The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 04
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 04
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
I have the honor to acquaint you, that I left Paris the 12th of July,
and, agreeable to the permission of Congress, am returned to my own
country. Mr Jefferson had recovered his health, and was much esteemed
and respected there. Our joint letters have already informed you of
our late proceedings, to which I have nothing to add, except that the
last act I did, as Minister Plenipotentiary for making treaties, was
to sign with him, two days before I came away, the treaty of
friendship and commerce that had been agreed on with Prussia,[31] and
which was to be carried to the Hague, by Mr Short, there to be signed
by Baron Thulemeyer on the part of the King, who, without the least
hesitation, had approved and conceded to the new humane articles
proposed by Congress. Mr Short was also to call at London for the
signature of Mr Adams, who I learnt, when at Southampton, was well
received at the British Court.
The Captain Lamb, who, in a letter of yours to Mr Adams, was said to
be coming to us with instructions respecting Morocco, had not
appeared, nor had we heard anything of him; so nothing had been done
by us in that treaty.
I left the Court of France in the same friendly disposition towards
the United States, that we have all along experienced, though
concerned to find that our credit is not better supported in the
payment of the interest money due on our loans, which, in case of
another war, must be, they think, extremely prejudicial to us, and
indeed may contribute to draw on a war the sooner, by affording our
enemies the encouraging confidence, that those who take so little care
to pay, will not again find it easy to borrow. I received from the
King, at my departure, the present of his picture set round with
diamonds, usually given to Ministers Plenipotentiary, who have signed
any treaties with that Court; and it is at the disposition of
Congress, to whom be pleased to present my dutiful respects.
I am, with great esteem and regard, &c.
B FRANKLIN.
_P. S._ Not caring to trust them to a common conveyance, I send by my
late Secretary, who will have the honor of delivering them to you, all
the original treaties I have been concerned in negotiating, that were
completed. Those with Portugal and Denmark continue in suspense.
B. F.
FOOTNOTE:
[31] See this Treaty at large in the public _Journals of Congress_,
Vol. IV. p. 639.
* * * * *
TO MR GRAND, BANKER AT PARIS.
Philadelphia, July 11th, 1786.
Sir,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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