Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-25-02-0362

The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 January 1778

The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr.

Copy: Library of Congress

Passy Jany. 10. 1778

Sir

We desire you would advance to Capt. Paul Jones, of the Ranger, five hundred Louidores, for which your draught upon us will be paid.2 We are Sir Your most Obedient Servants (Signed)

B. Franklin
Silas Deane
Arthur Lee

Jonathan Williams Esqr. Nantes
(A True Copy taken at L’Orient in August 1780 by Tho: Hutchins)3

Notation: From the American Commissioners Letter of Credit Passy January 10th 1778 recd. Passy January 10th. 1778

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

2To cover wages and equipment for the Ranger: Morison, Jones, p. 124. Jones was in Paris and Passy from mid-December to late January, trying to get a better ship than the Ranger; his heart was set on L’Indien. The attempt failed, and he had to be content with what he had. Ibid., pp. 120–4.

3An American engineer and geographer and a former captain in the British army, who was briefly imprisoned in London in 1779. He went to Paris in 1780 and obtained BF’s recommendation to Congress, which appointed him “geographer to the United States.” DAB.

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