From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Desfours, 23 November 1784
To——— Desfours3
Press copy of LS:4 American Philosophical Society
Passy ce 23 Nov[re 1784]
Je n’ai point reçu, Monsieur, le Projet dont vous faitez mention dans la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 15 du mois dernier; et Je serois bien aise de le voir. Quant à la Commn que vous desirez, Je n’ai aucune autorité pour l’accorder ou la refuser; tout ce que Je puis faire c’est d’envoyer votre Requete au Congrès, et de vous faire part de sa Reponse.
J’ai l’honneur d’être, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obéisant Serviteur./.
B. Franklin
M. Desfours.
3. Written in answer to Desfours’ letter of Oct. 15 (APS). This captain of cavalry from Lyon had written three times before; the first two letters asked permission to send a scheme that would make America a powerful nation, and with the third letter, he enclosed it: XLI, 451–2; XLII, 158. On Oct. 15, Desfours expressed regret that, judging from BF’s failure to respond, the work did not meet with his approval. Desfours had hoped that out of consideration for his contribution, BF would have granted his most fervent wish, a brevet as captain of the Continental Army.
4. In L’Air de Lamotte’s hand, and based on a note for a reply that BF drafted on Desfours’ Oct. 15 letter: “That I have never receiv’d the Project he mentions, & should be glad to see it. That I have no Authority to grant such Commissions as he desires, but will forward his Request to the Congress.— &c”.