Franklin benjamin huske john (1 Ergebnisse)

2pp., folded 4to sheet. Docketed in red ink on verso by Franklin. John Huske was a member of Parliament who followed his father in having a particular interest in American affairs; his father, Ellis Huske, preceded Franklin in the office of deputy postmaster for the American colonies. At a later date Huske became the Royal Agent for the collection of Stamp Taxes in Massachusetts and was the subject of a Paul Revere engraving (hanging in effigy). Written just a few weeks following Franklin's testimony before the House of Commons concerning the Stamp Act, the issue of paper currency had been raised in that hearing. While the questioning primarily targeted the Stamp Act, the issue of currency was central to whether the colonies could physically afford to pay the tax. Franklin in his testimony indirectly criticized British restrictions on colonial paper money, stating "In my opinion there is not gold and silver enough in the colonies to pay the stamp duty for one year." This perhaps prompted Huske to write on the subject of paper currency in the colonies. His letter reads as follows: "Since I was favored with your Statute Book this morning, I have committed what occurred to me on a paper Currency for all America to paper, & take the liberty of enclosing it to you quite rough; for as American affairs are again to come on in the Ho. of Commons tomorrow, I have neither time to correct or Copy it fair. If you can read it, I trust you will excuse the rest, especially as its [sic] only meant as an outline, what you will please to extend or contrast, & fill up as your Superior knowledge of the subject & ability must enable you to do with the utmost propriety. When you will let me know you have cloathed the Skeleton, I will wait on you, & beg your Company to the Chanr. of the Exchequer to explain & enforce the same: for however simple & plain it is to us who have so long been acquainted with the Theory & practice of the subject, it is extremely difficult to make the wisest men here to comprehend the subject as it deserves. Tired almost to death, & a still more interesting Scene to go thro tonight, I remain, with great regard, Dear Sir, Your most Obedient Humble Servant Huske." Below which he has added: "St. Maiden's Lane / Sunday 16 March / Doct. B. Franklin." Franklin was, at this point, the agent for the colony of Pennsylvania in London, and the deputy postmaster for North America. He could certainly claim to be the foremost expert on paper currency in America, having advocated its circulation for decades as a way to promote trade and expand the colonial economies. One of his very first publications, written by himself, was A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency (Philadelphia, 1729). He also had tremendous practical experience in its production, having been in charge of the issue of paper currency in Pennsylvania from 1730 on. In short, no one was better prepared to advise Huske on this issue. The two men had been of one mind on Pennsylvania affairs for many years, and no doubt Franklin had been a good friend of Huske's father, who died in 1755. Issues over paper currency in America were as explosive as the Stamp Act, although not nearly as famous. When the New York legislature defied Parliament in 1774, it was not over taxation issues, but in regard to the right to issue currency. A most interesting letter concerning Franklin and currency. Usual folds, remnants of a paper guard along the fold on verso 2pp., folded 4to sheet. Docketed in red ink on verso by Franklin.…