I had, on the whole, abundant reason to be satisfied with my being established in Pennsylvania. There were, however, two, things that I regretted, there being no provision for defense, nor for a compleat education of youth; no militia, nor any college. I therefore, in 1743, drew up a proposal for establishing an academy; and at that time, thinking the Reverend Mr. Peters, who was out of employ, a fit person to superintend such an institution, I communicated the project to him; but he, having more profitable views in the service of the proprietaries, which succeeded, declin'd the undertaking; and, not knowing another at that time suitable for such a trust, I let the scheme lie awhile dormant. I succeeded better the next year, 1744, in proposing and establishing a Philosophical Society. The paper I wrote for that purpose will be found among my writings, when collected.
On the whole, I had abundant reason to be satisfied with being established in Pennsylvania. However, I regretted two things. There was no provision for defense and no complete education for youth. There was no militia and no college. In 1743 I drew up a proposal to establish an academy. At that time I thought the Reverend Mr. Peters, who was out of work, would be a suitable person to supervise such an institution, so I communicated the project to him. He, however, had more profitable prospects in the service of the proprietors and accepted those instead. He declined the undertaking. Not knowing anyone else suitable then, I let the scheme lie dormant for a while. I had more success the next year, 1744, in proposing and establishing a Philosophical Society. The paper I wrote for that purpose will be found among my writings when they are collected.
With respect to defense, Spain having been several years at war against Great Britain, and being at length join'd by France, which brought us into great danger; and the laboured and long-continued endeavour of our governor, Thomas, to prevail with our Quaker Assembly to pass a militia law, and make other provisions for the security of the province, having proved abortive, I determined to try what might be done by a voluntary association of the people. To promote this, I first wrote and published a pamphlet, entitled Plain Truth, in which I stated our defenceless situation in strong lights, with the necessity of union and discipline for our defense, and promis'd to propose in a few days an association, to be generally signed for that purpose. The pamphlet had a sudden and surprising effect. I was call'd upon for the instrument of association, and having settled the draft of it with a few friends, I appointed a meeting of the citizens in the large building before mentioned. The house was pretty full; I had prepared a number of printed copies, and provided pens and ink dispers'd all over the room. I harangued them a little on the subject, read the paper, and explained it, and then distributed the copies, which were eagerly signed, not the least objection being made.
Regarding defense, Spain had been at war with Great Britain for several years, and France had finally joined them. This put us in great danger. Our governor, Thomas, had long and hard tried to persuade our Quaker Assembly to pass a militia law and make other provisions for the province's security. His efforts failed. I decided to see what could be done by a voluntary association of the people. To promote this I wrote and published a pamphlet called Plain Truth. In it I described our defenseless situation in strong terms. I stressed the need for union and discipline for our defense. I promised to propose an association in a few days for people to sign. The pamphlet had an immediate and surprising effect. People asked me for the association form. After I finalized the draft with a few friends, I called a meeting of the citizens in the large building mentioned earlier. The house was fairly full. I had prepared many printed copies and provided pens and ink spread around the room. I spoke to them briefly on the subject, read the paper, and explained it. Then I handed out the copies. They were eagerly signed, and no one made any objection.
When the company separated, and the papers were collected, we found above twelve hundred hands; and, other copies being dispersed in the country, the subscribers amounted at length to upward of ten thousand. These all furnished themselves as soon as they could with arms, formed themselves into companies and regiments, chose their own officers, and met every week to be instructed in the manual exercise, and other parts of military discipline. The women, by subscriptions among themselves, provided silk colours, which they presented to the companies, painted with different devices and mottos, which I supplied.
When the company broke up and we collected the papers, we found more than twelve hundred names. Other copies had been spread through the country, and the subscribers eventually numbered over ten thousand. As soon as they could, they armed themselves. They organized into companies and regiments and chose their own officers. They met every week to be taught the manual exercise and other parts of military discipline. The women, by pooling subscriptions among themselves, provided silk colors. They presented these to the companies. I supplied the different devices and mottos that were painted on them.
The officers of the companies composing the Philadelphia regiment, being met, chose me for their colonel; but, conceiving myself unfit, I declin'd that station, and recommended Mr. Lawrence, a fine person, and man of influence, who was accordingly appointed. I then propos'd a lottery to defray the expense of building a battery below the town, and furnishing it with cannon. It filled expeditiously, and the battery was soon erected, the merlons being fram'd of logs and fill'd with earth. We bought some old cannon from Boston, but, these not being sufficient, we wrote to England for more, soliciting, at the same time, our proprietaries for some assistance, tho' without much expectation of obtaining it.
