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A half-century of conflict. France and England in North America. Part ...

A half-century of conflict. France and England in North America. Part ...

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70 A MAD SCHEME. [1745.prise was directed aga<strong>in</strong>st Roman Catholics, it wassupposed <strong>in</strong> a peculiar manner to commend itself toHeaven. There were prayers without ceas<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>churches <strong>and</strong> families, <strong>and</strong> all was ardor, energy, <strong>and</strong>confidence ; while the other colonies looked on withdistrust, dashed with derision. When Benjam<strong>in</strong>Frankl<strong>in</strong>, <strong>in</strong>Philadelphia, heard what was afoot, hewrote to his brother <strong>in</strong> Boston, " Fortified towns arehard nuts to crack, <strong>and</strong> your teeth are not accustomedto it; but some seem to th<strong>in</strong>k that forts are as easytaken as snuff. "^ It has been said <strong>of</strong> Frankl<strong>in</strong> thatwhile he represented some <strong>of</strong> the New Engl<strong>and</strong> qualities,he had no part <strong>in</strong> that enthusiasm <strong>of</strong> which ourown time saw a crown<strong>in</strong>g example when the cannonopened at Fort Sumter, <strong>and</strong> which pushes to itswithout reckon<strong>in</strong>g chances, count<strong>in</strong>g costs,endor heed<strong>in</strong>gthe sc<strong>of</strong>fs <strong>of</strong> ill-wishers.The prevail<strong>in</strong>g hope <strong>and</strong> faith were, it is true,born largely <strong>of</strong> ignorance, aided by the contagiouszeal <strong>of</strong> those who first broached the project; for asusual <strong>in</strong> such cases, a few <strong>in</strong>dividuals supplied the<strong>in</strong>itiate force <strong>of</strong> the enterprise. Vaughan the <strong>in</strong>defatigablerode express to Portsmouth with a letterfrom Shirley to Benn<strong>in</strong>g Wentworth, governor <strong>of</strong>New Hampshire. That pompous <strong>and</strong> self-importantpersonage admired the Massachusetts governor, wh<strong>of</strong>ar surpassed him <strong>in</strong> talents <strong>and</strong> acquirements, <strong>and</strong>who at the same time knew how to soothe his vanity.Wentworth was ready to do his part, but his prov<strong>in</strong>ce^ Sparks, Works <strong>of</strong> Frankl<strong>in</strong>, vii. 10.

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