From Benjamin Franklin to Lancelot Cowper, 13 March 1772
To Lancelot Cowper1
ALS: Yale University Library
Cravenstreet London, March the 13th. 1772.
Sir
I was favoured by your Forwarding a Letter to me the 7th of last Month, which came in Capt. Spain, with a small Box; and you were so good as to say, the Box too should be forwarded when landed; but it is not yet come to hand. If it has been sent, I beg to know by what Conveyance, that I may enquire for it. If not I must request you would forward it by the first Opportunity, as it contains Seeds, and the Season is come for planting them.2 Whatever Charges there may be upon it, I shall readily pay to your Order. Being Sir, Your obliged humble Servant
B Franklin
Endorsed: B Franklen March 13th: 1772
Notation: To Lancelot Cowper
1. A Bristol merchant, for whom see Humphry Marshall’s letter above, XVIII, 256.
2. Cowper had brought the box from Philadelphia with the letter just cited; the Chalkley, Edward Spain, cleared Philadelphia for Bristol in late December: Pa. Gaz., Dec. 26, 1771. Tracing the box took time; it eventually turned up, but whether in time for the planting season BF did not say in his letter to Marshall below, Feb. 14, 1773.