# XII: Defense of the Province explained — The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

> Chapter companion for The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin.

## What happens

Franklin addresses the lack of defense and education in Pennsylvania, proposing an academy and founding a Philosophical Society. He writes 'Plain Truth' to rally a voluntary militia, leading to over ten thousand subscribers. He declines the colonelcy, helps build a battery, and borrows cannon from Governor Clinton. He also invents the Pennsylvania fireplace, refusing a patent, and discusses the Quakers' pacifist principles and the Dunkers' modesty.

## Themes in this chapter

### Public Service and Civic Duty

Franklin organizes a voluntary militia, builds a battery, and serves as a common soldier, exemplifying civic responsibility.

### Practical Wisdom and Common Sense

Franklin invents the Pennsylvania fireplace to save fuel and declines a patent to serve the public good.

### Religion, Morality, and Deism

Franklin proposes a fast to invoke divine blessing, and reflects on Quaker principles and Dunker modesty.

## Character check-ins

### Benjamin Franklin

Author and narrator; proposes academy, founds Philosophical Society, writes 'Plain Truth', organizes militia, invents fireplace.

### Thomas Denham

Governor Thomas; attempts to pass militia law, offers Franklin a patent for the stove.

### Robert Grace

Early friend; receives model of the Pennsylvania fireplace and casts plates for it.

### John Syng

Member of fire company; exchanges equivocal project remarks with Franklin.

### Governor Clinton

Governor of New York; lends eighteen cannon after dinner and Madeira.

### Michael Welfare

Founder of the Dunkers; explains their reluctance to publish articles of faith.

## Key lines

> I had, on the whole, abundant reason to be satisfied with my being established in Pennsylvania. There were, however, two, things that I regretted, there being no provision for defense, nor for a complete education of youth; no militia, nor any college.

Franklin was generally content in Pennsylvania but lamented the lack of a militia and a college.

_Sets up the chapter's dual focus on defense and education._

> The pamphlet had a sudden and surprising effect. I was called upon for the instrument of association, and having settled the draft of it with a few friends, I appointed a meeting of the citizens in the large building before mentioned.

Franklin's pamphlet 'Plain Truth' quickly spurred citizens to form a voluntary militia association.

_Highlights the immediate impact of Franklin's persuasive writing._

> I then proposed a lottery to defray the expense of building a battery below the town, and furnishing it with cannon. It filled expeditiously, and the battery was soon erected.

Franklin organized a lottery to fund a defensive battery, which was quickly built.

_Demonstrates Franklin's practical approach to raising funds for public works._

> He at first refused us peremptorily; but at dinner with his council, where there was great drinking of Madeira wine, as the custom of that place then was, he softened by degrees, and said he would lend us six. After a few more bumpers he advanced to ten; and at length he very good-naturedly conceded eighteen.

Governor Clinton initially refused to lend cannon but, after much wine, agreed to lend eighteen.

_Illustrates the role of social customs in colonial negotiations._

> I declined it from a principle which has ever weighed with me on such occasions, viz., That, as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously.

Franklin refused a patent for his stove because he believed inventions should be shared freely for the common good.

_Reflects Franklin's philosophy of generous public service._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters/xii-defense-of-the-province
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters