5th+Grade+DBE

toc 



** Benjamin Franklin ** January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790

Portrait of Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze painted 1777

=__ Brief Timeline: __= 1706 - January 17. Born in Boston, the youngest son of Josiah and Abiah Franklin. 1715 - Finishes formal schooling, hears puritan preacher Increase Mather. 1720 - Moves away from home. 1725 - First publication: "A Dissertation upon Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain" 1727 - Affair results in the birth of illegitimate son William. 1729 - Purchases The Pennsylvania Gazette. 1730 - Elected the official printer for Pennsylvania, Deborah Read Rogers as common law wife. 1732 - Prints first German language newspaper. 1740 - Official printer for New Jersey, prints for George Whitefield. 1752 - Writes first plan for a union of the colonies for security and defense. 1754 - Writes Albany Plan of Union. 1757-1770 - Agent for Pennsylvania Assembly, Massachusetts, Georgia, New Jersey. 1775 - Elected as a Pennsylvania delegate to 2nd Continental Congress. 1776 - Serves on a committee of five who draft the Declaration of Independence. Commissioner of Congress to the French Court. 1778 - Signs French Alliance. 1779-84 - Negotiates European alliances, peace treaty with Britain, signs peace treaty. 1787 - Signs the United States Constitution. 1789 - Becomes president of the Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. 1790 - April 17, dies in Philadelphia at the age of 84.

= **__ Document A: __** = Early political cartoon, published by Franklin. Used subsequently with caption “Join or Die.” This cartoon was first used in the spring of 1754 before the Albany conference on union. 



Documents relating to Franklin’s early thoughts on the formation of a Union of American Colonies Franklin Documents The Papers of Benjamin Franklin Sponsored by The American Philosophical Society and Yale University Digital Edition by The Packard Humanities Institute  = **__ Document B. __** =  On June 8, 1754 Benjamin Franklin sent this outline of a plan to unite the Northern colonies to James Alexander and Cadwallader Colden. [Copy: New-York Historical Society; also transcript: Library of Congress] N York June 8. 1754
 * To James Alexander and Cadwallader Colden with Short Hints towards a Scheme for Uniting the Northern Colonies **

Mr. Alexander is requested to peruse these Hints, and make such remarks in correcting or Improving the Scheme, and send the Paper with such remarks to Dr. Colden for his sentiments who is desired to forward the whole to Albany to their Very humble Servant B: Franklin


 * [Enclosure]** Short hints towards a scheme for uniting the Northern Colonies

A Governour General To be appointed by the King. To be a Military man To have a Salary from the Crown To have a negation on all acts of the Grand Council, and carry

Grand Council One member to be chosen by the Assembly of each of the smaller Colonies and two or more by each of the larger, in proportion to the Sums they pay Yearly into the General Treasury. Members Pay --Shillings sterling per Diem deuring their sitting and mileage for Travelling Expences.

Place and Time of meeting To meet -- times in every Year, at the Capital of each Colony in Course, unless particular circumstances and emergencies require more frequent meetings and Alteration in the Course, of places. The Governour General to Judge of those circumstances &c. and call by his Writts.

General Treasury Its Fund, an Excise on Strong Liquors pretty equally drank in the Colonies or Duty on Liquor imported, or -- shillings on each Licence of Publick House or Excise on Superfluities as Tea &c. &c. all which would pay in some proportion to the present wealth of each Colony, and encrease as that wealth encreases, and prevent disputes about the Inequality of Quotas. To be Collected in each Colony, and Lodged in their Treasury to be ready for the payment of Orders issuing from the Governour General and Grand Council jointly.

Duty and power of the Governour General and Grand Council To order all Indian Treaties. make all Indian purchases not within proprietary Grants make and support new settlements by building Forts, raising and paying Soldiers to Garison the Forts, defend the frontiers and annoy the Ennemy. equip Grand Vessels to scour the Coasts from Privateers in time of war, and protect the Trade and every thing that shall be found necessary for the defence and support of the Colonies in General, and encreasing and extending their settlements &c. For the Expence they may draw on the fund in the Treasury of any Colony.

Manner of forming this Union The scheme being first well considered corrected and improved by the Commissioners at albany, to be sent home, and an Act of Parliament obtain'd for establishing it.

= **__ Document C. __** = On June 20, 1754 Cadwallader Colden wrote.

Coldenghame June 20th 1754

Sir

I inclose the papers which I received from Mr. Alexander to be conveyed to you by the first opportunity to Albany. You will find that I make remarks with that freedom which I believe you expect from me that in case you find any weight in any of them you may make your scheme more perfect by avoiding reasonable exceptions to it and have the pleasure of adding this to many other well received schemes which you have formed for the benefit of your country. I hope in your return from Albany you may have time to stop a day or two at my house As you seldom can miss a passage from hence to New York if it should be inconvenient for your sloop to wait so long. By this you will give a very great pleasure to To Benjn Franklin Esqr at Albany

Remarks on short hints towards a Scheme for uniting the Northern Colonies
 * [Enclosure] **

Governor General It seems agreed on all hands that something is necessary to be don for uniting the Colonies in their mutual defence and it seems to be likewise agreed that it can only be don effectually by Act of Parliament for this reason I suppose that the necessary funds for carrying it into execution in pursuance of the ends proposed by it cannot be otherwise obtained. If it were thought that the assemblies of the several Colonies may agree to lay the same duties and apply them to general defence and security of all the Colonies no need of an act of Parliament. Q[uery:] which best for the Colonies by Parliament or by the several assemblies.