The officers of the companies that made up the Philadelphia regiment met and chose me as their colonel. I thought I was unfit and declined the post. I recommended Mr. Lawrence, a respectable and influential man. He was appointed. I then proposed a lottery to cover the cost of building a battery below the town and equipping it with cannon. The lottery filled quickly. The battery was soon built. The merlons were made of logs and filled with earth. We bought some old cannon from Boston, but they were not sufficient. So we wrote to England for more. We also asked our proprietors for some assistance, though we did not expect much.
Meanwhile, Colonel Lawrence, William Allen, Abram Taylor, Esqr., and myself were sent to New York by the associators, commission'd to borrow some cannon of Governor Clinton. He at first refus'd us peremptorily; but at dinner with his council, where there was great drinking of Madeira wine, as the custom of that place then was, he softened by degrees, and said he would lend us six. After a few more bumpers he advanc'd to ten; and at length he very good-naturedly conceded eighteen. They were fine cannon, eighteen-pounders, with their carriages, which we soon transported and mounted on our battery, where the associators kept a nightly guard while the war lasted, and among the rest I regularly took my turn of duty there as a common soldier.
Meanwhile, Colonel Lawrence, William Allen, Abram Taylor, Esquire, and I were sent to New York by the associators. We were commissioned to borrow some cannon from Governor Clinton. At first he refused us outright. But at a dinner with his council they drank a great deal of Madeira wine, as was the custom then. He softened gradually and said he would lend us six. After a few more drinks he agreed to ten. Finally he very good-naturedly offered eighteen. They were fine eighteen-pounders with their carriages. We soon transported and mounted them on our battery. The associators kept a nightly guard there while the war lasted. I regularly took my turn on duty there as a common soldier.
My activity in these operations was agreeable to the governor and council; they took me into confidence, and I was consulted by them in every measure wherein their concurrence was thought useful to the association. Calling in the aid of religion, I propos'd to them the proclaiming a fast, to promote reformation, and implore the blessing of Heaven on our undertaking. They embrac'd the motion; but, as it was the first fast ever thought of in the province, the secretary had no precedent from which to draw the proclamation. My education in New England, where a fast is proclaimed every year, was here of some advantage: I drew it in the accustomed stile, it was translated into German, printed in both languages, and divulg'd thro' the province. This gave the clergy of the different sects an opportunity of influencing their congregations to join in the association, and it would probably have been general among all but Quakers if the peace had not soon interven'd.
The governor and council approved of my role in these operations. They trusted me and consulted me on every measure where their support was thought useful to the association. I suggested invoking religion. I proposed proclaiming a fast to encourage reform and to ask Heaven to bless our undertaking. They embraced the idea. But since it was the first fast ever considered in the province, the secretary had no precedent to follow for the proclamation. My New England education, where a fast is proclaimed every year, helped. I wrote the proclamation in the usual style. It was translated into German, printed in both languages, and distributed throughout the province. This gave clergy of the different sects a chance to encourage their congregations to join the association. The association probably would have been almost universal, except among the Quakers, if peace had not arrived soon after.
Wm. Penn's agents recruited settlers from the low countries of Germany. Eastern Pennsylvania still has many of those German settlers. They are often, but inaccurately, called Pennsylvania Dutch. Many speak a Germanized form of English.
It was thought by some of my friends that, by my activity in these affairs, I should offend that sect, and thereby lose my interest in the Assembly of the province, where they formed a great majority. A young gentleman who had likewise some friends in the House, and wished to succeed me as their clerk, acquainted me that it was decided to displace me at the next election; and he, therefore, in good will, advis'd me to resign, as more consistent with my honour than being turn'd out. My answer to him was, that I had read or heard of some public man who made it a rule never to ask for an office, and never to refuse one when offer'd to him. "I approve," says I, "of his rule, and will practice it with a small addition; I shall never ask, never refuse, nor ever resign an office. If they will have my office of clerk to dispose of to another, they shall take it from me. I will not, by giving it up, lose my right of some time or other making reprisals on my adversaries." I heard, however, no more of this; I was chosen again unanimously as usual at the next election. Possibly, as they dislik'd my late intimacy with the members of council, who had join'd the governors in all the disputes about military preparations, with which the House had long been harass'd, they might have been pleas'd if I would voluntarily have left them; but they did not care to displace me on account merely of my zeal for the association, and they could not well give another reason.
