If a draper, who had sold a piece of linen to a neighbor on credit, should follow him, take the linen from him by force, and then send a bailiff to arrest him for the debt, would any court of law or equity award the payment of the debt, without ordering a restitution of the cloth? Will not the debtors in America cry out, that, if this compensation be not made, they were betrayed by the pretended credit, and are now doubly ruined; first, by the enemy, and then by the negotiators at Paris, the goods and negroes sold them being taken from them, with all they had besides, and they are now to be obliged to pay for what they have been robbed of? FOOTNOTE: [13] This _Article_, and the _Facts_ which follow, were drawn up by Dr Franklin, and intended to be insisted on, in case the British Commissioners persevered in their demands respecting the fisheries. See _Franklin's Correspondence_, Vol. IV. p. 50. * * * * * TO M. DE LAFAYETTE, Paris, November 28th, 1782. Sir, We have received the letter you did us the honor to write on the 25th instant. Our country has had early and repeated proofs both of your readiness and abilities to do her service. The prospect of an inactive campaign in America induced us to adopt the opinion, that you might be more useful here than there; especially, in case the negotiation for peace, on the part of France in England, should be committed to your management; for your knowledge of our affairs and attachment to our interest, might have been very advantageous to us on such an occasion. But as an opportunity now offers of your being instrumental in producing a co-operation, which would, probably, put a glorious and speedy termination to the war in America, we, for our part, perfectly approve of your going with Count d'Estaing, in the manner proposed. We have the honor to be, &c. &c. JOHN ADAMS, B. FRANKLIN, JOHN JAY. * * * * * PROVISIONAL ARTICLES OF PEACE.