the good will of this nation to our cause, we may add
that of all Europe, which having been offended by the pride and
insolence of Britain, wishes to see its power diminished; and all who
have received injuries from her, are, by one of the articles, to be
invited into our alliance. The preparations for war are carried on
with immense activity, and it is soon expected.

With our hearty congratulations, and our duty to the Congress, we have
the honor to be very respectfully, &c.

B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE.

FOOTNOTES:

[49] This _plan of a treaty_ is contained at length in the _Secret
Journals of Congress_, Vol. II. p. 7. It is accompanied with a draft
of instructions to the commissioners, who were to propose it, in which
modifications are suggested.

* * * * *

TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Passy, February 16th, 1778.

Gentlemen,

We have now the pleasure of sending you the treaties of amity and
alliance, which France completed after long deliberation, and signed
the 6th instant. This is an event, which will give our States such an
appearance of stability, as must strengthen our credit, encourage
other powers in Europe to ally themselves with us, weaken the hopes of
our internal as well as our external enemies, fortify our friends, and
be in many other respects so advantageous to us, that we congratulate
you upon it most heartily. And we flatter ourselves, that the Congress
will approve of the terms, and despatch the ratifications as soon as
possible.

It is understood that Spain is shortly to accede to the same treaties.
We have in ours of December 18th, mentioned the reasons of her delay,
which still subsist, but will probably not subsist much longer. These
treaties continue a secret here, and may do so till the commencement
of the war, which is daily expected. Our little fleet formerly
mentioned, which has been long watched and detained in Nantes' river,
by the English cruising off Belisle, is now on the point of sailing
under the convoy of a French squadron. As the English are pretty
strong in the Bay, it is probable that their attack, and the French
defence of our ships, may be the prelude of a Declaration on both
sides.

Having received part of the 3,000,000 livres we formerly mentioned