ty ofPennsylvaniaIn 1732, Franklin began compiling and publishing the annual Poor Richard'sAlmanac. With its homely virtues, it attracted a large amount of people interested in hiswork and made Franklin's name a household word. Franklin had gotten involved in politics and represented Pennsylvania at theAlbany Congress in 1754, called in response to the French and Indian Wars. In 1757,Franklin was sent to England to petition the king for the right to levy taxes. He remainedin England for the next five years, and in that time he obtained permission forPennsylvania to tax the estates of its proprietors, successfully repealed the Stamp Act, andrepresented the voice of several colonies. He befriended powerful British political leadersand wrote political satires and pamphlets on public affairs, helping keep the coloniesinformed on foreign affairs. During the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, Franklin spoke on theproblems of society, “I cannot but lament...the impending calamities Britain and hercolonies are about to suffer, from great Imprudencies on both sides- Passion governs, andshe never governs wisely- Anxiety begins to disturb my rest...” Benjamin Franklin-February 5, 1775. In 1776, Franklin went to France, as one of three commissioners, to help negotiateThe Treaty of Commerce and alliance, which was signed with Franklin’s help, in 1778.He then helped negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain, signed in Paris in 1783,known as the Treaty of Paris. He remained in France for nine years, working on tradetreaties. Franklin became a hero to the French, and his company was sought by diplomatsand nobility. He was honored by Louis XVI, and his portrait was placed on everythingfrom chamber pots to snuff boxes. Returning to the U.S. in 1785, Franklin served as a member at the ConstitutionalConvention in 1787 for 2 years. In 1787, he was elected the first president of thePennsylvania Soc...
