Benjamin Franklin Papers

Franklin and John Adams to Vergennes, 12 November 1778: résumé

Franklin and John Adams to Vergennes6

AL (draft):7 Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies:8 National Archives

<Passy, November 12, 1778: In view of the magnitude of the alliance between France and the United States, we conceive it would be highly pleasing to our constituents to have a portrait of His Majesty to be kept where Congress sits; if you are of opinion this would give no offense, we request your kind offices to procure pictures of their Majesties, the king and queen.>

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

6. Published in Taylor, Adams Papers, VII, 207.

7. In JA’s hand.

8. One of which is in Arthur Lee’s hand and bears his notation: “This Letter was not signd by Mr. Lee or sent to his knowledge, he having suggested to Mr Adams doubts of its propriety.” Congress itself in 1779 requested portraits of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette: Taylor, Adams Papers, VII, 207n.

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    Source Project
    Franklin Papers
    Title
    Franklin and John Adams to Vergennes, 12 November 1778: résumé
    Authors
    Franklin, Benjamin
    Adams, John
    Recipient
    Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de
    Date
    12 November 1778

    Reference

    Cite as
    “Franklin and John Adams to Vergennes, 12 November 1778: résumé,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-28-02-0066. [Original source: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 28, November 1, 1778, through February 28, 1779, ed. Barbara B. Oberg. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1990, p. 91.]