THE DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. VOL. III. THE DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION; BEING THE LETTERS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SILAS DEANE, JOHN ADAMS, JOHN JAY, ARTHUR LEE, WILLIAM LEE, RALPH IZARD, FRANCIS DANA, WILLIAM CARMICHAEL, HENRY LAURENS, JOHN LAURENS, M. DE LAFAYETTE, M. DUMAS AND OTHERS, CONCERNING THE FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES DURING THE WHOLE REVOLUTION; TOGETHER WITH THE LETTERS IN REPLY FROM THE SECRET COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS AND THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ALSO, THE ENTIRE CORRESPONDENCE OF THE FRENCH MINISTERS, GERARD AND LUZERNE, WITH CONGRESS. Published under the Direction of the President of the United States, from the original Manuscripts in the Department of State, conformably to a Resolution of Congress of March 27th, 1818. EDITED BY JARED SPARKS. VOL. III. BOSTON: NATHAN HALE AND GRAY & BOWEN; G. & C. & H. CARVILL, NEW YORK; P. THOMPSON, WASHINGTON. 1829. HALE'S STEAM PRESS. No. 6 Suffolk Buildings, Congress Street, Boston CONTENTS OF THE THIRD VOLUME. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S CORRESPONDENCE. * * * * * Page. To John Hancock, President of Congress. Nantes, December 8th, 1776, 5 Announces his arrival in France.--Does not assume a public character.--Military stores destined for America. To the Committee of Secret Correspondence. Nantes, December 8th, 1776, 7 The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Benjamin Franklin. Baltimore, January 1st, 1777, 9 Announcing his appointment as Commissioner to Spain. To the Committee of Secret Correspondence. Paris, January 4th, 1777, 9 Arrives in Paris.--Has an audience with Count de Vergennes.--Interview with the Spanish Ambassador.--The nation favorable to the American cause. To the President of Congress. Paris, January 20th, 1777, 10 Recommending Captain Balm. To the Count d'Aranda, Spanish Ambassador to the Court of France. Passy, April 7th, 1777, 11 Communicates the propositions of the United States to Spain.--Congress will also assist France and Spain in the conquest of the English sugar islands. To General Washington. Paris, June 13th, 1777, 12 Recommending Count Kotkouski.--Count Pulaski. To General Washington. Paris, June 13th, 1777, 13 Recommending Baron de Frey. M. Dubourg to B. Franklin. Paris, September 8th, 1777, 14