[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]ter of credit to furnish me with the necessary money for me, being engaged in business of the utmost importance,
purchasing the press and types, paper, etc. For these letters but should send the letters to me on board, wish d me heartily
I was appointed to call at different times, when they were a good voyage and a speedy return, etc. I returned on board
to be ready, but a future time was still named. Thus he went a little puzzled, but still not doubting.
on till the ship, whose departure too had been several times Mr. Andrew Hamilton, a famous lawyer of Philadelphia,
postponed, was on the point of sailing. Then, when I call d had taken passage in the same ship for himself and son, and
to take my leave and receive the letters, his secretary, Dr. with Mr. Denham, a Quaker merchant, and Messrs. Onion
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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
and Russel, masters of an iron work in Maryland, had engag d continued during his life. The voyage was otherwise not a
the great cabin; so that Ralph and I were forced to take up pleasant one, as we had a great deal of bad weather.
with a berth in the steerage, and none on board knowing us, When we came into the Channel, the captain kept his
were considered as ordinary persons. But Mr. Hamilton and word with me, and gave me an opportunity of examining
his son (it was James, since governor) return d from Newcastle the bag for the governor s letters. I found none upon which
to Philadelphia, the father being recall d by a great fee to my name was put as under my care. I picked out six or
plead for a seized ship; and, just before we sail d, Colonel seven, that, by the handwriting, I thought might be the
French coming on board, and showing me great respect, I promised letters, especially as one of them was directed to
was more taken notice of, and, with my friend Ralph, in- Basket, the king s printer, and another to some stationer.
vited by the other gentlemen to come into the cabin, there We arriv d in London the 24th of December, 1724. I waited
being now room. Accordingly, we remov d thither. upon the stationer, who came first in my way, delivering the
Understanding that Colonel French had brought on board letter as from Governor Keith. I don t know such a person,
the governor s despatches, I ask d the captain for those let- says he; but, opening the letter, O! this is from Riddlesden.
ters that were to be under my care. He said all were put into I have lately found him to be a compleat rascal, and I will
the bag together and he could not then come at them; but, have nothing to do with him, nor receive any letters from
before we landed in England, I should have an opportunity him. So, putting the letter into my hand, he turn d on his
of picking them out; so I was satisfied for the present, and heel and left me to serve some customer. I was surprized to
we proceeded on our voyage. We had a sociable company in find these were not the governor s letters; and, after recol-
the cabin, and lived uncommonly well, having the addition lecting and comparing circumstances, I began to doubt his
of all Mr. Hamilton s stores, who had laid in plentifully. In sincerity. I found my friend Denham, and opened the whole
this passage Mr. Denham contracted a friendship for me that affair to him. He let me into Keith s character; told me there
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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
was not the least probability that he had written any letters tance to him; and from that time he became my friend,
for me; that no one, who knew him, had the smallest depen- greatly to my advantage afterwards on many occasions.
dence on him; and he laught at the notion of the governor s But what shall we think of a governor s playing such piti-
giving me a letter of credit, having, as he said, no credit to ful tricks, and imposing so grossly on a poor ignorant boy!
give. On my expressing some concern about what I should It was a habit he had acquired. He wish d to please every-
do, he advised me to endeavor getting some employment in body; and, having little to give, he gave expectations. He
the way of my business. Among the printers here, said he, was otherwise an ingenious, sensible man, a pretty good
you will improve yourself, and when you return to America, writer, and a good governor for the people, tho not for his
you will set up to greater advantage. constituents, the proprietaries, whose instructions he some-
We both of us happen d to know, as well as the stationer, times disregarded. Several of our best laws were of his plan-
that Riddlesden, the attorney, was a very knave. He had ning and passed during his administration.
half ruin d Miss Read s father by persuading him to be bound Ralph and I were inseparable companions. We took lodg-
for him. By this letter it appear d there was a secret scheme ings together in Little Britain at three shillings and six-
on foot to the prejudice of Hamilton (suppos d to be then pence a weekçøas much as we could then afford. He found
coming over with us); and that Keith was concerned in it some relations, but they were poor, and unable to assist
with Riddlesden. Denham, who was a friend of Hamilton s him. He now let me know his intentions of remaining in
thought he ought to be acquainted with it; so, when he London, and that he never meant to return to Philadelphia.
arriv d in England, which was soon after, partly from resent- He had brought no money with him, the whole he could
ment and ill-will to Keith and Riddlesden, and partly from muster having been expended in paying his passage. I had
good-will to him, I waited on him, and gave him the letter. fifteen pistoles; so he borrowed occasionally of me to sub-
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