To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Wulffen, 7 July 1780
From the Baron de Wulffen
L:8 American Philosophical Society
Venlo the 7th. jullett 1780
Sir
I have the Honour to late your Exelance know that am in tollerable good health arrived here at Venlo, where, where I am oblidged to rest Some days,9 meen time them depeches your Exelance Sent along are Delivered in good hands in the Hague,1 His Exelance Knowing I’ am wishing nothing more than to Return again to my post to which End have the Honour to hould my Self Recomended to your Exelance thanking your Exelance for the alrady Received protection and Honours Subschryet myself with diepst Respect, Sir your Most Humble and most obedient Servant
Johan Henrick De Wulffen
P.S. Exelance favour me with a letter of answer to this an I Shall have the Honour to wait your Exelances further orders in here
8. The signature is in the hand, unknown to us, of the person who wrote the letter for him.
9. He spent only a few weeks with his sister and brother-in-law. By Aug. 1 he was in Amsterdam, where he reported himself partly recovered from a recent indisposition and worried only that “le bon Dieu” would preserve BF for his important work. He concluded, “Nos amis Vous donnerai de Lettres, donc Votre Excellence n’est pas encore informé de nouvelles extraordinaires et je me recommande à lavenir de votre protection.” On Oct. 9 he wrote in German from Rotterdam a final letter complaining of being ill-treated in spite of BF’s protection. Both of these letters are at the APS.
1. Presumably to Dumas; see Dumas’ letter of July 4.