To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 25 October 1780
From Robert Morris
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Philada. Octr. 25th. 1780
Dear Sir
I take the liberty to introduce an Old acquaintance of mine to your Patronage & Protection whilst he may Stay in Paris which I apprehend will be but a Short time, it is Mr. Isaac Hazelhurst of this place who Visits Europe on Commercial Views and who I fancy will transact his business chiefly in France & Holland.7 Your Countenance cannot fail to be usefull to a Stranger and I wou’d not ask it, but in favour of a deserving Man.
Your Enemies are busy here but I hope their operations will not be able to touch you, If I can help to bear the shield that protects Your honour & your reputation I shall deem it no small happiness for I am Dr Sir Your sincere admirer & Obedt hble servt
Robt Morris
His Excy Doctr Benjn. Franklin Esqr Minister Plenipy Paris
Addressed: His Excelly / Doctr Benjn. Franklin Esqr. / Minister Plenipoy / Paris / by Mr. Isaac Hazelhurst
7. Isaac Hazelhurst, Sr. (1742–1834), a Philadelphia merchant who had emigrated to America from Manchester, England, and contracted with Morris to purchase goods in Europe. By the end of February, 1781, at the latest, he was in Paris. He apparently returned to America a little more than a year later. His only daughter, Mary Elizabeth, married Benjamin Henry Latrobe in 1800: Morris Papers, I, 10, 12n; John C. Van Horne and Lee W. Formwalt, eds. The Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Henry Latrobe (3 vols., New Haven and London, 1984–88), I, 177n; 186n; Hazelhurst to BF, March 24, 1782 (APS).