YORKE.
Paris, October 1st, 1782. I certify that the adjoining is a true copy of the commission of which it purports to be a copy, and which has been shown to Mr Franklin and Mr Jay.
RICHARD OSWALD,
The Commissioner therein named.
FOOTNOTE:
[8] The parts of this Commission, which were altered or added, in consequence of the objections of the American Commissioners to Mr Oswald's first commission, are printed in italics.
COMMISSION TO WILLIAM T. FRANKLIN.
To all to whom these Presents shall come, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay send Greeting.
Whereas the United States of America, in Congress assembled, did on the 15th of June, in the year of our Lord 1781, appoint and constitute the said Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, John Adams, Henry Laurens, and Thomas Jefferson, and the majority of them, and of such of them as should assemble for the purpose, their Commissioners and Plenipotentiaries, to treat of, and conclude peace in their behalf; and whereas the said United States, in Congress assembled, did on the 26th of June, in the year of our Lord 1781, appoint Francis Dana, until he could proceed to the Court of Petersburg, either in a public or private capacity, to be Secretary to the said Plenipotentiaries for negotiating a peace with Great Britain, and in case Mr Dana should have proceeded, or thereafter proceed to Petersburg, or to any part of the dominions of the Empress of Russia, the Ministers appointed by the said act of Congress of the 15th of June, 1781, or a majority of such of them as should assemble, should be, and thereby were, authorised to appoint a Secretary to their commission, and that he be entitled to receive, in proportion to his time of service, the salary of one thousand pounds sterling per annum allowed to Mr Dana. And whereas his Britannic Majesty has issued a commission, dated the 21st of September, 1782, to Richard Oswald, to treat of, and conclude peace with any Commissioners, or persons vested with equal powers, by, and on the part of the Thirteen United States of America; and whereas the said Richard Oswald is at Paris, ready to execute his said commission, and has exchanged with the said Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, copies of their respective commissions, and entered on the business of the same, whereby the appointment of a Secretary to the American commission has become necessary, and the said Mr Dana now being at Petersburg, the right of appointing such Secretary has, in pursuance of the afore-recited act of Congress, devolved on the said Commissioners, and on the majority of them, and of such of them as have assembled for the purpose of executing their said commission; and whereas Mr Jefferson, one of the said Commissioners, has not come to Europe, and Mr Laurens, another of them, has declined to accept the said office, and Mr Adams, another of them, is at the Hague, so that the said Benjamin Franklin and John Jay are the only Commissioners now assembled to execute the said commission;
Now know ye, that they, reposing special trust and confidence in the ability and integrity of William T. Franklin, to perform and fulfil the duties of Secretary to their said commission, have appointed and constituted, and by these presents do appoint and constitute the said William T. Franklin, Secretary to the said commission.
In witness whereof, the said Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, have hereunto set their hands and seals, this first day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eightytwo, and in the seventh year of the independence of the said United States.