To Benjamin Franklin from Anne Johnson Clarke, 5 May 1771
From A[nne Johnson] Clarke8
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Barbados May 5th. 1771
Honoured Sir,
I take the liberty to acquaint you we arriv’d here the 9 of Deceber. last and tho it was a long passage it was not a bad one. I was very kindly receiv’d by Capt. Clarke’s Mother and relations; Capt. Clarke not finding A [sea?] Man here, was oblig’d to go to Antigue in search of him in eight days after our arrival, upon which his Mother gave me a very friendly invitation, to stay with her till he return’d, and said to both of us, she shou’d look upon me and treat me in every respect as her own Daughter; I consented and have been with her ever since; Capt. Clarke was gone nine weeks, and when he return’d, was order’d immediately to Grenada and is not yet return’d; but I believe is on his passage; As a War was then so much talk’d of, both Capt. Clarke and his Friends thought it wou’d be very improper for me to go with him,9 and beg’d if I cou’d make myself easy, I wou’d Continue with his Mother. My compliance was to oblige them, and I have no reason to repent, for by taking their advice, I have gain’d their esteem so far, as to see they are always glad when they can do any thing to contribute to my happiness. Capt. Clarke’s family is one of the first in the Island, his Brother is very rich, and has Travel’d a great deal, and keeps open house, not only for his friends but, Strangers, both European and Foreigners, and is Commissioner of the Coustoms.1
I hope you enjoy your health, and Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. Tickell and Mrs. Hewson theirs, to whome if you please to make best respects—love to Miss Franklin and Master Temple. A line from you to signify you and your Friends are well wou’d give the greatest pleasure to Dear Sir, Your much honour’d Niece
A. Clarke
P.S. If you will favour me with a line, please to direct, for Mrs. Peter Clarke Barbados.
My Brother is well and joins with me in Duty to You.2
Addressed: To / Dr. Benjamin Franklin, / Craven Street / Strand / London
Endorsed: Mrs Clarke
8. For Anne Johnson’s marriage to Capt. Peter Clarke, R.N., see above, XVII, 210, 288.
9. An Anglo-Spanish war, growing out of the Falkland Islands crisis, would have turned the Caribbean into a battle ground.
1. Doubtless Gedney Clarke, who was following in his father’s footsteps as customs commissioner; he had been a member of the Barbados Council and apparently continued to be until his death. See [George Frere,] Short History of Barbados... (London, 1768), p. 88; John Poyer, The History of Barbados... (London, 1808), p. 362; Acts Privy Coun., Col., V, 563.
2. Samuel Johnson (C. 5. 7.1), whose mother had consulted BF about his future a few years before (above, XV, 126, 272); she had then expected to apprentice him. He was now about fourteen, and our guess is that he had joined the navy instead, under the wing of his brother-in-law, and gone to Barbados with the newlyweds.