Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/337

Rh in a distant province which had reason to fault their absenteeism and exactions. Under these peculiar circumstances, Dr. Smith did not confer with Franklin, then in England. We know not whether they met. Ordinarily, it might be thought he would seek counsel of the man who had made for him such an excel- lent position in Pennsylvania ; but to avail himself of the influ- ence of the Penns, it was essential there should be no entangle- ment or acknowledged intercourse with the representative of the Assembly whose attitude was one of opposition to that family. However, the author of the Account of the College and Academy of Philadelphia in the American Magazine for October, 1758, might not expect a welcome or any aid from the man upon whom he had therein recorded an injustice ; and a copy of this may have reached Franklin, as his partner must have kept him supplied with all home publications. The American Magazine or Monthly Chronicle for the British Colonies, was undertaken in October, 1757, by a "Society of Gentlemen," and published by William Bradford, at his establishment in the London Coffee House, at the corner of Front and Market Streets, and bore the Motto on its title pages, Veritatis cultores. Fraudis inimici, Bradford had such a publication long in mind, and finally in William Smith he found his editor. The parties saw in each other their required complements ; and with such a literary support as Dr. Smith both ready and able with his pen, methodical in business, and with talents formed equally to gratify the learned and to attract those inspiring to learn Bradford felt that he could safely begin his work. x 1 Smith, i. 165. The Editor writes to George Washington, 10 November I 757 soliciting his interest in the publication and displaying some of his plans in its conduct: "Sir: You'll perceive your name in the list of those 'tis hoped will encourage the enclosed Magazine & I hope you'll forgive the Liberty we have taken as you are placed in good company & in a good design. Tis a work which may be rendered of very general Service to all the Colonies. We shall be under particular Obligations for every Subscriber you can procure, to give the work a general Run. I have not been unmindful of the Papers you sent relating to the French Memorial & you would have seen proper use made of them before now * * * in the general His- tory of the present War which you find promised in the Magazine. I shall therefore, be greatly obliged to you for every Light you can throw upon that Subject. * * As you acted a principal part in all these Affairs, and as it is our design to do the utmost Justice to all concerned & especially those Patriots & brave men born in America, who have distinguished themselves in the present war, I must rely on your