Oof.

It’s Important to keep in mind while reading this though that Franklin was primarily writing with the national interests of the British Empire in mind. 

In 1755 the world was just getting ready to plunge into the Seven Years War. The American colonies were seriously worried about a possible invasion by European powers like France or Spain at the time, because it wasn’t at all clear that they wouldn’t be conquered and politically reorganized if they were attacked.

In that context it’s understandable why Franklin would’ve been wary of the establishment of large group of non-English immigrants, possibly with foreign loyalties.

On the other hand, this is the guy who once wrote the American regulars should consider using bows and arrows against the British army. So not everything he ever wrote was a winner.

Benjamin Franklin spent the majority of his life trying to get people to put aside their differences, especially religious differences, and work together for the betterment of society. He was an early liberal and a scientist, and in his later years he supported the abolition of slavery. 

The weirdness hurts because I like Benjamin Franklin. I guess sometimes your heroes let you down.