To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 4 April 1778
From William Alexander
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin . . . (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II, 244.
Saturday Morning, April 4, 1778.
My Dear Sir,
Upon a night’s reflection it is thought right that you be possessed of the inclosed,8 to be afterwards returned without taking copy in case no business be done. Will you let me know by the bearer if we are to see you in town to day, and when, that I may be at hand?
8. “Some proposals on the part of the British ministry,” WTF added in a note, “disapproved of by Dr. Franklin, and returned.” This seems most unlikely. Whitehall’s proposals had apparently been rejected days before; see the headnote on Pulteney to BF above, March 29. In any case, why should Alexander have needed a night’s reflection before sending material with which BF was familiar? The only plausible explanation we can offer is that he and Pulteney were enclosing some new proposal that they had concocted during the night in hope of reviving the negotiation.