Benjamin Franklin Papers

From Benjamin Franklin to Lotbinière, 8 March 1778

To Lotbinière

AL: Pierpont Morgan Library

Passy, Mar. 8. 78

Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to M. Lotbiniere, has receiv’d his observations on the Government of Canada, thanks him for communicating them, will take care of them, and return them safely.5

Addressed: A Monsr / Monsieur le Marquis6 de Lotbiniere / à Paris

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

5The loan had presumably been arranged at breakfast the day before; see BF’s note above of the 6th. He doubtless returned the observations, because they are not among his papers. We therefore cannot identify them, but Lotbinière’s interest in the subject continued for years. In 1785 he presented BF, who was about to return home, with a long memorandum on Canada in the form of two letters, written in December, 1784 and in June, 1785; it is now with Lotbinière to WTF, July 11, 1785, APS.

6This is, as far as we know, the first time BF employed the title, although it had been used in America almost a year before; see Bowdoin to Lotbinière, April 16, 1777, APS. The French government did not create the marquisate until 1784 (above, V, 504 n). Before that, we suspect, the title was a courtesy to a Canadian grand seigneur.

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