y faculties will be employed in the service of America. I have
been much mortified in not being at liberty, as I have expressed to Mr
Deane. I should have flown to Paris to assist him, at least by the
knowledge I have of many European languages.

I have the honor to be, &c.

DUMAS.

FOOTNOTES:

[24] M. Dumas usually signed his despatches with a fictitious name.

* * * * *

B. FRANKLIN TO C. W. F. DUMAS.

Philadelphia, October 1st, 1776.

Sir,

I have just time to acknowledge the receipt of your two packets, with
the pamphlets enclosed, the contents of which are very satisfactory.
You will hear from me more fully in a little time.

With great esteem, I am, Sir, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

_P. S._ We have a great force brought against us here, but continue
firm.

* * * * *

SILAS DEANE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.

Paris, October 3d, 1776.

Dear Sir,

Since my last, in which I mentioned the King of Prussia, I have
obtained a method of sounding that monarch's sentiments more directly
through another channel, which voluntarily offering, I have accepted,
and therefore waive writing on the subject for the present anything,
save that you may undoubtedly serve the United States of America most
essentially in this affair in a few weeks from this. The attention to
my business here, which is not merely political, but partly
commercial, the critical situation of affairs at this Court, and the
anxious suspense for the events at New York and Canada have actually
fixed me here, and the having received no intelligence for some time
past has well nigh distracted me. I have, however, favorable
prospects, and the most confirmed hopes of effecting my views in
Europe. I am too much engaged to say more in this, and will be more
particular in my next.

I am, &c.

SILAS DEANE.

* * * * *

SILAS DEANE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.

Paris, October 6th, 1776.

Sir,

Yours of the 1st instant I received, and observe by the contents, that
Mr Lee is returned to London. I have not seen Mr