the autobiography of ben franklin(本富兰克林自传)-第36章
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being enabled at the end of our term； six years； to purchase the types of me
and go on working for themselves； by which means several families were
raised。 Partnerships often finish in quarrels； but I was happy in this； that
mine were all carried on and ended amicably； owing； I think； a good deal
to the precaution of having very explicitly settled； in our articles； every
thing to be done by or expected from each partner； so that there was
nothing to dispute； which precaution I would therefore recommend to all
who enter into partnerships； for； whatever esteem partners may have for；
and confidence in each other at the time of the contract； little jealousies
and disgusts may arise； with ideas of inequality in the care and burden of
the business； etc。； which are attended often with breach of friendship and
of the connection； perhaps with lawsuits and other disagreeable
consequences。
I had； on the whole； abundant reason to be satisfied with my being
established in Pennsylvania。 There were； however； two things that I
regretted； there being no provision for defense； nor for a compleat
education of youth； no militia； nor any college。 I therefore； in 1743； drew
up a proposal for establishing an academy； and at that time； thinking the
Reverend Mr。 Peters； who was out of employ； a fit person to superintend
such an institution； I communicated the project to him； but he； having
more profitable views in the service of the proprietaries； which succeeded；
declin'd the undertaking； and； not knowing another at that time suitable for
such a trust； I let the scheme lie a while dormant。 I succeeded better the
next year； 1744； in proposing and establishing a Philosophical Society。
The paper I wrote for that purpose will be found among my writings； when
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collected。
With respect to defense； Spain having been several years at war
against Great Britain； and being at length join'd by France； which brought
us into great danger； and the laboured and long…continued endeavour of
our governor； Thomas； to prevail with our Quaker Assembly to pass a
militia law； and make other provisions for the security of the province；
having proved abortive； I determined to try what might be done by a
voluntary association of the people。 To promote this； I first wrote and
published a pamphlet； entitled PLAIN TRUTH； in which I stated our
defenceless situation in strong lights； with the necessity of union and
discipline for our defense； and promis'd to propose in a few days an
association； to be generally signed for that purpose。 The pamphlet had a
sudden and surprising effect。 I was call'd upon for the instrument of
association； and having settled the draft of it with a few friends； I
appointed a meeting of the citizens in the large building before mentioned。
The house was pretty full； I had prepared a number of printed copies； and
provided pens and ink dispers'd all over the room。 I harangued them a
little on the subject； read the paper； and explained it； and then distributed
the copies； which were eagerly signed； not the least objection being made。
When the company separated； and the papers were collected； we found
above twelve hundred hands； and； other copies being dispersed in the
country； the subscribers amounted at length to upward of ten thousand。
These all furnished themselves as soon as they could with arms； formed
themselves into companies and regiments； chose their own officers； and
met every week to be instructed in the manual exercise； and other parts of
military discipline。 The women； by subscriptions among themselves；
provided silk colors； which they presented to the companies； painted with
different devices and mottos； which I supplied。
The officers of the companies composing the Philadelphia regiment；
being met； chose me for their colonel； but； conceiving myself unfit； I
declin'd that station； and recommended Mr。 Lawrence； a fine person； and
man of influence； who was accordingly appointed。 I then propos'd a lottery
to defray the expense of building a battery below the town； and furnishing
it with cannon。 It filled expeditiously； and the battery was soon erected；
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the merlons being fram'd of logs and fill'd with earth。 We bought some old
cannon from Boston； but； these not being sufficient； we wrote to England
for more； soliciting； at the same time； our proprietaries for some assistance；
tho' without much expectation of obtaining it。
Meanwhile； Colonel Lawrence； William Allen； Abram Taylor； Esqr。；
and myself were sent to New York by the associators； commission'd to
borrow some cannon of Governor Clinton。 He at first refus'd us
peremptorily； but at dinner with his council； where there was great
drinking of Madeira wine； as the custom of that place then was； he
softened by degrees； and said he would lend us six。 After a few more
bumpers he advanc'd to ten； and at length he very good…naturedly
conceded eighteen。 They were fine cannon； eighteen…pounders； with their
carriages； which we soon transported and mounted on our battery； where
the associators kept a nightly guard while the war lasted； and among the
rest I regularly took my turn of duty there as a common soldier。
My activity in these operations was agreeable to the governor and
council； they took me into confidence； and I was consulted by them in
every measure wherein their concurrence was thought useful to the
association。 Calling in the aid of religion； I propos'd to them the
proclaiming a fast； to promote reformation； and implore the blessing of
Heaven on our undertaking。 They embrac'd the motion； but； as it was the
first fast ever thought of in the province； the secretary had no precedent
from which to draw the proclamation。 My education in New England；
where a fast is proclaimed every year； was here of some advantage： I drew
it in the accustomed stile； it was translated into German； printed in both
languages； and divulg'd thro' the province。 This gave the clergy of the
different sects an opportunity of influencing their congregations to join in
the association； and it would probably have been general among all but
Quakers if the peace had not soon interven'd。
It was thought by some of my friends that； by my activity in these
affairs； I should offend that sect； and thereby lose my interest in the
Assembly of the province； where they formed a great majority。 A young
gentleman who had likewise some friends in the House； and wished to
succeed me as their clerk； acquainted me that it was decided to displace
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