Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 27 August 1783
From: Laurens, Henry
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Sir.
            Bath 27th August 1783.

          My thanks are due for the justice you did me, in beleiving I had written to some one or
            other of my Colleagus since my last return to London, altho’ it appears by the Letter
            you have honored me with under the 21st Inst. mine of the 9th. addressed to the whole
            had not reached them, an unlucky circumstance which gives me much concern. I say I wrot
            to the American Ministers on the 9th. made up my Letter with a News
            Paper or two into a small Packet which I delivered on Sunday Morning the 10th. to Mr.
            Barclay who assured me he would leave London on Tuesday the 12th. at latest— You say
            nothing & I have not heard any thing of his arrival at Paris wherefore I now transmit a Copy of my said
            Letter, tho’ with a slender prospect of its being serviceable since ’tis probable, that
            before this can arrive, your Phœnix Treaty will be finished.
          I was actually in Treaty for the Cabin of a Ship intending to have embarked very early
            in October for Philadelphia or New York, but three days ago I received a Letter from my
            Sister in Law in the south of France intimating that my Brother had desired her to
            inform me he was growing weaker & weaker every day & found himself near his End
            & therefore earnestly wished to see me before I left Europe. I cannot refuse to gratify the wish of a dying
            freind. I dare not turn my back upon a Widowed Sister, a most valuable worthy Woman—so
            long a journey will be rather too heavy for me, but I must encounter it, therefore I
            shall once more have the honor of paying my Respects at Passy, perhaps about the 10th.
            September.
          You may possibly have seen before this time a little Printed Paper, which the Mr.
            Jenings has been privately circulating under the Title—The Candor of Henry Laurens
            Esqr—poor Devil he is as weak as wicked, he has now compeled me to display his
            wickedness in a more public manner than ever I had intended—the most painful part to me
            is his involving a third person the friend he pretended to be so much attached to on
            your side.

          My Son & Daughter unite with me in the most Respectful Cordial Salutes to yourself
            & Mr. Franklin & I have the honor to be with sincere Esteem & affection Dear
            sir Your obedient humble servt.

            Henry Laurens.
            His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esquire Passy.

          Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin
            Franklin. Esqr: / Minister Plenepotentiary from / the United States of America at / the
            Court of France. / Paris.
          Endorsed: H. Laurens Esqr to B.F.— Aug.
            27. 83


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from [John Mehegan], 27 August 1783
From: Mehegan, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            A Monsieur Franklin Ministre plénipotentiare des treize états unis de
              l’Amerique.
            Brest August the 27th 1783—

          Comme vous ètes dans ce pais ci le représantant des Americains vos compatriotes, ils ne
            peuvent pas faire mieux que de s’addresser à vous, lorsqu’ils ont besoin de protection.
            C’est d’apres celà, Monsieur que je vais prendre la liberté de mettre sous vos yeux l’affaire d’un Americain, dont la situation meritera peut-ètre votre
            attention. Voici le fait.
          Au mois de May 1782 il arriva ici un sloop monté par sept Americains dont un étoit
            Mousse; ces hommes échappés de prisons de Kinsale etoient venus au Cove de Cork,
            s’etoient emparé de ce sloop, et avoient fait route pour les côtes de France. Arrivés ici àprés avoir essuyé bien de
            difficultés, leur petit batiment fut enfin déclaré bonne
              prise par l’amirauté.
          Ces Americains trouvant une occasion de renvoyer dans sa patrie ce Mousse qu’ils
            avoient sauvé avec eux par charité, ils en profiterent et le firent partir en lui
            fournissant ce qui lui etoit nécessaire.
          Deux des six restant remirent leurs interêts entre les mains du sieur Riou qui est ici
            interprète anglois; les quatre autres
            s’adresserent à un procureur de cette ville nommé Lelay et lui donnerent leur
            procuration. Comme il se passa bien du tems avant que les droits de l’amirauté fussent
            reglés à l’égard de la prise en question, et avant que la vente en fût faite, et que la
            quotité des pars fut réglée; trois de ces Americains àprés avoir touché quelques
            avances, prirent le parti de s’embarquer sur des batiments françois. Les autres
            resterent ici, toucherent leurs parts et partirent.
          Les parts à raison de six se trouverent ètre de 2900 l.t.
            Le sieur Springer pour lequel j’ai honneur de vous écrire étoit parti des premiers, et
            n’avoit touché qu’un accompte sur sa part, aprés avoir èté fait de nouveau prisonnier et
            detenu en Angleterre pendant deux mois, il vient d’arriver ici pour réclamer le reste de
            ce qu’il lui révenoit. Mais il rencontre maintenant des difficultés aux quelles il ne
            devoit pas s’attendre.
          Le sieur Springer est un de quatre qui avoient mis leurs interêts entre les mains du
            Sr. Lelay procureur. Celui-ci àprés avoir remis aux trois autres les 2900 l.t. qui révenoient à chacun d’eux, fait maintenant
            difficulté pour se dessaisir de la part de celui-ci, sous pretexte que le Mousse, dont
            il a été question cy dessus ne vienne un jour à demander sa part de la
            prise. Le sieur Riou qui n’a pas encore reglé ses comptes avec les deux Americains, qui
            lui avoient remis leurs interêts s’accorde en cela avec le sieur Lelay, et pretend
            qu’ils ne doivent rien determiner definitivement dans la crainte que ce mousse ne vienne
            un jour à leur demander sa part.
          Mais qui ne voit pas que ce n’est qu’un subterfuge de la part de ces-Messieurs. 1°.
            pourquoi N’ont ils pas fait cette difficulté dans le tems qu’ils auroient dû la faire?
            2°. ils n’ont traité qu’avec les six Americains en question du fond desquels ils ont eté
            les dépositaires, ainsi quand même ce mousse auroit droit de revendiquer un part de la
            prise, il ne pourroit pas l’exiger des Srs. Riou et Lelay et n’auroit son récours que
            sur les six autres. 3° en supposant donc qu’il ait droit á cette prise, pourquoi
            faut-il, que le sieur Springer en soit le seul responsable? Mais ni le Sr: Lelay ni le
            sr. Riou n’ont point entendu parler du mousse qui probablement s’est trouvé fort heureux
            que des hommes forts et hardis l’aient sauvé avec eux, en s’exposant aux dangers qu’ils
            ont couru. Ainsi ce nouvel incident de leur part n’est qu’un pretexte supposé.
          Le sieur Lelay à d’ailleurs fait offre àu sr. Springer de lui remettre 1250 l.t. à condition, que celui-ci se desistera de toute autre
            pretention. Pourquoi une telle proposition? Ou le sieur Lelay a droit de garder pour sa
            guarantie la part du sieur Springer, ou il ne l’a pas? S’il’a, il ne se dessaisiroit pas
            d’une portion aussi considerable? S’il ne l’a pas, pourquoi ne pas remettre au sr.
            Springer tout ce qui lui révient?
          Le sr. Lelay allegue en outre qu’il ne veut rien terminer definitivement avant que le
            sieur Riou n’ait rendu ses comptes: Mais le sr. Riou n’a de comptes à rendre qu’aux deux
            Americains qui lui ont laissé leur procuration, et ces comptes ne regardent en aucune
            maniere le sr. Lelay. Les comptes de la vente du batiment ont été reglés, et les parts
            en ont èté determinés, que faut-il de plus?
          Le sieur springer implore votre sécours et votre protection. Il est ici sans la moindre
            résource, et presque sans espérance, quoi de plus à plaindre que sa position? Dans un
            païs ètranger dont il ignore la langue et les rubriques de la chicane, que voulez vous
            qu’il fasse si vous ne lui pretez une main Sécourable? Il espere, Monsieur, que vous voudriez bien faire employer l’autorité nécessaire pour que le sr.
            Lelay lui remette le restant de sa part qui se monte à 2246 l.t. Ce sera un service dont il vous aura une eternelle reconnoissance.

            To his Excellency Doctor Franklin


Title: Extracts of John Baynes’s Journal, 27 August–15 September 1783
From: Baynes, John
To:

              [August 27—September 15, 1783]

