Page:Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin (1793).djvu/176

of recovering it. Accidents may increaſe thoſe, hopes, and encourage dangerous attempts. A breach between us and France would infallibly bring the Engliſh again upon our backs: and yet we have ſome wild beaſts among our countrymen, who are endeavouring to weaken that connexion.

Let us preſerve our reputation, by performing our engagements; our credit, by fulfilling our contracts; and our friends, by gratitude and kindneſs: for we know not how ſoon we may have occaſion for all of them.

With great and ſincere eſteem,

⁠I have the honour to be,

⁠Reverend Sir,

⁠Your moſt obedient and

⁠moſt humble ſervant,

Passy, May 12, 1784.

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B. FRANKLIN.