Louisiana capitolian., 1879-08-30
figure met the gazed Of his future

| AlJcT tHcSc IOubH cApcIItHCcS III
life's opening twenty years passed
away, years Of u busy life, years Of
mingled good and i'll. The printer
boy had married, he had braveIy
mounted the ladder and had grasped
honors of office and success. A new
life from his loins began to run paraI-
lei with his years. Ofhis son he thus
writes in I750:s
WVill is now nineteen years of age,
u tall, proper youth and much of u
beau. He acquired a habit of idle
ness in the expedition, but begins Of
late to apply himselfto business, and,
| hope he will become an industrious
man. He imagined his father had got
enough for him, but ! assured him
that intended to spend what little
I have myself, il it pleased God that
| live lcng enough and as he
by no means wants acuteness, he can
see by my going on that mean to be
as good as my word"
William Franklin, the son referred
to, had received commission in the
Pennsylvania Colonial forces, and had
served one or more campaigns on
the northern frontiers before he was
of age, rising to the rank of captain.
On his return to Philadelphia he aided
his father in scientific pursuits, and
from 1854 to 15G was comptroller of
the general postoflice, then under the
management of his father. In 1855
he was also Clerk of the Provincial
Assembly. In 1851 Benjamin Frank
lin was appointed Colonial agent in
London, and his son accompanied
him thither.
Shortly after his arrival William
Strahan. an eminent London publish
er and friend and admirer of her
husband, thus writes to Mrs. Frank
lin in Philadelphia:
"Your son really think one of the
prettiest young gentlemen | ever
knew from America. He seems to
have solidity of Judgment not very
often to be met with in one ofhisyears
This, with the daily opportunity OF
improving himselfin the company OF
his father, who is at the same time
his friend, his brother, his intimate
and his easy companion, affords al
agreeable prospect that your hus-
bands virtues and usefulness to his
country may be prolonged beyond the
date of his own life.'
While in London William Franklin
commenced the study of law in the
Middle Temple, and was admitted to
the bar in 1853. He then travelled
with his father through England,
Scotland and Flanders, and profitcd
greatly by the companienship. In
1862 the University of Oxford con-
ferred the honorary degree of Doctor
of Laws upon tho father, and at the
same time the son received the degree
of Master of Arts for his attachments
in natural science.
In August of that year, through the
influence of Lord Butte, and without
the solicitation of his father, William
Franklin was appointed Governor OF
New Jersey. He had previously
passed a thorough examination by the
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
This appointment caused much re-
mark and disapprobation at the time
among various circles in England and
America. By some it was pronunced
n dislonor and disgrace to the coun-
try. Slandcrous tales were spread,
having their origin only in /. the
rumor that the ncwly-appointed Gov
crnOr was born out of wedlock. But
the true reason of much of this calum-
NY was that a native of the colonies
had received the prcferment which
was thought due to the aristocracy OF
England.
Previous to leaving London Gov
ernor Franklin was married to Eliza,
beth Downs and with her he arrived
at Perth Amboy in February, 1863
At that time the governors of New
Jersey took the oaths of office and
were proclaimed ut both Perth Am.
boy and Burlington. On his arrival
at Amboy he was escorted by numbers
of the gentry and by the Middlese,
troop of horse, and was there formal
ly received by the retiring Gov. Hardy
and the members of the council. Firs
residing at Burlington in October
liza, he took up his official residence
at Amboy, in the ancient "PrOpric
tors House," now forming a portion
of the ''Brighton House."
Amboy had formerly been the resi-
dence of Cows. Hunter and Burnet
who ruled over both New York an,
: New Jersey. Later, those who ad
ministcreu the colonial government q