Francis Coffyn to Benjamin Franklin, April 11, 1783
Dunkerque 11th. April 1783.
Hond. Sir.
Since the letter I had the honnor to write your Excellency on the 9th. ultma. a great number of American prisonners arrived here from England, for whom I procured their passage, onboard of sundry vessells bound to different ports in America. Those mentioned in the enclosed receipts, 7 which were in great distress & destitute of every thing, I have assisted with a little money for their Subsistance during their Stay here, & to buy the necessairies for their passage.
This Sum added to £. 277.10.—. & £. 96.—.—. mentioned in my letters of 19th. Febry & 9th. march, make together £. 894. 8.—. which I have taken the liberty to draw on Your Excellency pble. 10 days after date, to the order of Messrs. Vandenyver fr. & Cie, & request your Excellency will be pleased to honnor my drafts. 1
Since the happy conclusion of the Peace, five vessells have been dispatch’d from this place to the ports of North America, 2 and Three more are now put up for Philadelphia, I hope my recommendations to the owners of these vessells in favour of the House of Messrs. Bache & Shee of said place, (which your Excellency recommended to me in 1779;) 3 will make these Gentlemen reep the first frutes of the peace, & that the assortment of the Cargos will convince the Subjects of the united States of the advantages the port of Dunkerque offers to the American Trade: Your Excellency may rely on my constant exertion to promote the interest of said House, & I hope my endeavours will not be fruitless.
One Capn. Coreil who has some time resided at Philadelphia & other parts of America during the war, has bought a brig here burthen 150 Tons, & is desirous of dispatching this vessell for said place under the name of General Washington, & under the colours of the united States of America, he intends to Sail in about three weeks for said destination, but as he can not proceed without a passport from your Excellency, he desired me to request your Excellency to grant him one; if his demand can be comply’d with, I humbly beg your Excellency will be pleased to send me Such a passport, the Crew of this ship will be composed of Americain Seamen, except the mate who was born in France. I hope Your Excellency will be pleased to favour me with an answer in order that the vessell may not be detained. 4
I have the honnor to remain very respectfully Your Excellency’s most obedient & most Humble Servant
F. Coffyn
S. E. M. B. Franklin a Passi.