To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Johnson, 12 August 1781
From Thomas Johnson
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Maryland 12 Augt 1781.
Dear sir.
Mr. Ridley is about returning to France in prosecution of his private Affairs and impowered to transact some Business for this State8 your Acquaintance with him in France must have given you favourable Impressions of him— I have known him a long Time and he is one of the very few for the promoting whose Views I would request your Countenance.
I am dear Sir With great Regard Your most obedt Servant
Th Johnson
Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin / Paris / Favr. of Mr Ridley
Endorsed: Recommendation of Mr Ridley from Govr Johnson
8. His business was to obtain a loan for Maryland; see Carroll to BF, May 7. Gov. Johnson had earlier asked BF’s help for a similar mission: XXVI, 227–8. Ridley did not arrive in France until three months later: Herbert E. Klingelhofer, “Matthew Ridley’s Diary during the Peace Negotiations of 1782,” W&MQ, 3rd ser., XX (1963), 98.