to treat with those
States, and conclude treaties of commerce with them, when we shall
request to commence and conclude the negotiation through the mediation
and under the auspices of his Majesty. We have the honor to request
his Excellency's advice hereupon.

We address this to your Excellency, as we have done many other things,
which we suppose may be referred to other departments, because your
Excellency being the Minister for Foreign Affairs, we have understood
that we have no right to apply in the first instance to any other. But
if we have been misinformed and ill-advised in this, and there is no
impropriety in our making immediate application to other Ministers,
upon subjects we know to be in their departments, we request your
Excellency to give us an intimation of it; and for the future we will
avoid giving unnecessary trouble to your Excellency.

We have the honor to be, with sentiments of most entire respect,

B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.

* * * * *

TO M. DE SARTINE.

Passy, October 2d, 1778.

Sir,

We have the honor of your Excellency's letter of yesterday's date,
requiring us to give to the Sieur Fagan all the security in our power
for these vessels to transport the merchandise of France to England.

We have the honor to acquaint your Excellency, that we have
accordingly given the Sieur Fagan three different requests in writing,
to all commanders of American armed vessels to let the said vessels
and cargoes pass without molestation, which was all the security that
the laws of our country have empowered us to give.

We have the honor to be, with most entire consideration, your
Excellency's most obedient servant,

B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.

* * * * *

M. DE SARTINE, TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Translation.

Versailles, October 7th, 1778.

Gentlemen,

I have had the honor, to receive your letter of the 26th ult., in