Beschreibung:

FRANKLIN, Benjamin (1706-1790). LETTER SIGNED ('B. FRANKLIN') TO LORD KAMES ('My dear Lord'), London, 11 April 1767 , scribal copy with minor differences of the letter of 25 February 1767, described in the previous lot above. The date and signature are autograph, as is the address panel. The subscription at end is the same as in the previous letter 'I am with increasing Esteem and Affection my dear Friend', 6¼ pages, folio (323 x 202mm ), (margins reinforced, folds of two leaves strengthened without affecting letters, small clean tear in first leaf); with autograph wrapper 'To the Rt. honourable Lord Kaims, Edinburgh B Free Franklin' and seal (torn and mounted on paper). It is this version of the letter that has usually been regarded by Franklin's editors as the original. After speculating about the various possible reasons for the existence of this letter dated 11 April, the editors of the most recent edition, cited below, have little doubt that the version of 25 February is more authentic and closer to the lost original. The main differences between the two versions are of phraseology and of thirteen words, that appear to be a correction or addition to the original text. Discussing the question of sovereignty and appellate jurisdiction, he inserts that cases between colonies are 'not brought before your Lords of Parliament, as those within the Realm' but determined by the King in Council. Discussed in The Papers of Benjamin Franklin , ed. L.W.Labaree, vol.14 p.116. (2)