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

I doubt the regulating duties will not be accepted, without enacting them, and having the power of appointing the collectors in the colonies.

If we mean a hearty reconciliation, we must deal candidly, and use no tricks.

The Assemblies are many of them in a state of dissolution. It will require time to make new elections; then to meet and choose delegates, supposing all could meet. But the Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay cannot act under the new constitution, or meet the new Council for that purpose, without acknowledging the power of Parliament to alter their charter, which they never will do. The language of the proposal is: Try on my fetters first, and then, if you don’t like them, petition and we will consider.

Establishing salaries for judges may be a general law. For governors not so, the constitution of colonies differing. It is possible troops may be sent to particular provinces, to burden them when they are out of favor.

Canada. We cannot endure despotism over any of our fellow-subjects. We must all be free, or none.”

That afternoon I received the following note from Mrs. Howe, enclosing another from Lord Howe, viz.:

“Mrs. Howe’s compliments to Dr. Franklin; she has just received the enclosed note from Lord Howe, and hopes it will be convenient to him to come to her, either to-morrow or Sunday, at any hour most convenient to him, which she begs he will be so good to name.

Grafton Street, Friday, February 17, 1775.”

[Enclosed in the foregoing.]