The Library Company of Philadelphia was founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731.
The First American political cartoon, published in 1754 by Benjamin Franklin in his Pennsylvania Gazette to rally the former colonies against British rule.
I gave the best explanation I could. “Yes, well, it was a crazy experiment with lightning,” I replied nervously. “Sort of an accident. Impossible to duplicate. But I’ve nurtured Liberty and helped him adjust to his new abilities and intellect.”
“Well, I must commend you for the scientific success that you have achieved,” said Benjamin. “Truly, I feel very fortunate to have witnessed your accomplishment. But you would be wise to keep Liberty’s gift a secret. I am all for sharing the inventions I have discovered, but your discovery is a . . . a . . . a natural phenomenon! Yes, definitely a wonder to behold!”
Liberty blushed and said, “Ahh, shucks. Thanks, Frankaben, I mean, Benjafrank, I mean, Franklin Benjamin. Doh, I mean, Benjamin Franklin, sir.” Liberty blushed, again.
Benjamin stroked Liberty’s neck and said, “Yes, Liberty, you are definitely one of a kind. Indeed, most people would pass out in shock at the discovery of a talking horse!”
“Thank you for your counsel,” I said. “And Liberty is usually very careful about letting others know about his gift. Aren’t you, Liberty?”
“Oh, uh, yes,” said Liberty. “But I knew you’d understand, Mr. Franklin. I had a good feeling about you.”
“We’re just glad we found you when we did! Aren’t we, Mr. Revere,” Tommy said.
“Definitely! And I’m sure we’ve taken too much of your time. Certainly, you’re here in England for a special reason,” I hinted.
“I almost forgot,” Benjamin said as he quickly looked at his pocket watch. “What a relief,” he sighed. “It appears that time is on my side today.”
Time is always on our side with Liberty, I thought.
“As fellow colonists you should join me,” said Benjamin. “As a colonial representative of Pennsylvania I’ve been invited to testify to Parliament about what is happening in the colonies, particularly about the opposition to the Stamp Act. I believe if we cut across this lawn we can hail a carriage.”
As we followed Benjamin I found myself smiling at the mere fact that we were about to experience an important moment in American history. It appeared that the fog was thinning and in the distance loomed a massive building that looked like a castle fortress.
“Mr. Franklin,” Tommy said. “Are you in trouble? Why do you have to testify? Was there a crime? And what’s Parliament? Sorry to ask so many questions.”
Benjamin laughed and said, “Asking questions is the first step to discovery! Let me answer your questions in reverse. Parliament is the word we use in England for the English government. King George III regularly meets with Parliament—the House of Lords and the House of Commons—to make rules and laws to govern his people.”
Tommy asked, “Do the King and Parliament make the rules for the thirteen colonies, too?”
“Yes,” said Benjamin, “and that’s beginning to be a problem. In fact, many colonists think it’s a crime for the King to tax the colonies. In particular, I have come to testify to members of Parliament why the colonies dislike the Stamp Act so much.”
“I remember Mr. Revere mentioned the Stamp Act in our history class,” said Tommy.
Liberty cleared his throat and said, “You’d know what the Stamp Act is if you’d seen and heard my Stomp Act!” Liberty said. “I’d perform it for you now but it’s just not the same without the music.”
“I am still not accustomed to a talking horse,” Benjamin said with a chuckle. “Please excuse my laughter. It is simply an expression of surprise and admiration. Are you suggesting that you can also sing?”
“Oh boy, let’s not encourage him,” I cringed.
“I’m not prepared to sing my Stamp Act song just yet but the national anthem is one of my favorites.” At once, Liberty began singing, “O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, o’er the land of the free! And the home of the brave!”
Benjamin Franklin applauded and said, “I am amazed. And please be assured that your secret is safe with me. However, I am not familiar with this national anthem.”
I quickly replied, “Oh, yes, well, it hasn’t caught on just yet.”
