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[Footnote: Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, 1706, N S; died in Philadelphia, 1790. His father was a
soap and candle maker, with small means, and Benjamin, being the youngest of seventeen children, had little
opportunity to gratify his desire for knowledge. By abstaining from meat for two years, he managed to buy a
few books, which he diligently studied. At seventeen years of age he landed in Philadelphia with a silver
dollar and a shilling in copper. As, with his extra shirts and stockings stuffed in his pockets, he walked along
the streets, eating the roll of bread which served for his breakfast, his future wife stood at her father's door and
smiled at his awkward appearance, little dreaming of his brilliant future, or of its interest to her. He soon
obtained employment as a printer. Being induced by false representations to go to England, he found himself
almost penniless in a strange land. With his usual industry he went to work, and soon made friends and a good
living. Returning to Philadelphia he established a newspaper, and in 1732 commenced to publish "Poor
Richard's Almanac," which for twenty years was quite as popular in Europe as in America. Its common-sense
proverbs and useful hints are household words to this day. Retiring from business with a fine fortune, he
devoted himself chiefly to science. His discoveries in electricity are world-renowned. (See Steele's New
Physics, pp. 228, 251.) Franklin was an unflinching patriot. While in England he defended the cause of liberty
with great zeal and ability. He helped to draft the Declaration of Independence, and was one of its signers.
Having been appointed ambassador to France, he first invested all his ready money, $15,000, in the
continental loan, a practical proof of his patriotism, since its repayment was extremely improbable. His
influence at the French court was unbounded. He was revered for his wit, his genius, his dignity, and his
charming conversation. He became to the American cause in the old world what Washington was in the new.
On his return he was elected president of Pennsylvania for three successive years. He gave the whole of his
salary, $30,000, to benevolent objects. In his eighty-second year, he was a member of the Constitutional
Convetion. At his death twenty thousand persons assembled to do honor to his memory.]
[Illustration: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN]
BATTLE OF MONMOUTH (June 28).--Howe having returned to England, Clinton succeeded him. The
British government, alarmed by the sending of the French fleet, ordered Clinton to concentrate his forces at
New York. Washington rapidly followed the English across New Jersey and overtook them at Monmouth.
General Lee, who conducted the attack, ordered a retreat. The men, entangled in a swamp, were becoming
demoralized as they retired from the field, when Washington, riding up, bitterly rebuked Lee, by his personal
presence rallied the men, and sent them back against the enemy. The fight lasted all that long sultry day. In the
darkness of night Clinton stole away with his men to New York.
[Footnote: Charles Lee, for his conduct at Monmouth, and his disrespectful letters to Washington, and
afterward to Congress, was dismissed from the army. He retired to his estate in Virginia, where he lived in a
rude house whose only partitions were chalk marks on the floor--an improvement upon walls on which he
prided himself--surrounded by his dogs, his only intimate companions.]
[Footnote: During the day an artilleryman was shot at his post. His wife, Mary Pitcher, while bringing water
to her husband from a spring, saw him fall and heard the commander order the piece to be removed from the
field. Instantly dropping the pail, she hastened to the cannon, seized the rammer, and with great skill and
courage performed her husband's duty. The soldiers gave her the nickname of Major Molly. Congress voted
her a sergeant's commission with half-pay through life.]
Brief History of the United States 63
CAMPAIGN IN RHODE ISLAND.--A combined attack on Newport was arranged to be made by the French
fleet under D'Estaing (da-es-tang), and the American army under General Sullivan. Soon after the French
entered Narraganset Bay, Howe arrived off the harbor with the English fleet. D'Estaing went out to meet him.
A storm came on, which so shattered both fleets that they were compelled to put back for repairs. General
Sullivan, being thus deserted, retreated just in time to escape Clinton, who came up from New York with
reinforcements. The French gave no further aid during the year.
THE WYOMING MASSACRE.--In July, a band of tories and Indians under Butler, entered the beautiful
valley of the Wyoming. Most of the able-bodied men had gone to the war. The old men and the boys armed
for the defence. The women and children fled for refuge to a fort near the present site of Wilkesbarre. Taking
counsel of their courage, and their helpless mothers, wives, and children, a handful of men sallied out to meet
the invaders, but were quickly defeated. All that night the Indians tortured their prisoners in every way that
savage cruelty could devise. The fort having been surrendered on promise of safety, Butler did his best to
restrain his savage allies, but in vain. By night the whole valley was ablaze with burning dwellings, while the
people fled for their lives through the wilderness.
* * * * *
1779.
CAMPAIGN AT THE SOUTH.--At the close of the preceding autumn the scene of conflict was transferred
to Georgia. Savannah and Augusta were captured, and soon the entire State was conquered (map opp. p. 121).
The British governor being restored, England could once more boast of a royal province among the colonies.
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