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As this will probably be the last letter, which I shall have the pleasure of writing to you in my public character,* I beg leave to remind you of the affairs of the Alliance and the Bon Homme Richard, which are still unsettled. I must also pray you not to lose sight of the vessels detained by his Danish Majesty. This will be a favorable opportunity to press for their restitution. I do not see how they can decently refuse to pay for them. Great Britain is bound in honor to make them whole again.

Preparations for the evacuation of New York still go on very slowly, while the distress of our finances has compelled us to grant furloughs to the greater part of our army. If it were possible to procure any addition to the last six millions, it would be extremely useful to us at present. An entire new arrangement with respect to our foreign department is under con sideration. What its fate will be, I know not. I am, &c. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

TO M. PIERRES.

Passy, 10 June, 1783.

SIR,

I

I received the exemplaire of the Constitutions. intended to wait on the Keeper of the Seals yesterday, at Versailles, but was prevented. I shall write to him to-day. The ratification of the Swedish treaty is arrived, so that there is no further obstruction to the publication. I desire to have fifty of the octavo copies bound in calf and lettered, and fifty half bound, that

* Mr. Livingston resigned the office of Secretary of Foreign Affairs on the 4th of June.

is, between pasteboards with a sheepskin back, and lettered, but not cut. I desire also six of the quarto copies bound in Morocco. I am, with great esteem, Sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Treaty with Sweden. - Treaty with Denmark in Pro

gress.

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Portugal proposes to treat. Definitive

Treaty with England delayed.

SIR,

Passy, 12 June, 1783.

I wrote to you fully by a vessel from Nantes, which I hope will reach you before this. If not, this may inform you, that the ratification of the treaty with Sweden is come, and ready to be exchanged when I shall receive that from Congress; that the treaty with Denmark is going on, and will probably be ready before the commission for signing it arrives from Congress. It is on the plan of that proposed by Congress for Sweden.

Portugal has likewise proposed to treat with us, and the ambassador has earnestly urged me to give him a plan for the consideration of his court, which I have accordingly done, and he has forwarded it. The Congress will send commissions and instructions for con cluding these treaties to whom they may think proper; it is only upon the old authority, given, by a resolution, to myself with Messrs. Deane and Lee, to treat with any European powers, that I have ventured to begin these treaties in consequence of overtures from those crowns.

The definitive treaty with England is not yet concluded, their ministry being unsettled in their minds

as to the terms of the commercial part; nor is any other definitive treaty yet completed here, nor even the preliminaries signed of one between England and Holland. It is now five months since we have had a line from you, the last being dated the 13th of January; of course we know nothing of the reception of the Preliminary Articles, or the opinion of Congress respecting them. We hoped to receive before this time such instructions as might have been thought proper to be sent to us for rendering more perfect the definitive treaty. We know nothing of what has been approved or disapproved. We are totally in the dark, and therefore, less pressing to conclude, being still (as we have long been) in daily expectation of hearing from you. By chance only, we learn that Barney is arrived, by whom went the despatches of the Commissioners, and a considerable sum of money. No acknowledgment of the receipt of that money is yet come to hand, either to me or M. Gérard. I make no doubt that both you and Mr. Morris have written, and I cannot imagine what has become of your letters. With great esteem, B. FRANKLIN.

&c.

P. S. I beg leave to recommend to your civilities the bearer of this, Dr. Bancroft, whom you will find a very intelligent, sensible man, well acquainted with the state of affairs here, and who has heretofore been employed in the service of Congress. I have long known him and esteem him highly.

FROM THE BARON DE STAËL, AMBASSADOR FROM

SWEDEN, TO B. FRANKLIN.

Translation.

Paris, 13 June, 1783

SIR,

I have just received his Majesty's ratification of the treaty of commerce concluded with the United States, which I shall have the honor to send you as soon as it can be exchanged for the one from Congress.

Permit me, Sir, on this occasion to repeat the request, which the ambassador has made you, respecting Mr. Franklin, your grandson. He had the honor to tell you, that it would afford the King a pleasure to have a person residing with him, in the capacity of the minister of Congress, who bears your name in conjunction with such estimable qualifications as young Mr. Franklin possesses. He charged me before he departed, to repeat to you the same assurances, and you will allow me to add, on my part, my best wishes for the success of this matter. I have the honor to be, &c. LE BARON DE STAËL.

FROM THE PRINCE DE DEUX-PONTS TO

B. FRANKLIN.

Translation.

Paris, 14 June, 1783.

The Prince de Deux-Ponts has already applied to Dr. Franklin for the purpose of learning whether the Palatine Electorate, and the Duchy of Bavaria, could enter into commercial relations with the thirteen United States of America. Having only obtained an answer,

which is too general in its terms to be transmitted to his constituents, he now earnestly requests Dr. Franklin to specify in writing what productions, or manufactured articles, would be most likely to become objects of a permanent and mutually advantageous intercourse. He relies on this answer, because it is demanded of him; and he hopes that Dr. Franklin will regard with favor the strong desire, manifested by several of the States of Germany, to have relations with a new power, which is in a great measure his own work.

FROM THE GRAND MASTER OF MALTA TO

B. FRANKLIN.

Translation.

Malta, 21 June, 1783.

SIR,

I received with the most lively sensibility the medal, which your Excellency sent me, and the value I set upon this acquisition leaves my gratitude unbounded. This monument of American liberty has a distinguished place in my cabinet.

Whenever chance or commerce shall lead any of your fellow citizens or their vessels into the ports of my Island, I shall receive them with the greatest welcome. They shall experience from me every assistance they may claim, and I shall observe with infinite pleasure any growing connexion between that interesting nation and my subjects, especially if it will tend to convince your Excellency of the distinguished sentiments with which I am, Sir, &c.

The Grand Master, ROHAN.

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