1 86 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From Sam[uel] Cooper. 1776. September 17. Boston. 



Expressing pleasure at Franklin's being appointed by Congress to 

 confer with Gen. Howe; not sorry the enemy appears so eager for ne- 

 gotiating; suspects France has made some motion that alarms Britain; 

 doubts not that Franklin will show the world that America has nego- 

 tiators as well as soldiers. Many captures made of British ships richly 

 laden. Regrets that the American fleet is not in a state of greater 

 forwardness. A. L. S. i p. IV, 113. 



Fro77i W. Barker. 1776. September 18. Rotterdam. 



Recommending as an officer of trust, Mr. Charles Frederick Be- 

 daulx, a Swiss gentleman, who was lieutenant of grenadiers in the ser- 

 vice of England ; anxious now to use his sword in the cause of liberty. 

 The writer does not expect Franklin to recollect his name, but he had 

 the honor to dine with him and Sir John Pringle at the house of Mr. 

 Davidson, whose partner he is. Has employed his pen in the cause of 

 civil liberty and against the violent measures of the Ministry, but these 

 and other greater efforts were in vain. A. L. S. 2 p. IV, 114. 



From Jonathan Williams, Jr. 1776. September 19. London. 



News of Franklin's friends; the good Bishop [of St. Asaph] and his 

 family gone to Wales. Mr. A[lexander] with his lovely daughters are 

 in France. Business promises well. Concerning an edition of Frank- 

 lin's political works to be published by the son of Franklin's philosophic 

 friend at Wanstead. A. L. 3 p. XXXVII, 39. 



From W[illiam] T[emple] Franklin. 

 1776. September 21. Perth Amboy. 



Sorry to find that his intended visit to his father in prison does not 

 meet with Franklin's approbation; his mother knows not what to do 

 without his father's advice and assistance; assures Franklin of his entire 

 ignorance of public affairs, in case he imagines he would give his father 

 improper information. Thinks his mother will keep him with her, un- 

 less she can hear from her husband concerning her removal. A. L. S. 

 2 p. IV, 115. 



