On the record
If I had gone to gaming in the stocks with the public money, and through my fault a sum was lost, as your protest would insinuate, why was I not censured and punished for it when I returned?
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gutenberg.orgBenjamin Franklin: “If I had gone to gaming in the stocks with the public money, and through my fault a sum was lost, as your protest would…”
Editor's note · Context
Franklin questions why he was not held accountable for alleged mismanagement of public funds, highlighting issues of fairness and accountability.
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More from Benjamin Franklin
If the English would advance one step further, or cover themselves where they are, it must be at once, by one large step over the mountains, with a numerous and military colony.
But above all this, the state and circumstances of our settlements render such a measure not only proper and eligible, but absolutely necessary.
Many quarrels and wars have arisen between the colonies and Indian nations, through the bad conduct of traders, who cheat the Indians after making them drunk, &c. to the great expence of the colonies both in blood and treasure.
For a piece of baize, or a pot full of brandy, or the like, they could get a piece of ground, which at present would be worth more than 290l. sterling." Ib.
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