CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY, commenced at Twyford in 1771, and addressed to his Son,
William Franklin, then Governor of New Jersey.-Franklin's Genealogy,
Birth, Parentage, and Apprenticeship.-Early Formation of a Philosoph-
ical and Literary Taste.-Disagreement with his Brother.-Departure
from Boston.-Arrival in New York.-Journey to Philadelphia Page

CHAPTER II.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY continued. Franklin's Peripatetic Breakfast.-The first

House he slept in.-Commences Work for Keimer.-Commencement of

a Governor's Patronage.-Visit to Boston.-His Father's Shrewdness.-

Accompanied to Philadelphia by his old Friend Collins, whose bad Con-

duct causes a Breach.-Anecdotes and Notices of his Companions and

of his Employer.-Governor Keith persuades him to sail for London 40

CHAPTER III.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY continued. End of the Governor's Patronage, and Discov-

ery of his Character.-Engages in his Business by Advice of his Friend

Mr. Denham.-Frequents a Club.-Habits of London Printers.-Frank-

lin's Mode of Living.-Swimming.-Enters into Business with Mr.

Denham.
70

CHAPTER IV.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY continued. Return to Philadelphia.-Death of Mr. Den-

ham.-Resumes the Printing Business as Foreman for Keimer.-Re-

solves to commence Business on his own Account.-Engraves the Plates

for the New Jersey Paper Money, and prints the Bills.-Forms a Part-

nership with one of Keimer's Workmen, and commences a new Printing

House in Philadelphia

87

CHAPTER V

AUTOBIOGRAPHY continued. The Junto.-Franklin establishes a News-

paper. Dissolves his Connection with Meredith.—Tract on Paper Cur-

rency.-Opens a Shop.-Habits.-Courtship.-Marriage

103

CHAPTER VI.

Break in Dr. Franklin's Narrative.-Letters from his Friends, inducing

him to resume it.-RESUMPTION OF AUTOBIOGRAPHY at Passy, near Paris,

in 1784.-Origin of the Philadelphia Library.-First Luxury in Frank

lin's House.-Moral Schemes and Rules, Plan of Order, Art of Virtue,

&c.

. Page 121

CHAPTER VII.

Resumption of the Narrative at Philadelphia.—Points of Religious Belief.—

Poor Richard's Almanac.-Newspapers.-Rev. Mr. Hemphill.-Remarks

on Languages.-Visit to Boston.-Public Employments.-Public Spirit

of Franklin and the Junto

145

CHAPTER VIII

AUTOBIOGRAPHY continued. Whitefield, his Arrival, Oratory, Character, &c.

-Philosophical Society.—Activity of Franklin in causing the City to be

put in a State of Defense.-The "Dunkers."-Franklin Fire-place 164

CHAPTER IX

AUTOBIOGRAPHY continued. Origin of the University of Pennsylvania.—

Electrical Experiments.-Public Life.-Pennsylvania Hospital.-Street

Cleaning and Paving, how introduced.—Appointed Post-master General

for the Colonies.-Honorary Degrees

CHAPTER X.

186

AUTOBIOGRAPHY continued. Convention at Albany.-Plan of Union.-

Assists Mr. Quincy in procuring Supplies for New England.-Procures

Supplies for General Braddock.-Character of that Officer.-His Defeat.

-Poor Reward of Franklin's Services

206

CHAPTER XI.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY continued. Appointed a Commissioner for disbursing the

Money raised for the Public Defense.-Commissioned to take charge of

the Defenses of the Frontier.-March.-Military Operations.-Indian

Massacre.-Moravians.-Chosen Colonel of a Regiment.-Troublesome

Etiquette, and its Consequences.-Electrical Discovery.-Chosen a Mem-

ber of the Royal Society.-Receives the Copley Medal

CHAPTER XII.

229

AUTOBIOGRAPHY concluded. The new Governor, Denny.-Deputed to go

to England as Agent for Pennsylvania -Anecdotes of Lord Loudon.-

Incidents of Voyage from New York, and Arrival in London

250

CHAPTER XIII.

