To Benjamin Franklin from Penet, D’Acosta frères & Cie., 3 August 1780
From Penet, D’Acosta frères & Cie.
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Nantes August 3d. 1780
We beg leave to recommend to your care the annex’d packet for Mr. Philip Mazzei from the State of Virginia.5
We have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient & very humble servants
PENET D’ ACOSTA FRERES & Co
The Hble. Doctor Franklin.
Addressed: To / His Excellency / the Hble. Doctor Franklin
Notation: Penet d’Acosta, Nantes August 3. 1780.
5. Possibly a packet Gov. of Virginia Thomas Jefferson had sent by the Fier Roderigue. Mazzei was waiting for his credentials, letter of instructions, and remittances from the state to reach the Nantes merchant firm, which was refusing to honor his letter of credit on them: XXXI, 247–9, 414–15; Jefferson Papers, III, 341, 376. Almost a year later Mazzei still had not received the packet, although BF said he had forwarded it: Penet, D’Acosta frères & Cie. to BF, July 31, 1781 (APS); BF to them, Aug. 8, 1781 (Library of Congress).