Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 22[–26] July 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Livingston, Robert R.

              Sir,
              Passy, July 22d.[–26] 1783.

            You have complained sometimes with reason of not hearing often from your foreign Ministers; we have had cause
              to make the same Complaint, six full Months having
              intervened between the latest Date of your preceeding Letters, and the receipt of
              those per Capt. Barney. During all
              this Time we were ignorant of the Reception of the Provisional Treaty, and the
              Sentiments of Congress upon it, which if we had recd. sooner, might have forwarded the
              Proceedings on the Definitive Treaty, and perhaps brought them to a Conclusion at a
              time more favourable than the present. But these occasional Interruptions of
              Correspondence are the inevitable Consequences of a State of War & of such remote
              Situations.
            Barney had a short Passage, and arrived some Days before Col. Ogden, who also brought
              Dispatches from you, all of which are
              come safe to hand.
            We, the Commissioners, have in our joint Capacity written a Letter to you, which you
              will receive with this. I shall now
              answer yours of March 26. May 9 & May 31st. It gave me great Pleasure to learn by
              the first, that the News of the Peace diffused general Satisfaction. I will not now
              take upon me to justify the apparent Reserve respecting this Court at the Signature,
              which you disapprove. We have touch’d upon it in our general Letter. I do not see,
              however, that they have much Reason to complain of that Transaction. Nothing was
              stipulated to their Prejudice, and none of the Stipulations were to have force, but by
              a subsequent Act of their own. I suppose indeed that they have not complained of it,
              or you would have sent us a Copy of the Complaint, that we might have answer’d it. I
              long since satisfy’d Count de V. about it here. We did what appear’d to all of us best at the
              time, and if we have done Wrong, the Congress will do right, after hearing us, to
              censure us. Their Nomination of five Persons to the Service, seems to mark that they
              had some Dependance on our joint Judgment; since one alone could have made a Treaty by
              Direction of the French Ministry, as well as twenty. I will only
              add, that with respect to myself, neither the Letter from M. Marbois handed to us
              thro’ the British Negociators, (a suspicious Channel) nor the Conversations respecting
              the Fishery, the Boundaries, the Royalists &ca. recommending Moderation in our
              Demands, are of Weight sufficient in my Mind to fix an Opinion that this Court wish’d
              to restrain us in obtaining any Degree of Advantage we could prevail on our Enemies to
              accord; since those Discourses are fairly resolvable, by supposing a very natural
              Apprehension, that we, relying too much on the Ability of France to continue the War
              in our Favour, & supply us constantly with Money, might insist on more Advantages
              than the English would be willing to grant, and thereby lose the Opportunity of making
              Peace so necessary to all our Friends.
            I ought not however to conceal from you that one of my Colleagues is of a very different Opinion from me in
              these Matters. He thinks the French Minister one of the greatest Enemies of our
              Country, that he would have straitned our Boundaries to prevent the Growth of our
              People, contracted our Fishery to obstruct the Increase of our Seamen, & retained
              the Royalists among us to keep us divided; that he privately opposes all our
              Negociations with foreign Courts, and afforded us during the War the Assistance we
              received, only to keep it alive, that we might be so much the more weaken’d by it:
              That to think of Gratitude to France is the greatest of Follies, and that to be
              influenc’d by it, would ruin us. He makes no Secret of his having these Opinions,
              expresses them publickly, sometimes in presence of the English Ministers; and speaks of hundreds of Instances which he could produce in Proof of them,
              none however have yet appear’d to me, unless the Conversations & Letter
              abovementioned are reckoned such. If I were not convinced of the real Inability of
              this Court to furnish the farther Supply’s we asked, I should suspect these Discourses of a Person
              in his Station, might have influenced the Refusal; but I think they have gone no
              farther than to occasion a Suspicion, that we have a considerable Party of
              Antigallicans in America, who are not Tories, and consequently to produce some Doubts
              of the continuance of our Friendship. As such Doubts may hereafter have a bad Effect,
              I think we cannot take too much Care to remove them; and it is therefore I write this
              to put you on your guard, (believing it my Duty, tho’ I know that I hazard by it a
              mortal Enmity) and to caution you respecting the Insinuations of this Gentleman
              against this Court, & the Instances he supposes of their Ill-Will to us, which I
              take to be as imaginary as I know his Fancies to be, that Count de V. and myself are
              continually plotting against him & employing the News Writers of Europe to
              depreciate his Character, &ca. but as Shakespear says, “Trifles light as Air,
                &ca.” I am persuaded however
              that he means well for his Country, is always an honest Man, often a Wise One, but
              sometimes and in some things, absolutely out of his Senses.
            When the Commercial Article, mentioned in yours of the 26th. was struck out of our proposed Preliminaries
              by the British Ministry, the Reason given was that sundry Acts of Parliament still in
              force were against it, and must be first repealed, which I believe was really their
              Intention; and sundry Bills were accordingly brought in for that purpose: But new
              Ministers with different Principles succeeding, a Commercial
              Proclamation totally different from those Bills has lately appear’d. I send inclosed a
              Copy of it. We shall try what can be
              done in the definitive Treaty towards setting aside that Proclamation: But if it
              should be persisted in, it will then be a Matter worthy the attentive Discussion of
              Congress, whether it will be most prudent to retort with a similar Regulation in order
              to force its Repeal (which may possibly tend to bring on another Quarrel) or to let it
              pass without Notice, and leave it to its own Inconvenience, or rather Impracticability
              in the Execution, and to the Complaints of the West India Planters, who must all pay
              much dearer for our Produce under those Restrictions. I am not enough Master of the
              Course of our Commerce to give an Opinion on this particular Question; and it does not
              behove me to do it; yet I have seen so much Embarrassment and so little Advantage in
              all the restraining & Compulsive Systems, that I feel myself strongly inclined to
              believe that a State which leaves all her Ports open to all the World upon equal
              Terms, will by that means have foreign Commodities cheaper, sell its own Productions
              dearer, and be on the whole the most prosperous. I have heard some Merchants say, that there is
              ten per Ct. difference between Will you buy? and Will you sell? When Foreigners bring us their Goods, they
              want to part with them speedily, that they may purchase their Cargoes & dispatch
              their Ships which are at constant Charges in our Ports; we have then the Advantage of
              their Will you buy? and when they demand our Produce we
              have the Advantage of their Will you sell? and the
              concurring Demands of a Number also contribute to raise our Prices. Thus both these
              Questions are in our Favour at home, against us abroad.— The employing however of our
              own Ships and raising a Breed of Seamen among us, tho’ it should not be a matter of so
              much private Profit as some imagine, is nevertheless of political Importance &
              must have Weight in considering this Subject.
            The Judgment you make of the Conduct of France in the Peace, and the greater Glory
              acquired by her Moderation than even by her Arms,
              appears to me perfectly just. The
              Character of this Court and Nation seems of late Years to be considerably changed. The
              Ideas of Aggrandisement by Conquest, are out of Fashion; & those of Commerce are
              more enlightened, and more generous than heretofore. We shall soon, I believe, feel
              something of this, in our being admitted to a greater Freedom of Trade with their
                Islands, The Wise here think France
              great enough; and its Ambition at present seems to be only that of Justice and
              Magnanimity towards other Nations, Fidelity & Utility to its Allies.
            The Ambassador of Portugal was much pleased with the Proceedings relating to their
              Vessel which you sent me, and assures me they will have a good Effect at his Court. He
              appears extreamly desirous of a Treaty with our States; I have accordingly proposed to
              him the Plan of one, (nearly the same with that sent me for Sweden) and after my
              agreeing to some Alterations, he has sent it to his Court for Approbation. He told me at Versailles last Tuesday that he expected its Return to him on
              Saturday next, and anxiously desired that I would not dispatch our Pacquet without it,
              that Congress might consider it, and if approved, send a Commission to me or some
              other Minister, to sign it. I venture to go thus far in treating, on the Authority
              only of a kind of general Power, given formerly by a Resolution of Congress, to Messrs. Franklin, Dean, &
                Lee: but a special Commission seems
              more proper to compleat a Treaty, and more agreable to the usual Forms of such
              Business.
            I am in just the same Situation with Denmark: That Court by its Minister here has
              desired a Treaty with us. I have proposed a Plan formed on that sent me for
                Sweden; it has been under
              Consideration some time at Copenhaguen, and is expected here this Week, so that I may
              possibly send that also by this Conveyance. You will have seen by my Letter to the
              Danish Prime Minister that I did not forget the Affair of the Prizes. What I then
              wrote produced a verbal Offer made me here, of £10,000 Sterling proposed to be given
              by his Majesty to the Captors, if I would accept it as a full discharge of our Demand.
              I could not do this, I said, because it was not more than a fifth Part of the
              estimated Value. In answer I was told
              that the Estimation was probably extravagant, that it would be difficult to come at
              the Knowledge of their true Value, and that whatever they might be worth in
              themselves, they should not be estimated as of such Value to us, when at Bergen, since
              the English probably watch’d them, and might have retaken them in their Way to
              America; at least they were at the common Risque of the Seas and Enemies, and the
              Insurance was a considerable Draw-Back: That this Sum might be considered as so much
              saved for us by the Kings Interference; for that if the English Claimants had been
              suffer’d to carry the Cause into the common Courts, they must have recover’d the
              Prizes by the Laws of Denmark: It was added that the Kings Honour was concerned; that
              he sincerely desired our Friendship, but he would avoid, by giving this Sum in the
              Form of a Present to the Captors, the Appearance of its being exacted from him as the Reparation of an
              Injury, when it was really intended rather as a Proof of his strong Disposition to
              cultivate a good Understanding with us. I reply’d that the Value might possibly be
              exaggerated; but that we did not desire more than should be found just upon Enquiry;
              and that it was not difficult to learn from London what Sums were insured upon the
              Ships & Cargos which would be some Guide; and that a reasonable Abatement might be
              made for the Risque; but that the Congress could not in Justice to their Mariners
              deprive them of any Part that was truely due to those brave Men, whatever Abatement
              they might think fit to make (as a Mark of their Regard for the Kings Friendship) of
              the Part belonging to the Publick: that I had however no Instructions or Authority to
              make any Abatement of any kind, and could therefore only acquaint the Congress with
              the Offer & the Reasons that accompanied it, which I promised to state fully and
              candidly, (as I have now done) and attend their Orders: desiring only that it might be
              observed, we had presented our Complaint with Decency, that we had charged no Fault on
              the Danish Government but what might arise from Inattention or Precipitancy, and that
              we had intimated no Resentment but had waited with Patience & Respect the King’s
              Determination, confiding that he would follow the equitable Disposition of his own
              Breast, by doing us Justice, as soon as he could do it with Conveniency; that the best
              and wisest Princes sometimes err’d, that it belong’d to the Condition of Man, and was
              therefore inevitable; and that the true honour in such Cases consisted not in
              disowning or hiding the Error, but in making ample Reparation. That tho’ I could not
              accept what was offer’d on the Terms proposed, our Treaty might go on, and its
              Articles be prepar’d and consider’d; and in the meantime I hop’d his Danish Majesty
              would reconsider the Offer and make it more adequate to the Loss we had sustained.
              Thus that Matter rests; but I hourly expect to hear farther, and perhaps may have more
              to say on it before the Ship’s Departure. I shall be glad to have the Proceedings you
              mention respecting the Brig. Providentia. I hope the Equity and Justice of our Admiralty Courts respecting the Property of
              Strangers will Always maintain their Reputation; and I wish particularly to cultivate
              the Disposition of Friendship towards us apparent in the late Proceedings of Denmark,
              as the Danish Islands may be of use to our West India Commerce, while the English
              impolitic Restraints continue.
            The Elector of Saxony, as I understand from his Minister here, has Thoughts of
              sending one to Congress, and proposing a Treaty of Commerce & Amity with us. Prussia has likewise an Inclination to
              share in a Trade with America, and the Minister of that Court tho’ he has not directly
              proposed a Treaty, has given me a Paquet of Lists of the Several sorts of Merchandize
              they can furnish us with, which he requests me to send to America for the Information
              of our Merchants.—

