Benjamin Franklin: “Slavery is such an atrocious debasement of human nature, that its very extirpation, if not performed with solicitous…”

With these sentiments he left England; but when, on his arrival in America, he found the war begun, and that there was no receding, no man entered more warmly into the interests of what he then considered as his country, in opposition to…

To strangers he was cold and reserved; but where he was intimate, no man indulged to more pleasantry and good humour.

As it is in my power, as far as my testimony will be regarded, to refute this charge, I think it due to our friendship to do it.

But if I were in his place, and not otherwise instructed, I should be apt to say, Take your own time, gentlemen.