To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 December 1779
From Jonathan Williams, Jr.
ALS: American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library
Nantes Deceme 9. 1779
Hond Sir.
As the Process which Mr Mercier thought fit to make against me is decided in my Favour, I according to the promise I made in my answer to the Memorial he presented to you herewith transmit his acct against the late Commissioners of the United States with the Vouchers exactly as I received it.4
I take the same Opportunity to transmit to you the Paper Money I received here by order of the Commissioners of some distrest american Prisoners which being charged in the acct settled by my Arbitrators and approved by you is no longer necessary to me as a Voucher and is the property of the Public; for the same Reason I also transmit several Receipts & Bills given to me by Prisoners for the Moneys advanced to them, to serve for the Recovery of the said moneys on accot of the Public, what others I formerly received have been already transmitted to the Committee.
Please to acknowledge the Reception of the Paper Money & Receipts according to the inclosed List.5
I am with the greatest Respect dear & Honoured Sir Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman
Jona Williams
Doctor Franklin
Notation: J Williams Decr. 9. 1779
4. For JW’s long-standing dispute with Mercier see XXVIII, 497–9.
5. That list, and the individual receipts, were at some later date forwarded to Congress and are now at the National Archives. The list is endorsed by BF: “Receipts and Paper Money from Jona Williams belonging to the United States.” Nineteen Americans are listed as receiving sums between Oct. 19, 1777, and June 1, 1778. Three additional men are listed under the separate category, “Paper Money,” dating from July 25 through Nov. 6, 1777.