meanest Stranger that has serv'd them. establisheth a Nation.

It is Justice that

The Spanish Ambassador here has delivered me several Complaints against our Cruisers. I imagine, that all the Injuries complain'd of are not justly chargeable to us, some of the smaller English Cruisers having pillag'd Spanish vessels under American Colours, of which we have Proof upon Oath; and also, that no such American Privateers, as are said to have committed these Robberies after coming out of Nantes, have ever been known there, or in any other Port of France, or even to have ever existed. But, if any of the Complaints are well founded, I have assured the Ambassador that the Guilty will be punished, and Reparation made.

The Swedish Ambassador also complains of the Taking a ship of his Nation by Capt. Landais, the Master of which lays his Damages at 60,000 livres. I understand it was his own Fault that he was stopt, as he did not show his Papers. Perhaps this, if proved, may enable us to avoid the Damages.

Since writing the above, I have receiv'd the following further particulars of the Action between Commodore Jones and the English Men-of-War. The 44-Gun Ship is new, having been but 6 Months off the stocks; she is called the Seraphis; the other of 20 Guns is the Countess of Scarborough. He had before taken a Number of valuable Prizes, particularly a rich Ship bound to Quebec, which we suppose he may have sent to America. The English, from mistaken Intelligence, imagining he had a Body of Troops with him to make Descents, have had all their Northern Coasts alarmed, and have been put to very Expensive Movements of Troops, &c.

The extravagant Luxury of our Country, in the midst of all its Distresses, is to me amazing. When the Difficulties are so great to find Remittances to pay for the Arms and Ammunition necessary for our Defence, I am astonish'd and vex'd to find upon Enquiry, that much the greatest Part of the Congress Interest Bills come to pay for Tea, and a great Part of the Remainder is ordered to be laid out in Gewgaws and Superfluities. It makes me grudge the Trouble of examining, and entering, and accepting them, which indeed takes a great deal of Time.

I yesterday learned from M. de Monthieu, that every thing necessary for equipping two Frigates, of 36 Guns each, such as Sailcloth, Cordage, Anchors, &c. &c., which we sent to the Congress from hence two years since, remains stored in the Warehouses of his Correspondent, Mr. Carrabas, at Cape François, having never been called for. Probably by the miscarriage of Letters, the Navy Board never heard of those Goods being there. I shall, nevertheless, leave the Application I have lately made for Materials for a Frigate of 36 Guns to take its Course. But I send you herewith Copies of two Invoices of the Cargo of the Thérèse, one of which is what was sent by us, the other by M. de Beaumarchais, to the end that Enquiry may be made after the whole.

On this Occasion give me leave to remark, that, of all the vast Quantities of Goods we have sent you by many different Vessels since my being in France, we never were happy enough to receive the least Scrip of Acknowledgment that they had ever come to hand, except from Mr. Langdon, of a Cargo arrived at Portsmouth, and I think of one more. This is doubtless owing to the Interruption Correspondence

has met with, and not altogether to Neglect. But, as such Advices of Receipt may be made in short Letters, it would be well to send more Copies. The following is a matter of less Importance. It is two Years, I believe, since I sent the Monument of Gen. Montgomery. I have heard that the Vessel arriv'd in North Carolina, but nothing more. I should be glad to know of its coming to hand, and whether it is approved. Here it was admired for the Goodness and Beauty of the Marble, and the elegant Simplicity of the Design. The Sculptor has had an Engraving made of it, of which I enclose a Copy. It was contriv'd to be affix'd to the Wall within some Church, or in the great Room where the Congress meet. Directions for putting it up went with it. All the Parts were well packed in strong Cases. With the greatest respect, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

P.S. Oct. 28. I kept the Packet in hopes of sending a more explicit Account of what might be expected in regard to the Supplies. The Express, which was daily look'd for from Spain, when I began this Letter, arrived but a few days since. I am now informed, that Court is understood to be in Treaty with the Congress in America, to furnish a Sum of hard Money there, and, on that Account, excuses itself from sharing in the Expence of furnishing these Supplies. This has a little derang'd the Measures intended to be taken here, and I am now told, that the whole Quantity of Goods demanded can hardly be furnished, but that, as soon as the Court returns from Marli, the Ministers will consult, and do the best they can for us. The arms, I hear, are in hand

1 This monument is erected in the front of St. Paul's Church, in New York. - ED.

at Charleville. I am unwilling to keep the Packet any longer, lest she should arrive on our Coasts too far in the Winter, and be blown off. I therefore send away the Dispatches; but, if I have the Result of the Council in time to reach her by the post, I will send it in a separate Letter. The hearty Good Will of the Ministry may be depended on; but it must be remembred, that their present Expences are

enormous.

1045. TO MRS. ELIZABETH PARTRIDGE1 (U. of p.) Passy, Oct. 11. 1779.

MRS. PARTRIDGE

Your kind Letter, my dear Friend, was long in coming; but it gave me the Pleasure of knowing that you had been well in October and January last. The Difficulty, Delay & Interruption of Correspondence with those I love, is one of the great Inconveniencies I find in living so far from home: but we must bear these & more, with Patience, if we can; if not, we must bear them as I do with Impatience.

You mention the Kindness of the French Ladies to me. I must explain that matter. This is the civilest nation upon Earth. Your first Acquaintances endeavour to find out what you like, and they tell others. If 'tis understood that you like Mutton, dine where you will you find Mutton. Somebody, it seems, gave it out that I lov'd Ladies; and then every body presented me their Ladies (or the Ladies presented themselves) to be embrac'd, that is to have their Necks kiss'd. For as to kissing of Lips or Cheeks it is not

1 Elizabeth (" Betsey ") Hubbard, a niece of Franklin, married Captain Patridge or Partridge, Superintendent of the almshouse in Boston. — ED.

the Mode here, the first, is reckon'd rude, & the other may rub off the Paint. The French Ladies have however 1000 other ways of rendering themselves agreable; by their various Attentions and Civilities, & their sensible Conversation. 'Tis a delightful People to live with.

I thank you for the Boston Newspapers, tho' I see nothing so clearly in them as that your Printers do indeed want new Letters. They perfectly blind me in endeavouring to read them. If you should ever have any Secrets that you wish to be well kept, get them printed in those Papers. You enquire if Printers Types may be had here? Of all Sorts, very good, cheaper than in England, and of harder Metal. I will see any Orders executed in that way that any of your Friends may think fit to send. They will doubtless send Money with their Orders. Very good Printing Ink is likewise to be had here. I cannot by this opportunity send the miniature you desire, but I send you a little Head in China, more like, perhaps, than the Painting would be. It may be set in a Locket, if you like it, cover'd with Glass, and may serve for the present. When Peace comes we may afford to be more extravagant. I send with it a Couple of Fatherly Kisses for you & your amiable Daughter, the whole wrapt up together in Cotton to be kept warm.

Present my respectful Compliments to Mr Partridge.

Adieu, my dear Child, & believe me ever

Your affectionate Papah