treaty, take effect until the expiration of six calendar months after the negotiation for that purpose shall have been duly notified, in the former instance by the United States to his most christian majesty, and in the other instance, by his most christian majesty to the United States; to the end that both these parties may be included in the peace, if they think proper.

The twelfth and thirteenth articles are to be waved, if you find that the treaty will be interrupted by insisting on them.

You will press the fourteenth article; but let not the fate of the treaty depend upon obtaining it.

If his most christian majesty should be unwilling to agree to the sixteenth and twenty-sixth articles, you are directed to consent that the goods and effects of enemies, on board the ships and vessels of either party, shall be liable to seizure and confiscation.

The twenty-fifth article is not to be insisted on.

You will solicit the court of France for an immediate supply of twenty or thirty thousand muskets and bayonets, and a large supply of ammunition and brass field pieces, to be sent under convoy by France. The United States engage for the payment of the arms, artillery and ammunition, and to indemnify France for the expense of the convoy.

Engage a few good engineers in the service of the United States.

It is highly probable that France means not to let the United States sink in the present contest. But as the difficulty of obtaining true accounts of our condition may cause an opinion to be entertained that we

are able to support the war on our own strength and resources longer than, in fact, we can do, it will be proper for you to press for the immediate and explicit declaration of France in our favour, upon a suggestion that a re-union with Great Britain may be the consequence of a delay.

Should Spain be disinclined to our cause, from an apprehension of danger to his dominions in South America, you are empowered to give the strongest assurances, that that crown will receive no molestation from the United States, in the possession of these territories.

You will transmit to us the most speedy and full intelligence of your progress in this business, and of any other transactions that it may import us to know.

You are desired to get the best and earliest information that you possibly can of any negotiations that the court of London may be carrying on for obtaining foreign mercenaries to be sent against these states the next campaign; and if any such design is in agitation, you will endeavour to prevail with the court of France to exert its influence in the most effectual manner to prevent the execution of such designs.

You are desired to obtain, as early as possible, a publick acknowledgment of the independency of these states on the crown and parliament of Great Britain, by the court of France.

In conducting this important business, the Congress have the greatest confidence in your address, abilities, vigilance, and attachment to the interests of the United States, and wish you every success.

SEPTEMBER 24, 1776.

Resolved, That Thursday next be assigned for appointing commissioners to transact the business of the United States at the court of France.

SEPTEMBER 26, 1776.

According to the order of the day, Congress proceeded to the appointment of commissioners to the court of France.

Resolved, That three be appointed.

The ballots being taken, Mr. B. Franklin, Mr. S. Deane, and Mr. T. Jefferson, were elected.

Resolved, That a committee of four be appointed to prepare a draft of letters of credence to the commissioners; and that the said committee report the ways and means of providing for their subsistence.

The members chosen were Mr. Morris, Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. Wythe, and Mr. J. Adams.

Ordered, That the said committee draw up and report to Congress a set of instructions for the commissioners relative to their entering into treaties and negotiations with other foreign states in Europe.

Resolved, That secrecy shall be observed until the farther order of Congress; and that, until permission be obtained from Congress to disclose the particulars of this business, no member be permitted to say any thing more upon this subject than that Congress have taken such steps as they judged necessary for the purpose of obtaining foreign alliances,

Ordered, That an express be sent to Mr. Jefferson, to inform him of his appointment; and that a copy of the resolve for secrecy be, at the same time, transmitted to him; and that he be requested to inform the President at what time and place a vessel shall be sent for him.

SEPTEMBER 28, 1776.

The committee, appointed to prepare letters of credence, &c. brought in a report, which was taken into consideration.

The letters of credence being read and amended, were agreed to as follows:

The delegates of the United States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to all who shall see these presents, send greeting.

Whereas a trade upon equal terms between the subjects of his most christian majesty the king of France, and the people of these states, will be beneficial to both nations-Know ye therefore, that we, confiding in the prudence and integrity of* have appointed and deputed, and by these presents do appoint and depute them the said our commissioners,

*N. B. This blank was afterwards filled with the words Benjamin Franklin, one of the delegates in Congress from the state of Pennsylvania, and president of the convention of the said state, &c., Silas Deane, now in France, late a delegate from the state of Connecticut, and Arthur Lee, barrister at law.

giving and granting to them the said

or any

two of them, and in case of the death, absence, or disability of any two, to any one of them, full power to communicate, treat, agree and conclude with his most christian majesty, the king of France, or with such person or persons as shall by him be for that purpose authorized, of and upon a true and sincere friendship, and a firm, inviolable, and universal peace, for the defence, protection and safety of the navigation and mutual commerce of the subjects of his most christian majesty and the people of the United States; and to do all other things, which may conduce to those desirable ends; and promising in good faith to ratify whatsoever our said commissioners shall transact in the premises.

Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the thirtieth day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six.-In testimony whereof, the President, by order of the said Congress, hath hereunto, subscribed his name, and affixed his seal.

Attest.

President.

Sec'y.

Resolved, That the commissioners should live in such a style and manner, at the court of France, as they may find suitable and necessary to support the dignity of their publick character, keeping an account of their expenses, which shall be reimbursed by the Congress of the United States of America.