282 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From Ch[arles] Carroll, of Carrollton. 

 1777. August 12. Anne Arundel County, Md. 



Requesting him to send the enclosed letter to Mr. Carmichael. Events 

 resulting in the loss of the posts of Ticonderoga and Mount Indepen- 

 dence. Inaction of Gen. Howe incomprehensible; thinks they will 

 eventually direct their entire force against the state of New York. 

 Hopes for the ultimate success of their struggle for independence, pro- 

 vided they receive the necessary assistance from abroad ; greatest appre- 

 hensions arise from the depreciation of paper money. Every member of 

 Congress anxious for a confederacy of states; advantages to be derived 

 from such a step. Question of introducing foreign mercenaries. Cer- 

 tain artisans very much needed ; have been greatly distressed for want 

 of salt; means being taken to obviate this; high prices paid for the 

 necessaries of life. State of the weather and the crops. A. L. S. 

 6 p. VI, 188. 



From Lamb[er]t Wickes. 1777. August 12. St. Malo, 



Orders from the Judges refusing to let him take cannon, powder or 

 stores on board, or to depart without further instructions from Paris; 

 his indignation at such treatment. A. L. S. 3 p. VI, 189. 



Printed in Hale's Franklin in France, I, 126. 



From Thomas Jefferson. 1777. August 13. Virginia. 



Recommending to Franklin's kind offices Mr. Thos. Shore, a native 

 of Virginia, who goes to France to establish a proper mercantile corre- 

 spondence. Virginia has deposited the monarchical and taken up the 

 republican government with the greatest ease; thinks their cause is safe 

 if they can support the credit of their paper; steps to be taken to achieve 

 that result. Outlines the consequences should the British Court come to 

 their senses in time and acknowledge the independence and sovereignty 

 of America. [Conclusion torn off.] A. L. i p. VI, 190. 



From [Barbeu] Dubourg. [1777?] August 14. Paris. 



Sends M. de Vic to Franklin ; his son, M. de Bois Bertrand, crossed 

 to America in July, 1776, as lieutenant-colonel, and was taken a few 

 days afterwards with Gen. Lee ; M. de Vic will explain what happened 

 after that ; desires that his son shall return to America. A. L. S. 2 p. 

 (In French.) VI, 191. 



