Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-33-02-0272

From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 26 September 1780

To Sartine

Copy: Library of Congress

Passy, Sept. 26. 1780.

Sir,

As soon as I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of Writing to me relative to the Exchange of Capt. John Bell & his Son, I wrote to the Owner of the Black Prince to know if they were not Hostages for the Ransom of their Vessel.2 I have now received an Answer, that they are not Ransomers, but merely Prisoners, their Brigantine Hopewell having been taken by the Black Prince and afterwards retaken by the Enemy.3 There is therefore no Objection to their being exchanged for Americans by the first Opportunity.— With great Respect I am, Sir, &c.

M. De Sartine

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

2. Sartine to BF, Aug. 5, above; BF to Torris, Aug. 7, above.

3. Torris to BF, Aug. 11, above. On Sept. 20 William Hodgson had written BF, above, to ask their exchange, but we do not know if BF had received it yet.

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    Franklin Papers
    Title
    From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 26 September 1780
    Author
    Franklin, Benjamin
    Recipient
    Sartine, Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de
    Date
    26 September 1780

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 26 September 1780,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-33-02-0272. [Original source: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 33, July 1 through November 15, 1780, ed. Barbara B. Oberg. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1997, pp. 328–329.]

    More between these correspondents