To Benjamin Franklin from John Lemon, Edward Driver and John Nichols, 12 October 1778
From John Lemon, Edward Driver and John Nichols
L:6 American Philosophical Society
Dunan Castle Octr. 12th, 1778
Honored sir
Not doubting but your goodness will pardon our Presumption in writing to your Honour we take this freedom upon us to acquaint your Honour of the present Situation I am in. I was taken in the Washington Privateer7 brought to England and put on Board a Man of War against our Will and now taken in the fox Frigate by the French and [torn] Now confin’d in Dunnan Castle as Prisoners. We therefore rely on your Honours goodness to be assisting to us in geting our freedom form our present Situation which if your honour shou’d succeed we shall be ever in Duty bound to pray and subscribe ourselves your Honours Most obedient and most humble Servants
John Lemon
Edwd. Driver
John Nichols
Answr from your honr. will add much to our happiness
Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Secretary of the united States / of America / at Passy
Notation by John Adams: Lemon Driver Nichols Oct. 12. 78. Prisoners in Dinant ansd. Oct. 15
6. The signatures are in the same hand as the letter.
7. The Washington, fitted out by the continental army and commanded by Capt. Sion Martindale out of Plymouth, was taken by H.M.S. Fowey in December, 1775, making it the first British capture of an American warship. Both Lemon and Nichols (Nicholas) are listed among the Fowey‘s prisoners; Driver is not. Naval Docs., II, 1288–91.