With best wishes of success to you in your new employment, and assurances of every aid I can afford you, I am, Dear Sir, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Office of Finance, September 20th, 1781.
Sir,
His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau having generously made me a very considerable advance of money, I was thereby enabled to give the detachment of our army under General Lincoln, one month's pay, which was earnestly pressed upon me by the Commander in Chief. I promised M. de Rochambeau, that I would replace the sum borrowed, on the first of next month, wherever the army should then be.
The movement which lately took place to the southward, has been attended with a variety of expenses, which have been very heavy, and have absorbed all the money I could command, notwithstanding which many demands still remain unsatisfied, so that I cannot obtain the sums necessary for the service from any ordinary means.
As it is probable that the moneys which the Count de Grasse has brought, will prevent any immediate want by the fleets or armies of his Most Christian Majesty in the States of Maryland and Virginia, I am induced to believe, that no inconvenience would arise from delaying the payment, until the money in Boston shall be brought forward, which will be speedily, as a very active person has gone for it, who will lose no time in the business committed to him.
Should your Excellency be of this opinion, I shall be glad if you will signify it to me, and if that be in your power, that you will extend the time when payment is to be made. But if you think the money must be forwarded to Virginia immediately, you may depend that I will instantly endeavor to procure it, and although that cannot be done but with great difficulty and much loss, yet nothing shall deter me from complying with my engagements.
I have the honor to be, &c.