To Benjamin Franklin from John Green, 18 November 1779
From John Green
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Nantes Novembr. 18th. 1779
Sir
Yeasterday I hard of the Captn of the Alliance was suspended1 and that the Alliance would be without a Commander I begg Leave to offer my servis To Your Excellancy. I had obtaind a Leave of absence When in Philada. from the Honrbe The Marrien Commity To Make one Voyage in the Mercht. Servise and afterwards Return to that Board, I was taken on my way here and Carry’d into Falmouth in England Where I maid my escape and Came to this Cuntry. Mr J. Ross has appointed me to the Command of a New Brigg Built here Mounting fourteen Guns Bound for Ammerica2 I can obtain a Commander for her in my Room if your Excellency Thinks propper, & I shall have the pleasure of Serving my Cuntry More to My Likeing in the Line I have Long Wish’d to be In; I am With the Greatest Respect Your Excellencys Much Obleeg’d Humble Servt
Jno Green
Mr Franklin
Addressed: The Honnourable / Benjamin Franklin / at / Passy / Near / Paris
Notation: Green Nov. 18. 1779.
1. The news had traveled slowly, as Landais had surrendered his command on Oct. 22: XXX, 580–1n.
2. Due to the carelessness of the pilot while departing the Loire, Green subsequently lost the ship, the Patriote: John Ross to WTF, Jan. 25, 1780 (APS); Philip Chadwick Foster Smith, The “Empress of China” (Philadelphia, 1984), p. 53.