Henry Laurens to Benjamin Franklin, August 27, 1783

Bath 27th August 1783.

Dear Sir.

My thanks are due for the justice you did me, in beleiving I had written to some one or
other of my Colleagus since my last return to London, altho’ it appears by the Letter
you have honored me with under the 21st Inst. mine of the 9th. addressed to the whole
had not reached them, an unlucky circumstance which gives me much concern. I say I wrot
to the American Ministers on the 9th. made up my Letter with a News
Paper or two into a small Packet which I delivered on Sunday Morning the 10th. to Mr.
Barclay who assured me he would leave London on Tuesday the 12th. at latest— You say
nothing & I have not heard any thing of his arrival at Paris 3 wherefore I now transmit a Copy of my said
Letter, tho’ with a slender prospect of its being serviceable since ’tis probable, that
before this can arrive, your Phœnix Treaty will be finished.

I was actually in Treaty for the Cabin of a Ship intending to have embarked very early
in October for Philadelphia or New York, but three days ago I received a Letter from my
Sister in Law in the south of France intimating that my Brother had desired her to
inform me he was growing weaker & weaker every day & found himself near his End
& therefore earnestly wished to see me before I left Europe. 4 I cannot refuse to gratify the wish of a dying
freind. I dare not turn my back upon a Widowed Sister, a most valuable worthy Woman—so
long a journey will be rather too heavy for me, but I must encounter it, therefore I
shall once more have the honor of paying my Respects at Passy, perhaps about the 10th.
September.

You may possibly have seen before this time a little Printed Paper, which the Mr.
Jenings has been privately circulating under the Title—The Candor of Henry Laurens
Esqr—poor Devil he is as weak as wicked, he has now compeled me to display his
wickedness in a more public manner than ever I had intended—the most painful part to me
is his involving a third person the friend he pretended to be so much attached to on
your side. 5

My Son & Daughter unite with me in the most Respectful Cordial Salutes to yourself
& Mr. Franklin & I have the honor to be with sincere Esteem & affection Dear
sir Your obedient humble servt.

Henry Laurens.

His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esquire Passy.