Jonathan Jr Williams to Benjamin Franklin, April 18, 1782

Nantes April 18. 1782

Dear & hond sir.

I cannot account for the delay of the seeds; in order to get them expeditiously to you I addressed them to a Mr Goddard at the Bureau de la messagerie at Versailles, and desired him to send them to you without going into Paris, this precaution Billy desired me to take: If they are not arrived when you receive this please to send to Mr Goddard & you will certainly hear of them. 7 I yesterday heard of another Case of seeds which came to your address in the Nonesuch & of which I had no advice, 8 I have sent it to the Messagerie which goes off tomorrow; this I have addressed directly to you & hope you will receive it without delay.

I am preparing a long Letter for you, with a detail of Obstacles in the way of american Commerce in this place & others in this part of the Kingdom many of these must be removed if the French think our Trade worth keeping at a Peace; I shall delay this Letter a few Days in order to make the Information compleat. 9 I have not met with the difficulty I apprehended about the Comte de Grasse, so shall not trouble you. You have not yet answered my Letter of the 26th & the Prisoners are still at Board at my Expence.

I am as ever Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman

Jona Williams J

P.S. You have often talked of coming hither to see the salt Pitts at the mouth of the River. 1 The season is now advancing, and I should be happy if you would put your design into Execution, I have a large House & can accomodate you very well, I am sure a Journey would be beneficial to your Health.