To David Hartley (unpublished)
Passy Jan 7 1784
My Dear friend

I have this moment received your favour of the 25th past acquainting me with the change in administration. I am sure that in reforming the Constitution which is sometimes talked of, it would not be better to make your great offices of State hereditary, than to suffer the incovenience of such frequent and total changes. Much Faction and Cabal would be prevented, by having a hereditary first Lord of the Treasury, a hereditary Lord Chancellor, Privy Seal, President of the council, Secretary of State, first Lord of the Admiralty &c &c &c. It will not be said that the Duties of these offices being important, we cannot trust to nature for the chance of requisite talents, since we have an hereditary set of judges in the last resort, the House of Peers; an hereditary King, and in a certain German university an hereditary professor of Mathematics. We have not yet heard of the arrival of our Express in America who carried the definitive treaty. He sailed the 26 of September. As soon as the Ratification arrives I shall immediately send you word of it. With great Esteem I am ever My Dear friend Yours most affectionately

B Franklin

To D Hartley Esqr.
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