Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-39-02-0334

To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams and John Jay, 28 April 1783

From John Adams and John Jay2

AL:3 Historical Society of Delaware

Monday April 28. 1783.

Mr Adams and Mr Jay present their Compliments to Dr Franklin and inform him, that they have just seen Mr Laurens and agreed with him upon a Meeting of the American Ministers Tomorrow at Eleven, at Mr Laurens’s Lodgings. The Drs Company is desired, and Mr Franklin Junr is requested also to attend.4

Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire des / Etats Unis de L’Amerique / a Passy / Pres Paris

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

2This invitation to a meeting on April 29 gives no hint that JA, Jay, and Laurens had already agreed on the articles that they intended to present to Hartley, nor does it mention that they had already arranged for Hartley to join them. On the evening of April 27, after the Americans had met with Hartley (see the headnote to Hartley’s memorandum to the commissioners, [before April 27]), JA called on Jay and invited him to come to his residence the next morning. At that time Jay reviewed the “Variety of Projects” JA had drafted concerning the topics under discussion: the removal of British troops from America, the opening of ports, “tranquilizing” the Loyalists, and articles concerning commerce. Jay and JA drew up propositions on the first three topics and called on Laurens, who approved them. They then called on Hartley, who was not at home. When Hartley later found them at Jay’s residence, they invited him to a meeting the next day at 1:00 P.M. for the purpose of making him a proposition. JA and Jay then wrote the present invitation to BF and WTF: Adams Papers, XIV, 448–54; Butterfield, John Adams Diary, III, 113.

3In JA’s hand.

4BF sent word that they would attend: Butterfield, John Adams Diary, III, 113. See the commissioners’ proposed articles, below, April 29.

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