Letter to Lord Howe 1776, p. 992: it is too late to consider the Americans as fellow subjects. Likewise it is too late to expect Britain to grant a just peace. Legitimate and illegitimate causes of war (993). England as a broken vase. War of Independence, to Britain, is a trade war, stupidly.
Letter to ____ Lith 1777, p. 997: whoever writes a stranger should be reasonable and clear in a practical request. America is not as easy and grand as Lith believes.
Letter to [L. de Presle] Oct. 1777, p. 998: philosophical opinions may be directly refuted, but not challenged as a personal kind of dispute.
Model of a Letter of Recommendation 1777, p. 919: hilarious. Written with Lith in mind (see p. 997 and cf. dates).
"The Twelve Commandments" March 1778, p. 919: to Mme. Brillon. Adds two commandments to Moses: Genesis on "increase and multiply," and Jesus on loving one another. This last, should have come first. A crafty and sly love letter, masquerading as one of theology.
Letter to Charles de Weissenstein July 1778, p. 1000: W. is a British secret agent (Lemay 1544). W. wants him to do some dark deeds, which Franklin rejects. W. tries to drive a wedge between America and France, which Franklin deflects. "A virtuous and laborious people may be cheaply governed" (1002). Reaffirms American independence (esp. from Parliament). W. has no idea how to relate to the Americans (see esp. p. 1004 bottom). The peerage as a "tar-and-feather honour" (1005).
"Passport for Captain Cook" 1779, p. 926: in case Cook's exploratory vessel, which is British, is sighted by the Americans, it should be permitted safe passage to Britain, since its discoveries help everyone. "common Enjoyments of human Life" (927; cf. Bacon--Republic of Science knows no boundaries [RL])
"The Morals of Chess" 1779, pp. 927-31: chess teaches "very valuable qualities of the Mind," b/c "Life [and war] is a kind of Chess," both requiring the habits of prudence. In chess, also, is special attention to one's adversary. Specifically, this means: FORESIGHT (cf. Aristotle, Book 1 [RL]), CIRCUMSPECTION, CAUTION, and the habit of "not being discouraged by present appearances in the state of our affairs" (929). Some success breeds complacency, which leads to misfortune; meanwhile, some misfortune brings added carefulness and perhaps ultimate success. As this pertains to chess play (though these are not always true in life--AK), the rules must be equitably observed; no false moves are to be permitted; one must patiently wait for the adversary to make his move; the players must be good sports; the spectators must be perfectly silent; if the strictness of the rules is loosened, then play for fun--help your opponent, to the benefit of all.
"The Whistle"1779, p. 931: Don't give too much for your whistle = know the true value of things and don't work hard for something of little value.
Letter to B. Vaughan 1779, p. 1015: V. is collecting Benjamin Franklin's writings, toward republication. Gives up on "metaphysical reasonings" as uncertain (1016; cf. Paper and several places earlier).
"The Levée" [levy, lifting, removing = getting up; here, "meeting"] 1779?, p. 933: exegesis of Book of Job, with result: trust nobody to wisely govern you, since some people can fool the wisest man with falsehoods; trust not the limited governor, who may someday "render himself absolute."
Letter to Joseph Priestley 1780, p. 1017: see Science.
Letter to George Washington 1780, p. 1019: Washington had recommended Lafayette very highly. Washington is famous across Europe; he is seen to have "the Character of one of the greatest Captains of the Age" (while Americans bicker and grovel).
Letter to Samuel Huntington 1780, p. 1022: see Int'l Relations.
Letter to John Jay 1780, p. 1027: America owes money in France and is having trouble getting loans from other countries. The King is extremely forgiving, however. Don't give away land to Spain in exchange for a little money (cf. Napoleon and Louisiana Purchase). Franklin needs money!
Letter to Richard Price 1780, p. 1030: a good religion will support itself. Therefore religious tests (in order to gain or lose certain secular benefits) are unfair. Further, laws that establish a church are also needless. An evolving constitution/evolutionary tolerance is the model.
Letter to W. Jackson 1781, p. 1037: Jackson is irresponsible with America's money and credit, and Franklin lays it to him--esp. b/c J. had blamed Franklin for J.'s mistakes!
Letter to W. Nixon 1781, p. 1039: Nixon is a good enough man, though Franklin can offer him nothing but a little money. In return Nixon is to give the same amount to another person equally needy of it, at a later time, under the same conditions. "By pursuing such a Practice, much Good may be done with little money. Let kind Offices go round. Mankind are all of a Family" (1040).
"To the Royal Academy of *****" 1781, p. 952: proposed experiments on beautifying the smell of the fart. "What Comfort can the Vortices of Descartes give to a Man who has Whirlwinds in his Bowels?" (954). Good bathroom humor. Emphasizes the real utility of science.
Letter to Robert R. Livingston 1782, p. 1042: a medal: the U.S. as an infant Hercules strangling the serpents; France as Minerva nurse to Hercules. The French care more to protect the oppressed than to help their commerce, by helping America. Peace does not seem reasonable yet. Money problems, still. France as doing the grand thing b/c they're grand: emphasizes their superiority and generosity (vs. the pride of the English) [RL].
