From Benjamin Franklin to Gérard de Rayneval, 22 September 1781
To Gérard de Rayneval
LS:4 Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress
Passy, Sept. 22. 1781.
Sir,
The enclosed Letters have been put into my Hands relative to the Passport, which I sometime since desired, at the Request of M. de Cornie, for the Passage of Linens from Metz thro’ France for America.5 I find that M. de Malesherbes interests himself in the Affair, I suppose upon the Recommendation of M. de la Luzerne.6 You will judge on reading these Letters whether the Passport can properly be given or not: If M. le Comte de Vergennes does not think it improper, I shall be glad to have it as soon as possible.
With great Esteem I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin
M. de Raynevall
Endorsed: rep7
4. In Mumford’s hand, except for the last seven words of the complimentary close, which are in BF’s.
5. We do not know what letters he enclosed; he had requested the passport in his Sept. 9 letter, above.
6. BF’s friend Chrétien-Guillaume de Lamoignon de Malesherbes (XVI, 207n; XIX, 372n; XXI, 438n; XXV, 686n) was the uncle of La Luzerne: XXXII, 54n.
7. We have not found a response, although Vergennes wrote BF on the subject on Oct. 22, below.