Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston.
Passy, March 4, 1782.
To the Honourable
Robert R. Livingston,
Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
Sir:
This puts me in mind of a medal I have had a mind to strike since the late great event[55] you gave me an account of, representing the United States by the figure of an infant Hercules in his cradle, strangling the two serpents; and France by that of Minerva, sitting by as his nurse, with her spear and helmet, and her robe specked with a few "fleurs-de-lis". The extinguishing of two entire armies in one war is what has rarely happened, and it gives a presage of the future force of our growing empire....
With great esteem,
B. Franklin.
Benjamin Franklin to Sir William Jones.
Passy, March 17, 1783.
To
Sir William Jones.
Sir: