TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Contrivance for destroying the Enemy's Ships.

SIR,

Philadelphia, 22 July, 1776.

The bearer, Mr. Joseph Belton, some time since petitioned the Congress for encouragement to destroy the enemy's ships of war by some contrivances of his invention. They came to no resolution on his petition; and, as they appear to have no great opinion of such proposals, it is not easy, in the multiplicity of business before them, to get them to bestow any part of their attention on his request. He is now desirous of trying his hand on the ships that are gone up the North River; and, as he proposes to work entirely at his own expense, and only desires your countenance and permission, I could not refuse his desire of a line of introduction to you, the trouble of which I beg you to excuse. As he appears to be a very ingenious man, I hope his project may be attended with success. With the sincerest esteem and respect, I have the honor to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

TO HORATIO GATES.

Resolves of Congress for distributing Papers among the Hessian Troops. — Prizes taken at Sea. — Dr. Price's Pamphlet. —Advices from England.

DEAR SIR,

Philadelphia, 28 August, 1776.

The Congress being advised, that there was a probability that the Hessians might be induced to quit

the British service by offers of land, came to two resolves for this purpose, which, being translated into German and printed, are sent to Staten Island to be distributed, if practicable, among those people. Some of them have tobacco marks on the back, that so tobacco being put up in them in small quantities, as the tobacconists use, and suffered to fall into the hands of these people, they might divide the papers as plunder, before their officers could come to the knowledge of the contents, and prevent their being read by the men. That was the first resolve. A second has since been made for the officers themselves. I am desired to send some of both sorts to you, that, if you find it practicable, you may convey them among the Germans that shall come against you.

The Congress continue firmly united, and we begin to distress the enemy's trade very much; many valuable prizes being continually brought in. Arms and ammunition are also continually arriving, the French having resolved to permit the exportation to us, as they heartily wish us success; so that in another year we shall be well provided.

As you may not have seen Dr. Price's excellent pamphlet, for writing which the city of London presented him a freedom in a gold box of fifty pounds' value, I send you one of them.

My last advices from England say, that the ministry have done their utmost in fitting out this armament; and that, if it fails, they cannot find means next year to go on with the war. While I am writing comes an account, that the armies were engaged on Long Island, the event unknown, which throws us into anxious suspense. God grant success. I am, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

TO LORD HOWE.

Concerning an Interview requested by his Lordship. Philadelphia, 8 September, 1776

MY LORD,

I received your favor of the 16th past. I did not immediately answer it, because I found that my corresponding with your Lordship was disliked by some members of Congress. I hope now soon to have an opportunity of discussing with you, rirâ voce, the matters mentioned in it; as I am, with Mr. Adams and Mr. Rutledge, appointed to wait on your Lordship, in consequence of a desire you expressed in some conversation with General Sullivan, and of a resolution of Congress made thereupon, which that gentleman has probably before this time communicated to you.

We propose to set out on our journey to-morrow morning, and to be at Amboy on Wednesday about nine o'clock, where we should be glad to meet a line from your Lordship, appointing the time and place of meeting. If it would be agreeable to your Lordship, we apprehend, that, either at the house on Staten Island opposite to Amboy, or at the governor's house in Amboy, we might be accommodated with a room for the purpose. With the greatest esteem and respect, I have the honor to be, my Lord, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.*

• For Lord Howe's answer to this letter, and other particulars relating to the interview with him, see Vol. V. pp. 97 – 108.

TO PHILIP MAZZEI.

Academy of Turin.- Culture of Silk in America.Seeds of a Plant from Italy.

DEAR SIR,

Philadelphia. [Date uncertain.] *

It was with great pleasure, that I learned from Mr. Jefferson that you were settled in America; and, from the letter you favored me with, that you liked the country, and have reason to expect success in your laudable and meritorious endeavours to introduce new products. I heartily wish you all the success you can desire in that, and every other laudable undertaking, that may conduce to your comfortable establishment in your present situation. I know not how it has happened, that you have not received an answer from the secretary of our Society. I suppose they must have written, and that it has miscarried. If you have not yet sent the books, which the Academy of Turin have done us the honor to present us with, we must, I fear, wait for more quiet times before we can have the pleasure of receiving them, the communication being now very difficult.

All America is obliged to the Grand Duke for his benevolence to it, and for the protection he afforded you, and his encouragement of your undertaking. We have experienced, that silk may be produced to great advantage. While in London, I had some trunks full sent to me from hence, three years successively; and it sold by auction for nineteen shillings and sixpence the

* This letter is reprinted from the PORT FOLIO (Vol. IV. p. 94). It is there dated "Philadelphia, December 3d, 1775." The mention of the Declaration of Independence in the letter proves this date to be wrong. It was probably written a short time before Dr. Franklin's departure for France.

small pound, which was not much below the silk of Italy.

The Congress have not yet extended their views much towards foreign powers. They are nevertheless obliged by your kind offers of your service, which perhaps in a year or two more may become very useful to them. I am myself much pleased, that you have sent a translation of our Declaration of Independence to the Grand Duke; because, having a high esteem for the character of that prince, and of the whole imperial family, from the accounts given me of them by my friend, Dr. Ingenhousz, and yourself, I should be happy to find, that we stood well in the opinion of that court.

Mr. Tromond of Milan, with whom I had the pleasure of being acquainted in London, spoke to me of a plant much used in Italy, and which he thought might be useful in America. He promised, at my request, to find me some of the seeds, which he has accordingly done. I have unfortunately forgotten the use, and know nothing of the culture. In both these particulars I must beg information and advice from you. It is called rarizzoni. I send specimens of the seed enclosed. I received from the same Mr. Tromond four copies of a translation of some of my pieces into the fine language of your native country. I beg your acceptance of one of them, and of my best wishes for your health and prosperity. With great esteem, I have the honor to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.