From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Johnson, 22 July 1777
To Henry Johnson
ALS: Public Record Office4
Passy, July 22. 1777.
Sir
The Bearer M. le Chevr. de Ꝃninon5 who is desirous of going to America, is well recommended to me as a Person of Character and Merit. If he takes his Passage with you, I make no doubt that you will treat him with all the Civilities due to a Gentleman, in which you will very much oblige Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
Capt. Johnson
Notations: No. 5 / N 5
4. There because Johnson failed to destroy his papers when the British captured the Lexington on her return voyage to America; see the note on the reproduction of this letter in Stevens, Facsimiles, XVI, no. 1584, which explains the “5” in the notation.
5. See the headnote on the preceding document. He apparently did not sail on the ship, as BF thought he might not; we have found no evidence that he was among the prisoners, or that he ever crossed on another vessel.