To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 19 April 1784
From Charles Thomson
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Annapolis 19 April 1784
Dear Sir,
In my last I informed you that I had taken measures to gain information respecting Mr Marggrander and the other persons enquired after.5 The enclosed is a copy of letter I have received from our old neighbour Reuben Haines in answer to my enquiries touching Marggrander.6 With respect to the others I have yet heard nothing—
Give me leave my dear Sir to recommend to your friendly notice and protection Mr Isaac Norris a son of our old friend Norris.7 He is young & inexperienced but of a good disposition and with proper care may become a useful member of Society. The last letter I had from him informs me that he was at Leige in Flanders, but that he intended to visit Paris. Should he still be at Leige I would take it as a favour if you would send him a letter to introduce him to proper company and to make his travels useful to himself and to his country. He left home too young and too little informed respecting the affairs of his own country he will therefore stand in need of more advice abroad, and I know none more capable of advising him or whose advice will have more weight with him than yours, as he has a strong desire of being under your patronage.
I am with the greatest Esteem & respect Dear Sir Your affectionate old friend & obedt humble Servant
Chas Thomson
Doctr B. Franklin,
Notation: Chas Thomson Esqr to B F. Ap. 19. 84.
5. Thomson’s last letters, sent by different couriers but covering the same material, were written on Jan. 14 and Jan. 15: XLI, 463–4, 472–4.
6. The copy, in a secretarial hand and written on the same sheet as Thomson’s letter, is of Haines’s reply of March 24, 1784. Haines writes that Marggrander had worked for him for several years as a brewer and cooper but left Philadelphia in 1777. From what Haines could determine, Marggrander then moved to Lancaster County and served in the militia.
7. Thomson had recommended Norris the previous September: XLI, 45–6. He also wrote on Norris’ behalf to Jay and Jefferson: Smith, Letters, XXI 693–4, 695, 746n.