To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache: Two Letters, 17 July 1781
From Richard Bache: Two Letters
(I) and (II) ALS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania
I.
Philadelphia July 17th. 1781
Dear & Hond. Sir
I had the pleasure of writing to you very fully under date of the 19h. & 22d: Ulto. by the Captains Josiah & Proule—4 when I sent you two more of the Indian spelling Books, & Newspapers, both Dutch & English, up to the latter date; I now commit to the care of Mr. Saml. Griffiths, the son of your old Friend Mr. Wm. Griffiths another bundle of Newspapers; this young Gentleman I have taken the Liberty to introduce to you; you will find him deserving your attentions; Temple I suppose will recollect him, as he went to School with him; I must beg Temple’s particular notice of him—
I have the pleasure to tell you the Family is well, we expect an increase of it in two or three Months, Sally writes to you & Benny by this opportunity, I have therefore little else to add, than to repeat a hint I gave in one of my late Letters, that your French Friends whom you do me the honor to introduce to me, like Vin rouge, better than Madeira—5 I am Dear & Hond. Sir Your ever affectionate son
Rich. Bache
Dr. Franklin
Addressed: Dr. Franklin
II.
Philadelphia July 17th. 1781.
Dear & Hond: Sir
I hope this will be handed you by Mr. Samuel Griffiths, Son of your old Friend Mr. William Griffith’s decd.;6 who goes to France with a view of improving himself in the Study of Physick; As a deserving young Gentleman, of good Character, I recommend him to your Notice & Patronage;— Temple’s Attentions will not be wanting, I am sure—I am ever Dear & Hond. Sir Your Affectionate Son
Rich. Bache
Dr. Franklin
Addressed: His Excelly: / Dr. Benjamin Franklin / Minister Plenepoy. at the Court / of / Versailles / Favored by Mr. Griffiths
4. We find no letters from RB of June 19, but he had written to his father-in-law on the 18th and 20th (the first of these letters is discussed in our annotation of Samuel Wharton to BF, June 13, and the latter is printed above).
James Josiah was master of the Pa. ship Anne, 10; XXXIV, 248n. John Prole was master of the Pa. ship Delaware, 8, which was issued a letter of marque on Feb. 20, 1781: Charles H. Lincoln, comp., Naval Records of the American Revolution 1775–1776 (Washington, D.C., 1906), p. 265.
5. See RB’s letter of June 22.
6. William Griffitts was an associate of BF’s in the Pennsylvania Hospital and the Philadelphia Contributionship. He died in 1762: IV, 290; VII, 174n. For his son Samuel see our annotation to Joseph Morris to BF July 10, above.