I have, however, the pleasure of continued friendship and conversation with their children and grandchildren. I do not repine at my malady, though a severe one, when I consider how well I am provided with every convenience to palliate it, and to make me comfortable under it; and how many more horrible evils the human body is subject to; and what a long life of health I have been blessed with, free from them all.

You have done well not to send me any more fish at present. These continue good, and give me pleasure.

Do you know any thing of our sister Scott's daughter; whether she is still living, and where? This family join in love to you and yours, and to cousins Williams, with your affectionate brother,

B. FRANKLIN.

P. S. It is early in the morning, and I write in bed. The awkward position has occasioned the crooked lines.

SIR,

1796. TO THOMAS JEFFERSON

Philadelphia, April 8, 1790.1

I received your letter of the 31st of last past, relating to encroachments made on the eastern limits of the United States by settlers under the British government, pretending that it is the western, and not the eastern river of the Bay of Passamaquoddy which was designated by the name of St. Croix, in the treaty of peace with that nation; and requesting of me to communicate any facts which my memory or papers

1 This letter is dated only nine days before Dr. Franklin's death. — ED.

may enable me to recollect, and which may indicate the rue ver, which he commissioners on both sides had in their view, to establish as the boundary berveen the two nations

Your letter found me under a severe it off my malady, which prevented my answering it sooner, or attending, indeed, to any kind of business. I now can assure you, that I am perfectly dear in the remembrance that the map we used in tracing the boundary, was brought to the treaty by the commissioners from England, and that it was the same that was published by Michell above twenty years before. Having a copy of that map by me in loose sheets, I send you that sheet which contains the Bay of Fassamaquoddy, where you will see that part of the boundary traced. I remember, too, that in that part of the boundary we relied much on the opinion of Mr. Adams, who had been concerned in some former disputes concerning those territories. I think, there fore, that you may obtain still further Eght from him.

That the map we used was Mitchel's map. Congress were acquainted at the time, by a letter to their Secretary for Foreign Affairs, which I suppose may be found upon their files. I have the honour to be, &c.,

B. FRANKLIN,

You desire to know something of my Religion. It is the first time I have been questioned upon it. But I cannot take your Curiosity amiss, and shall endeavour in a few Words to gratify it. Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That he governs it by his Providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable Service we render to him is doing good to his other Children. That the soul of Man is immortal, and will be treated with Justice in another Life respecting its Conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental Principles of all sound Religion, and I regard them as you do in whatever Sect I meet with them.

As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the World ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting Changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts as to his Divinity; tho' it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an Opportunity of knowing the Truth with less Trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that Belief has the good Consequence, as probably it has, of making his Doctrines more respected and better observed; especially as I do not perceive, that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the Unbelievers in his Government of the World with any peculiar Marks of his Displeasure.

I shall only add, respecting myself, that, having experienced the Goodness of that Being in conducting me prosperously thro' a long life, I have no doubt of its Continuance in the next, though without the smallest Conceit of meriting

such Goodness. My Sentiments on this Head you will see in the Copy of an old Letter enclosed,' which I wrote in answer to one from a zealous Religionist, whom I had relieved in a paralytic case by electricity, and who, being afraid I should grow proud upon it, sent me his serious though rather impertinent Caution. I send you also the Copy of another Letter, which will shew something of my Disposition relating to Religion. With great and sincere Esteem and Affection, I am, Your obliged old Friend and most obedient humble Servant B. FRANKLIN.

P. S. Had not your College some Present of Books from the King of France? Please to let me know, if you had an Expectation given you of more, and the Nature of that Expectation? I have a Reason for the Enquiry.

I confide, that you will not expose me to Criticism and censure by publishing any part of this Communication to you. I have ever let others enjoy their religious Sentiments, without reflecting on them for those that appeared to me unsupportable and even absurd. All Sects here, and we have a great Variety, have experienced my good will in assisting them with Subscriptions for building their new Places of Worship; and, as I have never opposed any of their Doctrines, I hope to go out of the World in Peace with them all."

1 Probably the letter written to Joseph Huey.- ED.

2 It is uncertain what letter is here alluded to, but probably the one supposed to have been written to Thomas Paine. — S.

This letter was written in reply to the following query in a letter from Ezra Stiles (January 28, 1790): —

"You know, Sir, that I am a Christian, and would to Heaven all others were such as I am, except my Imperfections and Deficiencies of moral Character. As much as I know of Dr. Franklin, I have not an idea of his religious Sentiments. I wish to know the Opinion of my venerable Friend

SIR

1793. TO FRANCIS CHILDS

(P. H. S.)

Philad March 10, 1790

I received your Letter enclosing the Bill of Lading for the two Boxes of Types; but the Vessel is not yet arriv'd. By your Proposal which I agreed to, I was to have them at what they cost in London, at Caslon's Foundery; and you desire me to give you Credit accordingly: But as I never before bought any such small Letters, and Caslon has not mark'd any Prices in his Specimens, I do not know at what Rates I am to credit them, till I receive his Bill or Invoice, which I therefore request you will send me by the Return of the Post. I am, Sir,

Your humble Servant

B. FRANKLIN.

(L. C.)

1794. ON THE SLAVE-TRADE

Dr. Franklin's name, as President of the Abolition Society, was signed to the memorial presented to the House of Representatives of the United States, on the 12th of February, 1789, praying them to exert the full extent of power vested in them by the Constitution, in discouraging the traffic of the human species. This was his last public act. In the debates to which this memorial

concerning Jesus of Nazereth. He will not impute this to Impertinence or improper Curiosity, in one, who for so many years has continued to love, estimate, and reverence his Abilities and literary Character, with an Ardor and Affection bordering on Adoration. If I have said too much, let the Request be blotted out, and be no more; and yet I shall never cease to wish you that happy Immortality, which I believe Jesus alone has purchased for the virtuous and truly good of every religious Denomination in Christendom, and for those of every Age, Nation, and Mythology, who reverence the Deity, and are filled with Integrity, Righteousness, and Benevolence. Wishing you every Blessing, I am, dear Sir, your most obed' Serv'. "EZRA STILES."— ED.