Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-04-20
FRANKLIN IN PERTH AMBOY.

For a city as rich in historical associations as
is Perth Amboy. especially in regard to Ben
Jamin Franklin, there is certainly q dearth OF
civic pride in connection with the bronze statue
of Franklin that is now on its way from Balti-
more to Waterbury, Conn, which Is Its mai
destination. There is good reason to believe
that the statue will be brought to this city in
the course of its journey-at least. it ought to
brought here even If the original plans for the
trip did not include this city.
This is q beautiful work Of art made in Balti-
more for the city Of Waterbury. In delivering
it to the latter city some one conceived the idea
Of having the statue follow the same course
that Franklin did when he Journeyed from Ros-
ton to Philadelphia, only going In the opposite
direction. Every school boy knows that when
Bsnjamin Franklin left the home of his brother
to whom he had been bound to learn the print
ers trade, he set out to ind work In New York.
Being unsuccessful in New York he determined
TO 10 on to Philadelphia-no mean journey in
tAo1s days.
FRANKLIN shipped on board a boat at New
York bound for Amboy. He experienced much
stormy weather on the trip. but finally reached
lore where he landed and. after a rest. con-
Ainusd his journey on foot across the state ar
I irving eventually at Burlington on the Della
ware river. There he was sheltered by kindly
Quaksrs until he could secure passage on a boat
going down the Delaware river to Philadelphia.
He arrived in due course Of time and as he
passed up Market street with Il loaf Of bread
under each arm he was laughed at by a young
woman who later became his wife.
Today the statue Of the great philosopher and
printer Is travelling back over this same course
apd the various cities where it stops are cele-
brating the occasion in a fitting manner. Last
Sunday the statue was in Philadelphia and ap-
nropriate ceremonies were held In Independence
Square. There were speeches by prominent
men and wreaths were placed on the statue by
school children and the Boy Scouts. On Monday
the statue was placed on a boat and brought
up the Delaware river to Burlington. There
patriotic exercises were held and the whole city
nttingly celebrated the occasion.
From Burlington the statue went to Trenton
whore there were more ceremonies in honor
81 the great American patriot. 1t is In Prince
ton today and will go to New Brunswick next
from thence it will be brought to Perth Amboy
where, according to reports 1t will be taken In
charge by the navy department and conveyed
on q war vessel to the Battery in New York.
BENJAMIN Franklin visited Perth Amboy on
several occasions during his life time. His first
visit, Of course, was when he passed through
here on his way to Philadelphia for the first
time. Later we know that he came here in
company with those other two noble patriots,
John Adams and Edward Rutledge. when those
three representing the American colonies then
at war with Great Britain, were rowed across
the sound to meet Lord Howe whose headquar-
ter were in what is known as the Billop house
still visible on the Staten Island shore, to con-
fer about peace. A British soldier was sent to
Amboy to remain with the colonial authorities
as security for the safe return OF the three
Americans. incidentally. 1t is interesting to note
that this historical event is wonderfully depicted
in one of the new memorial windows that have
recently been installed in st. Peters church.
Franklin also came to Perth Amboy at the
time his son, william Franklin, was governor
: of the province of East Jersey living in the gov