Letter to Joseph Priestley 1782, p. 1047: folk anthropology. Men are worse than those perfect works of nature (duh). Men as devils to each other, esp. in "so perverse a Generation" as Franklin's (1048). Dephlogisticated air (oxygen).
Letter to Richard Price June 1782, p. 1049: "The facility, with which the same truths may be repeatedly enforced by placing them daily in different lights in newspapers, which are everywhere read, gives a great chance of establishing them."
Cf. Letter to R. Price March 1785, p. 1104: see Religion.
Letter to Comte de Vergennes December 1782, p. 1060: (Franklin's apology for the peace commissioners who made peace with Britain without consulting the King of France; see Lemay p. 1545.) A great work of delicacy in diplomacy. The Americans merely neglected a point of decorum, which of course has no bearing on the real relationship between the two countries. Pretends to be distracted by thoughts of a ship; tucks his point within the discussion of the ship, to some extent. There has been just a "little misunderstanding" which they all can move beyond.
Letter to Mary Hewson Jan. 1783, p. 1061: war is folly, while arbitration or even casting lots is better in the long run. "Let me conclude by saying to you, what I have had too frequent Occasions to say to my other remaining old Friends, 'The fewer we become, the more let us love one another.' Adieu, and believe me ever yours most affectionately, [BF]" (1062)! (Reminds me of CST and the loss of Furet and others...)
Letter to Sir Joseph Banks July 1783, p. 1073: no such thing as a good war or bad peace (a just war seems not to be left open, because any peace trumps any war). Of war the economic stupidity alone is staggering. Now that Europe is all furnished "with Academies of Science, with nice Instruments and the Spirit of Experiment, the progress of human knowledge will be rapid, and discoveries made, of which we have at present no Conception" (etc.) (1074).
Letter to Robert Morris Christmas 1783, p. 1079: more problems with Adams (see Lemay 1546) and with money. Nearly all property is "the Creature of public Convention" (1081-82); everything above what a man needs to survive belongs to the public (eminent domain). This is part of "civil Society" (1082). Ditto on November 3, 1789 (Knollenberg 132).
"Remarks Concerning the Savages of North-America" 1783, pp. 969 ff.: they are men like us, though of vastly different culture. In many ways they seem more civilized than the colonists. On going to the "big house" on Sundays to learn "good things"--it's "a Man in black [who] began to talk to the People very angrily" (973). Hospitality of the Indians and anti-hospitality of the colonists. "You see they have not yet learnt those little good things, that we need no Meetings to be instructed in, because out Mothers taught them to us when we were Children" (974).
"Information to Those Who Would Remove to America" 1784, p. 975: counters myths about America. Art downplayed as not useful. Class is unimportant in 'mediocre' America; rather, utility is the mark of worth (cf. Silence Dogood). Gentlemen as hogs, as consumers: fruges consumere nati (see Lemay 1543). "In short America is the Land of Labour" (978). Through industry, good land easy to get, or artisanship, one may without too much trouble make his fortune. Do not tax foreign goods for the benefit of domestic industries that could not survive on their own; instead, countries should make use of comparative advantage. Population and industry. The rich and the middle class (very few poor). Apprenticeships in accordance with reason and justice (982). "Industry and constant Employment are great Preservatives of the Morals and Virtue of a Nation" (982). Religion "is not only tolerated but respected and practised. Atheism is unknown there." Divine providence, in approval of religious toleration, has made the country great. The inducement to come must be based on a recognition of what is truly there: good laws, and liberty--if you are industrious, you will succeed.
Letter to ? 1784? p. 1083: America is a nice place to live, but Europe has nice places too.
Letter to Sarah Bache Jan. 1784, p. 1084: more denigration of the peerage (vs. Order of the Cincinnati)--honor is personal and not hereditary. In fact the Chinese way is to reverse it and give greater honor to the ancestors (this encourages parents to better educate their children); and cf. the fourth commandment (1085): honor thy parents. Similar to honoring God, who also gave us being: we honor our makers by performing "praiseworthy Actions" (1085). The exponential generations game (we've seen this earlier). It's ok to give a little badge for those who served in the war, but this honor should not be passed on to progeny. The TURKEY rather than the EAGLE should symbolize America: the eagle "is a Bird of bad moral Character" while the turkey is indigenous and, "though a little vain and silly ... a Bird of Courage" (1088).
Letter to W. Strahan Feb. 1784, p. 1089: was Benjamin Franklin drunk when he wrote this? AMBITION and AVARICE, themes of several of the letters.
Letter to Samuel Mather May 1784, p. 1092: on the source of the name for Silence Dogood (Cotton Mather): the book had "an influence on my conduct through life; for I have always set a greater value on the character of a doer of good, than on any other kind of reputation; and if I have been, as you seem to think, a useful citizen, the public owes the advantage of it to that book." Cotton had taught him, with experience in person, to walk humbly through life so as to avoid discomfort: he remembers this upon seeing "pride mortified." Dangers of losing the goodwill of France.
Letter to Weems & Gant July 1784, p. 1094: why bother to be ordained by the Church of England--just start an American Church to ordain yourselves in. A distinctive American religion.
