A letter that Benjamin Franklin wrote in Paris in 1777 to help secure French assistance is being offered for $120,000 by the Raab Collection.
A historical document that proves Benjamin Franklin was a key part of the American Revolution could soon be yours.the Founding Father wrote in 1777. The important piece of correspondence will be displayed for the first time at the firm’s Philadelphia office before it goes up for sale on April 11 with an asking price of $120,000.
The rather short note pertains to clandestine aid from France to the American cause. Franklin had journeyed to Paris as a diplomat, tasked with getting France to join America’s war for independence as an ally to the States. Emmanuel-Pierre de la Plaigne, meanwhile, was chosen by the Georgia Legislative Council as its formal representative to liaise with France. The letter, dated December 3, 1777, shows Franklin giving de la Plaigne credentials to then negotiate with the French.
“I do hereby certify whom it may concern, that the Papers herewith connected under my Seal, viz. the Extract from the Minutes of the Assembly of Georgia, signed by Henry Cuyler, Clerk; and the Instructions to Capt. De la Plaigne signed by N W. Jones Speaker, are genuine and authentic Papers. B Franklin,” the letter reads.
On the opposite side of the letter is Franklin’s docket, meaning that it was the Founding Father’s own copy and eventually traveled back with him to Philadelphia. Initially bought by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1946, the note was given to a donor in 1972. However, given the relevance of the letter, the society’s minutes show that the gift wasn’t meant to become a regular occurrence and that it was a rather generous acknowledgment of the donor’s assistance.
Franklin’s letter to de la Plaigne eventually helped the latter secure aid from the French a mere week later, as did the news that the Americans had won a battle in Saratoga, which arrived just after Franklin wrote his missive. And two months later, the French officially allied with the Americans in the Revolution, eventually leading to full independence from the British.Tori Latham is a digital staff writer at Robb Report.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Franklin' Trailer: See Michael Douglas Embody Benjamin Franklin Amid the American RevolutionThe forthcoming Apple TV+ series looks at Franklin's time in France amid the American Revolution.
Read more »
Don’t miss this huge sale on Samsung monitors — From just $120Grab some savings on a new monitor for your gaming setup, desktop PC, or laptop with this Samsung monitor sale taking place at Amazon right now.
Read more »
Save $120 on GE's Cult-Favorite Nugget Ice Maker During the Amazon Big Spring SaleMake your own crunchy chewable ice at home with savings on all three of GE's countertop nugget ice makers.
Read more »
This Famed Cordless Dyson Vacuum Is $120 Off At WalmartGriffin Wynne (they/them) is a Staff Writer for HuffPost cover shopping, trends and digital culture. They are based in Philadelphia.
Read more »
Clean up before your Super Bowl party with $120 off a Dyson cordless vacuumAmanda Reed is a commerce updates writer at Popular Science. She makes sure all product round-ups are up-to-date, shares deals happening all over the internet, and reviews various gizmos and gadgets. She lives in Pittsburgh with JunkJunk, a handsome, sad-looking tuxedo cat who only wants wet food and attention.
Read more »
Internet Computer community committed over $120 million to dapps last yearSwitzerland-based Dfinity Foundation reported that community members committed millions of ICP tokens to projects involving dapps in 2023.
Read more »