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rica, and exceedingly anxious to prevent a rupture. His intimacy with Dr. Franklin, and his position with the Ministry, induced him to undertake a mediation between them ; in which his sister seemed to have been associated. They carried from one to the other, back wards and forwards, the several propositions and answers which passed, and seconded with their own intercessions, the importance of mutual sacrifices, to preserve the peace and connection of the two countries. I remember that Lord North s answers were dry, unyielding, in the spirit of unconditional submission, and betrayed an absolute indifference to the occurrence of a rupture ; and he said to the mediators distinctly, at last, that a rebellion was not to be deprecated on the part of Great Britain ; that the confiscations it would produce, would provide for many of their friends. This expression was reported by the mediators to Dr. Franklin, and indicated so cool and calculated a purpose in the Ministry, as to render compromise hopeless, and the negotiation was discontinued. If this is not among the papers published, we ask, what has be come of it ? I delivered it with my own hands, into those of Tem ple Franklin. It certainly established views so atrocious in the British government, that its suppression would, to them, be worth a great price. But could the grandson of Dr. Franklin, be in such degree, an accomplice in the parricide of the memory of his immortal grandfather ? The suspension for more than twenty years, of the general publication, bequeathed and confided to him, produced for a while, hard suspicions against him : and if, at last, all are not published, a part of these suspicions may remain with some.
I arrived at New York on the 21st of March, where Congress was in session.,
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