To Benjamin Franklin from James Searle, 1 April 1782
From James Searle4
AL: American Philosophical Society
Hotel de suede Rue de l’Universite F.S.G.5
Monday Evening 1st. of april 1782
Mr. Searle’s respectfull compliments to Doctor Franklin & begs leave to inform him that he means to Leave Paris for Nantes on Thursday. He requests Therefore That Doctor Franklin woud be pleased to order the necessary passports to be made out for Mr. Searle & one Domestique for Nantes which place Mr. S will first go to.6
Mr. Searle will have the honour of waiting on Dor. Franklin before his departure.
Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / A Passy
Notation: Searle 1st. april 1782.
4. This is the last extant letter from Searle, who was returning to America after an unsuccessful mission to obtain a loan for Pennsylvania (XXXIII, 63n). He arrived in June: William B. Reed, Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed … (2 vols., Philadelphia, 1847), II, 464.
5. Faubourg Saint-Germain.
6. On April 3, BF granted Searle a passport for Nantes and Bordeaux: XXXVI, 379.