As I am very well assured the greatest men among us have a sincere love for their country, notwithstanding its ingratitude, and the insinuations of the envious and malicious to the contrary, so I doubt not but they will cheerfully tolerate me in the liberty I design to take for the end abovementioned.
Franklin asserts that great men love their country despite facing ingratitude and criticism.
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But if I were in his place, and not otherwise instructed, I should be apt to say, Take your own time, gentlemen.
Few of their Children in the Country learn English . . . The Signs in our Streets have Inscriptions in both Languages, and in some places only [their language] . . . In short, unless the Stream of their Importation could be turned…
Yet had I gone at 70, it would have cut off 12 of the most active years of my life, employed too in matters of the greatest importance; but whether I have been doing good or mischief, is for time to discover.
To strangers he was cold and reserved; but where he was intimate, no man indulged to more pleasantry and good humour.
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