Letters from Benjamin Franklin 503 



To [Juliana Ritchie.] 1777. January 19. Paris, 



His precaution against spies. The various conjectures concerning 

 his business do not harm him; does not think it necessary that he 

 should take the least pains to rectify them. A. Dr. of L. S. 2 p. 



XLV, 112. 



Printed in Works (Bigelow, VI, 54; Smyth, VII, 11). 



From The American Commissioners to The F[armers]-G[eneral]. 



[Circa 1777. January.] 



Cannot treat for all the tobacco that may arrive in France, as a 

 great part will come on account of private merchants, to discharge 

 debts. Whatever contracts they make concerning tobacco, in order to 

 obtain immediate supplies for the armies of the Congress, will be exe- 

 cuted. Considering the lowness of the price of tobacco, they do not 

 think their proposal that the Farmers-General should be at a risk of 

 transporting the goods, to be unreasonable. The English carried on the 

 trade on the same conditions. A. Dr. of L. 2 p. XLVI(i), 67. 



From The American Commissioners to The F[armers]-G[eneral]. 

 [Circa 1777. January.] 



There is no place in which all the tobacco is collected for trans- 

 portation. It is brought to the public magazines of the Inspectors for 

 each District. Are willing that Congress shall procure receipts for 

 20,000 hogsheads of tobacco lodged in the magazines and that the ships 

 of the Farmers-General may take it, as the British ships used to do. 

 Price of the tobacco and the manner and condition on which they are 

 to take it. A. Dr. of L. i p. XLVI(i), 68. 



Agreement between the American Commissioners and [Col. 

 Deshays De] la Radiere. 1777. February 17. Paris. 



Relative to his entering the service of the United States. A. Dr. 

 by Benjamin Franklin, of D. i p. I'Ci)* 50* 



Memorandum. 1777. February 17. 



Agreement concerning the employment of Duportail, de Laumoy, 

 and de Gouvion in the American service. Dr. of D. 4 p. (In 

 English and French.) LIII, 33. 



