From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 February 1780
To Jonathan Williams, Jr.
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress
Passy, Feb. 23. 1780
Dear Jonathan
I have acquainted Mr Chaumont that I approved of his accepting the Bills, and that I would provide for the Payment. I observe they are drawn at 2, 3, & 4 Usances.—
As to the Cloathing. If the Congress had only demanded so many Suits, without giving particular Directions, we might have taken our Friends Opinions, and let them excercise their Judgments or their Fancies. But our Orders being very particular in describing every part of the Suit, I think they ought to be punctually executed.
I am just now told that your Uncle is in London, and that it is suspected he is gone to carry Intelligence to the Ministry.—6 Is he not still with you?
My Love to the Goodeys, & believe me ever Your affectionate Uncle
BF
Mr Williams
BF. to J. Williams Feb. 23. 1780 Approbation of M. de Chaumont’s Acceptance of Mr Williams’s Bills. Also a letter to Mr Johnson7
6. WTF had already warned JW of the report that John Williams was in London. JW answered on Feb. 24 (APS), enclosing a letter from Williams to prove that he was in Nantes, and begging WTF to counter the report before it had a chance to injure the reputations of either his uncle or himself. This was not the first time John Williams had been the object of suspicion; see XII, 193; XXVI, 386–8.
7. BF drafted his Feb. 22 letter to Johnson and the present letter on the same sheet of paper.