[Boulogne] August th 10 1778
To His Exelency Benjamin Franklin
Sir You’l Exscuse the Liberty I take in Righting as Necesity oblidges me to Do it and ask your advice in my Present Situation I Saild from the State of Rhode Island the 26 August 1777 In the Sloop Swallow Privateer Belonging to that State and had the misfortune to Be taking By one of King Georges frgates on the 12 of Septmr1 following and sent to Jameca from that by Admiral Gaytons orders was Sent to England in Irons where we arrived on the 17 January and on the 23 was Commited to fortune Prison2 and there have Been Ever Since till the 28 July when I with 9 more maid my Escape and on the 9 of August Arrivd in Boulogne And Shall stay here a few Days if you Please to favour me with an answer Direct to Mr. Merten lieutenant de mârechausseé a Boulogne. the Letter I have Inclosd is one I Reced from admiral Gayton when a Prisoner in Jameica as the North side of that Island was to have Been my Randevoze3 I am Sir [&c.]
L, PPAmP, Benjamin Franklin Papers, Vol. 11, No. 36. Docketed: “James Murphy 10 Aug. 78.” The place is taken from the body of the letter.
1. On the capture of Rhode Island letter of marque sloop Swallow by H.M. frigate Aeolus, Capt. Christopher Atkins, see the Journal of H.M.S. Aeolus, in NDAR 9: 921. As seen there, Murfey commanded Swallow.
2. That is, Forton Prison, Portsmouth, England. In a letter to Philip Stephens of 25 Oct. 1777, Vice Adm. Clark Gayton called Murfey “a notorious pirate” whom he was sending to England. NDAR 10: 294.
3. The letter, signed by Thomas L. Yates, explains that Murfey was being deported to England in lieu of execution. PPAmP. Murfey received 240 livres tournois on 20 Aug. Franklin Papers, 27: 239n.
