Friends and Countrymen,
朋友们，同胞们：
“B. FRANKLIN.”
本·富兰克林
“Note.– My son, William Franklin, is empowered to enter into like contracts with any person in Cumberland county.”
备注——我儿威廉·富兰克林有权在昆布兰郡与任何人订立此类合同。
“Being occasionally at the camp at Frederic a few days since, I found the general and officers extremely exasperated on account of their not being supplied with horses and carriages, which had been expected from this province, as most able to furnish them; but, through the dissensions between our governor and Assembly, money had not been provided, nor any steps taken for that purpose.
几天之前我偶然到弗雷德利敦军营去，我发现那位将军和军官们因为缺乏马匹和车辆，感到十分恼怒。他们本来以为宾夕法尼亚州最有能力，期待着本州提供这些便利，但是由于我们的州长和州议会意见不合，我们既没有拨款，又没有为此采取其他措施。
“It was proposed to send an armed force immediately into these counties, to seize as many of the best carriages and horses as should be wanted, and compel as many persons into the service as would be necessary to drive and take care of them.
有人提议立即派遣一支武装部队进入本州各郡，按照需要强占必要数量的最优良的车辆和马匹，并强征必要数量的人民入伍，来驾驭和照料车辆和马匹。
“To the inhabitants of the Counties of Lancaster, York and”
告兰加斯德、约克和昆布兰郡居民书
“I apprehended that the progress of British soldiers through these counties on such an occasion, especially considering the temper they are in, and their resentment against us, would be attended with many and great inconveniences to the inhabitants, and therefore more willingly took the trouble of trying first what might be done by fair and equitable means. The people of these back counties have lately complained to the Assembly that a sufficient currency was wanting; you have an opportunity of receiving and dividing among you a very considerable sum; for, if the service of this expedition should continue, as it is more than probable it will, for one hundred and twenty days, the hire of these waggons and horses will amount to upward of thirty thousand pounds, which will be paid you in silver and gold of the king’s money.
我怕英国士兵带着这样的使命进入本州各郡，特别是考虑到他们目前的愤怒和他们对我们的怨恨，会使居民遭受到许许多多巨大的不便。因此我更愿意不辞辛劳，试用公平合理的方法来解决这个问题。本州边缘地区的居民最近曾向州议会诉苦说他们缺少货币，现在你们就有一个机会可以获得和分享一个相当巨大的数目。因为假如这次征讨的服役继续到一百二十天的话（看上去它必然会这样），租用这些车辆和马匹的租费会超过三万镑之数，他们将用英王的金银币来支付这些租金。
“If you are really, as I believe you are, good and loyal subjects to his majesty, you may now do a most acceptable service, and make it easy to yourselves; for three or four of such as can not separately spare from the business of their plantations a waggon and four horses and a driver, may do it together, one furnishing the waggon, another one or two horses, and another the driver, and divide the pay proportionately between you; but if you do not this service to your king and country voluntarily, when such good pay and reasonable terms are offered to you, your loyalty will be strongly suspected. The king’s business must be done; so many brave troops, come so far for your defense, must not stand idle through your backwardness to do what may be reasonably expected from you; waggons and horses must be had; violent measures will probably be used, and you will be left to seek for a recompense where you can find it, and your case, perhaps, be little pitied or regarded.
如果你们真像我相信你们那样是英王陛下的善良而忠实的臣民，现在你们倒有一个尽忠的机会了，而且做起来也可以使得你们自己不感到困难。若是因为忙于种植，因而不能单独提供一辆马车，四匹马和一位御者，那么三四家合起来就可以了，一家出车，另一家出一匹或两匹马，另一家出一个御者，租费你们可以按比例分摊。假如面对着这样优厚的待遇和合理的酬报，你们仍不肯自动地效忠报国，那么人们就会大大地怀疑你们的忠心了。国王的任务必须完成。那么多勇敢的战士，千里迢迢来保卫你们，决不能因为你们玩忽你们应尽的责任而袖手旁观；车辆和马匹既是非有不可，因此他们可能采取强制手段，到时你们就会呼援无门，雪冤乏术了，而且也许很少人会同情和关心你们哩！
“The service will be light and easy, for the army will scarce march above twelve miles per day, and the waggons and baggage-horses, as they carry those things that are absolutely necessary to the welfare of the army, must march with the army, and no faster; and are, for the army’s sake, always placed where they can be most secure, whether in a march or in a camp.
这种服役是轻便而容易的，因为这支军队一天走不了二十英里路。这些运货马车和搬运行李的马匹，因为它们所运输的东西是对军队的福利绝对必要的，所以必须跟着部队走，不能走得太快，并且为了军队起见，不论在行军或扎营时，这些车马总是放置在最安全的地方的。
I received of the general about eight hundred pounds, to be disbursed in advance-money to the waggon owners, etc.; but, that sum being insufficient, I advanc’d upward of two hundred pounds more, and in two weeks the one hundred and fifty waggons, with two hundred and fifty-nine carrying horses, were on their march for the camp. The advertisement promised payment according to the valuation, in case any waggon or horse should be lost. The owners, however, alleging they did not know General Braddock, or what dependence might be had on his promise, insisted on my bond for the performance, which I accordingly gave them.
我从将军那里领到约八百镑，作为付给车主等人的预支租金，但是因为这笔款项还不够，我又垫付了两百多镑。两星期后一百五十辆马车和两百五十九匹驭马就启程向军营出发了。那广告本来就讲好如有车马损失，照估价赔偿。但是物主说，他们不认识布剌多克将军，或是他们不知道他的诺言是否可靠，所以他们坚持要我亲自担保，于是我就担保了。
“I have no particular interest in this affair, as, except the satisfaction of endeavoring to do good, I shall have only my labour for my pains. If this method of obtaining the waggons and horses is not likely to succeed, I am obliged to send word to the general in fourteen days; and I suppose Sir John St. Clair, the hussar, with a body of soldiers, will immediately enter the province for the purpose, which I shall be sorry to hear, because I am very sincerely and truly your friend and well-wisher, B. FRANKLIN.”
这件事对我没有特别的利害关系，因为除了满足我行善的愿望以外，我只是鞠躬尽瘁，心焦神疲而已。假如用这一办法不能获得所需的车辆和马匹的话，那么在两星期之内我就只好报告那位将军。我猜想轻骑兵约翰·圣克莱爵士会立刻带着一队士兵到宾夕法尼亚来找车马。到那时我将感到十分遗憾，因为我是你们最真诚忠实的朋友和同情者。本·富兰克林
While I was at the camp, supping one evening with the officers of Colonel Dunbar’s regiment, he represented to me his concern for the subalterns, who, he said, were generally not in affluence, and could ill afford, in this dear country, to lay in the stores that might be necessary in so long a march, thro’ a wilderness, where nothing was to be purchas’d. I commiserated their case, and resolved to endeavor procuring them some relief. I said nothing, however, to him of my intention, but wrote the next morning to the committee of the Assembly, who had the disposition of some public money, warmly recommending the case of these officers to their consideration, and proposing that a present should be sent them of necessaries and refreshments. My son, who had some experience of a camp life, and of its wants, drew up a list for me, which I enclos’d in my letter. The committee approv’d, and used such diligence that, conducted by my son, the stores arrived at the camp as soon as the waggons.
