From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 13 July 1778
To David Hartley
Two copies and transcript: Library of Congress
Passy, July 13 1778
Dear Sir
Inclosed is the List of our Prisoners, which by an accident was long in coming to us.7 There are supposed to be about 15 more remaining in the Hospital, whose names we have not yet obtained, and about as many who being recovered of their wounds have been suffered to go home to England. If you continue in the Opinion of making the exchange at Calais,8 you will send us the Papers necessary to secure the Vessel that shall transport the Men from the Ports where they are to that Place against Capture; as the marching them thither would be attended with great Inconveniencies, and many of them might desert on the way from an apprehension of being put on Board Men of war on their Arrival in England. I am ever Your affectionate humble Servant
BF
B. Franklin to M. Hartley
7. The commissioners had requested a list from Jones on June 10. Shortly thereafter they informed Hartley that the list, which they had not yet received, contained about two hundred names: XXVI, 605–6, 607, 626. Jones, who was en route to Passy, did not receive the letter until June 20 and presumably either had not prepared a list or did not have it with him. The list eventually furnished Hartley contained more than 250 names: see Hartley’s notation of BF’s letter to him, Oct. 20.
8. Hartley had transmitted the proposal in his letter of June 5: XXVI, 593.