Note 77 — THE CORRESPONDENCE OF HENRY LAURENS,
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In his letter of May 30th, (see above, p. 464) Mr Laurens insinuates, that Dr Franklin had neglected him while he was in the Tower. The following letter and extract, written by Dr Franklin, will show that this suspicion was groundless.
“TO SIR GREY COOPER, BARONET, SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY OF GREAT BRITAIN.
Passy, November 7th, 1780.
“Sir,
“I understand that Mr Laurens, an American gentleman, for whom I have a great esteem, is a prisoner in the Tower, and that his health suffers by the closeness and rigor of his confinement. As I do not think that your affairs receive any advantage from the harshness of this proceeding, I take the freedom of requesting your kind interposition, to obtain for him such a degree of air and liberty, on his parole, or otherwise, as may be necessary for his health and comfort. The fortune of war, which is daily changing, may possibly put it in my power to do the like good office for some friend of yours, which I shall perform with much pleasure, not only for the sake of humanity, but in respect to the ashes of our former friendship.
“With great regard, I have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.”
On the 14th of May, 1781, he writes to the President of Congress.—“Agreeable to the vote of Congress, I have requested the assistance of this (the French) Court, for obtaining the release of Mr President Laurens. It does not yet appear that the thing is practicable. What the present situation is of that unfortunate gentleman, may be gathered from the enclosed letters.”
The letters here alluded to are, one from Sir Grey Cooper, dated November 29th, 1780; and another from Charles Vernon, Lieutenant Governor of the Tower of London, dated November 27th. They may be found in Dr Franklin’s Correspondence under these dates.