To Benjamin Franklin from ――― De Laville, 16 June 1777: résumé
From ––– De Laville4
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Cherbourg (“Caesarisburgei”), June 16, 1777, in Latin: Informs Franklin that at about four the previous afternoon Captain Burnell was captured by the British and taken to prison. This has been reported to the local authorities so that they may uphold the law of nations.>
[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]
4. He signs himself as a doctor of medicine, member of the city council, and medical director of the military and naval hospital. The note was enclosed in Drouet’s of the same date, for BF acknowledged it in writing to the latter on the 23rd.