i62 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From Sim[o]n Samson. 1779. October 28. Nantes. 



According to instructions received from the Nav>' Board at Boston, 

 awaits Franklin's orders before sailing for America; reasons why he 

 desires to hasten his departure. Several destitute American officers and 

 sailors at Nantes, to whom he would willingly give a passage, provided 

 the Continent would furnish them with provisions and stores. A. L. 



s. 2 p. XVI, 73. 



Fro7n Joshua Johnson. 1779. October 28. Nantes. 



Desires to know whether an American settling in France is esteemed 

 a subject of his Catholic Majesty and therefore liable to certain taxes; 

 upon the answer depends his continued residence in France. A. L. 

 S. 2 p. XVI, 74. 



From [C. G. F.] Dumas. 1779. October 28. Amsterdam. 



Holland's decision to admit the American squadron on the same 

 footing as the vessels of other foreign powers. Begs for the return of the 

 proposed treaty with his remarks thereupon. Recommending Capt. 

 Robinson, captain of an American merchant ship who, with his son, 

 escaped from the English. A. L. S. 3 p. XXXIX, 126. 



From John Locke. 1779. October 28. Nantes. 



An American sailor, captured by the English ; after his release, went 

 on board a whaler and was taken by the French ; begs Franklin to 

 obtain his liberty. A. L. S. 2 p. XVI, 75. 



From W. A. von Steuben. 1779. October 29. Ciistrin. 



His son, Frederick Wilhelm von Steuben, entered the American 

 army in Sept. 1777, with the rank of General; since then, they have 

 received no news of him; begs to know if he is still alive; hopes 

 Franklin will not refuse this favor to two old people. A. L. S. 2 p. 

 (In German with a copy in French.) XVI, 76. 



From James Turing & Son. 1779. October 29. Middelburg. 



Thanking Franklin for the interest he has taken in their efforts 

 to reclaim the brig " Brunetta," seized by Capt. Babcock; in accord- 

 ance with Franklin's recommendation, they have invested Mr. Jonathan 

 Williams, of Boston, with full powers to demand redress from the 

 Government of Massachusetts Bay. A. L. S. 4 p. XVI, 77. 



