From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 29 April 1779
To Sartine
Two copies: Library of Congress
Passy Apr. 29 1779
Sir
I have received a Letter from Mr. Wm. Bingham, Agent for the Congress at Martinique, covering the inclosed for your Excellency, and giving an Account of an unhappy Mistake, in which a Vessel belonging to some Subjects of the U. S. was sunk by one of the Batteries of Guadeloupe, & 17 of the People drowned.2 I request your Excellency would take the Matter into Consideration, and if you think it a Case suitable for the Exercise of his Majesty’s royal Compassion & Bounty towards the Sufferers, that you would have the goodness to recommend it accordingly. With great Respect I have the Honor to be &c.
M. de sartine.
2. XXVIII, 347–50. The enclosure was a letter to Sartine from the governor and intendant of Guadeloupe about the loss of the Fair Play. For further details see the letters from the Mass. delegates, May 12, and Tristram Dalton, May 13, below.