Page:Poor Richard's almanack (IA poorrichardsalma00franrich).pdf/11

Rh the Revolutionary War. Franklin was a foremost figure in public life, and became the commissioner of the colonies to England.

The first cause for provocation on the part of the colonies was the Stamp Act, which imposed an enormous tax on deeds, college degrees and printed matter. England sought to meet the expenses of the French-Indian war by this tax. Franklin's efficient representation and effective pleading secured its repeal in 1766.

However, one year later, Parliament enacted a more obnoxious bill, placing a heavy duty on tea, glass and other commodities. Then it was that certain indignant citizens of Boston held their Boston Tea Party and brought upon the heads of the community the ill-considered, hateful Boston Port Bill. The city was virtually put in a state of seizure by the British under General Gage.

This final action precipitated the crisis, and the Revolutionary War was on. Gage made his disastrous march to Concord and Lexington, and Bunker Hill ended in a triumph for American pluck.

Although in favor of settling the dispute by arbitration, Franklin was as zealous a patriot as any. He was a member of the first Continental Congress, and