Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Franklin arrives in London on July 27, 1757. He attempts to gain support from the proprietary governors. However, Franklin discovers a lack of support from England and claims he was told that the “Law of the Land” revolves around the king being “the Legislator of the Colonies” (157). Franklin expresses his surprise, claiming that he believed the colonies served as charters with the Assemblies able to make their own laws. Franklin debates this issue with representatives of the British government, and he writes a list of the Assembly’s complaints and proposals to be reviewed. After a legal battle over taxes, the British government and the Assembly, as represented by Franklin, come to a compromise.

Franklin returns to Philadelphia. The autobiography ends with the proprietary governors threatening to have Governor Denny removed from office for passing the Assembly’s proposal. However, the threats are never executed. Ultimately, Franklin learns that the American colonies do not have the right to make any of their own laws.