Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-27-02-0072

The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 13 July 1778: résumé

The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn9

AL (draft):1 Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives

<Passy, July 13, 1778: Capt. Amiel brought us this morning two letters from you2 enclosing testimonials to your good character. We had no doubt of it, and your trouble was unnecessary. A letter, it is true, did say that you were “somewhat too busy, in some particular matters,”3 but this did not prejudice us against you. If you send news to America, write the Hon. James Warren at Boston or the Congressional committee of foreign affairs; English newspapers are always acceptable. But write nothing that is unconfirmed; misrepresentations that are floating about mislead the people. Give the American seamen you mention some employment, whether at Dunkirk, or at Brest or Nantes, that will save expense to their country.>

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

9Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary, IV, 159–60.

1In JA’s hand. All drafts in this repository, unless otherwise indicated, are his.

2Of July 9 and 10, above.

3A paraphrase of a cryptic remark in Poreau, Mackenzie & Cie.’s letter above, XXVI, 693. The commissioners chose to ignore the comment that Coffyn was “the most unproper person for such a Trust.”

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