Ben Franklin's Letters Go on Display

AP via Washington Post ^ | December 13, 2005 | CARL HARTMAN

[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.

[Pharmboy]

Franklin was truly an amazing man and a great American patriot. His Tory son was Governor of NJ, and they never spoke once the war began.

[Pharmboy]

The first time for my RevWar/Colonial History/George Washington ping list. Please FreepMail me to get on or off this list.

You Obdt. Svt.
P______boy

[wtc911]

gracias muchas

[Molly Pitcher]

What a wonderful exhibit! I'll look forward to seeing it...Thanks for the post, and could you please add me to your ping list?:-)) Thanks!

[pissant]

Franklin is my #1 hero in US History. A genius who, unlike most geniuses, was practical, wise, and understood human relations better than almost anyone.

The list of his accomplishments is staggering. And he ALWAYS had a terrific sense of humor .

[Tax-chick]

Perhaps Franklin thought better of that letter because he never sent it.

If he'd had e-mail, it would have been too late!

[luvbach1]

Old Ben my favorite founding father and one of our greatest Americans.How blessed were we to have minds like his in our nation's infancy.

[smith288]

If he'd had e-mail, it would have been too late!

Nah...thats what the draft folder is for.

[luvbach1]

If he'd had e-mail, it would have been too late!

There is new software that allows one to retrieve an email after sending. Don't know the details, but I guess it may zap it enroute or snatch it out of the recipient's in-box if it's not yet been read.

[Pharmboy]

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.

[Pharmboy]

Molly: I will be honored to have you on my list.

Best,
PB

[Tax-chick]

We had that on the internal system at my employer in the early 90's. If the message hadn't been read, the content would be removed, but the recipient would have a notice that said, "Message recalled by sender" or something like that.

[Tax-chick]

Very smart!

[Pharmboy]

You are the latest addition to the list. Welcome (Huzzahs! in the background).

[Mind-numbed Robot]

If he'd had e-mail, it would have been too late!

Do you mean the undo function does not work on e-mail? Dang! No wonder I haven't been hearing from anyone.

[Tax-chick]

LOL!

[scott says]

I enjoy reading the biographies of important Americans,when I got to Franklin, I picked up Walter Isaacson's- BF An American Life.It is really dry and a slow read. Could you recommend a better book?

[Lazamataz]

Ben Franklin is a personal hero. Wise, sage, brilliant of mind, and with a randy set of loins.

He's who I aspire to be.