From Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand, 4 December 1780
To Ferdinand Grand
Copies: American Philosophical Society,4 Library of Congress
Passy, Dec. 4. 1780
Sir,
In case you furnish Mr de Chaumont with Four hundred Thousand Livres tournois on Account of the Cloths he has sold to me, this shall authorise you to receive the said Sum out of the Aids of Government for the ensuing Year, in quarterly Payments, agreable to the Etat formerly settled, and to retain the same in your Hands in discharge of the Four hundred thousand Livres abovementioned: you returning to me the Order I gave you two Days since for the Payment of Fifty thousand Livres to the said M. de Chaumont.5 Witness my hand,
[lined through:] B Franklin
Mr Grand
Notation in Franklin’s hand: Dec. 4. 1780 Intended Authority to Mr Grand for furnishing 400,000 Livres to Mr de Chaumont on Acct of the Cloth cancel’d.
4. In BF’s hand. This appears to be BF’s retained copy of an agreement he later nullified, as indicated by the notation and the fact that the signature was lined through.
5. Chaumont received 400,000 l.t. from Grand on Dec. 4 “sur ma reconnoissance”: Account XXVI (XXXII, 3).