            I have received no Answer yet from Congress to my Request of being dismissed from
              their Service. They should methinks
              reflect, that if they continue me here, the Faults I may henceforth commit thro’ the
              Infirmities of Age, will be rather theirs than mine.
            I am glad my Journal afforded you any Pleasure, I will as you desire endeavour to
              continue it.
            I thank you for the Pamphlet. It
              contains a great deal of Information respecting our Finances. We shall as you advise
              avoid publishing it. But I see they are publishing it in the English Papers. I was
              glad I had a Copy authenticated by the Signature of Secrey. Thomson, by which I could
              assure M. De Vergennes that the Money Contract I had made with him was ratified by Congress, he having just
              before express’d some Uneasiness to me at its being so long neglected. I find it was
              ratified soon after it was received; but the Ratification, except in that Pamphlet,
              has not yet come to hand.—
            I have done my best to procure the farther Loan directed by the Resolution of
              Congress. It was not possible. I write on that Matter to Mr. Morris.
            I wish the Rest of the Estimates of Losses and Mischiefs were come to hand; they
              would still be of use.
            Mr Barclay has in his Hands the Affair of the Alliance & Bonhomme Richard. I will afford him all the Assistance in my
              Power. But it is a very perplex’d Business. That Expedition, tho’ for particular
              Reasons under American Commissions & Colours, was carried on at the King’s Expence
              & under his Orders. M. de Chaumont was the Agent appointed by the Minister of the
              Marine to make the Out-fit. He was also chosen by all the Captains of the Squadron, as
              appears by an Instrument under their Hands, to be their Agent, receive, sell and
              divide Prizes &ca. The Crown
              bought two of them at Public Sale, and the Money I understand is lodg’d in the Hands
              of a responsible Person at L’Orient. M. De Chaumont says he has given in his Accounts
              to the Marine, and that he has no more to do with the Affair, except to receive a
              Ballance due to him. That Account
              however is I believe unsettled, & the Absence of some of the Captains is said to
              make another Difficulty which retards the Completion of the Business. I never paid or
              received any thing relating to that Expedition, nor had any other Concern in it, than
              barely ordering the Alliance to join the Squadron at M. de Sartines Request. I know not whether the other Captains will not
              Claim a Share in what we may obtain from Denmark, tho’ the Prizes were made by the
              Alliance when separate from the Squadron. If so, that is another Difficulty in the Way
              of making any Abatement in our Demand without their Consent.

            I am sorry to find that you have Thoughts of quitting the Service. I do not think your Place can be easily well
              supplied. You mention that an entire new Arrangement with respect to foreign-Affairs
              is under Consideration. I wish to know whether any Notice is likely to be taken in it
              of my Grandson. He has now gone through an Apprenticeship of near seven Years in the
              Ministerial Business, and is very capable of serving the States in that Line, as
              possessing all the Requisites of Knowledge, Zeal, Activity, Language & Address. He
              is well liked here, and Count de Vergennes has express’d to me in warm Terms his very
              good Opinion of him. The late Swedish Ambassador Count de Creutz, who is gone home to
              be Prime Minister, desired I would endeavour to procure his being sent to Sweden with
              a Public Character, assuring me that he should be glad to receive him there as our
              Minister, and that he knew it would be pleasing to the King. The present Swedish
              Ambassador has also proposed the same thing to me, as you will see by a Letter of his
              which I enclose. One of the Danish
              Ministers, Mr. Walterstorf, (who will probably be sent in a Public Character to
              Congress) has also expressed his Wish that my Grandson may be sent to Denmark. But it is not my Custom to sollicit
              Employments for my self or any of my Family, and I shall not do it in this Case. I
              only hope that if he is not to be employed in your new Arrangement, I may be informed
              of it as soon as possible, that while I have Strength left for it, I may accompany him
              in a Tour to Italy returning thro’ Germany, which I think he may make to more
              Advantage with me than alone, and which I have long promised
              to afford him, as a Reward for his faithful Service, and his tender filial Attachment
              to me.

              July 25th.

            While I was writing the above Mr. Walterstorff came in, &
              deliver’d me a Pacquet from M. de Rosencrone the Danish Prime Minister; containing the
              Project of the Treaty with some proposed Alterations, and a Paper of Reasons in
              support of them. Fearing that we
              should not have time to copy them, I send herewith the Originals, relying on his
              Promise to furnish me with Copies, in a few Days. He seems to think that the Interest of the
              Merchants is concerned in an immediate Conclusion of the Treaty that they may form
              their Plans of Commerce, and wished to know
              whether I did not think my general Power above mentioned sufficient for that purpose.
              I told him I thought a particular Commission more agreable to the Forms, but if his
              Danish Majesty would be content for the present with the general Authority formerly
              given to me, I believed I might venture to act upon it, reserving by a separate
              Article, to Congress, a Power of shortning the Term, in Case any Part of the Treaty
              should not be to their Mind, unless the Alteration of such Part should hereafter be
              agreed on.
            The Prince de Deux-ponts was lately at Paris, and apply’d to me for Information
              respecting a Commerce which is desired between the Electorate of Bavaria &
                America. I have it also from a good
              hand at the Court of Vienna, that the Emperor is desirous of establishing a Commerce
              with us from Trieste as well as Flanders, & would make a Treaty with us if
              proposed to him: Now that our Trade is
              laid open, and no longer a Monopoly to England, all Europe seems desirous of sharing
              in it, and for that purpose to cultivate our Friendship. That it may be better known
              every where, what sort of People, & what kind of Government they will have to
              treat with, I prevailed with our Friend, the Duke de la Rochefoucault to translate our
              Book of Constitutions into French, and I presented Copies to all the foreign
              Ministers. I send you One herewith. They are much admired by the Politicians here, and
              it is thought will induce considerable Emigrations of substantial People from
              different Parts of Europe to America. It is particularly a Matter of Wonder, that in
              the Midst of a cruel War raging in the Bowels of our Country, our Sages should have
              the firmness of Mind to sit down calmly and form such compleat Plans of Government.
              They add considerably to the Reputation of the United States.
            I have mentioned above the Port of Trieste, with which we may possibly have a
              Commerce; and I am told that many useful Productions and Manufactures of Hungary may
              be had extreamly cheap there. But it
              becomes necessary first to consider how our
              Mediterranean Trade is to be protected from the Corsaires of Barbary. You will see by
              the enclosed Copy of a Letter I received from Algier, the Danger two of our Ships
              escaped last Winter. I think it not
              improbable that those Rovers may be Privately encouraged by the English to fall upon
              us; and to prevent our Interference in the carrying Trade; for I have in London heard
              it as a Maxim among the Merchants, that if there were no
                Algiers it would be worth Englands while to build one. I wonder however that
              the rest of Europe do not combine to destroy those Nests, and secure Commerce from
              their future Piracies.— I made the Grand Master of Malta a Present of one of our
              Medals in Silver writing to him a Letter of which I enclose a Copy; and I believe our People will be kindly
              received in his Ports; but that is not sufficient; and perhaps now we have Peace, it
              will be proper to send Ministers with suitable Presents to establish a Friendship with
              the Emperor of Morrocco, and the other Barbary States if possible. Mr. Jay will inform
              you of some Steps that have been taken by a Person at Alicant without Authority,
              towards a Treaty with that Emperor. I
              send you herewith a few more of the
              abovementioned Medals which have given great Satisfaction to this Court and Nation. I
              should be glad to know how they are liked with you.
            Our People who were Prisoners in England are now all discharged. During the whole
              War, those who were in Forton Prison near Portsmouth, were much befriended by the
              constant charitable Care of Mr. Wren, a Presbyterian Minister there, who spared no
              Pains to assit them in their Sickness & Distress, by procuring and distributing
              among them the Contributions of good Christians, and prudently dispensing the
              Allowance I made them, which gave him a great deal of Trouble,
              but he went thro’ it chearfully. I think some Public Notice should be taken of this
              good Man. I wish the Congress would enable me to make him a Present, and that some of
              our Universities would confer upon him the Degree of Doctor.
            The Duke of Manchester, who has always been our Friend in the House of Lords, is now
              here as Ambassador from England. I dine with him to Day (26th.) and if any thing of
              Importance occurs, I will add it in a Postscript.
            Be pleased to present my dutiful Respects to the Congress, assure them of my most
              faithful Services, and believe me to be, with great & sincere Esteem, Sir, Your
              most obedient & most humble Servant.

