14 Benjamin Franklin [t 2 
importance to this nation publicly discussed without 
party views or party heat, with decency and polite- 
ness, and with no other warmth than what a zeal for 
the honor and happiness of our King and country 
may inspire; and this by writers whose understand- 
ing, however they may differ from each other, 
appears not unequal to their candor and the up- 
rightness of their intention. 
But, as great abilities have not always the best 
information, there are, I apprehend, in the Remarks 
some opinions not well founded, and some mistakes 
of so important a nature, as to render a few observa- 
tions on them necessary for the better information 
of the public. 
The author of the Letter, who must be every way 
best able to support his own sentiments, will, I hope, 
excuse me, if I seem officiously to interfere; when he 
considers, that the spirit of patriotism, like other 
qualities good and bad, is catching, and that his long 
silence, since the Remarks appeared, has made us 
despair of seeing the subject farther discussed by his 
masterly hand. The ingenious and candid Re- 
marker, too, who must have been misled himself, 
before he employed his skill and address to mislead 
others, will certainly, since he declares he arms at no 
seduction, be disposed to excuse even the weakest 
effort to prevent it. 
And surely, if the general opinions that possess 
the minds of the people may possibly be of conse- 
quence in public affairs, it must be fit to set those 
opinions right. If there is danger, as the Remarker 
supposes, that “extravagant expectations’ may 
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