The Kings Ministers so long since as the year -23 or-24 had thoughts of sending over a Governor General of all the Colonies and the Earl of Stairs was proposed as a fit Person. It is probable the want of a suitable support of the Dignity of that office prevented that scheme's being carried into execution and that the Ministry and People of England think that this charge ought to be born by the Colonies.

Grand Council Q. Is the Grand Council with the Governor General to have a Legislative Authority? If only an executive power objections may be made to their being elective. It would be in a great measure a change of the constitution to which I suspect the Crown will not consent. We see the inconveniences attending the present constitution and remedies may be found without changeing it but we cannot foresee what may be the consequences of a change in it. If the Grand Council be elected for a short time steady measures cannot be pursued. If elected for a long time and not removeable by the Crown they may become dangerous. Are they to have a negative on the Acts of the Governor General? It is to be considered that England will keep their Colonies as far as they can dependent on them and this view is to be preserved in all schemes to which the Kings consent is necessary.

Place and time of Meeting It may be thought dangerous to have fixed meetings of the Grand Council of all the Colonies at certain times and places. It is a Privilege which the Parliament has not, nor the Privy Council and may be thought destructive of the Constitution.

General Treasury Some estimate ought to be made of the Produce which may be reasonably expected from the funds proposed to be raised by Duties on Liquors &c. to see whether it will be sufficient for the ends proposed. This I think may be don from the Custom houses in the most considerable places for Trade in the Colonies.

Manner of forming the Union No doubt any private person may in a proper manner make any proposals which he thinks for the public benefite but if they are to be made by the Commissioners of the Several Colonies who now meet at Albany it may be presumed that they speak the sense of their constituents. What Authority have they to do this? I know of none from either the Council or Assembly of New York. However these things may be properly talkt of in conversation among the Commissioners for farther information and in order to induce the several assemblies to give proper powers to Commissioners to meet afterwards for this purpose.

= **__ Document D. __** =  On July 10, 1754 The Albany Plan of Union produced by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Hutchinson. It had evolved from a plan to unite the Northern colonies to a plan to unite all the colonies.

[July 10, 1754]

Plan of a Proposed Union of the Several Colonies of Masachusets-bay, New Hampshire, Coneticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jerseys, Pensilvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, For their Mutual Defence and Security, and for Extending the British Settlements in North America. 1. That the said General Government be ad-ministred by a President General, To be ap-pointed and Supported by the Crown, and a Grand Council to be Chosen by the Represent-atives of the People of the Several Colonies, met in their respective Assemblies. 2. That within -- Months after the passing of such Act, The House of Representatives in the Several Assemblies, that Happen to be Sitting within that time or that shall be Spe-cially for that purpose Convened, may and Shall Choose Members for the Grand Council in the following Proportions, that is to say. Masachusets-Bay 7. New Hampshire 2. Conecticut 5. Rhode-Island 2. New-York 4. New-Jerseys 3. Pensilvania 6. Maryland 4. Virginia 7. North-Carolina 4. South-Carolina 4. 48.

