From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Shelburne, 26 November 1782
To the Earl of Shelburne
ALS: Reprinted from Christie’s auction catalogue “Important Autograph Letters from the Historical Archives of Bowood House” (London, Oct. 12, 1994), p. 35.
Passy, Nov. 26. 1782
My Lord,
Mr Vaughan brought me some time since from your Lordship a Remedy you were so kind as to send me for my Gravel.4 I intended to thank you by him. He staid here much longer than I expected, and when he went it was so suddenly that I had not time to write. I was nevertheless extreamly sensible of your Goodness towards me in this fresh Instance, and I beg you to accept my thankful Acknowledgements, and to be assur’d that I shall ever retain a grateful Remembrance of it. With great and sincere Esteem and Respect, I have the honour to be, My Lord, Your Lordship’s most obedient and most humble Servant5
B Franklin
Rt Honble. the Earl of Shelburne
4. See Vaughan to BF, Sept. 23. The abbé Morellet had written to Shelburne on Oct. 27 that BF was grateful for “le specifique contre la goutte”: Medlin, Morellet, I, 468.
5. During this period Shelburne also sent a message to WTF, who later described it to his aunt: “Lord Shelburne sent me a very polite Message—by an Under Secy. of State [Strachey]—that if I had any desire of making my Father a Visit, he would Favour the interview—This was before the Preliminaries were signed—I need not tell you I did not accept it.” WTF to SB, Dec. 26, 1782, APS.