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Franklin believed that Canada and the British colonies were tied by their English
heritage, their geographic locations, and their mutual needs. Several times
during his life, Franklin’s efforts affected Canada’s political future.
• In 1760, near the end of the French and Indian Wars, England was considering
giving Canada to the French and taking possession of France’s West Indies
island of Guadeloupe. Franklin published a pamphlet titled "The Interest
of Great Britain Considered with Regard to her Colonies and Acquisitions of
Canada and Guadaloupe," which argued for the strategic importance of
England maintaining possession of Canada.
• In 1763, he proposed that both Canada and Nova Scotia be ceded by England
to the colonies. He later dropped this stance, but continued to pursue a political
relationship with Canada.
• In 1775, he traveled to Canada as a representative of
the Congress to evaluate the military situation there. American
troops were extended into Canada to fight against British insurgence.
Franklin was asked to make recommendations about the need to
have American forces engaging the British so far north. After
meeting with General Benedict Arnold, Franklin asked Congress
to provide more financial support to the troops in Canada.
• Franklin helped to establish a printer who founded the
Montreal Gazette, which has become the oldest continuously
published newspaper in North America.
• Franklin owned 2,000 acres in Nova Scotia, an Eastern province of Canada.
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