Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Marchant, 29 September 1779

From Stephen Marchant

L:6 American Philosophical Society

Dunkirk Sepr. 29th. 1779

Sr/

I take the Earliest Opportunity of Acquainting your Excellency of my Safe Arrival at Dunkirk in the Black prince. After Dangers both from the Enemy and bad weather, we are Safe Arrived and hath ten prisoners in Dunkirk Goal. I am just setting off to Ostend to take the Command of a Frigate of 26 Guns called the Countess of Berigin, but expects in a few Days to have the pleasure of Waiting upon yr. Honoure. Excellency at Passy with the Journal of my whole Cruize along with me we burnt in the Last Cruize Some of the Enemy’s Ships, run others ashore the whole Account of which I shall with all Expedition Carry with me to Paris as soon as I return from Ostend, my kind Compts. to yr Excellencies Nephew and the rest of the American Gentlemen at Paris I remn. with all Duty yr. Excellencies most Obedient Hhble. Sert.

Stephen Marchant

Addressed: To / His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin, Minister / for the United States of North America / at the Court of France / at Passy / near Paris

Notation: Capt. Marchant Sept 29. 1779

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

6In the hand of Timothy Kelly. It is reproduced opposite p. 116 of Clark, Ben Franklin’s Privateers.

Index Entries