Acknowledgment, which may go down to future Ages, of the Obligations we are under to this Nation. It is mighty well received, and gives general Pleasure. If the Congress approve of it, as I hope they will, I may add something on the Die (for those to be struck hereafter) to show that it was done by their Order, which I could not venture to do till I had Authority for it.

A multitude of People are continually applying to me personally, and by Letters, for Information respecting the means of transporting themselves, Families, and Fortunes to America. I give no Encouragement to any of the King's subjects, as I think it would not be right in me to do it without their Sovereign's approbation; and, indeed, few offer from France but Persons of irregular Conduct and desperate Circumstances, whom we had better be without; but I think there will be great Emigrations from England, Ireland, and Germany. There is a great Contest among the Ports, which of them shall be of those to be declared Free for the American Trade. Many applications are made to me to interest myself in the behalf of all of them; but having no Instructions on that head, and thinking it a Matter more properly belonging to the Consul, I have done nothing in it.

I have continu'd to send you the English Papers. You will often see Falshoods in them respecting what I say and do and write, &c. You know those Papers too well to make any Contradiction of such Stuff necessary from me.

Mr. Barclay is often ill, and I am afraid the Settlement of our Accounts will be, in his Hands, a long Operation. I shall be impatient at being detain'd here on that Score after the Arrival of my Successor. Would it not be well to join Mr. Ridley with Mr. Barclay for that Service? He re

I know not,

sides in Paris, and seems active in Business. indeed, whether he would undertake it, but wish he may. The Finances here are embarrass'd, and a new loan is propos'd by way of Lottery, in which, it is said by some Calculators, the King will pay at the Rate of 7 per cent. I mention this to furnish you with a fresh convincing Proof against Cavillers of the King's Generosity towards us, in lending us Six Millions this year at 5 per cent, and of his concern for our Credit, in saving by that Sum the Honour of Mr. Morris's Bills, while those drawn by his own Officers abroad have their Payment suspended for a Year after they become due. You have been told, that France might help us more liberally if she would. This last Transaction is a Demonstration of the contrary.

Please to show these last Paragraphs to Mr. Morris, to whom I cannot now write, the Notice of this Ship being short; but it is less necessary, as Mr. Grand writes him fully. With great Esteem, &c.

P. S. Mr. Laurens is just arrived.

B. FRANKLIN.

1407. INTRODUCTION OF PROFESSOR MÄRTER

SIR,

(A. P. S.) Passy, April 22, 1783.

M. Märter, Professor of Natural History in the Service of the Emperor, being appointed to make a Collection of Plants and Animals from the four Quarters of the World, for his Imperial Majesty's Botanic Gardens and Menagerie, proposes to begin his Operations by a Journey thro' the Countries under the Government of the United States of America. He

is strongly recommended to me by his Excellency the Ambassador from that Court; and I take leave to recommend him not only to the Civilities you are pleas'd in bestowing on Strangers of Merit but to all the Assistances and Facilities your Station & the Influence attending it, may enable you to afford him in the Execution of his Commission, being persuaded that your Zeal for the Increase of Useful Science, as well as the Respect due to his August Employer, will induce you to render Mr. Märter such Services with Pleasure. I have the honour to be very respectfully,

I received in its time your kind Letter of Feb. 22. I am sensible of the Prudence of your Advice respecting my coming to England, and shall follow it. Accept my Thanks for that, and for your kind Invitation to Cheam, when I do come; but the little left of Life at my Age will, perhaps, hurry me home, as soon as I can be quit of my Employment here. I should, indeed, have great Pleasure in seeing you, and in being some time with you and your little Family. I cannot have all I wish.

Mr. Williams is now here with his Family. I shall mention to him his not answering your Letter. We talk'd yesterday of you, and of his Friend Dolly, whom I have not forgotten, 1 From the original in the possession of T. Hewson Bradford, M.D. — ED.

as she supposes. He express'd the highest Esteem and Regard for you both. My Love to her when you see her. I send you some more of the little Books, and am ever, my dear Friend, yours most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN.

1409. TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON (D. S. W.) Passy, April 27, 1783.

SIR,

The Count del Veome, an Italian Nobleman of great distinction, does me the honour to be the Bearer of this. I have not the Satisfaction to be personally acquainted with this Gentleman, but am much solicited by some of my particular friends, to whom his Merits and Character are known, to afford him this Introduction to you. He is, I understand, a great Traveller, and his view in going to America is merely to see the Country and its great Men. I pray you will show him every Civility, and afford him that Counsel, which as a Stranger he may stand in need of. With great respect, I am, B. FRANKLIN.

&c.

1410. TO COMTE DE VERGENNES (P. A. E. E. U.)

Passy, May 4, 1783.

SIR: I have considered the proposal of M. le Marq. de Ségur to cede to the Congress the military stores left by M. de Rochambeau at Baltimore,' and I am of opinion that it is

1 "A la réception de cette lettre, vous prendrés les ordres du Général Washington pour les dispositions qui devront précéder l'embarquemont de la

probable a part of them may be acceptable, if not the whole, and that possibly some of the different States may be inclined to purchase what the Congress should not want. But as I am ignorant of what may or may not be wanted by the Congress, and have no orders to purchase or procure more stores than have already been provided here, I can enter into no agreement respecting them. If a power be sent to the ambassador or consul to treat with the Congress or the separate States concerning them, it may be the most probable means of disposing of them to advantage.

I am with respect, sir, your Excellency's most obedient and humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

1411. TO COMTE DE VERGENNES

(P. A. E. E. U.)

Passy, May 5, 1783.

SIR: I have the honour to communicate to your Excellency herewith three articles proposed between Mr. Hartley and the American Commissioners respecting commerce. He has sent them to his court for their approbation. I doubt their obtaining it. But we shall see.

I am, with respect, sir, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

légion, celui des détachement que vous commandez, de la grosse artillerie laissée à Baltimore et enfin des soldats malades qui n'ont pu suivre lés régiments dont ils font partie."- Ségur to Lauzun, Jan. 23, 1783. — Ed.