To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 17 August 1781
From Jonathan Williams, Jr.
ALS: University of Pennsylvania Library
Nantes Augt. 17. 1781.
Dear & honoured Sir
I inclose you a Proposition which appears to me more advantageous than any thing that has yet been done in that Way.2 If you choose to engage for the supply of Arms I trust you will give me the Order; if the Goverment is to supply us, as I am sure they cannot have a better Offer, I doubt not they will give me the Commission if you will give in the Proposition. I request you will favour me with an Answer & am most respectfully Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman
Jona Williams J
Doctor Franklin
Notation: Jona Williams. Augt. 17. 1781
2. The proposition is dated Aug. 16, and is written in French. JW will supply 10,000 fusils at 18 l.t. apiece and, for an extra 3 l.t. per fusil, would ship them to New England. He has an excellent ship for this purpose, which will be ready by the time the fusils are. Freight charges are extra, and JW’s commission is 2½ percent.
This proposal was never forwarded; see WTF’s answer to JW, Aug. 24, below.