Letters to Benjamin Franklin "407 



From John de Neufville & Son. 1781. November 12. Amsterdam. 



The disposition of the Continental goods left by Gillon, and detained 

 for the freight; advises Franklin to buy the ships. L. S. 2 p. 



XXIII, 40. 

 From The Treasurer of the United States. 

 1 781. November 13. Philadelphia. 



In accordance with enclosed Resolve of Congress (2 p.) has signed 

 certain Loan Office bills of exchange. L. S. M[ichael] Hillegas, 

 Treasurer, i p. (2 copies.) XXIII, 41 and 42. 



From John Angus. 1781. November 14. Cherbourg, 



Sailed from Philadelphia in the " Franklin "; captured by the English; 

 escaped from prison vv^ith his two principal officers and seven of his 

 men; refused help to get to L'Orient or Nantes; applies to Franklin. 

 News from America; French fleet's safe arrival in the Chesapeake; 

 Gen. Washington's junction with the Marquis de la Fayette; Corn- 

 wallis's difficult position; Arnold's burning of New London. A. L. S. 

 2 p. XXIII, 43. 



From Martha Laurens. 1781. November 14. Vigan. 



Received no answer to request for passport for their family; at present 

 her uncle's ill health has put an end to their plan of going to England. 

 Transcribes part of a letter received from a near friend in London, 

 describing the cruel imprisonment of her father; thinks it a sad re- 

 flection on America that one of her Ambassadors should, in his prison, 

 want for the common necessaries of life. A. L. S. 6 p. XXIII, 44. 



From Tho[nia]s Barclay. 1781. November 15. L'Orient. 



Enclosing letters from America; has just arrived by the ship "St. 

 James " ; sends a rough draught of the situation of the French and Amer- 

 ican armies surrounding Lord Cornwallis; opinion of some officers 

 that he will be forced to surrender in about six weeks. Various reports 

 concerning an action between Gen. [Nathanael] Greene and Col. [Alex- 

 ander] Stuart, about sixty miles from Charleston. A. L. S. 3 p. 



XXIII, 45. 



From Birckel. 1781. November 15. Strasbourg. 



Complimenting him on his love of truth, and the greatness of his 

 soul. A. L. S. I p. (In French.) XXIII, 46. 



