430 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From W[illia]in Bingham to The American Commissioners. 

 1778. May 29. St. Pierre. 



Has written several letters to Congress on the subject of remit- 

 tances for several debts he has contracted on the public account ; should 

 these fail to come, must draw on Franklin for the desired sum. Mercan- 

 tile operations almost suspended owing to the appearance of an ap- 

 proaching war. News of the loss of the Randolph, Captain [Nicholas] 

 Biddle; due to his intemperate courage and the cowardice of Cap- 

 tain Thompson of the Raleigh, who refused to give him any assistance; 

 out of three hundred and five persons, only four were saved. A. L. S. 

 4 p. (In duplicate.) IX, 197 and 198. 



From [Benjamin Vaughan]. 1778. May 29. [London.] 



Doings of Parliament; Burgoyne's speech. Lord Chatham's debts 

 unpaid. Desires Jamaica given to the French, not to the Spaniards. 

 Lord Sandwich a coarse and vulgar liar; torn to pieces and laughed 

 at on all sides. A. L. 3 p. (First part missing.) LVIII, 69. 



From Jon [a] th [an] Trumbull to The American Commissioners. 

 1778. May 29. Hartford. 



The bearer is Captain Niles, commander of the schooner Spy, who 

 has in charge despatches from Congress. The article of lead much 

 needed in Connecticut; desires a certain quantity put on board the Spy; 

 question of paying Captain Niles's expenses while in France. A. L. S. 

 I p. IX, 199. 



From Henri Serre. 1778. May 29. Geneva. 



Concerning the electrophore of M. Volta; discusses the possibility 

 of explaining this invention by Franklin's method of electricity. A. L. 

 S. 2 p. (In French.) IX, 200. 



From Louvel de Boirargues. 1778. May 29. Paris. 



Has endeavored, in the enclosed verses, to place Franklin's well- 

 known attainments in such a light as to reflect credit on a reign, 

 already glorious. A. L S. 2 p. (In French.) IX, 201. 



By L[ouvel] de B[oirargues. 1778. May 29. Paris.] 

 To Dr. Franklin. A. Sonnet S. i p. (In French.) LI, 44. 



