Jonathan Jr Williams to Benjamin Franklin, August 9, 1783

Nantes Augt. 9. 1783.

Dear & hond Sir.

I have sent to Billy by this Post a Copy of my last Memoire to M de Vergennes,
Supported by those of my Creditors who are of this Town & were of the Meeting, with
Copies & Extracts of Several Letters I have received. I send also the originals of
these Letters to prove the veracity of the Extracts. As they extend to matters foreign
to the Subject and are too lengthy to be given to the Minister, please to certify the
verity of the Extracts, after examination, so as the Originals may be immediately
returned to me. 4

You observed to me in your last kind Letter 5 that there was no Situation in Life in which a
man might not, by conducting well, do himself honour; this is more my Ambition than any
View of Fortune, and I declare to you in the Sincerity of my Heart, that I look forward
to the Day I shall have Satisfied all my Creditors, with more eagerness, than ever my
Imagination excited me to do in any other View. I beg you will read Attentively the
Letters I have Sent, & after considering that not one of the writers knew the others
Sentiments you will conceive of the Pleasure I enjoy; I wish you to believe that
notwithstanding all this Favour nothing on Earth Shall tempt me to do the Smallest Act
in favour of any one Creditor to the Prejudice of the whole, 6 and I expect the Indulgence of my Friends only
as my Conduct Shall Answer this Principle. I trust I Shall not reckon among my
misfortunes any diminution in your Esteem & am as ever most dutifully and
affectionately Yours,

Jona Williams J