From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 15 November 1782
To Vergennes
LS:8 Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères
Passy 15. November 1782.
Sir,
I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 13th. Inst, and I loose no time in forwarding to your Excellency the Orders you desire for the 4 English Vessels destined to pass between Dover and Calais;9 tho’ I am persuaded the Passports they are furnished with from his most Christian majesty; would have been sufficient Protection to them, against all Vessels belonging to the United States.
With great Respect I am, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin
Mr. Le Cte. De Vergennes.
Endorsed: M. Hennin1
8. In L’Air de Lamotte’s hand.
9. Below, Nov. 16.
1. Gérard de Rayneval departed a second time for England on or soon after Nov. 15, and on Nov. 20 he began new meetings with Shelburne in hopes of finding a way for the Spaniards to obtain Gibraltar, so they would accept peace: Doniol, Histoire, V, 211–22; Dull, French Navy, pp. 321–2; Morris, Jay: Peace, pp. 481, 483. In his absence, letters normally assigned to him for drafting a reply were given to his fellow premier commis, Pierre-Michel Hennin (XXX, 164n).