From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 16 August 1783
To Vergennes
ALS: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères
Passy, Augt. 16. 1783
Sir,
I have the honour to inform your Excellency, that the English Ministry do not agree to any of the Propositions that have been made either by us, or by their Minister here; and they have sent over a Plan for the definitive Treaty, which consists merely of the Preliminaries formerly signed, with a short Introductory Paragraph, & another at the Conclusion, confirming and establishing the said preliminary Articles.3 My Colleagues seem enclin’d to sign this with Mr Hartley, and so to finish the Affair. I am, with Respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant
B Franklin
His Excelly. the Count de Vergennes
3. Hartley delivered this plan on Aug. 13; see the headnote to Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, Aug. 12.