              B Franklin
              Honble: Robt. R. Livingston Esqr:


Title: Lafayette to the American Peace Commissioners, 22 July 1783
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: American Peace Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Adams, John,Jay, John,Laurens, Henry

            Gentlemen
            Chavaniac july the 22
              1783

          Having Been Honoured With letters from Congress, it Becomes my duty to Consult You Upon
            a point Which they Have particularly Recommended— In the late preliminaries no time is
            Mentionned for the American Merchants paying their English debts— A Matter of Great
            Moment to our Merchants who Require at least three or four Years to Accomplish the
            Business— Upon the Receipt of the letter, I Have Adressed Count de Vergennes, and
            Represented to Him How important a favorable decision on this point would Be to the
            french trade— Knowing the Uneasiness of
            our American Merchants on that affair, I Cannot Help Partaking of it, and would Consider
            it as a great favor to Be Acquainted With the present Situation of things, and with the further Measures You Might think proper for me to Undertake.
          The General Satisfaction Which Arose from the time of peace, is a Matter of justice to
            You, Gentlemen, that Affords Me a Most Unfeigned Pleasure— Give me leave to present You
            With the Assurances of an Affectionate Respect I Have the Honour to Be With Your
            obedient Humble servant

            Lafayette
            Their Excellencies the Commissioners for treating with G. B.
              &c

          Endorsed by John Adams: M. De La Fayette
            22 July 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Melville, 22 July 1783
From: Melville, Robert
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Paris, Hotel d’Espagne Ruë de Guénégaud 22d. July 1783.

          Lieut. General Melville presents his best respects to Doctor
            Franklin,—And, intending to set out, early in next week, from this place, for London,
            shall be very glad to receive, before Monday next, the letter which the Doctor mentioned
            his intention of Sending to Mr. Calder, by G. M. And any other letters or Commands which
            the Doctor may be pleased to honour him with.
          The General has farther to beg that the Doctor will be pleased to present his respects
            to Mr. Adams, and to Mr. & Mrs. Jay, if still at Passy, and to tell them that he
            shall be glad to carry any letters or Commands of theirs—

          Notation: Melvell 22 July 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, 22 July 1783
From: Small, Alexander
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Sir
            London July 22d 1783

          Tho’ we can no longer call ourselves Fellow Subjects of the Same Sovereign, yet I hope
            we shall never forget that we are Fellow Labourers in the Service of Humanity. This
            gives a right to claim reciprocaly Good-offices. Now that you have in some degree settled the various Interests of great Empires, I
            hope you will find time to exert Yourself in the Service of Humanity; and consider the
            Service of the Individuals who compose Empires. Do not You think that the greatest
            Calamity the Garrison of st Philips Suffered arose from their Inattention to preserve a
            free Current of Air thro’ their Subterranean Lodgements? While greater Matters claimed Your attention,
            you think you should Stand accquitted for the Neglect of lesser Subjects. There is a
            time for all things.
          This Letter will probably be delivered to you by Patrick Wilkie Esqr, who goes Consul
            to Alicant, and intends to take Paris in his way. I can promise You that if you have at
            any time business to transact there, he will puctually and honestly execute the Same:
            and I told him, that when you go to Your Terrestrial
              Paradice, the promised Seat of Liberty, Peace and
            Plenty, you will be equally ready to Serve him. May You enjoy Health and that expected Peace prays Dear Sir Your Faithful and most humble
            Servant

            Alexr Small

            Mr Baldwin flatters me with the hopes of seeing you here glad that the remembrance of
              a most agreable Fair-One yet dwells with you, and that you wish to touch her Sweet
                Lips. Would to God! You would give
              the Kiss of Peace to all the Natives of your
              Country. This, on tryal, would be found to be the Soundest Policy.
            Dr Franklin

          Notation: Alexr. Small 22 Juillet
            1783.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 23 July 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Livingston, Robert R.

            Sir,
            Passy, July 23. 1783—

          This will be delivered to you by M. Thieriot, who goes to Philadelphia by order of his
            Court as Commissioner of the Commerce of Saxony, in order to establish a Correspondence
            between the two Countrys, that may, it is thought, be greatly advantageous to both. We
            have all along had many well-wishers in that Electorate, and I am told by the Minister
            here, who is much our Friend, that it is probable M. Thieriot may soon be vested with a
            Public Character among us. I beg leave therefore to recommend him earnestly to your
            Countenance & Protection, as well as to those Civilities you have always a Pleasure
            in showing to Strangers of Merit.— With great Esteem, I have the honour to be, Sir, Your
            most obedient & most humble Servant

            B Franklin
            Honble. R R Livingston Esqr

          Notations: Docr. Franklin 23d. July 1784
            / 23d July 1784 Docr Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Schönfeld, [23 July 1783]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Schönfeld, Johann Hilmar Adolf Graf von, baron de

            Mr.
            [July 23, 1783]

          Vous trouverés cy-joint les lettres que Vous m’avés fait l’honneur de me demander pour
            le Sr. Thieriot. Elles lui procureront, je n’en doute pas, cette reception et
            consideration qui sont dues à son Souverain ainsi qu’à son merite. Recevés, je Vous prie
            Mr., l’assurance du très parfait attachemt. avec lequel j’ai l’honneur d’etre Votre
            &a.

            Copie, de la lettre de Mr. B. franklin à Mr. de Schönfeld datée
              de Passy le 23. Juillet 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Miromesnil, 23 July 1783
From: Miromesnil, Armand-Thomas Hué de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            ce 23 Juillet 1783.

          Jai Recu avec bien de la Reconnoissance, Les constitutions des Etats
            unis de lamérique, que Monsieur Franklin a bien voulu MEnvoier. Je le prie de Recevoir mes Remerciements de
            Cette marque de Son
            attention. Je lirai avec attention ce Code qui fait une partie tres Interessante du
            Droit Public du monde, Et qui sera toujours un monument Insigne de La vertu de Monsieur
            Franklin Et de son amour Pour Sa Patrie.
          Je Le prie detre persuadé de la sincerité de touts Les Sentiments quil m’a
            Inspirés.

            Miromenil
            M. Franklin ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis de L’amerique a
              Paris.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 24 July 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de

            à Passy ce 24. Juillet 1783.

          M. Franklin a l’honneur d’envoyer à Monsieur Le Comte de Vergennes un
            Exemplaire des Constitutions des Etats-Unis de l’Amerique qu’il le prie de vouloir bien
            accepter.
          M. Franklin prend la Liberté d’envoyer en même tems, ceux destinés pour le Roi et la
            Famille Royale; et il prie Monsieur le Comte de Vergennes, de vouloir bien les faire
            parvenir à leur Destination, suivant la Forme qui lui paroitra convenable.

          Notations: M franklin. Etats Unis /
            1783. 24. Juillet. / Rep


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte d’Argental, 24 July 1783
From: Argental, Charles-Augustin Ferriol, comte d’
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Ce Jeudi 24. Juillet 1783

          Le Comte D’argental a Reçû avec autant de reconnoissance que de
            satisfaction, ce que Monsieur franklin a bien voulu lui Envoyer, il va faire partir
            celui qui est pour L’Infant a sa
            Destination, il a deja lû le sien dans lequel il à reconnu, la Sagesse, l’intelligence,
            et les Excellentes vües d’administration de celui qui la dirigé.

          Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur
            francklin Ministre / plenipotentiaire des Etats unis de / L’amerique a la cour de france
            / A Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Boufflers, 24 July 1783
From: Boufflers-Rouvrel, Marie-Charlotte-Hippolyte de Campet de Saujon, comtesse de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Ce 24 julliet 83 a auteuil

          Me [Madame] de Boufflers a reçeu avec un sensible plaisir et une
            reconnoissance infinie le precieux present dont monsieur Francklin a bien voulu l’honorer.
            Personne n’en connoit mieux le prix, et na une plus haute idée de celuy de qui elle le
            reçoit. Si par un des plus grands efforts que puisse produire lamour patriotique elle a
            resistè a sa propre inclination pour ne pas se laisser entrainer a lempressement general
            que Monsieur Francklin a si justement excité, le sentiment rassuré par le succes la rend
            a son penchant naturel et luy permet de jouir avec une admiration sans melange du beau
            spectacle ou Monsieur Francklin a représenté un des premiers Personnages.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Luigi Pio, 24 July 1783
From: Pio, Luigi
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            à Paris ce 24. Juillet. 1783./.

