To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 25 October 1783
From David Hartley
ALS: Library of Congress
Golden Square Oct 25 1783
My Dear friend
As short days & winter weather approach I have sent you the 12 yards of Scarlet Welsh flannel wch you requested me to bring with me at my return, because as the meeting of Parlt. is now so near at hand, I imagine that my return to Paris will be postponed till after that time. I wd not make you wait during Cold weather for the confortable scarlet waistcoat.2 Mr Jay is arrived, and is now very well, he has been a little out of order but is entirely recovered. I am going to Bath again to see my Dear Sister who goes on very well, and I expect Mr Jay to go likewise to Bath, and then we shall be very sociable together. My Brother & Sister desire to be kindly remembered to you. Pray give my best compts to Mr Adams & all friends in your own house particularly. Your ever affecte friend
D Hartley
Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsr Franklin / M P des E U A / á Passy / proche Paris / France
Endorsed: D Hartley to B F. Oct 25. 83
2. Hartley’s secretary, George Hammond, who did not leave Paris for England until Oct. 25, discovered the packet of flannel in Dover when he arrived there. It was addressed by Hartley to BF. Hammond sent it to Pierre Dessin in Calais, with orders to forward it to Passy. When writing to WTF to inform him, Hammond cautioned that the importation of flannel into France was prohibited, and that there might be difficulties at customs: Hammond to WTF, Oct. 23 and 31, 1783, APS. See also Dessin to BF, Nov. 4.