DE MERCY ARGENTEAU.

COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN.

Translation.

Versailles, August 27th, 1784.

Sir,

You have communicated to me an extract from the instructions, which Congress addressed to you on the 11th of May last, which imports that the United States will in no case treat any other nation with respect to commerce more advantageously than the French. This disposition is much the wisest, as it will prevent those misunderstandings, which might arise from the equivocal terms in which the 2d article of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, signed February 6th, 1778, is conceived.

But that the resolution of Congress on this subject may be clearly stated, it would be best, Sir, that you furnish me with it in the form of a declaration, or at least in an official note, signed by yourself.

I have no doubt that you will adopt one of these two forms.

I have the honor to be, &c.

DE VERGENNES.

TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Pa.s.sy, September 3d, 1784.

Sir,

I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency, by order of Congress, a resolution of theirs, dated the 11th of May last, which is in the words following, viz.

"_Resolved_, That Doctor Franklin be instructed to express to the Court of France, the constant desire of Congress to meet their wishes; that these States are about to form a general system of commerce, by treaties with other nations; that, at this time, they cannot foresee what claim might be given to those nations by the explanatory propositions from the Count de Vergennes, on the 2d and 3d articles of our Treaty of Amity and Commerce with His Most Christian Majesty, but that he may be a.s.sured it will be our constant care to place no people on more advantageous ground than the subjects of his Majesty."

With great respect, I am, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN.

Translation.

Versailles, September 9th, 1784.

Sir,

I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write me the 3d instant. You there declare in the name of Congress, that the United States will be careful not to treat any other nation, in matters of commerce, more advantageously than the French nation. This declaration, founded on the treaty of the 6th of February, 1778, has been very agreeable to the King; and you, Sir, can a.s.sure Congress, that the United States shall constantly experience a perfect reciprocity in France.

I have the honor to be, very sincerely, Sir, &c.

DE VERGENNES.

COUNT DE MERCY ARGENTEAU TO B. FRANKLIN.

Translation.

Paris, September 28th, 1784.

Sir,

With respect to the proposition of the United States of America, that I forwarded to my Court, concerning the arrangements of commerce to be adopted by the respective dominions, I have received the order, Sir, which I have the honor to communicate to you, that his Majesty, the Emperor, has agreed to the said proposition, and that he has directed the Government General of the Low Countries to adopt measures to put it in execution.

When the particulars respecting this matter shall be sent to me, I shall instantly communicate them.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew the a.s.surances of the most perfect attachment, with which I have the honor to be, &c.

DE MERCY ARGENTEAU.

TO CHARLES THOMPSON.

Pa.s.sy, October 16th, 1784.

Dear Sir,

It was intended by the Commissioners to write a joint letter to Congress, but I am afraid the opportunity may be missed. This may serve to inform you, that propositions of treating have been made by us to all the powers of Europe according to our instructions, and we are waiting for their answers. There are apprehensions here of a war between the Emperor and Holland, but, as the season is not proper for opening a campaign, I hope the winter will give time for mediators to accommodate matters. We have not yet heard that Mr Jay has accepted the Secretaryship of Foreign Affairs.

I am ever, my dear friend, yours most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

TO CHARLES THOMPSON.

Pa.s.sy, November 11th, 1784.

Dear Friend,

I received your kind letter of August 13th, with the papers annexed, relative to the affair of Longchamps. I hope satisfaction will be given to M. Marbois. The Commissioners have written a joint letter to Congress. This serves to cover a few papers relative to matters with which I was particularly charged in the instructions. I shall write to you fully by the next opportunity, having now only time to add, that I am, as ever,

Yours most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

_P. S._ I executed the instructions of October 29th, 1783, as soon as I knew the commissions for treating with the Emperor, &c. were issued, which was not till July, 1784. The three letters between the Emperor's Minister and me are what pa.s.sed on that occasion.