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| Field name |
Value |
| Collection Reference Number
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GLC02437.01056
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| From Archive Folder
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The Henry Knox Papers [0031] July 1781
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| Title
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David Franks to Henry Knox about his travels to Europe
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| Date
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17 July 1781
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| Author
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Franks, David Salisbury (ca. 1740-1793)
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| Recipient
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Knox, Henry
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| Document Type
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Correspondence
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| Content Description
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Written at the "Capes of Delaware." Franks explains that he is employed in a matter of public business by Robert Morris, superintendent of finance. Franks is on his way to Madrid, Spain then Paris, France (to bear dispatches to John Jay and Benjamin Franklin, respectively). Asks Knox to keep his mission a secret. Offers to conduct business for Knox in Europe or to obtain European wares for Lucy Knox. Expresses gratitude for Knox's "friendly interposition in my favor on the flight of Arnold."
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| Subjects
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Treason Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Finance Commerce Merchants and Trade Government and Civics Continental Congress Congress Diplomacy Global History and Civics France Spying
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| People
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Franks, David Salisbury (ca. 1740-1793) Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Jay, John (1745-1829) Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790)
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| Place written
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Delaware
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| Theme
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The American Revolution; Women in American History; Merchants & Commerce; Foreign Affairs
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| Sub-collection
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The Henry Knox Papers
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| Additional Information
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Franks was Benedict Arnold's aide-de-camp before Arnold's treason was discovered, but was cleared of complicity in the plot.
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| Copyright
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The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
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| Module
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Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
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| Transcript
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Show/hide Download PDF [draft] Capes of Delaware 17.th July 1781 My Dear General Having allways had reason to think you had a friendship for me and interested yourself in my welfare, it is with no small degree of Pleasure I inform you that I am this far on my way to Spain, employ'd by M.r R: Morris on public Business; & from the [Court] of Madrid and am to proceed to Paris & then return immediately to this Country. I beg you would be friend enough as to mention this as it may injure me if it were [text loss]erally know - M.r Morris has promis'd to procure [text loss] Excellency's permission of absence, & if I do this affair with dispatch, it will be a means of introducing into further employment in this way. I have letters to all our ministers abroad & to some French Gentlemen of fashion, which will be a means of introducing me into very good Company in Europe - I shall not neglect employing what money I can collect to advantage & if I find encouragement I may very probably settle as a Merchant in France - I should be glad my dear General to be of some service to you or to your good Lady, whose [2] polite attention to me I shall ever remember with Gratitude. I should be happy to have a Line from you directed to me at Paris, which if sent to M.r Morris he will be so kind as to forward - If any thing worthy your notice should happen in the Affairs of Europe you may depend upon having it from me. If M.rs Knox wishes me to bring her any thing from France on my Return pray let me know it - I should have informd you of my voyage sooner had I been earlier acquainted with it, but I came off with my Knapsack (& that not over burthened with the goods of this world) at two days notice. I must now beg you would accept of [text loss] most grateful acknowledgements for all your [text loss] to me & particularly your friendly interposition in my favor on the flight of Arnold, all which be assured have left an indelible impression in my Heart. I am D Sir with respectful Comp.ts to M.rs Knox & to Major Doughty & Shaw Your very humb & oblgd Sr Dav.d S. Franks Ship rolls so I can scarcely write -
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