1To Benjamin Franklin from R. Parsons, 12 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you will Pardon a liberty which nothing but the deepest distress cou’d induce me to take. I feel the indelicacy of importuning a Perfect stranger to afford that relief, which I have no right to demand, and which goodness of heart alone, can Prompt you to bestow; but indeed, Sir, a Situation such as mine, is an excuse for any impropriety there may be...
2To Benjamin Franklin from R. Parsons, 17 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Th’o I was not so fortunate to receive any answer to my last letter, I venture once more to address you upon the same melancholy subject. Pray Sir, forgive my presumption, forgive the reiterated trouble my distress forces me to give you. I am almost distracted, and I know not which way to turn for relief. I am under the humiliating necessity of deviating...
3To Benjamin Franklin from R. Parsons, 2 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me (for the last time I shall ever presume to trouble you) to acquaint you that I have it now in my Power th’o upon very distressing and disagreable terms to obtain my liberty—My Landlord who I inform’d you Sir, in a former letter had seized all my cloaths &c: has at last come to a resolution to suffer me to depart for England— My declining health,...
4To Benjamin Franklin from R. Parsons, 2 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Notwithstanding the ill Success of my two former applications to you, I am by dire necessity compelled once more to address you. As a drowning Person will catch at the least twig, so I am led by the last ray of hope, to solicit your Protection before the finishing stroke is put to my calamity, which is already begun. My Landlord yesterday seized all my...