Benjamin Franklin Papers
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Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-31-02-0034

From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 9 November 1779

To David Hartley

ALS, copy, and transcript: Library of Congress

Passy, Nov. 9. 1779

Dear Friend,

I received your Favour of Oct. 26. containing Copies of sundry Letters you had before sent me, which you apprehended had not been receiv’d.8 For the same reason I send you herewith Copies of several I have sent to you.9 I am sorry my Proposition of Exchanging in Holland was not attended to.1 It would have prevented a good deal of Misery to those poor Prisoners. I hope the Passport for Morlaix is arrived, and that another Cargo is gone there.2 I expect to send you your Friend Stephenson in a few Days.—3 Believe me ever Yours most affectionately

B Franklin

Capt Robertson is arrived here4

D. Hartley Esqr

Endorsed: DF Nov 9 1779

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

8See Hartley’s second letter of that date: XXX, 597.

9The enclosures are missing, but BF’s most recent letters to Hartley were those of Oct. 8[–10] and 19: XXX, 487–9, 559–60.

1Immediately upon receiving word of Jones’s arrival in the Texel with 400 prisoners BF proposed that the English dispatch an equal number of Americans there to be exchanged: XXX, 488–9.

2BF sent the passport on Oct. 19: XXX, 559. Digges reported on Dec. 3, below, that Hartley had acknowledged receiving it “last week.” No such letter from Hartley is extant.

3Hartley had asked BF to discover the whereabouts in France of John Stephenson of Hull: XXX, 371, 488, 518, 526–7. On Nov. 21, the day after Hartley received this letter, he reported BF’s news to the Hull Trinity House: HTH, Letter file re Relief, Vol. I, 1699–1850.

4John Robertson: XXX, 488n.

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