Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) to Joseph Galloway

Mr Galloway London Jan. 16. 1766
Dear Friend

I wrote to you on Saturday, the Mail for New York, & enclos'd the Report of the Board of Trade & Order of Council on the Pensilvania Acts.
The Parliament met on Tuesday. The Ministry which had a few Days before concluded to repeal the Stamp Act, finding it doubtful whether they could carry it thro' the House, many refusing to support them on other Terms than their agreeing to support that Act, did finally conclude to continue it, making only some Alterations to render it less odious, & give us some Ease in Commercial Points. Accordingly the King's Speech was fram'd as you see it. However, Mr Pitt unexpectedly appearing in the House took up the Argument in Behalf of America, & in a Speech of two Hours, in which he said abundance of handsome Things of us, totally defeated all that had been urg'd against us by the late Ministry in their Defence of the Act, & in Support of their Clamour for inforcing it. He declar'd it had [2] always been his Opinion that the Parliamt of Great Britain had no Right to lay internal Taxes on America, and that their Jurisdiction over that Country extended no farther than to regulate Commerce. He complimented the present Ministry a little, who paid him a good deal of Adulation in return. He declar'd his Dislike of all the principal Measures of the late Ministry, more particularly of that unhappy & unconstitutional Act, expatiating largely on the readiness the Colonies had ever shewn in complying with the Requisitions of the Crown, and thence shewing how unnecessary it was to take so violent a Measure & c. In sum the House seem'd much affected with his Speech, & we now concieve Hopes that the Act will be repeal'd. The Determination however is put off for a Fortnight, and something yet may happen to dash these Hopes: And perhaps finally, tho' the Commons should pass an Act for the Repeal, the Lords may refuse it. So that nothing certain on

that head can [inserted: yet] be relied on. In the mean time I am constantly employ'd in endeavoring to [3] to promote that Measure, as I see infinite Mischiefs likely to attend the enforcing an Act become so universally hateful to the People of America. I cannot now write largely, but thought it necessary to let you know this much of the present State of Things & of our Prospects. My Love to Mr. Hughes, Mess.rs Whartons, & our other Friends to none of whom I can now write.
I am
Yours affectionately
B Franklin
Copy
[4]
10. Application to Mr. Peters
2. His letter to ye Prop.r
3. His Ans.r to take ye Atty Gls advice
4. Upon that advice Warrt. issued.
5. Scull began it - left it unfinished - [inserted: well on after] [struck: survey'd apart Hart complet completed it] - Hart surveyed it [strikeout] and returned it -
great Expence
6. 300 Acres no Water
7. Mr G. only asks a [prop.ry]

[docket]
Copy of Letter
to Mr Galloway
Jan. 16. 1766

Notes: Notes in first panel in unknown hand