To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 22 June 1784
From Edward Bridgen
ALS: American Philosophical Society
London June 22 1784
My Dear Sir
Our Mutual Friend Mr Hollis has just left this with me to send to your Excellency which I inclose in a packett to Monsr: Genet and dare say that you will receive it safe.1
I did myself the honour to send you through the hands of Mr Hartley Mr Champions observations on Lord Sheffields book,2 which I hope you received safe & in a few days I shall convey by the same Channel a Tract which Mr Hollis mentions in his Letter sending you.
Mr Astle moved the other day in the Council of the royal Society that your Excellency might have the Gold Medal which was Struck on Acct: of the Protection given by the King of France and the Empress of Russia to Capt: Cook, and it was carried;3 and I suppose it will be soon sent you if not already done.
May every blessing attend your Excellency is the hearty prayer of Dr Sir Yr: faithful & Obliged
Edwd: Bridgen
Your Worthy Collegue4 is still detained at Falmouth but in good Spirits.
His Excellency Benj: Franklin
Addressed: A Son Exellence / Benjn: Franklin / a Passy
Notation: E. Bridgen. 22 June 1784
1. The enclosure was Thomas Brand Hollis’ letter of June 21, above.
2. See Bridgen to BF, June 10.
3. The Royal Society had resolved to strike these commemorative medals in 1780 (see XXIX, 86–7), and ordered five in gold to be presented to royalty who had offered Cook protection: the King and Queen of England, the Prince of Wales, the King of France, and the Empress of Russia. Sir William Jones and John Paradise nominated BF and Congress to receive the same medal in recognition of the passport BF had issued for Cook in 1779, but this was met with opposition: XXXI, 448–9, 487; XXXII, 27, 176–7, 220, 590. The medals were minted in early 1784, and once they had all been distributed, the council of the Royal Society resolved on June 17 to use the remaining funds from the subscription to strike additional gold medals for certain individuals, including BF: Council Minutes, Royal Society Archive.
4. Henry Laurens.