220 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From ■W[illiam] Alexander. 1777. March i. Dijon. 



Arrived safely at Dijon and made the girls happy with the prospect 

 of a visit from Franklin, Suggests to Franklin's grandson that a little 

 absence is a good thing in courtship. Concerning a business matter 

 v^^ith Dubourg, Begs Franklin not to leave his papers lying about so 

 loosely; warns him that he is surrounded by spies. Understands that 

 he has been put in the English papers for his visit to Franklin. Will send 

 him M. de Morveaux's book in which the iron and steel is treated. A. 

 L. S, 3 p. V, 82. 



From Coder. 1777. March 2, 



Suggesting various plans in which he may be useful to America. Con- 

 cerning a tax for the clothing and equipment of the troops and the 

 manufacture of raw material. Character of M. de Cairol; cause of his 

 bankruptcy. Project for establishing a depot at St. Domingo. Would 

 not hesitate to leave his mother and his native land to encounter the 

 ferocity of the English if Franklin judges his services would be useful 

 to America. L. 3 p. (In French.) V, 83. 



From Buisson de Basseville. 1777. March 3. Quimperle. 



Concerning a vessel at L'Orient taken by the Americans and fit to be 

 armed as a privateer; anxious to have the command of it. If this is 

 agreeable to Franklin he must obtain leave of absence for him and 

 a power to engage Frenchmen to go with him. A. L. S. i p. V, 84. 



From Lainb[er]t Wickes. 1777. March 3. L'Orient. 

 His ship ready for necessary repairs. A. L, S. i p, V, 85. 



Printed in Hale's Franklin in France, I, ii6. 



From [Mrs.] Patience Wright. 1777. March 4. [London.] 

 Concerning the imprisonment of young Mr. Piatt in Newgate for 

 rebellion committed in Savannah, Ga., in 1775 [see V, 56, written by 

 her daughter, Elizabeth Wright]. Her vanity prompts her to believe 

 that she can entertain Franklin if permitted to write to him. Lord 

 Dunmore has just been trying to convince her of the wickedness of the 

 American rebellion and the impudence of Capt. Wickes in capturing 

 the King's ship and selling it at public auction in France. A. L. S. 2 p. 



V, 86. 

 From J[onatlian] Williams, Jr. 1777. March 4. Nantes. 

 His business plans; friendship of Mr. Schweighauser and his family. 

 A. L. S, 3 p. XXXVII, 64. 



