To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 December 1780
From Jonathan Williams, Jr.
ALS: American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library
Nantes Decr 23. 1780
Dear & hond Sir
This serves to inclose an Accot furnished by Mr DeSegray & Co for the Expenses which have attended the Saltpetre, which please to return me with your Approbation at the Foot of it & I will pay accordingly.
I also inclose Extract of a Letter I have receivd from the Commr of the Genl Mifflin Privater with Copy of his Prisoners Paroles of which you will make such use as you think proper.8 I am ever with great Respect Your dutifully Affct Kinsman
Jona Williams J
8. Capt. George Waith Babcock’s letter, written on board the General Mifflin, lacks a date. His certificate of prisoners’ paroles is dated Sept. 27, 1780. The extracts of both documents are filed with JW’s letter at the APS. Babcock’s cruise had begun in Boston earlier that month: John A. McManemin, Captains of the Privateers during the Revolutionary War (Spring Lake, N.J., 1985), pp. 106–7. He had dealt with BF about prize matters in 1779; see vols. 30 and 31.