The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, Vol. 5: Volume 5: July 1, 1753 through March 31, 1755

Franklin, Benjamin; Labaree, Leonard W. [Editor]

ISBN 10: 0300006543 / ISBN 13: 9780300006544

Published by Yale University Press, 1962

About this Item

Hardcover and dust jacket. Good binding and cover. Light wear. Clean, unmarked pages.

Seller Inventory # 1805150040

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, Vol. 5: Volume 5: July 1, 1753 through March 31, 1755
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication Date: 1962
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0300006543
• ISBN 13: 9780300006544
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • American History and Politics

About this title

Synopsis

This volume marks the beginning of hostilities between Britain and France. Although Franklin and his fellow commissioners do not play a major role in the new wartime diplomacy and military strategy, the documents richly illustrate his relationship with his American colleagues, his neighbors in Passy, and a wide variety of French correspondents. Franklin, in a moment of personal discouragement at the failure of his amorous pursuit of Mme. Brillon, writes a haunting literary piece the "Ephemera." Part of his wistful mood undoubtedly stems from his expectation of recall by Congress. Instead Congress at the end of this volume elects him America's first minister plenipotentiary to the French court.

From the Back Cover

Franklin's arrival in France caused a sensation. By the time he reached Paris the city was buzzing with rumors: he had come with a small fortune in gold, to put his grandsons in school and then buy himself a Swiss chateau for his retirement; he had come to negotiate a treaty with France or, failing that, with Britain; he had come to sue for peace, just as he had earlier tried to reach a settlement with the Howes. These reports went the rounds of the diplomatic corps. The Parisians were so busy with conjecture, the Russian Minister informed St. Petersburg, that the police posted orders in all the taverns and coffee houses not to discuss American affairs.