Some of my friends thought that by my activity in these affairs I would offend that sect. They thought I would thereby lose my standing with the Assembly of the province, where that sect formed a great majority. A young gentleman who also had some friends in the House wished to succeed me as their clerk. He told me it had been decided to remove me at the next election. So, out of good will, he advised me to resign, as more consistent with my honor than being turned out. I answered that I had read or heard of some public man who made it a rule never to ask for an office, and never to refuse one when it was offered to him. "I approve of his rule," I said, "and will practice it with a small addition. I shall never ask, never refuse, and never resign an office. If they want my office of clerk to give to another, they shall take it from me. I will not give it up and so lose my right to make reprisals on my adversaries at some time or other." I heard no more of this, however. At the next election I was chosen again unanimously, as usual. Possibly they disliked my recent intimacy with the members of the council, who had joined the governors in all the disputes about military preparations that had long harassed the House. If so, they might have been pleased if I had left them voluntarily. But they did not care to remove me merely because of my zeal for the association, and they could not well give any other reason.
Indeed I had some cause to believe that the defense of the country was not disagreeable to any of them, provided they were not requir'd to assist in it. And I found that a much greater number of them than I could have imagined, tho' against offensive war, were clearly for the defensive. Many pamphlets pro and con were publish'd on the subject, and some by good Quakers, in favour of defense, which I believe convinc'd most of their younger people.
I had reason to think that none of them disliked the idea of defending the country. That was true as long as they were not required to take part. I found many more of them than I had imagined supported defensive action. They were against offensive war, but favored defense. Many pamphlets pro and con were published on the subject. Some were written by respected Quakers in favor of defense. I believe these convinced most of their younger people.
A transaction in our fire company gave me some insight into their prevailing sentiments. It had been propos'd that we should encourage the scheme for building a battery by laying out the present stock, then about sixty pounds, in tickets of the lottery. By our rules, no money could be dispos'd of till the next meeting after the proposal. The company consisted of thirty members, of which twenty-two were Quakers, and eight only of other persuasions. We eight punctually attended the meeting; but, tho' we thought that some of the Quakers would join us, we were by no means sure of a majority. Only one Quaker, Mr. James Morris, appear'd to oppose the measure. He expressed much sorrow that it had ever been propos'd, as he said Friends were all against it, and it would create such discord as might break up the company. We told him that we saw no reason for that; we were the minority, and if Friends were against the measure, and outvoted us, we must and should, agreeably to the usage of all societies, submit. When the hour for business arriv'd it was mov'd to put the vote; he allow'd we might then do it by the rules, but, as he could assure us that a number of members intended to be present for the purpose of opposing it, it would be but candid to allow a little time for their appearing.
A transaction in our fire company gave me some insight into their prevailing sentiments. A proposal had been made to support building a battery. The plan was to invest the company’s current funds, then about sixty pounds, in lottery tickets. By our rules, no money could be disposed of until the next meeting after the proposal. The company had thirty members. Twenty-two were Quakers and only eight belonged to other persuasions. The eight of us attended the meeting punctually. We thought some Quakers might join us, but we were not sure we would have a majority. Only one Quaker, Mr. James Morris, appeared to oppose the measure. He said he was very sorry it had been proposed. He added that Friends were all against it, and that it would cause such discord it might break up the company. We told him we saw no reason for his worry. We were the minority. If Friends opposed the measure and outvoted us, we would, as is customary in all societies, submit. When the time for business arrived, someone moved to take the vote. He agreed we could follow the rules and vote then, but he said he could assure us a number of members planned to attend to oppose it. He thought it would be fair to allow a little time for them to appear.
While we were disputing this, a waiter came to tell me two gentlemen below desir'd to speak with me. I went down, and found they were two of our Quaker members. They told me there were eight of them assembled at a tavern just by; that they were determin'd to come and vote with us if there should be occasion, which they hop'd would not be the case, and desir'd we would not call for their assistance if we could do without it, as their voting for such a measure might embroil them with their elders and friends. Being thus secure of a majority, I went up, and after a little seeming hesitation, agreed to a delay of another hour. This Mr. Morris allow'd to be extreamly fair. Not one of his opposing friends appear'd, at which he express'd great surprize; and, at the expiration of the hour, we carri'd the resolution eight to one; and as, of the twenty-two Quakers, eight were ready to vote with us, and thirteen, by their absence, manifested that they were not inclin'd to oppose the measure, I afterward estimated the proportion of Quakers sincerely against defense as one to twenty-one only; for these were all regular members of that society, and in good reputation among them, and had due notice of what was propos'd at that meeting.
