Benjamin Franklin to William Shirley, December 30, 1754

Monday Morning [December 30? 1754] 7

[Sir]

I return your Excellency the Papers you have been pleas’d to favour me with the Perusal of. 8 I really can think of nothing to add on the Topics you mention’d to me; but am of Opinion that the Force and Impression of the Matters contain’d in the 5 first and 3 last Pages, would be greater, if they might be read together, and were not disjoin’d by the Accounts of the French Settlements and Encroachments. I think, therefore, they should make a separate Part of the Pamphlet; The Account of the French Settlements and Encroachments another distinct Part; and that divided into shorter Paragraphs. 9 And if Your Excellency should be of Opinion that my Paper on the Peopling of Countries, &c. would on this Occasion be of any Use, I would not object to its being annexed. 1 With the greatest Esteem and Attachment, I am, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant

B Franklin