Letters to Benjamin Franklin 239 



From Edw[ar]d Bancroft. 1780. April 17. 



Roused that morning at four o'clock by the arrival of Mr. Mont- 

 plaisir and Capt. Jones from L'Orient; the latter has lain down for a 

 little needed sleep; supposes he will call on Franklin as soon as he is 

 called and dressed. The enclosed letter from Mr. Wharton tells every- 

 thing except that the King's officers at L'Orient have begun to cut 

 up and pull down part of the internal partition of the "Serapis"; 

 this has greatly increased the discontent of the " Alliance's " crew. 

 A. L. S. I p. XVIII, 26. 



From [C. G. F.] Dumas. 1780. April 17. Amsterdam. 



Result of the attempted reconciliation between the Ambassador and 

 himself; unable to accede to the former's demand that he should apolo- 

 gize to Sir G[eo. Grand]. Russia's proposals accepted by the Holland 

 Assembly. A. L. S. 2 p. (In French.) XXXIX, 160. 



From [Mme.] de Longchamps. 1780. April 18. Paris. 



Is emboldened to disclose to him her wretched situation and to beg 

 his assistance; her children at once her joy and her suffering; desires 

 permission to present her family to him. A. L. S. 2 p. (In French.) 



XVIII, 27. 

 From Juliana Ritchie. 1780. April 18. Cambray. 



Disappointed that Franklin can give her no news of her husband; 

 her early marriage and subsequent separation from him ; has not seen 

 him for fifteen years; a description of her manner of life, her friends 

 and occupations. A. L. S. 4 p. XVIII, 28. 



From Nic[liolas] Geo [rge] Moeballe. 1780. April 19. Middelburg. 



A former Colonel in the Virginia troops. Writes on behalf of a 

 vessel belonging to Messrs. Van der Perre, Meyners, and other gentle- 

 men (see XVIII, 10, see p. 234) unjustly captured by the "Alliance," 

 Capt. Jones, and sent to Boston or Philadelphia ; the owners sincerely at- 

 tached to the American cause. L. S. 3 p. XVIII, 29. 



From John Adams. 1780. April 19. Paris. 



Informed that the State of Maryland has named to Franklin — Mr. 

 Carmichael, Mr. [Joshua] Johnson, Mr. Williams, Mr. [Richard B.] 

 Lloyd and Mr. Jennings as proper persons from whom to choose one, 



