To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 31 January 1783
From Jonathan Williams, Jr.
LS: American Philosophical Society
Nantes Jan. 31. 1783
Dear & hond. Sir
The Bearer is the Honble. John Wheelock President of Dartmouth College, who has come to Europe with a Deputation from the Trustees, supported by strong Recommendations from the first Characters in America, in order to obtain Donations for an Institution for the propagation of Knowledge & Virtue.4
The respectable Recommendations Mr. Wheelock has with him make it unnecessary for me to add to them & I assure myself his personal merit joined to the Importance of his mission will entitle him to your Friendship and support.
Mr. Wheelocks Brother accompanys him and I equaly recommend him to your Notice.
I am with the highest Respect Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman5
Jona Williams J
His Excelly Benjn Franklin Esqr.
Notation: Williams Mr. Jona. Nantes Jany. 31. 1783
4. See XXXVIII, 134–5. John Wheelock and his brother James arrived in Nantes on Jan. 24 after a three-week passage from Boston: Leon B. Richardson, History of Dartmouth College (2 vols., Hanover, N.H., 1932), I, 205–6.
5. JW wrote a similar letter to JA the same day (Mass. Hist. Soc.).