From Benjamin Franklin to the Loge des Commandeurs du Temple, 1 May 1783
To the Loge des Commandeurs du Temple4
ALS: Bibliothèque de Carcassonne
Passy, the 1st. of the 3d. Mo. 5783. [i.e., May 1, 1783]5
Dear Brethren,
I received your fraternal Letter dated the 21st. past, and am extremely sensible of your kind Congratulations, and of the Honour you propose to do me by an Act of Affiliation into your most respectable Lodge. I accept the Offer with great Satisfaction. And wishing you every kind of Felicity, particularly that your Power of doing Good may always be equal to your Inclination, I remain, Your very affectionate Brother
B Franklin
To the Commanders of the Temple at Carcassonne.
Addressed by L’Air de Lamotte: A Monsieur / Monsieur David de LaSajeole, Avocat / en Parlement6 / à Carcassonne.
4. The Carcassonne lodge that had invited BF to join in 1780: XXXIII, 304–6. He is here answering a recent invitation which has not been found.
5. For the masonic dating system see XXVIII, 475n.
6. BF’s secretary misread the name of David de Lafajole, who received the lodge’s mail: XXXVII, 647. His official function was listed as maître des cérémonies: tableau des officiers, described in XXXVII, 647n.