1The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 18 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Spain considered a treaty with the U.S. premature, and declined to take any action until her fleets returned: Dull, French Navy, pp. 100, 102.
2The American Commissioners’ Interview on January 8 with Gérard: Four Documents, 1778 (Franklin Papers)
For the background of this decision see Dull, French Navy, pp. 94–100.
3The Franco-American Treaty of Alliance, 6 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Vergennes learned on Feb. 4 that Spain would not at that time be a party to the treaties; see Dull, French Navy, pp. 94–101.
The French fleet with 32 ships of the line had sailed on July 10, the British with a slightly smaller number the following day: Dull, French Navy, 120–2; W.M. James, The commissioners were too optimistic. The Spaniards used their neutrality in an unsuccessful attempt to coax concessions from Britain: Dull, French Navy, 126–31. For the arrival of the treasure ships see
French Navy and Amer. Independence
6The American Commissioners to Sartine, 12[–15] October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Two British frigates captured by the French: Dull, French Navy, p. 357.
7The American Commissioners to Sartine, 25 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
110n), and his letter offered to provide the French navy with masts:
8The American Commissioners to Vergennes, [before 9 January 1779]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Dull, French Navy, pp. 125, 128–35, 362–3.Dull, French Navy, pp. 131–2, 137, 141. The final proposal, unlike the earlier ones, would not have required the British to evacuate their forces; the British refused even this:
9From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 4 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
French Navy and Amer. Independence
10From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 3 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
French Navy and Amer. Independence