1-272-873 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Letter from Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley MP, 14th April 1782. Letter written from Passy when Franklin was Minister from the United States to France suggesting that, if the new English Ministry (of Lord Rockingham) was disposed to treat for a general peace, Henry Laurens should be set at full liberty and should bring over propositions. Both Franklin and fellow American Laurens were included in a commission from Congress to conclude a peace, dated 15th June, 1781. The latter, when on a mission to the Netherlands to negotiate a loan, had been captured at sea and was a prisoner on parole in England. The Definitive Treaty between Great Britain and the United States was negotiated by Hartley with Franklin and the others, being signed at Paris, 3rd September, 1783. From the fifth series of Facsimiles of royal, historical, literary and other autographs in the Department of Manuscripts, British Museum: Series I-V. (London, 1899).