To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens, [before 13 May 1781]
From John Laurens
ALS: American Philosophical Society
[before May 13, 1781]4
I send your Excellency the Estimate of the Board of War with the prices—5 Your note to Mr de La Rouerie was dispatched immediately—6 As sunday is the day which the Count de Vergennes has appointed for my taking leave, I shall be deprived of the pleasure of dining with Your Excellency—but shall endeavour to pay you my respects as frequently as possible in the mean time— being with the most perfect veneration and attachment Your Excellencys most obedt Servt.
John Laurens.
Notation: Laurens John.
4. The Sunday immediately preceding Laurens’ departure for Brest, late on May 16 or on May 17: Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, IV, 416–17; Laurens to BF, May 16, below.
5. Not located. The estimate must have been for the supplies the Board of War had Laurens obtain in Europe: XXXIV, 212n, 244, 380n, 440.
6. We have not found the note to La Roüerie, also known as Col. Armand, for whom see BF to Schweighauser, May 3.