To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 4 December 1781
From Richard Bache
ALS: University of Pennsylvania Library
Philadelphia Decr. 4th. 1781.
Dear & Hond. Sir
I have already wrote you by this Conveyance. You doubtless will have heard of Mr. Deane’s Letters that have made so much noise in our Hemisphere, and which have ruined him in the opinions of his Countrymen. In hearing these Letters spoke of in various Companies, Dr. Bancroft’s name has been brought in question, and I find him lay under some suspicions— these may arise only from his intimate connection with Mr. Deane, be this as it may, I have thought it my duty, to give you a hint respecting him, knowing your long Intimacy & great regard for him—8 I remain Hond. Sir Your affectionate Son
Rich: Bache
Dr. Franklin
Endorsed: American Friends
8. Bancroft and Deane had speculated jointly on the London stock exchange: XXIII, 25, 64n, 202n; XXV, 22, 417n. We doubt, however, that Bancroft was involved in Deane’s decision to write the letters for the British government (for which see Livingston’s Nov. 26 letter). Deane, now in Ghent, wrote Bancroft on Nov. 23 to justify his actions as if Bancroft had not been involved, and Bancroft was reluctant to communicate with Deane, probably fearing he himself would be implicated: Deane Papers, IV, 537–41, 547–8, 551.