Jonathan Jr Williams to Benjamin Franklin, February 2, 1779

Nantes Feb. 2. 1779

Dear & Hond Sir.

I herewith send you a Letter 6 which I have written to you and Mr Adams in consequence of a piece of Information which I had from Billy. I send it to you first in order that Billy may not think himself exposed by having communicated the Matter to me; It is for this Reason that I have not said how I came by the Information, nor shall I do it.—

I have endeavoured to preserve my Tranquility as much as I could, but if you think any of my Expressions too strong I beg they may be imputed to my Sensibility in regard to my Character: I am sure I should be unworthy your Friendship if I had not this Sensibility.

Although I have offered so candidly as to the Choice of my Arbitrators, I think Justice requires that I should have the Choice of one & the Commis(?) of another, and these two should choose a third, my Reason for this is, that I apprehend one Gentleman of the number too much attached to my calumniator, and another too much attached to this Gentleman to be either of them impartial Judges. 7 These are the two last mentioned, I am indifferent about the others, and if all are appointed I will make no Exception at all.

I have not signed any of the Memorials you have lately recd from this, 8 because I thought they shewed too great a Disposition to be disconteded [discontented] at an improper Time & without sufficient Reason; had the Matter been confin’d to the affair of Convoy, I would have signed. The last 9 appears to me a stroke of Policy that in shewing the necessity of a Consul, you may see that the principal mover is the proper Person to be appointed, this is one of the Gentln. I have refered to above. I am ever your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman

J Williams J

I send you an Estimate of the Value of Supplies to my Country through me & an Estimate of my Profits. You will see by them that I have not made 1–¼ Per Cent out of the Public.

Doctor Franklin.