Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-41-02-0073

To Benjamin Franklin from John Baynes, [15 October 1783]

From John Baynes

ALS: American Philosophical Society

Hôtel de Luxembourg—Ruë des Petits Augustins.
Wedn. Morning. [October 15, 1783]1

Sir

I take the liberty of informing your Excellency, that I shall sett off for England either tomorrow Evening or Friday. Not having my own servant with me just now, I send this by a Messenger who will either wait for any letters with which you may wish to favor me, or will call for them tomorrow, as shall be most agreeable. If you have been able to procure the list of books,2 I will request the favor to send it at the same time.

Having lent Grays Poems sometime ago to a gentleman in this town, I have not yet been able to get them returned, but will leave such directions as may ensure their being forwarded to Passy: I have however sent Mr. Masons poem3—& I send it with a firm confidence that it will be read with pleasure, when you are informed that the author is an independent man & a sincere friend to civil & religious liberty.

Permit me now to make my sincere acknowlegemts. for the great honor done me by Your Excellency in condescending to declare your sentiments so freely upon so many interesting subjects to one in every respect so little intitled to that attention as myself. The great distance between your Excellency & myself in age, rank, ability & consideration, make me feel so forcibly the favor I have received that I am at a loss how to express my sentiments. I can only say that I value the instruction & pleasure I have received from your Excellency’s conversation at too high a rate ever to forget the obligation conferred in permitting me to enjoy it. Wishing that your Excellency may enjoy many years of health and happiness, I remain, with all respect, Your Excellencys most obedient & obliged humble Servant,

John Baynes.4

Addressed: To / His Excellency Dr. Franklin.

1The Wednesday before Baynes left Paris; see Extracts of John Baynes’s Journal (published under Sept. 23, above), entry of Oct. 15.

2See Baynes’s journal, above, entry of Oct. 12.

3Baynes had evidently discussed with BF both publications: Thomas Gray, Poems (London, 1768), and William Mason, The English Garden: a Poem (4 vols., London, 1772–81). See Baynes’s journal, above, entry of Oct. 15.

4Beneath the signature BF added, “of Gray’s Inn London”.

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