To Benjamin Franklin from John Thaxter, Jr., 22 September 1780
From John Thaxter, Jr.8
AL: American Philosophical Society
Friday Septr. 22d. 1780
Mr. Thaxter presents his respects to his Excellency Doctor Franklin, and will do himself the Honor of dining with his Excellency on Sunday next.9
Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin, / Ministre Plenipotentiaire / des Etats Unis de l’Amérique, / en son hôtel. / à Passi
Notation: Thaxter Mr. Paris Sept. 22. 1780
8. Thaxter, left behind when JA went to the Netherlands, described himself on Sept. 19 to his cousin Abigail Adams as “a miserable, solitary lonely Being”: Adams Correspondence, III, 418. His isolation would soon end. On Sept. 23 JA, learning that he was authorized to remain in the Netherlands, summoned Thaxter, probably to help care for his sons John Quincy and Charles: ibid, III, 417n, 423–4.
9. Jeremiah Allen, who had traveled to France with the Adams party (XXX, 536n), also wrote BF on Sept. 22 that he would dine with him “on Sunday next.” APS.