          Mr. de Pio a l’honneur d’assûrer de son respect Mr. Franklin,
            Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats-unis de l’Amerique, et de lui dire, qu’il a reçu les
            trois Exemplaires des Constitutions, dont un pour le Roy
            son maitre, un pour Mr. Filangieri, et un pour lui. Mr. de Pio est on ne peut pas plus sensible a
            l’honneur que mr. Franklin a bien voulu lui faire en particulier, et il Lui en fait bien
            des remercimens. Pour ce qui regarde Sa Majesté Sicilienne, Mr. de Pio se fera un devoir
            de le Lui faire parvenir le plus tôt, et il ose assûrer Mr. Franklin que Sa Majesté en
            sera très flattée, et Mr. de Pio ne manquera pas dans le tems de communiquer à Mr.
            Franklin la reponse qu’il en recevra de sa Cour; comme il aura aussi l’honneur de lui
            adresser celle de Mr. Filangieri./.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, 25 July 1783
From: Alembert, Jean Le Rond d’
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            a Paris le 25 Juillet [1783]

          M. d’Alembert a l’honneur d’assurer son illustre et respectable
            confrere de son respectueux attachement, et lui fait mille remercimens du beau présent
            qu’il a reçu de lui.

          Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur
            franklin, / de l’Academie Royale des Sciences, / et Ministre plenipotentiaire / des
            Etats unis de l’Amerique / a Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mattheus Lestevenon van Berkenrode, 25 July 1783
From: Berkenrode, Mattheus Lestevenon heer van Hazerswoude en
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            paris ce 25 Juillet 1783.

          L’Ambassadeur de Hollande a L’honneur d’assurer Monsieur Francklin de
            Ses tres humbles Civilités, et celui de Le remercier du Cadeau qu’il à bien voulu lui
            faire, en lui envoiant Les Constitutions des treize Etats Unis de L’Amerique./


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Baron von Grimm, 25 July 1783
From: Grimm, Friedrich Melchior, Baron von
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Ce Vendredi 25 Juillet. [1783]

          Le Bon. de Grimm a l’honeur de présenter Ses hommages à Monsieur
            Franklin, et de le remercier très humblement du beau présent qu’il a bien voulu lui
              faire.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Reuben Harvey, 25 July 1783
From: Harvey, Reuben
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Respected Friend
            Cork 25 July 1783

          I am obliged to thee for the favour of thy letter, & may inform thee that two Vessels sailed
            lately from this Port & Youghal for Philadelphia with upwards of 200 Passengers. I
            thought, ’till a few days ago, that Hen Laurens Esqr. continued one of the American
            Commissioners for the United States, And as such, & he being in England, I
            transmitted to him the 1st. Inst. several Papers concerng. an American Vessel laden wth.
            Tobacco, which has been detain’d in the Harbour of Castletown near 10 Weeks, whereby a
            loss of £1500— will accrue, by the fall in value of Tobacco & the prevention of the
            Ship’s return to Carolina with a Cargoe of Merchandize from this Port; The pretence for
            detaining this Vessel is an intention (as the Revenue
            Officers alledge) of the Captain’s to smuggle, & it is only last week that those who
            possess’d themselves of the Ship & Cargoe gave notice to the Captain that he must
            prepare for Tryal the 30 of this Month. As I sent a very particular account of this most
            oppressive Act to H. Laurens Esqr. & requested him to acquaint his brother
            Commissrs. therewith, I won’t now take
            up thy time in reciting it again, but I beg leave to mention that unless the British
            Court be apply’d to by the American Representatives touching this Affair, there is
            little prospect of redress or compensation being obtained here by a Suit at Law, where a
            poor American has the powers of a Board of Revenue Commissioners to combat. Some more Ships from Carolina & Virginia which put into this Harbour lately to seek a market
            for their Tobacco, were search’d, & all the loose Tobacco taken from on board by
            Revenue Officers who forcibly broke open their Hatches; I have however after a delay of 10 or 12 days
            procured this Tobacco again, the Commissioners being afraid to proceed too far in
            seizing American Vessels. The Revenue Laws of Ireland are so very arbitrary,
            particularly One Act call’d the Hovering Act, that it is realy necessary for Congress to
            appoint a Consul or such like Person for managing their Commercial Affairs, to reside in
              Cork, this Port being the most
            convenient & the most frequented by American Vessels of any in Ireland. No Tobacco
            in less packages than 500 pounds weight can be imported here by Law; Now as it is the
            constant custom in America to break up hogshds. of Tobacco & pack them loose in
            parts of the Ship’s hold where a Cask can’t be stow’d,
            & then when she arrives at her destined Port to repack this Tobacco into the
            Hogsheads again, (wch. are mark’d & set aside in Staves for this purpose), if this
            Law is carried into effect against American Tobacco Ships which call at the Ports in
            Ireland for information, whereby they may direct their Voyages, just as they find the
            best Market likely to be, it will be in the power of every petty Revenue Officer to stop
            any Ship that shall be found to have loose Tobacco on board, tho’ such Ship is bound to
            another Kingdom, which wou’d in fact amount to a prohibition of your Ships, Tobacco
            laden, from entering the Ports of this Kingdom.
          I write again this post to have the Papers forwarded to the Commissrs. at Paris, if
            Henry Laurens Esqr. has not already done it, & I hope that thou & the other
            Gentlemen will see the necessity there is for your interference on this Occasion.
          I am very respectfully Thy sincere Friend

            Reuben Harvey

            The Vessel under seizure at Castletown is call’d the Nancy of Bath
              Town, in North Carolina, John Gladin Master; had been a letter of Marque
            Benjn. Franklin Esqr.

          Addressed: Benjamin Franklin Esqr. /
            Passy, near / Paris / Post paid


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 25 July 1783
From: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            A Vlles. 25 Juillet 1783.

          M. De Vergennes a reçu l’Exemplaire des constitutions des Etats unis
            de l’amérique que Monsieur franklin a bien voulu Lui envoyer. Il le prie d’en agréer ses
            justes et sincères remerciments.
          Les Exemplaires du même ouvrage destinés au Roi, à la Reine, et à la famille Royale,
            viennent d’être remis à leur destination, conformément au desir de Monsieur
              franklin.
          M. De Vergennes prie Monsieur franklin de recevoir les assurances de la trés parfaite
            consideration qu’il lui a vouée./.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Rochambeau, 26 July 1783
From: Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Paris ce 26. Juillet 1783.

          Le Cte. de Rochambeau prie Monsieur Le Docteur francklin de vouloir
            bien faire passer la lettre ci-jointe à Mr. le chr. de La Luzerne par la premiere
            occasion


Title: The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 27 July 1783
From: American Peace Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Adams, John,Jay, John,Laurens, Henry
To: Livingston, Robert R.

            Sir,
            Passy, July 27. 1783.

          The Definitive Treaties between the late beligerent Powers are none of them yet
            compleated. Ours has gone on slowly, owing partly to the Necessity Mr. Hartley
            (Successor of Mr Oswald) thinks himself under of sending every Proposition, either his
            own or ours, to his Court for their Approbation; and their Delay in answering, thro’
            Negligence perhaps since they have heard our Ports are open, or thro’ Indecision
            occasioned by Ignorance of the Subject, or thro’ want of Union among the Ministers. We
            send you herewith Copies of several Papers that have pass’d between us. He has for sometime assured us that he is in Hourly Expectation of Answers but they do not
            arrive. The British Proclamation respecting the Commerce appears to vex him a good deal.
            We enclose a Copy. And we are of Opinion
            that finally we shall find it best to drop all Commercial Articles in our Definitive
            Treaty; and leave every thing of that kind to a future special Treaty to be made either
            in America or in Europe as Congress shall think fit to Order. Perhaps it may be best to
            give Powers for that Purpose to the Minister that probably will be sent to London. The
            Opinion here is, that it will be becoming in us to take the first Step towards the
            mutual Exchange of Ministers; and we have been assured by the English Minister who
            treats with us here, that ours will be well received.
          The Dutch Preliminaries are not yet agreed on, and it seems to be settled, that we are
            to sign all together, in the Presence of the Ministers of the two Imperial Courts who
            are to be complimented with the Opportunity of signing as Mediators, tho’ they have not
            yet, and perhaps will not be consulted in the Negociations. Mr. Adams is gone to
            Holland, for three Weeks, but will return sooner if wanted. The Propositions you mention
            as made to us from that State, we
            suppose he has given you an Account of. Nothing was or is likely to be done upon them
            here, and therefore it was less necessary to say any thing concerning them. A Minister
            from thence has been gone sometime to Congress, and if he has those Propositions in Charge, they
            will best be consider’d there.
          With great Esteem, we have the Honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble
            Serts.

