Full text: Essays of Benjamin Franklin

fo Essays ) 
own account. But, when you have quarrelled with 
all Europe, and drawn me with you into all your 
broils, then you value yourself upon protecting me 
from the enemies you have made for me. I have no 
natural cause of difference with Spain, France, or 
Holland, and yet by turns I have joined with you in 
wars against them all. You would not suffer me to 
make or keep a separate peace with any of them, 
though I might easily have done it to great advan- 
tage. Does your protecting me in those wars give 
you a right to fleece me? If so, as I fought for you, 
as well as you for me, it gives me a proportionable 
right to fleece you. What think you of an American 
law to make a monopoly of you and your commerce, 
as you have done by your laws of me and mine? 
Content yourself with that monopoly if you are wise, 
and learn justice if you would be respected! 
Britain. You impudent b——h! Am not I your 
mother country? Is not that a sufficient title to 
your respect and obedience? 
Saxony. Mother country! Ha! ha! ha! What 
respect have you the front to claim as a mother coun- 
try? You know that I am your mother country, and 
yet you pay me none. Nay, it is but the other day 
that you hired ruffians * to rob me on the highway * 
and burn my house!* For shame! Hide your face 
and hold your tongue! If you continue this conduct, 
you will make yourself the contempt of Europe! 
Britain. O Lord! Where are my friends? 
! Prussians. 
2 They entered and raised contributions in Saxony. 
3 And they burnt the fine suburbs of Dresden, the capital of Saxony. 
peri 21C
	        
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