            Wednesday, August 27. Hired a coach for the day, and went to visit
              the ambassador (the Duke of Manchester), who received me very politely; asked me to
              dine on Friday. From thence I went to Passy (a pleasant town, two miles from Paris,
              and on the Seine) to present Dr. Jebb’s letter to Dr. Franklin. Mr. Romilly went with me, having
              inquired most particularly into the propriety of his going, and finding that there
              would be nothing improper. His house
              is delightfully situated, and seems very spacious; and he seemed to have a great
              number of domestics. We sent up the letter, and were then shown up into his
              bedchamber, where he sat in his nightgown, his feet wrapped up in flannels and resting
              on a pillow, he having for three or four days been much afflicted with the gout and
              the gravel. He first inquired particularly after Dr. Jebb, which led us to the subject
              of parliamentary reformation. I mentioned that Dr. Jebb was for having every man vote:
              he said he thought Dr. Jebb was right, as the all of one man was as dear to him as the
              all of another. Afterwards, however, he seemed to qualify this by expressing his
              approbation of the American system, which excludes minors, servants, and others, who
              are liable to undue influence. He said that he much doubted whether a parliamentary
              reform at present would have the desired effect; that we had been much too tender in
              our economical reform,—that offices ought never to be accompanied with such salaries as will make them the objects of
              desire. In support of this he read the 36th article of the Pennsylvania Constitution
              (a most wise and salutary rule). He
              mentioned the absurd manner in which the Courrier de
                l’Europe had spoken of General Washington’s resignation and retirement, as if
              it were a dissolution of the original compact: he said that the General was an officer
              appointed by the state, and no integral part of the constitution, and that his
              retirement could affect the state no more than a constable, or other executive
              officer, going out of office. I observed how some of our papers had affected to
              depreciate his motives in retiring,
              and added that I should always suppose a man to act from good motives till I saw cause
              to think otherwise. “Yes,” said he, “so would every honest man;” and then he took an
              opportunity of reprobating the maxim that all men were equally corrupt. “And yet,” said Mr. Romilly,
              “that was the favourite maxim of Lord North’s Administration.” Dr. Franklin observed
              that such men might hold such opinions with some degree of reason, judging from
              themselves and the persons they knew: “A man,” added he, “who has seen nothing but
              hospitals, must naturally have a poor opinion of the health of mankind.”
            Mr. Romilly asked as to the slave-trade in America, whether it was likely to be
                abolished? He answered that in
              several states it now did not exist; that in Pennsylvania effective measures were
              taken for suppressing it; and that, if
              it had not been for the Board of Trade, he believed that it would have been abolished
                everywhere. To that board he
              attributed all our misfortunes, the old members corrupting the young ones.
            He seemed equally liberal in religious and in political opinions. The excellence of
              the constitution of Massachusetts in point of religious liberty being mentioned, he
              observed that they had always shown themselves equally so; that the land was
              originally granted out to them subject to the payment of a small sum for the support
              of a presbyterian minister; that, many years ago, on the application of persons of
              other religions, they agreed that the sum actually paid by any congregation should go to its own minister, whatever was his
                persuasion. This was certainly a
              great act of liberality, because they were not bound to do it in point even of
              justice, the annual payment being in fact the price or rent of the land. He mentioned
              his having had a conversation with Lord Bristol (the Bishop of Derry) on a similar
              subject; that the Bishop said he had long had in hand a work for the purpose of
              freeing Roman Catholics from their present state, and giving them a similar
                indulgence. “And pray, my Lord,
              while your hand is in, do extend your plan to dissenters, who are clearly within all
              the reasons of the rule.” His Lordship was astonished—no—he saw some distinction or
              other, which he could not easily explain. In fact, the revenue of his Lordship would
              have suffered considerable diminution by suffering dissenters to pay their tithes to
              their own pastors. He reprobated the statute of Henry VI. for limiting votes to
              forty-shilling freeholders, and observed that the very next statute in the book was an
              act full of oppression upon poor artificers.
            He conversed with greater freedom and openness than I had any right to expect, which
              I impute partly to Dr. Jebb’s friendly letter, partly to his own disposition. I never
              enjoyed so much pleasure in my life as in the present conversation with this great and
              good character. He looked very well, notwithstanding his illness; and, as usual, wore
              his spectacles, which made him very like a small print I have seen of him in
                England. He desired us on taking leave to come and visit him again, which we
              resolved to do. …
            *****

            Monday, September 15. Called on Lieutenant Hernon, and walked with him as far as the
                Barrière de la Conférence, on the way to Passy. He left
              me there, and I proceeded to Dr. Franklin’s house. On entering, a confounded Swiss
              servant told me to go up stairs and I should meet with domestics. I went up, but not a
              domestic was there; I returned and told him there was nobody. He then walked up with
              me, and pointing to the room before me told me I might enter and I should find his
              master alone. I desired him to announce me. “Oh! Monsieur, ce n’est pas nécessaire;
              entrez, entrez;” on which I proceeded, and, rapping at the door, I perceived that I
              had disturbed the old man from a sleep he had been taking on a sofa. My confusion was
              inexpressible. However, he soon relieved me from it, saying that he had risen early
              that morning, and that the heat of the weather had made a little rest not
              unacceptable; and desiring me to sit down. He inquired if I had heard from Dr. Jebb. I
              then showed him an excellent letter which I had just received from him, containing
              some noble sentiments on the American war, with which he seemed much pleased. The
              letter contained some sentiments on the American religious constitution, particularly
              noticing the liberality of that of Massachusetts Bay. Dr. Franklin observed that,
              notwithstanding its excellence, he thought there was one fault in it: that when the
              government of that colony had, thirty or forty years ago, upon the application of the
              dissenters, permitted them to apply their portion of the sum raised for religious
              purposes to the use of their own minister (as he had mentioned in his former
              conversation), the Quakers likewise applied for a total exemption from this burden
              upon this ground, that they did, one among another, gratis, the same duties as the other sects paid a duty for performing. “The
              government,” said he, “considered their case and exempted them from the burden, the
              person claiming an exemption being obliged to produce a certificate from the meeting
              that he was really bonâ fide one of that persuasion. The
                present constitution of Massachusetts Bay does not
              appear to me to make any provision of this sort in favour of Quakers. Now I own I think this a fault; for if their regulations, one among
              another, be such that they answer the ends of a minister, I see no good reason why
              they should be obliged to contribute to a useless expense. We find the Quakers to be
              as orderly and as good subjects as any other religious sect whatever; and indeed,”
              said he, “in one respect I think their mode of instruction has the advantage; for it
              is always delivered in language adapted to the audience, and consequently is perfectly
              intelligible. I remember once in England being at a church near Lord Despencer’s with
              his Lordship, who told me that the
              clergyman was a very sensible young man, to whom he had just given the living. His
              sermon was a sensible discourse and in elegant language; but notwithstanding this, I
              could not perceive that the audience seemed at all struck with it. The Quakers in
              general attend to some plain sensible man of their sect, whose discourse they all
              understand. I therefore rather incline to doubt of the necessity of having teachers,
              or ministers, for the express purpose of instructing the people in their religious
              duties.
            “All this is equally applicable to the law: the Quakers have no lawsuits except such
              as are determined at their own meetings; there is an appeal from the monthly to the
              annual meeting. All is done without expense, and nobody grumbles at the trouble of
              deciding. In fact, the honour of being listened to as a preacher, or of presiding to
              decide lawsuits, is in itself sufficient. A salary only tends to diminish the honour
              of the office; and this, if considered, will tend to support the doctrine, held in the
              Pennsylvania constitutions, which I mentioned to you in our
              last conversation. Persons will play at chess, by the hour, without being paid for it;
              this you may see in every coffee-house in Paris. Deciding causes is in fact only a
              matter of amusement to sensible men.”
            I mentioned the mode in France of buying seats in the Parliament for the purpose of
              ennobling themselves. He observed that that very practice would confirm the ideas he
              had just thrown out. Here a bourgeois gives a sum of
              money for his seat in Parliament as a conseiller. The
              fees of his office do not bring him in 3 per cent., or at least not more. Therefore
              for the noblesse or honour which his seat gives him, he
              pays two-fifths of the price of the office, and at the same time gives up his labour
              without any recompense.
            In the course of our conversation I asked if they did not still imprison for debt in
              America? He answered that they did; but he expressed his disapprobation of this usage
              in very strong terms. He said he could not compare any sum of money with
              imprisonment—they were not commensurable quantities. Nobody, however, in America who
              possessed a freehold (and almost everybody had a freehold) could be arrested on mesne
                process. He inclined to think that
              all these sorts of methods to compel payment were very impolitic—some people indeed
              think that credit and consequently commerce would be diminished if such means were not
              permitted, but he said that he could not think that the diminution of credit was an
              evil, for that the commerce which arose from credit was in a great measure detrimental
              to a state.
            *****

            He mentioned one instance to show how unnecessary such compulsory means were, and he
              seemed to think that it would be better if there
              were no legal means of compelling the payment of debts of a certain magnitude. In the
              interval between the declaration of independence and the formation of the code of laws
              in America, there was no method of compelling payment of debts, yet, notwithstanding
              this, the debts were paid as regularly as ever; and if any man had refused to pay a
              just debt because he was not legally compellable, he durst not have shown his face in
              the streets. Dr. Jebb having requested me to inquire if there were any good political
              tracts or pamphlets, I took the liberty to ask if he knew any. He told me that there
              were a good many upon one particular subject, which had been fully discussed, but
              which was little known in England as yet. Of these he said one might make a little
              library. The subject was on the giving information to the public on matters of
              finance. The books in question had given rise to a set of persons or to a sect called
              economists, who held that if the people were well informed on matters of finance, it
              would be unnecessary to use force to compel the raising of money; that the taxes might
              be too great—so great as in fact to diminish the revenue—for that a farmer should have
              at the end of the year not only wherewith to pay his rent and to subsist his family,
              but also enough to defray the expense of the sowing, &c. &c., of next year’s
              crop; otherwise, if the taxes are so high as to prevent this, part of his land must
              remain unsown, and consequently the crop which is the subject of taxation be
              diminished, and the taxes of course must suffer the same fate. Some of their
              principles, he observed, were perhaps not quite tenable. However, the subject was
              discussed thoroughly. The Marquis de Mirabeau was said to be the author of the system.
              Dr. Franklin waited on him, but he assured him that he was not the author
              originally—that the founder was a Dr. Chenelle, or Quenelle. The Marquis introduced
              Dr. Franklin to him, but he could not make much out of him, having rather an obscure
              mode of expressing himself.