            B FranklinJohn
                JayHenry Laurens.
            R. R. Livingston Esqr.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Richard and Sarah Bache, 27 July 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Bache, Richard,Bache, Sarah Franklin

              Dear Son and Daughter,
              Passy, July 27, 1783

            I have received lately several Letters from you, which gave me a great deal of
              Pleasure, as they inform’d me of your Welfare and that of the Children.
            Being inform’d that Benny had been ill of a Fever, and that he was dejected &
              pin’d at being so long absent from his Relations, I sent for him to come to me during
              the Vacation of the Schools. He is
              accordingly now here, and I have great Satisfaction in finding him so well grown, and
              so much improv’d in his Learning and Behaviour. I am not determin’d at present whether to send
              him back, or procure him Masters under whose Direction he may continue his Studies
              here.
            If the Congress do not dismiss me as I have desired, I wish you would send me in the Fall by any
              Vessel coming to Havre de grace, some Newtown
              Pippins, some more Grafts of that Fruit: the former enclos’d in the Tin Case were too
              dry; they should have had a little moist Earth with them. I have not yet heard how
              those in Wax succeeded, as they went far into the Country. I wish too for some of our Chestnuts &
              Hickery Nuts. I also desire another Box of Mr Bartram’s Seeds; and let me know the
                Price.
            Mr Restife left your Letters yesterday when I happen’d to be out.— Col. Cambray has
              been here a long time.
            I am frequently solicited for Letters of Recommendation by Friends whom I cannot
              refuse, tho’ I believe they do not always well know the Persons they solicit for; and I trouble you with those Letters. I would have you observe, that when
              I recommend a Person simply to your Civilities & Counsels, I mean no more than
              that you should give him a Dinner or two, & your best Advice if he asks it; but by
              no means that you should lend him Money: For many I believe go to America with very
              little; and with such Romantic Schemes and Expectations as must end in Disappointment
              and Poverty. I dissuade all I can, those who have not some useful Trade or Art by
              which they may get a living; but there are many who hope for Offices & Public
              Employments, who value themselves and expect to be valued by us for their Birth or
              Quality, tho’ I tell them those Things bear no Price in our Markets.— But Fools will
              ruin themselves their own way.— There is one there at present, whose Father obtain’d
              of me by means of Friends a Letter recommending him to your Notice, and the Son upon
              the Strength of it now writes me a long Epistle pressing me to prevail with his Father
              to send him what he is much in want of, 10,000 Livres. I know nothing of either Son or
              Father.
            I am glad Miss Beckwith is likely to succeed with you. I take her to be a Person of
              real Merit, and am glad you have been able to render her any Service.
            I received duly the Bills you sent me. Let me know whether you have got home my Library: and also whether you have been
              paid for the Printing Letters sold to Lancaster and Virginia.
            I enjoy at present as good a State of Health as I have had for many Years; and I
              still continue to be esteem’d and belov’d by this amiable Nation, and have probably
              much more Respect shown me than I should have at home; yet I long to be there before I
              die, and I wish to set out while I have Strength to bear the Voyage; but I have not as
              yet receiv’d the Permission of Congress; and the Settlement of my Accts. will I
              apprehend necessarily detain me another Winter.

            Ben writes. I am ever, my dear
              Children, Your affectionate Father

              B Franklin

            [Note by William Temple Franklin:] I
              am afraid I shall hardly have time to write I therefore here send my most affece.
              Respects

              W. T. F.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 27 July 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Morris, Robert

            Sir,
            Passy, July 27. 1783

          I have been honoured by your Letters in the Washington, of the 3d. 11th. 13th. 19th of
            January, and the 26th & 31st of May.
            Till that Ship arriv’d, we had been totally in the dark respecting American Affairs for near 6 Months. The Correspondence may henceforth be more regular,
            as 5 Pacquet Boats are now ordered here, to depart from LOrient for N. York the middle
            of each Month, which with those that I
            understand will continue to depart from England the Beginning of each Month, will give Opportunities of Writing every
            Fortnight. The first from hence is to sail the 3d Tuesday in September.— I have received
            also your Dispatshes per Col. Ogden; and also a Sett that had been in England, and were
              opened. They contained all your
            Correspondence with Gen. Washington & the Contractors relating to the Difficulties
            in supplying the Army; and I am afraid
            have had an ill Effect on the Negociations, the conciliating Views of the Ministry
            respecting our Commerce with their Islands seeming by their late Proclamation to be entirely changed.—
          I am happy to find that you had agreed to continue the Exercise of your Office for some
            time longer: Your Reputation as well as
            your Abilities is necessary to our Affairs.— I am amaz’d at the Quantity of Business you
            so well go thorough.
          The Affair between you & the Intendant of the French Army, respecting the irregular
            Transactions of de Mars & de Brassine, is not, as I understand from Gen. de
            Chatellux, at all spoken of here; and he is of Opinion, that as it is settled by the
            Event of the Suit, there can be no Use in taking any farther Notice of it at present. I shall therefore say nothing of it to the Ministers, unless you shall
            hereafter think proper to direct it.
          Mr Grand and myself were for a long time in a most anxious Situation here. Our Funds
            nearly absorbed, fresh Drafts continually appearing, more foreseen, and all our Worrying
            of the Ministers with Applications for farther Aids from Government proving
              ineffectual. We at length however
            after many Difficulties obtain’d what was wanted from the Loan in Holland.— Upon the Receipt of your Letters I made the
            fresh Application directed, but without Success; as you will see by the Letters
              inclosed; and I hope in God that no
            more such Orders will be sent me. If our People who neither pay Rents nor Tythes, would
            only pay honestly in Taxes half what other Nations pay in those Articles, our whole Debt
            might be discharg’d in a Twelvemonth.—
            But I conceive the great Difficulty lies in the Collection of our Taxes, thro’ the
            dispers’d Situation of our Inhabitants; and the excessive Trouble of going from House to
            House many Miles to collect a few Shillings from each, often oblig’d
            to repeat the Calls. Might not this be help’d by some Laws, such as one disabling a Man to take out any Writ or commence
            any Action, for recovering any Debt, Damage, Legacy, &c. or to receive any other
            Benefit or Protection from the Laws of the Society, who does not prove that he has duly
            contributed to its support, by producing the Collector’s Receipt for his last
            Taxes.—
          The Farmers-General, who have been extreamly kind & favourable to us, in never
            urging a Compliance with our Contract or a Repayment of the Million they advanc’d to us,
            nor demanding any Interest, have lately been with me & intimated that they hop’d now
            we were in Peace, it might not be inconvenient to us to proceed in discharging the Debt.
            After some Conversation on the Means, they agreed to write me a Letter, of which I send
            a Copy. You will understand a Part of
            it, by knowing that I recommended you warmly to them as a proper Correspondent, after
            this Affair & your Office should be finished. I ought & do as warmly recommend to you the
            doing them Justice as speedily as may be, and favouring them where it is practicable,
            for we are really under great Obligations to them. Inclos’d is a Copy of their Acct. It
            was sent before, but probably miscarried.
          I am content with the Method established respecting the Salaries, and am with sincere & great Esteem, Sir,

            honble. R. Morris Esqr


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 27 July 1783
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            My dear Sir
            Chavaniac july the 27th 1783

          I Beg leave to Return You My thanks for the Notice You Give me of An opportunity to
            America— But find it is too late to improve it, and My only Hope is that some letters I
            Have these past days sent to Paris, Have Been put on Board the Washington— Since we
            Could not Get Monney Here, I am Glad it Has Been found in Holland— Mr. Hartlay’s
            dissatisfaction, if Sincere, arises from a disposition in Great Britain I Have long
            foreseen— Time, I fear, Will prove those people are not to Be Confided in—And for ever I
            take them to Be Natural ennemies to America— Inclosed You Will find a paper, the
            postscript of Which Contains two letters, that I earnestly Beg You to Have forwarded to
            American printers— About the 15th
            August, and sooner if I may Be of Service, I Hope to tell You Myself How Respectfully
            and affectionately I Have the Honor to Be, My dear Sir, Yours

            Lafayette

          Notation: Lafayette July 27. 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [27 July 1783]
From: Le Roy, Jean-Baptiste
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            [July 27, 1783]

          Voici une lettre Mon Illustre Docteur que M. Cassini Le Pere ma
            chargé de vous remettre. Votre present a
            été reçu hier à lAcadémie avec beaucoup de reconnoissance et il a été ordonné au
            Secrétaire de vous ecrire au Nom de la Compagnie pour vous en remercier.
          Le Jeune Dr Home dont je vous ai parlé hier et qui va a Veinne se chargera très
            volontiers de votre lettre pour M. Ingenhouz et sera bien flatté d’arriver chez lui
            porteur d’une pareille Lettre. C’est un jeune Médecin d’Ecosse de merite. Si vous
            comptez ou que votre temps vous le permette de lui donner cette lettre ayez la bonté de
            me l’envoyer parcequ’il doit envoyer chercher ce matin celles que j’ai écrites pour lui
            et que je lui ai promises. Recevez Mon
            Illustre Docteur mille nouvelles assurrances de tout mon attachement

            Le Roy
            L’homme a l’experience du ballon de 35 pieds de diamètre est
              arrivé et je compte vous le mener un de ces jours

          Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur
            Franklin
          Notation: Le Roy


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Nathaniel Falconer, 28 July 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Falconer, Nathaniel

            Dear Friend,
            Passy, July 28. 1783.

