1From Benjamin Franklin to Sears & Smith, 4 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society Upon Receipt of yours relating to your Cargo of Slaves at Martinico, I endeavour’d to inform myself what was the Law in such Cases, and I found that by an Arrét du Conseil d’Etat du Roi, of the 28th of June 1783, there is a Duty laid of 100 Livres per head on all Negroes imported in foreign Ships, and this Duty is granted and is to be paid as...