The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 04

United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources

JOHN JAY.

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                 COLONEL JOHN LAURENS TO B. FRANKLIN.

                                Leagues W. of Ortegal, June 9th, 1781.

    Sir,

  I snatch a moment to pay my last respects to your Excellency, and to
  mention a matter, which has occurred to me since my being on board. I
  have frequently reflected upon the mention, which your Excellency has
  made of retiring from your present important station, and have never
  varied the opinion, which I took the liberty of giving you once at the
  Count de Vergennes', viz. that the best arrangement would be to give
  your Excellency an active, intelligent Secretary of the Embassy, who
  might relieve you from the drudgery of office; and that your country
  should not be deprived of the advantages of your wisdom and influence.
  The difficulty hitherto has been to find a person properly qualified.
  The advantages, which your grandson derives from his knowledge of the
  language, and manners of the people, and his having been so long in
  your office, and with your Excellency, are very great. The prejudices,
  which have been entertained against him, may be removed by a personal
  introduction to Congress, especially if it is combined with rendering
  a popular service. I take the liberty of proposing to your Excellency,
  therefore, if you can spare Mr Franklin for the purpose, to commit to
  his care the second remittance of money, and to hasten his departure
  with that, and as much of the public supplies of clothing, &c. as may
  be ready to accompany it. I am persuaded, that in public bodies, the
  want of a personal acquaintance is a great objection to appointing a
  man to any important office.

  The Engageante's boat demands my letter. I have written in the
  greatest haste upon a subject, which I hope your Excellency will turn
  to public utility.

    I am, &c.
                                                         JOHN LAURENS.

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                              TO JOHN JAY.

                                           Passy, September 4th, 1782.

  Dear Sir,

Mr Oswald's courier being returned, with directions to him to make the
independence of America the first article in the treaty, I would wait
on you if I could, to discourse on the subject; but as I cannot, I
wish to see you here this evening, if not inconvenient to you.

With great esteem, I have the honor to be, dear Sir, your most
obedient and most humble servant,

                                                          B. FRANKLIN.

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                 ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN.

                                    Philadelphia, September 5th, 1782.

  Sir,

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The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 04

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