To Benjamin Franklin from Landais, 7 July 1780
From Landais
LS: American Philosophical Society
Alliance at Groix 7th July 1780.
May it please your Excellency
I have waited ’till now for your Order for Sailing as you announced me another letter in yours of the 24th. June,5 to Come by the next Post—but since you have wrote me nothing and that you charged me in that letter with the prejudicial delay of the Sailing of the Alliance, and given no hopes of having my People righted, I have prevailed upon them to go to our own Country to seek Justice.
I have for my own part been treated very ill, and my Purser6 has been Put into Prison, but I hope We will have Satisfaction for the injury and I now acquaint you that I am getting under Sail to go to America.7
I have the Honor to be Your most Obedient humble Servt.
P: Landais Captain of the Alliance
Doctor Franklin
Notation: P. Landais Groix July 7. 80
5. XXXII, 586. See also XXXII, 539–40.
6. Nathan Blodget.
7. He sailed two hours later: Landais’ court martial testimony, Jan. 2, 1781 (National Archives). The Alliance arrived in Boston on Aug. 16: XXXII, 9n. This is Landais’ last extant letter to BF.