THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE
93
Portrait of Franklin Painted by Benjamin Wilson in 1759.
father of Lord Grey. In the letter, read by the Hon. Joseph Choate, when the portrait was first shown after its return to this country, Lord Grey says:
In a letter from Franklin, written from Philadelphia, October 23, 1788, to Madame Lavoisier, he says: "Our English Enemies, when they were in possession of this city and my home, made a prisoner of my portrait and carried it off with them."
As your English friend, I desire to give my prisoner, after the lapse of 130 years, his liberty, and shall be obliged if you will name the officer into whose custody you wish me to deliver him. If agreeable to you, I should be much pleased if he should find a final resting place in The White House, but I leave this to your judgment.
