William Temple Franklin to William McCreery (unpublished)
Passy 4 June 1781.

I received, my dear Sir, the Letter you honour’d me with of the 28th past. At present I know of no Convoy or Frigates about to sail for our Country: Had I been sooner informed of your Intention of Returning to America, I could have indicated the Resolue, which has lately sailed from Brest with Col. Laurens: But in general the sailing of Ships of War is kept secret, & the Government choose by no means to have passengers on board. They have at various times found great Inconvenience from it, the destinations of the Vessels being unavoidably revealed. I cannot therefore give you any Expectation of your procuring the Passage you desire; but I understand there are at Nantes & l’Orient American vessels, which will sail about the middle of this month; in any of these I make no doubt you might have a Passage & the Permission of carrying Trunks.

Mr: Neckers Dismission may be attended with some present Inconvenience, but I do not imagine more important Consequences will result from it.

With unfeigned Regard, I am, ever, My dear Sir &ca.—

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