Difference between revisions of "Wythe to Franklin, 23 June 1766"

Latest revision as of 15:20, 24 October 2024

Peyton Randolph was the Attorney General of Virginia during 1766 and George Wythe is asking to replace him if Randolph becomes the Speaker for the House of Burgesses and the post becomes vacant. Wythe is assuming that he will be recommended by Randolph to be his successor and is asking Benjamin Franklin to put in a good word for him so he has a better chance of obtaining the position.

Wythe quotes Cornelius Tacitus' Annales: "Benefits are acceptable, while the receiver thinks he may return them; but once exceeding that, hatred is given instead of thanks."

Letter text, 23 June 1766

Sir.

If our attorney gen[eral shall become speake]r^[1] of the house of burgesses, and thereby h[is post is vacant, as in] all probability will be the case, the govern[or will propose me] to succeed him; and that recommendation, I [am very sure] will be more effectual, were some of those great per[sons] to whom it must be addressed, to know that such a promotion would be in any degree pleasing to doctor Franklin. If you incline to honour me with your patronage in this competition, you will perhaps be partly instrumental in producing that rare phaenomenon a contented mind, at least in the article of fortune; and you shall find an exception to that observation of Tacitus: "Beneficia eo usque laeta sunt, dum videntur exsolvi posse: ubi multum antevenere, pro gratia odium redditur."^[2] I am Sir, Your most obedient servant.

G. Wythe.

Doctor Franklin

See also

• Wythe to Franklin, 6 September 1777

References

1. ↑ ALS (mutilated): American Philosophical Society. Missing words supplied in brackets.
2. ↑ "Benefits are acceptable, while the receiver thinks he may return them; but once exceeding that, hatred is given instead of thanks." Tacitus, Annales, IV.18.