To Benjamin Franklin from Griffith Williams, 24 August 1778
From Griffith Williams2
ALS: American Philosophical Society
London August. 24. 1778.
Sir
By favour of Captn. Channing3 send you few lines Aquainting you that matters in this Country are likely to take a very diffrent turn to What was expected by the favourers of despotism to the West’ard of London.
All men agree (Confesedly) that the Conquest of America is now utterly inpracticable; the most Bloody invoakers of the destruction of that Country are now reduced to wish for peace at any rate, a very diffrent language to their Boasting threats few years ago.
I need not enlarge. Captn. Channing will fully inform you of particulars have the Honour to Remain Yours very Sincerely
G.W.
Notation: G.W. London Aug 24
2. In a note on Williams’ letter of Oct. 2, BF identified the writer as a surgeon who had been helpful to Americans escaping from English captivity. His first name is supplied from an undated list, in his hand, at the Pennsylvania Historical Society, entitled “Friends to American Liberty are friends to Mankind,” and concluding with the note: “all the Crew of the Southern Whale Fishery have been very Generous to American prisoners in distress.”
3. John Channing was not a captain but a lieutenant. See his letter to BF on or before Sept. 4. On subsequent occasions, Williams referred to him as “Mr.”