Letters to Benjamin Franklin 139 



just taken his passage for England in hopes of being appointed Captain 

 of Needham's Fort. Wishes he could be appointed Governor in Sprj^'s 

 place; is now the oldest governor in America; knovi^s he stands no 

 chance of promotion or increase of salary, w^hile Lord H. is at the head 

 of the American Department and while he is so displeased with Frank- 

 lin. Desires his father to send him a handsome tea-urn; cannot afford 

 a silver one. Has dined with Gov. Penn, with whom he has become 

 very sociable. A. L. S. 4 p. Ill, 126. 



Fro77i J[onathan] Williams, Jr. 1772. October 13. Boston. 



Death of his brother. Henry's unfaithfulness; thought best not to 

 bind him as apprentice until he heard from Franklin. Fears he intends 

 to break through his intention of visiting Boston every ten years. A. 

 L. S. 2 p. XXXVII, 17. 



From [James] Hutton. 1772. October 23. 



Concerning a great work [Monde Primitif] by a friend of his [An- 

 toine Court de Gebelin] ; longs to see it finished ; Franklin and Dr. 

 Moreton the first in England to give him encouragement; he is charmed 

 to hear that an Englishman, Mr. Brj^ant, is prosecuting the same work 

 in England. Bishop of Vilna has left for Poland by way of Vienna, 

 his great family estates being in that part which voracious Austria has 

 seized. Marquis de Pezay just returned from his tour; Lord Lyttleton, 

 whom he visited twice, was much pleased with him. A. L. S. 4 p. 



Ill, 127. 



From [Barbeu] Dubourg. 1772. October 28. Paris. 



Hard at work revising the translation of Franklin's works ; difficulties 

 he encounters; asks the meaning of "orreries," "surf," "spray," 

 " jostled." Various questions relating to his experiments. Advisa- 

 bility of sending him some sheets of the translation before proceeding 

 further; concerning some new engravings for the work. Mile. Biheron's 

 intention to go to London about the end of November; her health not 

 good and fears her expenses will be heavy; begs Franklin to let him 

 know if this voyage promises as little success as the last; if so, he will 

 insist on her remaining in France for the sake of her health. A. L. S. 

 4 p. (In French.) Ill, 128. 



