Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-38-02-0379

To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, 28 December 1782

From David Barclay

ALS: American Philosophical Society

Youngsbury Herts: [Hertfordshire] 28th: of 12th: mo: 1782

Respected Friend.

Having been informed of the intention of Lady Juliana Penn to go to Paris, as an Advocate for the Representatives of the Founder of Pensilvania,9 I feel my self impress’d with a desire to cast in my Mite, unsolicited, & I trust, unnecessary, because that family have better Advocates— Justice, on their side, & my honourable Friend so large a share in the dispensing thereof— I shall add only, that, could I have believed my presence at Passy would have added one tittle to the advantage of the Descendants of William Penn, I should chearfully have offer’d my personal Service.

I am respectfully Thy affectionate Friend.

David Barclay.

P.S. I expect this will be delivered by my intimate & worthy Penn Richard Penn, who, I think, has the amplitude of heart & the nobility of Sentiment of his great Ancestor, whose memory he venerates.1 I trust, & hope we may live to meet on this spot together & to brighten the Chain—2 Be assured my fattest Calf shall be killed, & my oldest Mutton produced—

D. B.

Youngsbury 27/12 mo. 82.
Benjamin Franklin

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

9See Samuel Vaughan to BF, Dec. 16.

1Richard was the grandson of William Penn, as was his cousin John, the son of Juliana Penn.

2A favorite expression of Barclay’s friend John Fothergill and of BF; the chain was the chain of friendship: XXXI, 124n.

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