Benjamin Franklin [1760 
of the continent; and, if we extend our settlements, 
shall probably have as many more behind them on 
the inland side. Those we now have are not only 
under different governors, but have different forms 
of government, different laws, different interests, 
and some of them different religious persuasions and 
different manners. 
Their jealousy of each other is so great, that how- 
ever necessary a union of the colonies has long been, 
for their common defence and security against their 
enemies, and how sensible soever each colony has 
been of that necessity, yet they have never been 
able to effect such a union among themselves, nor 
even to agree in requesting the mother country to 
establish it for them. Nothing but the immediate 
command of the crown has been able to produce 
even the imperfect union, but lately seen there, of 
the forces of some colonies. If they could not agree 
to unite for their defence against the French and 
Indians, who were perpetually harassing their settle- 
ments, burning their villages, and murdering their 
people, can it reasonably be supposed there is any 
danger of their uniting against their own nation, 
which protects and encourages them, with which 
they have so many connexions and ties of blood, 
interest, and affection, and which, it is well known, 
they all love much more than they love one an- 
other? 
In short, there are so many causes that must 
operate to prevent it. that I will venture to say a 
union amongst them for such a purpose is not merely 
improbable, it is impossible. And if the union of 
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