Benjamin Franklin Papers
Documents filtered by: Recipient="Jefferson, Thomas" AND Period="Revolutionary War"
sorted by: editorial placement
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-37-02-0408

From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1782

To Thomas Jefferson

LS:2 Yale University Library

Passy, July 15. 1782.

Dear Sir,

I was in great Hopes when I saw your Name in the Commission for treating of Peace, that I should have had the Happiness of seeing you here, and of enjoying again in this World, your pleasing Society and Conversation. But I begin now to fear that I shall be disappointed, as I was in my Expectation of your Company, when I first undertook the Voyage hither.—3

Mr. Jones, who possibly may have the honour of delivering this into your hands, is a particular Friend of Mine, and a zealous one of our Cause and Country. I am sure you will be pleas’d with his Conversation, and therefore I make no Apology for recommending him to your Civilities. His Fellow Traveller too, Mr. Paradise an amiable & worthy Character, will merit, your Regards. He has affairs in Virginia, in which possibly your Counsels and Countenance may be of use to him, & which I therefore beg you would afford him.4 If in any thing I can render you or your Friends any Service here, you will do me a Pleasure in commanding freely, Dear Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant

B Franklin

Honble. Thos. Jefferson Esq.

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

2In L’Air de Lamotte’s hand, except for the last seven words of the complimentary close, which are in BF’s hand.

3On Sept. 26, 1776, Jefferson had been elected one of the American commissioners to the French court, but two weeks later he declined the honor: XXII, 624–5.

4Fourteen months earlier BF had requested Jefferson’s help for Paradise, who wished to prevent his wife’s properties in Virginia from being sequestered: XXXV, 25–6.

Index Entries