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CCXXXI: TO JONATHAN WILLIAMS 1 - Benjamin Franklin, The Works of Benjamin Franklin, Vol. III Letters and Misc. Writings 1753-1763 [1904]

Edition used:

The Works of Benjamin Franklin, including the Private as well as the Official and Scientific Correspondence, together with the Unmutilated and Correct Version of the Autobiography, compiled and edited by John Bigelow (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904). The Federal Edition in 12 volumes. Vol. III (Letters and Misc. Writings 1753-1763).

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CCXXXI

TO JONATHAN WILLIAMS1

Philadelphia, 13 April, 1763.

Loving Kinsman:—

You may remember that about ten years since, when I was at Boston, you and my brother sent directions here to attach on Grant’s right to some land here by virtue of a mortgage given him by one Pitt. Nothing effectual could be done in it at that time, their being a prior mortgage undischarged. That prior mortgage is now near expiring, and Grant’s will take place. Pitt’s widow is desirous of being enabled to sell the place, which cannot be done without paying off Grant’s mortgage. Therefore, if your old demand against Grant still subsists, you may empower me in any manner you think proper to recover it.

Is Grant living? Or, if dead, are there any of his representatives among you? Inquire. Because here is a person desirous of purchasing, who perhaps may inquire them out and get a discharge from them before your claim is brought forward, unless the attachment formerly made in your behalf is still good, which I am inclined to think may be.

I am going in a few days to Virginia, but expect to be back in three or four weeks. However, send what you have to say on this subject to my son, at Burlington, who was formerly empowered by you, and he will take the steps necessary, if I should not be returned, I am your loving uncle,

B. Franklin.

[1 ]Johathan Williams married Grace Harris, a niece of Dr. Franklin’s, and was the father of Jonathan Williams, who acted as a commercial agent for the United States in France during a large part of the Revolution, and whose name often occurs in the course of this correspondence. The son, after filling important stations as a colonel of engineers and superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point, died May 20, 1815.