Sarah Bache to William Temple Franklin (unpublished)
Philadelphia July 17. 1781
Dear Temple

This letter I shall request Mrs McCarty to take to you, Your Grand papa was well acquainted with her in Canada, she is going to her husband, I cannot help regretting that it has not been in my power to pay her that attention I wished, owing to my being indisposed most of the time she has been here—

Mrs Montgomery goes in the same Vessel, you may perhaps wonder I do not write by her, I shall therefore just mention that we had a Quarrel, or to call it by a more decent name, a little sparring, this Winter, which has prevented that Lady from asking for my commands, or even informing me of her going. I mention this not to prevent your civilities only that you may not be surprized at an old acquaintance of mine coming without a letter, for tho I would not wish you to form a Friendship for her, yet I should be sorry to break of your Former acquaintance with her—Old Dr Shippen has just now called with a letter for your Grand Father, his sons house has been lately struck with lightning, he tells a miraculous story about it going down the other side the house and avoiding the rod, I have taken it in my head that this is the subject of his letter, at any other house this might have been wonderful, but Mrs Shippen allways made it a point to conduct every thing in that house herself, she is a true Lee, I will endeavor to find out somebody that understands Electricity and request them to send my Father a proper account of this extraordinary matter—

Your Father was well a very little while ago, but we do not write. The Duffeild Family Mrs Peters and all your Friends make constant inquiries about you and often desire to be remembered to you, Young Griffiths who went to Collidge with you sails tomorrow in company with this Vessel and takes letters for your Grandpapa, he is a very sensible young Fellow—Mr Bryson who is still in the Post office called here just now and requested to be remembered to Papa and yourself, he had a message to Benny but his letter was just sealed up in Papas he begs therefore that you will write him word that Molly and he often think of him and send their Love. I am as ever your Affectionate Aunt

S Bache

Addressed: Mr. William T: Franklin / Passy.
Endorsed: Mrs: Bache 17. July 1781
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