governor of the Tower, will show that I have not been inattentive to your request, and at the same time prove that the intelligence you receive of what passes in this country, is not always what is to be depended on for its accuracy and correctness.

I have the honor to be, &c.

GREY COOPER.

[Inclosed in the foregoing.]

From the Lieutenant Governor of the Tower of London, to Sir Grey Cooper.

DEAR SIR,

Hampstead, November 27, 1780.

I am much ashamed to think I shall appear so dilatory in answering the favor of your letter, but the truth is, I was not in town when the messenger left it in Cork-street, and by the neglect of my servants, I received it only on Sunday last. I went immediately to the Tower to know from Mr. Laurens himself, if he had any cause of complaint, and if he had availed himself of the indulgence allowed him, by the secretary of state, of walking within the Tower whenever it was agreeable to himself; his answer to me was full and frank to the questions, that he had received every reasonable indulgence since his confinement: and that by the liberty allowed him of walking, he found his health much mended; he said at the same time, he had always thought himself highly honored, by the distinguished place of his confinement, and regretted much it was not in his power, to make known to all the world the acknowledgments he had more than once made to me upon this subject.'

'The tenor of the foregoing does not quadrate with the sentiments expressed by Mr. Laurens, about a year afterwards in his Pe

I beg you will do me the favor to communicate these particulars to lord George Germaine as soon as conve- + I have the honor to be, dear sir, &c.

nient.

CH. VERNON...

TO SIR EDWARD NEWENHAM, BART., DUBLIN. Passport for Provisions and Clothing sent to the West

SIR,

Indies.

Passy, Feb. 12, 1781. I have received the letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 12th ult. Inclosed with this, I send you the Passport desired, which I hope will be respected and effectual. With great esteem I have the honour to be, Sir, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

To all Captains and Commanders of Vessels of War be longing to the Thirteen United States of America, or either of them, or to any of the Citizens of the said States, or to any of the allies thereof.

tition to the House of Commons, written by himself in the Tower, with a black lead pencil, on a blank leaf of an octavo book, and privately conveyed to Mr. Burke, who presented it in that state to the House. In this petition, dated Dec. 7, 1781, he expressly states: "That he was captured on the American coast, and committed to the Tower on the 6th of October, 1780, being then dangerously ill that in the mean time he has in many respects, particularly by being deprived (with very little exception) of the visits and consolations of his children and other relations and friends, suffered under a degree of rigour, almost, if not altogether, unexampled in modern British History.

"That from long confinement and the want of proper exercise, and other obvious causes, his bodily health is greatly impaired and that he is now in a languishing state," &c. &c. (See Dodsley's Annual Register for 1781 and 1782.)

Gentlemen,

It being authentically represented to me, that the worthy citizens of Dublin, touched with the general calamities with which divine providence has thought fit lately to visit the West India Islands, have charitably resolved to contribute to their relief, by sending them some provisions and cloathing; and as the principles of common humanity require of us to assist our fellow creatures, though enemies, when distressed by the hand of God, and by no means to impede the benevolence of those who commiserate their distresses, and would alleviate them; I do hereby earnestly recommend it to you, that if the ship or vessel in which the said charitable supplies will be sent to the said islands, should by fortune of war fall into any of your hands, and it shall appear to you by her authentic papers that the cargo is bonâ fide composed of such beneficient donations only, and not of merchandise, intended to be sold for the profit of the shippers; you would kindly and generously permit the said vessel to pass to the place of her destination: in doing of which, you will not only have the present and lasting satisfaction of having gratified your own humane and pious feelings as men and as Christians, but will undoubtedly recommend yourselves to the favour of God, of the Congress, of your employers, and of your country.

Wishing you success in your cruises, I have the honour

to be,

Gentlemen, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States at the Court of France.

To MONS. NOGARET.

Respecting the French Translation of a Latin Line, complimentary to Dr. Franklin.

SIR,

Passy, March 8, 1781. I received the letter you have done me the honour of writing to me the 2d instant, wherein after overwhelming me with a flood of compliments, which I can never hope to merit, you request my opinion of your translation of a Latin Verse, that has been applied to me.' -If I were, which I really am not, sufficiently skilled in your excellent language to be a proper judge of its poesy, the supposition of my being the subject must restrain me from giving any opinion on that line, except that it ascribes too much to me, especially in what relates to the tyrant; the revolution having been the work of many able and brave men, wherein it is sufficient honour for me if I am allowed a small share.

I am much obliged by the favourable sentiments you are pleased to entertain of me; and I shall be glad to see your remarks on Gay's Fan, as well as your own Poem on the same subject.

With Regard, I have the honour to be,
Sir,

B. FRANKLIN.

'Eripuit Cælo Fulmen, Sceptrumque Tyrannis.

Thus translated by D'Alembert:

"Tu vois le sage courageux

"Dont l'heureux et måle génie ;
"Arracha le tonnèrre aux Dieux,
"Et le sceptre à la tyrannie."

English translation by James Elphinston:

"He snatcht the bolt from Heaven's avenging hand,
"Disarm'd and drove the tyrant from the land."

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM DR. FRANKLIN, TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Requests being Recalled,-and some appointment for his Grandson, W. Temple Franklin.

Passy, March 12, 1781.

"I must now beg leave to say some

thing relating to myself, a subject with which I have not often troubled the congress. I have passed my seventyfifth year, and I find that the long and severe fit of the gout which I had the last winter, has shaken me exceedingly; and I am yet far from having recovered the bodily strength I before enjoyed. I do not know that my mental faculties are impaired. Perhaps I shall be the last to discover that; but I am sensible of great diminution in my activity, a quality, I think particularly necessary in your minister at this court. I am afraid therefore, that your affairs may some time or other suffer by my deficiency. I find also that the business is too heavy for me, and too confining. The constant attendance at home which is necessary for receiving and accepting your bills of exchange, (a matter foreign to my ministerial functions) to answer letters, and perform other parts of my employment, prevent my taking the air ́and exercise which my annual journies formerly used to afford me, and which contributed much to the preservation of my health. There are many other little personal attentions which the infirmities of age render necessary to an old man's comfort, even perhaps in some degree to the continuance of his existence, and with which business often interferes. I have been engaged in public affairs, and enjoyed public confidence in some shape or other during the long term of fifty years, an honor sufficient to satisfy any reasonable ambition, and I have now