Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from James Lovell, 8 February 1779

From James Lovell

ALS: American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives

Philada. Feb 8th. 1779

Honble Sir,

The Marquis de la Fayette having sailed from Boston the day before the Arrival there of Letters sent from hence for you and him by the President of Congress,2 I now forward to you duplicates of those Letters with a Course of News Papers Via St Eustatia, having a very fine opportunity to that Island, and hoping they will reach you securely from thence in a dutch Bottom.

I have the Honor to be Sir, Your Friend & humble Servant

James Lovell3

Honble Doctr Franklin

Notation: Lovell. Phyladelphie 29 jr. 1779. et 8e. fr. 1779.

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

2The letter for BF must have been Jay’s of Jan. 3. The letter to Lafayette doubtless was that of Jan. 3, 1779, attempting to cancel the plan to attack Canada: Idzerda, Lafayette Papers, II, 217.

3That Lovell was writing on behalf of the committee for foreign affairs is indicated on the copy.

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