David Hall to Benjamin Franklin, February 27, 1759

Philadelphia February 27th. 1759.

Sir

According to Promise, 9 I have now, by Captain Finglass, sent you the first Copy of another Bill of Exchange for £100. Sterling more, 1 which makes in all remitted you, since you left Philadelphia (besides the £100. protested) 2 £1249 12 s. 5 d.

If I had known that Captain Finglass would have sailed so soon after Capt. Duncan, I believe I should not have given you any Expectation of a Bill by him; 3 but I did not care to be worse than my word.

This comes under Cover to Peter Collinson Esqr., to whom I have Apologized for the Trouble of conveying it to you. The Reason of my sending it under his Cover, is, I have heard from your Friends that you hinted to them, you had Room to think, some of your Letters were intercepted, the Substance of a Letter of theirs to you having come to Philadelphia, tho’ not to them, nor from you. 4 If so, it may have been the Case with the missing Bill, 5 and not paid to a wrong Hand, which I was afraid of; as I imagine if any Directions had been given to stop your Letters, it was more on Account of the Intelligence they might contain, than any thing else. I design to continue sending your Letters to this Gentleman till I shall hear from you to the contrary; and am, Sir Yours &c.

D H

To Benjamin Franklin Esqr. per the London Capt. Finglass

Copy per Arnold Capt. Cozzin