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Sale 58
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Lot 44
Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, scientist, statesman, diplomat, printer, author. Letter signed "B Franklin," as ambassador to France, one page (recto/verso), 12½ x 8 in, Passy (a suburb of Paris), France, Oct. 19, 1779. Written in an elegant, clerical hand with "(Duplicate)" at the top, to David Hartley, a member of the British Parliament who had gained note as a scientist and through mutual interests became friends with Franklin.
Franklin corresponds with Hartley on the exchange of prisoners: "Having just received the Passport desired for the Cartel to make use of the Port of Morlaix, I take this first Opportunity of sending it to you, in hopes of releasing by more expeditious Voyages the poor Prisoners on both Sides before the Severity of Winter comes on. Besides those released on Parole, we have now more English Prisoners than you have Americans. In those Releases we have relied on the honour & Humanity of the Board and I am persuaded we shall not find ourselves deceived. You will always see me ready in every Step that may soften the Rigours of War to give the first Demonstration of that Confidence which naturally opens by Degrees the Way to Peace…."
The situation of the American prisoners in Britain and British prisoners in France was becoming thorny. The British considered American prisoners traitors and, consequently, refused to reciprocate Franklin's offer to issue paroles to British captives. Through Hartley, who was against the war with America and who, in 1778, wrote a pamphlet ("Letters on the American War") accusing Britain of tyranny over the colonies and urging recognition of American independence, "Franklin urged the easing of the lot of the prisoners as a step toward reconciliation, sent small sums of money for their relief and sought permission for an American envoy…to inspect the conditions in which the American prisoners were kept…." (Esmond Wright, Franklin of Philadelphia, 1986, pp. 281-282)
Normal folds, light creasing, some overall toning, darker at folds on verso. One fold affect the tops of "B" and "F" in the large, bold signature.
Estimated Value $40,000 - 60,000.
Christie's New York, June 19, 2007, lot 249, $40,000.
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