subject betrayed itself, and disgusted the gentleman who had procured me
forty guineas to the design . 6
In referring in his diary to his collections at Oxford, he
complains " that at St. John's and Baliol Dr Franklin's friends
were very averse." 6 But this lack of response doubtless was due
to the man rather than to the Provost, as they were those
friends of Dr. Franklin who now recalled the efforts made by
Dr. Smith to prevent Oxford bestowing on him its Doctorate. 7
"Assuming," as Dr. Smith's Biographer writes, "the emi-
nent dissenter to have spoken the truth, and Dr. Smith to have
correctly reported him," the charge is a serious one, but needs
other support, in light of the surrounding circumstances.
At the first business meeting of the Trustees held after Di
Franklin's return to Philadelphia in 1762, on 9 November, he
attended, and must have been an interested hearer of Dr. Smith's
letter describing the steps to and procurement of the Brief, which
is above largely drawn upon for our information. At the meeting
of 8 February following he attended and "presented the two
Gold Medals the Gift of Mr Sargent of London," and submitted
Mr. Sargent's letter written him on the subject a few days before
he sailed from London, which would have been done before but
for the desire of the donor that Dr. Franklin and Mr. Norris
should elect the subject for the prizes and designate their
recipients, which upon conference together they declined to do.
It may be safely assumed, that it was Dr. Franklin's interest in
the College that attracted to it these prizes of a Member of
Parliament, who personally was a stranger to the institution or
5 Smith i. 336. 6 Ibid i. 335.
7 Provost Stille refers to " an imprudent letter which Dr. Smith had written to
the authorities of the University of Oxford protesting against a proposal to confer the
Degree of Doctor of Laws on Franklin." Memoir p. 29. His Biographer makes
reference to this : " We are not enabled by an exhibition of Dr. Smith's objections,
as assigned, to judge whether his action was blameworthy, excusable, or to be justi-
fied and commended." Smith, i. 340. On Dr. Smith's arrival in England he may
early have learned of the action of the Heads of Houses at Oxford taken on 22 Feb-
ruary, a few weeks before " Agreed, nem con., that Mr. Franklin, whenever he shall
please to visit the University, shall be offered the compliment of the degree of D. C.
L., honoris causa," and may then have pursued steps to prevent this consummation.
The decree however was made on 30 April. In this controversy may be found the
reason why Dr. Smith avoided communications with Franklin, though under instruc-
tions to seek him. Sparks i. 267.
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