nd ships laden with
those articles, might make great profit; such is the demand in every
Colony, and such generous prices are, and will be given, of which, and
of the manner of conducting such a voyage, the bearer, Mr Story, can
more fully inform you. And whoever brings in those articles is allowed
to carry off the value in provisions to our West Indies, where they
will fetch a very high price, the general exportation from North
America being stopped. This you will see more particularly in a
printed resolution of the Congress.

We are in great want of good engineers, and wish you could engage and
send us two able ones in time for the next campaign, one acquainted
with field service, sieges, &c. and the other with fortifying
sea-ports. They will, if well recommended, be made very welcome, and
have honorable appointments, besides the expenses of their voyage
hither, in which Mr Story can also advise them. As what we now request
of you, besides taking up your time, may put you to some expense, we
send you, for the present, enclosed, a bill for one hundred pounds
sterling, to defray such expenses, and desire you to be assured that
your services will be considered and honorably rewarded by the
Congress.

We desire, also, that you would take the trouble of receiving from
Arthur Lee, agent for the Congress in England, such letters as may be
sent by him to your care, and of forwarding them to us with your
despatches. When you have occasion to write to him to inform him of
anything, which it may be of importance that our friends there should
be acquainted with, please to send your letters to him under cover,
directed to Mr Alderman Lee, merchant, on Tower Hill, London, and do
not send it by post, but by some trusty shipper, or other prudent
person, who will deliver it with his own hand. And when you send to
us, if you have not a direct safe opportunity, we recommend sending by
way of St Eustatia, to the care of Messrs Robert & Cornelius Stevens,
merchants there, who will forward your despatches to me.

With sincere and great esteem and respect, I am, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

* * * * *

B. FRANKLIN TO C. W. F. DUMAS.

Philadelphia, March 22d, 1776.

Dear Sir,

I wrote to you lately by Mr Story, and since by another conveyance.
This line will be delivered to you by Mr Deane, wh