Style of Dr. Franklin's Autobiography.-Letter to Benjamin Vaughan.—

First Publication of the Work.-Caution necessary in the Perusal.-

Difficulties of the Provincial Government of Pennsylvania.-Increase of

Embarrassment after the Death of the Founder.-Troublesome Process

of the final Enactment of Laws.-Franklin's Mission.-Historical Re

view of Pennsylvania

CHAPTER XIV

Page 266

Remarks upon Franklin's familiar Correspondence.-His Lodgings in Lon-

don. His Welcome there.-His Employments.-Testimony of Thomas

Penn.-Franklin's Letters to Miss Mary Stevenson.-Newspaper Mis-

representations.-Answer of William Franklin.-Franklin's Fitness for

his Post

279

CHAPTER XV.

Mr. Strahan.-His Letter to Mrs. Franklin.-Franklin's famous Letter to

Mr. Strahan. His last Letter to that Gentleman, reviewing their Lives.

-Franklin's Visit to Cambridge.-His Tour among his Connections.—

American Feeling before the Revolution.-The Degree of Doctor of Laws

conferred on Franklin by the University of St. Andrew's.-Scottish Ac-

quaintance.-Lord Kames.-Parable against Persecution

CHAPTER XVI.

289

Close of Franklin's Mission in England.—The Canada Pamphlet.—Indirect

Communications with the Ministry.-Franklin's Ideas of American Re-

sistance in 1760.-His Philosophical Pursuits.-Experiments relative to

Canals, &c.—University Honors.-The Parliamentary Grant of Money,

and Franklin's Disposal of it.-Appointment of his Son as Governor of

New Jersey.-Sails for America.-His Account of the Voyage, and his

Reception at Home
304

CHAPTER XVII.

Franklin's Welcome Home.-The Vote of Thanks and Franklin's Reply.-

Journey to the North.-Shrewd Comments on Hospitality.-Indian Diffi-

culties.-The Paxton Murders.-Advance of the Insurgents upon Phila-

delphia.-Influence of Franklin.-Preparations for Defense.-Departure

of the Rioters.-Popular Feeling in their Favor

CHAPTER XVIII.

318

Revival of Disputes with the Proprietaries.-Adjournment of the Assembly
to consult their Constituents.-Franklin's "Cool Thoughts."-Bold Re-

marks on the Riots.-Published Speeches and Prefaces.-Petition to the

Crown for a Change in the Government.-Resignation of the Speaker,

and Election of Franklin to fill the Vacancy.-Stamp Duties.-Franklin's

Defeat as Candidate for the Assembly.-His Appointment as Special

Agent.-Protest and other Opposition against that Measure.-Sails for

England.

Page 329

CHAPTER XIX.

Franklin's Letter to his Daughter.-Extracts from other Letters.-Anec

dote of the Bees.-His Arrival in England.-Business of his Mission.—

Colonial Currency.-Humorous Letter to a London Journal.-The Stamp

Act." Claims to Independence."-Joseph Galloway.-Dean Tucker.—

Charges against Franklin by his Enemies

CHAPTER XX.

344

Opposition to the Stamp Act in America.—Popular Violence.—Its lenient

Manifestations.-Change of Ministry.-Contemplated Repeal of the

Stamp Act.-Examination of Dr. Franklin.-Division of Questions be-

tween Friends and Opponents.-A "Small Amendment."-The Change

in American Feeling.-Closing Questions.-The "Declaratory Act" 358

CHAPTER XXI.

Franklin's Letter to his Wife, with the "new Gown."-Letter to Franklin

from his Wife, describing their new House.—Another, describing her

Election Terrors.-Efforts of Franklin's Enemies in Philadelphia.-An-

swers of his Friends.-Franklin's Advice to Moderation.-Its Defeat by

the Proprietary Party.-Reception of the News of Repeal in Philadel

phia.-Illuminations and Rejoicings.-The Birth-day.-Franklin's Jour-

neys to the Continent.-Political Writings
373

CHAPTER XXII.

John Adams's Opinion of Franklin.-The Revenue Act.-Governor Bernard

and the Massachusetts Legislature.-The Boston Resolutions.-Frank-

lin's Letters relating thereto.-The Paper entitled "Causes of American

Discontents."-The "Farmer's Letters."-Lord Hillsborough.-His new

Regulations, and Capricious Conduct to Franklin.-"Rules for Reducing

a Great Empire to a Small One"

. 391

CHAPTER XXIII.

Rumors of Appointments.-Agencies of four Colonies filled by Dr. Frank-
lin.-Bolder Tone of his Correspondence.-He encourages the Ameri-
cans to adhere to their non-importation Agreements.-Difficulties in Bos-
ton in 1770.-Change of the Revenue Law.-The "Boston Massacre."