To Benjamin Franklin from Caleb Davis, 20 August 1783
From Caleb Davis5
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Boston August. 20th. 1783
Sir
The Liberty I take in Addressing your Excellencey and incloseing the within to your Care, is in Consequence of Mr. St. Johns request and information that he had obtained your permission for that purpose, and I most Ardently Wish the inclosed May reach him as it Contains information of Much importance for him to Know and Several Letters which have been Wrote him on the Subject have Miscaried—6
I have the Honor to be With every Sentiment of Respect your Excellenceys Most obedient and Most Humble Servant—
Caleb Davis
His Excelly. Benja. Franklin Esqr.
Addressed: His Excellencey / Benjamin Franklin Esquire / Paris / Pr. Capt Randall / Via London—
Notation: Caleb Davis Augt. 20. 1783.—
5. Davis (1738–1797) was a prominent Boston merchant, shipowner, and member of the legislature: George C. Shattuck, “Caleb Davis and His Funeral Dinner,” Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc., LIV (1920–21), 215–18.
6. In April, 1782, Crèvecœur sent Davis (whom he did not know, but who had been recommended to him) a bill of exchange for 25 guineas, with instructions on cashing it and on giving the sum to a close friend in New York to use for the care of Crèvecœur’s two children. The following November, frantic at having heard nothing, Crèvecœur wrote Davis a second time, begging him to make inquiries. See XXXVII, 75; St. John de Crèvecœur to Caleb “Davies,” April 7 and Nov. 20, 1782 (Mass. Hist. Soc.).