To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Thompson, 2 June 1784
From Thomas Thompson9
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society
Dover 2 June 1784—
Sir
I have the honor to inform your Excellency that Mr. Jay embark’d on board the Ship Edward, Capt. Cooper with his Lady and family the 31 Ulto in the Evening with a fair wind which has continued ever since.1
I am also to advice you that a Picture of the Marquis la Fayet intended for Genl. Washington in Mr Jay’s care2 was oblig’d to be left on shore as the Ship was quite full and it could not be taken down the Hatchway the dementions being to large, if the ship had not been fully Laden. And it was thought very improper to take it upon Deck, the only way possible it could have been Carried, Mr Jay was very sorry to be under the necessity of leaving it behind. I promisd him to write you on this Subject and to follow any instructions you may please to give me respecting the further disposal of it. If you will prefer its going up to London it can be sent to the Kings Warehouse and waite an Opportunity of shiping it for what place and to whom you may order it to be consign’d.
But if you will Chuse to have it Returnd to Calais it can be sent back any day, I apprehend Mr Joshua Johnson in London can get it shipt almost every Week for any Port in America, If you are pleas’d to give me any instructions a Letter directed for me at Mr Laurance Isaac’s at Calais will be sent me the first Vessel from that port.3
I have the Honor to Remain with the most perfect Respect.— Your Excellencys Most Obedient and very Humble Servant
Tho Thompson
His Excellency Benjm. Franklin Esqr. Ambassador from the United States of America
Addressed: His Excellency B. Franklin Esqr. / Ambassador from the United States / of America / a / Paris
9. A Dover wine merchant. In XXVIII, 187n, we suggested that Thompson was already supplying BF with newspapers. In fact, that arrangement began only after WTF met with Thompson in Dover in August, 1784.
1. Jay sailed on June 1; see the annotation of BF to John and Sarah Jay, May 13, and Oswald to BF, June 8.
2. Lafayette entrusted to Jay a portrait of himself, his wife, and their children, which was to be a gift to GW. He informed GW of this in a letter of May 14: W. W. Abbot et al., eds., The Papers of George Washington, Confederation Series (6 vols., Charlottesville and London, 1992–97), 1, 380.
3. When WTF arrived in Dover, he arranged for Thompson to turn the portrait over to Johnson for shipment to America: WTF to BF, Aug. 28, 1784 (APS). GW received the painting in April, 1785, and hung it at Mount Vernon: Abbot, The Papers of George Washington, Confederation Series, III, 154–5.