To Benjamin Franklin from John Shaffer, 7 October 1781
From John Shaffer
ALS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Grand Chatlet 7th Octr 81
Sir
Mr DAutun Call’d upon me to settle this Afair with me but Has Ocation for some money As he has Expended a large sum— it is imposible to finnish if I do Not Give him some Money or bills for one half Of the Defesinsis & Expences Attending this Matter—
Thererfore I hope your Exelency will Not refuse to indorse my bills in Order to finnish this unhappy Affair for wich I shall Acnoladge my self to be Your Exelencys Most obedent & Very Humble Servant5
J Shaffer
His Exelency Dacter Franklin
5. The next day Shaffer wrote WTF to advise BF to ignore this request: “Dautun has … requested me to Ask His Excelency to indorse my bills in case theire should be a ballance due him, He Presed me in such A manner that I could Not refuse him— At the same time Noing that His Exelency would Not consider it with his station do any Such thing Neor Could I aske it.” However, he hoped that BF would satisfy d’Autun that the deed was good. APS. BF himself had explained to Shaffer that his station prevented him from taking any such action: Sept. 27, above.