Jonathan Jr Williams to Benjamin Franklin, March 7, 1780

Nantes March 7. 1780.

Dear & hond Sir

Doctor Bancroft gave me your Favour of the 26 Feb. 3 & Mr Chaumonts Letters desiring me to send as much as I could of the Cloathing to Rochelle with the greatest Expedition. I accordingly went to Work to Bale up what was ready & had loaded two Waggons after a deal of Trouble & Difficulty with the Custom House. When the Waggons went to the Barrier there was a Demand of 1/30th of the Whole value for les Droits dominal of the Duc de Fitz James 4 this would have been a Sum of near 2000 Livres only for those two waggon loads. I consulted with Doctor Bancroft & we determined to prefer water Carriage rather than submit to this exorbitant Demand. I was obliged to allow a Dedomagement to the Waggoners for their expences & loss of Time. I have now got those & a few Bales more on board a small Vessell which goes away to night & I hope will be at la Rochelle in Time. 5 I have done all that was possible to do & have got away but a small quantity at last but I expect it will be as much as the Frigate will take, for Ships of War have in general but little Room. I am convinced of the old proverb “the more haste the worst Speed.” 6 This hurrying away a Part of the Supplys delays the remainder. It is in general best to give reasonable Time for An Operation & I believe in the End it turns out more expeditious.— I did not mistake Socks for Stocks for it is mentioned in the Order “ of the same Quality with the Feet of the Stockings .” Being in suspence about the Buckles & knowing the necessity of Dispatch I had ventured to order them. I have since countermanded the Order but I have agreed to take all that are ready, which is reasonable. I have issued but few Bills yet & those only to procure Cash to replace the advances I had made for the Shoes Linnen & workmanship which all require Cash: you have inclosed a List of what I have hitherto issued.— 7 I will keep on the shoemaking but as it goes slowly, when it goes on well I will have Leather ready for the Time of Shipping. I inclose you a Letter for Mr Poulze as you desire it is a Copy of my last, but I have altered the Date. 8

I will take care of the Boxes of Types as you direct as soon as they arrive. 9

Mr Gridly one of my arbitrators had desired me to request you to order him a Passage in the Alliance as his Health requires his immediate Return. 1 I told him I would write to you & I wish you may oblige him but I wish more that you may favour my uncle with a Passage out. I have many Reasons for wishing he was with his Family but his long absence is of itself a sufficiently strong one. 2

I have a few Pounds of Babery or myrtle Wax of which I will send you some by the return of Doctor Bancroft. I shall be obliged to you if you will give me a Receipt how to make Crown Soap of it, 3 I want to try the Experiment & it may serve to make this Wax an Article of Commerce here, at present it is not known.

I am ever with great Respect Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman

Jona Williams J

My Wife joins in Duty & Love to you. Bien des Excuses a M. Chaumont pour n’avoir pas repondu ses derniers par ce Courier. Je le ferois par l’ordinaire prochain.