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"Ben Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography: Page 34
of 154
Mr. Andrew Hamilton, a famous lawyer of Philadelphia, had taken passage in the
same ship for himself and son, and with Mr. Denham, a Quaker merchant, and
Messrs. Onion and Russel, masters of an iron work in Maryland, had engag'd the
great cabin; so that Ralph and I were forced to take up with a berth in the
steerage, and none on board knowing us, were considered as ordinary persons. But
Mr. Hamilton and his son (it was James, since governor) return'd from Newcastle
to Philadelphia, the father being recall'd by a great fee to plead for a seized
ship; and, just before we sail'd, Colonel French coming on board, and showing me
great respect, I was more taken notice of, and, with my friend Ralph, invited by
the other gentlemen to come into the cabin, there being now room. Accordingly,
we remov'd thither.
Understanding that Colonel French had brought on board the governor's
despatches, I ask'd the captain for those letters that were to be under my care.
He said all were put into the bag together and he could not then come at them;
but, before we landed in England, I should have an opportunity of picking them
out; so I was satisfied for the present, and we proceeded on our voyage. We had
a sociable company in the cabin, and lived uncommonly well, having the addition
of all Mr. Hamilton's stores, who had laid in plentifully. In this passage Mr.
Denham contracted a friendship for me that continued during his life. The voyage
was otherwise not a pleasant one, as we had a great deal of bad weather.
When we came into the Channel, the captain kept his word with me, and gave me an
opportunity of examining the bag for the governor's letters. I found none upon
which my name was put as under my care. I picked out six or seven, that, by the
handwriting, I thought might be the promised letters, especially as one of them
was directed to Basket, the king's printer, and another to some stationer. We
arriv'd in London the 24th of December, 1724. I waited upon the stationer, who
came first in my way, delivering the letter as from Governor Keith. "I don't
know such a person," says he; but, opening the letter, "O! this is from
Riddlesden. I have lately found him to be a compleat rascal, and I will have
nothing to do with him, nor receive any letters from him." So, putting the
letter into my hand, he turn'd on his heel and left me to serve some customer. I
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