To Benjamin Franklin from John Bradford, 6 January 1779
From John Bradford
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Boston. 6th. Jany 1779
Sir
Having had the honour of a Letter under your signature on Bus’ness formerly,4 I venture to take the liberty to wrte you by my son, to introduce him to your presence, praying you to Afford him your patronage and Advice, his disposition is amiable and I flatter my self he wont discredit the people, that the Benevolent Monarch of France has lately taken into Alliance, my son has a Number of letters from his friends here to their Connections in France, but I Was loth he shou’d not have it in his power to say on his Return, that he had not a personal interview with Doctor Franklin.5 I beg your Acceptance of the Complimts of the Season, and am with all due Respect Sir Your most Obedt. & very hble Serv
Jno. Bradford
The Honble. Benjamin Franklin Esqr. plenipotentiary at the Court at Versailes
Notations in different hands: J. Bradford 6e. jany à Boston. / 6. Jany. 1779.—
4. See XXII, 533–4, when BF was a member of the committee of secret correspondence. They had also corresponded as individuals: XXIII, 386–7; XXIV, 5–6.
5. Young Samuel Bradford must have received his interview, for John Bradford wrote on Oct. 27, 1780, that his son, “who paid his duty to your excellency the last year,” was again traveling. APS.