Fresh From Discussing Rochambeau’s Arrival in America With the King At Versailles, Benjamin Franklin Learns of John Adams’ Appointment to Negotiate With the Dutch and Other Intelligence Sent from Congress

A very uncommon letter of Franklin from Passy, his diplomatic seat, while negotiating and implementing the U.S. alliance with France

In 1776, after the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin was sent by Congress to France to serve there as Commissioner.  When he arrived in Paris on December 21, 1776, accompanied by his 16-year-old grandson, William Templeton Franklin, he found much sympathy both for himself and his cause. He himself was the “celebrated Dr. Franklin” from the beginning. The people gathered in crowds to see and acclaim him and shopkeepers rushed to their doors to catch a glimpse of him as he passed along the sidewalk.  Perhaps no person in history has come to symbolize America as Franklin did in Paris.

The Franklins set up their diplomatic office and residence in a small town outside of Paris: Passy.  Although already aged 70, Franklin’s greatest contributions were yet before him.  From his home in Passy, the shrewd and much-feted Mr. Franklin worked to help bring France into the war on the side of the Americans, and to secure the arms and financial aid needed to win the Revolutionary War.  He began this effort just two weeks after his arrival, when he formally requested French aid.

In France, Franklin acted as purchasing agent to acquire ships and war supplies to be sent home; head recruiter seeking experienced or promising officers for the Continental Army; loan negotiator to obtain monies for the virtually bankrupt Congress; intelligence strategist handling information in the chess game between the American, French, British and Spanish governments; funds disburser for the American acquisitions effort; and generally acted as the main representative of the new United States in Europe.

In early June 1777, he received the first aid proceeds from the French, an advance of one million livres, which the French did not issue directly to the Americans, but deposited with a private banker that the United States would use in Paris, Ferdinand Grand. This would prove a prototype for future aid, as private entities would be utilized by the French government to provide clandestine aid in the way of secret arms, supplies and funds to the Americans. But initially the aid was meager and halting.

When news of the British surrender at the Battle of Saratoga reached France in December 1777, France offered the United States an official French alliance. On February 6, 1778, just two months later, France signed a Treaty of Alliance and a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the United States. This alliance would eventually bring victory in the Revolution and lead to American independence.

The core of this alliance was not only financial aid, which was by now already flowing, but the hope to develop into a military partnership. Without the assistance of the French navy as well as its army, the Americans would likely ultimately prove no match for British armed might.  In 1780, the Count de Rochambeau was appointed commander of land forces as part of the project code named “Expédition Particulière.”  He was sent to join the Continental Army, under George Washington, who excitedly and anxiously awaited his French counterpart’s arrival.  Rochambeau landed at Newport, Rhode Island, on July 10, 1780.

Meanwhile, in late 1779, Congress sent John Adams to Europe along with another member of Congress, Francis Dana. He arrived in Paris, tasked by Congress with negotiating with the British an end of the war. This roiled the French, who were troubled by the prospect that the Americans and British might reach reconciliation before France had achieved its objectives in this war. The French minister Vergennes chose not to communicate with Adams, while Franklin supported Vergennes. At that moment, both Franklin and Adams were within a few miles of each other in northern France, each engaged in their own respective diplomatic efforts.  In July 1780 Adams was named commissioner to the Netherlands, and together with sons John Quincy and Charles moved to Amsterdam. There he sought to cultivate the Dutch and negotiate a loan that would allow the U.S. to be more independent of France.  Adams’ tireless efforts, and the news of the American victory at Yorktown, changed the Dutch position and Adams secured a two million dollar loan.  This would eventually, in 1782, lead to the recognition by the Dutch of American independence, the first previously neutral European government to do so.  It was a crucial mission.  To bring this news of Adams’ appointment to Amsterdam was James Searle, a Congressman from Pennsylvania, who was tasked with updating Benjamin Franklin and John Adams on the latter’s new appointment, which would affect both, and also of giving them news of the goings-on in Congress.

Searle, in addition to providing such information, had his own agenda.  He had come to raise money in France for Pennsylvania. Franklin, on the other hand, was responsible for raising money for the nation as a whole, so Searle’s assignment was somewhat inconsistent with Franklin’s effort.  Searle sought to meet with Franklin on his arrival in France, writing on September 11: “Mr. Searle of Philadelphia presents his respectfull Compliments to Dr. Franklin, & has the pleasure to Send him two packets, & Seven letters with which he had the honor of being Charged by the Drs. Friends in America.”  This would bring Franklin news of Adams appointment and other important intelligence.

Meanwhile, news of Rochambeau’s landing in America had just arrived in France.  On September 5, the King himself wrote Franklin to learn if “it is in fact true, that you have heard the news of the arrival of M. De Rochambeau in America.”  Franklin had received almost simultaneous news. On September 12, he met with the King and Foreign Secretary Vergennes at Versailles, discussing this momentous news. Two days after this meeting, the King would authorize the printing of this news in the papers.  On his return from Versailles, on September 13, Franklin wrote to Searle to set up their meeting, mentioning his gathering at Versailles and that he had received the information Searle had been ordered by Congress to provide.

“I was out all Day yesterday at Versailles”

Autograph letter signed, Passy, Wednesday morning, September 13, 1780, to Searle.  “Sir, I received the Letters and Pacquets you were so good as to send me by Mr Dana on Monday, and I thank you for your Care of them. I sent my Grandson the same Afternoon to congratulate you on your Arrival, and to request the Honour of your Company at Dinner this Day. But he did not meet with you. I was out all Day yesterday at Versailles, and so the Repeating of the Message happen’d to be omitted. If you are not otherwise engaged I shall be glad to see you. My Grandson will conduct you.  With great Regard, I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant. B. Franklin.”

With the arrival of Searle and intelligence from American, much transpired.  Adams left for the Netherlands. The supplement to the September 15 issue of the Gazette de Leyde published an extract of a letter from Versailles, dated September 5, the date of the King’s letter to Franklin, announcing the arrival that morning of dispatches from Rochambeau, safely arrived at Rhode Island.

Franklin did meet with Searle, and sent him to the Netherlands. Franklin’s job of getting funds for the whole war effort took precedence over the needs of one state, even his own, and he was busy enough handling the nation’s affairs in Paris.

This letter is a true rarity. A search of public sale records going back 20 years shows that only five other ALSs of Franklin from Paris during the Revolution have reached that market, which just a few of them having fine content such as this.