sometimes impeded and delayed the commission ers, did not change their course, since they very well understood what were the real sentiments of the French government. And the peculiar character of Franklin stood him at this time in great stead. He was admitted to circles, and enjoyed intercourse, as the philosopher, which gave him most important facilities; but to which, as commissioner of the United States, he could not have obtained admittance. While the duties of the commissioners in reference to supplies was so effectually performed, in the seeking of foreign alliances they were less successful. Indeed, Franklin disapproved of this portion of his instructions from the beginning; and although he early received power to treat with Spain, he declined the performance of that commission, and gave Congress such satisfactory reasons for his conduct that they deferred to his opinion.

But while the commissioners were unrecognized by friendly powers, they did not hesitate to address themselves to the British minister in France as American commissioners. Lord Stormont, in answer to one of their notes, a second time dispatched, made answer, "The king's ambassador receives no applications from rebels, unless they come to implore his majesty's mercy." As the note to which this haughty answer was returned w is an application for exchange of prisoners, the commissioners sent back his lordship's paper with the remark, "In answer to a letter which concerns some of the most material interests of humanity, and of the two nations Great

Britain and the United States, we received the following indecent paper, which we return for your lordship's more mature consideration." The time at length arrived when the government which thus repulsed the commissioners as rebels, found it their policy to make friendly, though indirect overtures to the same commissioners; and the recognition of American prisoners as human beings was forced upon Great Britain by the number of British prisoners taken, upon whom retaliation, according to the usages of war, might be practiced.

At length, in February, 1778, a formal treaty of commerce was signed between the American commissioners on the one part, and the Count de Vergennes and M. Gerard on the other. The capture of the army of Burgoyne, and the general good conduct of the American troops; the union and firmness which were manifested in the counsels of the Americans, and the resolution of the people to defend the high and noble ground they had taken, had satisfied the French government that the war in America would prove something more than a mere temporary revolt, to be crushed by the power of Great Britain, or defeated by the defection of the colonies, or any of them. The treaty was based on the most magnanimous principles of reciprocity, no advantages being taken of the weak state of the Americans. Some little delay occurred in the signing, to give time for consultation with the Spanish court, as was required by the relations between the two monarchies; but as Spain declined to be a partv

I I

France entered alone into a treaty of amity and commerce with the United States. The draft of a treaty of alliance was also produced by the French minister, and agreed to, its ratification being contingent upon the declaration of war against France by Great Britain.

On the 20th of March, 1778, the American commissioners, now the acknowledged agents of an independent power, were formally received by the French monarch. It was an event in the life of Franklin which rewarded him for all past discouragements, inasmuch as, in its consequences, he could not but perceive it involved the almost certain success of his country. A powerful government was now pledged to defend the American claim to existence as a separate nation; for the rupture between Great Britain and France was weighed in the negotiation as a sure event. He had also the gratification to find the act of the government endorsed by the people, for on his way to Versailles, and on his return, he was greeted with the most enthusiastic popular acclamations; and whenever he appeared in Paris, a similar enthusiasm exhibited the popular feeling. This favorable disposition toward his country he knew was in no small degree to be attributed to his own personal efforts and character. Hereditary hatred to Great Britain, and the consciousness that in the last treaty with that power concessions had been made which were humiliating to the pride of France, made both government and people disposed to befriend America; and the hope of disabling by