有一天晚上我在军营里跟丹巴上校联队的军官们共进晚餐，丹巴上校告诉我他替他的部下担忧，他说这些军官们收入一般都不多，在这米珠薪桂的国度里，这次经过旷无人烟地区的长征中所必需的日用品，他们无力购买。我对他们的处境表示同情，决定设法替他们想些补救办法。但是我没有告诉他我的意图，第二天上午我就写了一封信给一个有权支配一些公款的委员会，热诚地希望他们考虑这些军官的处境，提议赠送给他们一些饮食和日用必需品。我的儿子对于军营的生活和需要曾经有过一些经验和体会，他替我开了一张单子，我就把它附在信里。委员会同意了我的请求，这件事办理得如此迅速，当宾州的马车队到达军营时，这些日用必需品也由我儿子押运着送到了。
They consisted of twenty parcels, each containing
共计二十包，每包计有：
6 lbs. good ground coffee.
上等咖啡粉六磅。
1 bottle flour of mustard.
芥末粉一瓶。
6 lbs. raisins.
葡萄干六磅。
1 lb. good bohea do.
上等武彝茶一磅。
6 lbs. loaf sugar.
塔糖六磅。
1 lb. good green tea. butter.
上等绿茶一磅。
2 gallons Jamaica spirits.
牙买加酒二加仑。
2 doz. old Madeira wine.
陈年白葡萄酒二打。
1 quart best white wine vinegar
优等白酒醋一夸尔。
6 lbs. rice.
米六磅。
1-2 lb. pepper.
胡椒半磅。
2 well-cur’d hams.
上等熏腿二只。
These twenty parcels, well pack’d, were placed on as many horses, each parcel, with the horse, being intended as a present for one officer. They were very thankfully receiv’d, and the kindness acknowledg’d by letters to me from the colonels of both regiments, in the most grateful terms. The general, too, was highly satisfied with my conduct in procuring him the waggons, etc., and readily paid my account of disbursements, thanking me repeatedly, and requesting my farther assistance in sending provisions after him. I undertook this also, and was busily employ’d in it till we heard of his defeat, advancing for the service of my own money, upwards of one thousand pounds sterling, of which I sent him an account. It came to his hands, luckily for me, a few days before the battle, and he return’d me immediately an order on the paymaster for the round sum of one thousand pounds, leaving the remainder to the next account. I consider this payment as good luck, having never been able to obtain that remainder, of which more hereafter.
这二十个大包，包装得好好的，放在二十匹马上。每一个包跟一匹马一同送给一个军官。军官们收到这些礼物时，感激莫名，两个联队的上校都写信给我，表示衷心的感谢。将军看我替他租到了车辆等物也感到十分满意，马上偿还了我的垫款，再三地向我道谢，并且要求我继续协助他，替他输送粮秣。这事我也答应了，并且忙忙碌碌地采办着军粮直到我们听到他败北的消息为止，我私人替他的军队垫付了英币一千镑以上，我寄了一张账单给他。幸亏在这次会战开始的前几天，他收到了这张账单，他立即寄回来一张汇单，命令军需官付还给我一千镑的整数，余数并入下次账目。现在我认为能够收回这笔款子是侥天之幸，因为以后我就永远未曾能够收回余数。这件事以后我还要提到。
1-2 cwt. best white biscuit.
上等饼干五十磅。
1-2 dozen dry’d tongues.
腌舌半打。
1 kegg containing 20 lbs. good
上等牛油一小桶（二十磅）。
6 lbs. good Muscovado do.
上等黑糖六磅。
6 lbs. chocolate.
巧克力六磅。
1 Gloucester cheese.
格罗斯忒干酪一枚。
In conversation with him one day, he was giving me some account of his intended progress. “After taking Fort Duquesne,” says he, “I am to proceed to Niagara; and, having taken that, to Frontenac, if the season will allow time; and I suppose it will, for Duquesne can hardly detain me above three or four days; and then I see nothing that can obstruct my march to Niagara.” Having before revolv’d in my mind the long line his army must make in their march by a very narrow road, to be cut for them thro’ the woods and bushes, and also what I had read of a former defeat of fifteen hundred French, who invaded the Iroquois country, I had conceiv’d some doubts and some fears for the event of the campaign. But I ventur’d only to say, “To be sure, sir, if you arrive well before Duquesne, with these fine troops, so well provided with artillery, that place not yet compleatly fortified, and as we hear with no very strong garrison, can probably make but a short resistance. The only danger I apprehend of obstruction to your march is from ambuscades of Indians, who, by constant practice, are dexterous in laying and executing them; and the slender line, near four miles long, which your army must make, may expose it to be attack’d by surprise in its flanks, and to be cut like a thread into several pieces, which, from their distance, can not come up in time to support each other.”
有一天，我跟他谈话，他稍稍告诉我他进军的计划，他说：“攻下了度垦堡以后，我将直捣尼加拉；攻下尼加拉以后，如果季节还不太晚的话，我将进取方替耐克。我想季节一定不会太晚，因为度垦堡阻拦不了我们三四天，度垦堡一下，我就不知道有什么东西可以拦阻我进攻尼加拉了。”在这以前我老早就认为，当他的军队在一条羊肠小道中进军时，他必然要把队伍拉得很长，而这条小道就可以因森林和丛林而被切断，我也想到我曾经读到过，前一次有一千五百个侵入伊洛奎印第安人地区的法国人遭到了失败，因此我有点怀疑，同时我也替这次出征捏一把汗。但是我鼓足勇气只敢说：“当然喽，将军大人，如果你带着一支有这么多大炮配备的优秀部队安全地到达度垦堡，因为度垦堡的防御工程尚未完成，而且听说驻军人数也不多，所以一定指日可下。但是我担心的只是印第安人的埋伏可能阻碍你的进军。印第安人对于埋伏行之有素，因此在掩护和偷袭方面都是十分巧妙敏捷的。你的军队的行军行列必然拉得很长，几乎有四英里之远，这样它可能遭受到从侧面来的突击，可能被切成几段。由于距离过远，被切断的部分不可能及时地相互支援。”
This general was, I think, a brave man, and might probably have made a figure as a good officer in some European war. But he had too much self-confidence, too high an opinion of the validity of regular troops, and too mean a one of both Americans and Indians. George Croghan, our Indian interpreter, join’d him on his march with one hundred of those people, who might have been of great use to his army as guides, scouts, etc., if he had treated them kindly; but he slighted and neglected them, and they gradually left him.