3. -- who shall meet for the first time at the city of Philadelphia, being called by the President-General as soon as conveniently may be after his appointment. 4. That there shall be a new election of the members of the Grand Council every three years; and, on the death or resignation of any member, his place should be supplied by a new choice at the next sitting of the Assembly of the Colony he represented. 5. That after the first three years, when the proportion of money arising out of each Colony to the general treasury can be known, the number of members to be chosen for each Colony shall, from time to time, in all ensuing elections, be regulated by that proportion, yet so as that the number to be chosen by any one Province be not more than seven, nor less than two. 6. That the Grand Council shall meet once in every year, and oftener if occasion require, at such time and place as they shall adjourn to at the last preceding meeting, or as they shall be called to meet at by the President-General on any emergency; he having first obtained in writing the consent of seven of the members to such call, and sent duly and timely notice to the whole. 7. That the Grand Council have power to choose their speaker; and shall neither be dissolved, prorogued, nor continued sitting longer than six weeks at one time, without their own consent or the special command of the crown. 8. That the members of the Grand Council shall be allowed for their service ten shillings sterling per diem, during their session and journey to and from the place of meeting; twenty miles to be reckoned a day's journey. 9. That the assent of the President-General be requisite to all acts of the Grand Council, and that it be his office and duty to cause them to be carried into execution. 10. That the President-General, with the advice of the Grand Council, hold or direct all Indian treaties, in which the general interest of the Colonies may be concerned; and make peace or declare war with Indian nations. 11. That they make such laws as they judge necessary for regulating all Indian trade. 12. That they make all purchases from Indians, for the crown, of lands not now within the bounds of particular Colonies, or that shall not be within their bounds when some of them are reduced to more convenient dimensions. 13. That they make new settlements on such purchases, by granting lands in the King's name, reserving a quitrent to the crown for the use of the general treasury. 14. That they make laws for regulating and governing such new settlements, till the crown shall think fit to form them into particular governments. 15. That they raise and pay soldiers and build forts for the defence of any of the Colonies, and equip vessels of force to guard the coasts and protect the trade on the ocean, lakes, or great rivers; but they shall not impress men in any Colony, without the consent of the Legislature. 16. That for these purposes they have power to make laws, and lay and levy such general duties, imposts, or taxes, as to them shall appear most equal and just (considering the ability and other circumstances of the inhabitants in the several Colonies), and such as may be collected with the least inconvenience to the people; rather discouraging luxury, than loading industry with unnecessary burdens. 17. That they may appoint a General Treasurer and Particular Treasurer in each government when necessary; and, from time to time, may order the sums in the treasuries of each government into the general treasury; or draw on them for special payments, as they find most convenient. 18. Yet no money to issue but by joint orders of the President-General and Grand Council; except where sums have been appropriated to particular purposes, and the President-General is previously empowered by an act to draw such sums. 19. That the general accounts shall be yearly settled and reported to the several Assemblies. 20. That a quorum of the Grand Council, empowered to act with the President-General, do consist of twenty-five members; among whom there shall be one or more from a majority of the Colonies. 21. That the laws made by them for the purposes aforesaid shall not be repugnant, but, as near as may be, agreeable to the laws of England, and shall be transmitted to the King in Council for approbation, as soon as may be after their passing; and if not disapproved within three years after presentation, to remain in force. 22. That, in case of the death of the President-General, the Speaker of the Grand Council for the time being shall succeed, and be vested with the same powers and authorities, to continue till the King's pleasure be known. 23. That all military commission officers, whether for land or sea service, to act under this general constitution, shall be nominated by the President-General; but the approbation of the Grand Council is to be obtained, before they receive their commissions. And all civil officers are to be nominated by the Grand Council, and to receive the President-General's approbation before they officiate. 24. But, in case of vacancy by death or removal of any officer, civil or military, under this constitution, the Governor of the Province in which such vacancy happens may appoint, till the pleasure of the President-General and Grand Council can be known. 25. That the particular military as well as civil establishments in each Colony remain in their present state, the general constitution notwithstanding; and that on sudden emergencies any Colony may defend itself, and lay the accounts of expense thence arising before the President-General and General Council, who may allow and order payment of the same, as far as they judge such accounts just and reasonable.

 = **__ Document E. __** =  Four days after the Albany plan of union was agreed upon, Franklin wrote again to Cadwallader Colden his early impressions of the assembly.

From your Landing, Sunday Evening July 14. 1754

Dear Sir

I am very sorry that our unexpected long Stay at Albany prevents my having the Pleasure of seeing you at this time. Mr. Peters, Mr. Norris and my self, with my Son, came ashore here about 3 aClock with Intent to get a Waggon or Horses to carry us to your House, and the Sloop was to wait for us till tomorrow Noon; but after many fruitless Attempts, Night coming on, we are oblig'd to go on board again. Did I not expect that Mr. Hunter waits for me impatiently at N York, where he was to meet me the Beginning of this Month, I would let the Sloop proceed without me, and take my chance of a Passage some Days hence: But the last Letter I had from him, since I have been at Albany, lets me know, that the purpos'd to set out in a few Days from Annapolis where he was on the 14th of June: so he may have been at York some time.

Our long Detention at Albany was owing to the Indians not appearing punctually at the Time appointed, viz. the 14th of June: It was the 29th before so many were collected as to be publickly spoke to. And after all, nothing of much Importance was transacted with them: at least nothing equal to the Expence and Trouble of so many Colonies. The Commissioners agreed on a Plan of Union of 11 Colonies, viz. from N Hampshire to So. Carolina inclusive: the same with that of which I sent you the Hints, some few Particulars excepted. I will send you a Copy from N York. I heartily wish we could have had your Presence and Assistance both in the Treaty and in forming the Plan. Your kind Letter and Notes, with Mr. Alexanders, did not come to hand, till we had near finish'd. I put a Transcript of our whole Treaty and Transactions in my Pocket to show you, but shall not now have the Opportunity. I heartily wish the Union may be approv'd of by the Assemblies of the several Colonies, and confirm'd by the King and Parliament, with some Improvements that I think necessary, but could not get inserted in the Plan. When one has so many different People with different Opinions to deal with in a new Affair, one is oblig'd sometimes to give up some smaller Points in order to obtain greater.

With the greatest Esteem and Respect, I am, Dear Sir, Your most humble Servant B Franklin Mr. Penn, Mr. Peters, Mr. Norris and my Son, present their Respects and Service. Addressed: To The honble. Cadwallader Colden Esqr Coldengham