To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 March 1781
From Jonathan Williams, Jr.
ALS: University of Pennsylvania Library
Nantes March 20 1781
Dear & hond Sir.
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Marquis de la Fayette is now loaded & ready for the Sea. I sent on last post my Letters to Congress & the Agent for supplying the Army informing them of all that is necessary relative to the Cargo,6 so that the Ship now only waits for your final Orders. My Presence at L’Orient has not been necessary for had I been there my Part of the Business could not have been conducted with greater Expedition, I shall however go this Week7 but think it probable the Ship will be gone round to Brest: If I find anything requires my Presence I will follow her on to that Place. I suppose you have given Capt Galatheau Orders about joining the Fleet8 as I hear he intends to do it, & he has not asked my Opinion about the Matter, nor indeed have I ever had a scrip from him on any subject. I have informed him that tho’ I believe it is intended he should join the Fleet at Brest, yet as I have not your direct Authority I cannot take upon myself to order it, as the final Orders relative the Destination of the ship must come only from you; I conclude however this matter was arranged when he was at passy.—
I hear it supposed that Coll Laurens’s Mission will tend to delay the Fleet a little while, I hope it will not be long as I think they should sail immediately after the Equinox and I think it would be imprudent to sail before.—
Mrs Williams still continues low, we have got her out twice in a Carriage but she does not recover fast, every favourable Appearance seems to be succeeded with an unfavourable Circumstance, no sooner is one irruption in a healing State than another in the same or the other Breast takes Place this has been the case already five Times, I flatter myself every one will be the last & I am every time deceived.—
I am ever most dutifully & affectionately Yours
Jona Williams J
Notation: J Williams Mar 20. 1781
6. JW wrote to the “Committee of Congress for Foreign and Commercial Affairs” on March 18, enclosing the “Bill of Lading & Invoices sent herewith under cover to the Congress Agent for Cloathing the Army, in any part of the United States where the Vessel may happen to arrive.” He expected to be able to dispatch the vessel 6 months earlier, “but the unaccountable delay in the persons who had the management of her at Bordeaux, is the Sole occasion of her being now in France.” He hopes that “no part of the delay will be laid to [his] charge.” He had to freight the entire ship, although they were not able to fill her. He asks that the ship be unloaded carefully: if any cargo is not accounted for in his invoices, it should be stopped until the charges are paid. BF’s copy of this letter is at the APS.
7. JW wrote to WTF on March 24 that he was “just now setting off.” APS.
8. The Sagittaire’s convoy. It sailed, in company with de Grasse’s fleet and convoy for the West Indies, on March 22, before the Marquis de Lafayette could reach Brest: Dull, French Navy, p. 224. Although at least one ship from the convoy was captured by the British, the Sagittaire and most of the others reached Boston safely: Lee Kennett, The French Forces in America, 1780–1783 (Westport, Conn., and London, 1977), p. 107; Dull, French Navy, p. 242. The Marquis de Lafayette, dependent for escort on a single frigate, the Alliance, would not be so fortunate.