While we were arguing this, a waiter came to tell me that two gentlemen downstairs wanted to speak with me. I went down and found they were two of our Quaker members. They told me eight of them were gathered at a tavern close by. They were determined to come and vote with us if there should be need, which they hoped would not be the case. They asked us not to call for their help if we could do without it, since voting for such a measure might embroil them with their elders and friends. Now sure of a majority, I went back up. After a little show of hesitation, I agreed to a delay of another hour. Mr. Morris granted that this was extremely fair. Not one of his opposing friends appeared, which greatly surprised him. At the end of the hour we carried the resolution eight to one. Of the twenty-two Quakers, eight were ready to vote with us. Thirteen, by their absence, showed that they were not inclined to oppose the measure. So I later estimated that the Quakers sincerely against defense were only one to twenty-one, that is, one for every twenty-one who were not. I reasoned this way because all twenty-two were regular members of that society and in good reputation among them, and all had received due notice of what was proposed at that meeting.
The honorable and learned Mr. Logan, who had always been of that sect, was one who wrote an address to them, declaring his approbation of defensive war, and supporting his opinion by many strong arguments. He put into my hands sixty pounds to be laid out in lottery tickets for the battery, with directions to apply what prizes might be drawn wholly to that service. He told me the following anecdote of his old master, William Penn, respecting defense. He came over from England, when a young man, with that proprietary, and as his secretary. It was war-time, and their ship was chas'd by an armed vessel, suppos'd to be an enemy. Their captain prepar'd for defense; but told William Penn, and his company of Quakers, that he did not expect their assistance, and they might retire into the cabin, which they did, except James Logan, who chose to stay upon deck, and was quarter'd to a gun. The suppos'd enemy prov'd a friend, so there was no fighting; but when the secretary went down to communicate the intelligence, William Penn rebuk'd him severely for staying upon deck, and undertaking to assist in defending the vessel, contrary to the principles of Friends, especially as it had not been required by the captain. This reproof, being before all the company, piqu'd the secretary, who answer'd, "I being thy servant, why did thee not order me to come down? But thee was willing enough that I should stay and help to fight the ship when thee thought there was danger."
The honorable and learned Mr. Logan, who had always belonged to that sect, wrote an address to them. He declared his approval of defensive war and supported his opinion with many strong arguments. He gave me sixty pounds to spend on lottery tickets for the battery. He told me to apply any prizes entirely to that purpose. He told me this story about his old master, William Penn, and about defense. When he was a young man, he came over from England with the proprietor and served as his secretary. It was wartime, and their ship was chased by an armed vessel thought to be an enemy. Their captain prepared to defend the ship. He told William Penn and his company of Quakers that he did not expect their help and that they might go below into the cabin. They went, except James Logan, who chose to stay on deck. He was assigned to a gun. The supposed enemy proved to be a friend, so there was no fighting. But when the secretary went below to bring the news, William Penn severely rebuked him. He scolded him for staying on deck and trying to help defend the ship. This was against the principles of Friends, and the captain had not required their help. Because the rebuke was given in front of everyone, it stung the secretary, who answered, "I being thy servant, why did thee not order me to come down? But thee was willing enough that I should stay and help to fight the ship when thee thought there was danger."
James Logan (1674-1751) came to America with William Penn in 1699. He was the business agent for the Penn family. He bequeathed his valuable library, preserved at his country seat, "Senton," to the city of Philadelphia. Smyth.
My being many years in the Assembly, the majority of which were constantly Quakers, gave me frequent opportunities of seeing the embarrassment given them by their principle against war, whenever application was made to them, by order of the crown, to grant aids for military purposes. They were unwilling to offend government, on the one hand, by a direct refusal; and their friends, the body of the Quakers, on the other, by compliance contrary to their principles; hence a variety of evasions to avoid complying, and modes of disguising the compliance when it became unavoidable. The common mode at last was, to grant money under the phrase of its being "for the king's use," and never to inquire how it was applied.
