Benjamin Franklin Papers
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From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., [28 February? 1778]

To Jonathan Williams, Jr.

Reprinted from Albert H. Smyth, ed., The Writings of Benjamin Franklin . . . (10 vols., New York, 1905–07), VII, 113–145

[February 28?,6 1778]

Dear Jonan

Mr. Chaumont will acquaint you that he has this Day obtain’d an Order for the Payment of the Value of the 2 Prizes to the Owners in America of the Privateers. I congratulate you upon it. Mr. Lee talks of nominating you and Mr. Lloyd jointly to supply the Place of Mr. Morris and himself in doing the Business of the Congress.7 I question whether there be Flesh enough upon the Bone for two to pick. I doubt its being worth your while to accept of it. I did not thank him for mentioning you because I do not wish to be much oblig’d to him and less to be a little oblig’d. You must judge for yourself, and will do as you shall think fit. He has brought up all Mr. Morris’s Papers and wants to put them into our Hands. I am doubtful of meddling with them.

Great Complaints are made at Court of the Delay of our Ships so long after asking and obtaining Convoy. Does any Part of this Fault lie at your Door? I believe not. But pray enable me to justify you. It is said that Lyon8 waited long for a Package of Hats. What and whose Hats are they? Or is it not true?

I have just written to your Father that you are well. I am ever, your Affectionate Uncle

B. Franklin

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

5The MS, according to Smyth, belonged at that time to Mr. Louis A. Biddle. It was listed in the first part of the sale of the Alexander Biddle MSS on May 24–25, 1943: Parke-Bernet catalogue 468, no. 105. We have been unable to trace it beyond that.

6This is the letter that JW acknowledged in his below of March 3 and answered at greater length on the 5th.

7The commissioners had discussed on the 16th the idea of appointing Chaumont “contractor general” to carry out their commercial business. Arthur Lee had apparently scotched the proposal by pointing out that only Congress could make such an appointment. Lee, Life of Arthur Lee, I, 395–6.

8The Lion, later the Deane.

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