To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, [after 16 June 1780]
From Jacques-Donatien LeRay de Chaumont
AL: American Philosophical Society
[after June 16, 1780]1
M de Chaumont a L’honneur de prevenir M. franklin que C’est aujourdhuy Le Courier de Bretagne2 et que S’il veut que L’alliance reste a L’orient Comme Cela est Bien Necessaire il est interessant qu’il envoye Ses ordres aujourdhuy au Capitaine.
Notation: Chaumont
1. On the assumption this note postdates BF’s unsuccessful attempt of June 16 to force Landais to leave the Alliance. BF does not seem to have issued further orders to the naval captain to remain in Lorient; Landais moved the Alliance from there on the 23rd.
2. Postal couriers left for Lorient on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday: Almanach Royal for 1780, p. 616. June 16 fell on a Friday in 1780.