Page 84 - JM Book 9/2020

“My friend was about to open a new shop,” Franklin began. “One of his first concerns was to get a handsome sign painted to advertise his hat shop. He composed these words to be painted: ‘John Thompson, Hatter, makes and sells hats for ready money,’ along with a picture of a hat.
“He decided to ask a close friend what he thought of the sign. The friend told him that ‘hatter’ was not necessary since there was a picture of a hat and the words hat on the sign. So he removed the word ‘hatter.’
“Since he was still not satisfied, he showed his sign idea to another friend. This friend thought the word ‘makes’ was not necessary since customers don’t really care who makes the hats as long as they are good hats. He took his friend’s advice and removed the word ‘makes.’
“To be absolutely certain, he showed it to a third friend, who suggested the words ‘for ready money’ should not be used because it was the custom to pay cash for all merchandise. So he removed the phrase.
“With one friend left, he decided to ask his opinion. This friend said the words ‘sells hats’ should be removed because no one expected him to give the hats away. So he removed ‘sells hats’ from the sign.
“After all this advice, the man’s sign was reduced to a picture of a hat and his name ‘John Thompson’ painted with the picture.”
This little story amused Jefferson. He thanked his friend for understanding his feelings. “But, I am afraid our friends are doing the same thing to the declaration that happened to the hatter’s sign. It is being mutilated. Nothing will be left when they finish.”
Franklin did his best to reassure Jefferson that the meaning of the declaration would not be diminished the way the hatter’s sign had been. “You have written an excellent document; one you can be proud of,” Franklin confirmed. “With so many men reviewing your declaration – men of accomplishment and independent minds – it is only natural that they would find places to change. I can assure you that they have done nothing to change its meaning or its significance.”
Jefferson’s face still showed signs of frustration and disappointment.
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