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 . . . they will soon so outnumber us, that all the advantages we have, will not in my Opinion be able to preserve our Language, and even our Government will become precarious.
Franklin's concerns about immigration and language in 1753 reflect ongoing debates about immigration.
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More from Benjamin Franklin
By our greatly encreasing the demand and consumption of British manufactures, their price is considerably raised of late years; the advantage is clear profit to Britain, and enables its people better to pay great taxes; and much of it…
Some manufactures we could make, but are forbidden, and must take them of British merchants: the whole price is a tax paid to Britain.
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 let us take a cool view of the general state of our affairs, and perhaps the prospect will appear less gloomy than has been imagined.
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