coveries relating to the air, did him great honor. Dr. Priestley goes on rapidly with new and curious experiments on that subject. He is about printing a new 8vo book full of them.

Mr. Walsh has just made a curious discovery in electricity. You know we find that in refined air it would pass more freely and leap through greater spaces than in denser air; and thence it was concluded that in a perfect vacuum it would pass any distance without the least obstruction. But having made a perfect vacuum by means of boiled mercury in a long Torricellian bent tube, its ends immersed in cups full of mercury, he finds that the vacuum will not conduct at all, but resists the passage of the electric fluid, absolutely as much as if it was glass itself. This may lead to new principles and new views in the atmospheric part of philosophy. I am ever, my dear friend, B. FRANKLIN.

TO WILLIAM FRANKLIN

WEST WYCOMBE, I August, 1774.

DEAR SON:-I have been here with Lord Le Despencer about a week for a little country air and exercise. I wrote to you per Captain Falconer, and have nothing to add, but to let you know that I continue very well and hearty.

Methinks 't is time to think of a profession for Temple (who is now upwards of fourteen), that the remainder of his education may have some relation to it. I have thought he may make an expert lawyer, as he has a good memory, quick parts, and ready

1

elocution. He would certainly make an excellent painter, having a vast fondness for drawing, which he pursues with unwearied industry, and has made great proficiency. But I do not find that he thinks of it as a business. The only hint of inclination he has given is that of being a surgeon; but it was slightly mentioned. It is indeed my wish that he might learn some art by which he could at any time procure a subsistence; and after that, if any thing better could be done for him, well and good. But posts and places are precarious dependencies. I would have him a free man. Upon the whole, in my opinion, we should turn him to the law, as a profession reputable in itself; and as the knowledge he may gain in that study will qualify him for other employments, and be serviceable to him if he were to be only a mere gentleman.'

If I return this year it will probably be in the September packet. But I begin to have some doubts. With love to Betsey, I am ever your affectionate father, B. FRANKLIN.

2 TO WILLIAM FRANKLIN

LONDON, 7 September.

DEAR SON: I received yours of July 3d, from New York, with the bill of exchange for forty I The following memorandum is written in the margin of p. 2 and scratched through with a pen:

[Sent my father another bill for £30 sterling by Capt. Falkner in Nov., 1774, and lent my mother some time before 31 Joes (£9) to be charged to my father].-W. F.

A small portion of this letter as published by Sparks is given in

pounds, on Cobham, Bond & Ryland, which is carried to the credit of your account.

I have spoken in Mr. Antill's favor; but there seems to have been a previous disposition of those places.

At the time of making up the mail for the August packet I was down at Lord Le Despencer's, and wrote the above letter to you from thence, franked by his Lordship. A week after the packet had sailed my letter was returned to me, having been, by a blunder at the office, sent to Burlington, in Yorkshire. I have now opened it to add this, and send it re-sealed to have the benefit of the same frank.

I am glad you have met with my friend Barrow. I wish you to cultivate his acquaintance, and Mrs. Barrow's, who is a good and amiable woman.

I am much obliged to Mr. Panton for his information relating to Mr. Parker's affairs. Cousin Jonathan Williams, an expert and accurate accomptant, is now with me, and engaged in posting and settling my accounts, which will be done before the next packet, when I shall send what concerned Parker's. In the meantime I think it cannot be amiss for you or Mr. Bache to accept any security Mrs. Parker is willing to give. (You mention some lands.) I think I gave a power to Mr. Bache.

You say my presence is wished for at the Congress, but no person besides in America has given

Vol. VI, p. 349. Since this collection was first made the manuscript of the letter has been found, and at the risk of reprinting a portion I have thought it my duty to give the letter here entire.-EDITOR.

me the least intimation of such a desire, and it is thought by the great friends of the colonies here that I ought to stay till the result of the Congress arrives, when my presence here may, they suppose, be of use. In my opinion all depends on the Americans themselves. If they make and keep firm resolutions not to consume British manufactures till their grievances are redressed and their rights acknowledged, this ministry must fall, and the aggrieving laws be repealed. This is the opinion of all wise men here.

I hear nothing of the proposal you have made for a congress of governors, etc.

I do not, so much as you do, wonder that the Massachusetts have not offered payment for the tea: 1. Because of the uncertainty of the act, which gives them no surety that the port shall be opened on their making that payment. 2. No specific sum is demanded. 3. No one knows what will satisfy the custom-house officers, nor who the "others" are that must be satisfied, nor what will satisfy them. And 4. After all, they are in the king's power how much of the port shall be opened. As to "doing justice before they ask it," that should have been thought of by the Legislature here before they demanded it of the Bostonians. They have extorted many thousand pounds from America unconstitutionally, under color of acts of Parliament and with an armed force. Of this money they ought to make restitution. They might first have taken out payment for the tea, etc., and returned the rest. But you who are a thorough courtier see everything with government eyes.

I am sorry for the loss of Sir. W. Johnson, especially at this time of danger from an Indian war. I see by the papers you were with him at the time.

Mr. Parker, of Amboy, has written to Mr. Wilmot that the king's approbation of the Boundary Act is not arrived. I sent duplicates of it last winter to Messrs. Kinsey & Hewlings: one by the packet, the other by a Philadelphia ship. As you know they have received them, pray request them to acquaint Mr. Parker.

A fresh memorial has lately been presented on the Ohio affair. The event still uncertain. But Mr. Walpole continues confident that sooner or later it must succeed.

A Spanish war is now seriously apprehended here, and the stocks of course are falling.

The August packet is hourly expected, when I hope to hear of your safe returned health.

With love to Betsey, I am ever your affectionate father,

B. FRANKLIN.

TO GOVERNOR WILLIAM FRANKLIN

7 May, 1775.

I don't understand it as any favor to me or to you, the being continued in an office by which, with all your prudence, you cannot avoid running behindhand, if you live suitably to your station. While you are in it I know you will execute it with fidelity to your master, but I think independence more honorable than any service, and that in the state of

VOL. XII.-23.