To Benjamin Franklin from J. Cusson Ainé, 17 May 1777: résumé
From J. Cusson Ainé2
LS: American Philosophical Society
<Carcassonne, May 17, 1777, in French: I manufacture textiles and blankets suitable for America.3 A number of French dealers have asked for them and, I know, sold them profitably to the Americans, whom I should like to see profiting directly from my inexpensive goods. My offer would have a better reception if it came under your auspices. I enclose a price list.4 Endorsed by Franklin: “Proposal about Cloths.”>
2. The signature is hard to decipher. But a signed printed advertisement of his, doubtless enclosed with this note, is among BF’s papers in the APS.
3. Carcassonne was at the time a major textile center.
4. The prices for different types of cloth range from 7 to 11 sols the ell. He also offers to imitate cloth if furnished with a quarter-ell sample that includes both selvages.