Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 9 September 1783

From Richard Bache

ALS: American Philosophical Society

Philadelphia Sept. 9th. 1783.

Dear & Hond: Sir

I did myself this pleasure yesterday; and late last Evening, the Washington packet brought us your acceptable favor of the 27th. July, with several pleasing inclosures from Benny, whom you had with you at Passy, a circumstance, he seems much to be delighted with—

Mr. Vaughan, (your old Friend) and his family arrived here yesterday,5 they have taken up lodgings with us ’till they can be better accommodated; they send their respectfull Compliments— As this Vessel is just pushing off, I have only time to say—that the Apples, Nuts &c. shall be sent you this fall via Havre, if such an opportunity should present— I have got your Library home;6 the Types you sold to the Lancaster Man are paid for, those sold to Virginia are yet unpaid, and indeed I am at a loss what to demand for them, as they were sent away without being weighed on account of the hurry & confusion we were in at that time, you can probably recollect what they cost you, & let me know what you suppose their real value at the time they were spared to the State, a Bill from under your own hand, would I am certain, obtain a speedier payment, than any thing I could exhibit.7

Sally is so occupied with her new friends that she has not time to write,8 nor have I time to add more than with Love to Temple & Ben I remain ever Dear sir Your affectionate Son

Rich: Bache

I sent the News papers Yesterday Via L’Orient

Addressed: His Excellency / Dr. Benjamin Franklin / Minister Plenipoy. from the United / States of No: America at / Passy—

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

5They sailed on July 9: William Vaughan to WTF, Aug. 8, 1783, APS. For the family’s preparations see Samuel Vaughan to BF, June 14.

6According to RB’s “Day Book,” the books were brought back from Bethlehem on June 4: Penrose R. Hoopes, “Cash Dr to Benjamin Franklin,” PMHB, LXXX (1956), 63.

7We cannot trace any type BF sold to a Lancaster printer, nor does RB’s “Day Book” record any payment for it. For the type sold to Virginia see XXIX, 598–9; XXX, 363–4.

8On the contrary: her letter of the same date is below.

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