“I think it has potential,” Benjamin said. “I especially like the part about the land of the free and home of the brave. In fact, it describes America perfectly. Our forefathers who first settled in America from England are some of the bravest people I have ever read about. Men like William Bradford, for example.”
“Our class learned all about William Bradford and Myles Standish, who sailed on the Mayflower and settled Plymouth Plantation!” Tommy exclaimed.
Benjamin nodded and said, “We owe everything to the brave colonists who first came to America to start a land of the free. And now it is my turn to be brave by fighting for the rights of the thirteen colonies. We can talk more inside the carriage.”
Several carriages waited in a row like taxis ready to take people to various destinations in London. Neatly trimmed hedges bordered either side of the road. The grass, the shrubs, the trees were perfectly landscaped. It was a sign that England was an established land with centuries of tradition and order. We waited for a carriage to pass before crossing the road.
Benjamin called to the coachman of the lead carriage with two white horses and said, “Westminster Palace, the House of Commons, please.”
The footman opened the small door and Benjamin paid him before we stepped up and inside the enclosed interior. Two purple velvet benches faced each other. Benjamin Franklin sat on one side and Tommy and I sat on the other. I saw Liberty roll his eyes. He was always bothered by the fact that he couldn’t fit inside cars or buses and now, carriages.
As the carriage rumbled down the dirt road, I looked out the side window to see Liberty prancing alongside the horses pulling the carriage. From the looks of it he had forgotten about riding inside the carriage and was now flirting like he was a stallion.
Tommy announced, “Wow, this is really bumpy! This carriage could use a pair of shock absorbers.”
“I am not familiar with shock absorbers as you say,” said Benjamin.
“Oh, it’s a device to help smooth out the ride so it’s not so bumpy.”
“Are you an inventor, Tommy?” Benjamin asked.
“I do like to build things. Do you have any advice for me?” Tommy asked.
“Never let uncertainty or fear stop you. If you work hard and think big you can accomplish anything, especially in a free land like America. There are people that will tell you otherwise. They will say you are not good enough. You are not old enough. You are not smart enough. Balderdash! Do not listen to them. If you have a dream, follow it!”
A view some years later, Hanover Square in London, 1787.
“Thanks!” Tommy said. “I’ll remember that. By the way, you said you were fighting for the rights of the colonies. Exactly what rights are you fighting for?”
“I’m fighting against this horrible idea called the Stamp Act. Horrible it is, horrible! Last year, the British prime minister, George Grenville, passed the Stamp Act, the first direct tax on the American colonies.”
“I know all about taxes,” said Tommy matter-of-factly. “Last year I saved my money to buy this awesome Lego set and—”
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” said Benjamin, “but what is a Lego set? I’ve been gone from the colonies for a couple of years. Is this some kind of new toy?”
“Um, yeah,” Tommy said reluctantly. “They’re sort of like building blocks but they have pieces that connect together and you can build all kinds of things. I have this Lego set with instructions to build the Death Star, you know, from Star Wars and—”
“Tommy has quite the imagination,” I said, cutting in laughing as I nudged Tommy.
“Instructions to build a star of death? For children? Interesting,” muse
d Benjamin.
“Anyway,” Tommy continued, “I knew the exact price of this Lego set because I wrote it down and looked at it every week. I did lots of chores and worked hard and saved my money. When I had earned enough my mom took me to the store to purchase it. I put the exact change on the counter but the salesperson said it wasn’t enough. I’m really good at numbers so I knew I wasn’t wrong. That’s when my mom told me that I’d forgotten about the tax. I thought, the what? The sales tax, she said. And that’s when I learned that we pay a little extra on everything we buy and that little extra money, the sales tax, goes back to the government.”
“And tell me, Tommy, how did this tax make you feel?” Benjamin Franklin asked.
“Well, at first I didn’t think it was fair, but then she said if we all pay a sales tax then that money goes to help run the city. She said this way everyone can enjoy things like public schools, libraries, highways, and police and fire protection. Once I realized all the places and services I get to enjoy because of all the taxes that are collected, I really didn’t mind paying a little bit every time I buy something.”
