B. Franklin & the First American Treaties

This plaque in Paris says it all and the year too!

“In this building,

On February 6th 1778,

Conrad A. GERARD,

In the name of LOUIS XVI, King of France,

Benjamin FRANKLIN,

Silas DEANE, Arthur LEE,

On behalf of the United States,

Signed the treaties

Of friendship, commerce and alliance,

By which France,

First of all nations,

Recognized the Independence

Of the United States”.

It would take five more years for this Independence to be fully recognized.