In the year 1749, he proposed the plan of an academy, to be erected in the city of Philadelphia, as a foundation for posterity to erect a seminary of learn ing more extensive and suitable to future circumstances ; and in the beginning of 1750, three of the schools were opened, namely, the Latin and Greek schools, the Mathematical and the English schools. This foundation soon after gave rise to another more extensive college, incorpo rated by charter, May 27, 1755, which still subsists, and in a very flourishing condition. In 1752, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Pennsylvania Hospital, for the cure and relief of indi gent invalids, which has proved of the greatest use to that class of persons. Having conducted himself so well as Post master to Philadelphia, he was, in 1753, appointed Deputy Post-master General to the whole of the British colonies.
The colonies being much exposed in their frontiers to depredations by the Indians and the French ; at a meeting of commissioners for several provinces, Mr. Franklin proposed a plan for their general defence, to establish in the co lonies a general government, to be ad ministered by a president general, ap. pointed by the crown, and by a grand council, consisting of members chosen• by the representatives of the different colonies ; a plan which was unanimously agreed to by the commissioners present. The plan, however, had a singular fate : it was disapproved of by the ministry of Great Britain, because it gave too much power to the representatives of the peo ple; and it was rejected by every as sembly, as giving to the president gene ral, who was to be the representative of the crown, an influence greater than ap peared to them proper in a plan of go vernment intended for freemen. Perhaps this rejection, on both sides, is the strong est proof that could be adduced of the excellence of it, as suited to the situation of Great Britain and America at that time. It appears to have steered directly in the middle, between the opposite in terests of both. Whether the adoption of his plan would have prevented the se paration of America from Great Britain, is a question which might affbrd much room for speculation.
In the year 1755, General Braddock, with some regiments of regular troops and provincial levies, was sent to dispos sess the French of the posts upon which they had seized in the back settlements. After the men were all ready, a difficulty occurred which had nearly prevented the expedition : this was the want of wag gons. Franklin now stepped forward, and with the assistance of his son, in a little time, procured 150. After the de
feat of Braddock, Franklin introduced into the assembly a bill for organizing a militia, and had the dexterity to get it passed. In consequence of this act a very respectable militia was formed, and Franklin was appointed colonel of the re giment of Philadelphia, which consisted of 120 men ; in which capacity he ac quitted himself with much propriety, and was of singular service ; though this mi litia was soon after disbanded by the Eng lish ministry.
In 1757, he was sent to England with a petition to the king and council, against the proprietaries, who refused to bear any share in the public expenses and as sessments, which he got settled to the sa tisfaction of the state. After the comple tion of this business, Franklin remained at the court of Great Britain for some time, as agent to the province of Penn sylvania; and also for those of Massachu setts, Maryland, and Georgia. Soon after this he published his Canada pamphlet, in which he pointed out, in a very for cible manner, the advantages that would result from the conquest of this province the French. An expedition was ccordingly planned, and the command iven to General Wolf ; the success of hick is well known. He now divided tis time, indeed, between philosophy and olitics, rendering many services to both. Vhilst here, he invented the elegant usical instrument called the Armonica, rmed of glasses, played upon by the ligerS.
In the summer of 1762, he returned to America ; on his passage to which he observed the singular effect produced by agitation of a vessel containing oil floating on water : the upper surface of the oil remained smooth and undisturbed, whilst the water was agitated with the utmost commotion. On his return he received the thanks of the Assembly of Pennsyl vania, which having annually elected him a member in his absence, he again took his seat in this body, and continued a steady defender of the liberties of the people.
In 1764, by the intrigues of the pro prietaries, Franklin lost his seat in the assembly, which he had possessed for 1.4 years; but he was immediately appointed provincial agent to England, for which country he presently set out.
In 1766, he was examined before the parliament relative to the stamp act ; which was soon after repealed. The same year he made a journey into Hol land and Germany, and another into France ; being every where received with the greatest respect by the literati of all nations.