De Court de Sorlut to William Temple Franklin (unpublished)
sir,

Give me leave to remember you that last year I brought to his Excellency Dr: Franklin your most worthy Grand Father a packet of Letters from John Williams Esqr: then in London, which I have seen here last winter; my Inclination then laid me to go over to North America to settle there, but some weighty reasons, such as settling prealably my familly affairs in the province of saintonge where I am Born, hindered me to put my plan in execution. Now sir I have changed it, for that of going to settle at Bordeaux, a Town little distant from my Family’s residence, were I am négotiating a Parternership in a House of extensive Business. The american trade I am well acquainted with, having lived eight years in the House of Mr. Henry Quin and in London, who did business with Canada New York & Carolina, therefore I hope to be of some service to the americans who shall come to Bordeaux as a merchant & a well wisher to thier cause from the beguining I am acquainted with every manufactory in france & almost every ones in Europe, my connections are extended enough to be able to lend them the douceurs necessary in business: With these dispositions I wish to be honnoured with the tittle of American Consul residing at Bordeaux, a tittle of honnour only which if it is granted me I would exert gratis untill the Stattes should think propir to to reward my labours in thier Interest; I beg sir you will do me the favour to speak to his Excellency Dr: Franklin, about my request asking him leave that I may wait on him in order that I may ask the same performally.

I hope you will be kind enough to lett me know in answer how this proposall has been received: be assured Sir that if you will protect my demand I shall be ever gratefull, & will prouve you in futur my thankfullness.

From some circumstances I think I am authorised to think I have had Ennemis here who may have Spocken against me to his Excellency Dr. Franklin, as they have done to others, in such a Case I would only beg to be acquainted with their speeches that I might in few words prove the Contrary, & the falsehood. I have the honnour to be very affectionnately sir your most obedt: hum St:

de Court de Sorlut

Paris le 8e. sepre. 1779. chez Louvecue Persuguin Rud Fromenteau
Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin le / Jeune—maisonee M. / Le Ray de Chaumont / à Passy.
Notation: M. De Court de Sorlut Paris 8. 7bre. 1779.
Endorsed: ansd
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