这位将军我倒以为是一个勇敢的人，在某些欧洲的战争中他很可能成为一位优秀军官。但是他的自信力太强，对于正规军队的作战力量估计过高，对于美洲殖民地人民和印第安人两者估计过低。我们的印第安语翻译乔治·克罗干带了一百名印第安人参加了他的进军，这些印第安人，如果他好好地待他们，可能作为向导、侦察兵等，对他的军队大有用处，但是他看不起他们，怠慢了他们，所以后来他们慢慢地离开了。
He smil’d at my ignorance, and reply’d, “These savages may, indeed, be a formidable enemy to your raw American militia, but upon the king’s regular and disciplin’d troops, sir, it is impossible they should make any impression.” I was conscious of an impropriety in my disputing with a military man in matters of his profession, and said no more. The enemy, however, did not take the advantage of his army which I apprehended its long line of march expos’d it to, but let it advance without interruption till within nine miles of the place; and then, when more in a body (for it had just passed a river, where the front had halted till all were come over), and in a more open part of the woods than any it had pass’d, attack’d its advanced guard by a heavy fire from behind trees and bushes, which was the first intelligence the general had of an enemy’s being near him. This guard being disordered, the general hurried the troops up to their assistance, which was done in great confusion, thro’ waggons, baggage, and cattle; and presently the fire came upon their flank: the officers, being on horseback, were more easily distinguish’d, pick’d out as marks, and fell very fast; and the soldiers were crowded together in a huddle, having or hearing no orders, and standing to be shot at till two-thirds of them were killed; and then, being seiz’d with a panick, the whole fled with precipitation.
他笑我愚昧无知，他回答说：“的确，这些生番对于你们未经训练的美洲殖民地民兵可能是强敌，但是对于英王陛下的久经训练的正规军，先生，他们是毫不足道的。”我想到我没有资格跟一个军人争辩他专业上的问题，所以我就不再多说了。但是敌人并没有像我担心那样地乘机攻击他那漫长的队伍，他们让它继续前进，不加阻挠，直到离目的地九英里的地方。那时，部队比较集中（因为部队刚渡过了河，先头部队停止前进等待着全军过河），而且处在一块比以前所经过的地方更宽广的林间空地上，就在这里，敌人从树后和丛林后面用密集的火力向先锋部队进攻。到这时将军才第一次知道原来敌人就近在咫尺。先锋部队既然已经秩序大乱，将军就催促大军上前援助，但是由于马车、行李和牲口的缘故，队伍的前进就十分紊乱。不久敌人从他们的侧面开了火。军官们因为骑在马上，是鲜明的目标，成为众矢之的，很快地都倒下了。士兵们挤在一起，也听不到军官们的号令，只是呆在那里给人射击，直到他们当中三分之二的士兵都中弹而死了，到了那时，他们恐慌极了，大家就慌张地逃走了。
The waggoners took each a horse out of his team and scamper’d; their example was immediately followed by others; so that all the waggons, provisions, artillery, and stores were left to the enemy. The general, being wounded, was brought off with difficulty; his secretary, Mr. Shirley, was killed by his side; and out of eighty-six officers, sixty-three were killed or wounded, and seven hundred and fourteen men killed out of eleven hundred. These eleven hundred had been picked men from the whole army; the rest had been left behind with Colonel Dunbar, who was to follow with the heavier part of the stores, provisions, and baggage. The flyers, not being pursu’d, arriv’d at Dunbar’s camp, and the panick they brought with them instantly seiz’d him and all his people; and, tho’ he had now above one thousand men, and the enemy who bad beaten Braddock did not at most exceed four hundred Indians and French together, instead of proceeding, and endeavoring to recover some of the lost honour, he ordered all the stores, ammunition, etc., to be destroy’d, that he might have more horses to assist his flight towards the settlements, and less lumber to remove. He was there met with requests from the governors of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, that he would post his troops on the frontiers, so as to afford some protection to the inhabitants; but he continu’d his hasty march thro’ all the country, not thinking himself safe till he arriv’d at Philadelphia, where the inhabitants could protect him. This whole transaction gave us Americans the first suspicion that our exalted ideas of the prowess of British regulars had not been well founded.
赶车的每人从牲口中拉出一匹马来，匆忙地逃走了。其他的人立即模仿了他们的榜样，因此所有的马车、粮秣、大炮和军火全丢给敌人了。那位将军受了伤，好容易才把他救了出来。他的秘书瑟力先生在他的身边中弹而死。八十六名军官中，死伤的达六十三人之多，一千一百个士兵中死了七百十四个。这一千一百个士兵是全军中的精华，其余的部队留在后方归丹巴上校率领，按照原定的计划丹巴上校将押运着大量的军火、粮秣和行李追踪前进。逃走的士兵并没有受到敌人的追袭，他们逃到了丹巴的军营里，他们所带来的恐慌立即使得丹巴上校和他的部下惊惶失措。虽然他现在还有一千多人，而击溃布剌多克的敌人最多总共也不会超过四百名印第安人和法国人。他不但不向前进军，设法雪耻，反而命令把全部粮秣和弹药等物加以销毁，免受拖累，以期获得更多的马匹帮助他逃回殖民地。当时弗吉尼亚、马里兰和宾夕法尼亚的州长们请求他把军队驻扎在边境上，以便保护居民，但是他匆匆忙忙地继续撤退，一直退到费城，那里的居民可以保护他，他才觉得自己安全了。这件事第一次使我们美洲殖民地人民想到：我们对于英国正规军的勇敢无敌推崇备至，是毫无根据的。
In their first march, too, from their landing till they got beyond the settlements, they had plundered and stripped the inhabitants, totally ruining some poor families, besides insulting, abusing, and confining the people if they remonstrated. This was enough to put us out of conceit of such defenders, if we had really wanted any. How different was the conduct of our French friends in 1781, who, during a march thro’ the most inhabited part of our country from Rhode Island to Virginia, near seven hundred miles, occasioned not the smallest complaint for the loss of a pig, a chicken, or even an apple.
并且在登陆后经过村落的第一次行军中，他们抢劫掳掠，无所不为，使得某些穷苦家庭完全破产。居民若敢违抗，则侮辱虐待和幽禁接踵而至。这件事就足够使我们厌弃这种保卫者了，假如我们真正需要人来保卫的话。这与我们法国友人的行为是多么不同呀！法国人在一七八一年从罗特岛到弗吉尼亚，经过我国人口最稠密的地区，在近七百英里的行军中，秋毫无犯，没有人因失去一只猪、一只鸡或者甚至一只苹果而抱怨过。
Captain Orme, who was one of the general’s aids-de-camp, and, being grievously wounded, was brought off with him, and continu’d with him to his death, which happen’d in a few days, told me that he was totally silent all the first day, and at night only said, “Who would have thought it?” That he was silent again the following day, saying only at last, “We shall better know how to deal with them another time;” and dy’d in a few minutes after.