            He said that he was acquainted with an Abbé now abroad,
              but who would return in a fortnight or so, and who would give him a list of the
              principal pamphlets on both sides.
            I then left him, and he desired me to call from time to time during my stay at
              Paris.
            *****


Title: “Une Abonnée,” [after 27 August 1783]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

          Letters to the editor written in the guise of a woman were one of
            Franklin’s earliest and favorite forms of satire. The present example is the only
            instance we have seen of his crafting this sort of spoof in France. Whether it was truly
            intended for publication or simply meant to amuse his friends is not known; no mention
            of it has been found in any of his correspondence, and it never appeared in print.
            Despite its obvious appeal, the piece lay unidentified among Franklin’s papers until the
            present edition was launched.
          Franklin drafted this letter in French. The heavily labored manuscript shows him trying
            to refine his wording, correct the genders of his nouns, and wrestle his verbs into the
            proper form. He had his grandson Benny Bache prepare a fair copy, which suffers from
            Benny’s occasional spelling errors, and that copy was shown to a Frenchman—possibly Le
            Roy—who interlined a few suggestions, which we note in annotation. We publish the text
            as Franklin wrote it.
          The problem so ingeniously solved by this female “subscriber” (“abonnée” is in the
            feminine) was one that French scientists were considering in the summer of 1783: how to
            generate the lightest and least expensive gas to fill a balloon. In late July, when
            Montgolfier announced his plan to demonstrate a machine
              aérostatique in Paris, scientists began speculating on what mysterious substance
            he could be using. Based on the calculations he had submitted, they realized that
            whatever it was, it could never achieve the levity of the newly discovered air inflammable (hydrogen), which was ten times lighter than
            air. Generating a sufficient quantity of hydrogen, however, would be painstaking and
            very expensive. As noted elsewhere in this volume, a team led by the physicist Jacques-Alexandre-César Charles raised public money to fabricate a
            balloon and fill it with l’air inflammable. Their highly
            publicized work culminated in a launch on August 27 witnessed by thousands of delighted
            spectators who, it seems, could talk of little else for weeks. When describing the
            experiment to Joseph Banks on August 30, Franklin mentioned a few of the fanciful
            applications that were being discussed, ranging from manned flight to refrigeration.
          Ascribing a date to this manuscript has posed its challenges, but we think it likely
            that Franklin wrote it in the giddy aftermath of Charles’s August 27 experiment.
            According to this “abonnée,” even a fool such as herself knew that there existed a
            substance ten times lighter still than l’air inflammable
            and available in abundance.

            Messieurs,
            [after August 27, 1783]

          On dit que les Chemistes font tous leurs efforts pour trouver un Air plus leger &
            moins dispendieux que l’air inflammable pour remplir les Aerostats (nom donné aux Ballons par notre savante Academie.) Il est vraiment
            Singulier que les hommes aussi eclairés que ceux de notre Siècle cherchent
            continuellement dans l’Art ce que la Nature offre partout à tout le monde, & qu’une
            Sotte telle que moi soye la premiere a
            en trouver l’Application. Mais je ne ferai pas un Secret de mon Invention, ni ne
            demanderai aucune Recompence du Gouvernement, ni aucun Privilege exclusive. Si vous
            desirez remplir vos Ballons d’une Matiere dix fois plus
            leger que l’Air inflammable, vous la pouvez trouver en grande quantité dans les
            Promesses des Amans & des Courtisans, dans les Soupirs de nos Veufs; dans les bonnes Resolutions faites pendant une
            Tempete en Mer, ou dans une Maladie à Terre; & surtout dans les louanges contenus
            dans les Lettres de Recommendation.
          Je suis, &c

            Une Abonnée.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-François de Cailhava d’Estandoux, 28 August 1783
From: Cailhava d’Estandoux, Jean-François de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur,
            A l’hôtel du Musée de Paris, rue Sainte-Avoye, le 28 Août 1783.

          Le Musée de Paris ayant transporté ses Séances au
            local de M. Pilatre de Rozier, rue Sainte-Avoye, vis-à-vis la rue du Plâtre; vous êtes prié de vouloir bien vous y trouver
            aux Assemblées ordinaires des Jeudis, & nommément à celle du 11 Septembre prochain,
            dans laquelle on fera un appel général pour fixer le nombre des Muséens.
          Si vous ne pouvez pas vous y trouver, vous êtes prié de me faire réponse d’ici à cette
            époque,
          J’ai l’honneur d’être, Monsieur, Votre très-humble & très obéissant serviteur

            CailhavaPrésident.

          Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur
            franklin / ministre plenipotentiaire / des etats unis de lamerique / a passy
          Notation: Musée de paris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Calder, 28 August 1783
From: Calder, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            London Aug. 28 1783

          Dr. Calder presents his respectful Compts to Dr. Franklin, & begs
            leave to remind him, by favour of his particular friend Mr P. Elmsley, that there was a letter sent, or to be sent to
            the Hotelle D’Espagne for L. G. Melville which has never come to the hands of Dr. C. who
            takes this favourable opportunity to inform Dr. F. that now after his having been for
            many years employed in a most delicate situation all his friends are his friends still,
            & his enemies, such of them as survive, relinquished by their friends, are objects
            of his pity & generous recommendation. If Dr. F. has any letters which he wishes to
            be safely transmitted to any of his many friends here, Dr. C. can assure him that he may
            most entirely confide in the bearer of this.

          Addressed: Dr. Franklin / Paris.
          Notation: Calder August 28 1783.


Title: David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 29 August 1783
From: Hartley, David
To: American Peace Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Adams, John,Jay, John,Laurens, Henry

            Gentlemen
            Paris August 29 1783

          As the day is now fixed for the signatures of the Definitive treaties between Great
            Britain France and Spain I beg leave to
            inform you that I am ready to sign the Definitive treaty between Great Britain and the
            united States of America whenever it shall be convenient to you. I beg the favour
            therefore of you to fix the day. My
            Instructions confine me to Paris as the place appointed to me for the exercise of my
              functions and therefore whatever day
            you may fix upon for the signature I shall hope to receive the honour of your Company at
            the Hôtel de York.
          I am Gentlemen with Great Respect and Consideration Your most obedt Servt.

            D Hartley

            To Their Excellencies The Ministers plenipotentiary of the United
              States of America.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard de Rayneval, 29 August 1783
From: Gérard de Rayneval, Joseph-Mathias
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Versailles le 29. Aout 1783.

          J’ai rendu compte à M. le Cte. de Vergennes, Monsieur, de la
            difficulté que fait Mr. Hartley de signer à Versailles et ce Ministre m’a chargé de vous
            mander, que rien ne devoit vous empêcher de signer à Paris mercredy prochain, Jour
            designé pour la Signature des autres Traités; mais il vous prie d’indiquer à M. Hartley
            9. heures du Matin, et d’envoyer ici un exprès immediatement apres votre Signature
            faite: M. de Vergennes veut être assuré que votre besogne est consommée en même tems que
            la Sienne. Vous recevrez pour Mercredy un Billet d’Invitation, ainsi que Mrs. vos
            Collegues et M. Hartley: Je presume que
            celui ci n’y trouvera aucune difficulté.
          Vous trouverez ci-Joint, Monsieur, les deux Sauf-conduits que vous avez demandés; la
            Demande de M. Williams sera portée demain au Conseil.
          J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec un parfait Attachement, Monsieur, Votre tres humble et tres
            obeissant Serviteur,

            (signé) De Rayneval
            To Mr. Franklin


Title: The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 30 August 1783
From: American Peace Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Adams, John,Jay, John,Laurens, Henry
To: Hartley, David

            Passy 30. August 1783.

          The American Ministers Plenipotentiary for making Peace with great
            Britain, present their Compliments to Mr. Hartley. They regret that Mr. Hartley’s
            Instructions will not permit him to sign the Definitive Treaty of Peace with America at
            the Place appointed for the Signature of the others. They will nevertheless have the Honour of
            waiting upon Mr. Hartley at his Lodgings at Paris, for the Purpose of signing the Treaty
            in Question, on wednesday Morning at Eight oClock.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Pierre Duplan, 30 August 1783
From: Duplan, Jean-Pierre
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur
            Lausanne 30e. Aoust 1783.

          Vous étes trop grand dans toutes vos demarches pour avoir oublié les Esperances
            flatteuses que vous nous donnates de bouche en 1778.
            Qu’étant honorés de vôtre presence, vous Souscrivites Monsieur pour un Exemplaire de
            nôtre Enciclopedie 8°. en 36 vol: de discours, & 3 de planches, comme
            conste la lettre cy inclus que nous avons l’honneur de vous mettre sous les yeux pour
            vous rapeller Monsieur de la chose.
          En même tems vous nous fites Monsieur la grace d’encourager nôtre Edition, en nous
            laissant esperér vôtre Protection pour l’écoulement de cet excelent Dictionaire dans vos
            Provinces libres.
          Nous osons Monsieur aujourdhui reclámer vos bontés a cet egard, & vous demander de
            nous ouvrir une Correspondance avec une Maison de Vos Provinces, avec laquelle nous
            puissions traitter pour un certain nombre d’Exemplaires, de ce livre, que nous avons de
            surnumeraires de la 2de. Edition, qui ne le cede en rien a la premiere.
          Comme ce livre ne peut S’établir par quique Ce Soit au prix que nous l’avons, et que
            nous pouvons le céder, nous n’hesiterions pas Monsieur de Vous en offrir environ 2 à 300
            Exemplres. qu’il nous en reste, si vous pensiés Monsieur a en faire l’acquisition pour
            l’usage de vos Provinces libres Vû que c’est le moment d’y introduire Cet article qui
            jusques icy n’y à pas été importé, et qui ÿ sera accueilli tant par sa grande utilité,
            que par le bas prix auquel nous pouvons Monsieur vous le Céder. Pardonnés Monsieur la
            liberté que nous avons Osé prendre devous parler de cet article, si nous n’étions
            convaincus d’avance, que vous Cherchés en tout le bonheur des hommes Americains, que
            nous Aimons par la gloire, & le bonheur qu’ils ont sçû s’acquerir par leur grande
            valeur & sagesse que tout vray Republicain doit admirer, & admire dans ce paÿs,
            nous n’oserions vous en parler mais sachant Monsieur jusqu’où vous mettés d’interêt pour
            avancer le bonheur de vos Compatriottes, & des hommes en general, ce motif est
            Suffisant pour nous excuser aupres de vous Monsieur dans l’offre que nous nous
            permettons, d’un nombre de 300 environ d’Exemplaires complet que nous desirons de voir
            passer dans les mains de cette Colonie respectable:
          En attendant nous avons l’honeur de vous rapeller Monsieur de vôtre souscription d’un Exemplaire a compte duquel il à eté livré dans votre maison
            à Passy les Tome 1 a 10—par M Dassy Darpajan de Fontainebleau, & pour completter il
            vous sera remis Monsieur Sous peû par Mr Marechal Avocat Biblioteq: mazarine à Paris les T. 11 à 36. de discours avec les 3
            vol. de planches qui complettent l’exemplaire, lequel vous servira Monsieur
            d’Echantillon pour le nombre que nous proposons, car c’est un comme tous; Le prix de cet
            Exemplaire est de £ 225. de france, que Mr. Marechal encaissera, en livrant les Volumes;
            daignés Monsieur Nous honorer d’un môt de reponse sur nôtre proposition, que vous aurès
            la bonté de diriger soùs envelope a l’adresse cy bas Au Directeur en chef de nôtre
            societé, L’Ecrivain de la presente, qui s’estimera heureux de meriter cette faveur de
            vôtre part Monsieur, & celle d’etre accueilli dans son offre;
          C’est avec la plus respectueuse Consideration que j’ay l’honeur d’etre Votre trés
            humble & trés Obeissant Serviteur Monsieur

            pour La Societé Typographique de LausanneDuplan Directr. en chef d’icelle
            Passy Monsieur Le Docteur Francklin

          Notation: Duplan 30 Août 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Pierres, 30 August 1783
From: Pierres, Philippe-Denis
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur,
            Paris 30 aoust 1783

          J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer l’Exempl. in 40. pour le Grand Duc de Russie. Je vous renvoye aussi l’Ex. in 80. que vous
            m’aviez fait passer.

