From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 December 1780
To Jonathan Williams, Jr.
Copy: Library of Congress
Passy, Dec. 4. 1780.
Dear Jonathan,
I am glad you have settled your affairs to your Mind relating to the Fayette. I hope She will now soon be at L’Orient.9
M. le Marquis de Castries, desired to know of me if your Request of a Passport for the Arms was agreable to my Views. I answered yes, & that he would oblige me by granting it. I suppose you will receive it by this Post.
I wish You to send, either by the Mars or the Lafayette, as you shall Judge best, a little Pacotille to my Sister, value about 25. Louis d’ors, containing one Piece of good Linnen, one of Cambric, & the Rest in such Things as you think may be of most advantage to her if she sells them.— And draw on me for the Amount.
I am with Love to the good Girls, Your affectionate Uncle, &c
M. Jon Williams.
9. On Dec. 5, the cannon that BF had ordered John Bondfield to ship (XXXIII, 281, 291–2, 307, 316–17) were finally loaded on the Marquis de Lafayette at Bordeaux. Three documents attest to this: a signed statement by Bondfield dated Dec. 5, 1780, written on the bottom of his bill for the cannon from Louis Sazerac l’aîné & fils (University of Pa. Library); a receipt of T. Jauge, dated Dec. 7, for 28 18–pounders received from Bondfield for Chaumont (APS); and Bondfield’s detailed invoice of expenses for transporting and loading the cannon, including a 3 percent commission, dated Dec. 9 (University of Pa. Library).