[Previous page]... "OUR OPINIONS ARE NOT IN OUR OWN POWER"
To William Franklin DEAR SON, Passy, Aug. 16, 1784.
I received your Letter of the 22d past, and am glad to find
that you desire to revive the affectionate Intercourse, that formerly
existed between us. It will be very agreable to me; indeed nothing
has ever hurt me so much and affected me with such keen Sensations,
as to find myself deserted in my old Age by my only Son; and not only
deserted, but to find him taking up Arms against me, in a Cause,
wherein my good Fame, Fortune and Life were all at Stake. You
conceived, you say, that your Duty to your King and Regard for your
Country requir'd this. I ought not to blame you for differing in
Sentiment with me in Public Affairs. We are Men, all subject to
Errors. Our Opinions are not in our own Power; they are form'd and
govern'd much by Circumstances, that are often as inexplicable as
they are irresistible. Your Situation was such that few would have
censured your remaining Neuter,
tho' there are Natural Duties whichprecede political ones, and cannot be extinguish'd by them.
This is a disagreable Subject. I drop it. And we will
endeavour, as you propose mutually to forget what has happened
relating to it, as well as we can. I send your Son over to pay his
Duty to you. You will find him much improv'd. He is greatly
esteem'd and belov'd in this Country, and will make his Way anywhere.
It is my Desire, that he should study the Law, as a ne...
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