Benjamin Franklin Papers

From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 8 September 1782

To Vergennes

LS:5 Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères

Passy, 8th. Sepr: 1782

Sir,

Mr Barclay who will have the honour of delivering you this, will have that of laying before your Excellency his Commission from the Congress of the United States of America, appointing him their Consul General in France.6 Mr. Barclay being about to enter on his Consular Functions, I request your Excellency would in the usual manner, authenticate & make known his Appointment; that in the exercise thereof he may meet with no Molestation or Impediment, but on the contrary receive that Countenance & Assistance he may stand in need of.

With great Respect, I have the Honour to be, Sir Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant.

B Franklin

[His] Exy. [?] Ct. de Vergennes. &ca—

Endorsed: M. de R7

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

5. In WTF’s hand.

6. JCC, XX, 735–6. Barclay presented his commission to Vergennes on Sept. 12: Klingelhofer, “Matthew Ridley’s Diary,” p. 104.

7. Rayneval (i.e., Gérard de Rayneval), who handled Vergennes’ American correspondence.

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    Source Project
    Franklin Papers
    Title
    From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 8 September 1782
    Author
    Franklin, Benjamin
    Recipient
    Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de
    Date
    8 September 1782

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 8 September 1782,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-38-02-0065. [Original source: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 38, August 16, 1782, through January 20, 1783, ed. Ellen R. Cohn. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2006, p. 84.]

    More between these correspondents