in consequence of these involvements
between the proprietaries and the people, engrossed universal
attention. During the four years between 1754 and 1758, the ravaged
colony of Pennsylvania had raised the sum of two hundred and eighteen
thousand pounds sterling, (over a million of dollars,) for defending
its borders. And still the two lordly proprietaries demanded that
their vast possessions should be entirely exempt from taxation.

To an earnest remonstrance of the Assembly, they returned an insulting
answer, in which they said,

"We are no more bound to pay taxes than any other chief governor of
the King's colonies. Your agitation of this matter is a new trick to
secure your re-election. We advise you to show us the respect due to
the rank which the crown has been pleased to bestow upon us. The
people of Pennsylvania, in ordinary times, are so lightly taxed, that
they hardly know that they are taxed. What fools you are to be
agitating this dangerous topic of American taxation. It is beneath the
dignity of the Assembly to make trouble about such small sums of
money. We do not deny that you have been at some expense in pacifying
the Indians, but that is no affair of ours. We already give the
province a larger sum per annum, than our share of the taxes would
amount to. One of us, for example, sent over four hundred pounds'
worth of cannon, for the defence of our city of Philadelphia."

Such was their answer. It was conveyed in sixteen sentences which were
numbered and which were very similar to the ones we have given. The
communication excited great displeasure. It was considered alike false
and insolent. Even the tranquil mind of Franklin was fired with
indignation. He replied to the document with a power of eloquence and
logic which carried the convictions of nearly all the colonists.

CHAPTER IX.

_Franklin's Mission to England._

New marks of respect--Lord Loudoun--Gov. Denny and
Franklin--Visit the Indians--Franklin commissioner to
England--His constant good nature--Loudoun's delays--Wise
action of an English captain--The voyagers land at
Falmouth--Journey to London--Franklin's style of living in
London--His electrical experiments--He teaches the Cambridge
professor--Complimentary action of St. Andrews--Gov. Denny
displaced, and dark clouds arising--Franklin's successful
diplomacy--His son appointed Governor of New Jersey--Great
opposition--The homewar