Читать книгу The Works of Benjamin Franklin, Volume 7 - Бенджамин Франклин - Страница 16

Philadelphia, 3 October, 1775.

Dear Sir:—

I am to set out to-morrow for the camp, and, having just heard of this opportunity, can only write a line to say that I am well and hearty. ^{Ref. 015} Tell our dear good friend, Dr. Price, who sometimes has his doubts and despondencies about our firmness, that America is determined and unanimous; a very few Tories and placemen excepted, who will probably soon export themselves. Britain, at the expense of three millions, has killed one hundred and fifty Yankees this campaign, which is twenty thousand pounds a head; and at Bunker’s Hill she gained a mile of ground, half of which she lost again by our taking post on Ploughed Hill. During the same time sixty thousand children have been born in America. From these data his mathematical head will easily calculate the time and expense necessary to kill us all, and conquer our whole territory. My sincere respects to ——, and to the club of honest Whigs at ——. Adieu. I am ever yours most affectionately,

B. Franklin.