Letter to Wm. Franklin Aug. 1784, p. 1096: law "as a necessary Part of Knowledge for a public Man" (1097).
Letter to W. Strahan Aug. 1784, p. 1098: offices in America are actually a cost to the bearers, which keeps profit-seekers (and to some extent those with over-ambition) from office-seeking. The British profoundly misunderstood and underestimated the Americans. Thanking God, for recognizing the justice of the cause, and giving America victory. Strahan wants to discourage emigration from England, which Franklin says he has already shown not to have the desired results. In fact, immigration of the British helps keep an English character to America (vs. the Irish, e.g.).
Letter to Joseph Priestley Aug. 1784, p. 1102: see Religion. Letter to R. Price March 1785, p. 1104: see Religion.
FINAL YEARS, PHILADELPHIA, 1785-90
"The Art of Procuring Pleasant Dreams" May 1786, p. 1118: be healthy and exercise before meals (light meals, all), and fresh air at night. Uncertain science--the "perspirable matter" of the skin needing to be relieved in fresh air. Franklin's dreams as operatic. Be careful to set your body comfortably in the bed. Primarily, however, one needs "A GOOD CONSCIENCE" (this undercuts the science of the other arguments, humorously, p. 1122).
"The Retort Courteous" 1786, p. 1122: the history and reason for the triangular trade. Hypocrisy of the British in wanting old debts to be repaid. The unceasingly rapacious British. The British spread smallpox, counterfeited American money, blocked trade and manufacturing. Yet "public injuries can never discharge private obligations" (1128). Merchants ought to be morally above the bad actions of their governments.
Speeches in the Constitutional Convention: see Principles of Government.
"A Comparison of the Conduct of the Ancient Jews and of the Anti-Federalists in the U.S.A." 1788, p. 1144: comparing the thirteen colonies to the thirteen tribes of Israel. It would help to know more specifically the arguments of the anti-federalists, to help see the points of contact in the conceit. Did Benjamin Franklin really read Josephus and the Talmud? Quotes Numbers and Exodus, and refers to both OT and NT. That the people, even most of them, are against a law (here, the Constitution, the Mosaic Law, or that of Jesus), does not invalidate it--in fact, the Constitution may have some touch of divine inspiration too, which is a good possibility from the Providence of a good and just God.
"On the Abuse of the Press" 1788, p. 1148: the press is irresponsible when it prints calumny; foreign nations read it and believe it, or at least come to believe that Americans are a wicked lot of scoundrels.
"An Account of the Supremest Court of Judicature in Pennsylvania, viz. The Court of the Press" 1789, p. 1150: The press as judge. Power: over everyone and everything, to condemn them at will. In whose favor: about 1 in 500. Practice: no jury, no rights of accused (except when the editors are accused). Its authority: the idea of "liberty of the press" (1151), but slander should not be covered here. Commission: self-commissioned. Support: the uneducated or unvirtuous (i.e. those w/o religion's teachings); the spiteful (of which there are plenty). Checks: none, but suggested, facetiously, the "liberty of the Cudgel" (1153), or the tar-and-feather penalty. Comes out in favor of libel laws.
"An Address to the Public [from the Penn. Abolitionists]" 1789, p. 1154: see Political Economy.
"Plan for Improving the Condition of the Free Blacks" 1789?, p. 1156: see Political Economy.
"Sidi Mehemet Ibrahim on the Slave Trade" 1790, p. 1157: see Political Economy. "Men's Interests and Intellects operate and are operated on with surprising similarity in all Countries and Climates, when under similar Circumstances," 1157-58.
Letter to J. Shipley 1786, p. 1161: having children and hoping for them is like sending so many little barques out to sea. Agriculture as noble and esteemed. Thinks about dying, and his friends (which he does often now--AK), and resigning his Spirit to God the Father. Moderate expectations: experiment yields experience, towards possible change for the better.
Letter to Rev. Lathrop 1788, p. 1166: scientific progress is amazing!
Letter to B. Vaughan 1788, p. 1168: on the Autobiography as for the benefit of the young reader: "entertaining, interesting, and useful." The vainglorious pride behind wars, and wars' economic stupidity. Heretics have the virtue to show fortitude in their heresy; further, heretics are held to a higher moral standard in actions. Franklin is also thinking of himself, of course. It is a man's cleaving to honesty and truth that often lands him in the camp of the heretic.
Letter to Noah Webster 1789, p. 1173: usefulness of Webster's work in the language, both to preserve its purity and to instruct the people in it. Misuse of certain words. New words, including the verb form of PROGRESS. The decline of Latin and the rise of French, and the rise of French books. English as a fair second to French. We should increase the ease of using English so that it is used more often abroad. English unfortunately has moved from the German style of capitalizing nouns, and abolished italics, which makes understanding it more difficult (he wrote this somewhere else, too). The two S symbols and the value of differentiating them. Grey print harder to read than black. These are not actually improvements. The question mark ought to warn us at the beginning of the sentence, too.
Letter to Ezra Stiles 1790, p. 1178: see Religion.