Benjamin Franklin Papers

From Benjamin Franklin to J.C. de Berger, 22 November 1779

To J.C. de Berger5

Copy: Library of Congress

Passy, Nov. 22. 1779.

Sir

All the American Armies being arranged and full of Officers, a long time Since, in so much that many who have gone thither from Europe have been obliged to return for want of Employ, I cannot give the least encouragement to you or your Cousin to go to America with the purpose of entring into our service.6 I can only thank you for your good will to our Cause, and wish you success in something more likely to be advantageous to you both. I have the honour to be sir &c.

M J.C. De Berger Capitaine au service de sa Maje. Britannique at Münster in Westphalie.

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

5. A sixteen-year veteran of the army of the electorate of Hanover who had twice requested BF’s help in obtaining positions in the American army for himself and his cousin: XXX, 53–4.

6. BF had been issuing similar warnings for more than two and a half years: e.g., XXIII, 550–1, 557–9, 601–2.

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    Franklin Papers
    Title
    From Benjamin Franklin to J.C. de Berger, 22 November 1779
    Author
    Franklin, Benjamin
    Recipient
    Berger, J.C. de
    Date
    22 November 1779

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From Benjamin Franklin to J.C. de Berger, 22 November 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-31-02-0081. [Original source: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 31, November 1, 1779, through February 29, 1780, ed. Barbara B. Oberg. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1995, pp. 137–138.]