tude unbounded. This monument of
American liberty has a distinguished place in my cabinet.

Whenever chance or commerce shall lead any of your fellow
citizens or their vessels into the ports of our Island, I shall
receive them with the greatest Welcome, they shall experience
from me every assistance they may claim. I shall observe with
infinite pleasure any growing connection between that interesting
nation and my subjects, especially if it will tend to convince
Your Excellency of the distinguished sentiments with which I am,

Sir, Your Excellency's most affectionate servant,
The Grand Master,
ROHAN.

No. 15. (p. 093)
PLATE XV.

_1784._

Benj. Franklin natus Boston. XVII Jan. MDCCVI. [Rx]. Eripuit
coelo fulmen sceptrum que tyrannis.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

BENJ. FRANKLIN NATUS BOSTON. XVII JAN. MDCCVI. (_Benjamin Franklin
natus Boston, 17 Januarii, 1706: Benjamin Franklin, born in Boston,
January 17, 1706._) Bust of Franklin, facing the left. On edge of
bust, DUPRE F. (_fecit_).

ERIPUIT COELO FULMEN SCEPTRUM QUE TYRANNIS. (_He drew fire from heaven
and wrenched the sceptre from tyrants._) A genius pointing with his
right hand to a lightning-rod attracting the electric spark, and with
his left to a broken crown and sceptre at his feet. Exergue: SCULPSIT
ET DICAVIT AUG. DUPRE ANNO MDCCLXXXIV. (_Sculpsit et dicavit
Augustinus Dupre, anno 1784: Engraved and dedicated by Augustin Dupre,
in the year 1784_).[56],[57]

[Footnote 56: See INTRODUCTION, pages x and xxiii.]

[Footnote 57: For original documents, see No. 16,
page 95.]

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was born in Boston, January 17, 1706. He began life
as an apprentice to his brother, a printer; went to England to follow
his trade, but ultimately settled in Philadelphia in 1726, where he
edited the "Pennsylvania Gazette," and in 1732 began the publication
of "Poor Richard's Almanac." He founded the first fire company in
1737, and soon afterward the first fire insurance company. In 1752 he
discovered the identity of lightning and the electric fluid, and
invented the lightning-rod. In consideration of his brilliant services
to science, the degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by the