Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-25-02-0252

William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 21 December 1777

William Carmichael to the American Commissioners

ALS: New York Public Library

Paris Decembr 21st. 1777.

Gentlemen

I have this day renderd an account to Mr. Deane of the Sums disbursd by me on the Public service; I would have given it in sooner, but that I wishd and hopd to have had it in my power to have reimbursd the Whole. I render it to Mr. Deane because the money was cheifly expended under his orders and directions.4 I offer to become accountable to the Honorable the Congress for the Whole or any part which that body shall think unnecessarily expended, because I would have no Individual suffer for prejudices in my favor. Returning to America I beg leave to offer my Services and to assure you Gentlemen How much I am your very humble Servant

Wm. Carmichael

Addressed: The Honorable / Benjamin Franklin Silas Deane & Arthur Lee Esqrs / at / Passy

Notation: Carm. on his Account

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

4We have been unable to discover what Carmichael rendered. Two versions of his accounts are in print, one of what Deane owed him through December, 1777 (misdated Jan. 5, 1777), in Case of Silas Deane, pp. 135–6, and the other of what Deane advanced him through August, 1777, in the Deane Papers, V, 306. Both are jumbles of disbursements on the public service and tailors’ bills, cash loans, etc.

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