Benjamin Vaughan to Benjamin Franklin, July 6, 1779

July 6h:, 1779.

My dearest sir,

I have this instant heard of this opportunity. I can put up nothing; scarcely this letter.

Every thing appears to me huddled and uncertain; we were a little up, but the apparent imbecillity of those to act against us, has let the spirit cool again very much. And danger made a cry for unanimity that did us mischief.

Your paper about the aurora has been a good deal controverted, which has made me very much exert myself. 3 I think we shall do, and you will receive pleasure at last from what I have gone through.— Poor Henly is dead; 4 suddenly, as you might expect.

I believe you were not aware that the air at less than 40 miles high is 10,000 times rarer than at the surface at the pole; the height & rarity going the one in an arithmetical the other in a geometrical progression; which you will see leads to consequences. Yours ever most devotedly.

In great haste.

I think it likely that a certain friend of mine will soon marry a niece of the Bedford family.

I sent a letter to you by Mr Barton of Bourdeaux the other day, inclosed to the Duke of Chaulnes? 5 Pray is it received?