FRANKLIN, Benjamin (1706-1790). Autograph letter signed ("B. Franklin") as President of Pennsylvania, [to John Jay,] Philadelphia, 15 May 1786.

One page, 234 x 187 mm., (light crease through signature).

Franklin requests a passport for a merchant to recover a cargo detained in Havana during the Revolutionary War. He introduces the bearer of the letter, "Mr. Whital," who " informs me, that one whom he intrusted with a Cargo at the Havanah during the War has ever since detain’d the Produce of it, and continues to reside there, which makes it necessary for him to go thither in order to recover his Property, which he cannot do without a Passport from M. Gardoqui [the Spanish Minister to the United States], who will grant it on your Application; and he requests me to intreat you would take the Trouble of making such Application in his Favour." Franklin, assures Jay that Whital, "seems a good kind of Man, and being a Citizen of the United States, I hope there may be no Impropriety in my desiring you to do him this Kindness…." Franklin adds that David Hartley, Franklin's old friend who was one of the British negotiators during the peace talks in Paris opposite Franklin and Jay, has sent him "five of his Portraits," and advises that he has forwarded "two to you by the Opportunity…." Two days later, Jay responded from New York that he was more than happy to assist with the passport, and offered his thanks for the portraits. Then on the 19th, Jay followed up once again to let Franklin know that M. Gardoqui had agreed to the request. (Franklin Papers). Little has been found on Whital, though a James Whital made a donation in October 1786 for the support of the Pennsylvania Hospital (Pennsylvania Gazette, 25 October 1786, 1).