The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-01-12

cities, London and Paris. and he
brought the young American nation
prestige and popularity throughout Eu-
rope.
Franklin's first service as a repre-
sentative of the colonies came long be-
fore the Revolution, when he went to
London on behalf OF Pennsylvania 10
bring about the taxation Of the Penn
proprietary estates. These great hold.
inEs had been exempted, which made
the burdens Of taxation fall more heav-
lily on others In this effort be was
finally successful he afterward spent
years Ia London, representing Pennsyl.
yania and indirectly the other colonies
IN the growing troubles with the moth
er country, ifs tsctfui. able and con.
Yincing testimony before parliament
tary committee had much TO do with
the repeal Of the obnexiogs stamp act.
he wrote anonymous pamphlets in be-
hair Of the colonies that were 20 unique,
SO witty and so full OF meat that they
had great vogue even IN England,
where public opinion was hostile III
nally. when the feeling grew more bit
ter. FRANKLIN, because of some letters
he had received and would not divulge,
regarding them as confidential, was
subjected TO an outrageous cross ques-
tioning and csstigation by MIR Wedder-
burn ami was deprived OF his Office of
deputy Postmaster general for the col.
onies. TO WeCcerburn's accusations
he answered mol / word, but stood So
rene and uumoyeG to the end. When be
took his departure. This composure
gave him the moral victory In the con-
test even in the eyes Of his foes
1t was probably with sincere regret
that Franklin decided to leave Eng
land. He had been immensely popular
there, had been made q member OF
nearly OIL the learned societies. had
been given degrees from the leading
universities and had been on terms Of
friendly intimacy with most OF the
celebrities in London. He Ind also
striyen TO prevent a break between the
colonies and the mother country to
such an extent that at times he had
gained the III will Of both. Relations
had grown so strnined, however, that
II was useless for him to remain
longer so with sore heart he re.
turned TO Philadelphia on the eve OF
the Revolution
Benjamin Frankln's last diplomatic
mission and most celebrated OF all was
to Paris. Here he went as the repre-
sentative OF the united colonies shortly
after the outbreak Of the war for inde.
pendence. His reception was even
more fattering than it had been In /
London. Bis fame as a scientist, au-
thor and friend Of liberty made him
popular idol He became the fashion.
his quaint sayings, which he issued +
from time to time from little printing I
press which he set up at his rooms,
were quoten by every one. Even the
plainness Of bis dress did not detract
from the universal esteem 10 which he
was held 1t Is said that when Frank
I'm sent 70 the king a request that he
might be permitted to wear the sort Of
clothes he had worn at home, kni.
stockings aud all, the king smllingiy
gave his assent, and his court soon for
got the LONELINESS Of the Quaker
attire ia the hrlliancy OF
his mind In the language Of his friend
Paine, he was willing to "let thoso
wear fine clothes who need them His
inner adornment was such be DID not
require the outer.
Frankhn's great popularity in Paris
continued to the end, and that ia spite
Of the fact that Ice, one of his fellow
tried to create a preju-
dice against him. Nome Of the other
American representatives even APP
his popularity. Leo YVES final
" recalled, Silas Deane was disgraced.
John Adams failed TO please, ana
Prankiin was left to,represent the colo
nies alone The services be rendered
at the court Of I7rance can never be
oyeEaztuated he has been credited. !