From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 5 August 1780
To Sartine
LS:6 Archives de la Marine; copy: Library of Congress
Passy, Aug. 5. 1780.
Sir,
Having just received these Letters under Cover to me from New- England, I Send them immediately to your Excellency. Being with great Esteem, and Respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Sert.
B Franklin
His Excellency Mr. de Sartine
Endorsed: M d F7 expédies la réponse a toutes les lettres que j’ai recuës de M de la Touche8 pour la faire partir par l’ariel
Notation: accuser à M Franklin la reception des paquets Et le remercier Rep(?) le. 7. dudt.
6. In L’Air de Lamotte’s hand through “Sir” in the complimentary close. The remainder is in WTF’s hand.
7. Possibly standing for M. de Fresnaye. Pierre de La Fresnaye was premier commis of the naval ministry’s bureau of ports and arsenals: Almanach de Versailles for 1780, p. 241.
8. Louis-Réné-Madeleine Le Vassor de La Touche (XXVII, 78n) was captain of the Hermione, which had taken Lafayette to Boston: XXXII, 142n; Idzerda, Lafayette Papers, II, 372. Presumably he sent letters via BF, who here relays them to Sartine.