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DEFENDING THE AMERICAN COLONIES: BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN’S GREAT WALL, 1756-1776
Dave Wang
St. John’s University
During the American Colonial Era, Founding Father Benjamin Franklin borrowed
many positive elements from Chinese civilization to spur the development of his fledging
nation. For instance, Franklin attempted to spread Confucian moral philosophy as well as
Chinese silk technology among the colonies. However, it may come as a surprise that
Franklin also drew inspiration from Chinese defensive strategy.
Franklin turned to Chinese military strategy immediately following the beginning of
the American Revolution, in which the thirteen colonies declared their independence from
Great Britain. The newly-formed United States faced tremendous military pressure, for
Great Britain had mobilized its considerable military to suppress the rebellion. The
Founding Fathers were faced with the seemingly impossible task of protecting the nascent
nation.
During this time, Franklin suggested that the colonies build a great wall, similar to
that of China. 1 This was not the first time Franklin expressed his desire to model the
colonies’ defensive strategy after the way the Chinese defended their territory. In fact,
sixteen years before the start of the American Revolution, Franklin suggested before the
British Parliament that the best means to protect the colonists’ interests was to construct a
great wall like that of China. In 1760, Franklin stated:
“The second kind of security—A security of our planters from the inroads of
savages, and the murders committed by them—will not be obtained by such forts,
unless they were connected by a wall like that of China, from one end of our
settlements to the other.” 2
Franklin often applied practical and valuable elements from Chinese civilization in his
effort to build a flourishing new society in North America. 3 Given Franklin’s propensity
1
To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Kermorvan, [12 August 1776?],” Founders Online, National
Archives (http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-22-02-0328 [last update: 2014-12-01]).
2
Benjamin Franklin, The Interest of Great Britain Considered, With Regard to her Colonies, And the
Acquisitions of Canada and Guadaloupe. To which are added, Observations concerning the Increase of
Mankind, Peopling of Countries, &c. London: Printed for T. Becket, at Tully’s Head, near Surry-Street in
the Strand. MDCCLX. (Yale University Library); draft (five scattered pages only): American Philosophical
Society. It is available on line at http://franklinpapers.org/franklin/framedVolumes.jsp.
3
As for Franklin’s efforts to draw positive elements from Chinese civilization in his efforts to build North
American colonies, please see Dr. Dave Wang’s published papers in the following: “Exploring
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to often draw insight from Chinese civilization, it is unsurprising that he turned to Chinese
military strategy in a time of need. However, Franklin’s recommendation of a great wall
raises several important questions, the most important of which being why Franklin thought
such a proposal was necessary. This essay will address this question, as well as the
historical context behind Franklin’s plan.
Building a Line of Forts
The eighteenth century saw the rapid expansion of the British colonies in North
America. In 1700, the Caucasian population in the English colonies was 250,000; just
twenty years later, the population had almost doubled. While this period was one of rapid
growth, it was also filled with various hardships and conflicts. The French and Indian War
began in the Ohio River Valley in 1754, and Pennsylvania was under threat by the French
Indians a year later. The leaders of Pennsylvania were split between two approaches on
how to most effectively protect the colony. Some leaders advocated a policy of aggressive
retaliation, believing that they should invade French Indian territory; the rest maintained a
defensive “chain of forts” to safeguard the British colonists from attack. Franklin left us
the vivid description of the debate:
“the Commissioners were of Oppinion, that the best means of Securing our
Inhabitants, was to Carry the warr into the Enemys Country, and hunt them in all
their Fishing, Hunting, Planting and dwelling places: But having sent for Croghan
and others, in order to obtain their Oppinion; and they Advising that by a Chain of
forts the Frontier should first be in some degree secured before we Acted
Offencively, the same was agreed to, and the Building of Forts immediately set
about, which took up much more time than was expected. 4
Franklin did not agree with bringing the war into Indian Territory. While Franklin sided
with the second idea, he was not satisfied with the Chain of Forts; instead, he imagined a
“line of forts.” The leader of Pennsylvania, Governor Harris, endorsed Franklin’s approach
and entrusted him with the authority to make decisions on defensive affairs. In his
autobiography, Franklin relayed the process through which his idea was approved:
Benjamin Franklin’s Moral Life,” Franklin Gazette, Spring 2007; “Benjamin Franklin and Chinese
Civilization,” U.S –China Relation Series, No. 2, New York, Outer Sky Press, August 2006; “Benjamin
Franklin’s Attitude toward Chinese Civilization,” Social Science Journal of Harbin Institute of
Technology, Issue 4, 2006; “Benjamin Franklin and China: A Survey of Benjamin Franklin’s Efforts
at Drawing Positive Elements from Chinese Civilization during the Formative Age of the United
States,” which is published since 2005 by the Official Website of the Tercentenary Commission. The paper
is available at http://www.benfranklin300.org/etc_essays.htm
4
Benjamin Franklin, Provincial Commissioners to Robert Hunter Morris. Copy: Pennsylvania Historical
and Museum Commission [June 13, 1756]
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While several companies in the city and country were forming, and learning their
exercise, the Governor prevail’d with me to take Charge of our Northwestern
Frontier, which was infested by the Enemy, and provide for the Defence of the
Inhabitants by raising Troops, and building a Line of Forts. 5
Chain of Forts--The defending line before Franklin built the three forts.