          Je suis avec un respect infini, Monsieur, Votre très humble & très obeissant
            serviteur

            Pierres
            M. Franklin./.

          Notation: Pierres 30 Août 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Philipp Thieriot, 30 August 1783
From: Thieriot, Philipp
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur
            Bordeaux ce 30e Aoust 1783.

          Je crois de mon devoir de vous prevenir que je suis sur mon depart pour Philadelphie.
            Je serai tres flatté, Monsieur, si vous vouliés bien m’honnorer de vos ordres. Tout ce
            que vous daignerés me confier sera soigné avec la plus grande exactitude.
          S’il n’arrive pas de contretems imprevu, je partirai sans faute Jeudi prochain en huit;
            de maniere que l’honneur de votre reponce peut me parvenir la veille de mon depart.
          Le batiment par lequel je dois partir, est Americain, et un des meilleurs voiliers.
          J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec la Consideration la plus distinguée Monsieur Votre tres
            humble & tres obeissant serviteur

            Ph Thieriot
            Le Navire se nomme la Nancy de Bath, Cape J: L: B:
              Moignard.

          Notation: Thieriot 30 Août 1783


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Elias Boudinot, 31 August 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Boudinot, Elias, Jr.

            Sir,
            Passy, Augt. 31. 1783.

          After a continued Course of Treating for 9 Months, the English Ministry have at length
            come to a Resolution to lay aside for the present all the new Propositions that have
            been made & agreed to, their own as well as ours; and they offer to sign again as a
            Definitive Treaty the Articles of Novr 30th. 1782, the Ratifications of which have
            already been exchang’d. We have agreed to this, and on Wednesday next, the 3d. Septr. it
            will be signed with all the other Definitive Treaties, establishing a General Peace,
            which may God long continue.
          I am with great Respect Sir, Your Excellency’s, most obedient and most humble
            Servant

            B Franklin
            His Exy The Presdt. of Congress.

          Notation: Letter Aug 31. 1783 B Franklin
            definitive treaty agreed on


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Octavie Guichard Durey de Meinières, 31 August 1783
From: Durey de Meinières, Octavie Guichard
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            aux Pavillons de chaillot Ce 31 aoust 1783

          Illustrioux Legislator of your Country, I Would be Very obliged to
            you, if you Would and Could give me, the book, of the Constitution,
            translated by M. de la Rochefoucault. Some body told me, that it is not Sold. I Should
            be lofty to have it of your hand, and
            gratefull to you for your Kindness, my dear Neighbour, loved and revered by your most
            humble Servant

            Guichard
              DE
              Meinieres

          Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur
            franklin / ministre plénipotenciaire des états / unis de l’amérique / a Passy
          Notation: De mainieres.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Durey de Meinières, 31 August 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Durey de Meinières, Octavie Guichard

            Passy, Augt 31. 1783.—

          I send with great Pleasure the Constitutions of America to my dear & much respected Neighbour, being
            happy to have any thing in my Power to give that she will do me the honour to accept,
            and that may be agreable to her. I am, ever, with sincere Esteem, my dear Friend, Yours
            most affectionately

            B Franklin


Title: Notes on Establishing a Packet Boat Service to and from New York, [c. 31 August 1783]
From: Franklin, Benjamin,Franklin, Benjamin
To:

            [c. August 31, 1783]

          American Postmaster at New York to receive and distribute all Letters
            brought by the Pacquets of England & France
          To give Receipts for the Amount, & keep an Account with each
          Settle & pay every three Packets
          Allow’d for dead, return’d or missent Letters.—
          All preceding Postage of Packet Letters to be paid on both sides
            before they are sent forward by the respective Offices So that when the Letters arrive
            in America or Europe they may have no Charge on them but the Pacquet Postage, for the
            more easy & clear keeping of the
            Accounts—
          The American Postmaster at New York shall send all American Letters
            that come to his Hands by the first Pacquet that sails whether French or English, unless
            otherwise directed by Words on the Superscription, such as via
              England or via France, or by
              the English Packet, or French Pacquet &c

          England & France to add their respective Inland Postages on Letters receiv’d by
            Packet according to their respective Regulations—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thérèse Aerts, August 1783
From: Aerts, Thérèse
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur,
            Bruxelles ce Aout 1783.

          La confience que vous inspire à toutes les personnes qui ont l’honneur de vous
            connaitre m’enhardit à recourir une seconde fois à vos bontés. Ma reconnoissance ose
            vous rappeller Monsieur La lettre que vous m’avez fait la grace de m’écrire en datte du
            28 Aout 1782. Le Sentiment en est
            profondement gravé dans mon Coeur. Cette lettre a fait Longtêms mon espoir et ma
            consolation; je croÿois voir approcher le jour qui devait mettre un terme à toutes les
            engoises de ma scituation; helas! le sort semble L’emporter sur les demarches plaines de
            bonté et de commiseration que vous avez daignez faire en ma faveur. Il s’agissait de
            trouver les moÿens de retracer un epoux qui s’est expatrié pour aller se fixer à boston,
            vous aviez ut la bonté de vous addresser pour cet effet à Mr. Williams à nantes, et de
            le charger de correspondre avec moi. Apres huit mois d’attente Mr: Williams m’a fait
            l’honneur de m’écrire qu’il n’avoit jusqu’à lors rien recu touchant l’existence du nommé
            Smith mon epoux—
            Je suis donc sans espoir de ce coté la apres cinq
            années de souffrances et d’incertitudés. La derniere lettre de mon mari en datte du 24.
            Avril 1778. me marquait que si après une année révolue je n’apprenois point de ses
            nouvelle, ce seroit une preuve certaine qu’il auroit cessé de vivre. Quatre années se
            sont écoulées depuis la revolution de cette fatale année, sans qu’il m’ait été possible
            de decouvrir si mon epoux est en vie, ou si ajant cessé de vivre, les personnes qu’il
            avoit rendu depositaires de ses fortunes sont en même au point de remplir ses dernieres
            volontés. Jugez Monsieur de ma situation; abbandonnée de mon epoux étrangere à ses
            parens qui se vangent par le cruel delaissement du chagrin que leurs à causé un fils
            denaturée, je languis sans secours, et sans appuis, je vois s’éloigner chaque jour la
            faible, et la seule ressource sur laquelle il m’étoit permis dans ma misere de jetter
            les ÿeux, mon mari vivant m’avoit promis des de secours il savoit combien il m’étoient
            necessaires, la justice la pitie lui faisoient un devoir de m’assister depuis cinq ans
            je n’ai plus aûcune de ses nouvelles, s’il est mort qu’on me rende son bien il en à
            disposé en ma faveur, toutes les loix divines et humaines viennent à l’appuis de ma
            juste réclamation, mais pourquoi vous importuneraisje de mes peines; j’en ai dit asséz
            pour interesser l’âme du plus grand des hommes, du plus sensible du plus genereux. Comme
            la multiplicité de vos affaires ne peut que vous avoir fait perdre de vue les details de
            ma demande, je prends la liberté Monsieur d’en joindre ici la copie telle que j’ai eu
            l’honneur de vous l’envoier. J’ai l’honneur d’être, Monsieur, Vôtre très-humble et
            tresobeissante servante

            M: T. Aerts
              NÉE
              Speeckaert

            P.S. Je vous prie, Monsieur,
              d’adresser l’honneur de vôtre reponce sous le Couver de Mr Vain Controlleur au Bureau
              Général des Postes des Paÿs-bas, à Bruxelles.

          Notation: Aerts Mde. Bruxelles Aout
            1783.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Caffiéri, 1 September 1783
From: Caffiéri, Jean-Jacques
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur
            Paris ce Premier Septembre 1783

          Aÿent appris votre indisposition j’ay eté pour avoir lhonneur de vous assurer de mes
            Civilité, j’ay appris avec Satisfaction que votre Santé alloiest beaucoup mieux, je vous
            en filisite.
          Permette de vous Reiterée mes instance et vous prier Monsieur de vouloir bien vous
            Resouvenir de moy Dans le Cas que le Congrés Des Etats Unis de L’amerique fit elevér
            quel que monument a la Gloire De La Nation ou des Generaux qui y on Contribuer.
          Je Suis avec Respect Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeïssant Serviteur

            Caffiéri

          Notation: Caffieri 1er. Sept. 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 1 September 1783
From: Ingenhousz, Jan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Friend
            Vienna Sept. 1. 1783.

