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 ΤΟ 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. We have been honored with several of your letters, and we have talked of writing to you, but it has been delayed. I will therefore write a few lines in my private capacity. Our negotiations go on slowly, every proposition being sent to England, and answers not returning very speedily. Captain Barney arrived here last Wednesday, and brought despatches for us as late as the 1st of June. The Preliminary Articles are ratified. But General Carleton, in violation of those articles, has sent away a great number of negroes, alleging, that freedom having been promised them by a proclamation, the honor of the nation was concerned, &c. Probably another reason may be, that, if they had been restored to their masters, Britain could not have hoped any thing from such another proclamation hereafter. Mr. Hartley called yesterday to tell us, that he had received a letter from Mr. Fox, assuring him that our suspicions of affected delays or change of system on their side were groundless; and that they were sincerely desirous to finish as soon as possible. If this be so, and your health will permit the journey, I could wish your return as soon as possible. I want you here on many accounts, and should be glad of your assistance in considering and answering our public letters. There are matters in them of which I cannot conveniently give you an account at present. Nothing could be more seasonable than success in the project you proposed, but we have now very little expectation. Please to give my love to your valuable and amiable son and daughter, and believe me, with sincere esteem, &c. B. FRANKLIN. FROM M. ROSENCRONE TO B. FRANKLIN. Treaty between Denmark and the United States. SIR, Translation. Copenhagen, 8 July, 1783. It was with the greatest alacrity, that I laid before his Majesty the letter you did me the honor to write to me, as also the project of a treaty of amity and commerce that accompanied it. The King observed, with the greatest satisfaction, the assurances, contained in that letter, of the good disposition of Congress to form connexions of amity and commerce with his kingdoms, such connexions being equally conformable to the interests of the two States, and to his Majesty's sincere desire to cement, by every possible means, that harmony, union, and confidence, which he wishes to establish for ever between his crown and the United States. The enclosed Counter Project* differs in nothing essential from the project sent by you, being drawn up in all respects conformably to the same principles, which you will be certainly convinced of, Sir, by the note explaining the reasons for adding some articles, and only giving a different turn to others; so that I flatter myself, that I shall soon hear that you are perfectly * See Diplomatic Correspondenc Vol. IV. p. 115. VOL. IX. 34 satisfied with them, having observed the most perfect reciprocity carefully established throughout. As to the object mentioned in the letter with which you have honored me, you already know, Sir, his Majesty's generous intentions towards the individuals in question; and his Majesty is the more induced to avail himself of the first opportunity to manifest these intentions, as he thinks he may reasonably hope that Congress will also consider them as a distinguished proof of his friendship and esteem for that respectable body. There remains nothing further for me to add, but that the King will adopt, with great pleasure, the most proper means to accelerate the conclusion of the treaty, which we have begun. For myself, it will be the most agreeable part of my office, Sir, to assist in perfecting such happy connexions with a minister of such universal reputation as yourself; and it is with sentiments of the most distinguished regard, that I have the honor to be, &c. ROSENCRONE. FROM GIACOMO F. CROCCO TO B. FRANKLIN Concerning a Treaty of Peace and Commerce with SIR, Morocco. Cadiz, 15 July, 1783. His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Morocco, did me the honor to appoint me to be the bearer of his answer to the United Provinces of North America, with which he is willing to sign a treaty of peace and commerce, and in consequence has already given orders to his captains of men-of-war not to molest on the open seas the American vessels, which agreeable news I have already given to Mr. Richard Harrison. Accord |