Richard Price to the American Commissioners, 18 January 1779: résumé
Richard Price to the American Commissioners8
AL: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: National Archives (two),9 South Carolina Historical Society
<London, January 18, 1779: Dr. Price returns thanks for the invitation from Congress to become a member of the United States and assist them in regulating their finances.1 Honored as he is at their favorable opinion of him, he knows himself not qualified, and is at such an advanced age that he cannot move from a country to which he has been so long connected. He requests his reply be transmitted to Congress and looks to the American states as the hope and future refuge of mankind.>
8. Published in Taylor, Adams Papers, VII, 361–2.
9. One is in WTF’s hand and was enclosed in BF’s letter of May 26 to the committee for foreign affairs.
1. The offer of citizenship had been sent to him by the commissioners on Dec. 7, 1778. Price writes at greater length to Arthur Lee on Jan. 18th: he is content with his books in his study and is unlikely to undertake any further public employ. Lee is to tell “Dr Franklin that he is one of the friends in whom, while in this country, I always delighted, and for whom I must ever retain the greatest esteem and affection.” Boston Public Library.