"That these encomiums on the father, though sincere, have occurred so frequently, was owing, however, to two causes: first, a vain hope the assemblies entertained, that the father's example, and the honors done his character, might influence the conduct of the sons; secondly, for that, in attempting to compliment the sons upon their own merits, there was always found an extreme scarcity of matter. Hence, _the father, the honored and honorable father_, was so often repeated, that the sons themselves grew sick of it, and have been heard to say to each other with disgust, when told that A, B, and C, were come to wait upon them with addresses on some public occasion, '_Then I suppose we shall hear more about our father_.' So that, let me tell the Prefacer, who perhaps was unacquainted with this anecdote, that if he hoped to curry more favor with the family, by the inscription he has framed for that great man's monument, he may find himself mistaken; for there is too much in it of _our father_."
Franklin then goes on to say that he will give a sketch "in the lapidary way" which will do for a monument to the sons of William Penn.
"Be this a Memorial Of T---- and R---- P---- P---- of P---- Who with estates immense Almost beyond computation When their own province And the whole British empire Were engaged in a bloody & most expensive war Begun for the defence of those estates Could yet meanly desire To have those very estates Totally or partially Exempted from taxation While their fellow subjects all around them Groaned Under the universal burden. To gain this point They refused the necessary laws For the defence of their people And suffered their colony to welter in its blood Rather than abate in the least Of these their dishonest pretensions. The privileges granted by their father Wisely and benevolently To encourage the first settlers of the province They Foolishly and cruelly, Taking advantage of public distress, Have extorted from the posterity of those settlers; And are daily endeavoring to reduce them To the most abject slavery; Though to the virtue and industry of those people, In improving their country They owe all that they possess and enjoy. A striking instance Of human depravity and ingratitude; And an irrefragable proof, That wisdom and goodness Do not descend with an inheritance; But that ineffable meanness May be connected with unbounded fortune."