character and principles of this person
as myself, and are as able to judge of the impropriety of
such an appointment. What a dishonor and a disgrace it must
be to a country to have such a man at the head of it, and to
sit down contented. I should hope that some effort will be
made before our Jersey friends would put up with such an
insult. If any _gentleman_ had been appointed, it would have
been a different case. But I cannot look upon the person in
question in that light by any means. I may perhaps be too
strong in my expressions, but I am so extremely astonished
and enraged at it, that I am hardly able to contain myself
at the thought of it."

Franklin sailed from Portsmouth the latter part of August. Quite a
fleet of American merchantmen sailed together. The weather during a
voyage of nine weeks, was most of the time delightful. Often the
vessels glided along so gently over a waveless sea, that the
passengers could visit, and exchange invitations for dinner parties.

On the first of November, Franklin reached his home. He had been
absent nearly six years. All were well. His daughter, whom he had left
a child of twelve, was now a remarkably beautiful and accomplished
maiden of eighteen. Franklin was received not only with affection, but
with enthusiasm. The Assembly voted him fifteen thousand dollars for
his services in England.

His son William, with his bride, did not arrive until the next
February. Franklin accompanied him to New Jersey. The people there
gave the governor a very kind greeting. He took up his residence in
Burlington, within fifteen miles of the home of his father.

Franklin had attained the age of fifty-seven. He was in perfect
health, had an ample fortune, and excelled most men in his dignified
bearing and his attractive features. Probably there never was a more
happy man. He had leisure to devote himself to his beloved sciences.
It was his dream, his castle in the air, to withdraw from political
life, and devote the remainder of his days to philosophical research.

In the year 1763 terminated the seven years' war. There was peace in
Europe, peace on the ocean, but not peace along the blood crimsoned
frontiers of the wilderness of America. England and France had been
hurling savage warriors by tens of thousands against each other, and
against the helpless emigrants in their defenceless villages and their
lonely cabins. The belligerent p