那位将军的一个副官欧姆上尉受了重伤，跟将军一起被救了出来，并且继续跟他住在一起，直到几天后将军死亡为止。欧姆上尉告诉我将军在第一天一句话也没有说，在夜间他只说：“谁想得到呀！”第二天他又沉默了，到了最后只是说：“下一次我们就知道如何对付他们了。”几分钟以后他就死了。
As to rewards from himself, I ask’d only one, which was, that he would give orders to his officers not to enlist any more of our bought servants, and that he would discharge such as had been already enlisted. This he readily granted, and several were accordingly return’d to their masters, on my application. Dunbar, when the command devolv’d on him, was not so generous. He being at Philadelphia, on his retreat, or rather flight, I apply’d to him for the discharge of the servants of three poor farmers of Lancaster county that he had enlisted, reminding him of the late general’s orders on that bead. He promised me that, if the masters would come to him at Trenton, where he should be in a few days on his march to New York, he would there deliver their men to them. They accordingly were at the expense and trouble of going to Trenton, and there he refus’d to perform his promise, to their great loss and disappointment.
从将军本人，我只要求一个酬谢，那就是请他命令他的部下不要再征募我们的契约奴仆，已经征募的请他释放。这件事他很快地应允了，因此有几个契约奴仆，经过我的申请，重新归还他们的主人。当军权转入丹巴手中时，丹巴就不那么慷慨了。当他退却或是逃奔到费城时，我请他释放兰加斯德三个穷苦农民家的被征募的仆人，同时提醒他故将军关于这方面的命令。他向我保证，他的军队就要开到纽约去，几天之后他将在特棱吞，如果这些主人到特棱吞去看他，他在那里会把他们的仆人还给他们。于是这些农民破费了川资，不辞辛劳地到特棱吞去，到了那里他拒绝实践他的诺言，致使他们大失所望，而且所费不赀。
The secretary’s papers, with all the general’s orders, instructions, and correspondence, falling into the enemy’s hands, they selected and translated into French a number of the articles, which they printed, to prove the hostile intentions of the British court before the declaration of war. Among these I saw some letters of the general to the ministry, speaking highly of the great service I had rendered the army, and recommending me to their notice. David Hume, too, who was some years after secretary to Lord Hertford, when minister in France, and afterward to General Conway, when secretary of state, told me he had seen among the papers in that office, letters from Braddock highly recommending me. But, the expedition having been unfortunate, my service, it seems, was not thought of much value, for those ecommendations were never of any use to me.
秘书的文件包括将军的全部命令、训令和通信，全部落入了敌人的手中，他们挑选了几件，把它翻成法文印了出来，证明英国人在宣战前已经具有敌意了。在这些发表的文件中，我看见几封将军写给内阁的信，信中对于我向陆军提供的巨大服务赞誉备至，并请他们注意我。大卫·休谟几年以后做了侯德福勋爵驻法公使任内的秘书，以后在昆威将军任国务大臣时，他又当了他的秘书，他也说他在国务大臣的档案中看到了布剌多克的信件，极力地推荐我。但是因为这次出征失利，人们大概认为我的协助也没有多大的价值，因为这些推荐对我从未发生过什么作用。
Before we had the news of this defeat, the two Doctors Bond came to me with a subscription paper for raising money to defray the expense of a grand firework, which it was intended to exhibit at a rejoicing on receipt of the news of our taking Fort Duquesne. I looked grave, and said it would, I thought, be time enough to prepare for the rejoicing when we knew we should have occasion to rejoice. They seem’d surpris’d that I did not immediately comply with their proposal. “Why the d — l!” says one of them, “you surely don’t suppose that the fort will not be taken?”
在我们接到失利的消息之前，有两位庞德医生带着募捐册来向我募捐，以便集资举办一次巨大的烟火，准备在获得我们攻下度垦堡的消息之后狂欢庆祝之用。我面孔很严肃，我说我认为当我们确实知道需要狂欢庆祝时，再来筹备也不为晚。他们好像很惊讶我没有立刻附和他们的建议。其中有一个人说：“唷！你总不会以为这个炮台打不下吧？”
As soon as the loss of the waggons and horses was generally known, all the owners came upon me for the valuation which I had given bond to pay. Their demands gave me a great deal of trouble, my acquainting them that the money was ready in the paymaster’s hands, but that orders for paying it must first be obtained from General Shirley, and my assuring them that I had apply’d to that general by letter; but, he being at a distance, an answer could not soon be receiv’d, and they must have patience, all this was not sufficient to satisfy, and some began to sue me. General Shirley at length relieved me from this terrible situation by appointing commissioners to examine the claims, and ordering payment. They amounted to near twenty thousand pound, which to pay would have ruined me.
等到关于车辆和马匹损失的消息普遍传开以后，所有的主人都向我索取由我作保的赔偿费。他们的要求使我大伤脑筋，我告诉他们赔偿的款项已经在军需官的手中了，但是付款的命令必须来自瑟力将军，我向他们保证说我已经向瑟力将军申请赔偿，但是因为他在远处，我们不能立即得到复信，他们必须有耐心。这一番话不能满足大家的要求，有的人开始向我提出诉讼了。最后瑟力将军终于使我解脱了这种可怕的处境，委派了几个委员来审查各人的要求和支付赔款。赔款总数几达两万镑之巨，如果要我赔偿，我就要破产了。
“I don’t know that it will not be taken, but I know that the events of war are subject to great uncertainty.” I gave them the reasons of my doubting; the subscription was dropt, and the projectors thereby missed the mortification they would have undergone if the firework had been prepared. Dr. Bond, on some other occasion afterward, said that he did not like Franklin’s forebodings.
“我并不以为这个炮台会攻不下，但是我知道胜败颇难预测。”我就告诉他们我之所以怀疑的理由，募捐就此作罢，因此他们总算避免了一件会使他们懊丧的事。如果他们买了烟火，他们定会悔恨交加呢！以后在另一个场合，庞德医生说他不喜欢富兰克林的凶兆感。
Governor Morris, who had continually worried the Assembly with message after message before the defeat of Braddock, to beat them into the making of acts to raise money for the defense of the province, without taxing, among others, the proprietary estates, and had rejected all their bills for not having such an exempting clause, now redoubled his attacks with more hope of success, the danger and necessity being greater. The Assembly, however, continu’d firm, believing they had justice on their side, and that it would be giving up an essential right if they suffered the governor to amend their money-bills. In one of the last, indeed, which was for granting fifty thousand pounds, his propos’d amendment was only of a single word. The bill expressed “that all estates, real and personal, were to be taxed, those of the proprietaries not excepted.” His amendment was, for not read only: a small, but very material alteration. However, when the news of this disaster reached England, our friends there, whom we had taken care to furnish with all the Assembly’s answers to the governor’s messages, rais’d a clamor against the proprietaries for their meanness and injustice in giving their governor such instructions; some going so far as to say that, by obstructing the defense of their province, they forfeited their right to it. They were intimidated by this, and sent orders to their receiver-general to add five thousand pounds of their money to whatever sum might be given by the Assembly for such purpose.
