Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from Rawleigh Colston, 10 June 1778

From Rawleigh Colston8

ALS: American Philosophical Society

Cape François June 10th 1778.

Honorable Sir,

The bearer Major Du Bouchett, who has acquired the most honourable testimony of his services in America, being unfortunately taken prisoner on his passage home and sent from New-York to this Island, where he had no acquaintance, informed me he had a sett of exchange for nine hundred livers Tournois, drawn by the Honble. the Congress and given him to defray the expenses of his passage, which he would gladly dispose of.9 Altho I had no occasion for money in Europe, I was very happy in an opportunity of obliging a Gentleman of merit who had distinguished himself in the service of my country and of giving all possible Credit to drafts of this kind. I therefore advanced the money and have since endorsed them to Messieurs Lory Plombard & Co. of this place, who will take the earliest opportunity of remitting them to their corrispondents for payment. I have the honour to be, with the highest respect Your Excellencys Most Obedient Servant

Rawleigh Colston

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

8See above, XXV, 670 n.

9Denis-Jean-Florimond de Langlois de Mautheville, chevalier and later marquis du Bouchet, went to America with Thomas Conway, his brother-in-law, and after Saratoga was promoted from captain to major; at the beginning of 1778 he resigned for reasons of health and received from Congress $100 and the bill of exchange mentioned here. He returned to America with Rochambeau in 1780. JCC, X, 8–9; Lasseray, Les Français, I, 264–7; Bodinier, Dictionnaire under Langlois.

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