Benjamin Franklin's curious visit to Hillsborough Castle

Opposing minds

Benjamin Franklin and Wills Hill

Founding Father of the United States of America, writer, scientist, inventor, philosopher, polymath – there are many ways to describe Benjamin Franklin, although thanks to his enduring celebrity he really needs no introduction.

In contrast, his host, Wills Hill, the Earl of Hillsborough, has been almost entirely lost to history. Could Lord Hillsborough have seen into the future, this state of affairs would have come as quite a surprise; during his lifetime, his name was well known on both sides of the Atlantic.

Lord Hillsborough was at the peak of his political career, serving as the first holder of a new office; Secretary of State for the Colonies, which gave him responsibility for the British government’s management of the American colonies. The two men were already acquainted but Hillsborough’s new role meant increased involvement with Franklin, who had by then emerged as the leading spokesperson for American affairs in England.

Their overlapping responsibilities might make Franklin’s visit to Hillsborough Castle seem perfectly natural; they would, after all, have had plenty to discuss. In fact, Lord Hillsborough and Franklin’s feelings on America were so completely opposed that by the time of the visit in October 1771, they had become notorious political foes.

Franklin was highly critical of Hillsborough’s actions as American secretary, in particular his stubborn attitude and refusal to make any concessions to the colonies. He wrote several essays that appeared in London newspapers attacking Lord Hillsborough and early in 1771 he informed him that he was collecting material to try to impeach him. 

In response, Hillsborough attacked Franklin’s character and there is some evidence he was even hoping to persuade his cabinet colleagues to have him arrested, calling him ‘an enemy to the king’s service’.

Benjamin Franklin’s travels in Ireland

It was under this very strained relationship that Franklin and Lord Hillsborough met in Dublin some months later. Franklin was travelling around Ireland, where he was unnerved by the level of poverty he witnessed, cementing his convictions on the superiority of American life.  

Franklin had no intention of meeting Lord Hillsborough during this trip, but both were invited to a dinner party in Dublin by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. To Franklin’s surprise, Hillsborough was extremely civil to him, and even drank to his health. Hillsborough insisted that Franklin stop by his home when he travelled north with his travelling companion, Richard Jackson.

Almost all of what we know about Franklin’s visit to Hillsborough Castle comes from a letter that he wrote to his son several months later. In the letter, we find out that Franklin was determined to ignore the invitation and instead pay a visit to the Dean of Armagh. However, Richard Jackson worked for the Board of Trade and did not want to risk offending Lord Hillsborough. The two agreed to go their separate ways at a coaching inn but when a second carriage could not be found, they had to continue to Hillsborough together. 

There is some doubt over this account, for in a letter to a friend written around the same time, Franklin gave a different explanation. In this version of the story, he said that he could not refuse the invitation ‘without apparent rudeness’ and that he hoped it would give him an opportunity to talk about American affairs with his host.

‘Detained by a thousand civilities’

Benjamin Franklin’s time at Hillsborough Castle

As soon as Lord Hillsborough found out that Franklin and Jackson had arrived at the village inn, he sent a message telling them to come to the castle. While there, the American was treated to Lord Hillsborough’s famous hospitality – he was known for the excellent fare at his table as well as his easy conversation and charming manners.  

An incredulous Franklin wrote that he stayed for six days as he was ‘detain’d by a 1000 civilities’ from his host, who was attentive to ‘every circumstance of accommodation and entertainment’. Lord Hillsborough had even put his own cloak about Franklin’s shoulders so that he would not take cold in the chilly October weather. 

Knowing Franklin was keen to assess economic prospects in Ireland, Lord Hillsborough also arranged for his son, Arthur, to take him out in an open carriage to see the seats of manufacture in the county. 

If this courteous attention was not surprising enough, Franklin also enjoyed very positive conversation with Lord Hillsborough on American affairs and for a change, they found much to agree on.

Hillsborough assured him that he was a ‘good Irishman’ and therefore disapproved of the government’s narrowness regarding Ireland, in restraining its commerce and manufacturers.

When Franklin pointed out that America was also having its commerce restricted unnecessarily, Hillsborough agreed. He said that subjects in every part of the King’s dominions had a natural right to make the best use they could of the production of their country. Indeed, he had done much work to promote linen manufacturing in Ireland. 

Lord Hillsborough informed Franklin that the recent bounty passed by parliament which encouraged silk manufacture in America was his idea and asked him how he might go about securing a similar bounty for wine production. He even asked Franklin for any other ideas he might have which would improve the position of the colonies, for example the best form of government for Newfoundland. 

Franklin was baffled by this seeming change of heart – in his letter, he asked his son ‘does all this not seem extraordinary to you?’ The only conclusion he could draw was that Lord Hillsborough wanted to make a good impression with the American colonists, with whom he was very unpopular, and hoped that Franklin would report back favourably. The men parted on good terms, with Hillsborough telling Franklin to call on him more often when they were both back in London. 

‘He threw me away as an orange that would yield no juice’

An angry Franklin back in London

However, when back in London, Franklin found that Hillsborough’s warm attitude towards him and sympathy with the American viewpoint had been temporary – nothing had changed. He tried to call on Lord Hillsborough at his London home four times but was turned away on every occasion, being told by a servant that his master was not at home, despite Franklin’s strong suspicions to the contrary. 

It is likely that Hillsborough was avoiding Franklin, who was intending to petition him on certain issues like land grants that he had no intention of yielding on.

But by this stage, Lord Hillsborough's days as American Secretary were numbered. 

‘We have got rid of Hillsborough’

The end of a political rivalry

With characteristic stubbornness, Lord Hillsborough had refused to move on a land grant in Ohio; when it became clear the land grant would be passed regardless, he resigned in protest.

Hillsborough was quick to point the finger at Franklin for his downfall, as he was involved in the petition for the land grant, calling him ‘one of the most mischievous men in England’. Franklin did indeed seem quite pleased with his role in his political foe’s resignation; he wrote to his son ‘we have got rid of Hillsborough’. 

A missed opportunity for understanding

Hillsborough Castle has been referred to, with tongue in cheek, as the ‘birthplace of America’ due to the unsuccessful outcome of Franklin’s visit there in October 1771. While this is obviously an exaggeration, there is no doubt that the visit was a missed opportunity for the American Secretary to take a more understanding approach to the frustrations of the American colonists.  

After his resignation, Lord Hillsborough spent more time on his Irish estate. As a reward for his service, he was given further titles, eventually becoming the 1st Marquess of Downshire. 

A few years after his visit to Hillsborough, Franklin travelled home and fully supported the revolution, taking his place in history as one of the Founding Fathers of the USA.