I have had the Honor of receiving your Letter of the 20th. of last month, informing me that you had accepted my several Bills amounting to forty six thousand, one hundred and ninety six Livres, nineteen sols, payable the 12th. of April next, and you add, “I confide that you will “not hazard the Credit of Congress by indorsing any of them, to others, “till you have heard from me, that I am likely to be in Cash.”

This does not surprise me as coming from Dr. Franklin especially, when I have in my Hands the following Extract from his Letter of the 30th. of March last to the Superintendent of Finance who had ordered him twelve months ago to pay this money, viz., “No demand has been made on me by Mr. “Wm. Lee. I do not know where he is.” At that moment Doctor Franklin knew where I was as well as any man existing who had not his eyes on me.

I know, Sir, that the money has been already lodged in your Hands for the specific purpose of paying the Debt due to me, which you have hitherto unjustly withheld; consequently the Credit of Congress is, at present, out of the question with respect to me in this business.

Therefore I am compelled to inform you that I am not in any manner disposed to be trifled with any longer, and that you must take care to pay the Bills punctually which you have accepted.

I have the Honor to be with proper respect, Sir etc. Signed.