          I received your Favour of the 18th. Capt. Barney brought us the Dispatches we so long
            expected. Mr Deane as you observe is lost: Dr Bancroft is I believe steady to the
            Interest of his Country, and will make an agreable Passenger if you can take him. You
            desire to know something of the State of Affairs here. Every thing goes well with
            respect to this Court & the other Friendly Powers. What England is doing, or means
            to do; or why the Definitive Treaty is so long delay’d, I know perhaps less than you do;
            as, being in that Country, you may have Opportunities of hearing more than I can. For my
            self, I am at present as hearty & well as I have been these many Years; and as happy
            as a Man can be where every body strives to make him so. The French are an amiable
            People to live with: They love me, & I love them. Yet I do not feel my self at home,
            & I wish to die in my own Country.— Barney will sail this Week with our Dispatches.
            A good Voyage to you, my Friend; and may God ever bless you.

            B Franklin
            Capt. Falconer

          Addressed: To / Captain Nathl. Falconer
            / at the Pensilvania Coffeehouse / Birchin Lane / London
          Endorsed: Benja Franklin Passy 28 July
            1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 28 July 1783
From: Barclay, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir
            Auteuil 28 July 1783

          I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I received last post a Letter from
            Messrs. Schweighauser & Dobreé of Nantes under whose care the Arsnal belonging to
            the United States is placed, informing
            me that their Partner at L’Orient Messr. Puchelberg & Co., had some months ago laid
            an attachment on all the Arms and other Military supplies under the Care of Messrs.
            Schweighauser & Dobreé.
          I need not inform your Excellency of the Nature of the transaction, as it fell
            immediately under your own inspection, but I beg leave to say that unless Goverment
            passes some signal Censure on those persons who have brought attachments against the
            property of the United States the Execution of my Office will be embarrass’d beyond
            discription.
          I beg Sir you will Lay the matter in its proper light before the Minister’s, and obtain
            as soon as possible the dismission of this attachment and of those laid on the Alliances
            prize money.
          These attachments have been held in suspence several months to the great determent of
            the Public business under my care, and at the immenent risk of a heavy Loss in the final
              payment.
          I have the honor to be with great respect Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Most Huml
            Sert

            Thos Barclay
            His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Gian Francesco Cigna, 28 July 1783
From: Cigna, Gian Francesco
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur
            Turin ce 28 julliet 1783

          Les heureuses revolutions que Votre genie sublime, Monsieur, a apporté dans la
            politique et dans la philosophie, qui feront a jamais epoque dans l’histoire des
            Nations, et dans celle de l’esprit humain ont fait ambitionner a l’Academie des Sciences
            de cette Capitale d’illustrer son catalogue avec le nom du plus grand Philosophe du
            siecle, ce qui lui a été aisement accordé par notre Auguste Souverain a l’ocasion qu’il
            vient de lui donner un etablissement solide, en vous nommant Monsieur pour une des places
            destinées aux Savants etrangers. Elle espere que vous voudrais bien agreer ce temoignage
            de l’estime et de la reconaissance qu’elle a pour vos
            merites eminents, qui lui est commune avec tous ceux qui s’interessent a l’avancement
            des sçiences, et au bien de l’humanité. Je suis en particulier bien flatté que la charge
            de secretaire de l’Academie me procure l’honneur d’être son interprete auprés de Vous,
            et me presente une ocasion de Vous declarer les sentiments d’admiration, dont je suis de
            longtemps penetré pour vos talents superieurs, et pour vos immortelles decouvertes.
          J’ai l’honneur d’être avec toute la veneration Monsieur Votre très umble et très obeist
            Serviteur

            J. F. Cigna

          Endorsed: Letters to be answd before I
            leave France


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Giuseppe Doria Pamphili: Letter and Note, 28 July 1783
From: Doria Pamphili, Giuseppe
To: Franklin, Benjamin

          The independence of the United States presented the Holy See with the
            problem of how to minister to the needs of American Catholics. The colonies had been
            under the authority of the vicar apostolic in London, but once the political ties were
            officially dissolved, that religious bond would break. On January 15, 1783, Cardinal
            Leonardo Antonelli, prefect of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith,
            instructed the papal nuncio in Paris, Archbishop Pamphili, to seek the assistance of the
            French government on two matters. One was persuading the Americans to include in their
            peace treaty an article guaranteeing the free exercise of the Catholic religion. The
            other was devising a plan for the establishment of missions in America and appointing a
            vicar apostolic or bishop (preferably an American) in one of the major cities. Vergennes
            assured the nuncio on February 4 that an article was unnecessary, as all religions were
            tolerated in America, and evidently ignored the nuncio’s
            request that he speak to Franklin.
            Pamphili himself could not broach these topics with Franklin until the American was
            recognized by the diplomatic corps.
          That general recognition came at the weekly gathering of foreign ministers at
            Versailles on Tuesday, July 8. Pamphili reported to Rome that Franklin, Adams, and Jay
            were received by the diplomatic corps without having presented the customary card
            announcing themselves as ministers of the United States of America, but rather, “in the
            same manner customarily observed with foreign nobility who present themselves in this
              capital.”
          With the way now cleared for diplomatic initiatives, Pamphili sent this note to
            Franklin for forwarding to Congress. Though the American responded that it would be
            “absolutely useless” to do so, he
            nonetheless forwarded the note in his September 13 letter to Elias Boudinot.

          I.

            Ce 28. Juillet 1783.

          M. Le Nonce Apostolique a l’honneur d’envoyer à Monsieur Franklin la
            note ci-jointe. Il le prie de vouloir bien la faire passer au Congrès des Etats Unis de
            l’Amerique Septentrionale et l’appuyer de son credit./.

          II.

            Note.
            [July 28, 1783]

          Avant la Revolution qui vient d’être consommée dans l’Amérique
            septentrionale, les Catholiques et les Missionaires de ces Provinces dependoient dans le
            Spirituel du Vicaire Apostolique résident à Londres.
            On sent bien que cet Arrangement ne peut plus avoir lieu, mais comme il est essentiel
            que les Catholiques Sujets des Etats Unis ayent un Eclesiastique qui les gouverne en ce
            qui concerne leur Religion. La Congregation de Propagandâ
              Fide, existante a Rome pour l’Etablissement et la Conservation des Missions, est
            venue dans la Determination de proposer au Congrès d’établir dans quelque Ville des
            Etats Unis de l’Amerique septentrionale, un de leurs Sujets catholiques, avec les
            Pouvoirs de Vicaire Apostolique et avec le Caractere d’Eveque ou simplement en qualité
            de préfet Apostolique, L’Etablissement d’un Eveque Vicaire Apostolique paroit le plus
            convenable, d’autant plus que les Sujets Catholiques des Etats Unis se trouveroient à
            portée de recevoir la Confirmation et les ordres dans leur propre Pays sans être obligés
            de se rendre à cet Effet dans des Pays d’une Domination étrangere, Et comme il pourroit
            arriver quelque fois que parmi les Sujets des Etats Unis, il n’y eut Personne en état
            d’être chargée du Gouvernement spirituel soit comme Eveque, soit comme Préfet
            Apostolique; il seroit nécessaire dans une telle Circonstance que le Congrès volut bien
            consentir à ce qu’on la choisit, parmi les Sujets d’une Nation étrangere la plus amie
            des Etats Unis.

          Notation: Note of Pope’s Nuncio 28 July
            1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Isabella Strange, 28 July 1783
From: Strange, Isabella
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Sir
            London jully 28 1783

          I beg once more leave to trouble you with a Letter to my Friend Mr Hunter. I do not yet know any other way of sending a
            Letter to Him and all I have hitherto are on Business.
          Mr Strange joins with me in presenting our respectful compliments. I have the honour to
            be Dear Sir Your very humble Sert

            Isabella Strange

          Addressed: His excellency / Benjamin
            Franklin Esqr / Paris
          Notation: Isabella Strange, 28 July
            1783.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Blagden, 29 July 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Blagden, Charles

            Passy, July 29. 1783—

          Dr Franklin presents his Compliments to Dr Blagden, requests his Care
            of the enclos’d, and wishes him a good Journey with a happy Sight of his Friends &
              Country.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 29 July 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Strahan, William

            My dear old Friend,
            Passy, July 29. 1783.

          Whom I shall probably never have the Pleasure of seeing again: You some time since
            recommended Miss Beckwith to me; I in consequence recommended her to my Children in
              Philadelphia: the enclos’d will give
            you some Information of her present Situation. I hope you & yours continue well, as does
            Your affectionate Friend & humble Servant

            B Franklin

            Wm Strahan Esqr

          Addressed: To / William Strahan Esqr /
            M. P.— / London


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Charles-Pierre Lenoir, 29 July 1783
From: Lenoir, Jean-Charles-Pierre
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Ce 29 Juillet 1783

          Je joins icy, Monsieur, La permission que vous désirez pour faire
            retirer de La Douanne un paquet de Livres venant de Strasbourg à votre adresse.
          J’ai L’honneur d’être avec un respectueux attachement, Monsieur, votre trés humble et
            trés Obeissant Serviteur

            Lenoir
            M francklin ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats unis

          Notation: Le Noir 29 Juillet 1783—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 29 July 1783
From: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            A Versailles le 29. Juillet 1783.

