Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-08-22
RICHMOND PRICE CURRENT.

We come days since attra1ed the attention of
the public 20 I subject which we then deemed it
important 10 iovestiSate-tbc liieiscd suooyession
q Ire yc,Sts ~ Or. Eaakia No elucidation ha
wing been made. the subject has acquired addit
on9i consequence. From the silence with which
theenqnries made hare been treated, the suspi-
cions then atioat have derived considerable con =.
fi,n1ation. Ifthey are well founded, the ,ran,ac.
tion to which they relate is of so criminal hue
as TO require the severest animadversion and If
they are untrue, II is ut some importance to relieve
innocent men from aspersion We trust, there
tore, that the new notice, now about to be taken
VIII draw forth Information that shall guide the
public in the formation of correct decision
1t was some years ago confidently rejswted thar
Temple Franklin, tie grandson of the Dostor, TO
whom was bequeathcd his books and papers re &.
paired to London for the purpose of publishing
his life and writings, including several unpubl.sh-
eduatts. tbs c1fGin that Benam Rache, then
residing IN Philadelphia, repeatedly stated tina,
complete edition c! the Doctors works was com
piiins b. Temple Franklin, with 4 view to pub.
lica;ion at London to supply the European dc
mand' and tha' 4 co temporaneous edition would
be printed bv him in Philadelphia 10 supply the
demand IN THIS country. This was I, least SIEVE
years ago About that time enquiries weye often
made when the work was to appears TO which it
was answered that 1t might be looked for daily
From that day to this no life Of Franklin, or any
81 his performances unpublished while he lived
nave app AIRED; nor has any reason been assigned
by Temple Franklin for their non APPEARANCE
IL was also reported some years since that Mr..
Diy, an eminent London bookseller, had bought
the copy right OF the Doctors works from Temple
Franklin for large sum on That terms was not
stated: but that instead Of publishing them, he
had afterwards disposed of them for larger sum
to the Eng'sh ministry, who bought ;hcm with 4
view to their suppression, and that they have
been accordingly suppressed.
In ascertaining the truth of this statement not
only the friends of the character of Franklin but
likewise his country and the whole literary and po-
itical world are interested. If it be true, it ma
nitests 4 turpitude that will be but inadcquately
punished by the severest apprehension.
No man enjoyed wider field for acquiring cor.
retpoIitical information respecting the American
revolution than DIR. Franklin He possessed the
confidence oehs own government, and likewise,
III an unusual degree. that of the courts to which
he was sent No one, from natural penetration,
and from the access which his great reputation
gave him to the great, was more qualified to trace
the secret springs of action. Hence the strong
curiosity excited by the expected publication of
his works! In France, the focus of information
he occupied the highest reputation, and was in
the confidence of all descriptions of persons, en-
Toying equally the respect and society of the vota
ny OF pleasure and ambition. His share il the
great events Of this country is known to all and
IT IS likewise known that 10 man among lis was
better qualified, from The strength ofhis udgment,
anda happy knowledge of men, to develope mo-
tives and impartialy to record events.
We trust that those who possess the means of
satisfying these enquiries will not deem 1t unim
portan' to give that information which alone can
or ought TO allay the national sensbiiity already
excited. National IatelLsencer