To Benjamin Franklin from Patience Wright, 21 March 1783
From Patience Wright
ALS: American Philosophical Society
London March 21th 1783
Honoured Sir
By the Desire of Some of the honest membrs in Parliment this Inclosd proposals for a very useful paper (which is much wanted at this time)—the news papers are So undr the Direction of the Party of george—that no truth Comes out to inform the People—the people grone undr the tyrant and by assistance from America will through Such useful papers open the way to truth— Mr Martain Mr Evins and Councellor Lafft3 with othrs have Set forward This Weekly paper and by Franks and by Friends it will find its way through all Ranks of men— Major Labilliere Still is on his Hunt after the Enemis of truth as a Christian Solder he Sends his love and Enjoys the prospect when you arive— Inclosd is a note I wrote to you4 per a friend who delayd his going— The Barer Young MccKenning is to Set out tomorrow only waits Ld Surrys Motion in the house Lords Respecting Chussing a Minister.5
I am now in Fashon several noblemen this day Calld at my house and I find a total Eclieptes or darkness has Sezd on Pharoh—6
Pray help the Industorous honest hearted week English— Pity the people and Send this Rebel to Power over to Some Place where his Mischevous Consort or Party can no longer destroy the peace and Hapiness of Mankind—
The Honourabl Part the french Court has acted and the Light from America has now opend the Eyes of England—they only want your help to Set wisdom at Work—which will bring Peace and hapyness to us again— I beg you for god’s Sake for the Sake of Reason Concience Honour and the good of all Men write to the Membrs Parliment or City Membrs Direct them to actt Honest to the Articles of Peace. My daughter7 Joynes me in most Respectful Complnts to your grand Son Wm Franklin to Madam Elvisious and others Who Know my princepls I am Dear Sir your most faithful friend and very humble svt
Patience Wright
great talk of a Comitte of Safty &c. the men who is talkd of are Sir Cecil Wray Mr Martin Mr Powis Mr Eliott or Eliss8 5 in Numbr if No Choice this day is Made by the King the People PROCEED—
All your old friends in England Rejoyce in the hope of Seeing you once more amongst them and thousands Famalys Ready to Set out for America applications are making Evry day for Passages or Information Concerning the Voyge and for owners of Land and the meckanicks traids men merchts all Sorts openly declare England is Ruind they will go to Americca—this is thought one of the Reasons Why No minister and So long as no Ministers no Emigrations to America &cc Kings Politicks—
Addressed: For / His Exelency / B. Franklin Esqr / Paris
Notation: Wright 21 Mars 1783
3. James Martin, who represented Tewkesbury in the House of Commons, was an opponent of the Fox-North coalition: Namier and Brooke, House of Commons, III, 113–14. Thomas Evans was a bookseller and publisher, while Capel Lofft was a writer and founding member of the Society for Constitutional Information: ODNB.
4. Above, March 19.
5. The bearer was William Mackinnen, Jr., whom Benjamin Vaughan had introduced to BF in a letter of March 15, above. Charles Howard, Earl of Surrey (for whom see Samuel Vaughan, Jr.,’s Feb. 14 letter), seconded a motion in the House of Commons on March 24 to send an address to the king requesting a new administration: Namier and Brooke, House of Commons, II, 645; Cobbett, Parliamentary History, XXIII, 686–7.
6. George III.
7. Probably Phoebe Wright Hoppner, with whom she was living.
8. Sir Cecil Wray, James Martin (above), Thomas Powys, Edward Eliot, and Welbore Ellis (XIII, 145n) were members of the House of Commons: Namier and Brooke, House of Commons, II, 390, 397–400; III, 113–14, 320–2, 663–5.