Same rules, just in character for the diary. Back to Translator afterwards. Please enjoy.
Whilſt converſing with my good Friends, viz, George, Thomas, and James this afternoon, I had Occaſion to have a bold Outbreak of the Gout in my left great Toe. The Pain was immenſe, and George was kind enough to bring to me some Tincture of Laudanum, which eaſed the Pain ſomewhat. The Toe was ſtill full of Fury, and he then brought me an Herb for intake by Inhalation of its Smoke. I aſked him if it were Tobacco, of which I never partake, but he aſsured me that it was Indian Hemp, of which he had planted all over his Eſtate for Harveſt. That did me well, and the pain began to become leſser.
I was taken into a very curious Scene, as if nothing were to have a Bother on me. The Toe was ſtill angry looking, and George went once again to his Garden and brought back a Nut, or Root, of curious round Shape. He carved a Bit of it off with his keen Pen-Knife, and directed me to eate it, with a ſmall Draught of Brandy, and a long Draught of Water to follow.
Almost upon the Draught of Water, the Pain began to ſubside. The great Toe began to lose its Redneſs, of ſo far I could tell. I was in a Condition between the World of being conſcious and not, but extremely alert.
Then thought I, "If ever theſe ſubſtances were to become Part of an illicit Trade, their Worth would be without Bound". The Pain from which I was relieved was without Deſcription, and, I, without the beneficent Actions of George, would have paid any Sum for Relief.
Thoſe of ye who read me from time to time realiſe that I do not have inherent Truſt in People, ſo I know that for a Reliever of Pain would be in the Worth of a Ranſom of a King. If theſe Materials be ever made into ſomething Illegal, only Miſchief can be the Reſult.
I can, with my Imagination, ſee a very troubled Future. Firſt, a few People will be become as Daemons, with no negative Action on their Part. Then, they will be impriſioned, likewiſe due to no Action on their Part.
The Reſt of the Constitutional Ramifications are too horrible to conceive. Perhaps we ſhould have another Look at the Great Charter and amplify the Freedoms that are too weak.
Well, my Toe feels better. I without any Heſitence advocate a free Nation.
No date Benj. Franklin.