As your grandson will probably choose to continue in the line he is in, I cannot but think he might find important advantages from opening a correspondence with this office. His diligence and accuracy in collecting and transmitting intelligence would procure him friends here. My attachment to you will render me desirous to place them in the best light. I am, Sir, &c. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. * * * * * TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. Passy, November 29th, 1782. Sir, I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency, that the Commissioners of the United States have agreed with Mr Oswald, on the preliminary articles of the peace between those States and Great Britain. Tomorrow I hope we shall be able to communicate to your Excellency a copy of them.[7] With great respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, B. FRANKLIN. FOOTNOTE: [7] These articles will be found in the Correspondence of the Commissioners. * * * * * ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. Philadelphia, December 3d, 1782. Sir, I have just now received the certificates required by Mr Wallier. The vessel which carries my other despatches having been long detained, I embrace the opportunity to forward them. Nothing new since my last, except that, by a gentleman who left Charleston the 4th instant, we learn that the British had dismounted their cannon, and were certainly on the point of leaving it. I am, Sir, &c. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. * * * * * TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON Passy, December 4th, 1782. Sir, We detain the Washington a little longer, expecting an English passport for her in a few days, and as possibly some vessel bound for North America may sail before her, I write this line to inform you, that the French preliminaries with England are not yet signed, though we hope they may be very soon. Of ours I enclose a copy. The Dutch and Spain have yet made but little progress, and as no definitive treaty will be signed till all are agreed, there may be time for Congress to give us further instructions, if they think proper. We hope the terms we have obtained will be satisfactory, though, to secure our main points, we may have yielded too much in favor of the royalists. The quantity of aid to be afforded us remains undecided. I suppose something depends on the event of the treaty. By the Washington you will be fully informed of everything. With great regard, I have the honor to be, &c. B. FRANKLIN.