Posted on 12/14/2005 4:13:04 AM PST by Pharmboy
WASHINGTON -- Benjamin Franklin was a passionate writer, especially in the cause of the democracy he helped found, but even such a prolific man of letters may have had second thoughts about posting too-hasty words, according to an exhibit for the 300th anniversary of Franklin's birth.
"Look upon your hands! They are stained with the Blood of your Relations!" Franklin wrote indignantly to an old English friend at the outbreak of the American Revolution. "You and I were long friends; You are now my Enemy, and I am Yours."
Perhaps Franklin thought better of that letter because he never sent it. But it was preserved and is one of 75 items in the Library of Congress' exhibit, "Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words." The display was unveiled this week, a month ahead of the anniversary of Franklin's Jan. 17, 1706 birth, and is drawn from the more than 8,000 documents in the library's Benjamin Franklin Collection.
One letter from Franklin to George Washington, whom he addressed as "my dear Friend," was sent only a few months before Franklin's April 17, 1790, death at age 84. Franklin wrote that despite the pain he suffered in sitting up to write, he could not miss an opportunity of congratulating Washington "on the growing Strength of our New Government under your Administration."
Franklin was a printer in Philadelphia, where he published The Pennsylvania Gazette and "Poor Richard's Almanack," which made him known throughout the American provinces and England. He played a leading role in the convention that drew up the U.S. Constitution, as well as in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Both documents are on permanent exhibit at the National Archives.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I would like to be on your ping list. This is so cool. I will have to make a trip to DC to see these letters.
Indeed...an American Libertine! You choose your heroes well...and it figured that pissant would like him also.
Welcome...here...have a glass of (Mrs. Washington's recipe) rum punch.
I read a wonderful biography of Franklin last year. Can't remember title or author; that info is at home and I'm not. I'll check tonight and get back to you if you wish.
"Good point...my rule of thumb is always sleep on any email that has even a tad of negativity. That rule has saved me some embarrassment."
And NEVER reply to an angry or insulting email when you are in your cups!
ahhh.. excellent! Thank you. I happen to have a soft spot for Mrs. Washington's rum punch.
Okay, I know right where the book is. If I don't remember to back to you, feel free to ask until I do.
Thanks for the info on the Madison book. Hopefully, I'll get a book store gift certificate for Christmas this year. I usually just love biographies.
BF has long been a favorite of mine ... and not nearly so well appreciated as he should be.
This has the potential to become one of the most interesting of all the PING Lists. Sincere thanks.
I believe that Franklin was the single most intelligent and practical American who ever lived.
Once an email makes it to the POP server of the intended target, aint nothing you can do.
I think you can do it in an inhouse email server where you send something to your boss or something since all the email transactions are done in house but once it leave the in house server to the internet, asta la vista, email.
Love that salutation, one of Jefferson's favorites, though he usually added "humble." While looking forward to your pings, I remain your humble and obedient servant,
j_tull
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