From William Hodgson (unpublished)
London 30 Octr. 1783.
Dear sir

I received your kind Letter of the 9th Per Mr. Jay, who has been somewhat indisposed since his arrival, you may be assured if it lies in my Power to be in the least usefull to him I shall have great Pleasure therein. I shall pay Mr. Viny’s Bill for your chariot wheels and know of no better mode of Conveyance for them than by Rouen. Inclosed you have your Account with me ballance due to you £49 7s. 6d.—in a former Letter I quoted the Ballance wrong having taken it from the Expenditure after receipt of Mr. Vaughans money, without adverting to what I had advanced before than Time. There is an Article of £21. to Mr. Cooke that I do not consider myself as quite warranted to charge you with. I was in hopes Mr. Cook wou’d himself have repaid me, but I have not heard a Word from him alltho now—year and half ago, I therefore submit it entirely to your Generosity, hoping you will think this a pardonable stretch of my Instructions. Some of my Friends have suggested to me that if Congress appointed a Consul for GBrittain, I had some pretensions to offer them my Services in that Capacity. I just submit the Idea to your friendship and Consideration, if you approve the thought you will favor me with your Advice and Assistance I am very truly Dear Sir your most obliged Friend and servant

William Hodgson

His Excellency B. Franklin Esqr
Addressed: To / His Excellency / Benj. Franklin Esqr / Paris
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