From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 2 February 1783
To Benjamin Franklin
Paris 2 Feb. 17831
Mr Adams having Something of Consequence to communicate to the American Ministers Plenipotentiary, for the Peace, requests the Honour of His Excellency Dr Franklin’s Attendance, with the other Ministers, at Mr Adams’s Lodgings, at Eleven O Clock Tomorrow Morning. The Points to be considered are 1. Passports to be given to and received from the British Minister, for British and American Vessells, and 2d Preparations for the Signature of the definitive Treaty, both upon the Propositions of the British Minister Plenipotentiary.2
RC (DLC:Franklin Papers); addressed: “A Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin, / Ministre Plenipotentiaire / des Etats Unis de L’Amerique pour las Paix / en Son Hotel a Passy / Pres Paris.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 108.
1. JA wrote a second dateline at the bottom of the page: “Hotel du Roi 2. Feb. 1783.” He wrote an almost identical letter to John Jay of this date (private owner, 1964).
2. For the business conducted by the commissioners on the 3d, see the Passport for British Merchant Ships, [ca. 3 Feb.], below; and John Adams’ Draft of the Definitive Peace Treaty, [1 Feb.], above.