To Benjamin Franklin from J. Torris & Wante, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 16 February 1783
From J. Torris & Wante, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Dunkerque Le 16. fevrier 1783.
Monsieur
Nous avons appris par Mrs. Maussallè & Bertrand L’acceuil Obligeant dont Vous les avez honnoré,3 et la promesse que vous Leur avoit faite de nous addresser un passeport du Nombre des cent que vous attendez de la Cour de Londres,4 avec une Lettre de Recommandation pour la maison de Messrs. Bache & Shée à Philadelphie, la multitude d’Armement qui Se fait Tant dans nos ports qu’en Angleterre nous détermine à presser L’Expédition de Notre Brigantin: que nous nommons le franklin. Il a Recu Son Chargement et nous n’attendrons pour le faire partir que L’arrivée de Vôtre passe-port. Nous osons vous prier de nous L’addresser Sans perte de Tems, parce-que nous avons envue une seconde expédition aussi Intéréssante mais qui dépend de la Célérité de la première, et nous prendrons encore la confiance de Reclamer un Nouveau passe-port pour le Second armement que nous projettons. Nous vous prions de Laisser en Blanc dans Votre passeport le nom du Capitaine parce que S’il faut absolument que nous armions Sous Pavillon du congrez nous Serons obligé de faire un nouveau choix.
Nous sommes avec un profond Respect.
De Vôtre Excellence Les Très humbles & Très obeïssants Serviteurs
J: Torris. & Wante
Mr. franklin.
Endorsed: Make a Letter of Recomn. to Messrs. Bache & Shea, and send a Passport. It should be at the Office by 12 oClock tomorrow.5
Notation: J. Torris & Wante Dunkerque 16 Fevrier 1783
3. Maussallé had been Torris’ lawyer: XXX, 404n; XXXII, 385; Bertrand, according to the firm’s letter to WTF of Feb. 28 (described below), was their representative in Paris. The pair undoubtedly delivered the firm’s letter published above, [before Feb. 16].
4. They arrived on Feb. 18; see Fitzherbert’s letter of that date.
5. The mail coach for Dunkirk departed daily at noon: Almanach Royal for 1783, p. 640. In a letter from Torris & Wante to WTF of Feb. 28, they acknowledged his sending the letter and passport on Feb. 22. The second ship that needed a passport, the brigantine Hazard, would sail under French colors from Dunkirk to Philadelphia. Because the government prohibited French-owned ships from flying anything but the French flag, the Franklin had been refused permission to sail under American colors. They therefore requested a replacement passport, as WTF’s had identified the ship as American.
On March 13 the firm thanked WTF for sending on March 6 the new passport from BF, which was valid only for a ship flying American colors. In the meantime, the authorities had granted permission for the Franklin to sail under the American flag. They no longer needed the second passport; they did, however, want a list of drugs that could be sold at advantage in America, which should be given to the bearer, Bertrand. Further, they had bought another ship which they hoped to sell to Congress, and wanted advice.
The last extant letter from Wante is written from Paris to WTF and undated. He is about to depart for America; he encloses a petition to BF and requests letters of recommendation for himself and a certain Morgand, who was also bound for Philadelphia to establish a mercantile house. All the letters summarized in this note are at the APS.