144 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From Jonat[ha]n Nesbitt. 1779. September 22. L'Orient. 



Has received Information from Philadelphia of the misfortunes of 

 Capt. Conyngham of the " Revenge " ; he has been sent to England in 

 irons with the intention of having him tried for piracy; charged with 

 having taken the Harwich packet without having any commission; 

 urges Franklin to prove this accusation false and to do all in his 

 power for the unfortunate man who can expect no mercy at the hands 

 of the English on account of the great harm he has done them. A. L. S. 

 3 p. XV, 209. 



Printed in Hale's Franklin in France, I, 344. 



From Sam[ue]l Smith. 1779. September 23. Nantes. 



Sorry that he was not sufficiently explicit in his former letter, but had 

 destroyed necessary data. Acknowledging receipt of bills of exchange. 

 A. L. S. 2 p. XV, 210. 



From Charles Phelps. 1779. September 23. Philadelphia. 



Writes on behalf of the poor sufferers of Charlestown near Boston; 

 their impoverished and wretched condition; their town pillaged and 

 laid waste by British barbarians; begs Franklin to appeal to the King 

 of France, the nobility and the gentry for aid; cites instances in ancient 

 history of countries helping each other; effect of such broad charities. 

 A. L. S. 2 p. XV, 211. 



From [Jean Sylvain] Bailly. [1779.] September 23. Chaillot. 



Inquires if he will be at home to-morrow afternoon. The Com- 

 tesse de Beauharnois wishes to pay him a visit. The Chevalier de 

 Cubieres, a man of letters, author of several works in prose and verse, 

 has also desires to pay him a visit. A. L. in 3d P. i p. (In French.) 



XLIV, 277 a. 



From Due de Villequier. 1779. September 23. Courteille( ?). 



Desires instructions for the placing of lightning rods on his town and 

 country house; thinks little of the danger himself but wishes to take 

 all possible precautions on behalf of his family; desires also to be an 

 example to the neighboring proprietors. A. L. S. 4 p. (In French.) 



XV, 212. 



