John Baskerville to Benjamin Franklin, September 7, 1767

Easy Hill, Birmm. 7 Sepr. 1767

Dear Sir,

After having obtained the Reputation of excelling in the most useful Art known to Mankind; of which I have your Testimony; Is it not to the last Degree provoking, that I cannot get even bread by it? I must starve, had I no other Dependence. 6

I have offered the London Booksellers to print for them within 5 per Cent. as low as their common Currency, but can not get from them a single Jobb.

I offered my whole Apparatus of Letter founding, printing &c. to the Court of France by the Duke de Nivernois when he was Ambassador here 7 for £8000. which was politely refused as being too large a Sum.

Mr. Godfroy, 8 who may be heard of at Mr. Sayde’s Optitian to the King, lately told our good Friend Mr. Boulton, that France wished to be possessed of my printing &c. on moderate Terms, in which I heartily join.

The Intention of this is therefore, to beg the Favor of you to propose and recommend this Affair, as Mr. Godfroy may point out the Way. I want only to set on Foot a Treaty; if they will not come to my Terms, I may possibly come to theirs.

Suppose we reduce the price to £6000. Lewis the 14th would have given three times that Sum, or Czar Peter. Let the Reason of my parting with it be, the Death of my Son and intended Successor, 9 and having acquired a moderate Fortune, I wish to consult my Ease in the Afternoon of Life, as I am now turn’d of 60. I am Dear Sir with the greatest Esteem your most obedient humble Servant

John Baskerville