I was in the Assembly many years, and its majority was always made up of Quakers. This gave me frequent chances to see the embarrassment their principle against war caused them whenever, by order of the crown, they were asked to grant aid for military purposes. On the one hand, they did not want to offend the government by a direct refusal. On the other, they did not want to offend their friends, the body of the Quakers, by complying against their principles. Hence they used a variety of evasions to avoid complying, and ways of disguising their compliance when it became unavoidable. In the end the common method was to grant money under the phrase "for the king's use," and never to ask how it was spent.
But, if the demand was not directly from the crown, that phrase was found not so proper, and some other was to be invented. As, when powder was wanting (I think it was for the garrison at Louisburg), and the government of New England solicited a grant of some from Pennsylvania, which was much urg'd on the House by Governor Thomas, they could not grant money to buy powder, because that was an ingredient of war; but they voted an aid to New England of three thousand pounds, to be put into the hands of the governor, and appropriated it for the purchasing of bread, flour, wheat or other grain. Some of the council, desirous of giving the House still further embarrassment, advis'd the governor not to accept provision, as not being the thing he had demanded; but he repli'd, "I shall take the money, for I understand very well their meaning; other grain is gunpowder," which he accordingly bought, and they never objected to it.
But if the demand did not come directly from the crown, that phrase seemed inappropriate. They had to invent another. For example, they needed powder. I think it was for the garrison at Louisburg. The government of New England asked Pennsylvania for some. Governor Thomas urged the request in the House. The House said they could not give money to buy powder. They considered powder a war supply. Instead, they voted an aid of three thousand pounds to New England. They put the money in the governor's hands. They said it was for buying bread, flour, wheat, or other grain. Some council members wanted to give the House more trouble. They advised the governor not to accept those provisions, since it was not what he had requested. He replied, "I will take the money. I understand their meaning well. Other grain is gunpowder." He used the money to buy powder, and they never objected to it.
See the votes. Marg. note.
It was in allusion to this fact that, when in our fire company we feared the success of our proposal in favour of the lottery, and I had said to my friend Mr. Syng, one of our members, "If we fail, let us move the purchase of a fire-engine with the money; the Quakers can have no objection to that; and then, if you nominate me and I you as a committee for that purpose, we will buy a great gun, which is certainly a fire-engine." "I see," says he, "you have improv'd by being so long in the Assembly; your equivocal project would be just a match for their wheat or other grain."
It was in allusion to this episode that I once spoke to my friend Mr. Syng, one of our members, when we in our fire company feared our proposal in favor of the lottery would fail. I said, "If we fail, let us move to buy a fire-engine with the money. The Quakers can have no objection to that. Then, if you nominate me and I nominate you as a committee for that purpose, we will buy a great gun, which is certainly a fire-engine." "I see," he said, "you have improved by being so long in the Assembly. Your double-meaning scheme would be a fair match for their wheat or other grain."
These embarrassments that the Quakers suffer'd from having establish'd and published it as one of their principles that no kind of war was lawful, and which, being once published, they could not afterwards, however they might change their minds, easily get rid of, reminds me of what I think a more prudent conduct in another sect among us, that of the Dunkers. I was acquainted with one of its founders, Michael Welfare, soon after it appear'd. He complain'd to me that they were grievously calumniated by the zealots of other persuasions, and charg'd with abominable principles and practices to which they were utter strangers. I told him this had always been the case with new sects, and that, to put a stop to such abuse, I imagin'd it might be well to publish the articles of their belief, and the rules of their discipline. He said that it had been propos'd among them, but not agreed to, for this reason: "When we were first drawn together as a society," says he, "it had pleased God to enlighten our minds so far as to see that some doctrines, which we once esteemed truths, were errors; and that others, which we had esteemed errors, were real truths. >From time to time He has been pleased to afford us farther light, and our principles have been improving, and our errors diminishing. Now we are not sure that we are arrived at the end of this progression, and at the perfection of spiritual or theological knowledge; and we fear that, if we should once print our confession of faith, we should feel ourselves as if bound and confin'd by it, and perhaps be unwilling to receive further improvement, and our successors still more so, as conceiving what we their elders and founders had done, to be something sacred, never to be departed from."
