Joseph Hammond to Benjamin Franklin, December 6, 1777

St. Malo Decr. th 6. 1777.

Honoured Sur,

I think there is no person, to whom I might apply to for Redress, Like as a person that is not acting not only for the Good of the publick, but also for the Good of the Common welth. I am Sorrow to trouble you nor neither Should I, had not my present Situation Required it. I am Sorrow to have occation of writing to you, in Respect to the marchant, with whom I am Concern’d. The Marchant with whom I Engag’d in paris when I Engag’d knew that I was in want of Cloths [Clothes], and thereupon promis’d to Supply me with money to Cloth myself, which the marchant hear at St. Malo fully Denys. Mr. Anderson that Came with me, 5 has behaved himself very much out of Carrecter in going away, which is the Occation of all this, but it is very well known that a person Cannot Go to Sea without Cloths. If they will pay me up from the time of my Engagment and Give me two months advance I Shall be able to Cloth myself, therefore I humbly beg the favor of you to write to Mr. du parny, 6 and till him that I Cannot go to Sea without Cloths and I only beg the faveor that he would pay me up and advance me two month pay. Therefore my dear Sur I hope you will do me this faveor and write me an answer according to his, and write to the Care of Mr. Desagru [Desegray]. I have not any thing to write in perticuler more only with wishing your Helth I am Sur your most Humble Sarvant.

Jno. Hammond