“You are a very smart boy, Tommy,” said Benjamin. “But what if the money from those taxes wasn’t used to build up your city or bless its citizens? What if your tax money was being used for something you didn’t agree with? What if there was no real benefit to anyone at all?”
Tommy thought for a second and said, “Well, um, wouldn’t that be stealing? That doesn’t seem fair.”
“And that’s why the colonists are angry,” I said.
“Yes,” said Benjamin. “The Stamp Act is making the colonists pay extra money on something they didn’t vote for. It is a tax that gives nothing back to the community. And we believe it is something that Parliament is doing to undercut our businesses and the success we are having.”
“But why do they call it the Stamp Act? I don’t get it?” asked Tommy.
“It is called the Stamp Act because a stamp is placed on all paper products reminding the colonists that England is still in charge,” said Benjamin.
“You mean I have to pay a tax on anything I buy made from paper?” Tommy asked again.
Benjamin replied, “Anything and everything! Newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, legal documents of all kinds, ships’ papers, licenses, and even playing cards. The act was to be enforced by stamp agents with severe penalties for any who would not pay. However, the colonists are putting a stop to it. Many resist paying the stamp tax. I would not be surprised if someday they rebel against the Empire.”
Tommy laughed and said, “That sounds a lot like Star Wars.”
“Well, I’m not familiar with a star war,” said Benjamin, “but if the thirteen colonies continue to rebel and resist, it is just a matter of time before the empire strikes back!”
“That’s exactly what happens in Star Wars!” Tommy shouted. “And then the rebels are forced to retreat until the return of the Jedi!”
I forced a nervous laugh and said, “Ha! Jedi! That’s Tommy’s special word for hero! Isn’t it, Tommy?”
“Oh, um, yeah,” Tommy said. “That’s right. I made it up. Jedi heroes like William Bradford and Myles Standish! All they wanted was freedom! We can’t let them down.”
“No worries, Tommy,” I said. “I saw colonists in Boston burning anything that had a tax stamp on it. And I’ve read about how the colonists are threatening the stamp agents. I even heard that one agent was tarred and feathered for trying to enforce the Stamp Act.”
Tommy’s eyes went wide and asked, “When you say ‘tarred and feathered’ do you mean . . .”
“I am afraid so,” said Benjamin. “It is a barbaric and cruel act to slop hot tar on someone’s body and then pour goose feathers on top of them.”
“Oh, wow,” Tommy said. “This is really getting serious.”
As the carriage slowed Benjamin looked out the window and said, “We have arrived at the Palace of Westminster. And it appears that the fog has lifted.”
In 1765, England was said to be the most powerful country in the world and as I peered out the window I saw that the Palace of Westminster was certainly reflective of that power. The massive stone building, originally built in the Middle Ages, had several tall, castle-like structures that overlooked the River Thames. A beautiful courtyard landscaped with well-trimmed shrubs and trees welcomed us. The overall site was breathtaking.
The carriage stopped and as the door opened Benjamin said, “Follow me, gentlemen. I am honored to have you as my guests.”
As we exited the carriage I turned to Tommy and whispered, “This building is where the British lords and lawmakers come to govern. In the United States, the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., is the equivalent.”
In the courtyard that surrounded the steps leading to two ornately carved doors were dozens of men. I assumed these were the lords and lawmakers of England. They were dressed in the finest waistcoats, vests, and breeches. Most wore white wigs or their hair was pulled back and tied off with a ribbon.
The sound of a large bell rung through the plaza and the men responded by filing into the palace doors.
“Now, let’s see if I can get these British gents to repeal the Stamp Act!” said Benjamin as we followed him into the Palace.
We were the last ones to enter the building, so Liberty took a deep breath and slipped in behind us like he was wearing an invisibility cloak.
