Benjamin Franklin to Charles Norris, January 9, 1762

London, Jany. 9. 1762

Gentlemen

When your Drafts upon me first came to hand, the Form appearing new to me and very particular, 2 containing as I thought an Alternative at my Choice to pay the Money in 30 Days or in 12 Months, I accepted some of them with the long Day, expecting that a Letter from you would explain your Intention in that Form; but receiving no Line on the Subject, and being soon inform’d that the Bill was merely a Copy of that us’d by the northern Governments, 3 I concluded, for Reasons which I have mention’d to the Speaker, 4 to retract that Acceptance and pay in 30 Days. I have accordingly now accepted near £22,000 and can assure you that altho’ the Sale of the Province Stocks will not produce a Sum equal to what you have probably drawn for, yet all the Trustees Bills will be duly honoured and punctually paid. 5 I am, with the greatest Respect and Deference for yourselves and the other Trustees Gentlemen Your most obedient humble Servant

B Franklin

Messrs. Norris and Leech