John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, August 27, 1783

Paris August 27. 1783

Gentlemen

As I am informed that next Wednesday 8 is
appointed for the Signature of the definitive Treaties of Peace, I Suppose it will be
thought proper to think of Some Conveyance of the Ratification of the Provisional
Treaty, and of the Original of our definitive Treaty as Soon as it Shall be Signed to
Congress. By what Vessell it will be proper to Send it, deserves to be considered as
soon as possible, as it is of Importance to the Publick that the News of it, Should
reach Philadelphia, without Loss of Time.

I presume too, it will be thought proper to send The Treaties and Dispatches which may
accompany them by Some carefull Hand, and the Choice will fall naturally among the
younger Gentlemen who have been imployed abroad in the service of the Publick, in the Way of Negotiation. On this Supposition I beg Leave to propose to
your Consideration, Mr John Thaxter, who had been for Some time in the service of
Congress at Philadelphia, before he came to Europe, who embarked with me at Boston about
four Years ago, and has accompanied me constantly from that Time to this in a dangerous
Voyage and many fatiguing Journeys, and has ever been in the highest degree industrious
and faithfull in the Publick service. 9

With the greatest Respect, I have the Honour to be, Gentlemen, your most obedient and
most humble servant

John Adams.

Their Excellencies Benjamin Franklin and John Jay Esquires,
Ministers Plenipotentiary from the United States of America, for making Peace with
Great Britain