Letters to Benjamin Franklin 317 



of Franklin's friends in Boston. Is a Lieutenant in the French navy; 

 nature of his business in Boston; impossible for him to return to De- 

 troit until the British have evacuated it; the Commander has possession 

 of his house there and his family are in the greatest distress. A. L. 

 S. 2 p. XXXIV, 133. 



From Thomas Wight, Jr. 1786. September 3. Bermingham. 



Desiring to know the fate of John Tyler, who received from Frank- 

 lin some advice before sailing for Philadelphia; a small legacy owing 

 him. A. L. S. I p. XXXIV, 134. 



From William Smith. 1786. September 4. Chester, Maryland. 



Introducing his second son, Thomas, who studied medicine under 

 Dr. Thomas Bond; his disinclination to follow his profession; desires 

 Franklin to support his application for the position of Prothonotary 

 of the new county to be taken out of Bedford County. A. L S. 2 p. 



XXXIV, 135. 



From John Fitch. 1786. September 4. Philadelphia. 



Offering the model of a steam-engine to the [American] Philosophical 

 Society; though it cost one hundred dollars, is willing to take for it what 

 the Society may offer; mentions some of the defects in the machinery; 

 convinced that a vessel may be propelled through the water by means 

 of such an engine; has undertaken this work upon a large scale; fears 

 the money raised will be insufficient. A. L. S. i p. XXXIV, 136. 



From [Frangois] Barbe de Marbois. 1786. September 5. Philadelphia. 



Understood from Franklin that the merchants and other tradesmen 

 who have alw/s looked upon themselves as French subjects would be 

 excused from service in the militia; encloses a list of them. A. L. S. 

 I p. (In French.) XXXIV, 137. 



From Edw[ar]d Bancroft. 1786. September 5. London. 



Franklin's philosophical works out of print in England, also the po- 

 litical volume published by Mr. B[enjamin] Vaughan; determination 

 of Mr. [Charles] Dilly and one or two other eminent booksellers to 

 publish a new and elegant edition of all of Franklin's works which can 

 be procured in time ; the material which they have so far collected ; begs 



