Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from William Grey, 28 September 1782

From William Grey

ALS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Bourdeaux 28 Sptr. 1782

May it please your Excellency

Owing to the fate of war I had the misfortune of being captured in the Ship Amazon a Transport in his Majestys service that I commanded bound from London to Quebec, by Cpt. Johnson of the Ship Flora and brought to this place a prisinor.1

I request that you will pardon my presumtion in writing to your Excellency humbly beging my parole for England for any limitted time, any security that your Excellency will be pleas’d to demand will be given that I will procure an American of equal rank his liberty or return to this place a prisinor within the time prescrib’d and youl will greatly Oblidge your Excellency’s Most Humble & Obdt. Servant

William Grey

1Henry Johnson brought his prizes into Bordeaux in early August: Johnson to BF, Aug. 17, above; John Davies et al. to BF, Oct. 26, below; Courier de l’Europe, XII (1782), 119.

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