From Benjamin Franklin to Bariatinskii, [c. 22 December 1783]
To Bariatinskii
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society
[c. December 22, 1783]
I have never before heard of the Resolution of Congress you mention, and I doubt much of its Existence. Nor do I know any thing of the suppos’d Decision in Council at Versailles concerning it.9 I understand that a Number of the American Officers have agreed to form themselves into a Society for the laudable Purpose among others of relieving their poor Widows & Orphans hereafter, and that they have made certain Rules for the Conduct of the Society; but I have no Copy of those Rules. When I have better Information, I shall communicate it to you with Pleasure.—
[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]
9. The decision had been made on Dec. 18; see the headnote to Bariatinskii’s letter, above.