From Benjamin Franklin to William Greene, 4 June 1779
To William Greene8
LS:9 American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress
Passy, June 4. 1779
Dear Sir,
I received your kind Letter of Decr 10. with the Bills of Exchange for two hundred and sixteen Dollars, & with the List of Goods you would have in return. As I live far from any Seaport and am unacquainted with Merchandize, I sent the Bills, with your Order directly to my Nephew at Nantes, who will I doubt not accomplish it to your Satisfaction.1
I shall be glad of any Opportunity of being serviceable to your Son-in-law, both for your Sake and his Father’s.2
Your Letter with the first set of the Bills did not come to hand; which I regret the more, as by that means I have lost Mrs. Greene’s Letter which you tell me was inclosd. Present my affectionate Respects to her; and my Love with that of my Grandson to honest Ray, of whose Welfare I am very glad to hear and of his Progress in his Learning.3
If my Sister continues under your hospitable Roof, let her know that I did not receive hers of the 7th: that you mention;4 that I have not time now to write to her, but will by the next Opportunity; and that I am well and love her as well as ever.
With great Esteem & Respect, I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedt and most humble Servant
B Franklin
P.S. If the Chevalier De la Luzerne should pass thro’ your Government, I recommend him warmly to your Civilities. He goes over to supply the Place of M. Gerard, as his most Christian Majestys Minister to the Congress. He is a Gentleman of a most amiable Character here, has great Connections, and is a hearty Friend to America.
His Ex. Wm. Greene Esq.—
8. Husband of BF’s old friend Catharine Ray Greene and governor of Rhode Island since 1778. His letter is in XXVIII, 216–18.
9. In WTF’s hand. The four corners of the MS are torn, and we have supplied missing words from the copy.
1. BF had sent the orders on Feb. 13: XXVIII, 522–3. The goods were shipped on the Three Friends: JW to Greene, May 26, 1779, Yale University Library.
2. Greene’s son-in-law was Samuel Ward, Jr., son of former R.I. governor Samuel Ward (XXVIII, 216n).
3. BF had interested himself in Ray Greene’s education since he took the ten-year-old boy to the Academy of Philadelphia in 1775. The youth had met WTF at that time: V, 502n; XXII, 253n, 254n, 273n; XXVIII, 217–18.
4. XXVIII, 217.