204 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From Henry Echlin. 



1777- Januarj^ i8. Prison of the Abbale St. Germain. 



Not personally known to Franklin, but ventures to address him, not 

 as a countryman but as a fellow creature reduced by a captivity of 

 nearly three years, by illness and every sort of evil, to the last degree of 

 unhappiness. Was once a lover of liberty and an enemy to oppression. 

 The bearer will receive Franklin's commands. A. L. S. i p. V, 25. 



From Lamb[er]t Wickes. 1777. January 18. Nantes. 



Enclosing a letter and an inventory of the frigate Count de Maure- 

 pas; concerning the fitting out of the ship; recommends Mr. Gourlade 

 for this service. A. L. S. 2 p. V, 26. 



From [Louis Le Begue Duportail]. 1777. January 19. Paris. 



Because he does not know sufficient English to read it when written, 

 he is not sure that he has understood the answer sent to him at Ver- 

 sailles. As his friend, who understands English, is away, he writes that 

 he thinks his request to enter the American service has been refused. 

 If this is correct no answer is necessary; but, if he has misunderstood, 

 he asks the answer to be written in Latin or French. Requests that 

 all letters and writings from him be destroyed. A. L. 2 p. (In 

 French.) LXII, 97. 



From [Louis Le Begue Duportail] to The American Commissioners. 

 1777. January 21. Paris. 



He is very sorry to have understood exactly the opposite to what was 

 written. He will leave that evening for Versailles to learn the 

 Minister's intention. He will write also to ' our gentlemen ' to know 

 their decision, then he will give their names. A. L. i p. (In French.) 



LXII, 98. 



Fro7n [Major] H. E. Lutterloh to The American Commissioners. 

 1777- January 21. Paris. 



He proposes another plan for recruiting; if it is not approved of, 

 he goes to Nantes as agreed upon. A. L. S. i p. LXII, 75. 



