Letters to Benjamin Franklin 253 



Frojn Caleb Lownes (son of John Lownes). 1777. June 6. London. 



Giving an account of his time since he left Philadelphia till his arrival 

 in London; the cause of his leaving America and his reasons for tarry- 

 ing in England ; wishes to know whether by staying he will hazard 

 either his father's or his own reputation, A. L. S. 4 p. VI, 51. 



From J[onathan] Williams, [Jr.]. 1777. June 7. Nantes. 



Concerning his proposed partnership with Mr. Schweighauser ; 

 strongly attached to this gentleman's family; stands extremely well with 

 the second daughter; believes his present lack of means the only bar to 

 a union. Account of his connection with a poor girl in England by 

 whom he had a son ; intends providing for the boy and later taking him 

 altogether. A. L. S. 4 P- XXXVII, 90. 



Frojii Massequan. 1777. June 7. Nice. 



Read in the London Evening Post that Franklin had already accorded 

 letters of marque to thirty vessels of France in charge of American 

 captains; a proposal he made to one Francis Fowler, a Scotchman, to 

 take command of a vessel belonging to him, and to cruise against the 

 " Tamisiens " [English?] in the Mediterranean. Requests Franklin 

 to give a commission to this new patriot, whose honesty, courage and 

 knowledge of the sea he can guarantee. A. L. S. 4 p. (In French.) 



VI, 52. 

 From B[enjamin] S[owden]. 1777. June 7. Rotterdam. 



Extracts from Mr. Gordon's letter to Dr. Price, published by Mr. 

 Arrenberg in his Courant; subsequently copied in most of the other 

 Courants of Holland. Concerning a French piece entitled " Avis aux 

 Hessois " which has had a great vogue. Sir Joseph Yorke's bullying 

 memorial to the States has given great offence in Holland ; generally 

 believed to have been composed by the King himself. A. L. S, 2 p. 



VI, 53. 



From Francis Fowler. 1777. June 7. Nice. 



Is a subject of Great Britain, born in Aberdeen, and has served in 

 different ships of his Majesty; describes the ship he has under his 

 command, and asks Franklin for a commission, so that, unlooked for, he 

 may cruise in the Mediterranean and fall upon the avowed enemies of 

 the Roj'al Congress of America.^ A. L. S. 3 p. VI, 54. 



' See VI, 52. 