在布剌多克受到挫折之前，莫理斯州长不断地跟州议会纠缠不清，写了许多咨文，企图强迫州议会通过州防经费而免征业主财产，他否决了所有州议会的议案，因为它们没有豁免业主财产的条款。现在危险更大了，州防的需要也更加迫切了，所以他加紧向州议会进攻，达到目的的希望也越来越大了。但是，州议会还是坚定不移，因为他们相信正义是属于他们的，如果他们让州长修改他们的财政法案，他们的权限将受到严重的侵犯。在最后一批议案中有一个议案，拨款五万镑，的确，州长只建议了修改一个字。原来的议案说：“一切动产和不动产都得课税，业主的财产亦然。”州长把“亦”改成“不”字，修改虽不多，意义却有很大的变更。我们一直把州议会对州长咨文的答复寄给我们在英国的朋友。当这个军事失利的消息传到英国后，这些朋友们就哗然指责业主不应该对他们的州长发出这样卑鄙的非正义的训令。有的甚至说他们既然破坏了他们殖民地的州防，那么他们就丧失他们对该殖民地的权益了。他们受到了舆论的压力，就命令他们的岁入征收总管捐助五千镑，不论州议会通过多少州防经费。
While the several companies in the city and country were forming and learning their exercise, the governor prevail’d with me to take charge of our North-western frontier, which was infested by the enemy, and provide for the defense of the inhabitants by raising troops and building a line of forts. I undertook this military business, tho’ I did not conceive myself well qualified for it. He gave me a commission with full powers, and a parcel of blank commissions for officers, to be given to whom I thought fit. I had but little difficulty in raising men, having soon five hundred and sixty under my command. My son, who had in the preceding war been an officer in the army rais’d against Canada, was my aid-de-camp, and of great use to me. The Indians had burned Gnadenhut, a village settled by the Moravians, and massacred the inhabitants; but the place was thought a good situation for one of the forts.
当城市和乡村的几个连正在组织和训练的时候，我答应了州长的请求去接办我们西北部的边防，那里常有敌人出没，要我去训练团练，修建一连串的炮台来保卫当地的居民。我把这个军事任务承担下来，虽然我并不认为我自己是十分够格干这件事的。他给了我全权的委任状，给我一包空白的军官委任状，以便颁发给任何我认为合适的人。招募民兵我倒没有什么大困难，一下子我就招募了五百六十名，由我统率。我的儿子在上次战争中是攻打加拿大军队中的一名军官，就当了我的副官，他对我很有用。印第安人已经焚毁了纳登荷（这是一个弟兄派教友居住的村落），并且屠杀了当地的居民，但是我们认为这个地方是建筑炮台的一个好地点。
By this act I was appointed one of the commissioners for disposing of the money, sixty thousand pounds. I had been active in modelling the bill and procuring its passage, and had, at the same time, drawn a bill for establishing and disciplining of a voluntary militia, which I carried thro’ the House without much difficulty, as care was taken in it to leave the Quakers at their liberty. To promote the association necessary to form the militia, I wrote a dialogue, stating and answering all the objections I could think of to such a militia, which was printed, and had, as I thought, great effect.
根据这个决议，我是处理该项经费的委员之一，拨款共达六万镑。我积极地参与了这一议案的起草工作，并积极地使它获得通过。同时，我起草了一个建立和训练义勇军民兵的议案，并且很容易地使它在议会中获得通过，因为在议案中我们留意使得教友会教友可以保持自由。为了成立建立民兵所必需的团练，我写了一篇对话这篇对话和民兵法案刊登在《绅士杂志》，一七五六年二月三月号［富兰克林注］。，尽我所能地提出了一切反对这种民兵的想法，并加以答复和驳斥。这篇对话印了出来，我想发生了很大的效力。
This, being notified to the House, was accepted in lieu of their share of a general tax, and a new bill was form’d, with an exempting clause, which passed accordingly.
州议会接到了这样的通知以后，就接受了这五千镑作为他们应缴捐税的代金，接着就提出了一个新的议案，附有免税条文，于是议案就通过了。
In order to march thither, I assembled the companies at Bethlehem, the chief establishment of those people. I was surprised to find it in so good a posture of defense; the destruction of Gnadenhut had made them apprehend danger. The principal buildings were defended by a stockade; they had purchased a quantity of arms and ammunition from New York, and had even plac’d quantities of small paving stones between the windows of their high stone houses, for their women to throw down upon the heads of any Indians that should attempt to force into them. The armed brethren, too, kept watch, and reliev’d as methodically as in any garrison town. In conversation with the bishop, Spangenberg, I mention’d this my surprise; for, knowing they had obtained an act of Parliament exempting them from military duties in the colonies, I had suppos’d they were conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms. He answer’d me that it was not one of their established principles, but that, at the time of their obtaining that act, it was thought to be a principle with many of their people. On this occasion, however, they, to their surprise, found it adopted by but a few. It seems they were either deceiv’d in themselves, or deceiv’d the Parliament; but common sense, aided by present danger, will sometimes be too strong for whimsical opinions.
为了向纳登荷进军，我在伯利恒集合了连队，伯利恒是弟兄派教友的主要所在地。出乎意料地我发现伯利恒的防御准备做得非常好，因为纳登荷的毁灭使他们感到唇亡齿寒。该地主要的房屋都用栅栏防卫起来，他们从纽约购买了一些槍支和弹药，他们甚至在他们高大的石头房子的窗户与窗户之间，放置了许多铺路石，以备妇女们用来向任何企图侵入的印第安人的头部投掷。武装了起来的教友们也轮班看守，像任何驻防城市的守备队一样有条不紊地交替休息。在跟他们的主教施金堡谈话时，我提到了我感到的惊奇，因为我知道他们获得了议会的特许，豁免他们在殖民地的军役，我满以为他们是真心诚意认真地反对当兵的。他回答说反对服兵役不是他们确定的原则之一，但是在获得议会特许时，有人认为他们的信徒中有许多人是反对服兵役的。但是这一次，出乎意料地他们发现只有极少数人保留这种信仰。看来不是他们欺骗了他们自己，就是他们欺骗了州议会，但是常识和当前的危险结合起来有时候是能够克服怪僻的念头的。
It was the beginning of January when we set out upon this business of building forts. I sent one detachment toward the Minisink, with instructions to erect one for the security of that upper part of the country, and another to the lower part, with similar instructions; and I concluded to go myself with the rest of my force to Gnadenhut, where a fort was tho’t more immediately necessary. The Moravians procur’d me five waggons for our tools, stores, baggage, etc.