Chapter 4
Benjamin sat in a wooden chair behind a well-crafted wooden desk in the middle of a large room. On the walls, masterful oil paintings of former British monarchs hung in grandiose golden frames. Exquisitely carved half columns stood against the walls and reached up to a high ceiling. Three hundred seventy members of Parliament sat in theater seating on either side listening to Franklin’s testimony about the colonies’ reaction to the Stamp Act. Without question, Benjamin Franklin looked exhausted after answering more than 170 questions. He took another sip of water and waited for another member of Parliament to ask yet another question. Secretively, I continued to record the proceedings with my smartphone.
“He’s not being questioned, he’s being interrogated,” Tommy whispered from the back of the room. “I feel really bad for him. He’s got to be really tired.”
The House of Commons in session in 1710.
“Remember that he is fighting for freedom. Some people fight for it on the battlefield and some fight for it in a court of law,” I said.
“Well, it just goes to show how smart he is. These guys in Parliament keep trying to mess with his mind. It’s like they keep asking the same questions to see if he’ll give different answers,” Tommy said.
“Yes, some lawyers and politicians can be very crafty. I don’t think they realize who they are dealing with,” I said, softly.
“No kidding. I’d totally pick him to be on my debate team,” said Tommy with a big grin.
“What did I miss?” asked Liberty, who suddenly appeared behind a large curtain in the back of the stuffy room. Liberty was present for the first thirty minutes of questioning but then disappeared to find a snack.
“They just passed a law that gives donkeys special privileges over horses,” Tommy whispered to Liberty.
“What!” shouted Liberty. The word reverberated off the walls and ceiling. Thankfully, it was difficult to know where the sound was coming from.
“Order!” said the prime minister, who acted as the judge and pounded his gavel. “We will have order during the questioning. Next question.”
Another member of Parliament raised his hand and asked, “If the Stamp Act is not repealed, what do you think will be the consequences? How will the people of America respond?”
Benjamin sighed but calmly replied, “A total loss of respect and affection for Great Britain.”
Another question came from the other side of the room. “Do you think the people of America would submit to pay the stamp tax if it were moderated?”
Again, Benjamin replied, “No, never, unless compelled
by force of arms.”
Still another question: “Do they realize the British Empire owes a lot of money to those who helped us fight the French and Indian War—a war that was fought on American soil? Do you think it right that America should be protected by this country and pay no part of the expense?”
Without flinching Benjamin replied, “The colonies raised, clothed, and paid nearly twenty-five thousand men and spent millions during the French and Indian war. Candidly, they believe they have paid their part in full.”
“One final question for Mr. Franklin,” called the prime minister. “We have heard that the Americans claim ‘No taxation without representation.’ The fact is Parliament has the right to tax the colonies with or without their consent. Can anything less than a military force carry the Stamp Act into execution?”
Benjamin Franklin smiled the most convincing smile he could give and said with boldness, “I do not see how a military force can be applied to that purpose.”
Murmurs spread across the great room and echoed off the walls.
“Why may it not?” asked the prime minister.
“Suppose a military force is sent into America. They will find nobody in arms. What are they to do? They cannot force a man to take stamps who chooses to do without them. They will not find a rebellion. They may, indeed, make one.”
More murmuring rippled through the large hall and Benjamin Franklin took a deep breath and exhaled. The prime minister stood from his seat, pounding his gavel, and the meeting was adjourned.
“Let’s sneak out to the courtyard and wait for Mr. Franklin,” I said.
As we walked outside and down the stone walkway I was reminded again how beautiful London was. The courtyard was circular and symmetrical, with a round pond in the middle. A variety of perfectly pruned shrubs and bushes lined a variety of pathways. We walked to the center of the courtyard and Tommy said, “No wonder the Revolutionary War happened. There’s no way England and America are going to agree. They both think they’re right. And both sides are getting angrier and angrier. This is not going to end well.”
Rush Revere and the First Patriots: Time-Travel Adventures With Exceptional Americans Page 5