Source: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, ed. Frank Woodworth Pine (New York: Henry Holt, 1916), https://www.gutenberg.org/files/20203/20203-h/20203-h.htm. An annotated version is available at https://anthologydev.lib.virginia.edu/work/Franklin/franklin-autobiography. DEAR SON: I have ever had pleasure in
Source: Franklin and Lafayette’s List of Prints to Illustrate British Cruelties [ca. May 1779], Founders Online, National Archives, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-29-02-0477. 1. The Burning of Charlesto[w]n (Date)[1] A fine town by the
Documents in this chapter are available separately by following the hyperlinks below: William Penn, Pennsylvania: Frame of Government, 1682 Pennsylvania: An Act for Freedom of Conscience, 1682 John Miller, “As
Franklin describes George Whitefield’s revival preaching, illustrating the First Great Awakening’s emotional power and challenge to traditional religious authority.
There is no Science, the Study of which is more useful and commendable than the Knowledge of the true Interest of one’s Country; and perhaps there is no Kind of
Many Persons in Europe having directly or by Letters, express’d to the Writer of this, who is well acquainted with North-America, their Desire of transporting and establishing themselves in that
Dear Friend, In my last per Falconer I mentioned to you my showing your Plan of Union to Lords Chatham and Camden. I now hear that you had sent it
SIR, “Since the conversation your Excellency was pleased to honor me with, on the subject of uniting the colonies more intimately with Great Britain, by allowing them Representatives in Parliament,
The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 7, October 1, 1756 through March 31, 1758, ed. Leonard W. Labaree. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1963, pp. 326–355. . . . . I stopped
When I consider my own Weakness, and the discerning Judgment of those who are to be my Audience, I cannot help blaming my self considerably, for this rash Undertaking of
