To Benjamin Franklin from George Blackwell, 8 September 1779
From George Blackwell
ALS: American Philosophical Society
L’Orient Septr., 8ht. 1779
Hond. sir
The Hurry I was obliged to leave Virginia in preventd my Application to Congress for a letter of Marque for the Schooner Grand Tyger of Virginia which I now Command, my principal Owner Mr. Henry Armistead of Fredericksburg1 desird I Should apply on my Arrival heare to you for one which I request you will do me the favour to furnish me with as soon as you possibly can if requisite. Messrs. Gorlade & Moylan of this place will be guarantees for the faithfull performance of Any instructions contained therein and they will inform you that my Said Schooner is the built & property of America2 I Shall Sail in the Course of twelve days if you Should have Any Commands for America I Shall encharge my Self with their with pleasure,
I have the honour to be with Respect Hond. sir Your Most Obt. Humbl. Servt.
Geo. Blackwell
The Honorable Benj: Franklin Esqr.
1. Armistead (d. 1787) became clerk of the court organized at Fredericksburg in 1782: S.J. Quinn, The History of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia (Richmond, 1908), pp. 124, 130.
2. Gourlade and Moylan forwarded Blackwell’s letter with one of their own of the same date. In it they offered to act as sureties for Blackwell’s performance. APS. On the verso of Blackwell’s letter is the notation, “Gourlade et Moilan L’orient 8. 7 bre. 1779.”