Note 66 — Part I (continued 4)

John Fothergill (1712-1780). See Dictionary of National Biography XX, 66-8. See J. C. Lettsom's Memoirs of John Fothergill (4th ed., London, 1786) for a full treatment of his friendship with Franklin. J. J. Abraham's Lettsom, His Life, Times, Friends and Descendants (London, 1933, chap. XVIII), contains an account of the "conciliation negotiations" between Hyde and Dartmouth (representing Lord North) and Barclay and Fothergill (representing Franklin and the colonial cause). Only George III could not be persuaded. Also see R. H. Fox, Dr. John Fothergill and His Friends ... (London, 1919).

For Franklin's quarrel with the Proprietors see Cool Thoughts on the Present Situation of Our Public Affairs (April 12, 1764, Writings, IV, 226-41). A month later he writes to Wm. Strahan: "Our petty publick affairs here are in the greatest confusion, and will never, in my opinion, be composed, while the Proprietary Government subsists" (ibid., IV, 246).