Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 12

From Francis Dana

From George Washington
From Benjamin Franklin, 22 October 1781 Franklin, Benjamin JA From Benjamin Franklin, 22 October 1781 Franklin, Benjamin Adams, John
From Benjamin Franklin
Passy Octr 22. 1781 Sir

I have written to Messrs. Fizeau & Grand impow’ring them to draw on me at 30 Days sight for the Sums you may want from time to time to discharge the Acceptances of which you have given me Notice.

The Queen was this Day happyly delivered of a Prince, which occasions great Joy.1

Inclos’d I send you Copies of more Letters relating to the Ship South Carolina.2 Please to inform me whether the Ships she was to have taken under Convoy are sail’d or still at Amsterdam.

With great Respect I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Excellency’s Most obedient, and most humble Servant B Franklin

RC and enclosures (Adams Papers); addressed: “To his Excellency John Adams Esqr Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America Amsterdam”; endorsed: “Dr. Franklins Letter Oct. 22. ans. 27. 1781.”

39 1.

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette’s first-born son, Louis Joseph Xavier François, died in 1789. A second son, Louis Charles, was born in 1785. He assumed the title of Dauphin upon his brother’s death and became Louis XVII following the execution of his father, but died in captivity in 1795 Hoefer, Nouv. biog. générale .

 2.

The three enclosures are copies of James Searle’s letter of 26 Sept. to John Jay; Alexander Gillon’s letter of 4 Oct. to Benjamin Franklin; and William Jackson’s list of bills of exchange held by Gillon, for which see Franklin’s letter to JA of 12 Oct., note 2, above. Searle, outraged by Gillon’s “knavery,” provided Jay with a detailed account of Gillon’s transgressions and asked for his assistance in correcting the situation. Gillon, in turn, defended his conduct and promised to send Franklin “a clear Account of this violent Youth’s William Jackson’s Rash and Imprudent Conduct, also of Lieut. Col. Searle of the Militia, his distress of Mind on his being disappointed in not succeeding in aiding Capt. Jackson.” For Gillon’s letter of 4 Oct. and his promised letter regarding Jackson and Searle that was dated 14 Oct., see Franklin, Papers , 35:562–563, 589–591.