To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [25 December 1779]
From Edward Bancroft
AL: American Philosophical Society
Saturday Evening [December 25, 1779]9
Dr. Bancroft presents his most respectful Compliments to Dr. Franklin. He called to Communicate a Letter which he has just recd. from Mr. Ridley (in Maryland)1 mentioning that Mr. Jno. Adams is appointed to return to Europe to assist in any future Treaty of Peace, and that Mr. Lawrence (son I believe of the Late President) is appointed Secretary of Embassy at this Court.2
Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre &c &c
9. On this date JW also reported, below, the news of JA’s appointment.
1. Matthew Ridley (XXVI, 227n) had returned to Maryland the preceding summer and was involved in business ventures with Bancroft, among others: Herbert E. Klingelhofer, “Matthew Ridley’s Diary During the Peace Negotiations of 1782,” W&MQ, 3rd ser., XX (1963), 96–7.
2. John Laurens had been elected BF’s secretary on Sept. 29, but subsequently declined the appointment: XXX, 543–4.