Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from the Former Crewmen of the Bonhomme Richard Aboard the Alliance, 2 July 1780

From the Former Crewmen of the Bonhomme Richard Aboard the Alliance5

Copy: American Philosophical Society

July 2d. 1780. On board the Alliance.

Sir,

We take this oppertunity of accuainting your honour of our Cituations at present, we have ben in Irons since Wednesday last6 and likewise on half Allowance, set side Grog & that we have none. Not withstanding it our determine to remain prisoners untill we go to America— Excepting your Honour will git us out of this unhappy situation but we depend upon your honour to do the best of your indeaver to relese us as soon as lyes in your power which we expect will be soon, & further if it be no Ditterment to your honour please to send us an answer when you Expect you can obtain us.— And in so doing you will much Oblige your Sirt,(?)

Crew, Bon Home Richards In Chief

(Copy)

Notation: Crew, Bonne Homme Richard, July. 2. 1780

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

5Jones fowarded this letter to BF on July 5, below.

6When Landais retook command of the Alliance in June he had expelled the former officers of the Bonhomme Richard serving aboard the ship. Jones had tried to obtain their release as well: XXXII, 520n, 566n. Landais later said that he had placed the eighty former crewmen in irons because they had mutinied and refused to do their duty: Landais, Memorial, p. 102. The preceding Wednesday was June 28.

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