Realizing the speed with which he must implement his strategy, Franklin immediately
rushed to the front. He was to build a line of forts between the Delaware and Sesquehama
Rivers. Along the Blue Mountains, some forts had already been built to defend the colonies.
As the commander for defense, Franklin envisioned connecting these forts together to form
a barrier between the French Indians and the British. However, it was impossible for him
to establish a new line of forts with the French Indians rapidly approaching.
Pressed for time, Franklin decided to “execute more speedily the first Design of
erecting a Fort near Gnadenhutten.” So on January 14, 1756, Franklin arrived with over
200 men in force to the devastated New Gnaden Huetten settlement to build Fort Allen, the
first of his defensive structures. With this force, Franklin hoped to complete construction
within three weeks. Upon his arrival at New Gnadenhutten, he expressed his optimism to
his wife, Daborah: “I hope in a Fortnight or three Weeks, God willing, to see the intended
Line of Forts finished.”6
By January 26, Franklin had almost finished the construction of Fort Allen. He relayed
this progress in his letter to Samual Rhode (1711-1784)7:
5
Memoires of the Life & Writings of Benjamin Franklin, London; published by J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd
and New York; by E. P, D. Dutton & Co. 1908, p. 174.
6
Benjamin Franklin, To Deborah Franklin, ALS: American Philosophical Society
Bethlehem, Jan. 15. 1756
7
His brief biography is available from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Rhoads
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We have built one pretty strong Fort, and by the End of next Week, or in ten Days,
hope to finish two more, one on each side of this, and at 15 Miles Distance. These
I suppose will compleat the projected Line from Delaware to Susquehanah.8
In order to “complete the Projected Line,” Franklin would have to build two more forts.
After he finalized construction of Fort Allen, Franklin sent his troops to build Fort Norris
and Fort Franklin. Therefore, as soon as Capt. Hays returns with the Convoy of Stores and
Provisions, Franklin decided to “send Orndt and Hays to Haeds to join Capt. Trump in
erecting the middle Fort there.”9 He reasoned “With those two Forts may be finished and
the Line of Forts compleated and garrisoned, the Rangers in Motion, and the internal
Guards and Watches disbanded, as well as some other Companies; unless they are
permitted and encouraged to go after the Enemy to Sasquehannah.”10
Line of Forts--the Defending line after Franklin erected the three forts--Fort
Franklin, Fort Allen and Fort Norris.
After Franklin erected the three forts between the Susquehenna and Delaware Rivers,
he effectively created a line of forts and strengthened the defensive fortifications. Franklin
believed:
the Frontier of this Province is now in a better State of Defence than that of any other
Colony on the Continent, being guarded by a Line of Forts at no great Distance from
each other, all strongly garrisoned;11
After Franklin finished construction on Forts Allen, Norris, and Franklin, both he and the
governor realized that it was no longer necessary for Franklin to remain there.12 And so,
8
Benjamin Franklin, To Samuel Rhoads, MS not found; reprinted from The Historical Magazine, 2d series,
I (May 1867), 284-5. Fort Allen, Jan. 26, 1756.
9
Benjamin Franklin, To Robert Hunter Morris, Copy: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission .
Fort Allen at Gnadenhutt Jany. 26. 1756.
10
Ibid.
11
Benjamin Franklin, Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, Printed in Votes and Proceedings
of the House of Representatives, 1755-1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), p. 92. [May 14, 1756]
12
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard Almanac and Other Papers, Reading Pa, The
Spencer Press, 136, pp. 196-197.
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Franklin left Fort Allen after entrusting its defense to Colonel Clapham, a man skilled in
military affairs.
