The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 26 September 1778
The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard2
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives
Passi September 26 1778
Sir
Last Evening We had the Honour of an answer from the Comte de Vergennes to our Letter respecting your Goods. We inclose a Copy of it to you and believe it will be adviseable for you to wait on Mr. de Sartine. Perhaps he may not at first recollect the Article of the Treaty, as Mr. De Vergennes appears not to have done.3 We have the Honour to be with great Respect, Sir your most obedient &c.
Hon. Mr Ralph Izzard
2. BF did not sign any of the commissioners’ letters of the 26th: see the commissioners to Vergennes, of this date, below. He was in Anet visiting Madame Brillon.
3. It was article 16 of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, which provided that goods belonging to French or American subjects put on board enemy ships up to two months before the declaration of war or without knowledge of it would not be liable to confiscation: XXV, 610–11.