... At the end of the solictor's ribald speech the petition was dismissed as groundless, scandalous, and vexatious. I have never been so sensible of the power of a good conscience, Franklin said to Dr. Priestley , with whom he breakfasted the next morning. When he went home from the council he laid aside the suit of clothes he wore, making a vow that he would never put them on again until he should sign the...