Franklin returned to Philadelphia in 1775. There he served as a delegate
to the Continental Congress, where he was instrumental in drafting the
Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation to form a
new union. Because of his international experience, Franklin was chosen
by the Continental Congress as one of its first ministers to France. In
Paris Franklin reached his peak of fame, becoming the focal point for a
cultural Franklin-mania among the French intellectual elite. Franklin ultimately
helped negotiate a cessation of hostilities and a peace treaty that officially
ended the Revolutionary War.
City of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, site of both Continental Congresses, was one of the
most urban, advanced cities in America in the eighteenth century.
Drawn by George Heap, a surveyor and city coroner of Philadelphia,
and Nicolas Scull, Surveyor General of the Province of Pennsylvania
and a friend to Franklin, this map shows streams, roads, and names
of the landowners in the vicinity of Philadelphia. The bottom of
the map contains an illustration of the State-House or Independence
Hall, home of the Federal Convention of 1787.
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A
plan of the city and environs of Philadelphia, survey'd by N.
Scull and G. Heap.
London: Will Faden, 1777
Engraved map
Geography & Map Division (16A)
[gmd382/g3824/g3824p/ct000185]
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Benjamin Franklin
Plan for a Confederation, July 21,
1775
Annotated document
Manuscript Division (17)
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Plan of Confederation, 1775
Benjamin Franklin returned from London in May, 1775, and was quickly
drafted as one of the Pennsylvania delegates to the second Continental
Congress. Franklin's plan for a government for a united colonial
confederation was read in Congress on July 21, 1775, but was not
acted upon at that time. Thomas Jefferson, a fellow delegate, annotated
this copy of Franklin's plan. |
Benjamin Franklin Delivers a Petition
Benjamin Franklin delivered this Petition of the Continental Congress,
dated October 26, 1774 and signed by fifty-one delegates to the Congress,
to Britain's King George III. The petition, one of two copies sent
to Franklin, stated the grievances of the American provinces and
asked for the King's help in seeking solutions.
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Petition of the Continental Congress to King George III, October 26, 1774
Page 1 - Page
2
Manuscript document in the hand of Timothy Matlack
Manuscript Division (18)
Partial Transcription |
Charles Thomson (1729-1824) to Benjamin
Franklin (1706-1790), November 1, 1774
Manuscript letter
Manuscript Division (19)
Partial Transcription |
The Edge of the Precipice
Charles Thomson, secretary of the First Continental Congress, sent
the petition of Congress to the British King, George III, with this
cover letter to Benjamin Franklin, one of America's agents in London.
Thomson wrote that although there was still hope for peace, the colonies
were on the "very edge of the precipice." The petition,
which outlined a peaceful redress of grievances, was summarily rejected
by the British government. |
To the Continental Congress
In anticipation of an imminent attack by enemy forces gathering
on Staten Island, Congress had ordered the formation of a flying
camp of militiamen from Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania to defend
New Jersey. Franklin was appointed to a Congressional committee charged
with conferring with political and military authorities on the best
means of defense. This broadside signed by Franklin as president
of the Pennsylvania Convention, urges the provincial militia to march
with expedition, disregarding any reports to the contrary.
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In Congress, July 19, 1776. Resolved,
That it be earnestly recommended to the Convention of Pennsylvania,
to hasten, with all possible Expedition, the March of the Associators
into New-Jersey,
Page 2
[Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1776]
Rare Book & Special Collections
Division (19A)
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