[Extract]
Honourable Gentlemen

After expressing our Hopes, that this will find you all three safely fixed at Paris, we proceed with Pleasure to acknowledge the Receipt of Mr [Silas] Deane's Letter of the 1st October — When we reflect on the Character & Views of the Court of London, it ceases to be a Wonder, that the British Ambassador, and all other British Agents, should employ every means that tended to prevent European Powers, but France more especially, from giving America Aid in this War — Prospects of Accomodation, it is well known, would effectually prevent foreign Interference, and therefore, without one serious Design of accomodating on any other Principles, but the absolute Submission of America, the delusive Idea of Conciliation hath been industriously suggested on both Sides the Water, that, under Cover of this dividing & aid-withholding Prospect, the vast British Force, sent to America, might have the fairest Chance of succeeding; And this Policy hath in fact done considerable Injury to the United States . . . ²

. . . If the great Land & Sea Force, with which we have been attacked, be compared with the feeble State, in w!-J.ich the Commencement of the War found us, with respect to Military Stores of all Kinds, Soldier's Cloathing, Navy, & Regular Force; and if the infinte Art be considered with which Great Britain hath endeavoured to prevent our getting these Necessaries from foreign Parts, which has in part prevailed, the Wonder will rather be, that our Enemies have made so little Progress, than that they have made so much —

All Views of Accomodation with Great Britain, but on Principles of Peace as Independent States and in a Manner perfectly consistent with the Treaties our Commissioners may make with foreign States, being totally at an End, since the Declaration of Independence & the Embassy to the Court of France, Congress have directed the Raising of 94 Battalions of Infantry with some Cavalry — Thirteen Frigates from 24 to 36 Guns are already launched & fitting, and 2 Ships of the Line with 5 more Frigates are ordered to be put on the Stocks — We hear the Levies are going on well in the different States — Until the new Army is collected the Militia must curb the Enemies Progress — The very considerable Force that Great Britain has already in North America, the Possibility of recruiting it here within their own Quarters by Force & Fraud together, added to the Reinforcements, that may be sent from Europe, and the Difficulty of finding Funds in the present depressed State of American Commerce, all conspire to prove incontestibly, that if France desires to preclude the Possibility of North America's being ever reunited with Great Britain, now is the favourable Moment for establishing the Glory, Strength, & Commercial Greatness of the former Kingdom by the Ruin of her ancient Rival — A decided Part now taken by the Court of Versailles, and a vigorous Engagement in the War in Union with North America, would with Ease sacrifice the Fleet & Army of Great Britain, at this time chiefly collected about N York-The inevitable Consequence would be the quick Reduction of the British Islands in the West Indies, already bared of Defence by the Removal of their Troops to this Continent — For Reasons herein assigned, Gentn, you will readily discern, how all important it is to the Security of American Independence, that France should enter the War, as soon as may be, and how necessary it is (if it be possible) to procure from her the Line of Battle Ships, you were desired in your Instructions to obtain for us, the speedy Arrival of which here, in the present State of Things; might decide the Contest at one Stroke . . .

. . . Congress approve of Armed Vessells being fitted out by you on Continental Account, provided the Court of France dislike not the Measure, and blank Commissions for this Purpose will be sent you by the next Opportunity — Private Ships of War, or Privateers, cannot be admitted where you are, because the Securities, necessary in such Cases to prevent irregular Practices, cannot be given by the Owners & Commanders of such Privateers . . .

P.S. The American Captures of British V essells at Sea have not been less numerous, or less valuable than before Dr Franklin left us — The Value of these Captures have been estimated at two Millions.