Passy, January 27, 1780.
Dear Sir,
I received your’s of the tenth instant. I shall
be glad to learn how the taking of the Dutch
ships has been accommodated. We have yet
no news of the Alliance: but suppose she is
cruising. We are more in pain for the Confede-
racy, who sailed the twenty-eighth of October
from the capes of Delaware. ‘There is some
hope that she went to Charleston, to take in
Mr. Laurens; for some passengers arrived in
France, who left Philadelphia several wecks
after her sailing, say that it was a general opinion
she would call there before she departed for
Europe. If this was not the case, we fear she
must be lost, and the loss will be a very severe
one.
I send you, inclosed, a translation of a letter,
that I think 1 sent you the original of before.
Perhaps it may serve our Leyden friend.
Iam sorry you have any difference with the
ambassador, and wish you to accommodate it as
soon as possible. Depend upon it that no one
ever knew, from me, that you had spoken or
written against any person. ‘There is one con-
cerning whom | think you sometimes receive
erroneous information. In one particular I know
you were misinformed, that of his selling us
arms at an enormous profit; the truth is, we
never bought any of him.
I am ever, with great esteem,
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient
Humble servant,
B. FRANKLIN.
Mr. Dumas.
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