Letters to Benjamin Franklin 343 



From John Willson and Stephen Hamson. 

 1 78 1. January 9. Abbeville Prison. 



Have been prisoners since October, 1780; penniless and almost naked; 

 entreat Franklin to procure them their liberty. L. S. i p. XXI, 13. 



From William Hodgson. 1781. January 9. London. 



Acknowledging £150 to be applied to the relief of the American 

 prisoners; the weekly allowance suggested by Franklin will amount to 

 £150 per month, as there are five hundred prisoners; if this sum can be 

 furnished regularly, well and good; but until he has orders to that 

 effect, he will feel justified in distributing less. A. L. S. 2 p. 



XXI, 14. 



From Benj[ami]n Waterhouse. 1781. January 10. Leyden. 



Wrote a few weeks ago enclosing letters from Dr. Fothergill; little 



thought that he would so soon have to announce his death, which took 



place on the 26th of December ; his director, guide and friend. A. L. S. 



3 p. XXI, 15. 



From Bertrand. 1781. January 10. Paris. 



Transcribing his letter of September 29, 1 780; attributes receiving 

 no reply to Franklin's illness. L. S. i p. (In French.) XXI, 15^. 



From Isaac All. 1781. January 10. L'Orient. 



Leaves for Philadelphia in a few days; hopes to be entrusted with a 

 letter for Dr. Franklin's family. A. L. S. i p. XXI, 16. 



From [Antoine] Court de Gebelin. 1781. January 10. Paris. 



Introducing M. La Renaudiere, who, hearing that a printer is wanted 

 in the United States capable of training apprentices, would like the 

 position. A. L. S. 2 p. (In French.) XXI, 17. 



From James Bowdoin. 1781. January 11. Boston. 



Wrote some months before by Mr. Guild, who probably spoke 

 of a bill then pending in the Assembly for incorporating a philosophical 

 society; it is now formed under the name of the American Academy 

 of Arts and Sciences; at the last meeting several distinguished gentle- 

 men were put in nomination, among them the American Ambassador 

 to the Court of France; forwards a specimen of the Society's first fruit. 

 A. L. S. 2 p. XXI, 18. 



