“I SINCERELY WISH, FOR THE SAKE OF THE MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE OF GREAT-BRITAIN, AND FOR THE SAKE OF THE STRENGTH A FIRM UNION WITH OUR GROWING COLONISTS WOULD GIVE US, THAT THOSE PEOPLE HAD NEVER BEEN THUS NEEDLESSLY DRIVEN OUT OF THEIR SENSES”: EXTRAORDINARILY RARE ANONYMOUS FRANKLIN PAMPHLET EXPLAINING AMERICA’S RESISTANCE TO BRITISH TAXATION

[FRANKLIN, Benjamin]. Causes of the Present Distractions in America Explained: In Two Letters to a Merchant in London. [New York: James Rivington, 1774]. Octavo, disbound (leaves separated); pp. [2] 16. Housed in handsome custom portfolio and clamshell box.

First edition of this rare 1774 pamphlet printing of “one of Franklin’s most significant propaganda pieces for granting increased freedoms to the American colonists,” published anonymously as by “an impartial Historian of American facts and opinions.”Franklin wrote the essay in London to explain to the British “the cause of the present ill-humour in America” and the origins of the resistance to Parliament’s 1765 Stamp Act and 1767 Townsend Acts. The essay was first printed in 1768 in a London newspaper, but the text was censored. The restored text was reprinted in 1774, likely in response to the 1774 Coercive (Intolerable) Acts. This 1774 American printing— the only pamphlet printing of the essay— is exceptionally rare; the last copy we know of to appear on the market was the Streeter copy in 1967.

In London in late 1767, “Franklin resumed his quiet, ceaseless efforts in behalf of America… [He] was… ‘in a large company in which were some members of Parliament.’ There he gave ‘satisfaction to all by what I alleged in explanation of the conduct of the Americans, and, to show that they were not quite so unreasonable as they appeared to be. I was advised by several present to make my sentiments public, not only for the sake of America but as it would be some ease to our friends here” (Van Doren, 373-5). The result was this essay, “perhaps the most famous contribution by Franklin… to the propaganda of the American Revolution” (Crane, 13). “It was… extremely well adapted to the occasion, being written with the author’s peculiar felicity of style, and in a tone of moderation and fairness, which could not fail to win the favorable opinion even of those, who were resolved not to be convinced. The causes of all the late troubles in the colonies are traced from their origin, and stated with so much clearness and method, as to place the subject in its full force before the reader’s mind… [T]he complaints of the colonists and the reasons for those complaints are so explained, as to make it evident, that the conduct of the Bostonians was a natural consequence of the aggressions of the British government, and such as ought to have been expected from a people jealous of their rights, and nurtured in the atmosphere of freedom” (Sparks, 312).

Franklin first published the essay anonymously in the London Chronicle in January 1768 as “Causes of the American Discontents before 1768.” The editor of the Chronicle censored Franklin’s text, deleting passages and weakening the language. Franklin complained to his son, William, that the editor “has drawn the teeth and pared the nails of my paper, so that it can neither scratch nor bite. It seems only to paw and mumble” (Crane, 13). This censored text was reprinted in 1768 in many American newspapers. It was not until 1774 that the work was again reprinted, but this time with Franklin’s original text. The London Chronicle reprinted Franklin’s essay at the end of August 1774; the deleted passages were restored, the essay was divided into two letters, and the signature was changed to “F.B.” The restored text was reprinted in America in this 1774 pamphlet (the only separate pamphlet printing of the essay) under the new title Causes of the Present Distractions in America Explained. Though the pamphlet was printed anonymously without an imprint, it is believed that the printer was James Rivington of New York, as he advertised the pamphlet as “just published” in the November 17, 1774 issue of his New-York Gazetteer. The restored text was also reprinted in two American newspapers, the Pennsylvania Gazette (Nov. 23, 1774) and the New-York Gazetteer (Dec. 12, 1774).

In 1766, Franklin had become the toast of London as America’s spokesman after his eloquent and dramatic testimony before Parliament regarding the Stamp Act (in which he famously said, “They will not find a rebellion; they may indeed make one”). By 1768, however, the colonies were in a state of unrest again, in response to the Townsend duties passed in June, and Franklin found himself in the uncomfortable position of trying to pacify both sides and achieve a compromise. “Franklin remained rather moderate and wrote a series of essays calling for ‘civility and good manners’ on both sides. To friends in Philadelphia, he expressed his disapproval of radicalism growing in Boston; in articles published in England, he tried hard— indeed, too hard— to pull off an adroit feat of ambidexterity. His juggling act was reflected in a long, anonymous essay he wrote in January 1768 for the London Chronicle, called ‘Causes of the American Discontents.’ Written from the perspective of an Englishman, it explained the Americans’ belief that their own legislatures should control all revenue measures, and it added in a squirrelly manner, ‘I do not undertake here to support these opinions.’ His goal, he averred, was to let people ‘know what ideas the Americans have.’ In doing so, Franklin tried to have it both ways: he warned that America’s fury at being taxed by Parliament could tear apart the empire, then pretended to lament these ‘wild ravings’ as something ‘I do not pretend to support… [The crux of Franklin’s dilemma was that he had rendered himself] ‘in England of being too much of an American, and in America of being too much of an Englishman” (Isaacson, 244-46). Soon after, though, Franklin took up the American cause and waged war against the Townsend Duties, earning himself the enmity of many in England.

“This essay is one of Franklin’s most significant propaganda pieces for granting increased freedoms to the American colonists… Franklin had the essay republished in America in 1774 under the present title” (University of Delaware). It is likely that Franklin had the essay reprinted (restoring his original text) because of Parliament’s passage of the 1774 Intolerable Acts, which further escalated the crisis in America. At the time of the printing, Franklin was engaged in private negotiations “in a secret last-ditch effort by some members of Britain’s Whig opposition to stave off a revolution by the colonies,” while at the same time discussing the prospect of emancipation with Josiah Quincy and other American revolutionaries and receiving instructions from the Continental Congress. Franklin was also being accused of seditious activities for publishing controversial letters by Thomas Hutchison, the royal governor of Massachusetts, and was in fear of being arrested. Franklin departed for America in March of 1775, where he immediately became a delegate to the Continental Congress.

Originally attributed either to Governor Francis Bernard of Massachusetts or to Benjamin Franklin, this work is now firmly established as Franklin’s by Verner W.

Crane in his “Certain Writings of Benjamin Franklin,” in the Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America, 28:13-15). Early Sessler description laid in. Evans 13147. Sabin 4920. Streeter 752. ESTC lists 20 copies.

Extremely rare, the last copy that we know of to appear on the market was the Streeter copy, which sold in 1967. Nearly fine condition, with only light marginal strips of discoloration to title page.