To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 22 June 1779
From Samuel Wharton
AL: American Philosophical Society
Rue L’Universite Hotel de Rome June 22d. [1779]
Mr. Wharton presents his Compliments to Mr. Franklin & sends the News Paper, containing the Spanish Declaration of War.6 Mr. W’s Friends write Him, That the Merchants & Stock Jobbers keep the Price of Stocks, from an Opinion, That Spanish War was a good Thing & would produce great Quantitys of Silver & Gold.7
[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]
6. Almodóvar’s declaration was published in London newspapers on June 19.
7. Silver and gold were no doubt expected from captured Spanish treasure ships. These shipments, however, had already arrived safely in Spain: Dull, French Navy, pp. 127–8n.