This important Benjamin Franklin quote contrasting monarch and republic is often misquoted.
Here is the actual Sep. 18, 1787 diary entry by Founder James McHenry.
James McHenry. (Sep. 18, 1787). Diary re. Benjamin Franklin, Mrs. Powel, monarchy or republic, James McHenry Papers, Manuscript Division, LOC (63.02.00) [Digital ID# us0063_02p1. Library of Congress.
“A lady asked Dr. Franklin: Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy —A republic, replied the Doctor, if you can keep it.
The lady here alluded to was Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia.”
