To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Hopkins, 11 May 1784
From Stephen Hopkins4
LS: American Philosophical Society
Providence May 11th. 1784.
Sir,
Mr. Solomon Drown, a native of this place, is a young gentleman of great modesty, and of a very fair character; has spent many years in his Studies here, and in his attendance on the various Medical Lectures at Philadelphia; and is now about to take a Voyage to France, in order to perfect his knowledge in the healing Art, and in the French Language.5
Any favours shown, or patronage afforded him while in France, will be very gratefully acknowledged by him, who is with sincere esteem, Your affectionate old Friend,
Step Hopkins
His Excellency Benja. Franklin Esqr.
Addressed: His Excellency Benja. Franklin Esqr. / Paris.
Notation: Hopkins May 11. 1784
4. Chancellor of the College of Rhode Island: XLI, 431.
5. Solomon Drowne (1753–1834), a 1773 graduate of the College of Rhode Island (later Brown University), studied medicine at the College of Philadelphia and served as a surgeon during the Revolution. In 1783 he was elected a fellow of the College of Rhode Island. Drowne sailed for England in November, 1784, and would visit BF the following June. After his return to the United States in the summer of 1785, he practiced medicine and taught, and was instrumental in founding the medical school at Brown University: Solomon Drowne, Journal of a Cruise in the Fall of 1780 in the Private-Sloop of War, Hope … (New York, 1872), pp. 18–26; Frederick C. Waite, “The Third Medical College in New England, that of Brown University (1811–1828),” New England Jour. of Medicine, CCVII (1932), 31; Solomon Drowne’s diary, Brown University Library.