Cradock Taylor to Benjamin Franklin, September 3, 1779

Aix in Provance Septr. 3th. 1779

Sir

I hope your Excellency will excuse my troubling you with this letter as I think it a favourable Oppertunity of Convincing you that I am no Imposture. Mr. Gregoire (a Merchant of this City who I am perfectly well acquainted with) will do me the Service to acquaint your Excellency that he has always Understood me to be an American & that he has likewise been Informd by the Officers of the Ship I was taken that I was betraed into the British Service. I hope by this time Mr. Frazer has Informed you who I am & that your Excellency will procure me my Liberty which Shall ever be Acknowledged as an Obbligation confered on your Excellencies Most Obbligd. & Obedient Humbl. Sert.

Cradock Taylor

P.S. Mr. Gregoire has favoured me with the cariage of this letter as he has Businiss at Parris