17761972

Dr. Benjamin Franklin:
Please Mr. Dickinson, but must you start banging? How is a man to sleep?

[laughter from Congress]

John Dickinson:
Forgive me, Dr. Franklin, but must YOU start speaking? How is a man to stay awake?

[More laughter]

John Dickinson:
We'll promise to be quiet - I'm sure everyone prefers that you remained asleep.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin:
If I'm to hear myself called an Englishman, sir, I assure you I prefer I'd remained asleep.

John Dickinson:
What's so terrible about being called an Englishman? The English don't seem to mind.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin:
Nor would I, were I given the full rights of an Englishman. But to call me one without those rights is like calling an ox a bull. He's thankful for the honor, but he'd much rather have restored what's rightfully his.

[laughter]

John Dickinson:
When did you first notice they were missing, sir?

[laughter]