Chapter 49

This chapter traces Franklin's final years, focusing on his participation in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, his closing remarks advocating compromise, and his last public acts including antislavery petitions and religious correspondence before his death in 1790.

Franklin returned to Philadelphia from France in 1785 and became deeply involved in civic and scientific pursuits, including observations on maritime phenomena, chimney design, and mechanical inventions like copying machines and book-retrieval instruments. At age 81, he attended the Constitutional Convention beginning May 28, 1787, despite health challenges including the stone; accounts vary on whether he used a sedan chair to arrive. Though less vocal than younger delegates, Franklin made strategic interventions. On May 31, he urged the convention to trust in Providence. On June 28, he submitted a motion for prayers, seeking divine guidance. He advocated for compromise throughout, notably on June 30, and supported proportional representation in the House while accepting equal state representation in the Senate as necessary compromise. His closing speech on September 17, 1787, urged all delegates to sign despite reservations, famously expressing doubt of his own judgment and appealing to unity: he moved that the Constitution be signed, and it was. Franklin was the only delegate to sign the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution. After ratification, he petitioned Congress in February 1790 against slavery and published a satirical letter in March attacking the slave trade. In his final correspondence, he discouraged Thomas Paine (likely in 1786) from publishing heretical religious writings, warning they would do more harm than good. He contributed generously to Congregation Mikveh Israel and corresponded with Ezra Stiles about his religious beliefs shortly before his death on April 17, 1790. His library of 4,276 volumes was valued at over £184.