Benjamin Putnam to William Temple Franklin (unpublished)
Portsmh. [?] 27th. 1783
My Dear Friend,

Least my Answer to your Favor recd. lying in Bordeaux River should miscarry I will not fail to employ this my first convenient opportunity, to acknowledge its Rct with gratitude.

You observ’d that you was then ignorant in what state or Condition my Business had been brot to by Mr. Ridley. I feel certain from my knowledge of Mr. Ridley’s dispositon & the Genl. & G Caracter, I have of him here, & the perticular one I had of him in Paris, he must either have fail’d in assistance or have met with Obstacles in entering the Cases, of which I can have no Idea. I have resumd my importuning Letters to his Excellency to do something for me. Your Assistance Sir, in this Case, in reminding & applying, I am too sensible of to pass unimportund. Believe me, I am yet ignorant Whether My 2d. Case has ever been carry’d to the Admly by the French Capt, the Appellant. I beg you Sir, to inform me by Duplica. as Conveyances are so uncertain. Address for me at this Place where I shall reside till I return’d to Paris, at what Period this will be, I can give no Guess, as the Capture & recapture has invol’d me, in as an Owner in a triple Lawsuit & where or when it will terminate, I am at loss to Guest. Judgement at this Court is often witheald from 1 to several Years. At the termination of which, however, I shall return to Paris.

I am my Dear Friend Your most Oblig’d Humble Servt.

Benj. Putnam

W. T. Franklin Esqr.
Addressed: A Monsur. / W. T. Temple Franklin / Secretaire a Son / Excellence Dr. Franklin / Minr. Plenipo. / a Paris. / pr. Post / Per Capt. Duccroÿ / via Dunkirk
Notation: Putnam 1783
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