Letters to Benjamin Franklin 463 



men there by night and destroy the shipping; knows an American 

 prisoner there who will co-operate in any plan they may decide on ; 

 will make one of thirty men in this attempt, if Franklin approves. 

 His desire to go to America; needs clothes and money. A. L. S. 4 p. 



X, 135. 



From N. Leleu. 1778. July 19. Amiens. 



No news received of the vessel Benjamin, commanded by Captain 

 Ricot, which sailed from Carolina on April 20th ; no doubt of her 

 being captured and taken to America; begs Franklin, for the sake of 

 M. Ricot's family, to find out the whereabouts, and to procure favor- 

 able treatment and a prompt exchange for the Captain. A. L. S. 2 p. 

 (In French.) X, 136. 



From John Spencer. 1778. July 19. Nantes. 



Enclosing a letter delivered to him at Plymouth by a captain of the 

 first battalion of the Georgia Continental troops; begs Franklin to aid 

 him in his present unhappy situation. A. L. S. i p. X, 137. 



From H[ezekiah] Ford to The American Commissioners. 

 1778. July 21. Jersey. 



On his passage to Virginia on board a small cutter, was taken prisoner 

 and carried to Jersey; names the passengers who are fellow-sufferers 

 with him; they are obliged to go to England, from which place they 

 will take the first opportunity to return. A. L. S. 2 p. X, 138. 



From [C. G. F.] D[umas] to The American Commissioners. 

 1778. July 21. The Hague. 



Dissolution of the Holland Assembly; affair of the two Dutch ves- 

 sels taken by the English. English frigate Digby captured by the 

 French fleet; news of a naval battle hourly expected. A. L. S. i p. 

 (In French.) XXXIX, 40. 



From M. Livingston. 1778. July 21. Nantes. 



Delivered his letter to Captain Whipple; will set out at once for 

 L'Orient with instructions to Captain Tucker. Begs Franklin for 

 two or three lines to the President of Congress, mentioning Captain 

 Tucker's report of his conduct while on the Boston; expects to take 

 passage for America in a few days. A. L. S. 2 p. X, 139. 



