To Benjamin Franklin from Griffith Williams, 2 October 1778
From Griffith Williams2
ALS: American Philosophical Society
London. Octr. 2. 1778.
Sir
The Bearer Captn. T. Barnard has been very liberal to the Unfortunate. You will readily Conceive my meaning without Mentioning particulars. His attachment to the Rights of Mankind Keeps Pace with his Benevolence. Whatever favour he may require (which I dare say will be not unreasonable) grant it if Possible.
The Papers by Mr. Channing3 you Safely Received as he inform’d me by a letter from your Place of residence.
Captn. Collis and Barnard4 will inform you of Particulars So need not enlarge. Few lines in return by favour of Captn. Barnard will much oblige a Sincere friend to freedom &c.
G. Williams
Addressed: The Honle. Benjamin Franklin / att / Pasa
Notation: G. Williams London. Oct. 2. 78.
2. His first name is supplied from an undated list in his hand at the Hist. Soc. of Pa. entitled “Friends to American Liberty are friends to Mankind.” BF wrote on the bottom of this letter: “This Mr. Williams I understand to be a Surgeon who has been very charitable to the American Prisoners, conceal’d & reliev’d many of them, and furnish’d them with Money to get out of England. B F.”
3. John Channing. See his letter of Aug. 24.
4. Captains Peter Collas and Tristram Barnard.