就在一月初，我们着手修筑炮台了。我派遣了一个支队到密尼新克去，为了保护那个较高地区我命令他们修建一个炮台，我又派了另一个支队带着类似的使命到较低的地区去。最后我自己带着其余的部队到纳登荷去，在那里我们认为必须更迅速地修建一个炮台。那些弟兄派教友替我张罗了五辆运输马车，搬运我们的工具、粮秣、军火、行李等物。
Just before we left Bethlehem, eleven farmers, who had been driven from their plantations by the Indians, came to me requesting a supply of firearms, that they might go back and fetch off their cattle. I gave them each a gun with suitable ammunition. We had not march’d many miles before it began to rain, and it continued raining all day; there were no habitations on the road to shelter us, till we arriv’d near night at the house of a German, where, and in his barn, we were all huddled together, as wet as water could make us. It was well we were not attack’d in our march, for our arms were of the most ordinary sort, and our men could not keep their gun locks dry.
有十一个农民被印第安人从他们的农场上赶了出来。我们刚要从伯利恒出发时，他们跑来找我，请求发给他们火器，使得他们可以回去抢救牲口。我发给每人一枝槍和一些合用的子弹。我们还没有走几英里路，天就下起雨来了，而且整天不停。在路上也没有避雨的场所，到傍晚我们到了一个德国移民的家里，在他的堆房里我们大家紧紧地挤成一团，全身湿得像落汤鸡一样。幸亏我们在路上没有碰到敌人，因为我们的火器十分简陋，我们的士兵怎么也没法使槍机不受潮湿。
The next day being fair, we continu’d our march, and arriv’d at the desolated Gnadenhut. There was a saw-mill near, round which were left several piles of boards, with which we soon hutted ourselves; an operation the more necessary at that inclement season, as we had no tents. Our first work was to bury more effectually the dead we found there, who had been half interr’d by the country people.
第二天天晴了，我们就继续前进，到达了荒无人烟的纳登荷。在附近有一个锯木厂，厂旁还留着几堆木板，用这些木板我们不久就替我们自己建造些临时兵房，由于我们没有帐篷，在这样严寒的季节里修建兵房倒是十分必要的。我们第一件工作是更妥善地埋葬留在那里的尸首，在这以前乡下人只把它们早早收殓而已。
The next morning our fort was plann’d and mark’d out, the circumference measuring four hundred and fifty-five feet, which would require as many palisades to be made of trees, one with another, of a foot diameter each. Our axes, of which we had seventy, were immediately set to work to cut down trees, and, our men being dextrous in the use of them, great despatch was made. Seeing the trees fall so fast, I had the curiosity to look at my watch when two men began to cut at a pine; in six minutes they had it upon the ground, and I found it of fourteen inches diameter. Each pine made three palisades of eighteen feet long, pointed at one end. While these were preparing, our other men dug a trench all round, of three feet deep, in which the palisades were to be planted; and, our waggons, the bodys being taken off, and the fore and hind wheels separated by taking out the pin which united the two parts of the perch, we had ten carriages, with two horses each, to bring the palisades from the woods to the spot. When they were set up, our carpenters built a stage of boards all round within, about six feet high, for the men to stand on when to fire thro’ the loopholes. We had one swivel gun, which we mounted on one of the angles, and fir’d it as soon as fix’d, to let the Indians know, if any were within hearing, that we had such pieces; and thus our fort, if such a magnificent name may be given to so miserable a stockade, was finish’d in a week, though it rain’d so hard every other day that the men could not work.
第二天上午我们替我们的炮台做了个计划，选择了台基，炮台周围共长四百五十五英尺，这就需要四百五十五根栅栏，紧密排列，每根栅栏由直径一英尺的树干制成。我们共有七十把斧头，我们立即动手伐木，因为我们的士兵是伐木能手，所以效率很高。我看到伐木的速度是如此迅速，当两个人开始砍伐一棵松树时，我就好奇地望着我的表，不出六分钟他们两人已经把它砍倒在地上了，我发现那棵树的直径有十四英寸，每棵松树可制成三根长达十八英尺的栅栏，栅栏的一端削尖。当伐木工作正在进行时，我们的其他士兵在四围挖掘了深达三英尺的壕沟，以便把栅栏插入土中。我们把马车的车身拆掉，拔掉连接前后两段辕杆的钉子，把前后轮分开，这样我们就有了十辆马车了，每辆由两匹马拖拉，把栅栏从森林运到工地。当栅栏立好以后，我们的木工在圈内沿着栅栏用木板搭了一个搭脚，离地约有六英尺高，以备人们站在上面从槍眼中向外射击。我们有一门旋转炮，装在一个角上，一经装妥我们就开炮，通知印第安人（假如他们有人在附近的话），我们有了这种装备了。这样我们的炮台，假如我们如此简陋的栅栏用得上这样雄伟的名称的话，总算在一星期内完成了，尽管每隔一天就大雨倾盆，使得士兵们无法进行工作。
The Indians are dextrous in contrivances for that purpose, which we had not. They met that day the eleven poor farmers above mentioned, and killed ten of them. The one who escap’d inform’d that his and his companions’ guns would not go off, the priming being wet with the rain.
印第安人能想出巧妙的办法来保持槍机干燥，而我们却束手无策。就在当天这些印第安人碰见了上面提到的十一个可怜的农民，击毙了十个。那个从虎口里逃出来的唯一幸免者说他和他同伴的槍打不出去，因为槍管给雨淋湿了。
This gave me occasion to observe, that, when men are employ’d, they are best content’d; for on the days they worked they were good-natur’d and cheerful, and, with the consciousness of having done a good day’s work, they spent the evening jollily; but on our idle days they were mutinous and quarrelsome, finding fault with their pork, the bread, etc., and in continual ill-humor, which put me in mind of a sea-captain, whose rule it was to keep his men constantly at work; and, when his mate once told him that they had done every thing, and there was nothing further to employ them about, “Oh,” says he, “Make them scour the anchor.”
这件事给我一个机会看到，当人们在工作时，他们觉得非常满足，因为在他们工作的日子，他们温厚愉快，他们意识到自己完成了整整一天的工作，他们的晚间就过得很愉快。但是在空闲的日子里，他们就悖忤不驯，争吵不息，挑剔他们的伙食，不断地发脾气。这使我想起一个船长来了，他总是使他的水手们继续不断地工作着。有一次他的大副报告说，他们的工作全做完了，也找不到什么工作可叫他们做了。他说：“啊，叫他们洗刷锚吧。”
This kind of fort, however contemptible, is a sufficient defense against Indians, who have no cannon. Finding ourselves now posted securely, and having a place to retreat to on occasion, we ventur’d out in parties to scour the adjacent country. We met with no Indians, but we found the places on the neighboring hills where they had lain to watch our proceedings. There was an art in their contrivance of those places, that seems worth mention. It being winter, a fire was necessary for them; but a common fire on the surface of the ground would by its light have discovered their position at a distance. They had therefore dug holes in the ground about three feet diameter, and somewhat deeper; we saw where they had with their hatchets cut off the charcoal from the sides of burnt logs lying in the woods. With these coals they had made small fires in the bottom of the holes, and we observ’d among the weeds and grass the prints of their bodies, made by their laying all round, with their legs hanging down in the holes to keep their feet warm, which, with them, is an essential point. This kind of fire, so manag’d, could not discover them, either by its light, flame, sparks, or even smoke: it appear’d that their number was not great, and it seems they saw we were too many to be attacked by them with prospect of advantage.
