John Ross to William Temple Franklin (unpublished)
14th. March 1780
Dear sire

I thank you for your friendly attention to Messrs. Brush & Wilkinson—By a letter received from the former, I find they are at Paris—

Will you present the inclosed, and take some favourable Oppty. to put it in the hands of your Grandfather—this is transcribed from the long Budgett of complaints against Mr Deane and others from a certain quarter—Coud you believe that a Man possessed of the least particle of honour or truth, coud Venture to put his hand to Such a gross misrepresentation of a transaction known to himself, and on which he was consulted? I have his letters in return to mine on the Subject. and in his Character, he must have been lost to all Sense of Shame & reflection to impose such an Idea on so respectable a Body in Congress

Good God! What Character can escape the Vilainy of Some Men in this world?—If the general Accusations exhibited against Mr. Deane & others are not better founded and Supported, then this part of that Malignments wicked performance. I think such Mark of infamy shoud be fixed by those in power, as might deter other’s from Practices so base & unwarrantable Believe me Most truly Dear Sir Your Sincere friend

Jno. Ross

14 page A plan was formed by Messrs: Deane Ross & Hodge. the object of which was, to put the public property into the possession of the two last, and to cover the first from a retrospect into the former proceedings respecting this Vessel, which Mr Deane knew to be Criminal, they communicated to me so much of the transaction as they thought Sufficient to obtain my concurrence and make me instrumental to their wishes—
Addressed: To / Mr: William T Franklin / Passy—
Notation: M. Ross 14 March 1780.
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