Benjamin Franklin’s Observations on John Jay’s Draft, [c. 18 July 1783]
Benjamin Franklin’s Observations on John Jay’s Draft
[Passy, c. 18 July 1783]
B. Franklin’s Observations on Mr Jay’s Draft1 of a Letter to Mr Livingston, which occasioned the foregoing Part to be left out.—
Mr. F. aubmits it to the Consideration of Mr. Jay whether it may not be adviseable to forbear, at present, the Justification of ourselves, respecting the Signature of the Preliminaries, because
That matter is, at present, quiet here;
No Letter sent to the Congress is ever kept secret;
The Justification contains some Charges of unfavorable Disposition in the Ministers here towards us, that will give offence & will be deny’d.2
Our Situation is still critical with respect to the two Nations, and the most perfect good Understanding should be maintained with this;
The Congress do not call upon us for an Account of our Conduct, or its Justification. They have not by any Resolution blamed us. What Censure we have received is only the private Opinion of Mr. L.
Mr. Laurens is not here, who is concerned with us.3 Will it be attended with any Inconvenience, if that Part of the Letter, which relates to the Signature be reserved to a future Occasion?4
LbkCs, MHi: Adams, reel 103: 224–25 (EJ: 11662); DLC: Franklin, filed with American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 18 July (EJ: 10341).
1. See JJ’s draft, [before 18 July], above.
2. See the editorial note “Congress Debates the Commissioners’ Conduct” on pp. 334–40; JJ’s Draft of the American Peace Commissioners to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, [before 18 July], above; and JJ to RRL, 19 July 1783, below.
3. Laurens returned on 21 July. See the editorial note “The Commissioners Defend the Treaty” on pp. 416–19.
4. See JJ to RRL, 19 July 1783, below.