尽管这种炮台鄙陋不堪，抵御没有大炮的印第安人，已经绰然有余了。当我们站稳了脚，在必要时，我们也有地可退之后，我们就大胆地结伴搜索邻近地区。我们没有碰到印第安人，但是我们在附近小山上却发现了他们躲藏着窥伺我们行动的地方。这些地方有一种巧妙的装置，似乎值得一提。这时候是冬季，印第安人需要烤火，但是如果在地面上生一个普通的火，那么在远处人们看见了光就知道他的位置了。因此他们在地上掘了直径约三英尺深三英尺余的洞。我们观察到他们怎样用斧头从森林里的烧焦木头边上砍下木炭来。用这些木炭他们就在洞底生起了小火，并且我们看到他们上半身躺在地洞四周草地上所留下的痕迹，他们的腿挂在洞里以保持足部温暖，保持足部温暖对他们是十分重要的。用这种方法来生火，敌人看不到火光、火焰和火星，甚至也看不到烟，因此他们就不会被发现。看来他们人数并不多，好像他们已经晓得我们的人数过多，他们要袭击也不能希望打胜仗。
I had hardly finish’d this business, and got my fort well stor’d with provisions, when I receiv’d a letter from the governor, acquainting me that he had call’d the Assembly, and wished my attendance there, if the posture of affairs on the frontiers was such that my remaining there was no longer necessary. My friends, too, of the Assembly, pressing me by their letters to be, if possible, at the meeting, and my three intended forts being now compleated, and the inhabitants contented to remain on their farms under that protection, I resolved to return; the more willingly, as a New England officer, Colonel Clapham, experienced in Indian war, being on a visit to our establishment, consented to accept the command. I gave him a commission, and, parading the garrison, had it read before them, and introduc’d him to them as an officer who, from his skill in military affairs, was much more fit to command them than myself; and, giving them a little exhortation, took my leave. I was escorted as far as Bethlehem, where I rested a few days to recover from the fatigue I had undergone. The first night, being in a good bed, I could hardly sleep, it was so different from my hard lodging on the floor of our hut at Gnaden wrapt only in a blanket or two.
这一工作刚完成，我在炮台里刚贮备了充分的粮秣以后，我接到了州长的一封来信，告诉我他已经召集了州议会，要我去参加会议，假如边境的形势不需要我再在那里的话。我在州议会里的友人们也来信劝我去开会，如果可能的话。现在我的三个炮台既然已经修建完毕了，居民们在炮台的保护之下也安心地留在自己的农场里了，我就决心回去。更高兴的是一个新英格兰的军官，叫做柯赖班上校，对于与印第安人战争颇有经验，刚巧到我们的地方来访问，同意担任指挥官的职务。我给他一张委任状，在检阅驻军时，我向全军宣读委任状，并把他介绍给全体士兵，我认为由于他的军事技能，他比我更适宜于做他们的指挥官。对他们讲了几句劝勉的话以后，我就离开了。他们护送我到伯利恒，在这里我小住了几天，消除疲劳，当我第一夜睡在一张舒适的床上时，我简直无法入睡，因为这与裹着一两条毯子睡在我们纳登荷木屋里的地板上，有天壤之别。
We had for our chaplain a zealous Presbyterian minister, Mr. Beatty, who complained to me that the men did not generally attend his prayers and exhortations. When they enlisted, they were promised, besides pay and provisions, a gill of rum a day, which was punctually serv’d out to them, half in the morning, and the other half in the evening; and I observ’d they were as punctual in attending to receive it; upon which I said to Mr. Beatty, “It is, perhaps, below the dignity of your profession to act as steward of the rum, but if you were to deal it out and only just after prayers, you would have them all about you.” He liked the tho’t, undertook the office, and, with the help of a few hands to measure out the liquor, executed it to satisfaction, and never were prayers more generally and more punctually attended; so that I thought this method preferable to the punishment inflicted by some military laws for non-attendance on divine service.
我们有一个热心的长老会牧师俾替先生充当我们的军中牧师，他向我抱怨说，士兵们一般不来参加祈祷会，不来听他的训诫。当他们应征时，除了饷银和伙食外，我们还答应每天给他们一及耳甜酒，我们按时发酒给他们喝，一半在上午，一半在晚上。我发现他们来喝酒倒是十分按时的。因此我跟俾替说：“作为一个牧师，要你去管理甜酒或许是有点屈尊，但是如果你等到祈祷会完毕后才发酒，他们都会来的。”他觉得这办法不错，接受了这个职位，有几个人帮他斟酒，这事进行得很顺利，祈祷会从未有过这样座无虚席、按时不误的情形，因此我认为与其用军法来处罚那些不参加礼拜仪式的人，倒不如用这种方法为妥。
While at Bethlehem, I inquir’d a little into the practice of the Moravians: some of them had accompanied me, and all were very kind to me. I found they work’d for a common stock, eat at common tables, and slept in common dormitories, great numbers together. In the dormitories I observed loopholes, at certain distances all along just under the ceiling, which I thought judiciously placed for change of air. I was at their church, where I was entertain’d with good musick, the organ being accompanied with violins, hautboys, flutes, clarinets, etc. I understood that their sermons were not usually preached to mixed congregations of men, women, and children, as is our common practice, but that they assembled sometimes the married men, at other times their wives, then the young men, the young women, and the little children, each division by itself. The sermon I heard was to the latter, who came in and were plac’d in rows on benches; the boys under the conduct of a young man, their tutor, and the girls conducted by a young woman. The discourse seem’d well adapted to their capacities, and was deliver’d in a pleasing, familiar manner, coaxing them, as it were, to be good. They behav’d very orderly, but looked pale and unhealthy, which made me suspect they were kept too much within doors, or not allow’d sufficient exercise.
在逗留伯利恒期间，我稍稍了解一下弟兄派教友的风尚。有几个弟兄派教友一直陪着我，所有的弟兄派教友都对我十分客气。我发现他们实行共产，伙食是集体的，许许多多人一起睡在集体宿舍里。我在宿舍里看到在靠近天花板处的四围墙上每隔一定的距离开一个气孔。我认为这些气孔为了流通空气，开在上端，是很适宜的，我参加了他们的礼拜仪式，当时我听到了优美的音乐，感到快慰，他们用提琴、箫、横笛、竖笛等乐器来伴奏风琴。我知道他们讲道时，不像我们平常那样，对男女老少混合的会众讲的，他们有时候召集已婚的男子，有时候召集他们的妻子，有时未婚青年男子、未婚青年女子和儿童分头集会。我曾听过他们向儿童说教。男孩由一个青年男子（他们的导师）带领，女孩由一个青年妇女带领进入会场，排队依次坐在凳子上。所讲的内容似乎颇适合他们的水平，讲时用一种亲切愉快的口吻，仿佛诱哄他们做乖孩子似的。他们的纪律颇好，但是似乎面色苍白，健康欠佳。我猜想他们被关在屋子里的时间太多了，或是运动太少了。
I inquir’d concerning the Moravian marriages, whether the report was true that they were by lot. I was told that lots were us’d only in particular cases; that generally, when a young man found himself dispos’d to marry, he inform’d the elders of his class, who consulted the elder ladies that govern’d the young women. As these elders of the different sexes were well acquainted with the tempers and dispositions of their respective pupils, they could best judge what matches were suitable, and their judgments were generally acquiesc’d in; but if, for example, it should happen that two or three young women were found to be equally proper for the young man, the lot was then recurred to. I objected, if the matches are not made by the mutual choice of the parties, some of them may chance to be very unhappy. “And so they may,” answer’d my informer, “if you let the parties chuse for themselves;” which, indeed, I could not deny.
