To Benjamin Franklin from De Grasse, 26 August 1782
From De Grasse
AL: American Philosophical Society
Paris le 26. aoust 1782.
Le Comte de Grasse á l’honneur de souhaiter le bonjour á son Excellence le Docteur franklin; il le prie de vouloir bien prendre lecture de la lettre ci jointe6 et se charger de la Faire parvenir á M. le Président du Congrês, dont il ignore le nom.7
Notation: Le C. de Grasse 26. Aout 1782.
6. The letter, dated Aug. 25, was written on behalf of Capt. Charles Asgill, the British officer awaiting execution in America (XXXVII, 432n). De Grasse solicits clemency and justice for Asgill as repayment for the good treatment he received in England, particularly by Asgill’s family. It would be unjust to punish an innocent man for the conduct of one of his colleagues. De Grasse asks this as a personal favor, invoking his own “foibles services” to the United States. This letter is still among BF’s papers at the APS.
7. John Hanson was elected president on Nov. 5, 1781, the day after de Grasse sailed from the Chesapeake: XXXVI, 10n; JCC, XXI, 1100.