From Jane Mecom (unpublished)
Boston May 29th 1786
Dear Brother

With this I send you a Box with four Dozn, crown soap which I hope will Ansure your Expectation but it does not Perfectly Pleas me yet, but I find my self so often disopointed when I am over Anxious that I am discoureged from trying any more at this time. I had Put in more wax than the Proportion to make it Greener and by that means made it so Britle that after I had Boxd it up I found it crack so much that it would not do to send, and haveing melting it over with a litle water as Mrs. Bache did I found as you may Percive by hers that it Discolourd it; I made a New weakley and carried throw the second Proces and it came out as you see good soap, but no so good a colour, I send two the best I could save of the first, I beleve my Brother John Perfectly understood the Exact proportion that would be best. I hope the first has Ansured you Expectation in Drying, I do not Paper it singly that you may Pick out the Hansomest cakes to send to France.

I have seen mr. Vaughan and he gives me the satisfaction to hear you have not been so Ill since you got home as to keep house on that Acount (for which I Bless God) tho he does not give me any Incouragement that you will be Able to come to Boston, the spring is gone and I have no hopes now, but who knows but we may Live to Another spring you not being worce and prehaps Eased of the care of Government may Bless yr friends this way with a Visit, I Love to hope the Best; in the mean time Premit me to write you with Freedom and without cerremony, as to the Spelling Part I am quite Incouragd since I am but won of the Thousands and thousands, that write on to old Age and Cant Learn, I hope you understand me and I know you will allways Put the best construction on your Sence. If you have a Litle Leasure it will oblige me very much to hear from you somthing about my grandson where he Lives, how he behaves, what company he keeps, and what you think of him, he is the son of a Dear worthy child; his sister was Remarkably Dutyfull and affectionat to me, and I wish him well but should never consented to his throwing himself upon you. Therefore he has Acted as those who are calld the wise of this world are apt to do to Indevourd to make himself a friend of won who is Able to help him and if he so behaves as to be worthy yr Notice I shall not be sorry he did not ask my Advice.

I have this spring been new Planking the yard made New gate, and new cedar Dores, and am Painting the Front of the House to make it look Decent that I may not be Ashamed when any Bodey Inquiers for Dr. Franklins sister in the Neibourhood.

I tell you these things that you may see I do Injoy Life hear, but Truly my Dear Brother I am willing to Depart out of it when ever my Grat Benifactor has no farther Use for me, for tho but Litle of that Apears to me now, I know the most Insignificant creature on Earth may be made some use of in the scale of Beings, may Touch some spring, or Verge to some wheal unpercived by us,

but oh may I not Live to hear of the Departure of my Dear Brother yours Affectionatly

Jane Mecom

There is a good deal of Phylosephy in the working of crown soap that I cant comprehend the couler was taken out of wonside of this green cake by laying on a Damp won and by Drying will not Recover it
Addressed: To / His Exellency Benjaman Franklin / Philadelphia / per Captn. Cob / with a Box at Hews and Antonys
643127 = 044-u141.html