the autobiography of ben franklin(本富兰克林自传)-第35节
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that sect。 The difficulty then was； how to avoid having two of some other
sect； by means of the new choice。
Several persons were named； and for that reason not agreed to。 At
length one mention'd me； with the observation that I was merely an honest
man； and of no sect at all； which prevail'd with them to chuse me。 The
enthusiasm which existed when the house was built had long since abated；
and its trustees had not been able to procure fresh contributions for paying
the ground…rent； and discharging some other debts the building had
occasion'd； which embarrass'd them greatly。 Being now a member of both
setts of trustees； that for the building and that for the Academy； I had a
good opportunity of negotiating with both； and brought them finally to an
agreement； by which the trustees for the building were to cede it to those
of the academy； the latter undertaking to discharge the debt； to keep for
ever open in the building a large hall for occasional preachers； according
to the original intention； and maintain a free… school for the instruction of
poor children。 Writings were accordingly drawn； and on paying the debts
the trustees of the academy were put in possession of the premises； and by
dividing the great and lofty hall into stories； and different rooms above
and below for the several schools； and purchasing some additional ground；
the whole was soon made fit for our purpose； and the scholars remov'd
into the building。 The care and trouble of agreeing with the workmen；
purchasing materials； and superintending the work； fell upon me； and I
went thro' it the more cheerfully； as it did not then interfere with my
private business； having the year before taken a very able； industrious； and
honest partner； Mr。 David Hall； with whose character I was well
acquainted； as he had work'd for me four years。 He took off my hands all
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care of the printing…office； paying me punctually my share of the profits。
This partnership continued eighteen years； successfully for us both。
The trustees of the academy； after a while； were incorporated by a
charter from the governor； their funds were increas'd by contributions in
Britain and grants of land from the proprietaries； to which the Assembly
has since made considerable addition； and thus was established the present
University of Philadelphia。 I have been continued one of its trustees from
the beginning； now near forty years； and have had the very great pleasure
of seeing a number of the youth who have receiv'd their education in it；
distinguish'd by their improv'd abilities； serviceable in public stations and
ornaments to their country。
When I disengaged myself； as above mentioned； from private business；
I flatter'd myself that； by the sufficient tho' moderate fortune I had acquir'd；
I had secured leisure during the rest of my life for philosophical studies
and amusements。 I purchased all Dr。 Spence's apparatus； who had come
from England to lecture here； and I proceeded in my electrical experiments
with great alacrity； but the publick； now considering me as a man of
leisure； laid hold of me for their purposes； every part of our civil
government； and almost at the same time； imposing some duty upon me。
The governor put me into the commission of the peace； the corporation of
the city chose me of the common council； and soon after an alderman； and
the citizens at large chose me a burgess to represent them in Assembly。
This latter station was the more agreeable to me； as I was at length tired
with sitting there to hear debates； in which； as clerk； I could take no part；
and which were often so unentertaining that I was induc'd to amuse myself
with making magic squares or circles； or any thing to avoid weariness； and
I conceiv'd my becoming a member would enlarge my power of doing
good。 I would not； however； insinuate that my ambition was not flatter'd
by all these promotions； it certainly was； for； considering my low
beginning； they were great things to me； and they were still more pleasing；
as being so many spontaneous testimonies of the public good opinion； and
by me entirely unsolicited。
The office of justice of the peace I try'd a little； by attending a few
courts； and sitting on the bench to hear causes； but finding that more
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knowledge of the common law than I possess'd was necessary to act in
that station with credit； I gradually withdrew from it； excusing myself by
my being oblig'd to attend the higher duties of a legislator in the Assembly。
My election to this trust was repeated every year for ten years； without my
ever asking any elector for his vote； or signifying； either directly or
indirectly； any desire of being chosen。 On taking my seat in the House； my
son was appointed their clerk。
The year following； a treaty being to be held with the Indians at
Carlisle； the governor sent a message to the House； proposing that they
should nominate some of their members； to be join'd with some members
of council； as commissioners for that purpose。 The House named the
speaker （Mr。 Norris） and myself； and； being commission'd； we went to
Carlisle； and met the Indians accordingly。
See the votes to have this more correctly。 ＇Marg。 note。＇
As those people are extreamly apt to get drunk； and； when so； are very
quarrelsome and disorderly； we strictly forbad the selling any liquor to
them； and when they complain'd of this restriction； we told them that if
they would continue sober during the treaty； we would give them plenty of
rum when business was over。 They promis'd this； and they kept their
promise； because they could get no liquor； and the treaty was conducted
very orderly； and concluded to mutual satisfaction。 They then claim'd and
receiv'd the rum； this was in the afternoon； they were near one hundred
men； women； and children； and were lodg'd in temporary cabins； built in
the form of a square； just without the town。 In the evening； hearing a great
noise among them； the commissioners walk'd out to see what was the
matter。 We found they had made a great bonfire in the middle of the square；
they were all drunk； men and women； quarreling and fighting。 Their dark…
colour'd bodies； half naked； seen only by the gloomy light of the bonfire；
running after and beating one another with firebrands； accompanied by
their horrid yellings； form'd a scene the most resembling our ideas of hell
that could well be imagin'd； there was no appeasing the tumult； and we
retired to our lodging。 At midnight a number of them came thundering at
our door； demanding more rum； of which we took no notice。
The next day； sensible they had misbehav'd in giving us that
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disturbance； they sent three of their old counselors to make their apology。
The orator acknowledg'd the fault； but laid it upon the rum； and then
endeavored to excuse the rum by saying； 〃The Great Spirit； who made all
things； made every thing for some use； and whatever use he design'd any
thing for； that use it should always be put to。 Now； when he made rum； he
said 'Let this be for the Indians to get drunk with；' and it must be so。〃 And；
indeed； if it be the design of Providence to extirpate these savages in order
to make room for cultivators of the earth； it seems not improbable that rum
may be the appointed means。 It has already annihilated all the tribes who
formerly inhabited the sea…coast。
In 1751； Dr。 Thomas Bond； a particular friend of mine； conceived the
idea of establishing a hospital in Philadelphia （a very beneficent design；
which has been ascrib'd to me； but was originally his）； for the reception
and cure of poor sick persons； whether inhabitants of the province or
strangers。 He w
