went to England for the purpose of purchasing a new press for his company, but the funds failed to be sent to him, so he was obliged to remain in London and work until he could make enough to return to America. All of these proved to be valuable experiences, as Franklin was quick to learn, ready to observe, and shrewd in his plans. He lived such a temperate life that in the English printing shop he was known as the "fresh-water lad " because he refused to drink ale or beer.

In his work, Franklin was thrown in contact with the works of the best writers of the times. It was not very long before he was familiar with the standard literature of his day, and well versed in the scientific activities, as well as political questions, of the hour.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

When Franklin returned to America he made his permanent home in Philadelphia, where he opened a printing office and published a newspaper and a magazine. The latter was known as Poor Richard's Almanac. Later he established the Saturday Evening Post. Franklin also wrote an autobiography, and, at the same time, made scientific experiments, the most important of which was the discovery of electricity as found in lightning. Yet it is not upon these interests that we wish to dwell, but rather upon Franklin's great service to the American nation as a diplomat.

Always profoundly interested in the welfare of his country, Franklin was constantly planning to secure the largest and most permanent good for the colonies. Since it had been his idea that a union of all the colonies should be formed at the time of the French and Indian War, when the grave problem of colonial taxation faced the Americans, Franklin was chosen by a number of colonies as their special agent to go to England to adjust their rights and privileges. Finally, when the great discussion over the Stamp Act took place, Congress selected him to go before the English authorities and urge the repeal of the law. We remember that his efforts met with success and the act was removed. During the Revolution, Franklin, as a member of the Continental Congress, made his excellent judgment felt all through the grave, trying sessions of this body.

When the efforts to secure aid from France seemed almost hopeless, Congress sent Franklin over as their special minister. Of him it was said that his fine judgment and clear understanding of the rights of the people were so well known that it was written "that his reputation was more universal than Newton, Voltaire, or Frederick the Great. Of love and esteem, too, he had more than they. Not only was his name familiar to nobility, clergy, and philosophers, but there was scarcely a peasant, a citizen, a coachman, or footman, a lady's maid, or a scullion in the kitchen who was not familiar with it, and who did not consider him a friend to human kind." He was a very old man when he went to Paris on this important commission, and everywhere he was greeted with great enthusiasm. At entertainments beautiful women vied with each other to place on his white head a crown of laurels. . . . He grew weary of sitting for busts, portraits, and medals. On every jeweler's counter his benign features were set in innumerable rings, watches, snuff boxes and bracelets."

With all this attention, we find him the same straightforward man, simple in his tastes and speech and earnestly working to accomplish the difficult task before him. He wrote from France, "It is my intention, while I stay here, to procure what advantages I can for our country by endeavoring to please the court." The result was an open alliance with the Americans and aid in the form of troops, a fleet, and a large loan. It was the first treaty made by the United States with a foreign country and stands at the head of the long list of diplomatic negotiations of which our country is justly proud.

Upon his return to America at the close of the American Revolution, Franklin devoted his time to creating public opinion in favor of a strong national government. When the Constitutional Convention was called, he was one of the delegates from Pennsylvania, and gave great aid in rearranging the new form of government and urging the ratification of the Constitution. The city of Philadelphia is proud to refer to Franklin's splendid civic work in establishing the first library, in promoting the first fire department, in organizing the regular police system for city protection, and in beginning countless other movements for the general welfare of the community.

Bernardo de Galvez. One of the most interesting characters of this period of American history was Bernardo de Galvez, the daring young Spanish governor of Louisiana. Galvez was but twenty-three years of age when he undertook to wrest from the British the Florida territory that the latter had received at the close of the French and Indian War.

In the year 1779 Spain joined France in the war against England, and at this time gave the Americans the right to come up the Mississippi and attack the British forts along that stream. At the same time Galvez also

planned to make an attack. Since he had a few Spanish troops at his command, when he made known his

scheme, he had no

difficulty in gaining the

BERNARDO DE GALVEZ.

support of the inhabitants of Louisiana. French Creoles, Germans, Acadians, all united to form an army, and with the addition of some Indians and a company of negroes, Galvez made his first attack against Baton Rouge. This city surrendered.

He then proceeded by way of Lake Pontchartrain to the Gulf, here captured a number of

smaller forts, and finally forced the surrender of Mobile and of Pensacola. When the treaty of peace was signed, England recognized this work by agreeing to surrender all of Florida to Spain.

TOPICAL OUTLINE

Revolution Begins.

I. Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775.

II. Ticonderoga.

III. Bunker Hill.

IV. Aggressive Plan of British.

1. To cut off New England from Other Colonies.

2. Blockade American Ports.

3. Capture Philadelphia.

4. Organize Tory Forces of South.

V. Operation of First British Plan.

1. Siege of Boston, 1775-1776. 2. Americans Attack Canada, 1775. 3. Lord Dunmore's War, 1776. 4. Battle of Moore's Creek, 1776. VI. Civil Events of Revolution. 1. Plans for Independence.

2. Mecklenburg Declaration, 1775.
3. Declaration of Independence (1776).
VII. Operation of Second British Plan.
1. British Capture New York.

2. American Victory at Trenton.
3. Financial Distress.

4. The Crisis.

5. Washington's Influence. VIII. Operation of Third British Plan. 1. British Occupy Philadelphia. 2. French Aid.

3. Arnold's Treason.

IX. Operation of Fourth British Plan.

1. Battle of King's Mountain.

2. Battle of Cowpens and Green's Retreat.

3. Surrender of Cornwallis.

X. Treaty of Paris.

XI. The Articles of Confederation.

XII. Other Important Characters of Revolution.

I.

1. George Rogers Clark.

2. John Paul Jones.

3. Benjamin Franklin.

4. Bernardo de Galvez.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

Describe the first military engagements of the Revolution. 2. Who was made commander-in-chief of the American army? 3. What was the British plan for subduing the Americans?

4. Give an account of Washington's plans for driving the British out of Massachusetts.

5. Describe the American invasion of Canada.

6. What was meant by Lord Dunmore's War?

7. What were the preliminary steps toward the adoption of the Declaration of Independence?