To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Huntington, 20 December 1780
From Samuel Huntington
Copy: National Archives
Philada December 20. 1780
Sir,
I have the Honor to inform you that the Honorable Francis Dana Esquire is appointed to repair to the Court of Petersburgh in the Character of Minister from these United States.1
He will communicate to you his Powers and Instructions, and avail himself of your Information & Advice on the Subject of his Mission.2
And provided he shall proceed to that Court you are to supply him with fifteen hundred Pounds Sterling as his Salary for one Year, agreable to the Resolve of Congress herewith enclosed.3
I have the Honor to be &c &c &c &c.
S. H.
To The Honorable Benjamin Franklin Esquire
1. On Dec. 15 Congress resolved to send a minister to the Russian court and four days later selected Dana, partly because he was already in Europe and hence could proceed to Russia with relatively little additional expense: JCC, XVIII, 1155–6, 1166; Smith, Letters, XVI, 452, 461, 473, 513.
2. Dana’s commission, instructions, and letter of credence were approved on the 19th: JCC, XVIII, 1166–73. Congress hoped that the Empress would support American sovereignty and independence and admit the United States to the League of Armed Neutrality.
3. JCC, XVIII, 1174.