          The inclosed note and bill of exchange of 150 florins on Messrs. Goll & Verbrugge
            at Amsterdam are delivred to me by his Excellency Count Chotek chanchellor of Bohemia
            and Austria, one of our first Noblemen,
            and, what more is, a true Lover and encourager of Sciences; deserving therefore very
            highly your attention in fulfilling his desires, by sending the inclosed list of
            American plantes to a good botanist or nursery man, and to engage him in a pressing way
            to forward, as soon as possible, by the first vessel bound to Amsterdam, all, or as many
            of such grains or seeds mentioned in this list, as he will be able procure immediately,
            principaly those marked L. You will be so good as to send by the Same way the inclosed
            bill of Exchange, after having endossed it, the amount of which must balance the
            expenses of the Commission, shipping included. What the Commissioner may not be able to
            collect immediately, must not stop in the least the sending of those he may procure
            immediately, as the remaindre is to be Sent in the autum of 1784. Those which he will
            send by the first oportunity will be made use of in the spring of 1784.
          I hope you have recieved my last dated August 5th, with an inclosed to mr. Le Begue de Prèsle.
          I hope you will now disentangle your Self from the boisterous and capricious Political
            world, and finish in a more elevated sphere, the last revolutions of years, Providence
            has reserved to you for the good of Mankind. You have done enough. (Spectatum satis est
            et donatum Iam rude) Elevated on the
            highest pinnacle of human Grandour, which a private man can attain, you can, at your
            age, not be so fond of it as of the immortal name of a Philosopher
            of the first rang— Fulfill now your ardent wishes, and finish your Glorious carriere in
            philosophical tranquillity. After having now given the finishing stroke to the greatest
            revolution which the world ever beheld, and after having had a grate share in the
            foundation of an immense empire on the basis of Liberty and independence, you have
            acquired the greatest right to enjoy the remnant of life left to you, in a way the most
            suited to your inclination— My ardent wishes are Still to enjoye once more your company—
            If, according to your plan, I may Still hope to embrace you here, you will be eye
            witnesse of those immense labours, which I have undertaken, and still pursue with
            unremitting assiduity and attention, to the sole purpose of enlarging human knowledge;
            and you will be pleased to see, that I have not laboured quite in vain— Contented with
            what I have acquired by saving the most illustrious Princes of the world from the
            dangers of a disease so fatal to their family, I enjoye, tho in a philosophical obscurity, more
            real happiness, than a Conquerour of the World.
          That you may enjoye still many years of health, happiness and tranquillity, is the wish
            of Your old and affectiona friend.

            J. Ingen Housz
            to his Excellency B. Franklin Ministre Pleny of The United states of
              America at Passy.

          Endorsed: Sept. 1. 83


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 3 September 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Laurens, Henry

            Dear Sir,
            Passy, Sept. 3. 1783

          This Line is just to acquaint you that the Definitive Treaty between England and the
            United States was signed this Morning at Paris, and the others are suppos’d to be sign’d
            at the same time at Versailles. I shall write to you fully in a Day or two. With great
            & sincere Esteem, I have the honour to be Dear Sir, Your most Obedt & most
            humble Servt

            B Franklin
            Honble Henry Laurens Esqr

          Addressed: Honble. Henry Laurens, Esqr /
            Minister Plenipotentiary from the / United States of America, &c / Paris.
          Endorsed: Doctr. Franklin 10th. Septem
            1783. Recd. from him & answerd 21st.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Committee of the Sufferers in Falmouth, Casco Bay, 3 September 1783
From: Committee of the Sufferers in Falmouth, Casco Bay
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir
            Falmouth Casco Bay Sept 3 1783

          From a consideration of the great attention and regard you have shewn to the just
            Rights of Human Nature, as well as the benevolent Character you sustain, among the
            People of America whom in a very eminent Station you represent, we are induced to
            transmit to your Care the inclosed Address—
          It comes from Men who have suffered exceedingly, not only by the common Calamities of
            War, but by an extraordinary Event peculiarly awful and distressing— We trust the
            unhappy circumstances of our Case will justify our Application for Relief to the generous and humane part of the Nation to whom it is directed— And we more
            especially flatter ourselves it will be honored with that patronage from you which will
            ensure it the success we wish—
          You have been pleased to manifest a concern for the United States in general—and we
            hope our sufferings will excite your attention to this part of them in particular—
          We judge it would be expedient to have our Address published throughout the Kingdom,
            and we doubt not, most of the Printers in France would cheerfully do us this favour
            without a Fee—
          We have left a Blank in it for the name of the Gentlemen who will consent to have it
            inserted—and we request that he would appoint such Persons in the different Parts of
            France as he should judge best, to receive any Donations that may be offered, and
            publish their appointment with the Address— We wish it might be filled with yours, if it
            be agreeable—If not that you would be so
            kind as to prevail with some other Gentleman to honor us with his Assistance in this
            Respect—
          If any other measures for our Relief should seem to you more eligible, we beg the
            favour of you to adopt them in our name—
          The Sufferers have authorized us to receive whatever may be presented, and it may be
            sent by such Opportunities as may offer for this place, or any other within this State,
            directed “To the Honbl. Enoch Freeman Esqr. and others a Committee of the Sufferers in
            Falmouth Casco Bay.”
          That you may be fully satisfied of our being duly authorized for this purpose we
            forward this through the hands of our worthy Friend The Honorable James Bowdoin Esqr.
            who will transmit you this with proper Certificates for that end—
          We should have been glad to have sent some Person from hence specially upon this
            Business—but in our present Circumstances it would be extremely difficult to collect a
            Sum of Money sufficient to defrey his necessary Expences—

          Wishing you the best of Heavens Blessings We are with great Respect Your most obedient
            and very humble Servants

            Enoch FreemanJedidiah PrebleSaml FreemanTimothy PikeJohn
                Waite
            His Excellcy. Benjamin Franklin Esqr


Title: The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 5 September 1783
From: American Peace Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Adams, John,Jay, John,Laurens, Henry
To: Hartley, David

            Sir,
            Passy Septr 5 1783

          We have received the Letter which you did us the Honour to write yesterday.
          Your friendly Congratulations on the signature of the definitive Treaty, meet with
            cordial Returns on our Part; and we sincerely rejoice with you in that event, by which
            the Ruler of Nations has been graciously pleased to give Peace to our two Countries.

          We are no less ready to join our endeavours than our wishes with yours, to concert such
            measures for regulating the future intercourse between Great Britain & the United
            States, as by being consistent with the Honour and Interest of both may tend to increase
            & perpetuate mutual Confidence & good-will. We ought nevertheless to apprize you that as no
            construction of our Commission could at any Period extend it, unless by Implication, to
            several of the proposed Stipulations; and as our Instructions respecting commercial
            Provisions however explicit, suppose their being incorporated in the definitive Treaty,
            a Recurrence to Congress, previous to the signature of them will be necessary, unless
            obviated by the Dispatches we may sooner receive from them.
          We shall immediately write to them on the Subject, and we are persuaded that the same
            disposition to Confidence and Friendship, which has induced them already to give
            unrestrained Course to British Commerce, and unconditionally to liberate all Prisoners,
            at a time when more caution would not have appeared singular, will also urge their
            attention to the objects in question, and lead them to every proper measure for
            promoting a liberal & satisfactory intercourse between the two Countries.
          We have communicated to Congress the repeated friendly assurances with which you have officially honoured us on
            those subjects, and we are persuaded that the Period of their being realized, will have an auspicious & conciliating influence on all the Parties in
            the late unhappy dissensions.
          We have the honour to be Sir, with great Respect & Esteem Your most obedt &
            humble Servants

            John AdamsB FranklinJohn Jay
            Honble D Hartley Esqr His Britannic Majesty’s Minister
              Plenipotentiary


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Charles James Fox, 5 September 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Fox, Charles James

            Sir
            Passy, Sept. 5. 1783—

          I received in its time the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me by Mr.
              Hartley: And I cannot let him depart
            without expressing my Satisfaction in his Conduct towards us, and applauding the
            Prudence of that Choice which sent us a Man possess’d of such a Spirit of Conciliation,
            and of all that Frankness, Sincerity and Candour which naturally produce Confidence, and
            thereby facilitate the most difficult Negociations. Our Countries are now happily at
            Peace, on which I congratulate with you most cordially; and I beg you to be assured,
            that as long as I have any Concern in Publick Affairs, I shall readily & heartily
            concur with you, in promoting every Measure that may tend to promote the common
            Felicity.
          With great and sincere Esteem & Respect I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most
            obedient & most humble Servant

            B Franklin
            Hon: Cha. J. Fox Esqr

          Endorsed: Passy Sept 5 1783. Dr.
            Franklin. R. 13t: by Mr. Hartley


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier Du Ponceau, 6 September 1783
From: Du Ponceau, Jean-Michel, chevalier
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur
            sarre Louis 6. 7bre. 1783.

