To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Sayre, 10 October 1779
From Stephen Sayre1
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Valenciens 10th octor. 17792
Sir
From what I heard in Paris the day I came away, there seem’d a probability that the Captain who commands the Alliance Frigate would be dismiss’d. If that Event should take place, I should think myself happy to succeed him in the command of her.
I hope your Excellency can have no sort of apprehensions that I should in any shape, or under any circumstances, disgrace the American Flagg.
I am with great respect, your Excelcys. most obedt. & respectful Servt.
Stephen Sayre
Notation: Sayre Mr. Stephen 10 Oct. 1779.—
1. Sayre had last written BF from Amsterdam in June: XXIX, 653–5. He had since visited Passy where he had requested a letter of marque from BF for a warship he had proposed building (XXIX, 181–3, 639–40): BF to Dumas, Nov. 8, 1779 (Library of Congress).
2. Valenciennes is en route to Amsterdam; Sayre next wrote BF on Nov. 21 from there (APS).