Franklin believed that as soon his Line of Forts was completed, the people in the area
“may be secur’d”. He assured the governor,
I hope to get this done as soon, having more Tools; tho’ at this Season it seems to
be fighting against Nature. But I imagine ’tis absolutely necessary to get the
Ranging Line of Forts compleated, that the People may be secur’d as soon as
possible in their Habitations, and the internal Guards and Companies dismiss’d,
otherwise the Expence and Loss to the Province will be intolerable.13
After leaving the front line, Franklin was still concerned about Fort Allen. In February
1757, a year after the forts were completed, Franklin still gathered the information on Fort
Allen. 14 In 1758, Franklin asked for information regarding the fort from Charles Thomson
(1729-1824)15, a supporter of Franklin’s policies in the French Indian War.
I have without asking your Leave, assumed the Task of informing what I know of
Indian Affairs. Immediately upon Teedyuscung’s Return to Bethlehem from the
last Conference I sent you; he sent Capt. Harrison his Sister’s Son and four other
Indians up to Fort Allen, there to be joined by a Party of Capt. Ornd’s Men to scour
the Frontiers and try if they could fall in with any of those who had been doing the
Mischief.16
On January 4, 1760, shortly before he made his recommendation the construction of
fortification similar to the Great Wall of China public, Franklin exchanged information on
Fort Allen with Issac Norris (1671-1735).17 The latter reported to him in the following:
Our Forces are quiet and General Stanwix continues at Pitsburg (as I hear laid up
with a Fit of the Gout). Major Gates left the Troops there very lately well and in
good health. At our last sitting in December our House reduced our Forces to 150
Men intended to Garrison Fort Augusta Littleton and Fort Allen with a Design to
protect our Indian Trade.18
Within 19 days, Franklin had effectively established a line of forts in Lehigh Valley
by constructing Forts Allen, Norris, and Franklin. This line was comparable to a great wall;
13
Benjamin Franklin, To Robert Hunter Morris, LS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Bethlehem, Jan. 14 1756.
14
Benjamin Franklin, To William Parsons ALS: American Philosophical Society Philadelphia. Feb. 22.
1757
15
His brief biography is available from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Thomson
16
From Charles Thomson, Philadelphia . May 14th: 1758, ALS: New-York Historical Society, in The
Papers of Benjamin Franklin
17
His brief biography is available from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Norris
18
From Isaac Norris, Fairhill, January 4th. 1760, Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania , in
the Papers of Benjamin Franklin,
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indeed, many would regard this as Franklin’s version of the Great Wall of China. Franklin
would later use his personal experience with his line to strengthen his argument for a great
wall in the colonies.
From a “Line of Forts” to a Great Wall
The Great Wall of China, as the world's largest defensive structure, stretches over
approximately 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles). During the Spring and Autumn Warring
Periods (476-221 BC) in Chinese history, various kingdoms built fortifications at strategic
points to protect their own territories. In 221 B.C., Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first
emperor to unify China, had sections of earlier fortifications extended to form the Great
Wall, a coordinated defense system against raids by Hunic, Mongul, Turkic and other
nomadic tribes from the north. Construction continued for more than a thousand years until
the Ming dynasty (1368–1644 AD). In addition to its military influence, the Great Wall has
played an important role in the evolution of Chinese civilization. Like a giant belt, the wall
has held China together, unifying the country from past to present. The importance of
unification has been a continuing theme since the construction of the Great Wall.
