Letters to Benjamin Franklin 73 



From J[onathan] Williams, Jr. 1779- May 6. Nantes. 



Reasons why his proposed voyage to America remains so uncertain; 

 if his accounts are not passed by the Committee, thinks he ought to 

 return to America and confound his enemies; if the decision is favorable, 

 must look to increasing his business; money lost on American commis- 

 sions; steps he might have taken to obtain public employ; high terms 

 in which Mr. Adams once spoke of him for a consulship. A. L. S. 

 3 p. XXXVIII, 29. 



From Hersaut. 1779. May 7. Paris. 



Desires to serve on board a corsair, frigate or vessel, and begs Frank- 

 lin's protection and recommendation. A. L. S. 2 p. (In French.) 



XIV, 87. 



From The Treasurer of Loans to The American Commissioners. 

 1779. May 7. Philadelphia. 



Notification of the issuance of bills of exchange to the State of New 

 York. A. L. S. Fra[nci]s Hopkinson. i p. (In quadruplicate.) 



LIV, 27. 



From J[oseph] Priestley. 1779. May 8. London. 



Introducing a Roman Catholic priest, an antagonist of his in meta- 

 physics, but a man of very liberal disposition; he will deliver Franklin 

 the writer's " Treatise on Education " and his " Correspondence with 

 Dr. Price " ; later will send by Mr. Magellan a copy of his new philo- 

 sophical work. Desires to know if a pamphlet on the doctrine of ne- 

 cessity, printed about 1729, and dedicated to Truth is written by Frank- 

 lin. Fears there is no prospect of peace and therefore none of seeing 

 him in England. A. L. S. 2 p. XIV, 88. 



From P[ierre] Landais. 1779. May 8. On board the "Alliance." 



Is about to sail for Port Louis; has thirteen passengers besides the 

 Hon. John Adams, his son and servant. Has received a letter from M. 

 Le Ray De Chaumont with orders to take six months victuals on board ; 

 where is he to put them, if he has no room? A. L. S. i p. XIV, 89. 



From John Bondfield. 1779. May 8. Bordeaux. 



Arrival of the " General Mercer," laden with tobacco, has relieved his 

 financial embarrassment. Several skirmishes in America, in which the 



