To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 9 March 1782
From Robert R. Livingston
LS:7 University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives
Philadelphia, 9th. March 1782
Dear Sir
The enclosed Letter from the Superintendant of finance was written in consequence of the resolutions of which I sent you a copy in my last—8 I then detailed so fully on the Subject that I can give you no further information on that head— than is contained in the enclosed, which as I was just going out of Town I have requested Mr Morris to put in his Cypher.9
I have the honor to be, sir With great respect & esteem Your most obedient humble servant
Robt R Livingston
His Excellency B Franklin Esqr.
No. 10 Copy 3plicate
Endorsed: Mr Secy. Livingston No 10 March 9. 1782
7. The transcript indicates that copies were sent via the brig Antoinette and the ship Philadelphia, and that this LS was sent via an unnamed frigate from the Chesapeake.
8. The resolution was one authorizing BF to borrow 12,000,000 l.t.; see our annotation of Livingston’s previous letter of Feb. 13.
9. The enclosure was Morris’ letter to Livingston of the previous day, which explained the reasons why it was necessary to borrow 12,000,000 l.t. (Morris Papers, IV, 369–72); a deciphered copy is among BF’s papers at the Hist. Soc. of Pa. On March 9 Morris sent BF authorization to take under his inspection the American goods detained in Amsterdam and sell any of British manufacture. He also informed BF that he was drawing bills on Ferdinand Grand. This letter (or perhaps letters) is no longer extant, but Morris described its contents in letters to President of Congress Hanson, Grand, and Jean de Neufville & fils: Morris Papers, IV, 376–8, 378, 378–9.