To Benjamin Franklin from Caroline Edes, 9 December 1781
From Caroline Edes1
ALS: American Philosophical Society
December the 9th: [1781]
Sir,
Fearing you may not know how to direct your Answer to mine of yesterday,2 I take the liberty to send you my address.
I am with great Respect, Sir, Your most Obedient Servant
Caroline Edes.
Chez Monsieur Genet,3 Chef du Bureau des Affaires Etrangeres, A Versailles.
Addressed: Benjamin Franklin, Esq:
Notation: Caroline Edes Decr. 9. 1781
1. This is the first letter in a brief correspondence from a woman whose name appears nowhere else in BF’s papers. She might be the daughter of DF’s mother’s cousin Mary Edes: VIII, 140–1 (E.2.1.1), 144.
2. Missing, as is BF’s reply of Dec. 10. See her next letter of Dec. 12.
3. Edmond-Charles-Edouard Genet (XXX, 71n) succeeded his father as head of the bureau des interprètes after his father’s death on Sept. 11, 1781: DBF. His father had conveyed letters between BF and Edward Bridgen.