To Benjamin Franklin from John Balfour, 21 November 1765
From John Balfour
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Edinr: Novr: 21st 1765
Sir
I believe I forgot to mention in my last,4 that at your desire, I had not sent over any power of Attorney to make effectual the Debt due to us by Mr. James Parker of New York, I have had several Letters from him promissing a Remmittance, and also from one Mr. John Holt who it seems had enterd into Copartnership with him. The Debt has been long due; and was originally £116 14s. 8d. St. of which he only remitted £20 Ster. I shoud be glad the debt coud be made effectual without any prosecution and your good offices to bring about this, will be esteemd a great favour. It is due to Mr. Hamilton and me, and Mr. Hamilton has been now about [ten?] years out of trade, and therefore is anxious to have it settled. I beg pardon for this trouble, and am with great Esteem and Respect, Sir Your most Humble Servant
John Balfour
P S I hope you received my letter, incloseing Mr. Benjamin Mecoms, acknowledgeing the debt he was due to us.
Addressed: To / Doctor Francklin / London
4. Balfour wrote BF on Sept. 2, 1765 (above, pp. 251–2), discussing two of his firm’s American debtors, Benjamin Mecom and James Parker, the latter of whom he wished to prosecute. Then at least two letters must have passed between the two men (neither of which has been found) in one of which BF evidently tried to dissuade Balfour from suing Parker and in another of which, presumably Balfour’s “last,” mentioned here, he consented to accept BF’s advice. For the people and events in the present letter, see Balfour’s letter of September 2.