我调查了弟兄派的婚姻习惯，想弄清楚他们是否像传说那样用抽签方式决定配偶的。他们告诉我只是在特殊情况下他们才用抽签来决定。在一般情况下，当一个青年男子打算结婚时，他就告诉他班上的长辈们，他们又跟那些管理青年女子的老年妇女商量，由于这些男女长辈们对于他们各人自己学生的性情脾气都很熟悉，他们最能判断谁配谁最合适，平常男女双方总是同意他们的决定的，但是比方说，假如他们认为有两三个青年女子都同样地适合一个青年男子，那时才使用抽签的办法。我提出了反对的意见说，如果婚姻不是由当事人自愿选择，他们当中可能有人会感到不满。告诉我这件事的人回答说：“就是你让当事人自己选择，他们也可能会产生不满。”这一点事实上我也无法否认。
Being returned to Philadelphia, I found the association went on swimmingly, the inhabitants that were not Quakers having pretty generally come into it, formed themselves into companies, and chose their captains, lieutenants, and ensigns, according to the new law. Dr. B. visited me, and gave me an account of the pains he had taken to spread a general good liking to the law, and ascribed much to those endeavors. I had had the vanity to ascribe all to my Dialogue; however, not knowing but that he might be in the right, I let him enjoy his opinion, which I take to be generally the best way in such cases. The officers, meeting, chose me to be colonel of the regiment, which I this time accepted. I forget how many companies we had, but we paraded about twelve hundred well-looking men, with a company of artillery, who had been furnished with six brass field-pieces, which they had become so expert in the use of as to fire twelve times in a minute. The first time I reviewed my regiment they accompanied me to my house, and would salute me with some rounds fired before my door, which shook down and broke several glasses of my electrical apparatus. And my new honour proved not much less brittle; for all our commissions were soon after broken by a repeal of the law in England.
回到了费城以后，我看到团练的事情进行得很顺利，除了教友会教友以外，其余的居民几乎全都加入了，他们按照新的法律把自己组成许多中队，选出了他们的上尉、中尉和少尉。B博士来看我，告诉我他在宣扬有关团练法律方面所做的努力，并且说这种努力有了重大的成就。在这以前我自己以为这一法律的通过全由于我的那篇《对话》。但是我想他所说的或许也有道理，所以我就让他保持他的意见。我想在这种情况下一般说来这是最好的办法。团练的军官们开会时，选举我做团队的团长，这一次我接受了这一职位，我忘了我们一共组织了多少中队，但是我们有一千两百个雄赳赳的战士列队游行，还有一中队的炮兵，他们带有六门铜质野战炮，他们使用这种野炮颇为纯熟，每分钟能发十二炮。在我第一次检阅了我的团队以后，炮兵们送我到家，坚持要在我家门口放几个礼炮，对我致敬，炮弹把我电学仪器上的几块玻璃震下来摔破了。事实上我的新荣誉也跟这些玻璃差不多一样地脆弱，因为不久以后英国政府废除了我们的团练法，我们的军衔也接着被撤销了。
During this short time of my colonelship, being about to set out on a journey to Virginia, the officers of my regiment took it into their heads that it would be proper for them to escort me out of town, as far as the Lower Ferry. Just as I was getting on horseback they came to my door, between thirty and forty, mounted, and all in their uniforms. I had not been previously acquainted with the project, or I should have prevented it, being naturally averse to the assuming of state on any occasion; and I was a good deal chagrin’d at their appearance, as I could not avoid their accompanying me. What made it worse was, that, as soon as we began to move, they drew their swords and rode with them naked all the way. Somebody wrote an account of this to the proprietor, and it gave him great offense. No such honor had been paid him when in the province, nor to any of his governors; and he said it was only proper to princes of the blood royal, which may be true for aught I know, who was, and still am, ignorant of the etiquette in such cases.
在我充当团长的短短时期中，有一次在我将出发到弗吉尼亚旅行之前，我团队中的军官们认为他们应当护送我出城直到下渡口。当我正在上马时，他们三四十个人，骑着马全体穿着军服，来到我的门前。事前我对他们的计划一无所知，否则我会加以劝阻，因为我生性不喜欢在任何场合摆威风。他们来了，我真十分懊恨，因为我这时无法使他们不护送我了。使事情更糟的是：当我们开始移动时，他们拔出了他们的指挥刀，一路上骑着马露刃前进。有人替这件事写了一个报告寄给业主，他大为不乐。当他在宾夕法尼亚州时，他从来没有受过这样隆重的敬礼，他的州长们也从未享受这样的敬意。他说只有王室的亲王才配受这样的敬礼。这也许是真的，但是我不大知道。无论是过去或现在，对这种事情的礼节我都是外行。
This silly affair, however, greatly increased his rancour against me, which was before not a little, on account of my conduct in the Assembly respecting the exemption of his estate from taxation, which I had always oppos’d very warmly, and not without severe reflections on his meanness and injustice of contending for it. He accused me to the ministry as being the great obstacle to the king’s service, preventing, by my influence in the House, the proper form of the bills for raising money, and he instanced this parade with my officers as a proof of my having an intention to take the government of the province out of his hands by force. He also applied to Sir Everard Fawkener, the postmaster-general, to deprive me of my office; but it had no other effect than to procure from Sir Everard a gentle admonition.
但是这种无谓举动却大大地增添了业主对我的敌意。由于我在州议会中有关他财产免税方面的言行，在这以前他本来已经很恨我了。我一直激烈地反对着这种免税，而且我还严厉地斥责他在要求这种特权时所表现的卑鄙无耻的不义行为。他向内阁控告我，说我对英王军务的完成是一个巨大障碍，说我利用我在州议会中的势力反对通过合适的筹款议案。他还引我跟我的军官们列队游行的事作为例证，说明我企图使用武力从他手中夺取宾州的政权。他还请求邮务总长依福拉·福根纳爵士免除我的职务，但是他徒劳操心，结果只博得了依福拉爵士的一顿委婉的训诫而已。
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