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united endeavours, and the effects. They will stun at least, if not convince, the most worthy, that nothing very favorable is intended, if more unfavorable articles cannot be obtained." The Doctor, in the course of his daily visits among the great, in the practice of his profession, had full opportunity of being acquainted with their sentiments, the conversation everywhere turning upon the subject of America.

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THE LIFE OF FRANKLIN.

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.

CONTINUED.

FROM HIS CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER WRITINGS.

PART III.

FROM THE CLOSE OF FRANKLIN'S MISSION TO ENGLAND TO THE

CLOSE OF HIS MISSION TO FRANCE, 1775 TO 1785.

339

CHAPTER XI.

Franklin chosen Delegate to the Second Continental Congress-His Expedition to Canada - Discouragements and Return - Declaration of Independence - Chosen President of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention-John Thompson's Sign.

Το

Joseph

Priestley, da

1775.

1775-1776.

You will have heard, before this reaches ted Philadel- you, of a march stolen by the regulars into phia, 16 May, the country by night, and of their expedition back again. They retreated twenty miles in six hours.* The governor had called the Assembly to propose Lord North's pacific plan, but, before the time of their meeting, began cutting of throats. You know it was said he carried the sword in one hand, and the olive branch in the other; and it seems he chose to give them a taste of the sword first.

He is doubling his fortifications at Boston, and hopes to

* Barely two weeks previous to Franklin's arrival, the battles of Lexington and Concord, precipitated by the orders of General Gage to burn some colonial stores, had been fought, and eighty-three Americans killed, wounded, and missing, against two hundred and seventy-three, in the same category, on the other side.

The war of independence, though not yet declared, had begun.-ED.

29**

341

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