From Benjamin Franklin to Gérard, 25 February 1778
To Gérard
ALS: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères
Passy, Feb. 25. 1778
Sir
I received last night the enclos’d Letter from a Member of Parliament, and the two frivolous Bills which the Ministry in their present Consternation have thought fit to propose,6 with a View to support their publick Credit a little longer at home, and to amuse and divide if possible our People in America. You will see that they have dispatch’d a Fregate with the News, but I hope yours from Bourdeaux will arrive first.7 I wish to have the original Letters again when you have perus’d them. I have the honour to be, with great Respect, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
M. Gerard.
6. Hartley’s letter of the 18th and the information in Lee’s note of the 23rd.
7. The Belle-Poule; BF learned the next day that she had been forced to return to France: Lee to BF and Deane, Feb. 26.