Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from Caroline Edes, 9 December 1781

From Caroline Edes1

ALS: American Philosophical Society

December the 9th: [1781]

Sir,

Fearing you may not know how to direct your Answer to mine of yesterday,2 I take the liberty to send you my address.

I am with great Respect, Sir, Your most Obedient Servant

Caroline Edes.

Chez Monsieur Genet,3 Chef du Bureau des Affaires Etrangeres, A Versailles.

Addressed: Benjamin Franklin, Esq:

Notation: Caroline Edes Decr. 9. 1781

1This is the first letter in a brief correspondence from a woman whose name appears nowhere else in BF’s papers. She might be the daughter of DF’s mother’s cousin Mary Edes: VIII, 140–1 (E.2.1.1), 144.

2Missing, as is BF’s reply of Dec. 10. See her next letter of Dec. 12.

3Edmond-Charles-Edouard Genet (XXX, 71n) succeeded his father as head of the bureau des interprètes after his father’s death on Sept. 11, 1781: DBF. His father had conveyed letters between BF and Edward Bridgen.

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