To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 14 January 1784
From Ingenhousz
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Vienna Jan. 14 January 1784
Dear friend
This lettre will be delivred to you by the Countesse de Fries,2 a lady, to whose family I am obliged for their constant kindness and civitilities towards me. Her Husband, one of the richest and the most respectable men of Europe, establish’d here in the most extensive banking business, a protestant and a Republican, being a Swish born; being very desirous of knowing you and of being known by you, has desired me to send an introductory lettre to you for his lady, who is now at Lions and intends to come back to Vienna by the way of Paris.
I hope you will be so good as to show her that good countenance, you have allways bestowed on those, who were recommended to you by Your affectionate friend3
J. Ingen Housz
Addressed: a Son Excellence / Monsieur Benj. Franklin / Ministre plenipot. des Etats unies / de l’Amerique / a Passy
Endorsed: Jan 14. 84
2. Anne d’Escherny was the daughter of Jean-François d’Escherny of Neuchâtel, who served as consul at Lyon for the king of Poland. In 1764 she married the wealthy banker and industrialist Johann Fries (1719–1785), who became a count in 1783: P. G. M. Dickson, Finance and Government under Maria Theresia, 1740–1780 (2 vols., Oxford, 1987) I, 172–7; Lüthy, Banque protestante, II, 236n.
3. On the verso is a cartoon-like sketch of a smiling man and woman receiving a treatment from one of Mesmer’s baquets (tubs), which will be discussed in vol. 42.