6 Revolution

Chapter 6 Revolution The Franklins moved into a London apartment. Ben showed Billy places he had known in his days as a young printer. Besides helping his father, Billy studied law in London. He became friends with rich young English people. Soon Billy seemed more English than American. Ben was pleased. England ruled the colonies. Ben hoped that one day Billy would serve in the English government.

Ben needed three years to complete his mission. In 1760, the British government agreed that Pennsylvania deserved help. The Penns had to pay more money for the French and Indian War. But the Franklins did not go home yet. Ben enjoyed the attention he was getting as America's greatest scientist and inventor. Billy was about to get an important job.

In August 1762, the king of England named William Franklin royal governor of New Jersey. Soon after being named to run New Jersey for the king, William was married. His wife was named Elizabeth Downes; he had met her at a party. The newlyweds sailed to America. They settled in Burlington, New Jersey. Ben returned to his wife and daughter. Only fifteen miles separated Philadelphia and Burlington. Ben and his son saw each other often. For two years, Ben spent a lot of time on post

office business. But there was new trouble with the Penns. The colonists wanted Pennsylvania to be taken away from the Penns. They wanted their colony placed under the king's direct rule. In late 1764, Benjamin was sent back to England to make this happen. He had been in England for a few weeks when a more serious problem arose. England had won the French and Indian War, but the war had been costly. England needed money. To help raise funds, England passed the Stamp Act in early 1765. The new law taxed Americans on newspapers and other paper goods.

THE STAMP ACT TO HELP PAY ITS DEBTS, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT CREATED A TAX IN THE FORM OF A STAMP. THIS TAX STAMP WAS REQUIRED ON ALL PUBLICATIONS AND LEGAL PAPERS THROUGHOUT THE COLONIES.

English people asked the famous American his opinion about the new tax. Franklin opposed it,