526 Letters from Benjamin Franklin 



To . [Circa 1780.] 



Knows of no remedy for the natural inclinations referred to and 

 would not tell him even if he did, as he considers the proper remedy 

 is marriage, A. L. I p. (In French. Fragment.) XLVI(i), 32. 



To [Jonathan] Williams [Jr.], Nantes. 1781. January 15. Passy. 



Returns M. De Segray's account with his approbation. A new demand 

 of 15,000 on account of the " [Marquis de] la Fayette" before she 

 will be suffered to depart, M, [Le Ray] de Chaumont demanded 

 40,000 livres more on account of freight. Chaumont's inability to pay 

 his acceptances; informed by young Chaumont that Williams owes his 

 father 40,000 livres. Wishes to know whether this is not a mistake. 

 Is advised to advance 12,000 livres for the " Mars"; thought she took 

 sixty tons instead of one hundred tons. A. Dr. of L. S. 2 p. 



XLV, 154. 



To Jonathan Williams, Jr. 1781. January 20. Passy. 



Proposed to M. de Vergennes that the Government should take the 

 bargain of the vessel off his hands. He did not care to embarrass him- 

 self with this, but kindly offered to lend him the sum if he desired it. 

 Received an engagement from Messrs. Cot [t] in and Co. to sign for the 

 payment of 150,000 more, being the price of the ship. Their menace. 

 Reason for not signing it. Wants to know whether they can not lay 

 hold of the vessel. Standing of his account with M. [Le Ray] de 

 Chaumont. A, Dr, of L, i p. XLV, 153. 



Printed in Works (Smyth, VIII, 197). 



To [Jonathan] Williams [Jr.]. 1781. January 22. Passy, 



Relative to the payment of bills for clothing. M. [Le Ray] de Chau- 

 mont writes he received news and some remittances from America and 

 that his fortune there is employed in the service of the army; the re- 

 ceipts of the army, when he can produce them to Government, will be 

 ready money for him. Jauge and Cot [t] in threat that they shall lose 

 not only the ship but the freight they paid, notwithstanding M. de 

 Chaumont's promise to refund it, if the vessel did not arrive. A. Dr. 

 of L. I p. XLV, 155. 



Printed in Works (Smyth, VIII, 198). 



