To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 14 May 1783
From Jonathan Williams, Sr.
ALS: American Philosophical Society
London May the 14. 1783
Hond. Sr
Your favr. of apl. 238 Came to hand two day ago, note the Contents. I should have lik’d a passage with you; however the season is good & I have Concluded to Return hom to my own Country, Which I esteem to be the best that I ever Saw, I Shall sail in a few days for Boston, in the first ship that will be Cleard for that port, Wh. makes the Trade as Regular as it Can be before the Negotiations are finishd however I have On board this ship a quanty of Such goods as will be agreeable to aunt, & I think they are well Bot: On my arival she shall have the amo: of the money I Receiv’d of yours for Johnnot & Warrens Bills9 at the first Cost, With the Charges that I pay & no other, I have Orderd Incurence— I think it best its about 2½ or 3 per Ct. I inclosd an Abrigment of the Common Prayer it is the Best state that Mr. Wilkie1 Could git it for me. Your friends here will be much disoponted, if you should not Visit them before you Return to America in Particular the good Bishop of St Asaph Who expresses the highest Regard for you.2 Wishing you the Blessings of every good & in your Own time a good passage to America & a happy Sight of your friends if Boston Should be your first Landing you will do me honour if you will make my house your hom, you will meat a harty wilcom from Your Dutyfull Nephew & most hble Servant my Love to Cousin William
Jona. Williams
To Doct Franklin
Addressed: His Excellency Benjamin Franklin / Passy near Paris
8. Not located. It was carried by Caleb Whitefoord, who left Paris on April 27 carrying letters from BF to friends in London. Before leaving he thanked WTF for the Libertas Americana medal, and requested more in silver and copper: Whitefoord to WTF, [April 26, 1783], May 9, 1783; Samuel Vaughan, Jr., to WTF, April 27, 1783 (all at the APS).
9. Following BF’s orders: BF to Jane Mecom, Sept. 13, 1783, in Van Doren, Franklin-Mecom, pp. 224–5. For the bills of exchange see our annotation of Mecom to BF, April 29, above.
1. Doubtless the bookseller John Wilkie, who sold the edition; see XX, 343–5.
2. Jonathan Shipley told BF of his visit with Williams in his April 24 letter, above.