Letters to Benjamin Franklin 211 



Fro7n Le Ray de Chaumont. 1780. January 21. Versailles. 



In receipt of news from America; his interest in his own country 

 and in Franklin's should be a close bond of union between them. A. 

 L. S. I p. (In French.) 



Agreement attached relative to the vessel, the " Marquis de la 

 Fayette." i p. (In French.) XVII, 47. 



From de Rayber. 1780. January 22. Nantes. 



Claims that he was promised the position of Captain of Marines, by 

 Commodore Guillin [Gillon],who told him to await at Nantes the orders 

 he would send by Capt. [William] Robeson; has heard nothing since; 

 his letters unanswered and he himself reduced to the last degree of 

 poverty and misery ; begs for assistance. A. L. S. 3 p. XVII, 48. 



i^row William Robeson. 1780. January 23. Nantes. 



Promised, by Mr. Williams, a passage to America on board the 

 " Marquis de la Fayette " ; unable to wait longer for the departure 

 of this vessel; asks for a passage on one of the French frigates shortly 

 to sail from Brest to Rhode Island ; will be glad to carry any despatches 

 and would be obliged for an introduction to Congress. A. L. S. 2 p. 



XVII, 49. 



From [C. G. F.] D[umas]. 1780. January 24. Amsterdam. 



Enclosing a letter [i p.] from the Baron de la Houze relative to 

 the two prizes seized at Bergen and restored to the English. Anxious 

 for tidings of Paul Jones, also for news of the ship " Confederacy," 

 carrying Messrs. [John] Jay and [William] Carmichael. A. L. S. 

 2 p. (In French.) XXXIX, 143. 



From Jean Louis, Comte de Sayn et Wittgenstein. 



1780. January 25. Wittgenstein. 



Since 1776, le Sieur Lutterloh has owed him and his subjects a 

 large sum of money; believes him, at present, to be serving with dis- 

 tinction in Washington's army; thinks he will be willing to pay his 

 debts if he has the means; begs for Franklin's mediation. L. S. 2 p. 

 (In French.) XVII, 50. 



