detain'd in Port, while the Parliament have been debating on the Repealing Bill, which has been alter'd two or three times, and is not yet agreed upon. It was at first propos'd to give us equal Privileges in Trade with their own Subjects, repealing thereby, with respect to us, so much of their Navigation Act, as regards Foreign Nations. But that Plan seems to be laid aside, and what will finally be done in the Affair is yet uncertain.

There is not a Port in France, and few in Europe, from which I have not receiv'd several Applications of Persons desiring to be appointed Consuls for America. They generally offer to execute the Office for the Honour of it, without Salary. I suppose the Congress will wait to see what Course the Commerce will take, and in what Places it will fix itself, in order to find where Consuls will be necessary, before any Appointments are made, and perhaps it will then be thought best to send some of our own People. If they are not allow'd to Trade, there must be a great Expence for Salaries. If they may trade, and are Americans, the Fortunes. they make will mostly settle at last in our own Country. The Agreement I was to make here respecting Consuls, has not yet been concluded. The Article of Trading is important. I think it would be well to reconsider it.

I have caused to be struck here the Medal, which I formerly mention'd to you, the Design of which you seem'd to approve. I inclose one of them in Silver, for the President of Congress, and one in Copper for yourself; the Impression on Copper is thought to appear best, and you will soon receive a Number for the Members. I have presented one to the King, and another to the Queen, both in Gold, and one in Silver to each of the Ministers, as a monumental

VOL. IX-D

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

SIR,

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, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

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

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