          Vous vous rapellez, Monsieur, que sur votre demande le Roi a ordonné
            la Main-levée de la saisie faite à la requête des Srs forsters, freres, de tous les
            deniers qui pouvoient être dus à la frégate américaine l’Alliance. Ces négociants se sont conformés aux intentions
            de Sa Mte. à cet égard; mais vous verrez, Monsieur, par les copies ci-jointes de la
            lettre qu’ils m’ont écrite, ainsi que de la requête
            qu’ils ont addressée au Roi, la demande qu’ils font de l’éxécution de l’arrêt du Conseil
            qui leur a accordé la restitution avec dommage et interêts de leur Navire les trois-amis, dont le Capitaine Landais americain s’etoit
            emparé, quoiqu’il fût muni de passeports qui devoient le mettre à l’abri de cette
              entreprise. Vous trouverez sûrement
            que les représentations des Srs forsters sont on ne peut pas plus fondées, et qu’il est
            de la plus éxacte équité que le Congrès veuille bien prendre les mesures les plus
            promptes pour leur procurer le payement qu’ils réclament, et dont la privation met leur
            fortune dans le plus grand danger.
          J’ai l’honneur d’être très sincerement, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obéissant
            Serviteur

            De Vergennes
            Mr. Franklin

          Notation: Count de Vergennes to Doct
            Franklin 29 July 1783 with Memorial of Forsters—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Cambray, 30 July 1783
From: Cambray-Digny, Louis-Antoine-Jean-Baptiste, chevalier de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Paris July 30th 1783

          Colo. Cambray’s most Respectful Compliments to Doctor Franklin. As he
            is going in the Country he is deprived of the honor of waiting upon him.

          He takes the liberty to Send him Some letters for America in consequence of the leave
            he has been So good as to grant him.
          If any letters Should arrive from America directed to him he begs they may be Sent to
            his House rue st. Pierre Hotel de Villers Qr. Montmartre

          Notation: Cambray 30 Juillet 1783.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Staël von Holstein, 30 July 1783
From: Staël von Holstein, Erik Magnus, Baron
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Ce 30 Juillet 1783.

          Le Baron de Stael est passé chez Monsieur Francklin pour avoir
            l’honneur de lui faire part qu’il a eu le 29 du courant ses audiences comme Ministre
            plénipotentiaire du Roy de Suede chez leurs Majestés et la famille royale.

          Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur
            Francklin / en son hotel / A Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Herman Heyman’s Sons, 31 July 1783
From: Sons, Herman Heyman’s
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir
            Bremen the 31th July 1783.

          We beg leave to Refer us to our last Letter which we had the honour to write to your
            Exelency, by addressing you our most humble thanks for the Letters of Introduction with
            which you favored us, for our new established House in Nord America.
          Beeing convinced of the Patriotism which your Exelency bears for your Country, we hope
            you’ll permit us to trouble you again with the Present, and to lay before your
            Consideration a Plan which we lately received from one of our principal Glass Manufactorers in upper Germany, who intend to
            Establish a Glass Manufactory in Nord America, under the Direction of our House, provided it gets certain Previledges, as
            well to the ground on which it is to be built, as likewise not to admit at first any
            other Establishment of that Kind in Nord America, as it would be else not practicable to
            bring a Manufactory of that Kind to its extends and perfections, and beeing assured that
            every Manufactory will be advantageous to Nord America, in particular such as we
            propose, which will make that Country Populous without to be troubelsom or Expensif to
            it, as they can mentain themselfs easy, whenever the Manufactory is only set in order
            and any way Flourishing; but such is the sooner and more easy to be brought in
            Perfection, if Your Exelency great Influence by the Congress could bring it so far, that
            the Regency of Nord America, grant us for some years a Monopoleye for our Manufactory,
            Your Exelencys Wisdom & great Intelligence of his Country will teach us, if the Idea
            which we have of the Progress of such an Manofactory, as we intend to Establish in Nord
            America, is Regular, or if it is to Precipitant, we therefore can only be Ruled by your
            Exelency Kind advise, & this will determine our future stepts to this purpose, may
            we therefore humbly Request from your Exelency, to honour us with an answer as soon as
            ever Convenient to your Exelency, and if such gives any Prospect that our Intention will
            be supported by your Exelency and the Congress of the united States, we shall if
            agreeabel to your Exelency, give the necessary Instructions to our House, to make proper
            Aplication according to the Direction which your Exelency will be so Obliging to give
            us, we forwarded however allready a part of
            this Plan to our Partner Mr Arnold Delius at Philadelphia; to be abel to Reflect on it, and to take it in
            to Deliberation, but he is likewise informed that we took the Liberty to write to your
            Exelency about it, & was in hopes to receive your Answer and advise.
          We have a Vessell now in loading for Philadelphia, which will depart in two month, if
            your Exelency should wish to have any things forwarded by it, please to Command us, and
            likewise when ever you find us abel to be of Service to you; having the Honour to
            suscribe ourselfs with the utmost Regard Sir Your Exelency most Obedt & most humble
            Servts.

            Herman Heymans
              SONS

            We have taken the Liberty to address the same Content of this to
              His Exelency John Adams Esq at the Hague, to your Exelency Governmt.

          Notation: Herman, Heyman sons 31 July
            1783.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Silas Deane, 31 [i.e., 1?] August 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Deane, Silas

            Sir,
            Passy, August 31st [i.e., I?], 1783.

          I received last night the letter you did me the honor of writing to me the 20th. past,
            and in answer inform you that I never heard anything of the discourses or resentments
            you mention, either at Versailles or at Paris; that I do not think your personal safety or liberty would be hazarded from any such
            resentments by your coming to Paris to settle your accompts; and that, so far as may
            depend on me, you may rely on the protection you wish for. With best wishes that you may
            hereafter so prudently conduct yourself as to recover the esteem and respect you once
            possessed among your countrymen, I am,
            Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant,

            B Franklin.
            Silas Deane, Esq.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Johnson, 1 August 1783
From: Johnson, Joshua
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir.
            London I August 1783.

          The Inclosed was sent me from the General Post Office, the Postage being 4/7. I have
            paid and which you will be pleased to return to Mr. Ridley, It is probable that many
            more Letters may come for you & which must remain in the Post Office, without the
            Inland Postage is paid, be pleased to signify whether I may take them up or not &
            forward them to you. I shall be happy of opportunitys to be usefull to you & I am
            with the most perfect respect & esteem Sir Your most Obedt. Hb. Servt.

            Joshua Johnson
            His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Ann Hudson de Lavau, [1 August 1783]
From: Lavau, Ann Hudson de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            [August 1, 1783]

          months, the anxiety of my mind Joined with their manner of living
            brought me very near my Grave, I came here about eight days ago for the recovery of my
            health, pardon me sir for troubling you with this account of my self, but I think it is
            necessary I Shoud you be made acquinted with my manner of Living since I left paris mr.
              hoops in form me that my mother ad
            sent me letter to your offies permitt me to request it of you sir that if there is any
            letter for me at your offies you will be so obliging as to order them to be forwarded to
            me here under the care of Mre. fillath pere.
          I have the honour to be with the greatest respect your most obedint servant honoured
            sir

            HUDSON DE
              Lavau


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Coakley Lettsom, 2 August 1783
From: Lettsom, John Coakley
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Respected Friend
            London Aug. 2. 1783

          Henry Smeathman, the bearer of this is an ingenious person, who was patronized by Dr.
            Fothergill and under the Doctor’s patronage he visited the coast of Africa, and in
            consequence of the knowledge he acquired, he seems capable of giving ample information
            respecting the present trade of Africa, and wishes I believe, to suggest, new sources of
            extending it into that continent: As I
            thought such a person might be acceptable to Dr. Franklin, I have
            taken the liberty of putting this letter of introduction into his hands and am very
            respectfully &c.

            J. C. Lettsom

          Addressed: To / Benjamin Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Berkenrode, 3 August 1783
From: Berkenrode, Mattheus Lestevenon heer van Hazerswoude en
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            paris ce 3 Aout 1783.

          L’Ambassadeur des Etats Generaux, prie Monsieur Francklin, de Lui
            faire L’honneur de venir diner chez Lui, Jeudi prochain 7 du Mois./.

          Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur
            Francklin. / Ministre plenipotentiaire / des Etats Unis de / L’Amerique Septentrionale.
            / A passy.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Monet, 3 August 1783
From: Monet, Jean-Antoine, comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur
            Le 3 aoust 1783

          Vous avez prevenu le dessein ou j’etois d’aller vous prier, Monsieur, de me mettre à
            portée de mettre sous les yeux de sa majesté le roy de Pologne un exemplaire des
            constitutions des treize etats unis de l’amérique en m’envoyant celui dont j’ai
            l’honneur de vous accuser la réception et en y en joignant un pour moy. Cette attention
            obligeante, et la part que toute l’Europe sait que vous avez eue à rendre la liberté à
            votre patrie et à la formation d’une république fédérative dont vos successeurs
            sentiront encore mieux tous les avantages, doit ajouter mon estime et ma reconnoissance
            au plaisir que j’ai eu dès longtemps de faire connoissance avec vous. Je ne doute pas
            que Sa Majesté le roy de Pologne ne soit sensible à cette attention et ne m’ordonne de
            vous le témoigner. En attendant je saisis avec empressement l’occasion de vous assurer
            que personne n’est avec plus d’estime et de consideration
            que moy Monsieur Votre très humble et très obéissant serviteur

            Le General Comte
              DE
              Monet
            Rue de Bellefonds Barriere Cadet

          Notation: le Cte. de Monet. 3 Août
            1783.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 5 August 1783
From: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            A Versles le 5. Aoust 1783.

          J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous addresser la copie d’un mémoire qui
            m’a été présenté par le Sr. Baÿard;
            Comme les demandes de ce particulier me semblent justes, je me fais un devoir de vous
            les transmettre en vous priant de les recommander en Amérique.
          J’ai l’Honneur d’être très sincérement, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obéissant
            Serviteur./.

