Sold – Original Instructions For Conveying Ratification of the Alliance Between the US and France

Your Wisdom will dictate pointed Orders for conveying the packets without Injury with Secrecy and the utmost Dispatch

If Valley Forge was the most spiritual moment of the American Revolution, and the signing of the Declaration of Independence the most enlightened, then the conclusion of the Treaty of Alliance with France, bringing it into the conflict, was the most determinative. The Treaty was signed on February 6, 1778, after lengthy and difficult negotiations conducted mainly by Benjamin Franklin. It provided the Americans with funds, munitions and on-the-ground military assistance, and also established trade and commercial ties. It required that neither France nor the United States agree to a separate peace with Great Britain, and that American independence be a condition of a peace agreement.

In the spring of 1778, with the British occupying Philadelphia, the Continental Congress convened in York, Pennsylvania. On May 4, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with France was approved by Congress, with Congress recording the words within the ratification,”…it is sincerely wished that the friendship so happily commenced between France and these United States may be perpetual.”?It then ordered “That a committee of three be appointed to prepare the form of ratification of the foregoing treaties,” which committee included Richard Henry Lee, the man who had introduced the independence resolution in 1776. The next day Congress took up provisions 11 and 12 relating to the prohibition of certain duties, and to preclude these from becoming a sore point, Congress voted to request that France expunge them from the Treaty. It then resolved that “We, the said Congress…do authorize and direct our commissioners at the court of France, or any of them, to deliver this our act of ratification in exchange for the ratification of the said treaty on the part of his most Christian majesty the king of France.”?In order to get the U.S. ratification to France, it “Ordered, That six copies of the treaties, with the ratification agreed to, be made out and transmitted by the Committee for Foreign Affairs to the commissioners of the United States at the court of France, by different conveyances.” Multiple copies were specified because Britain controlled and patrolled the seas, and by dispatching a number of copies, Congress increased the chances that one would reach Franklin in Paris from fair to very good. As its last act on May 5, Congress ordered the Marine Committee to arrange for vessels to carry and send the despatches; Richard Henry Lee was a member of that committee and undertook the responsibility.

John Langdon, a former member of Congress and future signer of the U.S. Constitution, was Continental Marine Agent for New Hampshire, a post making him the national government’s primary official within the state. He supervised the importation and distribution of arms, as well as shipments to and from France. Lee trusted both him and his ability to get the ratification papers to France, so he was chosen to receive one of the six copies. On May 5 Lee sent him a letter on behalf of the Marine Committee asking that he arrange for a ship for an important mission to France. Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Committee prepared the official ratification papers, which process took some two weeks.

When the ratification papers were ready, Lee and James Lovell were delegated by the Foreign Affairs Committee to prepare and post six identical letters enclosing them – amongst the most significant documents in American history. This was the one received and acted on by Langdon. Letter Signed of Richard Henry Lee, completely in the hand of James Lovell, who has also signed, York, Pa., May 19, 1778, with integral address leaf addressed, also in Lovell’s hand, to “Honble John Langdon, Continental Agent, Portsmouth [NH].”There is a rare manuscript postmark, “York Town May 19th” at lower left. This was the sent copy, as Langdon himself has docketed it on the verso.  “In hope that you have provided a Packet Boat agreeable to the Direction of the Marine Committee sent to you on the 5th Instant, we now forward to your Care important Dispatches for France, which you are requested to give in Charge to a trusty Captain, to deliver with his own Hand to our Commissioners at Paris. Your Wisdom will dictate pointed Orders for conveying the packets without Injury with Secrecy and the utmost Dispatch, but, for sinking them in Case the Vessel should be unfortunately taken.” It is interesting to note that secrecy was required, and that in the event of capture, the captain should drop the papers overboard. It is also noteworthy to see the important role played by Richard Henry Lee in the affairs of the new republic, as here he is involved at every stage. How many of the other five sent copies have survived? A search of records over the past 35 years reveals none; nor do we recall seeing one offered for sale. This copy is likely the only one in private hands.

The ratification papers were received by Benjamin Franklin, and on July 17, 1778, he and the French government representative exchanged ratifications. The crucial Treaty was in effect.