To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 1 June 1761
From David Hall
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society
Philada. June 1. 1761.
Sir
Your Favour, by Captain Hammit, came safe to hand last Week, for which I am obliged to you.5
Inclosed you have the first Copy of a Bill of Exchange for One Hundred Pounds Sterling, drawn by Lieutenant Thomas Vaughan on John Calcroft Esq; Westminster,6 for which, as usual, please give me Credit, and Advise of its coming to Hand. Should be mighty glad to see you here again, in order, among other Things, that we might get our long standing Account settled. You talk often of coming, but it seems to be a difficult Matter for you to get away. I am, Sir, Yours. &c.
5. The Dragon, Capt. Francis Hammett, sailed from Portsmouth, March 31, 1761, and arrived in Philadelphia, May 24, 1761. Pa. Gaz., May 28, 1761. BF’s letter has not been found.
6. Thomas Vaughan was commissioned a captain in the 45th Regiment, April 7, 1761. Worthington C. Ford, ed., British Officers Serving in America. 1754–1774. (Boston, 1894), p. 101. John Calcraft (1726–1772), M. P., 1766–72, made a fortune as a regimental agent during the Seven Years War, was a follower of Pitt and Shelburne, and served as an intermediary in delicate political negotiations between various factions. Namier and Brooke, House of Commons, II, 170–4.
7. Pa. Gaz., May 28, 1761, recorded the clearance of the Willey, Capt. J. M’Connell.
8. Pa. Gaz., June 4, 1761, recorded the clearance of the Knuttsford, Capt. R. Williams.