To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Hill, 14 June 1778
From Benjamin Hill6
ALS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania
June 14th 1778
Sir
Not knowing but my letter which I wrote you the 29th: of march (informing you of my determination to goe with capt. Jones expecting him to cruise Homewards &c.) might have miscarryed7 I therefore Have made free to troble you with another beging the favour of you sence I have been so disappointed in the Ranger, to procure me some way To America, or if there should be any business wherein I can be of any benifeit to my cuntry, and you should Think me worthy of employ I shall take the greatest pleasure of being in the sarvice. But as my long Absence calls me to pay attension to my family A longer terry in this cuntry would be disagreable. Nivertheless if you should have any objact in vew wherein I may be of sarvice and you could recommend Any means whereby I could send a present separt [separate] To my family I would be willing to terry sometime Longer. A speedy answare to this would be very Agreeable to your most obedient and very humble servant
Benjamin Hill
To the Honble: Benjn. Franklin Esqr
6. He had been John Paul Jones’s pilot in 1776, and rejoined him as a volunteer midshipman for the Ranger’s cruise in the spring of 1778; in the interim he had been captured at sea, confined in Forton Prison, and escaped: Morison, Jones, p. 119; Kaminkow, Mariners.
7. It either miscarried or has since vanished; this appears to be his only extant letter to BF.