Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 2 September 1782

From Matthew Ridley

AL: American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society

Monday Morning Sept. 2d. 1782.

Mr. Ridley has the honor to present his respects to Mr. Franklin.— The inclosed obligation was Sent Mr Ridley by Mr. Johnson for the purpose of procuring a Letter of Marque for a Vessel at Nantes— As Mr. Johnson is very pressing with Mr. Ridley to forward it, he will think himself obliged to Mr. Franklin if he will Send it to his Apartments so soon as possible.4

Mr. Ridley sincerely hopes Mr. Franklin is better than when he had the Honor of Seeing him yesterday.

Mr. R left some Bills of Exchange for acceptance which he would be glad could be forwarded at same time.5

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

4The bond, dated Aug. 26 (APS), is for the brigantine Resolution, 12, owned by Nathaniel Allen of Edenton, N.C. It is for the sum of 20,000 Spanish milled dollars and is signed by the ship’s captain, Stephen Carpenter, as well as by Joshua Johnson and a Nathan Kelso.

5Doubtless the 28 bills sent on Aug. 20. Ridley sent another 41 bills on Sept. 24: XXXVII, 278n. On Oct. 1 Ridley wrote WTF thanking him for returning the 41 bills, sending him two more, and accepting a dinner invitation from BF for the following Friday (APS). This letter is in the hand of Ridley’s secretary Nicolas Darcel (XXXVII, 278n).

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