To Benjamin Franklin from Pothonnier & Cie., 27 October 1780
From Pothonnier & Cie.
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Paris Le 27e 8bre 1780
Monsieur
Nous avons receu hyer l’honneur de votre Lettre, qui nous laisse dans l’Incertitude Si les lettres de Change en acquit de Compte du Vau. [Vaisseau] Lariel Seront acceptés,1 nous avons eu celuy de vous prevenir que cet [c’est] notre Maison qui à acquittée toute la dépense de ce Vaisseau, par les Traites que Mrs. Gourlade et Moylan ont fournies Sur nous dont la majeure partie Sont acquittés, et le restant acceptées, nous esperons que vous aurés Egard, a la bonne Volonté que nous avons apportée à ce qui vous Seroit agreable.
Il est arrivée dernierement à Lorient, Quinze Voiture chargées de marchandises, pour votre Compte, Sans aucun avis, Les Voitures ont Coutés 2400 l.t. et les dittes Marchises. [Marchandises] ont été Enmagazinée pour attendre vos ordres.
Nous desirons, que votre Santé, Sera retablie, nous l’apprendrons avec un vray plaisir, Nous avons l’honneur detre avec un tres respectueux attachement, Monsieur Vos tres humbles et tres obeissants Serviteurs
Pothonnier ET Comp.
M. Benj. franklin a Passy
Notation: Pothonnier et Compe. Paris 27. 8bre. 1780.
1. BF’s letter is missing. By “accepting” their bills of exchange, BF would be promising to pay them when due; when actually paying the sums (through his banker), he would be “acquitting” them. This is the distinction that Pothonnier & Cie. will draw about their own remittances, later in the present letter.
Pothonnier & Cie. had presented one bill of exchange on July 19, two on July 21, and one on Oct. 4: WTF’s list of bills drawn on BF by Gourlade & Moylan (APS). The first three are listed as having been accepted on July 29, and the fourth was accepted on Oct. 10. According to a letter from Ferdinand Grand to BF (undated, but after Nov. 16), the first three fell due on Oct. 27, but as of the time of his writing, had not been submitted for payment. APS.
An undated note from BF to WTF may date from this period, when BF was still indisposed: “The enclosed Bills are Booked and only wait your Signiture to be sent to the Owner. They are those that came last Evening from M. Pothonnier. I would come down but am not dressed sufficiently. Is there any one who waits for them?” WTF answered, “Nobody; but I promised to send them this morning, and as I am a going to send to Town would profit of the Occasion.” Hist. Soc. of Pa.