Letters to Benjamin Franklin 513 



From de Vyssery de Bois-Valee. 1782. December 10. St. Omer. 



Concerning a lightning-rod which he erected on his grounds which 

 terrorized the town and brought upon him an order from the police to 

 destroy it in twenty-four hours as a dangerous invention; memoir he 

 has written on the subject; the trial is to take place in Paris; awaits the 

 result with extreme impatience. A. L. S. 3 p. (In French.) 



XXVI, 93. 

 From Ja[me]s Calhoun. 1782. December 11. 



Deposition of Captain John Carey, sworn to before James Calhoun, 

 Justice of the Peace at Baltimore, setting forth the abominable treatment 

 he and his ship were subjected to by a French frigate. A. D. S. 2 p. 



XXVI, 94. 

 From Joseph Priestley. 1782. December 12. 



Account of his latest experiment in turning pure water into air; de- 

 ductions he draws from this concerning the early formation of the earth. 

 L. I p. (In French. Copy.) XXVI, 95. 



Frojn William Hodgson. 1782. December 12. London. 



Announcing their safe arrival after a quick passage. Desires Frank- 

 lin's sentiments upon the probability of a final issue. Informed at the 

 State Office that advices had been received from New York in which 

 Congress absolutely refused to comply with the agreement made relative 

 to the exchange of prisoners; desirous of having this explained; chance 

 of a ship being sent to I'Orient very soon; asks that all the English 

 prisoners may be collected together at that port ; repeated request for the 

 release of Lieut.-Col. Tarleton and Col. Simcoe. A. L. S. 2 p. 



XXVI, 96. 



From Autheaume. 1782. December 12. Rennes. 



Account of himself, and his present position as a manufacturer at 

 Rennes; difficulties he encounters in commerce; his desire to trade with 

 America; encloses a letter from Messrs. Lacaze and Mallet of Philadel- 

 phia [2 p.] to prove his connection with that firm ; begs Franklin to assist 

 him to enlarge his business. A. L. S. 5 p. (In French.) XXVI, 97. 



From [Alleyne] Fitz-Herbert. [1782.] December 12. Paris. 



Inviting Dr. Franklin and Mr. Franklin to dine with him at the 

 Hotel du Pare Royal. L. i p. XLIII, 176. 



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