          Depuis que je suis arrivé D’amerique avec L’armée de Rochambeau, Je n’ai point reçu de
            nouvelles de mon frere qui est employé à
            philadelphie dans les affaires étrangeres. Tout m’engage à croire que mes lettres ne lui sont pas parvenues Sans doute parceque
            j’ai employé de mauvais moyens. Jose prendre la liberté Monsieur de lui en addresser une
            sous votre envelope. L’offre obligeante que vous avés fait à ma Soeur m’est un sur
            garant que vous voudrés bien lui faire parvenir.
          Je suis avec un très profond respect Monsieur Votre Très humble & très obeissant
            Serviteur

            Le Chr. Du Ponceauoffr. au regt. de
              saintonge

          Notation: Duponceau 6. 7bre. 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 6 September 1783
From: Houdetot, Elisabeth-Françoise-Sophie de La Live de Bellegarde, comtesse d’
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Le 6. 7bre. 1783

          J’implore Mon Cher Docteur Votre protection pour un Malheureux
            Matelot attaché au Service D’un Batiment americain Et que des Circonstances Malheureuses
            Et la Difficulté De s’Expliquer font Detenir injustement Dans une prison Cruelle je
            Gemis pour mon paÿs qu’il Soit possible qu’il y ait Des Malheureux de Ce Genre mais
            Enfin sauvons Celuy Cy Si nous Le pouvons. C’est L’honêste st. Jean De Crevecœur mon
            Ameriquain qui me L’a adressé avec une Lettre tres pathetique Et Les informations que
            j’ay L’honneur De Vous Envoyer il Sagit
            de luy procurer la Liberté Et les moyens De Retourner a
            L’Orient ou il pourra s’Embarquer; il faut pour Cela que Vous ayéz La Bonté D’Ecrire un
            Mot a L’intendant De Caen pour Reclamer
            Cet homme Et quant aux frais pour le mettre En Etât de Retourner a Lorient ou il
            trouvera Des Ressources s’il n’y a pas De fonds Destinés a Cela par Vos Concitoyens,
            nôtre Charité y supléera, je n’ay point oublié Ce que les Dames Anglaises ont fait pour
            les Matelots français Et je Seray De plus fort aise De Rendre a Ma Chere Amerique un
            homme qui Est dit-on Encore En Etat De la Servir. Dailleurs la Somme n’est pas forte Et
            ne Monterait qu’a dix Ecus. Il faudrait que Vous Eussiés la Bonté De M’Envoyer Vôtre
            Lettre pour L’intendant De Caen Lieu De la Detention De Cet homme je me Charge De
            L’Envoyer Et D’En avoir Reponse. Je Vois avec plaisir s’aprocher Mon Cher Docteur Le
            tems De La petite Course que Vous M’avés fait Esperer a Sanois ou je Retourne Enfin Le
            Vingt Deux De Ce Mois sy Vous pouviés y Venir avec Monsieur Vôtre petit fils Dans
            L’Espace Du Vingt quatre au trante il fait Encore un assés Beau tems pour que la
            Campagne Vous offre quelques Agréemens Et Vous scavés Mon Cher Docteur Combien Vôtre
            presence me Rend heureuse. Recevés Les assurances De ma tendre Veneration Et De mon
            immuable attachement

            La Ctesse
              D’HOUDETOT
            Je Vous prie D’Envoyer Votre Reponse Chez Moy a paris

          Notation: La Cesse d’Houdetot 6 7bre.
            1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 7 September 1783
From: Hartley, David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            My Dear friend
            Hotel de Yorck Sept 7 1783

          I beg of you not to forget your letter to Mr Fox:— The purpose of my journey to England will be to
            do the best in my power for things & persons & particularly for my friends.— If
            you have any other private letters, send them to me. I will deliver them. I hope
            likewise be personally charged with the answers. I am better this morning and shall certainly set off very early tomorrow
            morning. Pray give my best compts to Mr & Mrs Jay & to Mr Willm Franklin. I wish
            you all health till I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again.
          Your ever most affecte friend

            D Hartley
            To Dr Franklin &c &c &c


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley: Two Letters, 7 September 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hartley, David

          I.

            My dear Friend,
            Passy Septr. 7th. 1783

          The enclosed Letters to you and to Mr. Fox were written before I saw you yesterday. On my
            return home last night I found despatches from Congress which may remove the
            Difficulties we were entangled with. Mr. Adams will be here this Morning, when you
            will hear from us.
          I am ever Yours sincerely

            (signed)B. Franklin
            To David Hartley Esqr.

          II.

            My Dear Friend
            Passy Septr. 7. 83.

          Enclosed I send you an Extract of a Letter to me from the President of Congress in which you will observe the moderate
            disposition of that Body towards the Loyalists with the Causes of Aggravation in the
            People’s Resentments against them: I am always invariably Yours most sincerely

            (signed)B. Franklin
            David Hartley Esqr.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 7 September 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson

            My dear Friend,
            Passy, Sept. 7. 1783

          I received your kind Letter of the 9th past. I am glad that the little Books are pleasing to
            you and your Children, and that the Children improve by them. I send you herewith some
            more of them. My Grandson Bache has been
            four Years at School at Geneva; and is but lately come home to me here. I find Reason to
            be satisfied with the Improvement he has made in his Learning. He translates common
            Latin readily into French: but his English has suffer’d for want of Use; tho’ I think he
            would readily recover it if he were a while at your School at Cheam, and at the same
            time be going on with his Latin and Greek. You were once so kind as to offer to take him
            under your Care; would that be still convenient to you? He is docile and of gentle Manners, ready to
            receive and follow good Advice, and will set no bad Example to your other Children. He gains every day upon my Affections.
          I long much to see you & yours, and my other Friends in England, but I have not yet
            determin’d on the Journey. Our definitive Treaty of Peace,
            being now sign’d, I have indeed less to confine me here, & might make a short
            Excursion without much Inconvenience: but short Days & Winter are coming on, and I
            think I can hardly undertake such an Expedition before the Spring of next Year.
          With regard to the future Establishment of your Children, which you say you want to
            consult me about, I am still of Opinion that America will afford you more Chances of
            doing it well than England. All the means of good Education are plenty there, the
            general Manners more simple & pure, Temptations to Vice and Folly fewer, the Profits
            of Industry in Business as great and sure as in England; and there is one Advantage more
            which your Command of Money will give you there, I mean the laying out a Part of your
            Fortune in new Land, now to be had extreamly cheap, but which must be increas’d
            immensely in Value before your Children come of Age, by the rapid Population of the
            Country. If you should arrive there while I live, you know you may depend on every
            Assistance in my Power to afford you, and I think my Children will have a Pleasure too
            in serving their Father’s Friend. I do not offer it as a Motive that you will be much
            esteem’d and respected there, for that you are & must be every where; but give me
            leave to flatter myself that my being made happier in my last Years by your
            Neighbourhood and Society, may be some Inducement to you.
          I forwarded your Letter to Mr. Williams. Temple is always with me, being my Secretary.
            He presents his Respects to you. I have been lately ill with a Fit of the Gout, if that
            may indeed be called a Disease; I rather suspect it to be a Remedy; since I always find
            my Health & Vigour of Mind improv’d after the Fit is over. I am ever, my dear
            Friend, Yours most affectionately,

            B Franklin

            PS. You say you are a little
              afraid that our Country is spoiled. Parts of it have indeed suffered by the War, those
              situated near the Sea; but the Body of the Country has not been much hurt; and the
              Fertility of our Soil, with the Industry of our People, now that the Commerce of all
              the World is open to us, will soon repair the Damages receiv’d, and introduce that
              Prosperity which we hope Providence intends for us, since it
              has so remarkably favour’d our Revolution.
            Mrs Hewson

          Endorsed: B F Sept. 7 — 83 42


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin West, 7 September 1783
From: West, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Sir
            London. Sepr. 7th. 1783—

          I could not deprive myself the pleasure of convaying these few lines to you by my
            friend Mr. Dagge, he means to see you,
            and has been so Obliging to promis he would give this letter to you; I told him the
            jurney he was about to take, I almost envyed, as I should be happy to see you once more;
            Your friends hear have been flattering themselves with the pleasing expectation of
            seeing you once more among them on the return of pice; And altho they have been
            disappointed in that pleasure, are still loth to relinquish the pleasing thought and
            live in expectation of that indulgenc at some future period—. I shall be happy to hear
            from you, and that you are in health— My Dear Betsey desires to be kindly remembred to you, her
            health is much as usual, my Eldest son is well, I bring him up to my Profession he has
            great Abilities. My Youngest son (your Godson) I have at school, what will be his lot in
            life is not yet determined—he is in health—and upon the whole, they are promising
              Boys. Mr and Mrs. Aufrere of Chelsea
            have ever retained you in their good wishes and esteem, and desired when I last saw
            them, that whenever I wrote to you, their names might be mentioned, they are worthy
            people, and I have the greatest esteem for them. My Eldest son desires to be remembred to your
            grandson, his old Schoolmate, and flatters himself with the pleasure of seeing
            him in Paris in a year or two more, my compliments likewise to him.— And be Assured I
            am, with the greatest respect and esteem—Dear Sir Your Obliged and Obedient Humble
            Servent

            Benjn. West
            Dr. Benjamin Franklin—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 8 September 1783
From: Bache, Richard
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear & Hond. Sir
            Philadelphia Septr. 8. 1783.

          The inclosed Packet directed for yourself I received a few days ago, from Cape
            Francois; the other Packet for the Compte de Barbençon, Mr. Bartram requested me to
            forward to your care— We have had
            several Arrivals lately from France, without the pleasure of a Line from you, Mr.
            Williams writes me however that you are well; we would rather have this information
            under your own hand & Seal, but we content ourselves with supposing that it is
            business that deprives us the pleasure of hearing from you, as often as we could
            wish—
          Sally and the Children are in perfect good health. The Season has been rather sickly,
            more frequent & sudden changes from hot to Cold were never known in America, these
            have produced fevers of various sorts, which have carried off a
            great number of People—
          Mr. Jos: Turner & Mr. Hamilton have
            slipped off, but they had been invalids for some time preceding their death—
            Notwithstanding the mortality of the Season, our numbers have increased in a most
            astonishing degree; such an influx of Foreigners from every Country in Europe, exceeds
            every expectation;—in short our City is as full as it can hold.
          I herewith send you the News papers, and remain Dear sir Your affectionate Son

            Rich Bache
            Dr. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Jackson, 8 September 1783
From: Jackson, Charles
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Septemr. 8. 1783

          The unfortunate Chas. Jackson whom his kind Friend Dr. Franklin
            Remembered one of the happiest of Mortals when possessed of the dearest most amiable
            lovely & best beloved of Women, now full at heart with sorrowful Reflection on his
            Loss, yet full of regard & esteem likewise for his real Friend, gladly embraces the opportunity this moment afforded him of sending his most sincere &
            affectionate Respects to dear Dr. Franklin, by the hand of their mutual Friend—

          Addressed: Benjamin Franklin Esqr. /
            Paris.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 9 September 1783
From: Bache, Richard
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear & Hond: Sir
            Philadelphia Sept. 9th. 1783.

