Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-36-02-0103

To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 28 November 1781

From Robert R. Livingston8

AL (draft): New-York Historical Society

Philadelphia 28th. Novr 1781

Dr. Sir

I shd inform you that congress have discharged the commission for negotiating a treaty of commerce with great Britain & taken that burden from Mr. Adams’s Sholders—that in compt. [compliment] to the Marquis La fayette they have made him the bearer of Letter to the King of France of which I enclose a copy. That in answer to your favor of the 11th. June they have passed the enclosed resolution. Mr. Morris will write to you on this subject & enable you to discharge the bills— Shd. France send a fleet out next spring it would be advantagious to have them unencumbered with such orders as may prevent their taking advantage of circumstances. This has unhappily prevented this campaign from being absolutely decisive. But neither this or any other great object can escape your observation bent as it is upon promoting the happyness of your country—

His Excellency Docr Franklin
Dr. Letter to Docr Franklin 28th Novr 1781.

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

8Livingston began this draft with a phrase which he then deleted, “In addition to my Letter of the 26th.” Instead of introducing new topics, however, he here provides a summary of his letter of Nov. 26, perhaps because of concern for the safe and prompt arrival of the earlier letter. Since no other version of this letter has been located, we cannot be sure that it was sent.

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