Letters to Benjamin Franklin 137 



From [I.] Bordot. 1779. September 4. Rochelle. 



Arrival of the frigate " Diligente," belonging to Count d'Estaing's 

 fleet, with express despatches. A. L. S. i p. XV, 166. 



From V. I. Bertrand. 1779. September 4. Ostend. 



The enclosed will show the satisfactory settlement of Mr. Peters's 

 affair. Every care and attention paid to Capt. Conyngham as soon as 

 his presence in England was known; will send him whatever he may 

 be in want of. Arrest of Capt. [Thomas] Hutchins, accused of treason- 

 able correspondence with Dr. Franklin, Mr. S. Wharton and other Amer- 

 icans ; despairs of being acquitted and has given himself up for lost ; likely 

 to be tried by court-martial ; other people arrested and their papers seized 

 and examined, particularly a Miss Stafford and a clerk of Mr. Neave. 

 Advice concerning the safety of their correspondence in future. The 

 situation of the two grand fleets presages a great naval combat ; a critical 

 hour for Englishmen. A. L. S. 2 p. XV, 167. 



i^row R[odolph] E[ric] Raspe. 1779. September 4, London. 



Public and private affairs grow worse and worse. His own ruin al- 

 most accomplished by a foreign nobleman; narrates the affair in detail; 

 beseeches Franklin's influence and protection to procure him a field for 

 his literary abilities. A. L. S. 2 p. XV, 168. 



From Escudier fils. 1779. Septembers. Toulon, 



Applies for permission to serve with the army in America. A. L. S. 

 2 p. (In French.) XV, 169. 



From Fra[nci]s Hopkinson. 1779. September 5. Philadelphia. 



Thanking Franklin for the little piece of Oxford wit ; in return, 

 sends a few of his political squibs; ammunition of this kind scarce in 

 America; their writers too deeply engaged in party disputes. Greatly 

 obliged for the loan of Franklin's electrical apparatus; use he is making 

 of it; anxious to hear of any new scientific discoveries. Offices he holds 

 barely enable him to support his family. M. de la Luzerne not yet ar- 

 rived; this letter goes by M. Gerard who has made himself beloved by 

 everybody except the Tories. Looks forward to seeing Franklin's 

 bust; a good likeness of Washington goes over with M. Gerard, from 

 which capital engravings will doubtless be made at Paris. A. L. S. 3 p. 



XV, 170. 



