i8o Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From John Sweaney. 1779. December 11. Angers Prison. 



Made his escape from an English prison only to be put in a French 

 jail ; begs to be released and enabled to return to his family in Boston. 

 A. L. S. I p. XVI, 158. 



From Jona[than] Williams, Jr. 1779. December 11. Nantes. 



Difficulties in the way of obtaining the condemnation of the prize 

 goods taken by the " Mifflin " ; begs Franklin to obtain the necessary 

 papers. Saw in an American paper an address to the people of Ireland, 

 signed with Franklin's name; wishes to know if it is genuine. A. L. 

 S. 2 p. XXXVIII, 57 



Fro Art W[illia]m Freeman. 1779. December 11. Bristol. 



Writes on behalf of Mr. George Phillips, who was taken prisoner by 

 the French ; desires a passport to enable him to return to England. 

 A. L. S. 2 p. XVI, 159. 



From Gaston de Commines. 1779. December 11. Filippine. 



Has a new invention, which is a great improvement on the usual 

 musketry fire; desires Franklin's assistance in making it known. A. L. 

 S. 4 p. (In French.) XVI, 159^. 



From T. Ridout. 1779. December 12. Annapolis, Md. 



Introducing his brother who is about to proceed to Boulogne to trans- 

 act some business with Mrs. Ogle, a sister of Franklin's old friend, 

 Colonel [Benjamin] Tasker. A. L. S. i p. XVI, 160. 



From [Barbeu] Dubourg. 1779. December 12. Paris. 



Condition of M. Dubourg very critical; fears the worst result. L. 

 I p. XVI, 161. 



From Jno. P[aul] Jones. 1779. December 13. "Alliance," Texel. 



Has received Franklin's orders of the 6th inst., respecting the prisoners 

 on board the " Alliance " ; hopes that his enclosed letter to the Duke 

 de la Vauguyon will meet with Franklin's approbation; persuaded that 

 Franklin would never wish him to be made the tool of any great King; 

 rejected their dirty piece of parchment; they would have him do that 

 which would render him contemptible even in the eyes of his own 

 servants. Will sail as soon as the wind permits. A. L. S. 3 p. 



XVI, 162. 



