Thomas Read to the American Commissioners, 25 August 1778: résumé

Thomas Read to the American Commissioners8

ALS: American Philosophical Society

<Nantes, August 25, 1778: I received yours by Capt. Barnes.9 I am recovering from an illness, and should be ready for sea in a few days. I request leave to sail for three months; I have sufficient provisions for that long, and, having brought thirty-one men, need only two more, for whom I request expenses. The men belonging to my vessel are willing to relinquish their high wages and sail for continental pay. My cruising in the Mediterranean, which I know very well, could more than repay all expenses. It will soon be the season for Newfoundland ships bringing fish to market; we need carry but a small quantity of provisions. I would like an answer as soon as possible.1>

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

8. Published in Taylor, Adams Papers, VI, 396–7.

9. The commissioners’ instructions to Read were written July 29; their most recent letter was Aug. 22.

1. None has been found.

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Source Project: Franklin Papers
Title: Thomas Read to the American Commissioners, 25 August 1778: résumé
Author: Read, Thomas
Recipients: American Commissioners
Franklin, Benjamin
Lee, Arthur
Adams, John
Date: 25 August 1778

Reference

Cite as: “Thomas Read to the American Commissioners, 25 August 1778: résumé,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-27-02-0278. [Original source: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 27, July 1 through October 31, 1778, ed. Claude A. Lopez. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1988, pp. 300–301.]