Original sentence: After the prodding of Benjamin Franklin, France, which had no direct interest in the conflict, nevertheless engaged herself first in the covert support of the American war, then in open war from February 5th 1778, which placed her almost alone against the Royal Navy.Benjamin Franklin, dispatched to France in December of 1776 to rally her support, was welcomed with enthusiasm, and numerous Frenchmen embarked for the Americas to help the war, motivated by the prospect of valor in battle or animated by the sincere ideal of liberty and republicanism, like Pierre Charles L'Enfant, and La Fayette, who enlisted in 1776.Deane, appointed by the Americans, and helped by French animosity towards Britain, obtained unofficial aid.Following the Declaration of Independence of the thirteen colonies, the American Revolution had been well received in France, both by the population and the enlightened elites
Edited sentence: After the prodding of Benjamin Franklin, France, which had no direct interest in the conflict, nevertheless engaged herself first in the insurgent war, then in open war from February 5th 1778, which placed her almost alone against the Royal Navy.Benjamin Franklin, dispatched to France in December of 1776 to rally her support, was welcomed with enthusiasm, and numerous Frenchmen embarked for the Americas to help the insurrection, motivated by the prospect  or animated by the sincere ideal of liberty and modernity, like Pierre Charles L'Enfant, and La Fayette, who enlisted in 1776.Deane, appointed by the insurrectionists, and helped by French animosity towards Britain, obtained unofficial aid.Following the Declaration of Independence of the thirteen colonies, the American insurrection had been well received in France, both by the population and the enlightened elites