Letter from Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence

Transcript:

Gentlemen                                                                                                                  Paris January 4, 1777    13

I arrived here about two weeks [since?] where I found [Mr.?] Deane.  [Mr.?] Lee has since joined us from London.  We have had the Audience of the Minister, Court de Vergennes, and were respectfully received.  We left for his Consideration a sketch of the proposed treaty.  We are to wait upon him tomorrow for a strong Memorial requesting the Aids mentioned in our Instructions.  By his advice, we had an interview with the Spanish Ambassador, Count [?] Aranda who seems well disposed towards us, and will forward copies of our Memorials to his Court, which will act, he says, in perfect concert with this.  Their fleets are said to be in perfect order mann’d and fit for sea.  The cry of this nation is for us, but the court it is thought views an approaching war with Reluctance.   The [Press?] continues in England.  As far as we can receive a positive answer from the Court we shall dispatch an [Express?] with it.  I am, Gentlemen,

your most [obedient? Servant?]  
BFranklin