To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 4 May 1779
From Thomas Digges
ALS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Hotel de Yorke 4th May/799
Sir
I am very sorry to be troublsome to You, but I find great difficulty in procuring my pass, & am not likely to get one without You will indulge me so far as to write a line to the Lieutenant de Police to grant me one. I have taken Dr. Bancrofts advice about it and He advises me to send the inclosd out to You either for alteration or to get a note to the Lieutenant de Police.1 I am fearful If I do not get it some time in the forenoon tomorrow I shall be prevented setting out in time to meet the next sailing Packet at Calais.
I shall wait on You early in the morning, as You last appointed, provided I receive from You in ansr. to this no intimation that You will not be ready by that time to dispatch me. You know my object, and may assure Yourself I shall have the highest satisfaction in attending patiently to those or any other of Your Commands.
I am with the Highest esteem Your very obligd & Obt. Servt
Tho Digges
The Honbe. Dr. B. Franklin Passy
Notation: May 4 1779
9. In Paris. The previous day Digges had sworn an oath of allegiance to the United States of America before BF at Passy. APS.
1. The enclosure is missing. In a note dated “Tuesday Noon” (May 4 was a Tuesday), Bancroft wrote that he could easily have procured what Digges needed (presumably passage to London) if BF had given him a pass for London; the one to Calais was useless. A line from BF directly to the Lieutenant de Police (Jean-Charles-Pierre Lenoir: XXVII, 578n) would save having to obtain another passport. He would meet Digges at the residence of Edmund Jenings. APS.