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Academy founded.-His Writings and Philosophical Pursuits.-Pub-
lic Business.-Indian Treaty.-Colonial Postmaster-General.—Al-
bany Convention.-Plan of Union.-Western Settlement.-Provin-
cial Government-Crown Point

Aids General Braddock.-Protects the Frontier.-Gnadenhutten.-
Private Sentiments and Family Ties.-Military Arrangements.—
Governor Denny.-Royal Society's Medal.-Proprietary Instruc-
tions.-Lord Loudon.-First Mission to England

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THE LIFE

OF

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

CHAPTER I.

HIS BIRTH AND BOYHOOD.

No man, probably, was ever more eminently and uniformly successful, throughout the whole of a very long life, in attaining the chief objects of human pursuit, than Benjamin Franklin. Of humble origin, with no early opportunities of education beyond the simplest rudiments of knowledge, bred a tradesman, and compelled by the narrowness of his circumstances to labor with his own hands for his daily bread, he nevertheless won for himself an ample estate, an illustrious reputation, and distinguished public honors.

Nor was his succèss the result, in any proper sense, of what is commonly called accident, or mere good fortune, any more than it was the consequences of advantages derived from high birth and powerful connections. It was, on the contrary, in a remarkable degree, the direct and visible effect of those causes, chiefly of a moral kind, which, for the encouragement of honest effort and virtuous enterprise, a wise Providence has established as the most worthy and legitimate means of attaining

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