To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache: Two Letters, 9 November 1783
From Richard Bache: Two Letters
(I) ALS: New York Public Library; (II) ALS: American Philosophical Society
I.
Philadelphia Novr. 9th. 1783
Dear & Hond: Sir
Permit me to introduce to you Mr. Rucker, who tho’ a native of England, has formerly resided in France; and having spent a few Months in this Country, I have had the pleasure of his acquaintance; and have formed a favorable opinion of him— I wish to recommend him to your notice & Civilities, as a Gentleman very deserving of them—6 I wrote to you & Benny per Capt. Barney who sailed this day with a fair Wind;7 I have put on board of him, the Seeds, Grafts, Apples & Nuts you wrote for, & wish them safe to your hands.
I am ever Dear Sir Your affectionate Son.
Rich: Bache
Dr. Franklin.
Addressed: His Excellency / Dr. Benjamin Franklin / at / Passy. / Favored by Mr. Rucker.8
II.
Philadelphia November 9th. 1783.
Dear & Hond: Sir
This I hope will be handed you by my very particular & worthy Friend Mr. John Lardner, Son of the late Mr. Linford Lardner of this City—9 I take the liberty of introducing him, not only as my particular Friend, but as a Gentleman highly deserving your notice & Esteem— Should he at any time require your advice in any matters, or your assistance in monied matters, you may rely on his faith & integrity— Your giving full Credence to this recommendation, will ever oblige Dear Sir Your affectionate Son
Rich Bache
Dr. Franklin
Addressed: His Excellency / Dr. Benjamin Franklin / at / Passy / favored by Mr. Lardner.
6. John Rucker had written to BF from Lorient in 1782, acting on behalf of Jonathan Nesbitt & Co.: XXXVI, 560–1. For more background on Rucker and his mercantile family see Morris Papers, IX, 418. On this return trip to France, he took charge of the squirrel skins that SB was sending to WTF: SB to WTF, Nov. 10, 1783 (APS).
7. RB’s letters to BF and BFB were written on Nov. 5. The former is above. To BFB, RB wrote that he was enclosing a letter from the boy’s mother and one from his younger brother William, despite its being “scratched and blotted.” He hoped that BFB’s health was perfectly restored, instructed him to be dutiful, and advised him to relearn English before returning to America so that his parents would be able to converse with him (Musée de Blérancourt).
8. At the top of the present letter WTF wrote “Hotel de Vauban, Rue de Richelieu”, which may have been Rucker’s local address.
9. Lardner carried letters of introduction from SB and RB to WTF as well. SB wanted BF to know that Lardner was also a grandson of “Old Mr Branson’s.” For William Branson, see XIX, 57n. Lynford Lardner (III, 12n) had been a member of the APS and a director of the Library Company. His son John Lardner (1752–1825) was an active member of the Philadelphia City Cavalry throughout the war; at the end of 1782 he was elected to the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, of which Bache was a member. He sailed to Europe at the end of 1783, returning in September, 1784. He was elected to the Pa. legislature in 1791: SB to WTF, [Nov. 6, 1783], APS; RB to WTF, Nov. 9, 1783, APS; Charles P. Keith, The Provincial Councillors of Pennsylvania … (Philadelphia, 1883), pp. 315–19; John H. Campbell, History of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick (Philadelphia, 1892), pp. 55, 144; Pa. Gaz., Sept. 15, 1784.