To Benjamin Franklin from Bache & Shee, 31 May 1783
From Bache & Shee
ALS:7 American Philosophical Society
Philadelphia May 31st: 1783.
Sir
We were honored yesterday by your recommendatory Letter of 22d. February last, of Torris & Wante’s house of Dunkirk;8 their Brig Franklin with a supercargo on board, is safe arrived; but to a bad Market, as our Port is glutted with every species of Goods;9 we shall however do every thing in our power to serve the interest of this House, and we trust, not discredit your recommendation of us to them—
Please to accept our thanks for your so kindly interresting yourself in our behalf, and believe us to be with respect Sir Your most Obedt. & very Humble servts.
Bache & Shee
The Honble. Dr. Franklin
7. In RB’s hand.
8. Not found, but BF had promised J. Torris & Wante that he would send it: XXXIX, 174–6.
9. Caused by a dramatic increase in the number of ships arriving at Philadelphia in May, many of them from the Netherlands, France, and Portugal: Richard Buel, Jr., In Irons: Britain’s Naval Supremacy and the American Revolutionary Economy (New Haven and London, 1998), p. 246.