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Editorial
December 9, 1793
The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser
Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, Berkeley County, Jefferson County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
Extract of Benjamin Franklin's letter from Paris, May 12, 1784, to Dr. Mather, stressing the critical US-France alliance for security against persistent British ambitions and warning against domestic efforts to undermine it.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
From a late Boston paper.
Extract of a letter from Doctor Franklin, to Dr. Mather, dated Paris, May 12, 1784.
"This powerful nation (speaking of France) continues its friendship for the United States. It is a friendship of the utmost importance to our security, and should be carefully cultivated. Britain has not yet well digested the loss of its dominion over us: and has still at times some flattering hopes of recovering it. Accidents may increase those hopes, and encourage dangerous attempts. A breach between us and France would infallibly bring the English again upon our backs; and yet we have some wild beasts among our countrymen, who are endeavouring to weaken the connexion.
"Let us preserve our reputation by performing our engagements; our credit by fulfilling our contracts, and our friends by gratitude and kindness, for we know not how soon we may again have occasion for all of them."
Extract of a letter from Doctor Franklin, to Dr. Mather, dated Paris, May 12, 1784.
"This powerful nation (speaking of France) continues its friendship for the United States. It is a friendship of the utmost importance to our security, and should be carefully cultivated. Britain has not yet well digested the loss of its dominion over us: and has still at times some flattering hopes of recovering it. Accidents may increase those hopes, and encourage dangerous attempts. A breach between us and France would infallibly bring the English again upon our backs; and yet we have some wild beasts among our countrymen, who are endeavouring to weaken the connexion.
"Let us preserve our reputation by performing our engagements; our credit by fulfilling our contracts, and our friends by gratitude and kindness, for we know not how soon we may again have occasion for all of them."
What sub-type of article is it?
Foreign Affairs
What keywords are associated?
France Friendship
British Threat
Us Security
Diplomatic Alliance
American Gratitude
What entities or persons were involved?
France
United States
Britain
Doctor Franklin
Dr. Mather
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Importance Of Us France Friendship
Stance / Tone
Urging Cultivation Of Alliance With France Against British Threats
Key Figures
France
United States
Britain
Doctor Franklin
Dr. Mather
Key Arguments
France's Friendship Is Vital For Us Security
Britain Still Hopes To Recover Dominion Over The Us
Accidents Could Encourage British Attempts To Reclaim Control
A Breach With France Would Invite English Aggression
Some Americans Are Weakening The Us France Connection
Preserve Reputation By Fulfilling Engagements
Maintain Credit By Honoring Contracts
Show Gratitude To Friends For Future Needs