Mr. Telfair,

Ay. No.

Mr. Langworthy, No.

So it was resolved in the affirmative.

OCTOBER 15, 1778.

Mr. Laurens, the President, addressed Congress as follows:

"GENTLEMEN,

"I informed you yesterday that I had received a "letter from Mr. Izard. I have since perused it, and

"find in it traits reflecting highly on Dr. Franklin, in “his publick character. I have observed, in this, the "rule which guided me in the late case of Mr. Izard's "letters. I have communicated the contents of the "letter and papers accompanying it to nobody. I "have consulted nobody. I act according to my own judgment, unbiassed and impartial. Mr. Izard's "wish that these papers may be communicated to "Congress, appears to me to preclude option on my

part; I therefore offer the letter and papers. If the "house is pleased to receive and have them read, I "will deliver them to the Secretary for that purpose. "I have delayed offering these papers earlier, in hopes of seeing a full house, and had directed the "absent members to be summoned. I have not read "any of the papers, the letter excepted."

Ordered, That the letter from Mr. Izard, and the papers accompanying it, be received and read.

OCTOBER 21, 1778.

The committee, appointed to prepare a letter of credence, notifying to his most christian majesty the appointment of Benjamin Franklin, esquire, to be the minister plenipotentiary of these states at the court of France, and also the draft of instructions to the said minister, brought in a draft of a letter, which was agreed to.

To our great, faithful, and beloved friend and ally, Lewis the sixteenth, king of France and Navarre.

GREAT, FAIThful, and beloved frieND AND ALLY,

The principles of equality and reciprocity on which you have entered into treaties with us, give you an additional security for that good faith with which we shall observe them, from motives of honour and affection to your majesty.

The distinguished part you have taken in support of the liberties and independence of these states cannot but inspire them with the most ardent wishes for the interest and glory of France.

We have nominated Benjamin Franklin, esquire, to reside at your court, in quality of our minister plenipotentiary, that he may give you more particular assurances of the grateful sentiments which you have excited in us, and in each of the United States. We beseech you to give entire credit to every thing which he shall deliver on our part, more especially when he shall assure you of the permanency of our friendship. And we pray God, that he will keep your majesty, our great, faithful, and beloved friend and ally, in his most holy protection.

Done at Philadelphia, the

day of October,

1778. By the Congress of North America, your good friends and allies.

(Signed)

Attest.

C. T. Secretary.

H. L. President.

The same committee also brought in a draft of instructions, which were taken into consideration.

A motion being made to strike out the word "pro"tection," and instead thereof to insert "further as"sistance;" and the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Gerry

So it passed in the negative.

A motion was then made to expunge the whole clause, to wit, "You are farther to assure him, that "they consider this speedy aid not only as a testimo"ny of his majesty's fidelity to the engagements he "has entered into, but as an earnest of that protection "which they hope from his power and magnanimity, "and as a bond of gratitude to the union founded on "mutual interest."

And on the question to agree to that clause, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Marchant