The Commissioners to Vergennes, 17 July 1778

The Commissioners to Vergennes

Passy, July 17. 1778

Sir

We herewith communicate to your Excellency a Resolution of Congress relative to the Treaties, which we request may be laid before the King.1 Thereby his Majesty will perceive the unfeigned Sentiments of that Body, as well as those of the whole American People, whose Hearts the King has gained by his great Benevolence towards them, manifested in these Treaties, which has made so deep an Impression on their Minds, that no Time will efface it. We are, with great Respect, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servants

B Franklin

Arthur Lee

John Adams

RC (Arch. Aff. Etr., Paris, Corr. Pol., Espagne, vol. 590); enclosure not found.

1. On this day the United States and France exchanged the official ratifications of the Treaties of Amity and Commerce and Alliance. The resolution was probably adopted by the congress on 4 May, immediately after it had completed its ratification of the treaties. Congress, after thanking Louis XVI “for his truly magnanimous conduct,” declared that “it is sincerely wished that the friendship so happily commenced between France and these United States may be perpetual” (JCC description begins Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. description ends , 11:457–458).

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Source Project: Adams Papers
Title: The Commissioners to Vergennes, 17 July 1778
Authors: First Joint Commission at Paris
Adams, John
Lee, Arthur
Franklin, Benjamin
Recipient: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, Comte de
Date: 17 July 1778

Reference

Cite as: “The Commissioners to Vergennes, 17 July 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-06-02-0231. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, vol. 6, March–August 1778, ed. Robert J. Taylor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1983, p. 298.]