Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, January 11, 1782

Passy, Jan. 11. 1782

Sir

Your Excellency will see by the within 7 the Situation I am in, & will thence judge how far it may be proper for you to accept farther Drafts on Mr Laurens, with any Expectation of my enabling you to pay them, when I have not only no Promise of more Money, but an absolute Promise that I shall have no more.— I shall use my Endeavours however, but am not sure of Succeeding, as we seem to have done what I long fear’d we should do, tir’d out our Friends by our endless Demands to pay Drafts unexpected and boundless.— 8 With the Million mentioned I can continue paying to the End of February, & then, if I get no more, must shut up Shop. I have the honour to be, with great Respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant

B Franklin

His Excelly. J. Adams Esqr