William Hodgson to Benjamin Franklin, January 23, 1784

London 23 Jany— 1784

Dear sir—

I recd your favor of the 26th Ultimo & have been endeavouring all in my Power ever Since to find out the Value of the two Ships you mention, 2 but hitherto I have not been able to succeed, I find these Ships were released by the Court of Denmark, but so long a Time has elapsed, that those who did the Insurance cannot easily turn to the Acc’t indeed the Union had only a trifling Sum done upon her. She belonged to Atkinson the Contractor 3 so that she was laden as I presume for Goverment Acc’t, I have been so hostile to A— all the War, that I fear much I shall have great Difficulty in procuring the Value, but I will try every possible method— The other I hope I shall be able to procure from Liverpool to which place she belonged, I shou’d suppose these Ships from their Size & general Idea of Cargoes for such a Voyage coud not be worth less than from 10 to 15 thousand pounds per Ship— I return you my best thanks for your intended Kindness in respect to the Consulship & remain allways Dr sir Your Affectionate Friend & very Hble Servant

William Hodgson

To His Ex. B. Franklin Esqr