[Extract]

The mention of Politics in these unhappy Times is almost sufficient to prevent a Letter from arriving safe in America, but there surely can be no harm in writing, what is ncit designed to be secret, & no Man can disapprove of Sentiments that tend to Peace & Reconciliation.

You will see by the Papers that a Bill is to be brought in to cut off all Intercourse with the Colonies, & to repeal some of the late Acts. The principle upon which this is founded I am told is ー That as America has declar[e]d She will not trade with Britain, this Country is determined she shall not trade with any other Power if it can be prevented. That the Boston Port Bill & others were intended as a Punishment on that Colony, as being then the most refractory one; since that Time, all have come into the same Measures, therefore all are equally culpable, it is therefore they say unjust to make a Distinction and they propose by repealing these Bills to put them into one Situation & then to punish them all.

I am inclined to believe that the M[inistr]y [is] sick of this Business, and as to the Nation in general those who have the Liberty of thinking for themselves must see the fatal Consequences of the Controversy, & of Course wish for a Reconciliation. The Question then only is how this can be effected. I know not the Powers of the proposed Commissioners, nor the real Intention in sending them; but I am told that the former are very extensive, and that the Latter is to finish the Dispute. If the Design is founded on a Wish to settle with Justice to both Sides, and the Men are as good & as honest, as the Trust will be great, I hope Peace & Happiness will succeed to War & Distress; but if there is any artfull Intention, cloaked under a specious appearance, & the Measure should turn out to be a Trick of State; America knows her Rights and her Ability to defend them ー I have therefore only to add my Wish, that Virtue and Justice may be always [serve]d with deserved Success. ー

[To] Doctor B Franklin Market Street Philadelphia

Favoured by Capt Hunter via Virginia