Autograph letter signed “D. Montgomery”, January 25, 1782, Geneva, with integral address leaf, folded quarto sheet.
Dorcas Montgomery (d. 1806), a native of Newcastle, DE, was an old friend of Sarah Bache and the widow of Franklin's friend Robert Montgomery. During the Revolution, she lived in France and Switzerland and kept a social correspondence with Franklin, largely concerning the education of her son Robert, who became friends with Franklin's grandson Benjamin Franklin Bache in Geneva.
In this, the final letter from Dorcas Montgomery to Franklin recorded in the Papers, written just a few months after news of the American victory at Yorktown was received in France, she writes:
A Thousand Thanks for your very Obliging Letter of 22d. Novr. which I never Received till this Day which has punish’d me Sufficiently for my Neglect in not giving my Address. I hope our success in America will continue and be productive of Liberty & Peace which I most Ardently wish for.
The Letter that you was so obliging to Inclose was from Mr. MKean [i.e. Thomas McKean] dated 6th. Octr. therefore contain’d nothing new.
Your Grand Son [i.e. Benjamin Franklin Bache] is very well, as is Mastr. Johonnot [i.e Samuel Cooper Johonnot], & Montgomery [her son], their Respectful Compliments are presented. They appear to be very Happy and contented, and are delighted with the expectations of seeing the Mastr Morris’s [Robert Morris Jr., and Thomas Morris] here very soon. My Compts. attend Mr. T— Franklin. I have the Honor to be very Respectfully Sir Your most Obedient Humble Servant...
With integral address leaf addressed:
His Excellency
Benj. Franklin Esq.
Passy
Published in The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 36, p. 481 (from a 1955 photostat of the letter).
The first such letter that was in the hands of Benjamin Franklin that we have ever handled.
Autograph letter signed “D. Montgomery”, January 25, 1782, Geneva, with integral address leaf, folded quarto sheet.
Dorcas Montgomery (d. 1806), a native of Newcastle, DE, was an old friend of Sarah Bache and the widow of Franklin's friend Robert Montgomery. During the Revolution, she lived in France and Switzerland and kept a social correspondence with Franklin, largely concerning the education of her son Robert, who became friends with Franklin's grandson Benjamin Franklin Bache in Geneva.
In this, the final letter from Dorcas Montgomery to Franklin recorded in the Papers, written just a few months after news of the American victory at Yorktown was received in France, she writes:
A Thousand Thanks for your very Obliging Letter of 22d. Novr. which I never Received till this Day which has punish’d me Sufficiently for my Neglect in not giving my Address. I hope our success in America will continue and be productive of Liberty & Peace which I most Ardently wish for.
The Letter that you was so obliging to Inclose was from Mr. MKean [i.e. Thomas McKean] dated 6th. Octr. therefore contain’d nothing new.
Your Grand Son [i.e. Benjamin Franklin Bache] is very well, as is Mastr. Johonnot [i.e Samuel Cooper Johonnot], & Montgomery [her son], their Respectful Compliments are presented. They appear to be very Happy and contented, and are delighted with the expectations of seeing the Mastr Morris’s [Robert Morris Jr., and Thomas Morris] here very soon. My Compts. attend Mr. T— Franklin. I have the Honor to be very Respectfully Sir Your most Obedient Humble Servant...
With integral address leaf addressed:
His Excellency
Benj. Franklin Esq.
Passy
Published in The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 36, p. 481 (from a 1955 photostat of the letter).
The first such letter that was in the hands of Benjamin Franklin that we have ever handled.
