To Benjamin Franklin from Vincenzio Martinelli, 10 April 1781
From Vincenzio Martinelli1
ALS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Florence April the 10 1781
Sir
I received your very instructive Boock brought to me by the Bohemian pehilosofer.2 What you say of Canda has set me wriight about the importance of that immense continent to all the British Colonies of Amerique. What you say of Mr. Walpole rememberng me friendely geeves me plesure he ha been a very generus friend to me, and as long I live shall remember his benefactions. The Bohemian Fhilosofers Sudden departure for Rome has depriv’d me of the opportunity of paing him any Civility as your insinuation had disposed me to do. A month ago I had a momentanery tuch of frensy, wich few dops of a medicinal liquor dissipated in a sudden. My Phiscien advised I should leave of riding. I have done acordinly. I am gone 80. The to long siting has wickned my legs very much—I am and shall be for ever your honors most humble and obedient Servant
Vincent Martinelli
Addressed: To / The Honble. Doctor Franklin / Paris / sous Couvert de Mr. Lavabre Doerner & Comp.
1. Identified in XXX, 398–9, where he mentioned to BF their mutual friend Thomas Walpole.
2. Steinsky described his meeting with Martinelli in a letter of Sept. 12, written from Prague (Hist. Soc. of Pa.). Martinelli was ill, but BF’s book—Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces—and his letter (now missing) had cheered him considerably. It happened that Martinelli already owned a copy, so Steinsky took the opportunity to read it.