the autobiography of ben franklin(本富兰克林自传)-第19节
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my writing； on the dispute then going on between Governor Burnet and
the Massachusetts Assembly； struck the principal people； occasioned the
paper and the manager of it to be much talk'd of； and in a few weeks
brought them all to be our subscribers。
Their example was follow'd by many； and our number went on
growing continually。 This was one of the first good effects of my having
learnt a little to scribble； another was； that the leading men； seeing a
newspaper now in the hands of one who could also handle a pen； thought
it convenient to oblige and encourage me。 Bradford still printed the votes；
and laws； and other publick business。 He had printed an address of the
House to the governor； in a coarse； blundering manner； we reprinted it
elegantly and correctly； and sent one to every member。 They were sensible
of the difference： it strengthened the hands of our friends in the House；
and they voted us their printers for the year ensuing。
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Among my friends in the House I must not forget Mr。 Hamilton；
before mentioned； who was then returned from England； and had a seat in
it。 He interested himself for me strongly in that instance； as he did in many
others afterward； continuing his patronage till his death。
I got his son once L500。＇Marg。 note。＇
Mr。 Vernon； about this time； put me in mind of the debt I ow'd him； but
did not press me。 I wrote him an ingenuous letter of acknowledgment；
crav'd his forbearance a little longer； which he allow'd me； and as soon as I
was able； I paid the principal with interest； and many thanks； so that
erratum was in some degree corrected。
But now another difficulty came upon me which I had never the least
reason to expect。 Mr。 Meredith's father； who was to have paid for our
printing…house； according to the expectations given me； was able to
advance only one hundred pounds currency； which had been paid； and a
hundred more was due to the merchant； who grew impatient； and su'd us
all。 We gave bail； but saw that； if the money could not be rais'd in time； the
suit must soon come to a judgment and execution； and our hopeful
prospects must； with us； be ruined； as the press and letters must be sold for
payment； perhaps at half price。
In this distress two true friends； whose kindness I have never forgotten；
nor ever shall forget while I can remember any thing； came to me
separately； unknown to each other； and； without any application from me；
offering each of them to advance me all the money that should be
necessary to enable me to take the whole business upon myself； if that
should be practicable； but they did not like my continuing the partnership
with Meredith； who； as they said； was often seen drunk in the streets； and
playing at low games in alehouses； much to our discredit。 These two
friends were William Coleman and Robert Grace。 I told them I could not
propose a separation while any prospect remain'd of the Merediths'
fulfilling their part of our agreement； because I thought myself under great
obligations to them for what they had done； and would do if they could；
but； if they finally fail'd in their performance； and our partnership must be
dissolv'd； I should then think myself at liberty to accept the assistance of
my friends。
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Thus the matter rested for some time； when I said to my partner；
〃Perhaps your father is dissatisfied at the part you have undertaken in this
affair of ours； and is unwilling to advance for you and me what he would
for you alone。 If that is the case； tell me； and I will resign the whole to you；
and go about my business。〃 〃No；〃 said he； 〃my father has really been
disappointed； and is really unable； and I am unwilling to distress him
farther。 I see this is a business I am not fit for。 I was bred a farmer； and it
was a folly in me to come to town； and put myself； at thirty years of age；
an apprentice to learn a new trade。 Many of our Welsh people are going to
settle in North Carolina； where land is cheap。 I am inclin'd to go with them；
and follow my old employment。 You may find friends to assist you。 If you
will take the debts of the company upon you； return to my father the
hundred pound he has advanced； pay my little personal debts； and give me
thirty pounds and a new saddle； I will relinquish the partnership； and leave
the whole in your hands。〃 I agreed to this proposal： it was drawn up in
writing； sign'd； and seal'd immediately。 I gave him what he demanded； and
he went soon after to Carolina； from whence he sent me next year two
long letters； containing the best account that had been given of that
country； the climate； the soil； husbandry； etc。； for in those matters he was
very judicious。 I printed them in the papers； and they gave great
satisfaction to the publick。
As soon as he was gone； I recurr'd to my two friends； and because I
would not give an unkind preference to either； I took half of what each had
offered and I wanted of one； and half of the other； paid off the company's
debts； and went on with the business in my own name； advertising that the
partnership was dissolved。 I think this was in or about the year 1729。
About this time there was a cry among the people for more paper
money； only fifteen thousand pounds being extant in the province； and that
soon to be sunk。 The wealthy inhabitants oppos'd any addition； being
against all paper currency； from an apprehension that it would depreciate；
as it had done in New England； to the prejudice of all creditors。 We had
discuss'd this point in our Junto； where I was on the side of an addition；
being persuaded that the first small sum struck in 1723 had done much
good by increasing the trade； employment； and number of inhabitants in
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the province； since I now saw all the old houses inhabited； and many new
ones building； whereas I remembered well； that when I first walk'd about
the streets of Philadelphia； eating my roll； I saw most of the houses in
Walnut…street； between Second and Front streets； with bills on their doors；
〃To be let〃； and many likewise in Chestnut…street and other streets； which
made me then think the inhabitants of the city were deserting it one after
another。
Our debates possess'd me so fully of the subject； that I wrote and
printed an anonymous pamphlet on it； entitled 〃The Nature and Necessity
of a Paper Currency。〃 It was well receiv'd by the common people in
general； but the rich men dislik'd it； for it increas'd and strengthen'd the
clamor for more money； and they happening to have no writers among
them that were able to answer it； their opposition slacken'd； and the point
was carried by a majority in the House。 My friends there； who conceiv'd I
had been of some service； thought fit to reward me by employing me in
printing the money； a very profitable jobb and a great help to me。 This was
another advantage gain'd by my being able to write。
The utility of this currency became by time and experience so evident
as never afterwards to be much disputed； so that it grew soon to fifty…five
thousand pounds； and in 1739 to eighty thousand pounds； since which it
arose during war to upwards of three hundred and fifty thousand pounds；
trade； building； and inhabitants all the while increasing； till I now think
there are limits beyond which the quantity may be hurtful。
I soon after obtain'd； thro' my friend Hamilton； the printing of the
Newcastle paper money； another profitable jobb as I then thought it； small
things appearing great to those in small circumstances； and these； to me；
were really great advantages； as they were great encouragements。
