i88 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



Frofu Pollard. 1776. October 11. Montreal. 



Everyone, priests and lordlings, prostrating themselves before the 

 idol of tyranny; the few honest men who sigh for the return of the 

 troops are persecuted. The printer, M. Mesplet, the workmen and 

 himself were dragged to prison and kept there 26 days without a trial. 

 If Franklin thinks his sorrows worthy the attention of Congress, begs 

 that it may be directed towards his friend, M. Mesplet. Obliged to 

 quit America for London ; leaves a translation of ' Common Sense ' 

 in the hands of M. Mesplet, and a letter on the affairs of the time; 

 like the Jews who concealed their children from Herod, these must be 

 hidden from the tyrant. Would willingly pour out blood as well as 

 ink for the success of the child of virtue and liberty. Posterity will 

 place Franklin's name with Pompey, Brutus and Cato. A. L. S. 3 p. 

 (In French.) IV, 116. 



From John Fraser. 1776. October 15. Reading [Pa.]. 



Unfortunately received his second leave for Canada when he could 

 make no use of it, owing to indisposition; as soon as his health permits 

 will journey to Philadelphia and thank Franklin in person. A. L. S. 

 2 p. IV, 117. 



From The [Continental] Congress to The American Commissioners. 



1776. October 16. 



Additional instructions relative to treating with ambassadors of 

 foreign states at the Court of Versailles. D. S. John Hancock, Presi- 

 dent. 2 p. LIII, 22. 



Printed in Journals of the Continental Congress, 1906, VI, 884. 



By The Continental Congress. 1776. October 22. 



Instructions to the Commissioners to the Court of France to procure 

 eight line of battleships, manned and fitted for service. D. S. John 

 Hancock, Presid[en]t. i p. LXXV, 11. 



Duplicate of above. D. S. Cha[rle]s Thomson, Sec[retar]y, John 

 Hancock, Presid[en]t. I p. LXXV, 12. 



Printed in Journals of the Continental Congress, Washington, 1906, VI, 895. 



