|
"Ben Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography: Page 99
of 154
members. They told me there were eight of them assembled at a tavern just by;
that they were determin'd to come and vote with us if there should be occasion,
which they hop'd would not be the case, and desir'd we would not call for their
assistance if we could do without it, as their voting for such a measure might
embroil them with their elders and friends. Being thus secure of a majority, I
went up, and after a little seeming hesitation, agreed to a delay of another
hour. This Mr. Morris allow'd to be extreamly fair. Not one of his opposing
friends appear'd, at which he express'd great surprize; and, at the expiration
of the hour, we carry'd the resolution eight to one; and as, of the twenty-two
Quakers, eight were ready to vote with us, and thirteen, by their absence,
manifested that they were not inclin'd to oppose the measure, I afterward
estimated the proportion of Quakers sincerely against defense as one to
twenty-one only; for these were all regular members of that society, and in good
reputation among them, and had due notice of what was propos'd at that meeting.
The honorable and learned Mr. Logan, who had always been of that sect, was one
who wrote an address to them, declaring his approbation of defensive war, and
supporting his opinion by many strong arguments. He put into my hands sixty
pounds to be laid out in lottery tickets for the battery, with directions to
apply what prizes might be drawn wholly to that service. He told me the
following anecdote of his old master, William Penn, respecting defense. He came
over from England, when a young man, with that proprietary, and as his
secretary. It was war-time, and their ship was chas'd by an armed vessel,
suppos'd to be an enemy. Their captain prepar'd for defense; but told William
Penn and his company of Quakers, that he did not expect their assistance, and
they might retire into the cabin, which they did, except James Logan, who chose
to stay upon deck, and was quarter'd to a gun. The suppos'd enemy prov'd a
friend, so there was no fighting; but when the secretary went down to
communicate the intelligence, William Penn rebuk'd him severely for staying upon
deck, and undertaking to assist in defending the vessel, contrary to the
principles of Friends, especially as it had not been required by the captain.
This reproof, being before all the company, piqu'd the secretary, who answer'd,
|