The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

Dr. Franklin's works. The following article is extracted from Poulson's American Daily Advertiser. It is but fair that the allegations of Temple Franklin should be known to the public; but, we confess, they are far from being satisfactory to us. The whole civilized world, & particularly our own country, are deeply interested in the publication, if not of Dr. Franklin's whole works, at least of so much of them, as it was his intention to cause to be published. They have a right to expect, from the favorite grandson of that great man every exertion in his power to erect this most splendid monument that can be raised to his memory; and, when we consider the great length of time that has elapsed since his death, the vast succession of interesting events that have since occurred and which might have been affected by the publication of his posthumous writings, & the many perils to which so long a delay has exposed them, nothing ought to satisfy us short of clear proof that Temple Franklin has done every thing in his power to cause an edition of them to be printed. On this head we will put one plain question, the answer to which we apprehend will be conclusive. Passing over all enquiry relative to the difficulties in the way of their publication in England, has Temple Franklin attempted, and failed, to obtain their publication in this country? Was not this the proper place for their publication in the first instance? Would it not have been more honorable to the American character, as well as to our immortal countryman, to have published them in the country that gave him birth, and still cherishes his memory with enthusiasm, than abroad? And who doubts, if the attempt had been judiciously made, but that it would have succeeded? There cannot be a doubt on the subject. Many of our booksellers would have undertaken the work with alacrity, or had they refused an ample subscription would have indemnified every expense. Under these circumstances we cannot dismiss from our minds the suspicion caused by a delay of so many years. The same suspicion has, we believe, been entertained by most of our countrymen. Nor can it be removed by any thing short of a more precise explanation, and engagement on the part of Temple Franklin forthwith to publish his grandfather's works in this country, if the measure is not practicable elsewhere. One thing must be obvious. If no period has occurred in England propitious to their publication since the Doctor's death, there is no prospect of such a period occurring hereafter in that country within any reasonable time; and that, consequently, to confine the publication to England is equivalent to its entire abandonment.

From the American Daily Advertiser.

In the preface to an edition of Dr. Franklin's work, published in London in 1807, the editor alleges a charge against Mr. Temple Franklin, the Doctor's grandson, (to whom his manuscripts and papers were bequeathed) for not having printed a complete edition of his works, with the life brought down by Doctor Franklin himself to the year 1757, and finished by Mr. Franklin. It is also stated, that much had been done towards the completion of this object, and that negotiations had been begun with the booksellers for the sale of the copy-right, but that "the proprietor found a bidder of a different description in some emissary of government, whose object was to withhold the manuscripts from the world not to benefit it by their publication, and they thus either passed into other hands or the person to whom they were bequeathed received a remuneration for suppressing them."

As the above circumstances are generally credited here, and a complete edition of the works of Dr. Franklin has been hitherto considered as lost to the world, it may not be uninteresting to many of your readers to be informed that the above statement, so little creditable either to the government or individual, and which if correct would justly subject Mr. Franklin to much censure is totally unfounded.

In a late Monthly Review it is mentioned, that Mr. Franklin in reply to the above statement, published a letter which was printed in a newspaper, called the "London Chronicle," Sept. 12-14, 1807, in which he states--

I. That it is not true that he had his grandfather's directions to publish the entire of his works, a measure which was left wholly to his discretion.

2. That it is "most atrociously false" that he sold the Doctor's Mss. or any part of them to the British government, or that any attempt direct or indirect was made by that government to suppress them

3. That the said Mss. are now in the safe custody of his bankers, Herries & Co in London, and will not be lost to the world, but will appear at a future period.

4. That he had offered to dispose of the copy right to some of the most eminent printers in London, "on very reasonable terms," but that they had refused on the ground that the period was not propitious to works of that nature, even to publish them at their sole risk.

5. That considerations of the same nature had hitherto restrained him from "bringing forward a work, which to do it with propriety and becoming splendor in honor to his much revered ancestor's memory, would be attended with very considerable expense, and a very uncertain success in such momentous times." This letter is signed "William Temple Franklin" and is dated at Paris, 28th March, 1807-- having been addressed to the editor of a newspaper printed in that metropolis, called the Argus

It appears therefore that the allegations and insinuations above mentioned are not well founded, and we may hope hereafter to see the expected publication, "though we are aware (says the Reviewers) that the obstacles opposing it not only have had real existence, but unfortunately still exist and are likely to continue."