William Short to Thomas Jefferson.

Paris, June the 14th, 1790.
To the Honourable
Thomas Jefferson,
Secretary of State.

Sir: On the news of Dr. Franklin's death being received here, the National Assembly decreed that they would go in mourning for three days—and that the President should write to Congress to notify to them the part they take in the melancholy event. A kind of enthusiasm has spread also through the different parts of the capital—different societies and bodies have shown their adhesion to the sentiments of the National Assembly in different ways.

I am, etc.,
Wm. Short.

Thomas Jefferson to the President of the National Assembly of France.

Philadelphia, March 8th, 1791.
To
The President of the National Assembly of France.

Sir: I have it in charge from the President of the United States of America to communicate to the National Assembly of France the peculiar sensibility of Congress to the tribute paid to the memory of Benjamin Franklin, by the enlightened and free Representatives of a great nation, in their decree of the 11th of June, 1790.

That the loss of such a citizen should be lamented by us, among whom he lived, whom he so long and eminently served, and who feel their country advanced and honoured by his birth, life and labours, was to be expected, but it remained for the National Assembly of France to set the first example of the Representative of one nation doing homage by a public act to the private citizen of another, and by withdrawing arbitrary lines of separation, to reduce into one fraternity the good and the great, wherever they have lived or died.

That these separations may disappear between us in all times and circumstances, and that the union of sentiment, which mingles our sorrows on this occasion, may continue long to cement the friendship and the interests of our two nations is our constant prayer. With no one is it more sincere than with him, who in being charged with the honour of conveying a public sentiment, is permitted that of expressing the homage of profound respect and veneration with which he is,