to his Catholic Majesty. This will certainly be a new motive for paying to his flag the homage and respect which it entertains for him. I hope from the wisdom as well as from the justice of S. M. that he will confide in this expression of our sentiments towards him and in turn will permit us to experience the effects of them. I have the honour to be, etc., DEAR SIR, 931. TO JOHN ROSS B. FRANKLIN. (U. OF P.) Passy, Nov. 5th 1778 I received yours of the 27th past, enclosing the resolve of Congress relative to M' T. Morris's Papers. The Trunk said to contain them was deposited with me by Mr Lee Esq on Acct of his going to Germany. One of the Seals you mention was broken in bringing it to my House, and I got him to put on his own Seal instead of it. In this State it remains, and is ready to be delivered to any person you may appoint to receive it from me. The Keys are in the Hands of Arthur Lee Esq' at Chaillot. — I have never seen M' Morris's Papers: And from the time that I understood there was a Dispute about them between you & M' Lee, I determin'd not to have anything to do with the examining or separating them. The Order of the Minister for putting Mr Lee in Possession of them, was apply'd for to us on a Suggestion that otherwise they would fall into the hands of M. Penet which might be attended with some Inconvenience both to the Public & the Comp of W. & Morris. My Idea was, that Mr Lee would take out the public Papers and deliver the others to you. He says your quarrelling with him prevented his doing so. I had no suspicion that those belonging to Willing & Morris would be brought up here. I am glad an Order is come for delivering them to you. But as the Dispute about them may hereafter be continued, and Papers suspected to be embezzeled by somebody; and as I have sign'd a terrible long Receipt for the Trunk, of which I have no copy, and only remember that it appear'd to be constructed with all the Circumspection of the Writers Motto, Non incautus futuri and that it fill'd a Half Sheet so full there was scarce Room for the Names of the four Evidences he requir'd to witness it I beg you will not expect me to send it to you at Nantes but appoint who you please to receive it for you here. For I think I must deliver it before Witnesses, who may certify the State of the Seals; nothing being more likely than that Seals on a Trunk may rub off in the Carriage on so long a Journey; and then I should be expos'd to the Artful Suggestions of some who do not love me, & whom I conceive to be of very malignant Dispositions. As to the Sorting of the Papers after you receive them, I see no Direction about it in the Order of Congress. It is therefore left to your Discretion. I am Sir Your most obedient humble Servant [B. FRANKLIN.] 932. TO M. BARON1 (A. P. S.) [Nov. 20, 1778.] SIR I thank you for your readiness to serve Capt. Prince. His Bills for moderate Supplies will be honour'd. The Bearer is my Grandson, I beg to recommend him to your Civilities. I shall Answer the rest of your Letter soon, I have the honour to be, I have just received yours of the 18th Instant. My Grandson, William T. Franklin, who is the Bearer of this, and will have the honour of delivering it into your hands, sets out early to-morrow morning for that purpose. He is my private Secretary, and is a Young Man of Trust & Discretion, to whom you may safely confide, what you have to communicate to the Commissioners. We have recd no Account of your Vessel or its destination from Congress, as our Dispatches have miscarried; therefore can give you no Advice till we have more Information from You, than is contained in your Letter. 1 A merchant at Dieppe.- ED. 2 Commander of U.S.S. Concord. — ED. If you send any Prizes into Dunkirk, address them to Mr. Coff" there, Dieppe Mr. Baron, L'Orient or Nantes to Mr. Schweighauser, Bourdeaux, Mr. Bondfield. — In any other, let your Masters enquire for American Agents. I wish you a good Cruise, & safe Return to your Country with much Profit and Honor; being I write this Line per Post just to acq! you that your Letter relating to Capt Prince is received, and that a Person in our Confidence, as desired by him, sets out this Day for Dieppe with Answers to your & the Captain's Letters, and will probably be with you soon after your Receipt of this; of which it would be well to give the Capt Notice, that they may meet as soon as possible. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant, B. F. 935. TO W. T. FRANKLIN DEAR GRANDSON, (A. P. S.) Passy, Nov. 26. 1778 I receiv'd yours last Evening, with the Copies enclos'd, and am now more certain than before that the whole is a piece of Roguery. As when you receive this, it will be 10 Days since his quitting the Road of Dieppe, if he has not return'd in that time, it is probable he will not return at all; so we would have you return hither without waiting longer for him. If he should hereafter come, and venture on shore, he will be taken by the Orders you leave from the Minister; but I believe he is too cunning for that. My Respect to M Baron. I am ever, Your affectionate Grandfather B. FRANKLIN 936. TO DAVID HARTLEY (D. S. W.) Passy, Nov. 29, 1778 DEAR SIR:- I have heard nothing from you lately concerning the Exchange of Prisoners. Is that Affair dropt? Winter is coming on apace. I understand that your charitable Contribution is near expended, and not likely to be renewed. Many of those unfortunate People must suffer greatly. I wish to have a Line from you informing me what may be depended on. be depended on. I am as ever, B. FRANKLIN. |