From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Paulze, 26 February 1779
To Jacques Paulze
Copy: Library of Congress
Passy Feb. 26. 1779
Sir
A french Ship the Bergere, Capt. Huas, is arriv’d at L’Orient, Laden with 300 Hogsheads of Tobacco from Maryland. Our Agent there was oblig’d to give one half for the Freight of the other. I have sent Orders to deliver our Part 150 Hogsheads to your Agents at L’Orient; and I enclose a Copy of the Letter we have receiv’d, that you may see the quality of the Tobacco.4 I have the Honor to be with the greatest Esteem &c.
M. Paulze farmer general
4. BF’s orders were sent the previous day to Schweighauser; the enclosure, possibly a letter from the latter, is missing. The delivery of tobacco was in partial fulfillment of the commissioners’ 1777 contract with the farmers general (XXIII, 514–17), and Paulze was on the farmers’ tobacco committee.