            De Vergennes


Title: Editorial Note on the American Peace Commissioners’ Project for a Definitive Treaty of Peace, [6 August 1783]
From:
To:

          In late July, the American peace commissioners obtained Vergennes’
            reassurance that France would not sign its definitive treaty with Great Britain until the American treaty was ready. On July 31 Vergennes told this to the
            Duke of Manchester, who immediately informed Hartley. The following day, August 1,
            Hartley received a letter from Fox—the first in nearly a month—answering his mid-June
            request to return to London for a face-to-face conference. Fox granted permission, as
            long as Manchester could affirm that Hartley’s absence and the “consequent suspension of
            negotiation for the definitive Treaty with the United States” would have no effect on
            the completion of the other treaties, which Fox understood to be “near at Hand.”
          Hartley, who had suspended negotiations for weeks while waiting for this permission,
            had no choice now but to stay. In his answer to Fox, he expressed his resentment that so
            much time had been lost, and with it the Americans’ goodwill. He nonetheless would recommence negotiations,
            even though he still had no concrete instructions. Fox had declined to send any.
          On August 2 Hartley reported to Fox that he had met with “the American Ministers.” This
            can only mean that he went to Passy and conversed with Franklin and Jay, as Adams was in
            Holland and Laurens had returned to England. He delivered Fox’s messages: that the Order
            in Council of July 2 should not be considered the final word, that the commissioners’
            suspicions were “ill-founded,” and that “the points in debate might still be granted if
            we could agree upon the other parts of the proposed Convention.” The Americans were
            distressed to learn that Hartley had received neither instructions nor specific
            propositions that he was authorized to sign. “As I had no specific proposition to make
            to the American Ministers,” Hartley told Fox, “I left them to draw up their project in
            form for their definitive treaty which I expect tomorrow.”
          Franklin and Jay did not deliver their proposal until the morning of August 6. When
            sending a copy to Fox that evening, Hartley characterized it this way: “I think there is
            not much substantial difference in this Project, from the separate propositions from the
            American Ministers, which I have transmitted to you in former letters; only that these
            Propositions are now reduced into the specific shape of Articles; with a great deal of preambulary recital, which was drawn up by Mr. Adams a
            long while ago.”
          Hartley was correct. The “Project for the definitive Treaty of Peace and Friendship
            between his Britannic Majesty and the United States of America” contained eight articles
            from the preliminary agreement and 11 others, most of which the Americans had already
            proposed. The lengthy preamble and the closing paragraphs were taken from the draft
            language for a definitive treaty that John Adams prepared on February 1. He copied it
              mutatis mutandis from the 1763 Treaty of Paris between
            Great Britain and France. Adams prepared this draft at a time when the commissioners
            expected the final treaty to be concluded within a matter of weeks. They were so
            confident of this, in fact, that Adams wrote “February” into the dateline, leaving only
            the day of the month and the location blank. He indicated that the preliminary articles
            were to be inserted as numbers 1 through 9, and added two standard articles adapted from
            the 1763 British-French treaty, which he numbered 10 and 11, specifying that both
            parties promised to observe the terms of the treaty and would exchange ratifications
            within a certain number of months (a number he left blank). In the version Franklin and Jay gave Hartley on
            August 6, Adams’ Articles 10 and 11 were stripped of their numbers but retained in an
            equivalent location, after the numbered articles, as unnumbered paragraphs.
          When Adams returned to Paris, he wrote to Livingston that “nothing further had been
            done Since my departure but to deliver to Mr: Hartley, a fair Copy, of the Project of a
            definitive Treaty, which I had left with my Collegues.” While this has sometimes been interpreted to
            mean that Adams prepared the entire text before leaving, no manuscript survives to
            verify that fact. We think it likely that what Adams left with his colleagues was the
            draft he had prepared in February, which provided the formal language missing from the
            preliminary agreement. It would have
            been left to Franklin and Jay to copy this language if
            Hartley should ask for a proposal, and to insert the articles that the commissioners had
            already agreed upon. Just when those articles were put into their final form and
            numbered is not clear. If Franklin and Jay were responsible, it would explain the delay
            of several days in delivering the proposal.
          The body of the proposed treaty consists of 19 articles. Not all of the nine articles
            from the preliminary treaty were
            transcribed in full. Those that were to be carried over verbatim or with alterations
            were noted as such (“the same as …”), with the alterations explained. Article 5 was
            nullified and replaced by the Article 5 that Franklin had proposed, unsuccessfully, on
            November 29, 1782. Free navigation of
            the St. Lawrence River was added to Article 8. Article 9, no longer relevant, was
            deleted without comment.
          The new articles, most of them copied from previous communications to Hartley, were as
            follows:
          Articles 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13: The second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth articles
            proposed by the American commissioners to Hartley on June 29, above.
          Article 14: A new article granting America the same rights to cut logwood as Great
            Britain had just granted Spain, “on condition that they bring or send the said Logwood
            to Great Britain or Ireland, and to no other Part of Europe.” The American commissioners
            had raised this issue in the form of a query when submitting their proposed articles on
            June 29.
          Articles 15, 16, and 17: The American commissioners’ June 29 revisions to four of the
            articles (2, 3, 4, and 5) that Hartley proposed to them on June 19.
          Article 18: Excerpted from the American commissioners’ July 17 letter to Hartley. The
            proposal is in the paragraph beginning “As it is necessary to ascertain an Epocha, for
            the Restitutions and Evacuations to be made, we propose that it be agreed …”
          Article 19: Adapted from the armistice of February 20 (XXXIX, 190–2), concerning the restoration of prizes taken
            during specified time intervals after the ratification of the preliminaries.
          When sending this proposal to Fox, Hartley added one final comment: the American
            commissioners considered all the additional articles to be “optional to either Party,”
            and considered themselves “bound to sign the provisional Articles in statu quo as a definitive Treaty of Peace, if called upon by
            Great Britain to do so.” That same day, George III ratified the preliminary
              articles, setting the stage for an
            outcome that the commissioners must have realized was inevitable.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Kéralio, 7 August 1783
From: Kéralio, Agathon Guynement, chevalier de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Paris, Le 7e. août, 1783.

          Plaignés notre bonne Douairiere, mon respectable ami; elle part
            demain et n’a pu vous aller demander votre bénédiction; elle me charge de vous peindre
            tout le regret qu’elle a de vous quitter; mais comment y parvenir? Il est trop profond;
            il faudroit sentir comme elle pour le rendre: recevés de sa part les embrassements de
            L’amitié la plus tendre, et assurès mr. votre petit-fils de son attachement le plus
            Vrai. Elle part demain pour aller à Tugny en champagne où se fait la noce de son
              fils, et de là à Forbach ou elle à
            grand besoin d’arriver—après les peines, les soins et les embarras dont elle a été
            accablée en ce pays-ci.
          Pour moi, mon respectable ami, je suis à vos pieds et j’y dépose l’hommage de la
            vénération que je vous dois: L’héroisme est sans doute la collection de toutes les
            vertus, et d’après cette définition, qui fut jamais plus héros que Vous? Vous étes et
            Vous serés toujours le mien. Continués vos Bontés à l’homme du monde qui se fera toujours gloire de Vous être le plus respectueusement et
            dévoué

            Le
              CHR.
              De Keralio

            Permettés que j’embrasse le plus tendrement m. votre petit-fils. Je
              me recommande à son souvenir et à Son amitié.
            Savés vous que le vaisseau l’américa est arrivé à Brest.
              Les gens de l’art le trouvent d’une belle construction et d’un fini admirable. De jeunes francois ont dit que les
              ornements n’étoient pas de bon gout. Vous les reconnoissés.


Title: William Temple Franklin to Caleb Whitefoord, 7 August 1783
From: Franklin, William Temple
To: Whitefoord, Caleb

            My dear Sir,
            Passy, 7th Augt, 1783.

          I have been so much taken up with Business since the rect of your Letter, inclosing me
            an Introduction to Mrs Hesse, that I have hitherto delay’d answering it. I have not however been deficient in complying
            with your request relative to that amiable and accomplish’d
            Lady: She has form’d with Mr Brillon not
            merely an Acquaintance, but really a Friendship; and it is impossible for any one to be
            more universally liked, than she has made herself here by her Person and pleasing
            Manners. We all exceedingly Regret, that her stay among us has been so short and we are
            perpetually talking of going all together to England to make her Visit. I really should
            not be surprised if Mr Brillon and Family should carry this Project into execution in
            the Fall. As to my Grandfather and myself, I hardly know what will become of us; He has
            no Answer from Congress to his repeated Applications to Retire, and so continues here,
            tho’ with much Reluctance. I wish ardently to be able to visit England before we Return,
            were it only for eight Days, to see you and my other Friends, and embrace my Father. He
            cannot regret more than I do our long Separation, and the interruption in our
            Correspondence;—he knows the Character of some of our Rulers, and cannot but approve of
            my discretion.
          Our Negotiations do not go on so well as when Mr. O. and you were here. We have lost by the change a
            worthy Friend, and your Country, an able and upright Minister.
          Adieu my dear Sir,—I write in haste in hopes of being in time to request Mrs Hesse to
            take charge of my Letter.— My Grandfather and Mr and Mrs Jay present you their
            affectionate Compts as likewise to Mr Oswald, to whom please to remember me in the most
            affectionate Manner,—and believe me, as ever, Sincerely yours

            W. T. Franklin.

            Congress have alone Authority to appoint Consuls. The Place at Calais has already
              been asked for by 50 Persons. If a Frenchman is appointed, it is likely to be Le Veux, our old Correspt.