1The American Commissioners to [the Conde de Sousa Coutinho], 26 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and draft: Library of Congress The Congress of the United States of America have seen a paper purporting to be an Edict of his Portuguese Majesty, dated at the Palace of Ajuda, the 4th. of July, 1776. in which the said States are treated with Contumely, their Ships however distress’d, forbidden to enter any Port in his Dominions; and his Subjects every where forbidden to afford them the...
2From Benjamin Franklin to [the Conde de Sousa Coutinho], 7 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: Library of Congress I have perused carefully the Plan of a Treaty which your Excellency did me the honour to leave with me on Wednesday. I shall transmit it to my Sovereign as it is, to avoid delay; but in the meantime would make a few Remarks for your Consideration. 1. I apprehend the Words at the End of the first Article [ que celles dèja établies avec les Puissances les...
3The American Commissioners to the Conde de Sousa Coutinho, 9 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): National Archives After having met in person with Hartley, the British negotiator who would soon return to London, and Walterstorff, the Danish envoy with whom Franklin had negotiated a draft treaty in 1783, the American commissioners decided to send a circular letter to official representatives of the other nations with which they were empowered to negotiate treaties of commerce...
We have received the Extract of the letter from Monsieur de Sa of the 24 th Oct r 1784 which your Excellency was pleased to send us by the hand of the Secretary of your legation. “That in consequence of our letter your Excellency might assure us that Her Most faithful Majesty will be very glad to have the best correspondence with the United States, and that we may explain to your Excellency...
5The American Commissioners to Sousa Coutinho: Résumé, 30 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives ⟨Passy, November 30, 1784: We received from your secretary the extract of the letter from Monsieur de Sa of October 24. Conformable to the desires of Her Majesty, we enclose a draft of a project of a treaty of amity and commerce to be concluded between our two countries. If this project is acceptable and Her Majesty sends you power to conclude, we are ready to sign such...