In the Pennsylvania assembly, he was a. recognized defender of colonial interests against the over-exactions of the proprietaries. In 1764, the assembly sent him as its commissioner to England, and other colonies united in intrusting to him their interests. Through his representations the stamp act was repealed in 1766. He earnestly labored to avert the revolution, but, feeling it inevitable, returned to America in the spring of 1775.
He was at once chosen to the continental congress, and was one of the committee to draw up the declaration of independence, of which lie was also one of the signers.
During the war of American independence, he represented American interests in Europe, particularly in France, where he was associated as a commissioner with Silas Deane and Arthur Lee. His scientific reputation as well as his dignity of character and practical wisdom, gave him influential access to the leading minds in France, and he powerfully contributed to secure for his country French recognition and material aid. Though not received officially at first, after the news of the defeat of Burgoyne he con cluded a treaty, Feb. 6, 1778. He was now made minister plenipotentiary to the French king. He signed the preliminary articles of peace at Paris, Nov. 30, 17E2, and the definitive treaty, Sept. 3, 1783. He afterward secured a treaty with Prussia, in which he inserted an article against privateering.
On his return, in Sept., 1785, to America, he was appointed a member of the execu tive council of Philadelphia, and soon after president of the state. In 1787, he was a mem ber of the convention to form a national constitution. He was then 82 years of age,
but was efficiently active in the business of the convention. He was deeply interested in all schemes of usefulness and philanthropy, and one of his last public acts was to sign a memorial to congress as president of the Pennsylvania society for the abolition of slavery.
Upon his death, resolutions of mourning were passed by congress, and the national assembly of France, on the motion of Mirabeau, put on mourning for three days.
Franklin was the first American citizen to win European fame. His leading charac teristics were common sense, sagacity, and practical wisdom, with industry, tact, and indomitable firmness in the management of affairs, whether small or great. With these was joined a keen, close observation, and painstaking care. Frugal, and regardful of his own interests, he was eminent in public spirit and patriotic devotion. In imagina tion and all that connects man with the infinite, he was singularly deficient. He brought. all things to the test of practical utility. Yet injustice has been done him by exclusive emphasis of this quality. The influence of Shaftesbury made him a skeptic for a short. time during his youth, but his most conspicuous act in the constitutional convention of 1787 was his motion that its sessions be opened with prayer. As a statesman and diplomatist, lie carried into the high sphere of national policy that same devotion to truth. for its own sake, and the practical wisdom, which gave success to his private under takings. Turgot's felicitous epigram expresses the world's esteem of Benjamin Frank lin: "Eripreit ealo fulmen seeptrumque tyrannis."