slightest alteration of his countenance to be visible. The
words of Wedderburne, however, coupled with the derisive and exulting
laugh of the council, sank deep into the soul of Franklin. He appeared
in a full dress of spotted Manchester velvet, and it is said that, when
he returned to his lodgings he took off this dress, and vowed he would
never wear it again until he should sign the degradation of England and
the independence of America. After proceedings against him tended to
perpetuate that feeling. Hitherto he had been allowed to retain the
profitable place of post-master general for America, but three days
after the meeting of the council, he was dismissed by letter from that
office. The report of the council also, on the subject of the petition,
tended to confirm him in feelings of hostility toward the British
government. It stated "that the petition was founded on resolutions
which were formed on false and erroneous allegations: that it was
groundless, vexatious, scandalous, and calculated only for the seditious
purpose of keeping up a spirit of clamour and discontent in the
province: that nothing had appeared to impeach in any degree the honour,
integrity, and conduct of the governor or deputy-governor; and that
their lordships were humbly of opinion that the said petition ought to
be dismissed." Moreover, the sympathy which Franklin met with from
some of the leading members of the opposition, tended still further
to embitter the passions which had been roused in the mind of
the philosopher. That boastful patriot himself--the great Earl of
Chatham--hastened to express his sympathy with Franklin, and his
detestation of the treatment he had received from Wedderburne and the
government. It is due to the character of Chatham, however, to say that
had he been aware of Franklin's extreme intentions, he would, instead of
affording him his sympathy, have joined with Wedderburne in holding him
up to public contempt. That great orator, indeed, at all times, whether
in office or out of office, whether in favour of the measures of
government or banding against them, invariably held that the dependence
of the colonies was absolutely and vitally essential, not merely to the
honour and greatness and wealth of the mother country, but also to her
safety and existence. He had, in truth, asserted that the moment America
should be free, wholly independent of, and separated from Great Britain,
the sun of England would set for ever.