To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Johnson, 1 August 1783
From Joshua Johnson4
ALS: American Philosophical Society
London I August 1783.
Sir.
The Inclosed was sent me from the General Post Office, the Postage being 4/7. I have paid and which you will be pleased to return to Mr. Ridley, It is probable that many more Letters may come for you & which must remain in the Post Office, without the Inland Postage is paid, be pleased to signify whether I may take them up or not & forward them to you. I shall be happy of opportunitys to be usefull to you & I am with the most perfect respect & esteem Sir Your most Obedt. Hb. Servt.
Joshua Johnson
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr.
4. Johnson had recently moved from Nantes to London (see XXXIX, 564–5n, 599), where he continued his partnership in Wallace, Johnson & Muir. By 1785 the firm’s financial difficulties were blamed on his mismanagement; two years later he sought protection against legal suits. The firm dissolved at the beginning of 1790. Johnson was named consul in the spring of that year and remained in London until 1797, when he returned to the United States: Jefferson Papers, XX, 486.