The Quakers suffered these embarrassments because they had established and published, as one of their principles, that no kind of war was lawful. Once it was published, they could not easily get rid of it afterward, however they might change their minds. This reminds me of what I think was wiser conduct in another sect among us, the Dunkers. I was acquainted with one of its founders, Michael Welfare, soon after it appeared. He complained to me that they were badly slandered by the zealots of other persuasions. They were charged with abominable principles and practices that were completely foreign to them. I told him this had always been the case with new sects. To stop such abuse, I thought it might be well to publish the articles of their belief and the rules of their discipline. He said this had been proposed among them but not agreed to, for this reason: "When we were first drawn together as a society," he said, "it had pleased God to enlighten our minds so far as to see that some doctrines we once considered truths were errors. We saw that others we had considered errors were real truths. From time to time he has been pleased to give us further light. Our principles have been improving and our errors diminishing. Now we are not sure that we have reached the end of this progress, and the perfection of spiritual or theological knowledge. We fear that if we once printed our confession of faith, we would feel as if bound and confined by it. We would perhaps be unwilling to receive further improvement. Our successors would be still more unwilling, since they would consider what we, their elders and founders, had done to be something sacred, never to be departed from."
This modesty in a sect is perhaps a singular instance in the history of mankind, every other sect supposing itself in possession of all truth, and that those who differ are so far in the wrong; like a man traveling in foggy weather, those at some distance before him on the road he sees wrapped up in the fog, as well as those behind him, and also the people in the fields on each side, but near him all appears clear, tho' in truth he is as much in the fog as any of them. To avoid this kind of embarrassment, the Quakers have of late years been gradually declining the public service in the Assembly and in the magistracy, choosing rather to quit their power than their principle.
This modesty in a sect is perhaps a unique instance in the history of mankind. Every other sect supposes that it possesses all truth, and that those who differ from it are wrong to that extent. It is like a man traveling in foggy weather. He sees the people some distance ahead of him on the road wrapped up in the fog, as well as those behind him and the people in the fields on each side. But near him everything appears clear, though in truth he is as much in the fog as any of them. To avoid this kind of embarrassment, the Quakers have in recent years been gradually declining public service in the Assembly and the magistracy. They choose to give up their power rather than their principle.
In order of time, I should have mentioned before, that having, in 1742, invented an open stove for the better warming of rooms, and at the same time saving fuel, as the fresh air admitted was warmed in entering, I made a present of the model to Mr. Robert Grace, one of my early friends, who, having an iron-furnace, found the casting of the plates for these stoves a profitable thing, as they were growing in demand. To promote that demand, I wrote and published a pamphlet, entitled "An Account of the new-invented Pennsylvania Fireplaces; wherein their Construction and Manner of Operation is particularly explained; their Advantages above every other Method of warming Rooms demonstrated; and all Objections that have been raised against the Use of them answered and obviated," etc. This pamphlet had a good effect. Gov'r. Thomas was so pleas'd with the construction of this stove, as described in it, that he offered to give me a patent for the sole vending of them for a term of years; but I declin'd it from a principle which has ever weighed with me on such occasions, viz., That, as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously.
I should have mentioned earlier that in 1742 I invented an open stove to warm rooms better and to save fuel. The fresh air admitted was warmed as it entered. I gave a model to Mr. Robert Grace, one of my early friends. He had an iron-furnace. He found casting the plates for these stoves profitable because demand was growing. To promote that demand I wrote and published a pamphlet entitled "An Account of the new-invented Pennsylvania Fireplaces; wherein their Construction and Manner of Operation is particularly explained; their Advantages above every other Method of warming Rooms demonstrated; and all Objections that have been raised against the Use of them answered and obviated," etc. The pamphlet had a good effect. Governor Thomas was so pleased with the stove’s construction as described in it that he offered me a patent to sell them exclusively for a number of years. I declined it from a principle that has always guided me on such occasions, namely That, as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously.
The Franklin stove is still used today.
Warwick Furnace is in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is across the Schuylkill River from Pottstown.
An ironmonger in London however, assuming a good deal of my pamphlet, and working it up into his own, and making some small changes in the machine, which rather hurt its operation, got a patent for it there, and made, as I was told, a little fortune by it. And this is not the only instance of patents taken out for my inventions by others, tho' not always with the same success, which I never contested, as having no desire of profiting by patents myself, and hating disputes. The use of these fireplaces in very many houses, both of this and the neighbouring colonies, has been, and is, a great saving of wood to the inhabitants.
However, an ironmonger in London took much of my pamphlet and used it in his own. He made some small changes to the machine, which actually weakened how it worked. He obtained a patent there and, as I was told, made a small fortune by it. This was not the only time others took patents for my inventions. They were not always as successful. I never challenged them. I did not want to profit from patents. I disliked disputes. Many houses here and in the neighboring colonies used these fireplaces. They have saved and continue to save a great deal of wood for the inhabitants.