Changes

===Hutchinson letters===

===Hutchinson letters===

In 1773, Franklin somehow obtained the originals of secret letters written by Massachusetts governor [[Thomas Hutchinson]] to the British government.  The letters urged Parliament to send troops to put down the growing rebellion in Boston.  Franklin sent the letters to friends in the colony, who in turn publicly published them.  His intent was to pin the blame on people like Hutchinson for encouraging the unpopular policies, which he hoped would promote a spirit of reconciliation with Britain.  He misjudged the situation, however, which led to the Massachusetts Assembly demanding that Parliament remove Hutchinson from his governorship.  Franklin later admitted he had leaked the letters. He was interrogated in highly humiliating fashion before Parliament on January 29, 1775.  He was stripped of his position of postmaster and returned to Philadelphia on May 5, 1775.

In 1773, Franklin somehow obtained the originals of secret letters written by Massachusetts governor [[Thomas Hutchinson]] to the British government.  The letters urged Parliament to send troops to put down the growing rebellion in Boston.  Franklin sent the letters to friends in the colony, who in turn publicly published them.  His intent was to pin the blame on people like Hutchinson for encouraging the unpopular policies, which he hoped would promote a spirit of reconciliation with Britain.  He misjudged the situation, however, which led to the Massachusetts Assembly demanding that Parliament remove Hutchinson from his governorship.  Franklin later admitted he had leaked the letters. He was interrogated in highly humiliating fashion before Parliament on January 29, 1775.  He was stripped of his position of postmaster and returned to Philadelphia on May 5, 1775.

===Continental Congress===

===Continental Congress===

He understood the risks the [[Founding Fathers]] were taking and told them, "We must all hang together, or we shall hang separately."

He understood the risks the [[Founding Fathers]] were taking and told them, "We must all hang together, or we shall hang separately."

==Ambassador==

==Ambassador==

[[Image:Franklin - France.jpg|right|240px]]

[[Image:Franklin - France.jpg|right|240px]]

:''"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of Morals and His Religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting Changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some doubt as to his Divinity; tho' it is a question I need not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an Opportunity of knowing the Truth with less Trouble. I see no harm in its being believed, if that belief has the good Consequence, as probably it has, of making his Doctrines more respected and better observed; especially as I do not perceive, that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the Unbelievers in his Government of the world with any peculiar Marks of his Displeasure."'' <ref>http://personal.pitnet.net/primarysources/franklin-stiles.html</ref>

:''"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of Morals and His Religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting Changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some doubt as to his Divinity; tho' it is a question I need not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an Opportunity of knowing the Truth with less Trouble. I see no harm in its being believed, if that belief has the good Consequence, as probably it has, of making his Doctrines more respected and better observed; especially as I do not perceive, that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the Unbelievers in his Government of the world with any peculiar Marks of his Displeasure."'' <ref>http://personal.pitnet.net/primarysources/franklin-stiles.html</ref>

As Franklin grew older, he recognized that [[Christianity]] had positive effects on colonial society. Franklin befriended [[George Whitefield]], the best known of the [[Great Awakening]] [[evangelical]]s.  The two also had a business relationship, with Franklin printing nearly all of Whitefield’s North American sermons. After one of Whitefield's sermons, Franklin noted the ''"wonderful...change soon made in the manners of our inhabitants. From being thoughtless or indifferent about religion, it seem'd as if all the world were growing religious, so that one could not walk thro' the town in an evening without hearing psalms sung in different families of every street."''<ref>The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, p.104-108</ref><ref>At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Franklin proposed a prayer for divine intervention to aid the troubled proceedings.</ref>

As Franklin grew older, he recognized that [[Christianity]] had positive effects on colonial society. Franklin befriended [[George Whitefield]], the best known of the [[Great Awakening]] [[evangelical]]s.  The two also had a business relationship, with Franklin printing nearly all of Whitefield’s North American sermons. After one of Whitefield's sermons, Franklin noted the ''"wonderful...change soon made in the manners of our inhabitants. From being thoughtless or indifferent about religion, it seem'd as if all the world were growing religious, so that one could not walk thro' the town in an evening without hearing psalms sung in different families of every street."''<ref>The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, p.104-108</ref><ref>At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Franklin proposed a prayer for divine intervention to aid the  

troubled proceedings.</ref>

 

==Fame==

==Fame==

By 1776 Franklin was the most famous American in the world. He was one of the most prominent of the Founding Fathers, early political figures and statesmen of the [[United States]].

By 1776 Franklin was the most famous American in the world. He was one of the most prominent of the Founding Fathers, early political figures and statesmen of the [[United States]].

Franklin is one of the few non-presidents whose likeness appears on U.S. currency. Franklin graces the $100 bill while [[Alexander Hamilton]] appears on the $10 bill.

Franklin is one of the few non-presidents whose likeness appears on U.S. currency. Franklin graces the $100 bill while [[Alexander Hamilton]] appears on the $10 bill.

==In fiction and popular culture==

==In fiction and popular culture==

*[http://sln.fi.edu/franklin/family/lastwill.html Franklin's Last Will & Testament] Transcription.

*[http://sln.fi.edu/franklin/family/lastwill.html Franklin's Last Will & Testament] Transcription.

====notes====

==Notes==

<references/>

<references/>

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:Authors]

[[Category:Authors]]

[[Category:Scientists]]

[[Category:Scientists]]

[[category:diplomacy]]

[[category:diplomacy]]