Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-28-02-0513

From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 25 February 1779

To Sartine

Copy: Library of Congress

Passy Feby. 25. 1779

Sir

I thank your Excellency for the Appointment of a frigate to escort the Ships from Nantes to the Isle of Aix, and the Assurances of Protection to our Vessels who may join the Convoy there.5

Our Frigate the Alliance, is order’d to prepare for returning immediately to America. If your Excy. should think fit to send some Dispatches by her, they may probably go safe, as she is a remarkably swift sailer.6

I thank your Excy. also for your favorable Dispositions towards the Chevr. de Marigni, express’d in the Letter you honor’d me with of the 13 inst.

I have been ever since severely handled by the Gout & unable to write or think of Business. But I now hope I shall soon be able to pay my Respects to your Excy. in Person at Versailles and to congratulate you on better News from the West Indies.7

I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect &c.

To his Excy. M. de Sartine

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

5See Sartine’s letter of Feb. 11. BF had suggested to the merchants at Nantes that they go to America with the Alliance instead of to the West Indies with the French convoy.

6BF had sent the orders to Landais on the 22nd.

7A tactful reference to the bad news, just published, of the French loss of St. Lucia: above, 103n.

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