Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1840-05-29

bly, as the agent of the province. His reputa-
ton was now such both at home and abroad
that he was appointed agent for the provinces
of Massachusetts, Maryland and Georgia Ok
ford and the Scotch Universities conferred on
him, the degree of Doctor of Laws, and the
Royal Society elected him a fellow. In '62
he returned to America, but new difficulties "a
rising between the province and the proprleta-
ries, the Assembly determined to petition for
the establishment ofsa royal government, and
Franklin was again appointed agent in ga. But
the American Revolution was now cOmmenc-
ing, and he appeared in England no longer as
colonial agent, but as a representative of
America. For eleven years he was constantly
engaged in resisting the designs of the British
Ministry, on the rights and Liberties of Ameri-
ca. He was dismissed from his place of Dep
u;y Post Master General Attempts were made
as the difficulties increased, to corrupt the man,
whom it had been found impossible TO intimi-
date; but he was as inaccessible to corruption
as to threats Having received an intimation,
that the ministers were preparing to arrest him
as guilty of fomenting a rebellion in the colo
nies, he embarked for Philadelphia, where he
arrived in May rs, and was Immediately cleo
ted member of Congress. As one of the
committee of safety, and of that of foreign cor
respondence, he performed some of the most
fatiguing services, and eXerted all his influence
in favor of the Declaration of Independence
In l776 he was sent TO France as Minister
Plenipotentiary, to obtain supplies from that
court, and after the reception of the news of
the surrender of Burgoyne, he had the happi-
ness of concluding the first treaty of the new
States with foreign power, February 6, l776.
He was subsequently named one of the CON-
missoners for negotiating the peace with the
Mother country; at its close III November 'S2,
he requested to be recalled, after so years spent
in the service of his country but could not OBJ
tain permission 10 return until 'S5 During
this interval he negotiated two treaties, one
with Sweden, and one with Russia. The gen.
eral enthusiasm with which he was received in
France, is well known. His venerable age,
his simplicity of manners, his scientific reputa-
ton, the gaiety and richness of his converse
ton, all contributed TO render him All object of
admiration to courtiers fashionable ladies and
the learned.
He regularly attended the meetings Of the
Academy of sciences, and was appointed one
of the committee which exposed Mesmer'S i'm
posture of animal magnetism. On his return
to his native country before he was permitted
to retire to the bosom Of his family, he filled
the office Of President of Pennsylvania, and
served as delegate in the federal convention
of 81, and approved the constitution then FORM
ed. He died April nth, 1890, with his facul-
ties and affections unimpaired, and was buried
in the North East corner of Christ's Church
burial ground in Philadelphia, aud according to
the directions Of his will, by the side of his
wife, with plain marble stone placed over
them, with this inscription
Benjamin Franklin,