Office of the Historian

No. 100.
Mr. Washburne to Mr. Evarts.

Legation of the United States,
Paris, July 16, 1877. (Received August 1.)
No. 1515.]

Sir: Some time since, when examining the archives of the ministry of foreign affairs, I came upon a letter addressed by B. Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee to his excellency the Count de Vergennes, then minister of foreign affairs, under date of Paris, December 23, 1776. The body of the letter is in the strong, bold handwriting of Dr. Franklin. I was greatly interested in it, as being the first step ever taken by the [Page 155] Colonies which led to the alliance with France, and the base and foundation of that alliance and all the stupendous events which grew out of it. I have thought that you would be equally interested with myself in this letter. Upon the suggestion to the Duke Decazes, he kindly consented that it should be photographed. Three copies only have been taken. One of these, together with the negative, I have the honor to send you herewith, to go into the archives of your Department. I take the liberty also of sending for your own use a copy unframed. The third I have reserved for myself.

I have, &c.,

E. B. WASHBURNE.
[Inclosure.]

The United States Commissioners to the Count de Vergennes.

Paris, Dec. 23, 1776.
104.

Sir: We beg leave to acquaint your Excellency, that we are appointed and fully impowered by the Congress of the United States of America, to propose and negotiate a Treaty of Amity and Commerce between France and the said States.—The just and generous Treatment their Trading Ships have received, by a free Admission into the Ports of this Kingdom, with other Considerations of Respect, has induced the Congress to make this Offer first to France. We request an Audience of your Excels wherein we may have an Opportunity of presenting our Credentials; and we flatter ourselves, that the Propositions we are instructed to make, are such as will not be found unacceptable.

With the greatest Regard, we have tire Honor to be,

Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servants

  • B. FRANKLIN
  • SILAS DEANE
  • ARTHUR LEE.

His Excelly the Count de Vergennes.