Benjamin Franklin Letter, 1777-02-14
Scope and Contents
This is a letter to Baron de Schulenburg, signed by Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane, "Commissioners Plenipotentiary for the United States of North America." In this letter, dated February 14, 1777, they ask the Baron at his earliest convenience to lay before the King of Prussia the enclosed Declaration of "Independency" and the Articles of Confederation of the United States of North America, to establish confidence and commerce between the two countries.
Dates
- Creation: 1777-02-14
Creator
- Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 (Correspondent, Person)
- Deane, Silas, 1738-1789 (Correspondent, Person)
- Schulenburg, Friedrich Wilhelm von der, 1742–1815 (Correspondent, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Access is by appointment only.
Extent
1 item
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This is one of the documents loaned to the American Heritage Foundation for exhibition on the Freedom Train in 1947 by the firm of A. S. W. Rosenbach and Sons. It was purchased by Mr. Gilcrease a short time later.
Physical Description
The writing is faded, but it is in excellent condition.
Transcript
Paris Feby. 14th: 1777
May it please your Excellency
We have the honor of inclosing the Declaration of the Independancy of the United States of North America, with the Articles of their Confederation; which we desire you to take the earliest Opportunity of laying before his Majesty, the King of Prussia; At the same time We wish he may be assured of the earnest desire of the United States to obtain his Freindship; and by a free Commerce, to establish an intercourse between their distant Countries, which they are Confident must be mutually beneficial. The state of the Commerce of the United States, and the Advantages which must result to both Countries from the Establishment of a Commercial intercourse; We shall if agreeable to his Majesty lay before him. Meantime We take the Liberty of assuring your Excellency that the Reports of the Advantages gained by his Brittannic Majestys Troops over those of the United States are greatly exaggerated, and many of them without Foundation, especially those which assert that an Accommodation is about to take place, there being no probability of such an Event, by the latest intelligence We have received from America. We have the honor to be with the most profound respect Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and Very Humble Servants
B Franklin
Silas Deane
Commissioners Plenipotentiary for the United States of North America
Addressed: To / his Excellency / Baron de Scolenborg
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Helmerich Center for American Research at Gilcrease Museum Repository
1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Rd.
Tulsa Ok 74127
918-631-6441