From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes: Two Letters, 24 August 1783
To Vergennes: Two Letters
(I) and (II) LS:8 Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères
I.
Passy, 24. Augt 1783.
Sir,
Mr: Carnes, an American Merchant settled at Nantes, who has already presented your Excellency with a Petition requesting un Arrêt de Sur-seance, informs me that it cannot be complied with unless he first obtains the Consentment of a third of his Creditors; that in order to do this, his Presence is necessary at Nantes; but that his Liberty will be in danger if he has not a Personal Security from Government.9 I therefore take the Liberty of requesting your Excellency to afford him a Sauf-Conduitte ’till he can obtain the Consentment of the Majority of his Creditors, to his being favour’d with Lettres de Sur-Seance.
I have the honour to be, with great Respect Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Sert.
B Franklin
His Exy. Count de Vergennes
Endorsed: M De R
II.
Passy, 24th. Augt 1783.
Sir,
Mr: Harrison, an American Merchant, who will have the honour of presenting this to your Excellency, is connected in the House of Grubb & Co. at Nantes,—who have sent him to Paris on Business similar to that of Mr. Carnes.1 He is well recommended to me as a worthy young Man, and I cannot but wish your Excellency to give him a favourable Hearing.
With great Respect I have the honour to be Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedt & most humble Sert.
B Franklin
M. le Cte. de Vergennes
Endorsed: M. De R.
8. In WTF’s hand.
9. See BF to Rayneval, Aug. 22, and his answer of Aug. 23.
1. See JW to BF, Aug. 19. Both men were granted safe-conduct passes: Vergennes, Memorandum, Aug. 27, 1783 (AAE).