Letters to Benjamin Franklin 419 



From David S[alisbury] Franks. 1781. December 10. Brest. 



Much insulted at the treatment he has received from Mr. Hector 

 and the Major de Place of Brest; has been twice arrested and is at 

 present a prisoner writing with a sergeant at his back; begs that the 

 Marquis de Castries be asked to write to this Hector, who is in pos- 

 session of his commission, passport, letters of credit and of recom- 

 mendation, with Mr. W. T. Franklin's last letter ordering him to 

 Brest. A. L. S. 3 p. XXIII, 113. 



From John de Neufville & Son. 1781. December 10. Amsterdam. 



Asked Messrs. Van Arp & Co., Directors of the " Aurora " and 

 "Liberty" to make some demand for the pretended damages; in reply they 

 demanded 6o,ooo francs; Mr. [John] Adams's opinion; they approve of 

 Franklin's resolution to have the matter settled by arbitration. L. S. 

 2 p. XXIII, 116. 



From Benjamin Putnam. 1781. December 10. Boston. 



Perceives that M. Gerard's absence has prevented any knowledge 

 being obtained relative to his affair with Comte d'Arbaud. Has dis- 

 covered a mistake of the Notary Public at Guadeloupe, concerning the 

 name of the commanding officer who so rudely interfered in the affair 

 of the prize, " Terrible " ; gives the authentic names of the commanders 

 of the frigates. A. L. S. 3 p. XXIII, 114. 



From J[ean] Holker. 1781. December 10. Paris. 



Enclosing Mr. Williams's letter; begs that Mr. Clement be spoken 

 to in regard to it and that his answer be transmitted as soon as possible as 

 the affair is pressing. A. L. S. i p. XXIII, 115. 



From Mme. Brillon. [1781.] December 11. Nice. 



Is angry with him, he captures a whole army in America, burgoynes 

 Cornwallis, takes cannons and vessels, munitions, men, etc., and the 

 Gazette alone announces the news to his friends, whilst he gives no 

 sign of life. He must feel twenty years younger because of this good 

 news which should bring a lasting peace after glorious war. Shall remain 

 angry with him until she hears from him ; in the meantime shall compose 

 a triumphal march for him and shall send it to him, write him, and 

 even love him with all her heart. A, L. 2 p. (In French.) 



XLIII, 44. 



Printed in Proc. of Am. Philos. Soc, XL, 107 and also in Putnam's Monthly, 

 Oct., 1906, 39. 



