To Benjamin Franklin from [Ralph Izard], 27 December 1776
From [Ralph Izard1]
AL: American Philosophical Society
London 27th: December 1776.
Dear Sir
I heartily congratulate you on your arrival in Europe. The Gentleman who will present this to you is the son of Mr. Henry Laurens of South Carolina the Vice President of the Province. He is warmly attached to the cause of his Country, and desirous of being presented to you.2I am happy in having it in my power to do him so acceptable a piece of service. With the greatest regard I am Dear Sir Your most Obedient Servant
Notations: R. Izard / R. Izard to BF. London 27. Decr 76
1. This was presumably BF’s first word after reaching France from the man who was later a thorn in his side. In our brief note on Izard above, XXI, 158 n, we misinterpreted the DAB and said that he went to Paris in 1776; in fact he and his family crossed the Channel at the end of July, 1777: Anne Izard Deas, ed., Correspondence of Mr. Ralph Izard . . . (New York, 1844), pp. 319–20.
2. John Laurens (1754–82), who later played a brief role in BF’s mission, had been studying law in London and was returning home by way of France. If he passed through Paris it was a hasty visit, for he sailed from Bordeaux for St. Domingue at the end of January: ibid., p. 238; see also the DAB.