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CLII: TO WILLIAM PARSONS - Benjamin Franklin, The Works of Benjamin Franklin, Vol. III Letters and Misc. Writings 1753-1763 [1904]

Edition used:

The Works of Benjamin Franklin, including the Private as well as the Official and Scientific Correspondence, together with the Unmutilated and Correct Version of the Autobiography, compiled and edited by John Bigelow (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904). The Federal Edition in 12 volumes. Vol. III (Letters and Misc. Writings 1753-1763).

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CLII

TO WILLIAM PARSONS

Philadelphia, 22 February, 1757.

Dear Friend:—

I thank you for the intelligence from Fort Allen relating to the Indians. The commissioners have not yet settled your account, but I will press them to do it immediately. I have not heard from Mr. Stephenson, but will write to him once more.

And now, my dear old friend, I am to take leave of you, being ordered home to England by the Assembly, to obtain some final settlement of the points that have occasioned so many unhappy disputes. I assure you I go with the sincerest desire of procuring peace, and therein I know I shall have your prayers for my success. God bless you, and grant that at my return I may find you well and happy. I am, as ever, dear friend, yours affectionately,

B. Franklin.1

[1 ]On the 29th of January, the Assembly resolved that Isaac Norris, the Speaker of the House, and Benjamin Franklin, should be requested to go to England, “as commissioners to solicit the removal of grievances occasioned by proprietary instructions, &c.” When they were called upon to declare to the Assembly, whether they would comply with the request, Mr. Norris declined, and gave as a reason the state of his health. Mr. Franklin said “that he esteemed the nomination by the House to that service as a high honor, but that he thought, if the Speaker could be prevailed on to undertake it, his long experience in public affairs would render the addition of another unnecessary, that he held himself, however in the disposition of the House, and was ready to go whenever they should think fit to require his service.” It was then resolved, “that Benjamin Franklin be, and he is hereby, appointed Agent of this province, to solicit and transact the affairs thereof in Great Britain.” See Votes and Proceedings, February 3d. His son was at this time clerk of the House, and it was resolved “that William Franklin have leave to resign his office of clerk of this House, that he may accompany his father, appointed one of the commissioners to negotiate our affairs in England, and that another person be chosen to serve as clerk during the absence of the said Franklin.”—February 18th.