Benjamin Franklin Papers - From Benjamin Vaughan (unpublished)

I inclose you a paper, which must be in part my apology for not writing to you; and if Ld. Daer stays a day longer, I shall be able to send the sequel. A farther reason why neither Mr. Oswald nor myself have written to you, was that we saw no good we could do, and therefore we avoided doing harm. A third reason was, that there was a personage at Paris concerning whom there were difficulties; which reason if you do not understand by these few words, I must let it rest till we meet.

I have no news to send you. I believe Ministers have at last got over the idea of the loyal colonies being sufficient to supply the West Indies; and have prepared an act for an intercourse with the other colonies. ———— I make no remarks because they can do no good; and I love the public too well to think of serving my friends in your opinion, at its expence.

Had not my hands been tied by these circumstances, I should much oftener have written, and even sent you expresses, had there been occasion.

My father’s departure, and hourly consultations with me, and the solicitations I make by person or letter for my brother John, with the above letter, and my own concerns, have worne me down so much, that I have not spirits to write you, a long letter and yet I have abundance of matter. I must therefore again beg a respite till the next opportunity. After this week, and some time in the course of the next, the family embark; and then I shall be myself again.

I am every day however thiking of something or other we shall do together, when you come to London with your son. I am, my dearest sir, Your most devoted affectionate and grateful

I send your son a pair of buckles and a whimsical purse; and Mr. Jay a watch chain, by Ld. Daer. There is a pocket globe and a pocket glass in the box containing the miscellaneous articles for different persons, which globe and glass are directed to Mr. Whitefoord, but are a present from Mr. Oswald to Mr. Faujas de St. Fond; and are to be forwarded to the Duke of Chaulnes, after stripping off the cover to Mr. Whitefoord. You will receive a pamphlet of Mr. Sinclairs; another relative to the colony trade and the Loyal colonies (said by some to be written by Lord Sheffield and Mr. Eden;) and Sr. John Pringle’s discourses before the Royal Society. When I asked Dr. Priestley after other things to send you, he named our Coalition prints, with which the shops swarm. Though I dislike the subject, I have desired my brother John to choose some prints of a political nature, of which I dare say there will make a part.