Certain people, both at the colonies in North American and in the English Parliament,
believed that the colonies would be “sufficiently secure” if they would simply “raise
English forts.” However, Franklin argued that more needed to be done. From his personal
experiences constructing a line of fortifications in the Blue Mountain region, Franklin
believed that the security of the colonists “will not be obtained by such forts” unless they
should be connected into “a wall like that of China, from one end of our settlements to the
other”. Franklin supported his assertion by drawing from the French and Indian War:
They (the Indians-author) go to war, as they call it, in small parties, from fifty men
down to five. Their hunting life has made them acquainted with the whole country,
and scarce any part of it is impracticable to such a party. They can travel thro’ the
woods even by night, and know how to conceal their tracks. They pass easily
between your forts undiscover’d; and privately approach the settlements of your
frontier inhabitants. They need no convoys of provisions to follow them; for
whether they are shifting from place to place in the woods, or lying in wait for an
opportunity to strike a blow, every thicket and every stream furnishes so small a
number with sufficient subsistence. When they have surpriz’d separately, and
murder’d and scalp’d a dozen families, they are gone with inconceivable expedition
thro’ unknown ways, and ’tis very rare that pursuers have any chance of coming up
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with them. In short, long experience has taught our planters, that they cannot rely
upon forts as a security against Indians 19
Franklin described the dangers faced by the colonists in order to alert the public to
their need of a great wall. The French Indian strategies described by Franklin were exactly
the same as those used by the nomadic intruders who plundered Chinese settlers. The
patterns of warfare that the colonists confronted in North America were similar to those
the Chinese faced before the completion of the Great Wall. Franklin’s recommendation
demonstrated Franklin’s knowledge of Chinese history. He not only understood the wall’s
function, but was also knowledgeable about its historical context, according to his
correspondence with to John Batram, dated August 22, 1772.20
Sixteen years later, during the American Revolution, Franklin again suggested the
building of a great wall to defend the colonies. Franklin wrote a letter to Chevalier de
Kermorvan (1740-1817),21 who arrived in North America in early June 1776. Serving in
the Continental Army as an engineer, the Chevalier was involved with fortifications at
Billingsport, below Philadelphia on the Delaware River, and at Perth Amboy, opposite
Staten Island. Chevalier was one of those who expressed criticism of others and exhibited
an unrestrained ambition to replace the more senior engineers such as du Portail and
Thadeusz Kosciusszko. He "made himself 'disagreeable' to General Washington and his
army staff with his criticism of all military operations" during the 1777 Philadelphia
Campaign, and was ‘invited to leave” the headquarters of Washington's army. 22 Chevalia
went on to serve with Morgan's riflemen at Saratoga. However, he failed to attract the
recognition that he believed was his due and returned to France in late 1778 or 1779.23
In his reply to Franklin, Chevalier de Kermorvan ridiculed that Franklin’s
recommendation of a great wall was because he believed Franklin lacked full knowledge
on the history of the Great Wall of China. In his letter, Kermorvan told Franklin that the
great wall was useless, for the Great Wall of China “did not preserve this estre empire
conquer by the Tartar ones.”24
19
Benjamin Franklin, The Interest of Great Britain Considered, With Regard to her Colonies, And the
Acquisitions of Canada and Guadaloupe. To which are added, Observations concerning the Increase of
Mankind, Peopling of Countries, &c. London: Printed for T. Becket, at Tully’s Head, near Surry-Street in
the Strand. MDCCLX. (Yale University Library); draft (five scattered pages only): American Philosophical
Society. It is available on line at http://franklinpapers.org/franklin/framedVolumes.jsp.
20
Benjamin Franklin, To John Bartram, ALS: Central Library, Salford, England; draft: American
Philosophical Society London, Aug. 22. 1772, in the Papers of Benjamin Franklin and available on line at
http://franklinpapers.org/franklin/framedVolumes.jsp
21
The correspondence from Chevalier de Kermorvan (1740-1817) tells that he received Franklin’s
recommendation, that a wall like the Great Wall of China should be erected in defending the independent
nation. Franklin’s letter has disappeared. See, To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Kermorvan, [12
August 1776?],” Founders Online, National Archives (http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/0122-02-0328 [last update: 2014-12-01]).
22
. See “The French volunteers and supporters of the American Revolution” which is available on line at
http://xenophongroup.com/mcjoynt/volunt.htm
23
His brief biography is available from http://xenophongroup.com/mcjoynt/volunt.htm
24
Chevalier de Kermorvan, From the Chevalier de Kermorvan, ALS: American Philosophical Society
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It is unclear whether Franklin ever responded to the Chevalier. In actuality, the
Chevalier’s knowledge was flawed. The Tartars, or the Manchu people, successfully
entered the China proper because the Han Chinese who defended the wall willingly opened
the doors for the invaders. Their invasion was not due to the ineffectiveness of the Great
Wall itself. In any case, Franklin continued to regard the Great Wall of China as valuable
to safeguarding American interests during the Revolution.
Conclusion
The above examination shows how Franklin used Chinese defensive strategies in his
vision for a stronger and independent North America. During the sixteen years between
Franklin’s first and second recommendations of constructing a great wall, North America
underwent massive political changes. But despite the changing nature of American society,
Franklin’s vision of a great wall stayed the same.
Franklin’s recommendation of a wall is another example of how he borrowed from
Chinese civilization. Franklin’s recommendation was clearly based on his personal
experiences with building a line of forts on the front. His recommendation of a great wall
extended beyond mere curiosity: it stemmed from his personal experiences and the
immediacy of foreign threats to the colonists. Franklin’s unwavering confidence in the
great wall serves as an example of how he drew from Chinese civilization for insight in his
efforts to build a great nation in America.
[August 12?, 1776.] in the Papers of Benjamin Franklin. It is available on line at
http://franklinpapers.org/franklin/framedVolumes.jsp
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