          I did myself this pleasure yesterday; and late last Evening, the Washington packet
            brought us your acceptable favor of the 27th. July, with several pleasing inclosures
            from Benny, whom you had with you at Passy, a circumstance, he seems much to be
            delighted with—
          Mr. Vaughan, (your old Friend) and his family arrived here yesterday, they have taken up lodgings with us ’till they
            can be better accommodated; they send their respectfull Compliments— As this Vessel is
            just pushing off, I have only time to say—that the Apples, Nuts &c. shall be sent
            you this fall via Havre, if such an opportunity should present— I have got your Library
              home; the Types you sold to the
            Lancaster Man are paid for, those sold to Virginia are yet unpaid, and indeed I am at a
            loss what to demand for them, as they were sent away without being weighed on account of
            the hurry & confusion we were in at that time, you can probably recollect what they
            cost you, & let me know what you suppose their real value at the time they were
            spared to the State, a Bill from under your own hand, would I am certain, obtain a
            speedier payment, than any thing I could exhibit.
          Sally is so occupied with her new friends that she has not time to write, nor have I time to add more than with Love to
            Temple & Ben I remain ever Dear sir Your affectionate Son

            Rich: Bache
            I sent the News papers Yesterday Via L’Orient

          Addressed: His Excellency / Dr. Benjamin
            Franklin / Minister Plenipoy. from the United / States of No: America at / Passy—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 9 September 1783
From: Bache, Sarah Franklin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear & Honoured Sir
            Philadelphia Sept 9 1783

          Your Friends the Vaughan Family are now under our roof, the pleasure we take in
            entertaining every body that you love and that loves you, make us happy in their
            Company, they are come to settle among us, and what little I have seen of them promise a
            very agreable addition to our Society— My letter to day on their account will rather be
            short as I have a good deal to attend to, my dear Nephew on this account will excuse me
            by this Vessel, we shall shortly have an opportunity by which I will write Longly, being
            as ever Your Afectionate Daughter

            S Bache

          Addressed: Dr. Franklin / Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Elias Boudinot, 9 September 1783
From: Boudinot, Elias, Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir
            Philada. 9. Sept. 1783

          Being by Accident at this City and an Opportunity offering, I do myself the Honor of
            enclosing a duplicate of the Ratification of the Treaty with Sweden, the original of
            which I transmitted some time since, but
            not having the Copy of the Letter attending it by me, I am prevented from sending
            duplicate of it, unless this Opportunity is risqued.
          I am happy to enclose you some Resolutions of the Assembly of P. [Pennsylvania] by
            which you will see that all the difficulties that arose on Acct of the Mutiny have
            happily subsided, without producing the least ill Consequences.
          The Soldiers were very penitent & two of the Serjeants are now under Sentence of
            Death but I believe will be pardoned by Congress on Acct of the Means used by Capt
            Carberry & Lieut Sullivan to induce these poor wretches to behave as they did under
            Expectations of great personal Advantages— I hope these two Officers will meet with proper detestation by all good Men—

            The Honble Benjamin Franklin, Minister &c. Paris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Pierres, 9 September 1783
From: Pierres, Philippe-Denis
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur,
            le 9 7bre. 1783.

          J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer la Copie du Traité, la Composition est faite &
            l’Epreuve est à moitié lüe.
          Je vous fais passer par le porteur

              Bezout
              {
              1. arithmetique …
               2. l.t.
              15.

              1. Géométrie …
               3.
              15.

             1 algébre …
              4.
             15.

              1. Mécanique 2 vol.
               9.
              10.

              20.
              15.

          Il n’y a pas actuellement de Navigation
            du même auteur, parce qu’il est à la campagne.
          Je suis avec un respect infini, Monsieur, Votre très humble & Très obeissant
            serviteur

            Pierres
            Le Porteur a payé.

          Notation: Pierre le 9. 7bre. 1783


Title: The American Peace Commissioners to Elias Boudinot, 10 September 1783
From: American Peace Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Adams, John,Jay, John,Laurens, Henry
To: Boudinot, Elias, Jr.

            Sir,
            Passy, 10th. Septr. 1783.

          On the third Instant, Definitive Treaties were concluded, between all the late
            belligerent Powers, except the Dutch, who the Day before settled and signed Preliminary
            Articles of Peace with Britain.
          We most sincerely & cordially congratulate Congress and our Country in general, on
            this happy Event, and we hope that the same kind Providence which has led us thro’ a
            vigorous War, to an honorable Peace, will enable us to make a wise & moderate Use of
            that inestimable Blessing.
          We have committed a Duplicate Original of the Treaty to the Care of Mr. Thaxter, who
            will go immediately to L’Orient, whence he will sail in the French Packet to New-York.
            That Gentleman left America with Mr. Adams as his Private Secretary, and his Conduct
            having been perfectly satisfactory to that Minister, we join in recommending him to the
            Attention of Congress. We have orderd Mr. Grand to pay him one hundred and thirty Louis
            d’ors, on account of the reasonable Expences to be incurr’d by his Mission to Congress,
            and his Journey from thence to his Family at Hingham in the Massachusetts Bay. For the Disposition of the Money he is to
            account.
          The Definitive Treaty being in the Terms of the Provisional Articles, and not
            comprehending any of the Objects of our subsequent Negociations, it is proper that we
            give a summary Account of them.
          When Mr Hartley arrived here he brought with him only a set of Instructions signed by
            the King. We objected to proceeding with him until he should have a Commission in Form.
            This occasioned some Delay—a proper Commission was however transmitted to him, a Copy of
            which was shortley after sent to Mr. Livingston.

          We having been instructed to obtain if possible an Article for a Direct Trade to the
            West Indies, made to Mr. Hartley the Proposition No 1.
          He approved of it greatly and recommended it to his Court, but they declined assenting
            to it.
          Mr. Hartley then made us the Proposition No 2. but on being asked whether he was authorised to
            sign it, in Case we agreed to it, he answer’d in the Negative. We therefore thought it
            improper to proceed to the Consideration of it until after he should have obtained the
            Consent of his Court to it.— We also desired to be informed whether his Court would or
            would not comprehend Ireland in their Stipulations with us.
          The British Cabinet would not adopt Mr Hartley’s Propositions but their Letters to him
            were calculated to inspire us with Expectations, that as nothing but particular local
            Circumstances, which would probably not be of long duration, restrained them from
            preferring the most liberal System of Commerce with us, the Ministry would take the
            earliest Opportunity of gratifying their own Wishes as well as ours, on that
            Subject.—
          Mr Hartley then made us the Proposition No 3. At this Time we were informed that Letters for
            us had arrived in France from Philada. We expected to receive Instructions in them, and
            told Mr. Hartley that this Expectation induced us to postpone giving him an Answer for a
            few Days.
          The Vessel by which we had expected these Letters, it seems had not brought any for us.
            But at that Time Information arrived from America, that our Ports were all opened to
            British Vessels. Mr Hartley thereupon did not think himself at Liberty to proceed, until
            after he should communicate that Intelligence to his Court and receive their further
            Instructions.
          Those further Instructions never came, and thus our Endeavours as to commercial
            Regulations, proved fruitless. We had many Conferences & recd. long Memorials from
            Mr Hartley on the Subject; but his Zeal for Systems friendly to
            us, constantly exceeded his Authority to concert and agree to them.
          During the long Interval of his expecting Instructions, for his Expectations were
            permitted to exist almost to the last, we proceeded to make & receive Propositions
            for perfecting the definitive Treaty. Details of all the Amendments, Alterations,
            Objections, Exceptions &ca. which occurr’d in the Course of these Discussions would
            be Voluminous. We finally agreed that he should send to his Court, the Project or Draft
            of a Treaty No 4. He did so, but after
            much Time, and when pressed by France, who insisted that we should all conclude
            together, He was instructed to sign a Definitive Treaty in the Terms of the Provisional
            Articles.
          Whether the British Court meant to avoid a Definitive Treaty with us, thro’ a vain Hope
            from the exagerated Accounts of Divisions among our People, and Want of Authority in
            Congress, that some Revolution might soon happen in their Favour; or whether their
            dilatory Conduct was caused by the Strife of the two opposite and nearly equal Parties
            in the Cabinet is hard to decide.—
          Your Excellency will observe, that the Treaty was signed at Paris & not at
            Versailles. Mr Hartley’s Letter No. 5, & our Answer No 6. will explain this. His Objections, and indeed our Proceedings
            in general, were communicated to the French Minister, who was content that we should
            acquiesce, but desired that we would appoint the signing early in the Morning, and give
            him an Account of it at Versailles by Express, for that he would not proceed to sign on
            the Part of France, ’till he was sure that our Business was done.
          The Day after the Signature of the Treaty, Mr. Hartley wrote us a Congratulatory Letter
            No 7. to which we returned the Answer No. 8.
          He is gone to England, and expects soon to return—which for our Parts we think
            uncertain. We have taken Care to speak to him in strong Terms, on the Subject of the
            Evacuation of New-York, and the other important Subjects proper to be
            mentioned to him.— We think we may rely on his doing every thing in his Power to
            influence his Court, to do what they ought to do, but it does not appear that they have
            as yet formed any settled System for their Conduct relative to the United States.— We
            cannot but think that the late & present Aspect of Affairs in America has had, and
            continues to have, an unfavourable Influence, not only in Britain but throughout
            Europe.
          In whatever Light the Article respecting the Tories may be reciev’d in America, it is
            consider’d in Europe as very humiliating to Britain, and therefore as being one which we
            ought in Honour to perform and fulfil with the most scrupulous Regard to good Faith,
            & in a manner least Offensive to the Feelings of the King and Court of G. Britain,
            who upon that Point are extremely tender.
          The unseasonable and unnecessary Resolves of various Towns on this Subject, the actual
            Expulsion of Tories from some Places, and the avow’d Implacability of almost all who
            have published their Sentiments about the Matter, are Circumstances which are construed,
            not only to the Prejudice of our national Magnanimity and good Faith, but also to the
            Prejudice of our Government.
          Popular Committees are consider’d here as with us, in the Light of Substitutes to
            constitutional Government, and as being only necessary in the Interval between the
            Removal of the former and the Establishment of the present.
          The Constitutions of the different States have been translated & published, &
            Pains have been taken to lead Europe to believe, that the American States not only made
            their own Laws, but obey’d them. But the continuance of popular Assemblies conven’d
            expressly to deliberate on Matters proper only for the Cognizance of the
            different Legislatures & Officers of Government, and their proceeding not only to
            ordain, but to enforce their Resolutions, has exceedingly lessen’d the Dignity of the
            States in the Eyes of these Nations.
          To this we may also add, that the Situation of the Army, the Reluctance of the People
            to pay Taxes, and the Circumstances under which Congress removed from Philadelphia, have diminish’d the Admiration in which
            the People of America were held among the Nations of Europe, & somewhat abated their
            Ardor for forming Connections with us, before our Affairs acquire a greater Degree of
            order & Consistance.
          Permit us to observe, that in our Opinion the Recommendation of Congress, promised in
            the 5th. Article, should immediately be made in the Terms of it and published; and that
            the States should be requested to take it into Consideration as soon as the Evacuation
            by the Enemy shall be compleated. It is also much to be wished that the Legislatures may
            not involve all the Tories in Banishment and Ruin, but that such Discriminations may be
            made, as to entitle the Decisions to the Approbation of disinterested Men, and
            dispassionate Posterity.
          On the 7th. Inst. we received your Excellency’s Letter of the 16th. June last, covering
            a Resolution of Congress of the 1st May directing a Commission to us for making a Treaty
            of Commerce &ca with G. Britain. This Intelligence arrived very opportunely to
            prevent the Anti-American Party from ascribing any Delays on our Part to Motives of
            Resentment in England to that Country. Great Britain will send a Minister to Congress as
            soon as Congress shall send a Minister to Britain, & we think much Good might result
            from that Measure.
          The Information of Mr Dumas, that we encouraged the Idea of entering into Engagements
            with the Dutch to defend the Freedom of Trade, was not well founded.— Our Sentiments on that Subject exactly
            correspond with those of Congress; nor did we even think or pretend that we had
            Authority to adopt any such Measures.

