Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-43-02-0114

To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Edward Newenham, 12 October 1784

From Sir Edward Newenham

ALS: American Philosophical Society

Belcamp 12 Ocbr. 1784

Dear Sir

I have the Honor of sending you the MORNING POST of this day,2 & entreat by a Single Line, that you will, by the return of the post let me Know whether you received, as I shall thereby Judge of the regularity of our new Establishment,3 & shall take my measures accordingly—

I am inclined to think the Tools of Government may take out the MORNING Post & Subsitute their own base, Lying and Corrupted Vehicle of Falshood & Misrepretation, consequently I shall impatiently hope for your Excellencys Answer—& when you have read it, you will keep it for our much respected friend4 on his return from America—

As the Attorny General declared he would prosecute the Sherriffs, I Suppose he will file an Information against me— I fear him not— I have Law, Precedent & Constitution on my side— An army of Lawyers cannot Injure me—5

I have the Honor to be Dear Sir with Every Sentiment of Respect & Esteem yr: Excellencys Most obt & Very Humble Sert

Edward Newenham

I beg for the Honor of your Excellencys introductory Letters to yr Friends in Boston New Yorke Rhode Island, Philadelphia & Charles town, as I requested in my last of the 9 Instant—

Addressed: To / His Excellency Dr Franklin / Minister Plenipotentiary / from the united States / Passy / near Paris—

Endorsed: Oct. 12, 84

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

2The Oct. 12, 1784, Dublin Morning Post reported on the assembly described below. Newenham sent it and the present letter under cover of a letter of Oct. 12 to his Paris bankers Dupont et fils, recommending that they read the paper before forwarding it and observing that the assembly had “much agitated” the public. APS.

3Ireland had just established an independent post office: The Parliamentary Register: or, History of the Proceedings and Debates of the House of Commons of Ireland … (15 vols., Dublin, 1784–95), III, 225.

4The marquis de Lafayette.

5On Oct. 11, Newenham had chaired a large meeting of Dublin freeholders at which he was elected as one of five delegates to the upcoming national congress for parliamentary reform. The meeting was held in spite of the sheriffs’ refusal to give it official sanction: [London] Gen. Evening Post, Oct. 21–23, 1784; [London] Public Advertiser, Oct. 23, 1784.

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