Ben Franklin Connection

Found this letter at Benjamin Franklin Papers

From — St. Germain

ALS: American Philosophical Society

[c. June, 1778?]

Monsieur

Le Sieur de St. Germain qui a eu l’honneur de se rendre a passy le mois de nouvambre dernier pour reclamer vôtre protection au sujet d’une succession asses considerable qu’un de ses parans luy à laissée á La new York nouvelle anglettere, vous avés eu la bonté de luy dire, que cette ville estoient maintenant au pouvoir des anglais. Il a suivy l’avis que vous luy avés donné de reclamer la protection de Mr. le Marquis de Noailles allors ambassadeur á Londres á qui Il á envoyé un memoire pour le prier de luy obtenir un ordre du ministre d’anglettere pour leur gouverneur á la New York pour forcer le Sieur pintard chargé de sa procuration pour retirer soixante mille Livres qui Etoient au pouvoir de Messrs. Samson pere et fils executeurs testamantaires du parant du suppliant. Soit que Mr. le Marquis en est [ait] fait les diligences auprés du ministre d’anglettere, il n’en á eu aucun succéz, ce qui fait qu’il reclame encore vôtre protection, dans l’espoir ou il est que la new York reviendrá au pouvoir des americains, pour faire obliger le d. Sieur Pintard á luy Payér les dittes soixante mille livres qu’il doit avoir retiré en vertu de sa procuration des dits Sieurs samson pere et fils. Le suppliant forme chaque Jour des voeux pour vôtre conservation et qu’il plaise au Seigneur diriger vos Justes Entreprises.

de St. Germain

Endorsed: St. Germain about Effects at N York

In English this letter's LITERAL TRANSLATION: 

You will find that this literal translation comes across as poor English. Literal translations are often this way. Look below for the actual meaning.

Mr. de St. Germain who had the honor to make a stop in November last month of yours in order to claim protection in respect of a considerable estate access that its parents left him to New York in New England, with you kindly tell him that the city now wise of the power of English. He followed the advice you gave him with claim the protection of the Marquis de Noailles Mr. Ambassador then of London.  He who sent a memorandum to beg him to get an order of the Minister of England their governor á New York to force the Mr Pintard responsible for his attorney to withdraw sixty thousand books which were in the hands of Messrs. Samson father and son testaments executors of adorning the suppliant. Either Mr. Marquis is [was] due diligences to the Minister of England, there was no success in á, which makes it even reclaim your protection, in the hope that he or new York will return to American power, to compel d. Mr. Pintard a liability him pay sixty thousand pounds that must be removed under power of attorney of the said Mr Samson father and son. Begging him every day as your wishes for conservation and it pleases the Lord direct your righteous Company.

In English this letter's ACTUAL MEANING:
This is a rough translation, but you'll get the idea.

Mr. de St. Germain, who had the honor to visit in November last month, made an insurance claim in respect of a considerable estate that his family left him in New York in New England, thanks to the fact that you told him that New York had caught up to England. He followed the advice you gave him about the insurance with the Marquis de Noailles, then Ambassador of London.  He sent a memorandum to beg him to get an order from the Minister of England to force Mr. Pintard, his attorney, to withdraw sixty thousand pounds which were in the hands of the Samsons, father and son, testifying executors of adorning the solicitor.  The Marquis’ due diligence to the Minister of England was unsuccessful which makes it even more important to claim insurance in the hope that his power or American power will compel Mr. Pintard to pay sixty thousand pounds, under liability, or that it must be recovered under power of attorney of the said Samsons (father and son).  Talking to him every day, as you instructed, until he folds. 

 

Basically what this letter is saying is that the Count asked Ben Franklin for some advice about getting some insurance on some estate money that was left to him.  The question is, which Count de St. Germain asked this?