          We have Reason to think that the Emperor and Russia, & other Commercial Nations,
            are ready to make Treaties of Commerce with the United States. Perhaps it might not be
            improper for Congress to direct that their Disposition on the Subject, be communicated
            to those Courts, & thereby prepare the Way for such Treaties.
          The Emperor of Morrocco has manifested a very friendly Disposition towards us: He
            expects and is ready to receive a Minister from us, and as he may either change his
            Mind, or may be succeeded by a Prince differently disposed, a Treaty with him may be of
            Importance. Our Trade to the Mediterranean will not be inconsiderable, and the
            Friendship of Morrocco, Algiers, Tunis & Tripoli, may become very interesting, in
            case the Russians should succeed in their Endeavours to Navigate freely into it by
              Constantinople.
          Much we think will depend on the Success of our Negociations with England. If she
            should be prevailed upon to agree to a liberal System of Commerce, France & perhaps
            some other Nations, will follow her Example; but if she should prefer an exclusive
            monopolizing Plan, it is probable that her Neighbours will continue to adhere to their
            favorite Restrictions.
          Were it certain that the United States, could be brought to act as a Nation, and would
            jointly and fairly conduct their Commerce on Principles of exact Reciprocity with all
            Nations, we think it probable that Britain would make extensive Concessions—but on the
            Contrary, while the Prospect of Disunion in our Councils, or want of Power and Energy in
            our Executive Departments exist, they will not be apprehensive of Retaliation, and
            consequently lose their principal Motive to Liberality. Unless with respect to all
            foreign Nations and Transactions, we uniformly act as an entire united Nation,
            faithfully executing and obeying the Constitutional Acts of Congress on those Subjects,
            we shall soon find ourselves in the Situation in which all Europe wishes to see us,
            Vizt. as unimportant Consumers of her Manufactures
            & Productions, and as useful Labourers to furnish her with raw Materials.
          We beg leave to assure Congress that we shall apply our best Endeavours to execute this
            new Commission to their Satisfaction, & shall punctually obey such Instructions as
            they may be pleased to give us relative to it.— Unless Congress should have nominated a
            Secretary to that Commission, we shall consider ourselves at Liberty to appoint One; and
            as we are satisfied with the Conduct of Mr Franklin, the Secretary to our late
            Commission, we purpose to appoint him, leaving it to Congress to make him such
            Compensation for his Services as they may Judge proper.
          Count de Vergennes communicated to us a Proposition (Viz No 9 herewith inclosed) for explaining the
            2d & 3d Articles of our Treaty with France, in a manner different from the Sense in
            which we understand them. This being a Matter in which we had no Right to interfere, we
            have not express’d any Opinion about it to the Court. With great Respect, We have the
            honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Serts.

            John Adams.B FranklinJohn Jay
            To his Excellency Elias Boudinot Esqr: President of Congress.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 10 September 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

            Sir,
            Passy, Sept. 10. 1783.

          I have received a Letter from a very respectable Person in America, containing the following Words, Viz “It is confidently reported, propagated, and believed by some among us, that the Court
            of France was at bottom against our obtaining the Fishery and Territory in that great
            Extent in which both are secured to us by the Treaty; that our Minister at that Court
            favoured, or did not oppose this Design against us; and that it was entirely owing to
            the Firmness, Sagacity & Disinterestedness of Mr. Adams, with whom Mr. Jay united,
            that we have obtained those important Advantages.”—
          It is not my Purpose to dispute any Share of the Honour of that Treaty which the
            Friends of my Colleagues may be dispos’d to give them; but having now spent Fifty Years
            of my Life in public Offices and Trusts, and having still one Ambition left, that of
            carrying the Character of Fidelity at least, to the Grave with me, I cannot allow that I
            was behind any of them in Zeal and Faithfulness. I therefore think that I ought not to
            suffer an Accusation, which falls little short of Treason to my Country, to pass without
            Notice, when the Means of effectual Vindication are at hand. You, Sir, was a Witness of
            my Conduct in that affair. To you and my other Colleagues I appeal, by sending to each a
            similar Letter with this, and I have no
            doubt of your Readiness to do a Brother Commissioner Justice, by Certificates that will
            entirely destroy the Effect of that Accusation. I have the honour to be, with much
            Esteem, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant.

            B. Franklin
            His Excelly. J. Adams Esqe.

          Endorsed: Dr Franklin 10 Sept. 1783
            concerning a Letter he recd from America.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier, 11 September 1783
From: Montgolfier, Jacques-Etienne
To: Franklin, Benjamin

          By the second week in September, Etienne Montgolfier was ready to
            offer members of the Académie des sciences a preview of the balloon he had
              constructed. He had been aided in this
            effort by Jean-Baptiste Réveillon, the wallpaper manufacturer, who put his expertise,
            ingenuity, and workforce at Montgolfier’s disposal. As the Ministry of Finance had now assumed the
            expense of the experiment, it was
            arranged that the official demonstration would take place before the royal family at
            Versailles on September 19. The preliminary demonstration would be conducted in the
            courtyard of Réveillon’s wallpaper manufactory on the rue de Montreuil.
          This montgolfière was substantially redesigned and
            elaborately decorated. Weighing 1,000 pounds and constructed of three geometric
            segments, it was 70 feet tall, tapered at the nose and base, and swelled to 40 feet in
            diameter at its midsection. Having experimented with various kinds of coatings,
            Montgolfier and Réveillon rejected varnishes in favor of the original concept of taffeta
            lined with heavy paper. This time, however, rather than lining the balloon with two
            layers of paper, they placed the layers on either side of the cloth. With the outer
            layer of paper serving as his canvas, Réveillon sent into the sky a resplendent vision
            of gold ornaments against an azure field. The trial they conducted on the cloudless
            morning of September 11 went perfectly. Montgolfier immediately issued invitations to
            the members of the Académie des sciences for the next morning—providing, as the present
            example says, that the weather continued fair.

          Though Franklin returned an acceptance (the following document), there is no evidence
            that he attended. He would not have been the only person to stay away, given the
            unsettled weather. The day dawned
            overcast, with intermittent light rain. Despite black clouds on the horizon, a crowd of
            academicians and other distinguished guests gathered in Réveillon’s courtyard. The
            balloon filled magnificently, but strong winds and heavy rain arrived just as it began
            to ascend, carrying 500 pounds of weight. As Montgolfier and his assistants wrestled it
            back down, strips of waterlogged paper began detaching from the fabric. The members of
            the commission who were present wrote an encouraging procès-verbal on the spot, emphasizing that the failure of the experiment did
            not stem from defects in the invention itself.

            Monsieur
            Ce Jeudy 11. 7bre. [1783]

          M. De Montgolfier a l’honneur de vous prévenir que si le tems continue à être
            favorable, il se propose de faire demain vendredy entre huit et dix heures du matin rue
            de Montreuil, l’expérience de sa machine aerostatique, vous priant de vous rendre de
            bonne heure, la matinée etant le moment le plus convenable.

          Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur
            Francklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire / des Etats Unis de Lamerique / A Passy


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Montgolfier, 11 September 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Montgolfier, Jacques-Étienne

            Passy 11 septembre 1783

          Mr. Franklin remercie monsieur de Montgolfier de son attention et se
            rendra a l’heure prescripte pour voir l’experience a laquelle il veut bien
            l’inviter.