian School would be of great use in our armies. The French Court encouraged and promoted the voyage of Count Pulawski of Poland, an officer famous throughout Europe for his bravery and conduct in defense of the liberties of his country against the three great invading powers of Russia, Austria and Prussia. I thought he might be useful in our service. And the Marquis de Lafayette, a young nobleman of great family connections and great wealth, went to America in a ship of his own, accompanied by some officers of distinction, in order to serve in our armies. He was exceedingly beloved, and everybody’s good wishes attended him to meet with an agreeable reception. Those who censured it as imprudent in him did nevertheless applaud his spirit; and we were satisfy’d that the civilities and respect that might be shown him were serviceable to our affairs in France, as pleasing not to his powerful relations and to the Court, but to the whole French nation. He left a beautiful young wife big with child; and for her sake particularly we hoped that his bravery and ardent desire to distinguish himself would be a little restrain’d.

  Most officers going to America for employment were probably disappointed. Our armies were full; there were a number of expectants unemployed and starving for want of subsistence. My recommendation did not make vacancies, nor could it fill them to the prejudice of those who had a better claim. Then the voyage was long, the passage very expensive, and the hazard of being taken and imprison’d by the English very considerable. If, after all, no place affording a livelihood could be found for the gentleman, he would perhaps be distress’d in a strange country, and ready to blaspheme his friends that by their solicitations procur’d for him so unhappy a situation. In my opinion the natural complacence of France often carried people too far in the articles of recommendations. Frequently if a man had no useful talents, was good for nothing, and burdensome to his relations, or was indiscreet, profligate and extravagant, they were glad to get rid of him by sending him to the other end of the world. In consequence of my crediting such recommendations, my own would be out of credit, and I could not advise anybody to depend on them.

  YOU HAVE NO CONCEPTION HOW I WAS HARASS’D

  Oh, how I was harass’d. These applications were my perpetual torment. People believed, notwithstanding my continually repeated declarations to the contrary, that I was sent hither to engage officers. In truth I never had any such orders. It was never so much as intimated to me that it would be agreeable to my constituents. Nevertheless, not a day passed in which I had not a number of soliciting visits besides letters. If I could have gratified them all, or any of them, it would have been a pleasure. I might indeed give them the recommendations and the promises they desired, and thereby pleased them for the present. But when the certain disappointment of the expectations with which they would so obstinately flatter themselves arrived, they must curse me for complying with their mad requests, and not undeceiving them, and would have become so many enemies to our cause and country. All my friends were sought out and teas’d to tease me; great officers of all ranks in all departments, ladies great and small, besides profess’d solicitors, worried me from morning to night. The noise of every coach that entered my court terrified me. I was afraid to accept an invitation to dine abroad, being almost sure of meeting with some officer, or officer’s friend, who, as soon as I was put into good humour by a glass or two of champagne, began his attack on me. Luckily I did not often in my sleep dream myself in these vexatious situations, or I would have been afraid of what were then my only hours of comfort.

  MODEL OF A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

  In response to these persistent requests, I wrote the following model of a letter of recommendation:Paris, April 2, 1777

  Sir,

  The bearer of this who is going to America, presses me to give him a Letter of Recommendation, tho’ I know nothing of him, not even his name. This may seem extraordinary, but I assure you it is not uncommon here. Sometimes, indeed, one unknown person brings me another equally unknown to recommend him; and sometimes they recommend one another! As to this gentleman, I must refer you to himself for his character and merits, with w
hich he is certainly better acquainted than I can possibly be; I recommend him, however, to those civilities which every stranger, of whom one knows no harm, has a right to, and I request you will do him all the good offices and show him all the favour that on further acquaintance you shall find him to deserve. I have the honour to be, &c.

  B FRANKLIN

  By 1779, the Congress had expressed extreme embarrassment and was put to great expenses by the number of foreign officers who went to America in expectation of employment, and who could not be employed, our armies being already arranged and more than fully officer’d. It signified to me their pleasure that I should give no encouragement or expectation for the future to any officer whatsoever.

  OUR CAUSE WAS ESTEEM’D THE CAUSE OF ALL MANKIND

  All Europe was for us. Our Articles of Confederation being translated and published in France gave us the appearance of consistence and firmness to the American states and government. The separate constitutions of the several states were also translated and published in Europe. It was a very general opinion that if we succeeded in establishing our liberties, we would, as soon as peace was restored, receive an immense addition of numbers and wealth from Europe, by the families who would come over to participate in our privileges and bring their estates with them. Tyranny is so generally established in the rest of the world that the prospect of an asylum in America for those who love liberty gave general joy, and our cause was esteem’d the cause of all mankind. Those who are enslaved naturally become base as well as wretched; therefore, we were fighting for the dignity and happiness of human nature. Glorious is it for the Americans to be call’d by Providence to this post of honour. Cursed and detested will everyone be that deserts or betrays it.