Page:Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin (1793).djvu/252

242 ON THE IMPRESS OF SEAMEN.

UDGE Foſter, p. 158. "Every Man."—The concluſion here from the whole to a part does not ſeem to be good logic. If the alphabet ſhould ſay, Let us all fight for the defence of the whole; that is equal, and may. therefore, be juft. But if they ſhould ſay, Let A B C and D go out and fight for us, while we ſtay at home and ſleep in whole ſkins; that is not equal, and therefore cannot be juſt. Ib. "Employ."—If you pleaſe. The word ſignifies engaging a man to work for me, by of- fering him fuch wages as are fufficient to induce him to prefer my fervice. This is very different from compelling him to work on fuch terms as I think proper. Ib. "This ſervice and employment, &c."—Theſe are falſe facts. His employments and ſervice are not the ſame.—Under the merchant he goes in an unarmed veſſel, not obliged to fight, but to tranſport merchandize. In the king's ſervice he is obliged to fight, and to hazard all the dangers of battle. Sickneſs on board of king's ſhips is alſo more common and more mortal. The merchant's ſervice too he can quit at the end of the voyage; not the king's. Alſo, the merchant's wages are much higher.