To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 13 February 1778
From Samuel Cooper
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Boston 13. Feby. 78.
My dear Sir,
I am afraid, not having receiv’d a single Line from you since last May that my Letters to you have miscarried, and your’s to me. I wrote you the latter End of Octr. a long Letter giving as clear and particular an Account as I was able of the Northern Campaign, and it’s truly glorious Success.3 What has taken Place since will be related to you by Mr. Adams more minutely and in a much better Manner than I can write. I send this by my kinsman, William Cooper, Son of my eldest Brother, who will be mention’d to you by Mr. Hancock with whom he was once connected in Business, and who has a kind Regard for him. Mr. Adam’s Voyage was so little known, for obvious Reasons, and the Vessel sailing sooner than I expected prevented my writing by him.4 I am Sir with evry Sentiment of Esteem and Friendship, Your obedient humble Servant
Saml. Cooper
Addressed: The Honble Benjn. Franklin Esqr / In Paris
Notation: Cooper Saml. 3. Feby. 1778.
3. His letter is above, Oct. 25; for BF’s May letter see XXIV, 6–7.
4. Young Cooper (1750–88) had been clerk for the president of the Mass. provincial congress in 1775: Frederick Tuckerman, Thomas Cooper of Boston and His Descendants (Boston, 1890), p. 6. He carried a letter from Hancock, the following document, and did sail with Adams on the Boston; see his note from Bordeaux below under April 7.