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"Ben Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography: Page 55
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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.
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
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