To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Peters, 5 November 1755
From Richard Peters
Draft: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Wednesday Morn 5 Novr 1755
Sir
Three of the Inhabitants of Laycock Township brought me your Letter of this morning and in answer The Governor orders me to tell you that whenever Arms and Ammunition are put into2 his hands he will dispose of them in the best3 manner he can for the publick Service. I am Sir Your humble4
To Benjn Franklin Esquire
2. Peters first wrote “subjected to,” but struck out the words and substituted “put into.”
3. Peters first wrote “such as,” but struck out the words and substituted “the best.”
4. At least two bits of cross fire in the continuing battle between the governor and the Assembly are discernible in this letter and the one immediately above which it answers. First, BF, as an Assemblyman, was anxious to prevent the impasse over taxing power from paralyzing completely the defense of the frontier, a condition which Morris was trying to use to bend the Assembly to his will on the tax question. Equally evident is Morris’ resistance to every attempt of the Assembly to infringe his prerogative of exercising the executive power of government. No further record of this transaction has been found.