Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-28-02-0169

Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 12 December 1778

Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners

ALS: American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives

Passy Decr 12. 1778

Honble Gentlemen

In December last I recvd at Nantes from Messrs Horneca Fitzeau & Co of Amsterdam sundry merchandise on accot of Mr Grand as appeard by the Invoices, immediately on their arrival I wrote to Mr Grand to know their Destination, his answer was that his name was only lent & that the Goods were for Accot of the Commissioners, I accordingly delivered them to Mr Schweighauser who has since shipped them to america as belonging to the public. Among these Goods are 13 Packages marked1 No 1.–13 which I since find are the Property of Mr Simeon Dean2 who now demands them. I wrote to Messrs Horneca Fitzeau & Co on the Subject & have the honour to inclose their answer3 which after perusal I request you will return me, with Directions to the said Messrs Horneca Fitzeau & Co to pass the amount to your Debit as the only method remaining to rectify the mistake.

I have the honour to be with the great Respect Honble Gentlemen Your most obedt Servant

Jona Williams J

The Honble The Commissioners of the United States

Notations in different hands: J. Williams Decr 12. 1778 inclosing a Letter from Hornica Fize & Co. / Williams / Dec 12. 78—/ M. Williams, inclosing Letter from Horneca Fitzeau & Co.

1Here he drew a design resembling a shamrock.

2The order is mentioned in Deane Papers, II, 301. Silas Deane’s brother, currently pursuing business from Virginia and Maryland (as he had written to WTF on Oct. 2, APS), had arrived in America from France the previous April: XXVI, 300. An inventory of the goods he had ordered through Horneca, Fizeaux & Cie. is enclosed in BF’s letter to that firm, April 20, 1779 (University of Pa. Library). Three of the cases contained lengths of fabric, and ten held various medicinal herbs and drugs.

3Dated Nov. 26. National Archives.

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