Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-08-05
From the Richmond South.
An Original Letter from Benjamin.
Franklin
KIOnMOND, July 28, l658.


kICnhOND, July -, 1905.
To the Editor Of the S0aH: ...
The following letter from Beniamin Franklin to
his friend, Mr.. Humphrey Marshall, Of Pennsylva-
MIA, have found among the archives Of the Medi-
cal Society Of Virginia How il came here can
not imagine, nor IS it very important to know.
Since this plain and well written letter Rtains
advice to the American people, as important, per
haps now as in l77l, and as it expresses opinions
upon much vexed question, which is not, perhaps,
always viewed with that freedom frem local preju-
dices which its importance demands, l send il to
you for publication. Would to God we we're as
firmly united to d5y as when this true patriot and
philosopher sat down in London, in much perplexi
~; doubtless, to write this letter. He knew emo
North, no South" ,-sf
think this letter is original. It is written upon
foolscap, with wide and regular margin on either
side and with q neatness and simplicity, altogether
characteristic of the man. Yours, SC, NJ. D.
LONDON, April %, 1771.
SIR: duly received your FaVours Of the 4th Of
October and the 18th of November. 1t gave Pleas
ure 10 hear, that tho the Merchants had departed
from their Agreement of NcnimpOrtaion, the spirit
of Industry and Frugality Was likely to continue
among the People. l am obliged 60 you for your
Concern on my Account. The Letters you mention
gave great Offence here; but that was not attended
with the immediate i'll Consequences to my Interest
that to have been hoped for by those that sent
Copies OF them hither
ii our Country People would we'll consider, that
oil they save In refusing to purchase foreign GeW
gaws, and 10 making their own Apparel, being ap
pyd TO the Improvement Of their Plantations, would
render those more profitable, as yielding greater
Produce, should hope they would persist resolute
ly n their present eommendable Industry and FruN
galitY. and there is still farther Consideration
The Colonies that produce Provisions grow very
fast. But Of the Countries that take eff those Pro
visions, some do not increase at all, as the Euro
pean Nations; and others. IS the West India Colo
MES not in the same proportion. So that tho the
Demand at present may be sufficient it cannot long
continue go Every Manufacturer encouraged in
our Country, makes part Of Market for Provisions
within ourselves, and saves so much Money to the
Country as must otherwise be exported TO pay for
the NJ, nUfaclures he supplies. Here in England it
is well known and understood, that where ever q
Manufacture is established which employs a Mum
Der Of Hands, it raises the Value Of Lands in the
neiahbouring Country all around it; partly by the
greater Demand at hand for The Produce Of the
Land; and partly from the Plenty Of Money drawn
by the Manufacturers to that Part of the Country
1t seems therefore the Interest Of all Farmers
and Owners Of Lands, to encourage our young
Manufactures in preference to foreign ones import
ed among US from distant Countries.
am much obliged by your kind Present Of Gu
TiOus Seeds. They were welcome GIFTS to some Of
my friends I send you herewith some Of the new
Barley lately introduced into this Country, and now
highly spoken Of l wish it may be found Of use
wiz
was the more pleas'd to see in your Letter the
Improvement of our Paper, having had principal
Snare in establishing that Manufacture among Us
many years ago, by the Encouragement l gave it.
II in anything can serve you here, it will be
Pleasure to
Your obliged Friend
And humble Servant,
B FRANKLIN