Benjamin Franklin, 17 June 1778

Introducing a British volunteer for the Continental Army
Benjamin Franklin, 17 June 1778
FRANKLIN, Benjamin (1713-1790). Autograph letter signed (“B. Franklin”) as United States Minister to the Court of Louis XVI to Benjamin Rush, Passy, 17 June 1778.

Two pages, 230 x 186mm (small loss affecting two words of text, scattered foxing, slightly chipped along top and bottom margins). [With:] RUSH, Benjamin (1746-1813). Autograph letter signed (“Benin. Rush”) to Rebecca Mifflin Archer, [Philadelphia,] n.d. August, n.y. One page, 250 x 203mm (paper loss obscures date). Both housed in a green cloth clamshell case.

Benjamin Franklin introduces Henry Waldegrave Archer, a British volunteer for the Continental Army. Franklin introduces the bearer of the letter as “Mr. Archer, a young Gentleman of excellent Character whose Zeal for the Cause of Liberty, and strong Desire of being serviceable to it and our Country, with those Qualities of Mind and Acquirements that lay the best Foundation for his really becoming so…” Franklin assures Rush of his confidence in Archer’s motives, noting that he wanted only to serve in a volunteer capacity, and travels to America “at his own Expence; and without any Promise or Expectations of Employment…” At age 22, Archer travelled to America where he hoped to secure a spot in Henry Lee's light cavalry and requested the same from Washington (see Archer to GW, 30 December 1778), but instead secured a post with Anthony Wayne‘s staff. Congress brevetted Archer Captain for delivering the news of Wayne's capture of Stony Point in July 1779. In 1780 Archer joined Lee's cavalry and served in the southern campaigns. In 1781, Archer married Rebecca Mifflin, cousin of Thomas Mifflin. He died in Philadelphia at age 32 following a long illness. Rush was moved to send the letter to Archer’s widow after he discovered it after going through his letters from Franklin: “Recollecting the Affection you bore him; and the tenderness with which you nursed him during the long and distressing illness with preceded his death.” Provenance: by descent to the consignor.