Politics encroached more upon his retirement than did science. For 20 years Franklin was America’s chief spokesman, so far as there was an America to speak for. Just like everyone, he also made some mistakes. The first was the adoption of his “Plan of Union” by the Albany congress, assembled in 1754to make common cause against the French and Indians. It proposed a general council, with representatives from the several colonies, having the power to tax, organize the common defense and supervise Indian relationships and new settlements. A president appointed by the king, was the have the veto power, as was the king himself if he exercised it within three years. They did not accept it for the loss of power. The realities of political action nearly ruined Franklin in 1755, when he promised Pennsylvania farmers to stand good for any losses they might sustain if they used their horses and wagons to supply Gen. Edward Breaddock’s army in its expedition against Ft. Duquesne. For more than two months it looked like he might have to pay almost $20,000 out of his own pocket. The government paid, but Franklin was thereafter more cautious about his commitments.

Franklin was 79 when he made his last journey home. He had a stone in his bladder, which made carriage travel an agony. In Philadelphia he was elected to the executive council of the state and a few days later chosen president, serving t

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