Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 September 1780

From Jonathan Williams, Jr.

ALS: University of Pennsylvania Library

Nantes 28 Sept. 1780

Dear & hond sir.

The Bearer is Mr George Moore son of Mr Phillip Moore in Philadelphia,1 He has been near two Years under my direction in this Place but is now written for by his Grandfather in the Isle of Man who wishes to see him; His Intention is therefore to pay his Duty to his aged parent & probably will return to America. I beg leave to introduce him to your Notice & to request you will favour him with a Passport to England, & such advice as he may stand in need of.—2 I have sent two Copies of my Accots by Mr Moore, as I have sent both those you certified to America & mean to send a third I request you will please to certify these two Copies, I have desired Mr Moore to assist Billy in the Examination of them which will save him some Trouble.3 With the greatest Respect I am ever most dutifully & affectionately Yours

Jona Williams J

Addressed: His Excelly / Doctor Franklin

Notation: J Williams 28 Sept 1780

1Phillip Moore was a Philadelphia merchant who owned many ships during the course of the Revolution, and who had had business dealings with JW for years: PMHB, XIX (1895), 400; LV (1931), 226–7; Charles Henry Lincoln, comp., Naval Records of the American Revolution 1775–1788 (Washington, D.C., 1906), passim; JW Letterbooks, Yale University Library.

2We have not located the passport, but on Dec. 3 JW wrote to Phillip Moore that George had reportedly arrived in England. Yale University Library.

3JW also wrote to WTF on Sept. 28, explaining that while WTF had had the accounts copied, he had forgotten to get them examined and approved by BF. He should have BF certify and sign both sets in as many places as the arbitrators had signed them, and append a general certificate at the end. APS. For these accounts see XXXII, 480n.

Index Entries