The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-05-30
DR.. Franklin on Farming and the Situation
Generally in It'll.

Some twenty-five years ago the fol-
lowing letter was sent to us in manu-.
script, which we were assured was
copied from the original which was in
possession of family residing In
Chester county, Pa, and that it had
never appeared in print. We are ask
ed now to republish it, in order that
while it did possess as much interest
to-day as it ever did, it can b. retained
as a Keepsake. 1t will be seen that the
views of the philosopher and states
men are the same that have been
maintained in these columns. The style
in which the letter was written is the
same as it came from the hands of the
writer, as regards the spelling, capitals
at the nouns, punctuation, etc. =
LONDON, April 22, I'LL.
SIR.-I duly received your Favours
of the 4th of October and the 10th of
November. 1t gave me Pleasure to
hear, that tho the Merchants had de-
parted from their Agreement of Non
Importation, the Spirit of Industry and
Frugality was likely to continue among
the People.-I am obliged to 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 seem TO have been hoped
for by those that sent Copies of them
hither.
In our Country People would we'll
consider that all they save in refusing
to purchase foreign Gewgaws, & in
making their own Apparel, being ap.
ply'd to the Improvement of their
Plantations, would render those more
profitable, as yielding greater Pro-
duce, l should hope they would persist
resolutely in their present commenda.
BILE Industry and Frugality.-And
there is still farther Consideration
The Colonies that produce Provisions
grow very fast: But of the Countries
that take off those Provisions, some dc
not increase at all, as the Europeal
Nations and others, as the West In
dia Colonies, not in the same proportion
30 that tho the Demand at present
may be sufficient, it cannot long con
tinue so--Every Manufacturer encour,
aged in our Country, makes part of 9
Market for Provisions within ourselves
and saves so much Money to pay fol-
the Manufactures he supplies. Her,
in England it is well-known and un
derstood, that wherever Manufactur,
is established which employ Number
of Hands, it raises the Value of Landl
in the neighboring Country all arounG
it partly by the greater Demand nea
at hand for the Produce of the Land
and partly from the Plenty Of Money
drawn by the Manufactures to tina
part of the Country. 1t seems therefore
the Interest of all our Farmers ant
Owners of Lands, to encourage tn,
young Manufactures in preference Il
foreign ones imported among us from
distant Countries.
l am much obliged by your kline
Present of curious Seeds. They wer'
welcome Gifts to some of my Friends
Il send you herewith some of the new
Barley lately introduced into thi
Country, Il now highly spoken Of.
wish it may be found Of Use with US.
l was the more pleas'd to see in you
Letter the improvement of your Pa
per, having had principal Share il
establishing that Manufacture among
us many Years ago, by the Encourage
ment ! gave it.
Ifin anything l can serve you here
it will be Pleasure to
Your obliged Friend
and humble Servant
B, FRANKLIN.
M. HUMPHREY MARSHALL,
-GerDaantoson Telegraph.