From David Salisbury Franks
als: American Philosophical Society
Brest 10th Decr. 1781
Dear Sir

I write this with a sergeant at my Back as my guard, & I need not assure you that I am extreamly mortified at the treatment I have met with from Mr. Hector & the Major de Place of this Town— My Conduct on my arrival was such as every Officer ought to follow, I waited on him & told him my Business here, he dismiss'd me & yesterday had me taken up on the Public walk when it was most crowded with People, I was again dismissd, & this evening taken out of the Play House, brought before the Major de Place & am now at this moment a Prisoner at Monsr. Bersoles a Gentleman to whom Mr. Williams recommended me to— Yesterday I offerd to show a Letter of Recommendation to the Major De Place directed to Monsr. de La Motte Picket— I also could have shewn him other Papers. He then did not think it necessary to peruse them & now I am again insulted in this in-delicate manner— There is something so very inconsistant in Monr. Hectors Conduct, that it really surprizes me—yesterday he answers for me to the Major de Place, as I had gone alone to see him on my arrival & General de Boulainvillier went a Second time to his house with me & presented me to him—today he orders the Major de Place to secure my Person. I could not do more than I have done, he has now my Commission, my Passe-port my Letters of Credit & of recommendation with Mr. W.T. Franklin's last letter to me ordering me to Brest, How they will operate I cannot at Present determine, but in the mean time you will allow with me, my worthy sir that I have great Reason to be offended at the treatment I have met with— I pray dear Sir that you would get the Marquis de Castres or some other to write to this Monsr. Hector on my Subject—

I am Dr Sir with the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Excellency's most obt hum Set

Davd. S. Franks

This moment Mr. Dijon came to inform that I am free, but at the same time I beg you Excellency would think of me—
B. Fr
Notation: Franks 10 Decr. 1781.
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